This video titled, “Convocation for Honors, George H.W. Bush,” occurred in Alumni Gym on April 10, 2001. Elon College Convocation for Honors began in 1995 with the Elon Community gathering for Honors to recognize academic achievement, community service, and philanthropy. These ideals reflected the generosity of spirit and a commitment to excellence that are at the heart of a liberal education. The Elon College mission statement declared that “Elon embraces its founders’ vision of an academic community that transforms mind, body, and spirit” and nurtures “active student engagement with a faculty dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarly accomplishment.” Elon is committed to fostering a rich intellectual community. The program for Convocation for Honors included: The Processional, Triumphal March from Aida, Giuseppe Verdi; The Academic Procession, The College Mace, The Flags, The Class of 2001, The Academic Honors Students, The College Trustees, The College Faculty, and The Platform Participants; 00:13:15 The Invocation, Don A. Grady, Chair, Faculty-Staff Committee, Campaign for the Elon Vision; 00:16:30 The National Anthem, Laurie M. Saylor, Class of 2001; 00:17:49 The Welcome, Leo M. Lambert, President of Elon University; 00:23:49 The Celebration of the Elon Vision Strategic Plan; 00:34:08 The Honorary Degrees, Ernest A. Koury, Sr., Presented by J. Harold Smith, Trustee Emeritus, Maurice J. Koury presented by Dean E. Smith, Head Coach Emeritus, Men’s Basketball, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, The Honorable George H.W. Bush, Presented by Gail M. Drew, Chair, Board of Trustees, and conferred by Leo M. Lambert (each person spoke for the Honorary Degree); 00:46:31 The Special Music, America the Beautiful, Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward, Elon College Camerata and Chorale; 00:48:03 The Presentation of the Speaker, Joshua J. Phoebus, Class of 2002; 00:49:19 The Convocation Address, The Honorable George H.W. Bush, President of the United States, 1989 – 1993; and The Recessional, Kronungsmarsch from Der Prophet, Giacomo Meyerbeer. During the convocation, Lambert introduced a video celebration of the Elon Vision. Four unknown named students stood on the Elon Alumni Gym balcony with an introduction to the Elon Vision video. The video included: the Elon clock (outside) Belk Library; a student reading outside of Alumni Gym; a student in a chemistry class in McMichael; a shot of the McMichael building; a student smiling; a sign reading ‘School of Communications’ outside Dean Paul Parson’s office (in 2016 – renovated); School of Communications television studio ‘On Air’ light; close shot of clay throwing on a ceramic wheel; faculty teaching; a student video shooting; a student in Belk Library book shelf; Thomas (Tom) Nelson teaching; wide shoot of the Moseley Center; a student pencil drawing; exterior of Koury Center; a student working with a Human Skeleton; a student sitting on the edge of Fonville Fountain on Scott Plaza; O’Kelly monument; Studio A in the School of Communication with a Fox 8 donated television set (in 2016, this space was renovated into a virtual studio); basketball playing; a chemistry faculty with a student in white robes; Elon cheerleaders on the football sidelines; piano playing; Spanish lecture; Stephen A. Futrell working with students in Yeager Hall; close up of a television switcher; the glass atrium in Belk Library; exterior of Alamance; a graphic that read “The Elon Vision”; Gail Drew sound bite, “how are we going to get this to happen?;” wide shot of the first floor of the School of Communications (2016, renovated); Noel Allen, Class of 1969, sound bite “Elon is a better institution”; Rhodes Stadium football plans (Ellerbe Beers, Architect/Engineers); Dusty Rhodes, Trustee sound bite, talked about new facilities in regards to academics and professorships; Ashton Newhall, Class of 1998, sound bite, George (Smith) Jackson in London on a double decker tour bus; students on a study aboard trip; Isabella Cannon, Class of 1924, sound-bite; El Centro office in Carlton; Pranab Das, Associate Professor sound-bite; student in the School of Communications engineer room; Kelli Palmer, Class of 1998, sound-bite, Das teaching in his class; wide shot inside Moseley Center with students discussing a topic around the fireplace – with a fire roaring; student at a 2001 computer; Scott Hildebrand teaching a computer class; Jane Wellford teaching a dance class in The Center of the Arts lobby; the School of Communications editing labs (in 2016, the editing suites renovated); exterior of the entrance of Belk Library; exterior of students walking to and from McMichael building; Isabella Cannon said, “Long Live Elon”; the basement of the School of Communications classroom (2016, the School of Communications was renovated); exterior of the Iris Holt McEwen sign; and the video closed with a graphic, “Long Live Elon.” 00:49:45 Bush began his address for the Convocation for Honors, which included: saying they (Barbara and George) may not leave Maynard House; thanked Don Grady, Josh, Gail Drew, and Laurie for singing the most difficult National Anthem, a pleasure being with Coach Smith; thanked the teachers of Elon; told a story of when he was an adjunct professor (between being the Director of the CIA and Vice President) at Rice University; singled out Mrs. Isabella Cannon, Class of 1924 and told her, “I was born