Class Night (Group 4)

The Senior Class Night tradition at Florida State University is one that began when the University was solely a women's college, and continued even when both men and women were in attendance.  In earlier years, the tradition was that the Senior Class would present their past four years in play form that the entire class had a role in.  In the image, it shows the program for this event for the graduating class of 1919.  The event was meant to be celebratory, and meaningful for the individuals who got to partake in it. 

The Senior Class Night event traditionally took place in Spring, as a way to represent that the students were one step closer to commencement.  While it may not be exactly the same as it was in 1919, the ceremony still had components even in 1963 that were similar.  The Class Night developed to being where the class will was read, and the class gift to the University was presented.  In addition to this, awards, oresentations, and exchange of caps and gowns were typically done.  This exchange is a special tradition, where each Senior would ask a Junior to receive their cap and gown, and this honor was open to both men and women. Rather than the Senior Class present a play of their history, like in the past, instead they presented a musical program, followed by the reading of the class poem and history of their past four years at Florida State. An important part of the ceremony that remained constant over time was the recognition of class sponsers and outstanding Seniors.  This portion was typically presented by important people with connections to the University.  The event was meant to be formal, as friends and family were encouraged to come, and the asked attire for men was dark suits, and for women white dresses. 

Page 55 from the scrapbook of Jewell Genevieve Cooper who attended the Florida State College for Women ca. 1924-1930. Program for Class Night event as well as the outstanding Seniors.

The plays and musical programs that took place during this ceremony, while the idea may seem childish and young, were truly planned to be as special as possible for those participating and those watching.  They typically had a director, and were carefully crafted around a theme. In the image to the right, we can see the program for the twenty-first annual class night, where the title and theme is “The Tallahassee Girl”. In an edition of The Florida Flambeau, the newspaper of Florida State, from May 5, 1928, the upcoming Class Night is briefly discussed.  It mentions how the theme for the play will be “The Veil of Memories”, creating a funny, lighthearted play about how it is important to hold on to the memories from your college experience. It also mentions how the program was written and produced by someone carefully enough that every member of the senior class can take part.