During the spring of 1970, the anti-Vietnam War movement had a profound effect on college campuses across the U.S., including at the University of Cincinnati. Like many other universities, UC closed before the official end of the academic year. Students returned to their homes, and the seniors who lived many miles away from Cincinnati found themselves far removed from their commencement ceremony in early June. Some were able to get back to campus and participate, but many could not.

To recognize the unique experiences of that historic spring, and in particular to honor those who couldn’t attend their commencement, the UC Alumni Association coordinated a Special Anniversary Commencement for the Class of 1970. In concert with the Spring Commencement exercises for UC’s Class of 2010, the event gave those graduates an opportunity to symbolically reclaim their lost commencement, to finally walk across the stage to well deserved applause, and to exchange memories and renew acquaintances with their 1970 classmates.

The Special Anniversary Commencement took place on Friday, June 11, in Fifth Third Arena.