in 1924, I asked her if she remembered me?” she said, “no, I do not”; Cannon was a true Point of Light; paid respect to all parents; parents never stop weighing in on giving advice to children; and advice from his own parents kept on going for President George H.W. Bush from his mother (Dorothy Wear Walker Bush)– as he was serving as Vice President. For example, Bush informed the audience of one of the stories in which during one of the State of the Union addresses (President Ronald Reagan) — Bush was sitting next to U.S. House Speaker Thomas Phillip (Tip) O'Neill Jr. (D-MA) and when I got back to the house and his mother was on the phone saying, “George, I was watching you and you were wonderful seeing my own son in front of the whole nation.” I said, “Mother you have seen the State of the Union message before.” His mother said, “Never with my son sitting as the Vice President and I did notice something.” “What was it,” George asked? “When President Reagan was talking to the nation, I noticed that you were talking with O’Neill (laughter). I said, “Mother he started it.” (Applause). George continued the story, she said, “George you should be smiling more.” I said, “Mother, Reagan was speaking about nuclear things and you want me to smile?” Bush continued with acknowledgment of the Kourys for their generous contributions to Elon University. 00:55:01 Bush asked President Lambert, what should I speak about and he (Lambert) responded, talk about 20 minutes. 00:54:44 Bush described how Billy Graham was big influence on 43 (43rd President of the United States, George Walker Bush) that would be my son, George Walker Bush. Bush continued on with a Graham story about a guy who was preaching too long (while speaking) - finally someone on the platform tossed the shoe at the speaker and hit a woman in the front row — she said, “Hit me again, I can still hear him.” Bush provided advice to the students that included; wear sun-screen, do one thing every day that scares you, floss your teeth, be imitated by someone like I was – Dana Thomas Carvey (stand-up comedian) “Not Goin Do It and it would not be prudent” (laugher). Bush said, “A lot of guys in Washington D.C. do not miss me, but there is one guy that does – Dana Carvey.” Bush read a quote: “Life is a game that must be played.” Bush continued to advise the Elon Class of 2001 with playing the game of life, and he had hope for the students – challenges and successes, but most of all I hope you find in the depth and meaning of life that comes to service of others. He informed the audience, 53 years ago I was sitting where you are today (2001) having been in the Navy and graduating from Yale University – bursting to get out there; claiming his stake in the world. Bush said, don’t be afraid of trying or dreaming – failure or tears. He continued informing the Class of 2001, “we all stumble and we all fear and this is what makes us human and with no regrets in life,” touching lives was the most important message that he wanted to mention at Elon Convocation. He said, “Lives are enriched by service and when I was president, spoke of a concept ‘One of Thousand Points of Light’ which are caring citizens who volunteer their time and effort to help make the world a better place than they found it.” Bush learned from Lambert, Elon students in the last year (2000) contributed more than 50 thousand hours of service, selfless service embodied by the Elon program, and in Bush’s eyes are ten of thousand ‘Points of Lights.’ Bush told a story of his wife, Barbara Bush giving a speech at Wellesley College (Wellesley College – 1870 – is a private women's liberal arts college located west of Boston in the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States) there were females rioting, but Barbara was smart and invited Mrs. Raisa Maximovna Gorbacheva (wife of Russia’s President M. Gorbachev). The signs came down because they did not want to offend Raisa, and Barbara informed the Wellesley College students, “What happens in your house is more important than what happens in the White House.” Bush had one regret in not having a way to strengthening the American family. Bush applauded Chaplain Richard McBride in creating a way for Elon striving in the development of the whole student through mind and spirit. Bush quoted Theodore Roosevelt Jr (An American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and reformer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909). Bush stated, “I have no fear that you students will not have to face the fear as your parents did with a nuclear holocaust by one or two superpowers, never have to be taught to hide under your desk to avoid nuclear fallout.” He mentioned to be aware of the Soviet Union bear. In closing, Bush advised the students to keep moving forward and reaching higher, dreaming, caring, and lifting; and always do your best for yourself, family, and for your country; and informing the audience that they just heard words from the proudest father in the United States. Lambert stated, “Thank you Mr. President.” The platform existed the stage. Danieley holding the Elon Mace shook former George H.W. Bush’s hand. Nancy Midgette led the recessional. Some names included: Stephen A. Futrell, Mary Alice Bragg, Steven Dube, Don Eagle, Timothy Hudson, Karl Kassner, Paul Neebe, Michael Kris, James Miller, Tony Granadas, Wallace Chandler, J. Fred Young, Gerald (Gerry) Francis, and Theodore Roosevelt Jr.