Tom Arcaro, professor of sociology, described his work with
the Periclean Scholars program at Elon in his presentation, “Transforming
Student Lives by Creating Global Citizens.” Arcaro explained that the inaugural
class of Periclean Scholars focused their three-year project on the issue of
HIV/AIDS in Namibia. Two members of that class, Laura Iannacone and Jonathan
Aleshire, spoke of their experiences in the program and how they’ve maintained
the transformative process since graduation.

“The transformation isn’t just an undergraduate thing, it’s
a lifelong thing,” said Arcaro.

Visit the Center for the Advancement
of Teaching and Learning Web site at the link below to view the complete schedule.

Before departing Elon, the students were facilitated on the
Elon Challenge Course in order to create team unity and trust, setting the
foundation for the rest of the week. Students, facilitators and faculty then
traveled to West Virginia. The group hiked Long Point Trail and Pilot Mountain
and rafted for two days on the scenic New River.

Sophomore facilitator Kristen Riggs described the experience
as “an unforgettable journey that created new friendships, lasting memories and
an opportunity to develop useful leadership skills.” Participants commented on
the friendships made and their excitement to begin their next adventure at
Elon.

The week concluded with a closing banquet with highlights
from the students’ trip. Parents were able to see a video of the participants’
rafting excursion while enjoying pizza and conversation.

The group was led by Student Coordinator KC Samuelson and
facilitators Ashley Campbell, Tory Chase, Sarah Jenny, Katie Meyer, Kelly
Plante, Kristen Riggs, Hollis Theard and Cameron Williamson. Faculty and staff
participating in the experience were Mallory Anderson, Jim Barbour, Abby Dennis
and Wally Bixby.

“Companions on the
Journey” was the topic of a talk by Edna Truitt Noiles, a 1944 Elon alumna, at
Chapel in Whitley Auditorium on Thursday, April 12. 

Noiles gave a personal
account of how her perspective changed after her youngest child left for college.
At that point in her life, her work as a wife, mother, church member and
community volunteer no longer seemed adequate, she said.

“My soul felt dried out,
and I needed new companions for the journey ahead,” she said. Noiles turned to
a Catholic nun for spiritual direction, which brought healing and renewal
through silence and prayer, she said.

Noiles encouraged the
group of Elon students, faculty and staff to widen their own circles of
compassion, and said that God is eager for them to participate.

“If you have a dream or
mystical experience, find somebody to talk it out with,” she said. “Find
companions for your journey to help you in your explorations.”

Noiles and her husband,
Doug, will receive honorary doctor of humane letters degrees during Elon’s
Spring Convocation for Honors later today. The Noiles are among Elon’s most
generous benefactors. In 2003, the couple made a $1 million gift to endow the
Vera Richardson Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life on campus.

The winning entries were assembled and submitted by University Relations secretary Holley Berry. Here is a list of the winning entries and the staff members who contributed to producing them:

Special Merit Award: Institutional Relations Projects
Winning Entry: 51爆料网 Opens School of Law
Staff Responsible: Dan Anderson, Mandy Byrd, David Hibbard, Carolyn Nelson, Christopher Eyl, Jaleh Hagigh, Cathy Hefferin, Jerome Sturm, David Morton, Alex Lindgren, Holley Berry, Leary Davis, Alan Woodlief

Special Merit Award: Student Recruitment
Winning Entry: 51爆料网 Admissions Recruitment Package
Staff Responsible: Mandy Byrd, Carolyn Nelson, Christopher Eyl, Jerome Sturm, Dan Anderson, Susan Klopman, Greg Zaiser

Special Merit Award: Improvement in Design
Winning Entry: 51爆料网 School Brochures
Staff Responsible: Mandy Byrd, Christopher Eyl, Carolyn Nelson, Jerome Sturm, Susan Klopman, Greg Zaiser, Dan Anderson

Special Merit Award: World Wide Web Home Page Design and Implementation
Winning Entry: 51爆料网 Admissions Home Page
Staff Responsible: David Morton, Christopher Eyl, Alex Lindgren, Dan Anderson, Jerome Sturm, Mandy Byrd, Susan Klopman, Michele Gregoire

— the Isabella Cannon Leadership Program

— the Leadership Fellows Program

— the new Leadership Studies minor

— student organizations

— the challenge course

— leadership conferences

— and much more!

