Photo essay: Skidmore’s Commencement over the years James Helicke As Skidmore celebrates the Class of 2020 with an unprecedented virtual Commencement, we look back at some of the ways the College has celebrated graduates and adapted to changing times. Fri, 29 May 2020 15:36:17 -0800 Alumni,Events,Commencement, Ballet dancers Violette Verdy and Edward Villella Commencement 1959 Skidmore's third president, Val H. Wilson, shakes the hand of a graduate during the College's 1959 Commencement ceremony. Skidmore's annual tradition has adapted to changing times throughout history.