Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement, a Wednesday program for the Class of 2015 gave seniors an opportunity to mingle with faculty and staff mentors with whom they had forged relationships during their collegiate studies.
Four years is a long time. It’s also no time at all – just ask the nearly 1,350 Elon University seniors preparing for this weekend’s Commencement exercises.
A Wednesday afternoon program for graduating seniors gave students a final moment before Commencement to talk with the professors and staff members who shaped their campus experiences. For the Office of Alumni Engagement, the picnic also afforded an opportunity to introduce seniors to programs that will help them keep in touch with Elon throughout life.
Such resources include “Welcome to the City” events, alumni chapters and clubs across the United States, service activities, alumni award programs and more.
“Elon is a place of relationships, and this is a way for those who have had meaningful relationships with faculty and staff to celebrate their achievements together,” said Brian Feeley ’03, director of the Office of Alumni Engagement. “Learning about ways to stay engaged with Elon after graduation certainly is part of this event, too.”
Yet graduation is just as much about the future as it is the past. To that end, several students attending the picnic were asked to share how they hope to have left their mark on the world a decade from now.
Their answers?
“I want to go into physical therapy, and I want to have helped people reach their full potential by encouraging hard work.” – Ann Marie Nunnelee, exercise science and public health studies, of Wilmington, North Carolina
“I’m going to be doing scientific research and trying to cure diseases.” – Maggie DeMonia, biology, of Durham, North Carolina
“I hope to be practicing as a civil rights attoenry. I want to be an advocate for educational policy, and for the rights of African-Americans.” – Michael Spencer, political science, of Orlean, Virginia
“I’ll be promoting understanding between people of all different backgrounds.” – Alexandra Robinson, international studies and religious studies, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina
“I want to be a principal of a school that is innovative and unique.” – Lainey McQuain, English education, of Lillington, North Carolina
“In 10 or 15 years, I hope to have lead by example with ethical and hardworking actions.” – Joseph Liles, marketing and management, of Charlotte, North Carolina
“I want to be known as someone who is a safeguard of resources, financial and otherwise.” – Brian McGoldrick, finance, of West Hartford, Connecticut