The June 6, 1966, 84th annual spring commencement, marked the last time that President I. D. Weeks presided over a university graduation ceremony. The importance of this ceremony is clear from its gold program cover and the dignitaries present asked to comment on President Weeks’ many accomplishments for the university, the state, and nation. As part of the ceremony, President Week received a standing ovation from the 3,000 attendees. Dr. Howard R. Bowen, President of the University of Iowa, and Weeks’ friend presented the commencement address entitled “The Education Society” citing the demands educational institutes require to produce more knowledgeable citizens.
President I. D. Weeks receiving a standing ovation. USD Archives and Special Collections. Negatives: Series 10; Number 9215.2.
Members of the South Dakota Board of Regents conferred the degrees. Dr. Warren M. Lee, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, presented a tribute to President Weeks. This was followed by South Dakota Governor Nils A. Boe presenting President Weeks with a sculpted bronze plaque. The plaque states “I. D. Weeks President University of South Dakota 1935-1966. For thirty-one years he served this university as its president with fidelity, dedication, and effectiveness. Under his leadership, this institution attained the true statue of a state university. To this man, this record, and this service we pay tribute.” Fittingly, the plaque sits prominently on the second-floor northeast brick wall in the library that bears his name: I. D. Weeks Library that was completed in 1967.
The plaque President I. D. Weeks received on June 6, 1966, in the I. D. Weeks Library. Photograph by Evelyn Schlenker
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