Updated as of 2:22 p.m. on May 23 to include photos from event.
Elon seniors filled the Schar Center as they graduated during Elon University’s 135th Undergraduate Commencement May 23. The ceremony for Elon College, The College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences began at 9 a.m. The ceremony for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications will begin at 2:30 p.m.
The ceremony featured an address from university president Connie Book, student speaker Craig Brandstetter and Commencement speaker Wes Durham ‘88. Book, Brandstetter and Durham will also speak at the later ceremony.
Book addressed undergraduate students before the first ceremony, encouraging them to stay present in the moment and soak up all that the graduation season has to offer.
“It’s really exciting to begin this next journey that is more unscripted than any other journey you’ve had,” Book said.
Graduate student Sam Hinton May 23 at Schar Center.
Durham also spoke to graduates as they sat waiting to enter the ceremonial space.
“This is about the highest honor I’ve ever been given,” Durham said.
After a moment of reflection from the university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, Rev. Kirstin Boswell, Brandstetter began the ceremony by reminiscing on the shared experiences among the class of 2025. He said that throughout his time at Elon, his “Elon Bubble” has expanded and changed.
“We stepped onto campus, wearing our lanyards with the enthusiastic, bubbly OL’s and RA’s that greeted us. We knew very little about the world we were entering, and we knew even less about people,” Brandstetter said. “But the thing about bubbles is they don't have to stay the same size. They get stretched.”
Brandstetter said this bubble is stretched through various Elon experiences, including internships, study abroad experiences, clubs and just meeting new people.
“Just as we stretch the boundaries of our bubbles here, we will continue to stretch beyond, expanding to spaces we never imagined ourselves,” Brandstetter said. “And perhaps years from now, we won’t remember every class, every assignment, every late night study session, but we will remember that in this place, we learned how to grow and we learned how to be ourselves.”
Following Brandstetter’s address, Book spoke to the class of 2025, applauding the inaugural bachelor of science in nursing cohort, made up of 27 students. She said when Elon launched the program, she imagined students walking around campus in scrubs to and from clinicals and classes. The program was established in 2021 and received its accreditation earlier this year in February.
“There are so many examples of excellence among the class of 2025, and this first historic awarding of the degree reminds us of the power of an Elon education and the impact that our graduates will have all across the world,” Book said.
Book then welcomed Durham to the stage. Durham graduated from Elon in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and has worked as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and ACC Network.
Durham said he spent time with Elon seniors while on campus over the last few days and shared some quotes from the students he met. He also said that once graduates cross the stage and become alumni, they will all be a part of the same Elon community.
“For me, the most pronounced part of that reflection is that despite the difference in our graduating years, I'm convinced we're now all on the same team,” Durham said. “Because today, your Elon and my Elon becomes our Elon.”
Commencement Address by Wes Durham ’88 during Undergraduate Commencement May 23 at Schar Center.
He also summed up the feelings associated with graduation: joy, excitement, anxiety and more. These feelings were shared among many graduates, including graduating senior and Elon women’s basketball forward, Iycez Adams.
“Yes, I am overwhelmed, but with joy, in the best way possible,” Adams said to Elon News Network.
The ceremony also featured a musical performance by graduating senior Kameron Askew, who sang “What a Wonderful World,” written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele and arranged by Chris Jackson Music. At the end of his performance, Askew blew a kiss to the audience, putting his hand to his chest as a thank you.
As graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, cheers could be heard throughout Schar Center, as family and friends celebrated their accomplishments.
To close the ceremony, Book stepped up to the podium to once again speak to the graduates. She reflected on their growth over the past four years, and returned to their convocation during their orientation when first arriving on campus. In a group activity known as a human bar chart, one student was left standing – Kayla Swenson.
Book asked Swenson to stand and shared how hearing about Swenson’s faith journey at Elon impacted her. During convocation in 2021, Book asked faculty and staff at Elon to stand if they would help Swenson if she ever came to them. Today, she asked the entire Schar Center to stand if they would help Swenson. Every attendee stood.
Before students threw their caps in the air, Book counted down from three to lead graduates in saying one last Elon favorite.
“Long live Elon!”
The ceremony for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications will begin at 2:30 p.m.