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The Baccalaureate Service is believed to have originated at Oxford University in 1432 when each bachelor was required to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic exercise. Since the earliest universities in this country were founded primarily to educate ministers, the British practice of the Baccalaureate Service was continued.
The tradition of the Baccalaureate Service at Columbia University began after the move to Morningside Heights in 1897. The Baccalaureate Service is now an interfaith, intercultural service celebrating the completion of each undergraduate's academic career, and is the opening event of Commencement Week.
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