The first commencement was held, 2 students received Human Ecology degrees

Just a year after receiving accreditation, COA was able to bestow a Bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology to its first graduating class. Two students, Catherine B. Johnson and William Ginn, received their degrees. Both were transfer students, Johnson had transferred from Yale and Ginn from Amherst College. After finishing their education at COA, they became the school’s first graduates. 

Want to know what it was like to be a part of COA’s inaugural commencement? Check out Cathy Johnsons’s oral history to learn more! It is linked in the 'Related Items.'

Image Note: This commencement is from 1982, since there are no photos of the 1974 ceremony in our archive.