Commencement 2009
Emory University celebrated its 164th commencement exercises on May 11, 2009.
The graduation ceremony, rich with pagentry and tradition, offers a unique expression of university values, including academic commitment and integrity, citizenship, leadership, service, and exceptional teaching, research and mentoring.
Reflecting on the Emory experience
Students of the Class of 2009
- Goizueta Business School
- Assistant Professor Nikki Graves, GBS
- Professor Bill Gruber, English Department Chair
- Professor Matthew Weinschenk, Chemistry Department
- Cohen Professor of Judaic Studies David Blumenthal, Department of Religion
- Emory College of Arts & Sciences Orientation
Reflecting on the Emory experience
Students & Parents
- Emory Eagles: Volleyball National Champions, 2008
- Study Abroad Programs
- Sorority and Fraternity Life
- Strategic Themes, University Strategic Plan
- Emory Alumni: Legacy Program
- The Emory Wheel
- Theater Emory
- 'Interaction All-Stars' Crossroads Retreat / Emory Magazine, Spring 2009
Vicente Fox Quesada
164th Commencement Speaker
Diplomat, collaborator, visionary
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
Emory enjoys several partnerships with Mexico's former president, Vicente Fox Quesada, and Centro Fox, the first presidential library and center of its kind in that country.
- The Carter Center
- Emory in the World
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program
- Emory Global Health Institute
Brittain Award: Nicolai Lundy
The Marion Luther Brittain Award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated exemplary service to both the university and the greater community without expectation of recognition.
The 2009 recipient, Nicolai Lundy, is a dedicated athlete and a leader in his fraternity. Lundy led the effort resulting in the R. Howard Dobbs Foundation awarding $150,000 to an endowed fund for need-based leadership grants for members of Alpha Tau Omega. Lundy also founded Greeks Go Green, a multi-year effort to educate students on the importance of sustainability.
- Leadership, service and excellence define top student honoree / University news release
- Sustainability Initiatives
- University History: Wonderful Wednesdays at Emory
- Emory Athletics
- ATO receives $150,000 grant to create endowment / The Emory Wheel, November 2008
McMullan Award: Monique Dorsainvil
The Lucius Lamar McMullan Award is given to a graduating senior who exhibits "outstanding citizenship, exceptional leadership and potential for service to his or her community, the nation and the world."
The 2009 recipient, Monique Dorsainvil, calls herself a "scholar activist" who has critically examined issues through scholarship while furthering the work to determine its real-world impact.
- Scholar-activist and campus leader receives McMullan Award / University news release
- Dorsainvil chosen as McMullan honoree / The Emory Wheel, April 2009
- Transforming Community Project
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowships
- "My Race Across Continents," by Monique Dorsainvil / Center for Women at Emory, Spring 2007
Faculty Distinction
Each year at Commencement, Emory honors faculty members for exceptional teaching, research and mentoring.
Martha A. Fineman, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law, is the 2009 University Scholar/Teacher Award recipient, chosen by Emory faculty on behalf of the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
- School of Law: Feminism and Legal Theory
- Monique Dorsainvil and 2009 Emory University Scholar Teacher Winner Martha A. Fineman / YouTube video
Ronald Schuchard, Goodrich C. White Professor of English, is the 2009 recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Award, which is presented to a faculty member or administrative officer in recognition of significant service to the university through personal activities, influence and leadership.
Kenneth W. Stein, William E. Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies, is the 2009 recipient of the George P. Cuttino Award for Excellence in Mentoring, established in 1997 by trustee John T. Glover.
Seven Emory professors are honored as recipients of the Emory Williams Award for Distinguished Teaching, the university's most prestigious awards for teaching. Goizueta Business School, Oxford College and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing each present an award for excellence in undergraduate teaching, and one other award rotates among the professional schools.
- Donald Tuten, associate professor of Spanish, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Randall W. Strahan, professor of political science, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Tracy Morkin, lecturer in chemistry, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Brenda B. Harmon, senior lecturer in chemistry, Oxford College
- Robert A. Schapiro, professor of law, School of Law
- Klaas Baks, associate professor of finance, Goizueta Business School
- Carol A. Newsom, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology
- Deborah A. McFarland, associate professor of health policy and management, Rollins School of Public Health
- William McDonald, J.B. Fuqua Chair in Late-Life Depression, School of Medicine
- Elizabeth Downes, clinical assistant professor of nursing, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Additional coverage
Commencement 2009 / Emory on iTunes U
Emory Report Commencement Issue / May 2009 (PDF 2.2MB)
EAAvesdropping / Emory Alumni Association blog
University news releases
- Profile of Emory University graduates
- Vicente Fox to deliver keynote Commencement address
- Syracuse University president to receive honorary degree
- Former U.S. Surgeon General to receive honorary degree
- Atlanta Symphony's Robert Spano to receive honorary degree
- Faculty receive awards for outstanding teaching, research, leadership
