This video titled, The One Hundred Tenth Commencement Exercises was held Under the Oaks at Elon College on Saturday, May 20, 2000. The opening of the video was a collection of student dancers, Isabella Cannon walking with Leo M. Lambert and Nancy Midgette in a processional line, students walking through the faculty line, an ice sculpture of the Phoenix logo sitting on the bricks, graduates celebrating after commencement, the Fighting Christian Mascot receiving his diploma from Leo M. Lambert, and Jason (J) McMerty and Christopher Waters hugging each other after J’s commencement. J. Earl Danieley was holding the Mace on the platform with the graduates behind him. Danieley said, “The faculty presents the 110th graduating class.” The Academic Processional included: The Flags, The University Mace, The Student Marshals, The Candidates for Degrees, 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 sung by Allison Lynne Spratt, Class of 2000. The Welcome to the Elon College Commencement was given by Victoria S. Hunt, Trustee. Hunt’s welcome comments included: in 1891, the graduates numbered a total of three and in 2000, you graduates number over 800 strong; what stood out with the three first Elon College graduates were their continued involvement in the college as faculty members; history of Elon is rich in the art of giving and giving back; over half of the Elon Trustees are Elon graduates hoping to plan, develop, and fund the future of Elon; the keynote speaker today, Isabella Cannon, is a shining example, truly proficient in the art of giving back. Message of Appreciation was read by Tracy L. Cournoyer, President, Class of 2000. Cournoyer’s comments included: discussed experiences of Elon in the first year; talked about being a senior with last homecoming, fall semester, all the activities; attended the Elon 10th Class reunion; addressed the world changes during the four years while at Elon; and wished the graduating Class of 2000 all the success. The Introduction to the Keynote Speaker, Isabella Cannon, was given by Leo M. Lambert. His introduction remarks included: Cannon’s courage, creativity, and action for public service; her life story honored in the Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York; born in Scotland and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 years old; at the age of 16, she entered Elon College as a student in the 1920’s; Cannon was an Elon graduating member in 1924; she worked as a cashier at a local bank, Cannon was robbed at gun point; in the late 1930’s she worked in Washington, D.C., advocated for the Russian and French lend lease programs; Cannon, during WWII, led the finance office for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration; Cannon’s husband, C.N. Cannon, served in diplomatic service and Cannon lived abroad in Libya and Iraqi in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s; returned to the United States, Cannon became a librarian with the North Carolina State Library; involved herself in local politics in Raleigh, North Carolina; in 1977, frustrated with the Raleigh City Government, Cannon found herself running for Mayor and won the election, thus becoming the first woman mayor of a United States Capital city; Cannon urged people to get involved in their local governments; she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Elon College in 1978; Cannon’s passion for Elon College endowed the Elon International Leadership programs; and Cannon embodied the concept of thinking globally and acting locally. The Address was given by The Honorable Isabella W. Cannon, Class of 1924, Public Servant and Philanthropist. Cannon’s Keynote Address comments included: speechless of Lambert’s introduction; the vibes of excitement at Elon College on Commencement day tops anything that she has ever been to, including her own inauguration as mayor; the Class of 2000 is the first class in the new 21st Century, we are expecting a lot from you; Cannon talking about her high school days; Cannon informing the graduates to be ready for surprises in their futures; Cannon stating, “Be ready and say ‘yes, let’s go with the surprises’”; and Cannon states, “If you are expecting these surprises, you, graduates will live your life to the fullest.” Cannon shared a comment from her hero, Eleanor Roosevelt, “Life was meant to be lived and curiously must be kept alive, and one must never turn one’s back on living life.” Cannon continued to discuss technological advancements in the United States; Cannon urged the graduates to become involved in their community; Herbert Humphry (another hero of Cannon’s) stated, “The greatest generosity of world leadership are born and raised in neighborhoods”; Cannon stated, “We must learn much about the people and cultures of the world. Why? We are our neighbors and a global community.” Cannon said, “What happens in Moscow or Beijing will affect us in North Carolina.” Cannon was confident of the men and women seated before her at the Elon Commencement. She felt the graduates will demonstrate leadership and have an impact upon life. Cannon told the graduates that she hoped that they find a mentor during the difficult challenges, as she has found during her years. Cannon congratulated the graduates and welcomed the graduates as fellow Elon College Alumni (standing ovation). The Announcement of Honors and Awards was given by Gerald (Gerry) L. Francis, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Conferring of Degrees was presented by Francis, Helen H. Mackay, Associate Professor of English, Paul M. Fromson, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Conferred by Leo M. Lambert. Francis asked the graduates to stand. Mark Albertson handed Lambert the diplomas. Francis announced the opportunity to take photographs of the graduates to his left and meet the graduates by Fonville Fountain at Scott Plaza after the commencement ceremony. The Conferring of Degrees began. Upon the last graduate receiving their diploma, Albertson talked into Francis’s ear on the platform. Albertson flipped up his hands and walked away from the podium. Francis stated that the commencement program needed to be interrupted for a minute because Albertson, the Elon Register, wanted to add a few words. Albertson stated, “As the Register of Elon College for the past 22 years, I never had this problem before. But it seems I overlooked one of graduates. Sorry Mr. President. It must be that he has taken 78 years to complete his requirements.” Francis came to the podium and stated, “President Lambert, we do have a student that we skipped.” Francis read the following: “The following student has completed the requirement for his degree and I present the last graduate of the Class of 2000, The Fighting Christian Mascot.” The Fighting Christian came from behind the curtain with the crowd cheering. The last degree Conferred at Elon College was presented to the Fighting Christian Mascot. Lambert presented the degree to the Fighting Christian Mascot and shook his hands. The Fighting Christian Mascot kissed his diploma and waved to the crowd. Francis remarked, “Mom and Dad, be happy that your child did not take 78 years.” The Fighting Christian Mascot was led off the stage. The Charge to the Graduating Class was given by Lambert. His remarks included: will the Class of 2000 please stand; commencement is a bittersweet time; we congratulate you; we are proud of your success; you are a part of the Elon family; we are sorry to see you go; we watched you change from teenagers to young men and women; your education prepared you to take your places in the world; there are more than 800 of you from 38 states and 8 foreign (international) nations; we have a graduation gift for you – it is a tradition that each member of the graduating class receives a very young oak tree (Elon is the Hebrew word for “oak”); Elon was founded 111 years ago in this very area of oaks; and in the next few days, Elon will plant more than 800 oak trees all over the United States. Lambert said to the graduates, “Plant