Alma Mater: “Bright College Years”
Student Speeches & Class History
In centuries past, Class Day included formal academic speeches by members of the graduating class. Today, students speak during the ceremony in several short sets of remarks or other performances reflecting the Yale experience—some serious, others less so. Over the years, the Class History has evolved from written speeches to on-stage skits to feature films to a crowd-sourced montage of photographs and video reflections.
Class Ivy
The tradition of planting the Class Ivy began in 1852, when the first vine was placed near the wall of the Old Library, now Dwight Memorial Chapel. Students engraved the numerals of their class on a nearby stone. In the early years, the graduating seniors sang the Ivy Ode as each member of the class scattered a handful of earth around the roots of the planted sprig. The numbers “2024” will be engraved on Old Campus.
The Yale Handkerchief
Tradition prescribes that, when singing the last line of “Bright College Years,” Yalies wave white handkerchiefs. Since 1984, each member of the graduating class has received a personal handkerchief from the Yale Alumni Association.
The Churchwarden Pipe
Graduating seniors will find a white clay pipe in their Class Day gift bags. In the nineteenth century, the members of the graduating class would gather on Old Campus to sit in a circle and smoke clay pipes. Honoring that history, the Churchwarden Pipe has linked Yale’s graduates over more than 150 years. Today, in place of the tobacco of generations past, the pipe is accompanied by bubbles for blowing.
The Class Day Anthology
The anthology features quotes, writings, and designs from members of the class. Each Yale College Class of 2024 graduate will receive a special gift bag including the anthology, handkerchief, a Yale College pin, and other keepsake materials.