Eric Townsend

Student leaders collected more than $16,000 this year from seniors, their parents, grandparents and friends in support of the Senior Class Gift campaign, which will fund the Class of 2010 Sustainability Research Grants for students who desire to complete research on sustainability practices.

India is the largest borrower from the World Bank, which has often helped the nation’s economy in recent years. Its assistance, however, may be about to change dramatically. India and the World Bank: The Politics of Aid and Influence, a new Anthem Press book by Jason Kirk, explores that partnership and suggests ways for the bank to adapt to new economic realities in the 21st century.

With the most recent forecast calling for a 50 percent chance of rain Saturday morning and scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, seniors taking part in Commencement are reminded to visit Alamance 109 before this afternoon to receive two tickets for guests who will watch the ceremony inside Alumni Gym should weather force the program indoors.

Contribute to coverage of up-to-the minutes information on Commencement tomorrow by including #elongrad in your tweets. Receive news from Elon University's Office of University Relations by following elonuniversity on Twitter - and be sure to check out full coverage on E-net in the hours following the ceremony.

Events leading up to Commencement 2010 take place this week as Elon prepares to graduate its 120th undergraduate class, its MBA and Elon Law class, and its inaugural class in the iMedia graduate program. Activities for seniors start May 18, with a class picnic, an evening gala, receptions and dinners on the agenda.

New alumni can now download a customized news release announcing their graduation from Elon University as part of the Class of 2010.

Imploring students to serve the communities where they will live, the Rev. Richard McBride used his Commencement address on May 23, 2009, to encourage the largest graduating class in Elon University history to find “the place where what you most need to do to fulfill your life intersects with what you believe the world most needs to have done.”

The Rev. Sam Wells, dean of Duke University Chapel, will deliver Elon University’s 2010 Baccalaureate sermon on Friday, May 21, at 3 p.m. in the Koury Athletic Center.

Elon University trustee Wes Elingburg and his wife, Cathy, have been recognized by the Southern Conference with the league’s 2010 Distinguished Service Award for their contributions to the institution. The Elingburgs received one of 12 awards – one for each member of the conference – and will be honored June 1 at the Southern Conference Honors Dinner in Hilton Head Island, S.C.