Remembering UP’s graduation ceremonies: 19 April 1941

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" UP awarded an honorary doctorate degree in public administration to one of UP’s  former Vice-Chancellor, prof Carl Friedrich Schmidt.

Prof Schmidt, was appointed as UP’s Vice-Chancellor in 1935. Before his appointment at UP, he was the Secretary of the Provincial Education Department in Bloemfontein, Director of  Education of the Free State and the  Auditor general of the Union of South Africa. Prof Schmidt was appointed as Vic-Chancellor in 1935 and under his leadership student numbers increased to over 1500. At the end of 1939, 190 degrees  and 47 diplomas were conferred. During his term of office discussions were also started to launch a medical faculty at UP. Despite a relatively short time period, 1935 to 1940, as rector, Schimdt was known for his integrity and being an accomplished civil servant. In honour of his service to South Africa and UP, the university awarded him an honouring doctorate degree on 19 April 1941.

During the autumn 2024 graduation UP will confer more than 12 500 degrees. Many of the past graduation programmes, photographs and recollections are housed in the University of Pretoria Archives (UPA). The UPA preserves the history of the University of Pretoria and its numerous holdings include an extensive photo collection, as well as news clippings and histories detailing the growth and impact of the University.  Please contact us at [email protected] to share your Tukkie experiences, or visit the UPA reading room to view our collection.