Just click on the URL below to explore the Center for Leadership online.

Chaplain Richard McBride was undaunted by the unpredictable weather.

“We are blessed, you and I, to have extraordinary natural beauty surrounding us on this campus,” he said. “The whole earth deserves to be treated with the respect and care that we give this campus.”

Jason Pressberg, senior class president, thanked families on behalf of his fellow graduates. “Most of us would not be here without the help of our parents,” he said. Pressberg also thanked seniors and their parents for raising a record $27,155 for the Senior Class Scholarship Fund.

>>LISTEN TO PRESSBERG’S REMARKS

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Former baseball manager Jack McKeon, who at age 72 led the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series championship, delivered the Commencement address.

McKeon, a 1963 Elon alumnus, told the graduating class to stay focused in order to make their dreams come true. He said that a positive attitude was a must, “whether in athletics or in the game of life.”

Persistence, hard work, prayer and risk-taking are all essential to success, McKeon said. During the 2003 World Series, he took a risk of his own by playing a pitcher who had been rested for three days, a move that was widely criticized. But the risk paid off, he said, as McKeon’s Marlins beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

“You must challenge yourself every day,” he said. “No risk, no reward.”

McKeon said it was a special honor to be selected as Elon’s Commencement speaker.

“We’re all proud of our 2006 graduates. We know that you will certainly bring honor and recognition to our great university,” he said.

>>LISTEN TO MCKEON’S ADDRESS
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After his address, McKeon was presented with the first “Elon’s Rising Phoenix” by Elon President Leo M. Lambert. The original work of art was created by award-winning glass artist Duncan McClellan of Tampa, Fla. The round, red-glass disk is etched and ornamented with gold leaf in a design evoking flames and phoenix wings. It is displayed in a bronze frame.

The threat of rain did little to dampen the spirits of parents who came to see their children receive diplomas.

Chuck and Carolyn Potter, sitting in seats on the center aisle about halfway back in the sea of 10,000 chairs, came from Saco, Maine, to see their only child, Jake, graduate with a bachelor of arts degree.

“We’re very excited and very proud,” said Chuck, of their son who was a Journalism and Communications Fellow. Jake has already secured a job with a Burlington radio station owned by Curtis Media Group, where he will be a sports announcer and produce a talk show.

The family of graduate Elizabeth Laney, who majored in athletic training, didn’t have to travel far from Waxhaw, N.C. Mother Bebe, Aunt Faye, Aunt Terri, Uncle Tom and Cousin Angie had all staked out seats early in the second row. They reported that Elizabeth would be pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.

Tadd and Janis Hansen of Beachwood, N.J., were sitting with their son’s girlfriend, Dianne Cook, also an Elon student, and some family friends. Erik, the oldest of their three children, graduated with a business administration degree and has been accepted into a management training program with Sherwin Williams in Greensboro.

Commencement concluded with the traditional charge to graduates from Elon President Leo M. Lambert. “Commencement is a day on which Elon makes a beautiful gift to the wider world by sending forth her daughters and sons to do good,” Lambert said. “I have every conviction that the world will be enriched as you use your Elon education in extraordinary ways: for healing, for justice, for peace, for understanding, for discovery, for democracy, for creativity, for service.”

>>LISTEN TO PRESIDENT LAMBERT’S CHARGE TO THE GRADUATES
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“How truly fortunate I am to have shared this learning experience with you,” he told his fellow graduates. “You are great people, and I know for each of you, great things will happen.”

Jim Melvin, president of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, delivered the commencement address. “There are wonderful things happening in this university, and you can feel it,” he said of Elon.

Melvin gave graduates three pointers for a successful future: have a positive attitude, be disciplined, and rely on your religion and faith to get you through hard times. He also told students not to forget their fellow man.

“As you succeed in what it is you’re doing in your business life, give back,” he said.