This video titled, The Ninety-Ninth Commencement Exercises was held Under the Oaks at Elon College on Saturday, May 20, 1989 at ten-thirty o’clock. This is tape 1 of 2 tapes. J. Earl Danieley walked down the aisle Under the Oaks with the Mace and faculty following him. The graduates wore black gowns and caps. The Prelude was the Crown Imperial, by William Walton, William Keith, Director; Elon College Brass Winds; and Stephen Ten Eyck, Organist. The Processional included: Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar, William Keith, Director; and Elon College Brass Winds. The Academic Procession included: The Flags; The College Mace; The Student Marshals; The Candidates for Degrees; The Faculty Marshals; The College Trustees; The College Faculty; and The Platform Participants. The Invocation was given by Richard W. McBride, College Chaplain. The National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key was led by Leonard L. Rowe, Class of 1992. The Welcome was given by The Honorable Thaddeus (Thad) Armie Eure, Chairman, Board of Trustees (Eure discussed Elon celebrating its 100th anniversary in the state of North Carolina. Eure was pleased to greet the students, faculty, staff, and families. Eure’s grandparents on both sides of the family were grass root supporters of those that sponsored the creation of the Elon College charter and institution. Eure listened to his grandparents about Elon College. This was the largest graduating class in the history of the college. Eure stated that Elon has had seven presidents and he has known five of the Elon presidents. Eure sat on the Board of Trustees of the last three presidents of the last seven. J. Fred Young stated to Eure to speak about two or three minutes and Eure stated that he could speak for two or three hours (laugher). Eure said, he has had the privilege to welcome presidents and honorary guests to the campus of Elon College, but let me welcome the Governor of North Carolina. Eure said, I want you to hear what I have to say, lend me your ears, and if you can’t hear them, read my lips (laughter and cheers) when I tell you in this warm welcome – LONG, LIVE ELON COLLEGE {This was the first time of the beginning of an Elon tradition closing Commencement statement from Thad Eure}– cheers and applause). The Conferring of the Honorary Degrees was presented by Warren L. Board, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs; Conferred by J. Fred Young, Elon College President; and Doctor of Laws, James G. Martin. The Address was given by The Honorable James G. Martin, Governor of the State of North Carolina. His remarks included: the Fighting Christian Baseball team who won its game and season on May 19, 1989; founding of Elon College based on Southern Christian Church; briefing the audience of the history of Elon with Elon’s finances, during war time, the fire, the Elon roots of traditions, enrollment expansion, and the oaks continue to grow reaching outward and upward. Martin continued with, Elon is no longer a local college, but rather a regional leader in higher education, attracting a diverse and talented community of students from many states and foreign countries. Further remarks from Martin included: growth of Elon College with change; graduates you are now part of this tradition as the oak trees drops their seedlings; graduates use your knowledge and improve the world around you; individuals of success both nationally and locally (alumni of Elon College); informed the graduating class of 1989 that their education has taught them to be successful and recognize injustice; the Elon education has taught you to acknowledge poverty; the Elon education has taught you about illiteracies; the Elon education has taught you to move beyond the challenges and meet the future with courage; many of you will teach others who will find the confidence in the opportunity for the future; and problems become opportunities of service. The Conferring of Degrees was presented by Warren L. Board and Conferred by J. Fred Young. The video shots included: parents taking photos; students smiling; faculty members walking to their seats; students waving; parents standing on chairs; Thad Eure seating in a chair and walking in the platform; families bowing in prayer; J. Earl Danieley singing The Star Spangled Banner; Mark Albertson singing; a graduate’s cap with the words “Hi MOM”; Lucille Stone; birds singing Under the Oaks; and a close up of the North Carolina flag. Some names included: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Linda Lee, and Donna Oliver.