Commencement Invitations

Agency History:
The Florida State University, one of the largest and oldest of the nine institutions of higher learning in the State University System of Florida, had its beginning in 1851 when the Florida Legislature established two seminaries. In February 1857, the institution began offering postsecondary instruction to male students at the Seminar West of the Suwannee River. The following year it became coeducational when it merged with the Tallahasse Female Academy. By 1897 the institution had evolved into the first liberal arts college in the state, and in 1901 it became Florida State College, a four year institution. In 1905 the University of Florida was established and designated a men's school, and the Florida State College became a women's school call the Florida Female College. In 1909 the name of the college was changed to Florida State College for Women. In 1947, the Florida State College for Women was returned to coeducational status and renamed The Florida State University. By the 1980s, the University was recognized as a major research institute with over 370 buildings on nearly 1200 acres including the main campus of 346 acres in Tallahassee. (Taken from the Florida State University General Bulletin, 1995-1997)

Scope and Content:
Commencement Invitations to graduations at Seminary West of the Suwannee River, Florida State College, Florida State College for Women, and Florida State University.

©1997 Florida State University. All rights reserved. Created by Aimee Reist and John Nemmers. Send comments to FSU Libraries Special Collections