Commencement programs are an important archival resource for Governors State University. Not only do they include the list of graduates and the program of events for the ceremonies including the names of speakers, most of them also include biographical information on the honorary degree recipients, a description of the academic costume worn by participants, and a description of the Governors Mace. Some programs also include titles of theses, biographies of community service award recipients, and names of retiring employees and their years of service.

A new addition to our collection are copies of the Honorary Degree Citations provided by Penny Purdue of the President's Office. Please note this collection is missing citations for Eric Hoffer (1977), Henry Mark Petrakis (1980), Robert Petty, Sr. (2005), Dr. Quentin Young (2006), and Dr. Edward Hirsch (2006). The Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree was first conferred at GSU's 5th commencement ceremony in 1975.

Learn more about commencements at Governors State University.

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Commencement 2001

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Honorary Degree Citation: Dempsey J. Travis, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Marjorie Craig Benton, Governors State University

Commencement 2000

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Commencement Program: 2000, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Clifton L. Taulbert, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Father George Clements, Governors State University

Commencement 1999

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Commencement Program: 1999, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Christopher Zorich, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Eleanor Holmes Norton, Governors State University

Commencement 1998

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Commencement Program: 1998, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Bill Kurtis, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Jesse L. Jackson Jr., Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Monsignor Ignatius D. McDermott, Governors State University

Commencement 1997

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Commencement Program: 1997, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Georgie Anne Geyer, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Irving B. Harris, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Richard Hunt, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: The Honorable Aldo DeAngelis, Governors State University

Commencement 1996

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Commencement Program: 1996, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Adele Smith Simmons, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Curtis J. Crawford, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Lewis Manilow, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Richard W. Riley, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Wynton Marsalis, Governors State University

Commencement 1995

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Commencement Program: 1995, Governors State University

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Honorary Degree Citation: Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Governors State University