Springfield College Commencement Program (1952)

A program for the sixty sixth commencement ceremonies for the International YMCA College, now Springfield College, held in 1952. Although the school went by the name Springfield College at this time, its corporate name remained the International Young Men’s Christian Association College until 1954. This pamphlet starts by describing the program, including songs, prayers, commencement address, presentation of diplomas, and a list of the members of the graduating class. Paul Moyer Limbert, Ph.D., gave the commencement address. Honorary degrees were conferred to Serafin Aquino (Master of Physical Education), George F. Briggs and Francis Clark Oakley (Master of Humanics), James C. Donnell, II and Seward Charle Staley (Doctor of Science), John Halsey Gulick (Doctor of Humane Letters), John Elmo Wallace (Doctor of Divinity) and Laurence Locke Doggett (Doctor of Humanics).Dr. Dogget was Springfield College's fourth president. He was also the first full-time president and served in the position from 1896-1936. Under Doggett's leadership Springfield College expanded its student body from 50 to 500 and its faculty from 8 to 40. Doggett also oversaw the building of a new gymnasium, library, swimming pool and athletic at the College. Doggett was also instrumental in developing and implementing the College's Humanics philosophy which still guides the college to this day. He retired in 1936 and remains Springfield College's longest tenured president. Dr. Laurence L. Doggett died in 1957 at the age of 92