TitleRonald Reagan 1957 visit to Eureka College for Commencement (47)

Inventory Number1957.047

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 the attendees of the 1957 Eureka College graduation at a party in honor of the event. This photograph captures Ronald and Nancy Reagan meeting with guests. Nancy Reagan stands to the right of the photograph and wears a white dress with dark polka dots covering it. Her right hand is embraced in a handshake with a man on the right side of the photograph. Reagan stands directly to Nancy's right and looks at her face smiling. He wears a white suit and a dark tie. In his right hand looks to be a piece of paper. Despite the lack of clarity in the photograph, it appears that the paper is a clipping of a newspaper article, perhaps recently given to Reagan by one of the men they are greeting. To the immediate right of Reagan is one of the men who looks at Nancy. He wears a light suit and a dark tie and glasses. The last gentleman stands to the left of the photograph and is engaged in a handshake with Nancy. He wears a light colored suit and dark tie. He is smiling at Nancy which gives the impression that neither of the pair was talking when the photograph was taken and therefore it was a posed moment. 

The identity, excluding Nancy and Reagan, of those photographed is unknown. 

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 NameChapman, Cassandra - Ronald Reagan Museum - Eureka College