Over 100 years ago
The Huron High School graduating class of 1903 was the largest class of students up to that date. There were eleven graduates, four were male, which was the highest number of males to graduate in a single year. The local newspaper also noted that seven of the graduates were born in Huron.

Commencement ceremonies were held at the Opera House on June 10. The auditorium was full of family, friends, and spectators. Each student delivered an oration on a historical or political topic of their choosing, which was interspersed with musical selections to keep the crowd engaged. The graduating class that year was the 16th class to graduate from Huron High School.

93 years ago

The high school class of 1932 graduated in the midst of the Great Depression with few options for employment and little money for college. The Evening Huronite distributed a survey to the 115 graduates that year asking about their plans for the future. The paper reported that the majority of the seniors felt they could not afford college and worried about finding a job, 27 said they hoped to attend college, and 10 of those said they would attend Huron College if they could.

Seniors expressed interest in becoming lawyers, dieticians, electrical engineers, hotel managers, teachers, stenographers and secretaries. One student said she would like to be an old maid and run an orphanage. Chemistry, English, and Contemporary Civilizations were classes in which students ranked as having the greatest influence on their education. While many students commented they wished they had studied harder, they also said their school days had been the happiest times of their lives.

46 years ago
Senator George McGovern delivered the commencement address to the graduating class of Huron College in 1979. The ceremony took place outdoors in Campbell Park. Students and faculty walked from the college campus to the bandshell which was decorated with American flags.

McGovern’s speech was titled “Alternatives for the Future.” He encouraged students to evaluate issues from many perspectives besides their specific disciplines, to act with respect and tolerance for the opinions of others, but also have the courage to put forth their own ideas. He told the crowd: “to remain silent in the face of policies that one believes are harming the nation is not patriotism, but moral cowardice. Criticism of public policy does not weaken the nation; rather, it serves to refine, correct, or strengthen our national course.” (Huron Daily Plainsman, May 20, 1979, page 1).

Several awards were given that afternoon. Dr. Dwight Hill, a long-time supporter of the college, received an honorary doctor of humanities degree which was accepted on his behalf by his son Dennis Hill, a member of the college’s board of trustees. Grover Brown was presented the first Huron Educator Award in recognition of his teaching career, and associate professor of political science, Gene Denison was honored for 25 years of service.

Historical Happenings was written by Jennifer Littlefield, Reference Librarian at the Huron Public Library. The information was taken from past editions of the Huron Daily Plainsman. For more information about Huron’s history, visit the library or search the library’s digital archive