History of Class and Charter Day

History of Class & Charter Day

The first Class & Charter Day was held in 1950. It was the brainchild of President Robert W. McEwen, who sought to combine the traditional Class Day (originally the last Wednesday of classes when students annually held games, athletic and singing contests, and various other extracurricular activities) with commemoration of the granting of the College’s charter on May 26, 1812. Noting that Class Day fell close to the College’s “birthday,” he conceived the idea of having a convocation in the Chapel with an address by a historian, trustee, alumnus or faculty member whose subject would be related to Hamilton’s history and traditions. The occasion also came to include recognition of faculty members and students with honors and awards.