June 18, 1884
DU awards diploma to its first graduate
On June 18, 1884, trustees, faculty and students crowded into the First Baptist Church for the first annual Commencement of the University of Denver. John Hipp, the son of German and Swiss immigrants and the sole graduate that year, received his diploma from Bishop Warren, who reportedly voiced an enthusiastic and fitting “Hipp! Hipp! Hurrah!” in praise of the honoree. Hipp, a staunch supporter of the temperance movement, was admitted to the Colorado Bar two years later and practiced law until his death on June 29, 1928. DU’s 126th undergraduate Commencement ceremony will take place on June 5, 2010, in Magness Arena.