The One Hundred Sixteenth Commencement Exercises

This video titled, "The One Hundred Sixteenth Commencement Excercises," was held on May 20, 2006. In this particular raw video clip, the traditional close-up of the oak saplings are being handed out to the newly Elon graduates or new Elon Alumni. In 1991, this Elon tradition began with Furman Moseley (an Elon Alum) gifting redwood saplings to the new Elon College graduates (redwood trees cannot grow in North Carolina). In 1992, President, J. Fred Young continued this idea with handing out Oak tree sapling to graduates (which coincides with Elon Student receiving an acorn in their first year at the New Student Convocation) following the Convocation Ceremony. In 2006, President, Leo M. Lambert stated to the graduates during Commencement, "And let it (oak tree sapling) serve as a reminder that you have been prepared by your education to be a strong force for good in the world. Remember, too, that we are the Phoenix. We have faith in the promise of renewal and of new beginnings." (In 2016, the newly Elon Alum from Elon University, received an oak sapling as a gift from the Office of Alumni Engagement following the Commencement Ceremony).