Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement, the Wednesday program gave seniors a final moment before Commencement to talk with the faculty and staff mentors who shaped their campus experiences.
An overcast sky and chillier than normal temperatures couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Class of 2016 as they gathered to laugh, hug and share a meal at the senior class picnic.
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.
Chopped pork barbecue, grilled chicken, cole slaw and cookies greeted the seniors and university employees who registered for the event. Cut-out mortarboards hanging from tents each held the name of a contributor to the senior class gift. Hugs were exchanged over lemonade, and several seniors clutched their robes in anticipation of photo opportunities later in the day.
As they cheerfully reminisced, the seniors also took time to reflect on the lessons learned in their four years at Elon. Several shared advice for younger students:
“Think of the challenges you’ll encounter as blessings.” – Megan Gravley
“Every path is different. Yours is unique.” – Alex Bohannon
“Don’t be afraid to change your path if it gets rocky. Be true to yourself.” – Conor Janda
“Live in the moment. Take lots of chances. Make lots of memories.” – Kathryn Boyle
“Embrace your inner nerd. College is one of the few times in life when you’ll be surrounded by people who are so excited to learn. Take advantage of it.” – Jacquelyn Lanphear
