Donning of the Kente

During May and December Commencement weeks, Elon’s Donning of the Kente ceremony honors the achievements of graduating students who recognize their African roots. It is a powerful gathering that brings students, faculty, staff and families together to celebrate the success and excellence of Black students.

Kelli Palmer '98 Funding from the Kelli E. Palmer ’98 Donning of the Kente Endowment provides resources to support this event, including the purchase of authentic, handwoven West African Kente cloth stoles that each student receives at the ceremony and wears at Elon’s Commencement. The endowment honors the achievements of Kelli Palmer, a 1998 Elon alumna and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, who for nearly three decades has embodied alumni leadership and a lifelong connection with the university and its students.

May — Donning of the Kente Registration

Thank you for confirming your participation in the Donning of Kente Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2026! To complete your registration, please provide the following requested information. Please submit this completed form no later than April 8, 2026.

Please enter your name as you prefer it to be displayed on the event slideshow.(Required)

First Middle Last

Student Email Address(Required)

Phone(Required)

Non "@elon.edu" email address(Required)

Please attach a high-quality photo of yourself. (300 dpi/5"x7") This photo will be displayed during the ceremony presentation. Title the photo in this format: Last Name, First Name 26 (Example: Smith, Jane 26)(Required)

Max. file size: 49 MB.

PLEASE TELL US YOUR FIELD OF STUDY

Degree you are graduating with.(Required)

Major(Required)

Minor(Required)

PLEASE SHARE YOUR CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT

Please list any honors and awards you have received at Elon(Required)

Please list any clubs or organizations you were apart of while at Elon (Include any exec positions you held)(Required)

IDENTIFY YOUR PERSON OF IMPACT

Please list the FULL name and best EMAIL address and phone number of a person who has had significant impact on your college career (parent, sibling, professor, staff member, partner, or friend). This person will submit a statement acknowledging your accomplishments and providing words of encouragement for your future which will be read aloud during the ceremony by an Elon faculty member. This individual will also join you onstage to present your kente stole.

Name(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

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