The Oberlin Collegiate Institute (renamed Oberlin College in 1850) granted its first degrees in 1836 in the Theological Department. In 1837, the college presented its first four AB degrees. Before 1895, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music did not issue degrees; however, it later joined the college’s AB degree ceremonies to present diplomas and certificates to its graduates, and by 1905, began issuing the Mus.B. degree.
Listing of Honorary Degree Recipients and Commencement Speakers, 1851-2025
*Denotes Commencement Speaker(s)
-
Oberlin College Commencement 1942
Oberlin College
*Ernest Hatch Wilkins, President of Oberlin College
-
Oberlin College Commencement 1943
Oberlin College
*Ernest Hatch Wilkins, President of Oberlin College
-
Oberlin College Commencement 1944
Oberlin College
*Ernest Hatch Wilkins, President of Oberlin College (June)
*Lawrence E. Cole (October) -
Oberlin College Commencement 1945
Oberlin College
*Ernest Hatch Wilkins, President of Oberlin College
-
Oberlin College Commencement 1946
Oberlin College
*Thomas W. Graham (February)
*Ernest Hatch Wilkins, President of Oberlin College (June)
*Professor Thomas Kepler (October) -
Oberlin College Commencement 1947
Oberlin College
*William E. Stevenson, President of Oberlin College (February)
*Howard Foster Lowry (June) -
Oberlin College Commencement 1948
Oberlin College
*Professor Paul B. Sears (February)
*Francis Stephenson Hutchins, President of Berea College (June) -
Oberlin College Commencement 1949
Oberlin College
*Professor Clarence Ward (February)
*Dr. Ralph Johnson Bunche (June) -
Oberlin College Commencement 1950
Oberlin College
*Arthur Sherwood Flemming, President of Ohio Wesleyan (February)
*Sir Oliver Shewell Franks (June)
