Mary Carillo heralds successful career, connection to Elon graduating class

The primary factor considered when selecting commencement speakers at Elon University is the candidate’s connection to the graduating class. The selection of Mary Carillo, the 2014 headliner, is no exception. Carillo is the mother of a Class of 2014 graduating senior.

Apart from her affiliation with the Class of 2014, Carillo stood out to the Student Government Association (SGA) because of her prolific career as a tennis player and as a sports analyst and commentator. Carillo played tennis professionally from 1977-1980 and won the mixed doubles championship at the French Open in 1977. She has covered 12 Olympic games and currently works as a sports analyst for CBS, NBC and the Tennis Channel. She is a correspondent for HBO Sports on “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.” Sports Illustrated named her “Best Sports Analyst of the Decade” in 2000.

Connor O’Donnell, president of the Class of 2014, said Carillo’s notable resume of accomplishments solidified her as a candidate.

“We really were impressed with her coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics,” O’Donnell said. “We thought that would translate to a great graduation speaker.”

The selection process for commencement speakers began in September, when the SGA senior class officers met with the provost and other university administrators to establish a list of possible speakers. 

The SGA officers returned several months later, having narrowed the list down to their top three or four preferences. Each possible option was in some way affiliated with Elon. 

“We always like to have that connection to the graduation speaker,” O’Donell said. “The thing that we like is that the speaker has a certain tie to Elon, so when they give their speech, it gives them a more personal touch or connection.”

Also, by reserving speakers with a personal relationship to the graduating class for commencement, the SGA and administration are more ambitious when choosing convocation speakers. 

“[The commencement speakers] only speak about five to seven minutes,” Clark said. “We would rather bring big name speakers for convocation.”

 According to Jeff Clark, executive director of cultural and special programs, this emphasis on connection to the Elon community is rare at university commencements, but it’s something to be cherished.

“We are all Elon on that day,” Clark said. “We try to frame it as a family event.”