The Commencement Ceremonies at Linköping University

Historical Background

The conferment of doctors' degrees is a medieval heritage. It seems to stem from a need to emphasise the transition from one stage of the educational career to the next. Thus, a holder of a master's degree was awarded his degree after completion of the studies at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, a type of foundation education, and a holder of a doctor's degree was similarly conferred the doctor's degree after completion of studies and after having defended a doctor's thesis at one of the so-called "higher faculties" (Theology, Law, and Medicine).

The first documented conferment of degrees in Sweden took place on January 22, 1600, in Uppsala. At that time, seven students were awarded their masters' degrees. In the year of 1617, the conferment of a doctor's degree in theology was arranged in all its splendour. That occasion was a part of the ceremonies surrounding the coronation of Gustavus Adolphus II.

The number of commencement ceremonies increased during the 19th century and gained great importance within academic circles. Originally, the commencement ceremonies took place within each faculty, but during the last fifty years it has become increasingly common that the whole university celebrates together. Thus, commencement has become the whole university's concern.

In Linköping, the first conferment of doctors' degrees took place in 1973. Since then, nearly one thousand doctors and one hundred honorary doctors have been awarded doctors' degrees. The conferment of doctors' degrees and the ceremonial inauguration of professors take place at the same time.

The annual ceremonies take place in the end of the spring term and the autumn term, respectively.

Participants

The conferment of doctors' degrees and the ceremonial inauguration of professors are the university's most splendid annual events. Invited to the conferment of doctors' degrees are those who shall be conferred doctors' degrees Promovendi. There are two types of Promovendi, doctors who have defended a doctor's thesis Doctores Juvenes and honorary doctors Doctores Honoris Causa. The professors and teachers who have acted as the Promovendi's supervisors are invited. In addition, the President's Office and the Faculties have their own guests.

Procession

The commencement ceremonies start out with a procession. After the banners and the Master of Ceremonies come the three faculties. The Dean of the Faculty leads each faculty and the conferrer of doctors' degrees followed by the Faculty's candidates for honorary doctorates. Thereafter come those who shall be awarded doctors' degrees after having defended a doctor's thesis. These are followed by the teachers at the faculty.

After the three faculties come the host, the Rector of the University, vice rectors and pro rectors. After them come special invited guests such as the Chancellor of Swedish Universities and Colleges, the Minister of Education, the Governor, the Bishop, the President of the Student Union and/or other guests of honour.

Between each unit in the procession there is a Marshal wearing a ribbon in the Swedish colours (blue and yellow). The marshals are appointed by the student unions and participate in various practical arrangements surrounding the ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony

The ceremonies begin with the President of the University's words of greeting. This is followed by, in the same order as in the procession, the conferment of doctors' degrees of the three faculties. The Conferrer of doctors' degrees start out with a short introduction before he puts on his doctor's hat or laurel wreath. Then, all the "old" doctors from the faculties present put on their hats. The Conferrer of doctors' degrees then reads out loud the letters of appointment which state that the Faculty has in due form appointed him. He then turns to the honorary doctors selected by the Faculty and confers doctors' degrees on them according to the same ritual as doctors who have defended a doctor's thesis (see below).

Thereafter, he confers doctors' degrees on those who have defended a doctor's thesis. The Master of Ceremonies calls the names of the candidates, and once they has come up to the Conferrer he states:

"Greetings, Bachelor of Arts!" or "Salve Philosophiae Candidate!"
"Please accept the hat!" or "Accipe pileum/coronam (hat/laurel wreath)!" (Places the hat/laurel wreath on the doctor's head.)
"Please accept the ring!" or "Accipe anulum aureum!"
"Please accept the diploma!" or "Accipe diploma!" (Hands over the diploma.)
"Farewell Doctor of Philosophy!" or "Salve doctissime doctor!"

When everybody has been conferred their degrees, the Conferrer addresses a few words to the new doctors and then concludes by saying:

"I have spoken!" or "Dixi!"

According to the tradition in Linköping, the Institute of Technology uses Swedish throughout the ritual while the other two faculties use Latin. In case of a conferment of a doctor's degree on a non-Nordic honorary doctor, the Conferrer usually uses English and/or Latin.

Music is performed between the conferments of doctors' degrees of the three faculties.

Once the Institute of Technology's conferment is finished, the Master of Ceremonies says:

"The commencement- and inauguration ceremonies of 20xx are declared closed."

Commencement Banquet

After the ceremonies, the main parts of the participants gather for a banquet. The first speaker at the banquet is the President of the University who often brings up current research- or educational issues directed to the ministers or to the high-ranking politicians present. One of the newly conferred honorary doctors, one of the conferrers, as well as one representative for the Doctores Juvenes all give speeches. One of the guests of honour returns formal thanks on behalf of the guests. Entertainment and dance follow the banquet.

The Insignia of the Conferment

The Laurel Wreath

During a conferment of a doctor of philosophy degree, a laurel wreath is always handed out, and for the other faculties a hat. The laurel wreath is only used during the ceremony, however, and afterwards the Promoti (those who have been awarded doctors' degrees) wear hats as a sign of their dignity.

In ancient Greek mythology, the laurel wreath was connected with the god Apollo, but it was also used as a symbol for victory in triumphal processions in the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages and the renaissance, the laurel wreath symbolised poetry, but it was also associated with scholarship.

The Hat

The pleated hat, with different buckles depending on the faculty, is regarded to symbolise freedom. In ancient Rome, liberated slaves were given the right to wear a hat. Within an academic context, the hat symbolises freedom of research, but from a historical viewpoint it also expresses power. Nowadays, a doctor's hat is only worn with formal dress.

The Diploma

The design of the diplomas varies according to the faculty. The Institute of Technology's diploma is in Swedish while the other two are in Latin. The diplomas are printed in various versions since the Latin requires different wording according to the gender of the doctor. The names of the Promovendi are written by hand.

It used to be very important to be able to verify a doctor's degree, especially during trips abroad. Then the diploma was the only degree certificate. Today, the diploma is considered a beautiful memory of the commencement ceremonies.

The Ring

In Linköping, the ring is only given to the honorary doctors. The other doctors may acquire one if they wish. During the ceremony, the handing over of the ring takes place symbolically. The ring symbolises marriage, which within this context represents how the promovendi are wed to science.

Hans Lundgren, Master of Ceremonies (Övermarskalk) Emeritus at Linköpings universitet

Page responsible: maria.karlberg@liu.se
Last updated: Fri Oct 14 13:22:29 CEST 2011