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The first Allegheny College diploma reflected Timothy Alden’s fondness for pomp. It also signified his deep joy in the achievement of his students. How else can we explain why Alden, a philosophical man of serious bent, should place Comus, the youthful Greek and Roman god of festivity, on the document signifying completion of Allegheny’s rigorous course of study? He apparently changed his mind, however, for the finished product displays not Comus with scrolls but rather busts of Homer on the left and Herodotus on the right above lists of local and distant donors.

A lighter touch is nevertheless included in the central picture in the attractive form of a muse encouraging students to undertake the arduous journey up the hill to the temple of science. Perhaps it was this change that explains why the diplomas were not ready for the first graduating class of 1821. But one was ready in 1824 for the next graduate, David Farrelly, son of Patrick and brother of John W.; the previous graduates also received theirs. Just when use of the original diploma design ended is unclear.

The diplomas awarded today are smaller and simpler, though still dignified.

[Excerpt from "Through All the Years: A History of Allegheny College"
by Jonathan E. Helmreich, Emeritus Professor of History and College Historian]