Program

Musical Prelude

Tyson Hankins, University Accompanist

Greeting of the Drums

Bashir Shakur, Forrest Matthews and Lamar Lewis

Welcome from the Class President

Alexander Siler ’25

Welcome and The Traditions

The Rev. Kirstin Boswell, University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement

Musical Meditation

Sadie Margolis ’25, vocalist, and Tyson Hankins, piano, “Snow” by Eric Whitacre

In Memoriam

Will Stoneman ’25 and Talia Malinsky ’25

Musical Welcome

Nicole Bazos ’25, vocalist; Lucas McKeown ’25 and Julian Brown ’25, guitarists; and Tyson Hankins, piano, “Medley – I’ll Always Remember You/Bless the Broken Road”

The Meaning We Make (Part 1)

Hunter Siegel ’25, Shehechiyanu

Jayla Martin-Beasley ’25, Excerpt from “Watership Down” by Richard Adams

Ivan Nguyen ’25, Excerpt from Jiang Jin Jiu by Li Bai

Charlotte McCormick ’25, Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)

Introduction of the Speaker

Paige Friedlander ’25

Baccalaureate Address

Mary Jo Festle, Maude Sharpe Powell Professor, Professor of History and Distinguished University Professor

Musical Reflection

Nicole Bazos ’25, Sitare Sadeghi ’25 and Ella Nagel ’25, vocalists; Lucas McKeown ’25, guitar; and Tyson Hankins, piano, “Hallelujah” by Haim

The Meaning We Make (Part 2)

Tara Venkataraman ’25, “The Bird Sanctuary” by Sarojini Naidu

Nick Kathol ’25, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Ashley Eliza Josey ’25, Excerpt from “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

Cristy Mariné ’25, “It is Forbidden” by Alfredo Cuervo Barrero

The Passing of the Light

The Rev. Kirstin C. Boswell, Raymond Beck ’75 and Barry Bradberry ’75

Lighting of the Candles and Musical Reflection

Summer Severin ’25, vocalist; Lucas McKeown ’25, guitar; and Tyson Hankins, piano, “Bridge of Light” by P!NK and Billy Mann

Sending Forth

Connie Ledoux Book, President

Drum Recessional

Bashir Shakur, Forrest Matthews and Lamar Lewis

Sapling Distribution

About Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection

This celebration of community, light and achievement provides an opportunity for reflection on the light students will take into the world. It echoes Elon’s motto “numen lumen,” which means “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, each graduate will receive their oak sapling, symbolic of the transition from student to alum.