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These series contains records about St. Cloud State University commencement, dating from 1871 to 2009. Additions to this series will be ongoing.

Arranged chronologically, the main focus of the records are the programs. Programs were issued for each ceremony, listing names of those who graduated and the degree that was received. Early programs do not list graduates, but instead just the events surrounding commencement.

Starting in 2000, commencement was split into two: one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students. Thus, there were two programs. It later combined into a single program.

Other material is contained here, including invitations, speeches of commencement speakers, and audio and video of commencement, dating back to 1968.

The commencement records are split into four separate series.

Series 1: Reference Copy

This series contains the most complete run of SCSU commencement programs. There is one copy for each commencement program that the Archives has.

Series 2: Archives Copy

This series contains, when possible, two copies of each commencement program. Commencement programs here are duplicated in Series 1.

Series 3: Other Material

Contained in this series are invitations, schedules, and other material related to the commencement ceremony. Text of speeches, dated mostly from the 1960s, are in this series as well.

Series 4: Audio/Visual

This series has audio and video of commencement programs dating back to 1968. Some years there is only audio, which is on either cassette tape or reel to reel. Video exists here for many commencement ceremonies, especially after 1999, though there is earlier video. Video formats include VHS and DVD.

The 262 letters and 1 poem included in this collection were written by Sinclair Lewis to Marcella Powers between 1939 and 1947. Lewis met Powers in August 1939 when they were both acting in Eugene O’Neill’s play Ah Wilderness! at the Provincetown Theater in Cape Cod. Lewis and Powers began a relationship despite the 36 year age difference between them.

In these letters, Lewis discusses a wide variety of topics - his career, his writing, and his feelings for Powers. During the time of their relationship, Lewis traveled quite a bit throughout the United States giving lectures. He also spent time working in Los Angeles in the motion picture industry and lived in Excelsior and Duluth in Minnesota where he spent much time writing. Lewis also wrote about his social life, including the people that he met, the games of chess that he played, and the books that he read. Many of the letters are very long while others are quite short, with some including cartoons drawn by Lewis.

The letters end in September 1947, shortly after Powers marriage to Michael Amrine. Lewis tells Powers that she will no longer receive an allowance from him, but that if she were ever in need of help that he would be there for her. When Lewis passed away in 1951, Powers was listed in his will.