Elon University will celebrate the Class of 2025 with a variety of events leading up to the 135th Commencement Exercises on May 23.
Elon University will celebrate the Class of 2025 with the 135th Undergraduate Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 23.
Two ceremonies for the undergraduate Class of 2025 will take place in Schar Center on May 23:
- 9 a.m. — Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences
- 2:30 p.m. — Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications
More than 1,400 undergraduate students are expected to participate in Friday’s ceremonies.
Wes Durham ’88, a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and ACC Network, will address graduates at both ceremonies. A native of Cary, North Carolina, Durham graduated from Elon with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. Durham learned about broadcasting while working at Elon’s WSOE student radio, where he called 150 football and basketball games in four years as an undergraduate.
“I’m so proud to be an Elon graduate and excited to be part of this special time for the university,” he said. “My hope is that my remarks will be a suitable companion piece to what is such a special day for not only the graduates, but also their family and friends.
Craig Brandstetter ’25 will represent the Class of 2025 by delivering the “Message of Appreciation” at each ceremony. Brandstetter was chosen as the student speaker through an application process and reviewed by a selection committee chaired by the Student Government Association senior class president, graduating seniors, faculty and staff.
“It’s an honor to speak for the senior class,” said Brandstetter. “Having this opportunity was one that I felt I couldn’t pass up. This will be an amazing experience for my parents as well, seeing me speak at graduation.”
The Class of 2025 includes stories of friendship and connection, like Amanda Jacobson ’25 and Taylor Capello ’25, some of the first soon-to-be alumnae of Elon’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. There are also stories of academic excellence, such as Jules Levanti ’25, Elon’s first NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholar, who is making history again by being accepted to the University of Texas at Austin’s astrophysics doctoral program. According to Elon’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, it is the highest-ranking astronomy doctoral program in which an Elon Department of Physics and Astronomy student has been accepted. Kevin Burkett ’25 is showing what it means to be a “scholar-athlete.” The offensive lineman was named CAA Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, only the third Elon student-athlete to receive the award.
Read more about when the Class of 2025 arrived at the university four years ago.
Graduate level Commencement Exercises will take place Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gymnasium in a joint ceremony for the Master of Arts in Higher Education, Master of Education in Innovation, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Business Analytics and Master of Business Administration programs.
Kevin Trapani, executive in residence in Elon’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, will deliver the keynote address during the graduate-level ceremony.
For complete information about Elon’s Commencement, visit the commencement website. All ceremonies will be available to livestream on personal devices.
Commencement Week Events
The celebration started early with graduates being recognized at the Light the Way celebration for the Asian and Pacific Islander community on May 8 and the Lavender Graduation and Awards Ceremony on May 9 for the LGBTQIA community.
Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection
Tuesday, May 20, 7:45-8:45 p.m., Under the Oaks (rain location: Alumni Gym)
Gather with your entire class one last time to celebrate the end of final exams and the start of Commencement Week with a special twilight ceremony. The event features senior reflections, multifaith blessings, musical performances, a message from retiring faculty member, Mary Jo Festle, distinguished university professor of history, and a candle lighting from two 1975 Elon alumni celebrating 50 years since their graduation. At the conclusion, graduates will receive their symbolic oak saplings.
First Generation Stole Ceremony
Wednesday, May 21, 1-2:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall
Honor the achievements of first-generation graduates! Invitations will be shared with eligible students. Contact firstgen@elon.edu for additional information.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Wednesday, May 21, 4-6 p.m., McCray Theatre
The first cohort of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students will be recognized and pinned at the first Elon pinning ceremony, followed by a reception.
Senior Celebration
Wednesday, May 21, 6:30-9 p.m., Rhodes Stadium
Join fellow graduates for a night filled with fun, food, games, photo ops, a free drink for all Senior Class donors, with fireworks to cap the night! Register with the Office of Alumni Engagement.
¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight
Thursday, May 22, 1-3 p.m., Lakeside Meeting Rooms
Join the stole ceremony that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of graduates who celebrate their Latinx heritage. Register with the CREDE to participate.
Donning of the Kente
Thursday, May 22, 6-9 p.m., Alumni Gym
Participate in the Donning of the Kente! Donning of the Kente is a cultural ceremony to celebrate the achievements of students who celebrate their African roots. Participants must register with the Office of Alumni Engagement.
