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May 5, 2008
Emory Weekend: A series of hellos and goodbyes

BY

Hello, Emory. May 8–12, Emory Commencement Weekend, a campuswide celebration of the Class of 2008, is one of the most joyous times of the year for alumni to return to campus and for faculty and staff to stick around after hours.

Goodbye, Emory. The weekend also is the last time the Class of 2008 steps foot on campus as students. It’s a triumphant time highlighted by Emory’s 163rd Commencement Exercises, Monday, May 12. And a slightly sad one, too.

Hello, torch; hello, trumpet; hello, dancing shoes. The Torch and Trumpet Soirée, Friday, May 9, the Emory Alumni Association’s dance party for the graduating class, and in larger numbers every year, their parents. Live music from the Gary Motley trio, a dessert buffet, cash bar and much more are on the menu.

Goodbye, Longstreet; goodbye Means. Saturday, May 10, is the official farewell to Longstreet/Means residence halls. They have seen their last residents, and over the summer will be razed to make way for Emory’s new freshman quadrangle. Former residents are welcome to wander their former home.

Hello, golden robes. The annual Corpus Cordis Aureum induction for alumni from 50 years ago and earlier takes place on Sunday, May 11, followed by the traditional robing on Commencement Monday and march onto the Quadrangle for graduation exercises. Last year’s class of more than 100 inductees was the largest ever.

Goodbye, Bishops Hall. For 51 years Bishops Hall has served the Candler School of Theology. A ceremonial leave-taking on May 10 will de-consecrate Bishops in preparation for Candler’s move into its new building.

Hello, candle wax. The Candlelight Crossover, Thursday night, May 8, is one of Emory’s newest traditions and it is quickly becoming a storied one. Last year, it took more than 20 minutes for the hundreds of graduating seniors from the Class of 2007 to cross the bridge, candles in hand, from the Emory Conference Center to the Miller-Ward Alumni House — their symbolic first steps as Emory alumni. Growing numbers of Emory staff and alumni meet them on the other side for a rollicking reception. Now in its fifth year, the crossover reception has grown into a must-attend for young alumni. Older alumni have a blast, too. Many of last year’s Corpus Cordis inductees greeted the Class of 2007 with homemade signs.

Goodbye, final exams. This really should be self-explanatory.