Robert Barr Todd and Robert Levi Todd

Robert Barr Todd was the son of David Todd, Mary Todd Lincoln's uncle and brother of her father Robert Smith Todd.  After graduating from the University of Missouri, he eventually got to Louisiana

Robert Levi Todd was the son of Roger North Todd, another brother of Robert Smith Todd. He remained in Columbia for his whole life.

Robert Barr Todd's mother, Elizabeth "Eliza" Barr Todd, married David Todd.  One of his sisters, Rebekah Todd Samuel,  married George Warren Samuel.

--Old Secesh

A History of the University of Missouri- Columbia-- Part 1: First Land-Grant University West of the Mississippi

From Wikipedia.

The University of Missouri- Columbia was established in 1839.  This later expanded to the statewide University of Missouri System which is why the name Columbia now accompanies it.

It was established in 1839 as part of the Geyer Act to establish a state land-grant university.  The school became the first land-grant university west of the Mississippi River.

The year of its founding, the citizens of Columbia pledged $117,921 in cash and land to beat out five other mid-Missouri counties for the location of the state university.  The land on which the college was constructed was just south of Columbia and owned by James S. Rollins, who became known as the "Father of the University."

It was the first university in Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase and was designed in part on Jefferson's plans for the University of Virginia.  Because of this, the original tombstone of Thomas Jefferson was given to MU in July 1883 by Jefferson's heirs.

As before mentioned, the first graduating class in 1843 consisted of just two men, both first cousins, Robert Levin Todd and Robert Barr Todd.  If the Todd name rings a bell, they were also first cousins of Mary Todd Lincoln.  Rober L. was the valedictorian and Robert T. was the salutatorian.

--Old Secesh

About the First Commencement at the University of Missouri in 1843 Had Just Two Graduates, Both Cousins of Mary Todd Lincoln

The first commencement ceremony for the University of Missouri at Columbia was held in November 1843, and had just two graduates.  It lasted for three hours.

The two graduates were both cousins and also cousins of Mary Todd Lincoln.

Their names were Robert B.Todd and Robert L. Todd.

Robert Barr Todd, as salutatorian spoke at the beginning and end of the ceremony.  He gave the salutatorian oration in Latin.  He closed the ceremony with the speech "Political Experience of the Past, Important to the American Citizen."

There were  nine other speakers.

Of interest, Thomas J. Hardin gave a Disputation;  "The Dissolution of the Union."

But, THREE HOURS!!!  Come On.  --Old Secesh