Commencement exercises begin May 22 and continue through Sunday as Elon prepares to graduate its 119th undergraduate class, its MBA class and its inaugural Elon Law class. Activities for seniors begin even earlier in the week with a class picnic, an evening gala, receptions and dinners.
The Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson, the chaplain of Brown University and director of the Office of the Chaplains & Religious Life, will deliver Elon University’s 2009 Baccalaureate sermon. For Commencement, the speaker is the Rev. Richard McBride, Elon’s own chaplain, who will retire at the end of this semester after serving the university for 25 years.
Events for the week include the following:
May 19
“Are You Afraid of the Dark?” Senior Movie, Young Commons
May 20
“Salute Your Seniors” Senior Class Picnic with Faculty and Staff, The Green, noon–2 p.m.
“We are ALL THAT” Senior Gala, Moseley Center, 9 p.m. – midnight
A senior celebration finale before the weekend festivities begin.
May 21
Reception for African-American Graduates & their Families, Oaks Building 212 (McCoy Commons) – 6:30 p.m.
May 22
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, Holt Chapel, 11 a.m.
Receptions for Graduates and their Families, Hosted by the faculty of Elon College and the schools of Business, Communications and Education, 1:30 p.m.
Locations for receptions:
- Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences
Scott Plaza/Fonville Fountain
(Rain Location: Moseley Center, First Floor)
- Love School of Business
Chandler Fountain and Plaza
(Rain Location: Koury Business Center, First Floor)
- School of Communications
Manfuso Plaza
(Rain Location: McEwen Building, Studio B)
- School of Education
Center for the Arts, Pardue Court/Love Terrace
(Rain Location: Center for the Arts, First Floor)
Baccalaureate, Alumni Gym, Koury Center, 3 p.m.
Celebration of Leaders of the Twenty-First Century, McCrary Theatre, 5 p.m.
Legacy Reception for Graduates and Their Alumni Parents, Grandparents and Siblings
Johnston Hall Alumni Center, 5:30-7 p.m.
MBA Graduation, Whitley Auditorium, 7 p.m.
May 23
Continental Breakfast, Scott Plaza, 7:30 a.m.
Graduates assemble in Jordan Gym, 8:15 a.m.
Commencement Under the Oaks, 9:30 a.m.
After graduation, there will be a reception hosted by academic departments on Scott Plaza.
Rain location for Commencement is Alumni Gym in Koury Center.
May 24
School of Law Commencement, 3 p.m.
Carolina Theatre, Greensboro
Tickets are required for this ceremony.