Approximately 975 graduates will receive degrees during Elon University’s 115th commencement exercises Saturday, May 21. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Under the Oaks in front of West Residence Hall.
Elon trustee Jeanne Swanner Robertson will deliver the commencement address. A nationally known professional speaker and humorist who averages 90-100 presentations to corporations and associations around the world each year, Robertson stresses how a sense of humor can be an integral part of one’s strategy for success. She has been recognized by her peers with every top honor and designation in her profession including the Certified Speaking Professional designation by the National Speakers Association (NSA) in 1980 and induction into the Speaker Hall of Fame in 1981. She became the first woman to receive the Cavett Award, the NSA’ highest honor, in 1989.
A former Miss North Carolina and Miss Congeniality in the Miss America pageant, Robertson is a 1967 graduate of Auburn University and the author of three books on humor. The North Carolina Press Association named Robertson its 2001 North Carolinian of the Year for “her popularity on the speaking circuit, her award-winning ways and her representation of North Carolina.”
The baccalaureate ceremony will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, May 20 in Alumni Memorial Gymnasium in Koury Center. The speaker is Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C.
Elon Fellows graduates will be honored in a Friday pre-graduation ceremony called “Leaders for the 21st Century.” Recognition will be given to students who are graduating as Honors Fellows, North Carolina Teaching Fellows, Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows, Jefferson Pilot Business Fellows, Science Fellows, Journalism and Communications Fellows, Social Science Scholars and Arts and Humanities Scholars. The ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. in McCrary Theatre.
Students earning Master’s of Business Administration degrees will be honored in separate commencement exercises Friday, May 20. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in Whitley Auditorium.
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