4 hMMJh/u>v O New Student Convocation 0 Alumni Gym © Center for the Arts 0 Rhodes Stadium © Moseley Student Center © Belk Library 0 Academic Pavilion © Commencement Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from North Carolina Digital Heritage Center https://archive.org/details/youarehere2017102elon (fihJi wvW\jb you/ ketohtf o J _ 1 460 DAYS / From the first moment students step learn it inside and out. Explore what on Elon University's beautiful campus, Greensboro, Durham, Chapel Hill and they are told that this is where they Raleigh have to offer — you never "bELONg." For some, this may know what hidden gems you might feel true the moment they deposit find. Take on a leadership position their belongings on their bed in the (or two) and make a positive change Danielev flats, while others may not for an organization you love. Jump in realize it until the day they move out every fountain and risk the $250 fine of Mill Point as graduating seniors. per limb (trust me, it’s worth it). Forge relationships with faculty and staff Students have a few short years to members, they can teach you more make Elon feel like more than just a titan just the information encased in place to earn a degree and then they your textbooks. Volunteer at the Boys are off into the real world, which can and Girls Club of Alamance County be much more daunting than initially and see how the relationships you anticipated. Four years —- 1,460 days build in the community change you. — to make memories and friendships No matter what you do, find a way to that will last a lifetime. So be here. make Elon everything you anticipated Be present in everything Elon has and more the first time you stepped on to offer. It's easy to get caught up in this campus. the hectic frenzy of the semesters, but take the time to appreciate and You've got four years here -— make explore what makes this place so Elon a place to which you'll always special. Stay at Elon for a summer — especially if you're not from around here — and revel in what campus is KIMBERLY HON IB ALL '17 like when-most students are gone, Editor-in-Chief ♦ _ -A Oht D RESIDENT LAMBERT'S LAS MESSAGE TO GRADUATES "One thousand, three hundred and twenty-five days and soup kitchens and prisons would be less full in ago you started your journey together, and in a few the future if more children could have a solid start in minutes, you will scatter to every corner of the earth life — to have enough to eat, to be read to, to be loved to accomplish great things. and safe. I want you to understand on this day when we celebrate your education that it is access to education When I first spoke to you Under the Oaks, each of that separates those who will experience comfort and you shining with promise and possibilities, I tried to prosperity from those who will slip into poverty or hold impress upon you that you were about to embark upon no hope for emerging from poverty. a university education that few others in the world, comparatively, could experience — a rare privilege I want you to understand that in this 21st century indeed. knowledge economy some form of education beyond high school will be essential to compete in the world for 1 know many of you feel immense gradtude to others almost everyone. You should be champions for others in today — parents, grandparents, benefactors, faculty this regard and help remove barriers large and small in and staff — for helping to make your extraordinary order to keep children in school. I look out at you today, educations possible. You know what it means now to and I see people who are heading to work as scientists, have a fire lighted inside you and to be passionate about as accountants, as future physicians and lawyers, as ideas and to achieve meaning in your life. And I’m quite financiers on Wall Street, as public policy strategists, confident that nearly all of you are going to want your as teachers, as journalists, as broadcasters and more. children to have a similar privilege some day. I ask you to think deeply about how you can use your expertise and your time and your resources to make a But today I have an extraordinary request to make of difference in the lives of children — become a tutor, you as citizens and future leaders in your communities. become a mentor or a coach, become the significant I want you to care about the education that all children adult who offers the encouraging word that makes a receive. Not just your future kids, but kids you will never difference to a young person. Vote to fund schools and meet. I want you to understand that your future and the support teachers — support youth programs in your future of our country are bound up with the future of community. Run for school board some day. When you all children. look back on your careers in 40 years, it will matter more to you what you did for others than what you did for It will come as no surprise that as a university president yourself. And if you invest in education and in children, I believe with every ounce of conviction in my body I promise their success will give you more satisfaction in the immense power of education to transform not and fulfillment than you can imagine. only the lives of individuals, but of entire families and communities and nations. And with the perspective of As you accept Elon’s traditional gift of an Oak tree time, and