Thousands gather for
Elon's 2003 Commencement

864 graduates received degrees at Elon's 113th Commencement exercises which began at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 24, Under the Oaks in the historic area in front of West Residence Hall.

Deborah Yow-Bowden, a native of Gibsonville (just two miles from the Elon campus), and the director of athletics at the University of Maryland, delivered the commencement address. A 1974 Elon graduate, Yow-Bowden is in her ninth year at Maryland. She oversees a 25-sport athletics program.

A number of other special events were held in conjunction with graduation. Members of the senior class presented a gift to Elon of $8,321 at the annual Graduation Celebration Picnic May 22. Senior class president (and communications major) Christian Brescia made the announcement to graduating seniors and their families, as well as faculty and staff, during the annual senior class picnic. A record 35 percent of the class contributed to the gift, which will provide scholarship support to a deserving freshman enrolling this fall.

Elon Fellows graduates were honored in a May 23 pre-graduation ceremony titled "Leaders for the 21st Century." Recognition was given to students who are graduating as Journalism and Communications Fellows, North Carolina Teaching Fellows, Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows, Elon Science Fellows, Social Science Scholars, Arts and Humanities Scholars, Jefferson-Pilot Business Fellows and Elon Honors Fellows. The only Journalism and Communications Fellow to graduate this year is Katie Beaver. A member of the inaugural fellows class, Beaver completed her Elon University coursework in just three years. Professor Ray Johnson introduced her at the event.

Senior Showcase May 23 highlighted the work of a select few Elon standouts, including journalism major Jennifer Guarino, chosen for her newspaper research, and broadcast major Michelle Niland, chosen for her creation and production of the award-winning television program "Win Stuff."