Read this feature from the @Elon newsletter for information about John Sullivan, Elon's commencement speaker.
Elon’s insurance policy pays off
By Katie Beaver ’03
It’s a moment John Sullivan has envisioned many times: standing at the podium in full academic regalia, staring out into a maroon sea of eager graduates waiting to take their place in the world. He had it all planned, down to the very tone of voice he would use as he addressed these young people he had watched grow throughout the past four years.
But it wasn’t to be. Until now.
Sullivan, the Maude Sharpe Powell professor of philosophy, has been Elon’s backup commencement speaker since 1980, patiently waiting in the wings while others had their moment in the sun. This year, at Elon’s 112th commencement exercises on May 25, Sullivan will finally give the speech he’s rewritten or revised every year for more than 20 years.
Sullivan will speak in the place of Mae Jemison, the first black female NASA astronaut. She withdrew from commencement because of an illness in her family.
“I’m honored,” Sullivan says. “But this is not about me. It’s about graduation — these students who have completed their career here and are going on to new things. We are just their cheerleaders.”
Speeches change with students
Students have been first priority for Sullivan since he arrived at Elon in 1970. His teaching style and concern for his students quickly earned him a reputation as a respected professor and scholar. When former President Fred Young asked him to be a backup speaker in 1980, Sullivan was pleased to oblige.
“Dr.Young was concerned that they have all possibilities covered,” Sullivan says. “I was their insurance policy.”
Although this is the first time Sullivan has been called upon to fill in for a commencement speaker, he has given hundreds of speeches during his time at Elon. “I tend to focus on the place where philosophy, psychology and spirituality intersect and enhance each other,” he says. Over the years, he has noticed a change in the audience and the speakers at commencement.
“When I started, Elon had mostly first-generation students, but students are wealthier now,” he says. “You have to appeal to a different kind of audience.” Speakers used to cover serious, complex topics, delving deep into philosophical and political issues. Now, Sullivan says, speeches are shorter and more celebratory.
“You say a few things, tell some stories and you’re done,” he says. “You’re not trying to solve the issues of the world.”
A milestone year
This is the first year students will graduate from Elon University instead of Elon College. Sullivan says that there is a certain appropriateness about someone from the Elon family delivering the address during this milestone year.
But as Sullivan steps up to the podium, taking his place in Elon history, the happiness of graduating seniors is what matters most to him.
“I hoped students would be OK with me because I’m not as well known,” he says. “But I’ve had a number of students who said they were looking forward to hearing me, and that was heartening. I’m going to try not to disappoint them.”