Class Day Information
Class Day is a student organized event for the baccalaureate degree candidates of Emory College, Goizueta Business School, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, and the School of Medicine (Medical Imaging Program). Traditionally, the event is held on the Thursday before Commencement and features a student-selected keynote speaker as well as the presentation of class gifts, and awards. It precedes the Emory Senior Class Reception, Candlelight Crossover, and dessert reception.
Open only to the graduating seniors from Emory College, Nursing, Business (BBA), and Bachelor of Medical Science. No RSVP required, but seating is limited.
Keynote speaker - Chipper Jones
Born a high school coach’s son in DeLand, Florida, Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones Jr. turned a love for the sport of baseball at a young age into one of the great careers in Major League Baseball history. Spending his entire 23-year professional career with the Atlanta Braves, Jones is among those most closely associated with the franchise.
Jones was selected as the first overall pick in the 1990 draft, chosen by the Braves directly out of high school as an 18-year-old. It would take him just three years to reach the majors, joining the “big club” as a September call-up, and becoming the youngest player in the league at the time. During his first full season with Atlanta, he led all first-year players in both runs batted in and runs scored, finishing second in the Rookie of the Year balloting.
It was no coincidence that Jones’s arrival with the Braves also marked one of the greatest stretches of success by a team in baseball history. Behind both his talent and leadership, Atlanta won 11 consecutive National League East Championships from 1995 through 2005, while claiming three National League pennants and winning the World Series in 1995. To date, it is the only championship among the major professional sports franchises in the history of the city of Atlanta.
Jones was named the Most Valuable Player of the National League in 1999, after batting .319 with 45 home runs and leading the Braves to a World Series appearance. He was an eight-time All-Star selection and the 1999 and 2000 National League Silver Slugger for third base, awarded to the best hitter at the position in the league. He won the National League batting title in 2008 with a .364 average. Moreover, Jones was the unquestioned leader in the Braves clubhouse during his career, transitioning the team from its period of success in the late 1990s into the new millennium.
Jones ended his career as one of only two switch hitters in the game’s history with more than 5,000 at bats to hit at least .300 from each side of the plate, the only switch hitter in Major League Baseball history to own a .300 career batting average and hit at least 300 HRs, and his 1,623 runs batted in are the most by any player in Major League history whose primary position was third base. Add to that career totals of 468 home runs and 2,726 hits, and Jones has all but assured himself a place among baseball’s greats in the Hall of Fame.
Win Chipper's seats! Chipper Jones has generously donated a total of four SunTrust box tickets plus an autographed bat to help encourage Class Gift participation by the graduating seniors. UPDATE: Congratulations to Emory College senior Kevin Mauge-Lewis and Nursing senior Jason Slabach. They were the 1st and 2nd place winners in the "Win Chipper's Seats" class gift contest. Thank you to all who participated.
Awards presented during event
Boisfeuillet Jones Medals
These medals were established, designed, and initially endowed by DVS Senior Society to honor Boisfeuillet Jones, a DVS alumnus and one of Emory's most prominent and distinguished graduates. Representing what was special and unique about Jones, recipients are selected for their good citizenship, outstanding leadership, devoted service to Emory and the community, academic performance, and potential to become a 'Change Agent' in their chosen profession and society at large.
Brit Katz Senior Appreciation Award
Honored for his devotion to students and for serving as role model, leader, and friend, director of residence life R. Britton Katz was recognized at the first Class Day celebration in 2003. The Brit Katz Award, a wooden bowl, is presented to an administrator or staff member selected by seniors for his or her service as role model and friend to the senior class, for participation in the Emory community beyond his or her professional duty, and who is deemed worthy of special recognition. The award is sponsored by the Ducemus Senior Society.
Knights of Emory Spirit Award
