The Commencement Daisy Chain Tradition

By Monica VanDerWeide, ’95

Commencement traditions come and go at Hillsdale as circumstances, facilities, and class sizes change through the years. One tradition—the Daisy Chain—has long been out of practice but was a popular and beloved part of Commencement in the first half of the 20th century. In this excerpt from The First Hundred Years of Hillsdale College, author Vivian Lyon Moore explains this beautiful, symbolic tradition.  

“Another venerable Commencement tradition, the beginnings of which are hidden in the mists of the past, is the Daisy Chain. The large white blossoms which, wild and abundant, flourish upon the slopes of Mt. Zion, invited use as an accessory to student activities from an early day. We may never know whose inspiration it was to weave them into a chain for the senior processional; but generations of students have gone to and from the College Church, grasping the floral cable.  Years ago the privilege of plucking the flowers and constructing the chain was recognized as a prerogative of the junior class, who, on the eve of Commencement, made a night of it in Dickerson Gymnasium, with merrymaking and refreshments. Later classes went to Mt. Zion at midnight, did their weaving in the gymnasium, and at dawn trooped up to the tower for a “great sing” before handing the completed chain over to the seniors. The arch-ritual was added and became an essential of the ceremony. In front of Central Hall is erected a daisy-bedecked arch, at the far side of which the juniors form an aisle. The seniors approach, lay their chain upon the ground, and pass through the arch into “the wide, wide world.” They bestow their caps and gowns upon the expectant juniors, who then file back through the arch to assume their new upperclass responsibilities. Not until that moment is graduation actually consummated.”