As the University approaches the milestone of 100 years, we in the Archives have enjoyed looking back on the graduating classes that made every one of those years unique.

While the University will be celebrating its centennial next year, 2019, commencement exercise are a bit behind. This year, Western New England will be graduating its 97th class, because of course, it took two years from its founding date to get new students through the then two year degree programs.

Today we thought we’d share a few newspaper articles recognizing the milestone of the 30th graduating class, whose commencement exercises took place in May of 1951.

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Congratulations to all graduating this weekend! Welcome to the ranks of so many fine men and women whom the University has had the honor of graduating over the past (almost!) 100 years!

Welcome to finals week, everyone! Here at the library, we’re doing our best to help support all of our students through this final push of the semester. The library is packed, and we see some students still working hard, and some relaxing because they’re already done. But whether a student needs an article for that paper due tomorrow morning, or a recommendation for a great book to read at the beach, we’re here until the bitter end!

Twenty years ago, it looks like students’ experiences during finals were just as variable as they are today. Some students are overwhelmed with tests all week, some had presentations and papers due during the last week of classes, and there are some lucky students out there who have no finals at all.

We think if a roving reporter went out to campus and asked the same question today, the responses would be almost the same!

Good luck with finals, everyone! And remember, we’re here to help!

From The Westerner, December 1998