Commencement

It’s easy for members of the Class of 2011 to focus on making money as they start preparing for life after graduation, particularly if they have student loans to pay. But as the Rev. Andrew O’Connor reminded them as part of Elon’s Baccalaureate sermon on May 20, there is a greater wealth for them to seek, one that comes from a life of humility and service and that is better understood by looking at one of the sweetest creatures of all: bees.

Calling on Elon’s newest alumni to serve a nation “that provides us the opportunities we far too often take for granted,” U.S. Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney ’77 spoke of courage, integrity and balance on Saturday morning in Commencement exercises attended by thousands of relatives and friends who gathered Under the Oaks to celebrate the Class of 2011’s academic journey.

As they embark on their careers as newly minted alumni, the men and women who received MBA degrees from Elon University on May 20, 2011, received several pieces of advice - “never, ever, ever stop learning” and “get involved in your community” - gleaned from the career of the man who leads the largest apparel company in the world.

On their last full day as Elon seniors, students in Elon’s four undergraduate schools mingled with classmates and faculty at graduate receptions hosted by their respective schools.

After 10 months of nonstop work, hundreds of blog posts and a fair share of failures and successes, 32 students officially became Elon’s second graduating class in the Interactive Media’s masters program on May 19.

Elon University leaders conferred degrees on May 21, 2010, to the largest class in MBA program history during a Commencement ceremony in Whitley Auditorium attended by faculty, staff, family and friends of the graduate students.

Elon University conferred degrees on Saturday to 1,118 seniors in a ceremony that included remarks from acclaimed filmmaker and alumnus Laith al-Majali ’05, who told graduates they have “all the tools and skill sets you need to stand out as global leaders.”

The archetypal tale of David and Goliath offers an inspirational message that transcends the pages of Christian history. But the famous biblical story precedes a cautionary tale, and Rev. Sam Wells encouraged the Class of 2010 to heed the warning in Elon’s 2010 Baccalaureate sermon.