as a father and a grandfather and a person of sapling today, I hope you will plant it and watch it grow faith, I have come to believe this is the most important over the years. May its growth remind you of how far thing to care about. you have come since receiving your Elon acorn and how much potential you have as among the most well- Our faith traditions teach us about extending mercy and educated people on the Earth to be a champion for a justice. It is merciful to shelter the homeless and feed the child’s brighter future. hungry and visit those in prison. But it is just for us to ensure that every four-year-old is ready for kindergarten May God bless you all. Long live Elon. and that every third grader is an independent reader. And it is wise to understand that our homeless shelters PRESIDENT LEO M. LAMBERT, MAY 20 2017 2 SUMMER OLYMPICS The 2016 Summer Olympics began August 5 and ran until August 21. The games resulted in 46 gold, 37 silver and 38 bronze medals for the United States. DELTA CANCELS FLIGHTS Delta Air Lines canceled 530 flights worldwide after experiencing system issues at headquarters. ZIKA VIRUS The United States declared a state of emergency in Puerto Rico after nearly 11,000 people were infected with the Zika virus. MOVE IN Students were allowed to move into their dorms at Elon University and orientation began. FIRST DAY OF CLASSES Classes began bright and early at 8 a.m. and prepared PM Lfi* ' f *m students for a great semester in fall 2016. { 3k k W SPORTS FEST v Elon festivities began with the traditional Sports l est which allowed new students (and returning) to create teams to compete in field day activities. More than 700 students participated in 2016. NORTH RKfREA ' J Jg, 'M North Korea tested nuclear warheads. The completion of this project put the world on edge because the country had successfully built stronger and lighter nuclear weapons with higher impact than ever before. BRYAN STEVENSON The common reading author visited campus to speak to students about his novel Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. SAND MANDALA Two Buddhist monks from the Kadampa Center visited Elon to construct a sand mandala symbolizing peace and healing in the Numen Lumen Pavilion. VINTCERF The internet pioneer visited campus to discuss "The Internet of Things" and was awarded the Imagining the Internet Arete Medallion. U-r-k; "•%. -iv; \s P^Vv | I $.1 1M \ Mml HIHWw/H \T ■c,. -'r - 11 w jyJ sjwJSfcKy' ;-.‘ra 1) While on her study abroad experience, Carly Struyk had the opportunity to travel extensively. This photo was taken overlookng the grounds in Schriesheim, Germany — a small town north of Heidelberg (All photos submitted by Struyk). 2) Struyk and Laura Bryan, another Elon student studying abroad for the summer, pose during a hike in Heidelberg. 3) Struyk and Bryan spent a lot of time together on their trips (this one to Strasbourg, France), and they took the time to practice their German language skills with each other as well as the locals. 4) While in Strasbourg, Bryan found a beautiful, unique carousel. 5) Struyk snapd a picture overlooking Heidelberg to encompass its beauty. HEIDELBERG, GERMANY Many people come to Elon University for the amazing entirely German, which greatly helped my language study abroad opportunities that are available, and the skills. I was surprised at how similar our values were, and summer is a popular time to see the world. Carly StruyT we grew to be like a real family'." 5 '19 had the chance to spend the summer between her freshman and sophomore years in Heidelberg, Germany, Study abroad experiences are about more than just the studying German, business and history at Heidelberg studying — they are about being immersed in a culture University. different from your own and taking in every opportunity' possible. "My main takeaway, from studying abroad was While in Germany, Struyk focused on developing her to continue learning about the German language, culture German langauge skills and immersing herself in the and travel," Struyk said. "I have such a great appreciation culture. "I started learning German last year, but studying for the culture in Germany', which is why I am pursuing a abroad has brought my language proficiency to a more German Studies minor to deepen my knowledge. There distinguished level," she said. "It was fun communicating are so many opportunities abroad that Americans don’t with people in the country and practicing my German. take advantage of because we don’t value learning other It was nerve-wracking at first, but after the first few languages as highly as other countries do. I hope that encounters it becomes less stressful, and more fun!" through my studies, and other study abroad experiences, I can create opportunities for myself to work and live Struyk was also fortunate enough to experience a abroad after graduation." homestay while abroad. "I did a homestay with a couple named Ute and Klaus," she said. "This was by far the There are tremendous opportunities available when most impactful aspect of my study abroad experience. studying abroad, but die impact that time can have is This gave me the opportunity to live with a wonderful ulimately left up to the participants. You get out what family who wanted to engage with me and immerse me you put in. in the German language and culture. We spoke almost 6