University of the State of New York Board of Regents Secretary Convocations Files

Intellectually arranged by date of convocation, then alphabetically by subject.

The first University Convocation was convened by the Regents in 1863. These meetings provided a forum for discussion of issues and trends within the State's educational establishment, and served as a celebration of accomplishments within the state education system. Convocations were initially held annually, then switched to a biennial schedule. The last documented convocation was held in 1984 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Board of Regents. Convocations typically included of sessions and discussions on specific education topics, often featuring speeches by authorities on the subjects. Then, a formal ceremony was held, featuring the recognition of new school superintendents, principals, and college and university presidents; as well as the awarding of honorary Regents' degrees to dignitaries, educators, and scholars. Honorary degree recipients include Winston Churchill, historian John Hope Franklin, composer Howard Hanson, former Presidents Herbert Hoover and Harry S. Truman, Nobel Prize winner Rosalyn Sussman Yalow, and former governors Averell Harriman, Nelson Rockefeller, and Malcolm Wilson.

This series consists of files relating to the planning and conduct of convocations of the University of the State of New York, from 1942 to 1984. Included are published proceedings, along with files used in their production. These files typically include programs, roll of academic procession, and instructions; press release of principal convocation address; schedule of symposium topics and participants; and correspondence on invitations to speakers and panelists, including contents of programs, and background materials. Also included are files on arrangements and logistics leading up to the convocations. These typically include press releases announcing programs and exhibitions; memoranda concerning participants and table seating for the convocation dinner; copies of invitations; address lists of attendees; memoranda on publicity; receiving line lists and stage layout; a small amount of documents on budgeting and expense reports; and letters of thanks to participants and workers. Photographs are scattered throughout the series.

A substantial portion of this accretion pertains to a series of monthly events accompanying the usual monthly meetings of the Regents, commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the Board of Regents in 1984. Located in various New York municipalities, each event was organized around a specific sector of New York State society (e.g. business and innovation, cultural diversity, health and sports). An additional file documents the arrangements and proceedings marking the opening of the New York State Museum in 1976, which led to the focus on cultural education in the 1977 Convocation. Also found in the files, although apparently unrelated, are letters sent to the Board of Regents from citizens and education officials stating their opinions on various educational issues, organized by subject matter.

17265Series 17265, Board of Regents Meeting Files

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