This video titled, The One Hundred Sixth Commencement Exercises was held Under the Oaks at Elon College on Saturday, May 18, 1996. People gather to their seats and walk around Under the Oaks. The Prelude was led by the triumphs playing Divertimento in C Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. J. Earl Danieley announced to the audience on the platform, “Elon College Faculty presents the One Hundred Sixth Graduating Class” as he held the Mace. The Processional included: March No. 1, “Pomp and Circumstance,” by Edward Elgar. 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. Rex Waters stood at the entrance of the graduates entering Under the Oaks. Students wore maroon caps and gowns. The Invocation was given by Richard W. McBride, College Chaplain. McBride prayed for the Class of 1996. An aerial video shot from West Dorm of graduates, faculty, and guests Under the Oaks (in 2016 – the renovated School of Communications). The National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key, was led by Mary Margaret Anderson, Class of 1996. The Welcome was given by Kate Emily Ruth, President, Senior Class. Ruth’s welcome included: a welcome to commencement of 1996; an email from college experiences that read – remember the first day, of the first year, of the first time in your life that you started your journey to getting old, remember the roommates, the fears, the tears, the nerves, setting up the residence room, taking the room apart, and re-arranging it all over again, those days seem like yesterday; these neighbors and classmates would become my closest friends; going to Brightwood that Elvis often frequented for hamburgers; pulling academic all-nighters; surround yourself with adventure for it will be these adventures that take us (graduates) ahead; a wise man told me to invest in myself, my education, and in others – for these are the important things in life; keep in touch with others; and may peace be with you always. J. Fred Young (the 7th Elon President) introduced Susan Rook. Young thanked Ruth for her heartfelt welcome to the Class of 1996. Young continued to introduce Rook with remarks that included: Rook began her career more than 10 years ago; 10 years ago the world engaged in the Gulf War; suffered through nature disasters such as the San Francisco earthquake; saw the world shift towards greater democracy; Rook’s role as a CNN anchor, she reported many if not all of these events; Rook served as a panelist for the 1992 debates; Rook hosted the CNN popular show Talk Back Live; she received her undergraduate degree from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Rook shared a commitment with Elon College, a value of life-long education; and these are the elements that made Rook a professional journalist. The Address was given by Susan Rook, New Correspondent, CNN. Rook’s comments included: selling hand bags in Florida to standing in front of the Elon College, Class of 1996; after I graduated from George Mason, I had a degree with no real direction; I did not have a sense of the possibilities; when I doubted myself, I gave to others and then paused; I was volunteering in Fort Myers, Florida (she was adopted); she gave a speech at the adoption agency when the local NBC news director’s wife came up to Rook and stated that she needed to be a journalist; she had an interview with a six page resume; she did not obtain the NBC local news position, but the news director told her to call him anytime; for the next several weeks, Rook took notes on every NBC local newscast and called him; and the news director eventually hired Rook. She learned several important lessons from the NBC experience which included: do not give up; if someone says no, it is your choice to take the no; passion with hard work; and faith allowed her to make a leap. Rook spoke about interviewing politicians, leaders, and all kinds of people. The Conferring of the Honorary Degree was presented by Carole F. Chase, Professor of Religion and Conferred by J. Fred Young, Elon’s President. The Doctor of Humane Letters was received by Madeleine L’Engle. The Announcement of Honors and Awards was given by Julianna Maher, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Conferring of Degrees was presented by Gerald (Gerry) L. Francis, Provost; Robert G. Anderson, Jr., Associate Professor of Political Science; and Janie Brown, Watts/Thompson Professor, Chair, HPEL. Francis made an announcement about photograph taking and directing family and friends to go to his left side to the photograph area. The candidates for the Master of Business Administration and candidates for the Master of Education received their degrees first. Then the candidates for the Bachelor degrees were presented to the Class of 1996. After the conferring of the degrees, Francis made a statement about meeting your graduate at the Fonville Fountain, Scott Plaza. Young asked the Class of 1996 to stand. The Charge to the Graduating Class of 1996 was presented by J. Fred Young. His comments included: met the challenge of higher academic standards, more volunteer service hours, engaged in more internships, created new student organizations, a tradition at Elon College of each graduate to receive a gift in an Oak sapling (symbol of Elon is the Hebrew word for Oak), Elon was founded 107 years ago, Elon planted 1,000 Oak trees, Young informed the graduates to plant their tree in an open space and one of these days your children will find the oak tree, like your tree – you will find your place in the world, and keep in touch with Elon College. The Recessional was Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals by Sigrid Karg-Elert. The platform, graduates, and faculty departed. Some various shots included: close-up of feet walking on the bricks, Rook mingling in the crowd, Young mingling in the crowd, aerial of Fonville Fountain at Scott Plaza from Alamance building window, Christopher Waters mingling in a crowd, and students in Fonville Fountain. Some names included: Troy Senkiewicz, Scott Hildebrand, Riza Aquino, Jason Dennis, Addie Gilley, Elizabeth Raynor, Michael Stamps, Allison Storelli, Scott Dayton, and Geoff Gentry. In conclusion, this was J. Earl Daniley’s 50th year as a member of the faculty. Thomas E. Powell Jr., Professor of Chemistry and President Emeritus, Dr. Danieley graduated from Elon College in 1946 and began teaching in the chemistry department the following September. Danieley served as president (the 6th president of Elon College) of the college from 1957 to 1973.