Evensong

Evensong, “a pageant of song”, took place on the Grand Staircase as the sun was setting.  It was symbolic of the graduating seniors going out into the world to spread the light of knowledge.  This beloved commencement week ceremony began in the early 1930’s and continued until 1971.  

Evensong had its roots in Greek Mythology.  This 16 Jul, 1953 La Grande Observer article provided the details.

The event was presided over by the “Queen of Knowledge” and her court of six courtiers.  In the earlier years they wore Grecian gowns. To be selected for the honor of being a member of the court a woman had to have at least a 3.0 GPA and to have been active in campus life throughout her college career.

As the event took place in spring, the Grand Staircase was surrounded with Spirea in bloom, with its masses of small, white flower clusters, delicate foliage, and cascading branches.  The bushes were planted around the staircase in the 1930’s, as a part of the original landscaping and it made the perfect backdrop for photos of the court.

The program began at dusk, heralded by the sound of trumpets.  The graduating seniors, in their caps and gowns, gathered at the top on the View Terrace.  The underclassman, in white shirts and pastel dresses, lined the steps.

The band assembled on the lower landing.  The Queen of Knowledge and her court were escorted to their place of honor on the middle landing.

Evensong was a tremendously popular area event.  In 1932 close to 20 percent of La Grande’s population was in the audience.  Ninth Street, at the bottom of the staircase, was closed off.  Neighborhood children helped set up the chairs. 

At the end of the evening, The Queen would summon the seniors to light their candles from her flaming Torch of Knowledge and speak these words.

“May you ever keep your purpose strong, your courage high, your loyalty true, and ever bear aloft the torch of learning.”

The seniors would then descend from the staircase and go out into the world to live their lives and share their knowledge.  The undergraduates would climb back up the stairs to the halls of learning to continue their education.

Later everyone gathered for the Evensong Ball. 

When the Eastern Oregon Normal School opened its doors in 1929, the staircase hillside was a blank canvas, ready to be landscaped.  And, although a few small arborvitaes and spirea had been planted in front of the Grand Staircase by the time the first Evensong was held in the early 1930s, there was still very little green to look at.

That is when, according to Professor John M. Miller (Director of Teacher Education) in a 15 Oct, 1953 La Grande Observer article, is when students and faculty stepped in.

As you can see from the photos below, some rather large trees were brought in – impressive but only temporary as they were gone by the time a photo of the 1934 Evensong was taken.

Unless otherwise noted, all black and white photos here courtesy EOU Library.

A final note: The Torch of Knowledge can also be found in the area above both doors on the south side of Inlow Hall.