Elon University awarded a record 897 degrees during its 112th Commencement exercises, held under the oaks on campus May 25. It was the first commencement since Elon completed its transition from college to university status in June 2001.
John Sullivan, the Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Philosophy at Elon, delivered the commencement address. Sullivan, Elon’s backup commencement speaker since 1980, was chosen to deliver the address after former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison cancelled her appearance in April due to a family illness. Sullivan challenged the Class of 2002 to open their minds, accept the responsibilities that accompany freedom, and use adversity to strengthen their lives.
He related a Passover tale told by Iraqi Jews, in which a slave was selected by a magical bird to be the next king. The slave, who wore a hat made of chicken feathers and a raggedy belt, played music on a drum. After assuming the throne, the king kept these items to remind him daily of his roots.
“Learn to see hats of chicken feathers as crowns in disguise,” Sullivan told the graduates. “You are of royal lineage. You are meant to be co-responsible for all that concerns our common life.
“Let the raggedy belt remind you that you are one person above and below the waist-one person linked-like these oaks, to the earth below and the sky above.
“Let the drum remind you of your own heartbeat. Feel your heartbeat this day and know the gift of the life we share. This is the rhythm by which we work and love and tend all that we do….So this day and tomorrow and all the tomorrows given to you, may your heartbeat remind you of your most treasured possessions: to be free, to be of service, (and) not to forget where you came from so as to meet everyone with a compassionate heart.
Graduates and their families had a chance to celebrate along with Elon faculty and staff at a post-commencement reception on Scott Plaza.