TitleRonald Reagan 1957 visit to Eureka College for Commencement (44)

Inventory Number1957.044

Full CollectionRonald Reagan Collection - Reagan Image Collection - 5x7 Images

Object Description

Photograph of the 1957 Eureka College graduation ceremony during Ronald Reagan's visit to Eureka College at which he attended the commencement for the graduates. Ronald Reagan attended Eureka College between 1928 and 1932. He was a member of the TKE's Iota Chapter during his time in Eureka and served as its President in 1928. Reagan was active in school including theater and football. At the time of the photograph, Ronald Reagan was working as an actor in Hollywood. As one of Eureka College's most famous celebrity, Reagan's arrival to campus was always celebrated by staff, faculty, students, Eureka College Alums, and the citizens of Eureka. 

This black and white photograph shows attendees of the graduation and a graduate as he gets interviewed and filmed. It is unknown what the purpose of the recording was; whether for television for a news broadcast or perhaps for Eureka College AV and memorialization. The gentleman getting interviewed wears a white suit with a dark tie and dark shoes. The man standing facing him wears a light colored suit, dark tie and shoes, and holds a wired microphone to the other young man's mouth. Behind the gentleman are onlookers; two men and two women who are likely the graduate's guests waiting for him to finish and watching while he is interviewed. Lastly, a man crouches in the bottom right hand corner with headphones on and operating the technology associated with the interview including the camera which is placed upon a tripod. In the background is a large white building which is the girl's dorm called Lida's Wood; named at the request of the Ford family, who donated the land, to honor their young daughter Lida who died there in 1887.

The identity of the attendees is unknown, but it is known that none of them are Ronald Reagan .

Object Date1957

Object StatusCurrent

Object TypePhotographs

Country OriginUnited States

Credit LineEureka College

Full LocationEureka College Archives - Digital Archive

SubjectRonald Reagan, Actor Ronald Reagan, Eureka College Visit

Inventory Contact NameBouslog, Katelynn - Ronald Reagan Museum - Eureka College