1963: Anniversary celebration

This was Boston College’s centennial year, with honorary degrees awarded to a record number of 14 individuals who made up what was arguably the most distinguished honorary degree cohort in BC history. It included Bruce Catton, James Reston, Arthur Goldberg, Nathan Pusey, and Cardinal Augustin Bea. The Class of 1963 also included the first six women admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences. Unhappy with the change in enrollment policy, however, authorities in Rome forbade the University from bringing more women into A&S, and full coeducation would not be achieved until 1969. This photo of hood donning was from either the School of Education or School of Nursing, both of which were fully coed.