White Rose Ceremony

The White Rose Ceremony is held annually during spring commencement weekend in memory of Philura Gould Baldwin. An oration is given by one of the selected participants, and a portion of the White Rose song is sung. A white rose serves as a memorial to the honoree.

Philura Gould Baldwin, 1886, was the granddaughter of John Baldwin, founder of Baldwin University. As an undergraduate, Philura collected books, cataloging them according to Dewey's new decimal system, to begin a library. The traditional colors of brown and gold, which carried over from Baldwin University, had been Philur's suggestion. Following her death from consumption at age 26, Philura's parents donated funds for a library that was dedicated in her memory in June 1894. The building still stands today as part of the Malicky Center.