Matriculation
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History of Matriculation
Major David Bates Douglass found himself with a plethora of tasks and goals to accomplish in his time as president of Kenyon. One of the many things he did accomplish was the creation of the Rite of Matriculation, first held on July 17, 1841, with 29 participants, including Rutherford B. Hayes. Douglass' initial idea surrounding matriculation (as found in the first volume of the Matriculation Book), was to create a "formal adoption of those upon whom it is conferred, into the personal fellowship of a literary community." In November of 1957, the matriculation ceremony changed its original meaning from the oath of allegiance to the College, by having freshman sign the Matriculation Book along with the sophomores. This changed, because in its original context, students were to wait until their sophomore year to sign, in order to decide whether or not they could wholly commit to the academic rigors of the College. However, since the curriculum also began to change, it became a general consensus that the original purpose of signing the Matriculation Book and attending the ceremonies had been lost.
Meaning of Matriculation
Founder's Day has become a tradition in which the Kenyon community can commemorate the men and women who founded the college, whether it be the idea of starting the college or literally digging the foundation on which Kenyon College now stands. It is these people whom we remember, for they not only founded the buildings, education, and academic whole of Kenyon College, but also founded the environment of friendship, learning, and joy that each matriculate can expect to experience. Originally, Matriculation was very strict. A student would not actually officially be affiliated with the College until he participated in Matriculation. Matriculation was literally an academic and collegiate rite of passage, through which one could proudly display their commitment to academic excellence. In fact, if a student failed to be eligible to take part in Matriculation, he also lost his good standing with the College. Matriculation gave students a sense of permanent association with the College that created an even deeper and more meaningful relationship with Kenyon. There is a sense of symbolism that is also meant to exist with the idea of matriculation. In a literal sense, one signs the book as an act of committing oneself to the college. In a symbolic manner, it is oneself signing to a new life that will come from the knowledge, experience, and strong sense of community found at Kenyon.
Lasting Tradition of Matriculation
There are a few important aspects of Matriculation and Founder's Day that remain, and will most likely continue to remain, an important part of this celebration. One of these aspects is the Founder's Day address, usually offered by a Kenyon professor (though it varies from year to year and has included Lord Kenyon). The Founder's Day address is a way of setting the tone for the coming school year, and much importance is placed in its content and speaker. Another tradition that many Kenyon students and alumni can always remember is the first-year sing. Every year the first-year class gets together, and in their first act of a united class of Kenyon College, learn, rehearse, and finally perform a collection of songs that pay respect to Kenyon College and its founders.
Women Become Part of Matriculation
October 30, 1972 marked a monumental change in the tradition and celebration of Founder's Day and Matriculation with the introduction of women in the ceremonies. The college extended invitations to the women of the freshman class to be in attendance of the celebration and the words were read "as faithful sons and daughters," a crucial part of fully accepting Kenyon's coeducation status. Not only was this solely for the women of the freshman class, but the school also extended invitations to upperclass women of the College. Finally, after a smaller ceremony allowing the upperclass females to sign, the entire school was a part of the Kenyon's long standing tradition. Eventually, this Kenyon rite of passage became an event that happened upon a student's arrival rather than having to accomplish anything at the school, which created a sense of unity among its students.
External Resources
Resources in the Kenyon College Archives
- The Kenyon Collegian
- Matriculation -- collected materials
