Release date: May 15, 2006
Contact: Beverly Cox Clark at 404-712-8780 or beverly.clark@emory.edu

Emory University Holds Commencement May 15 for 3,400+ Graduates

Emory University's 161st commencement took place on May 15.

Emory University's Class of 2006 gathered before 14,000 family and friends on the campus' historic quad May 15 to celebrate their achievements and mark the beginning of a new era in their lives during Emory's 161st commencement.

Keynote speaker Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, spoke to graduates and received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Two other individuals also were recognized during commencement with honorary degrees: public interest attorney Stephen B. Bright, president of the Southern Center for Human Rights, and art historian and archeologist Dietrich von Bothmer, distinguished research curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Emory President James Wagner led the 90-minute ceremony, which began with an academic procession under the direction of Chief Marshal Ray DuVarney, professor of physics, across the university’s historic quadrangle by the kilt-clad Atlanta Pipe Band.

The Thomas Jefferson Award, the university’s premier faculty/administrative officer award for significant service to the institution, was awarded to Frank Alexander, professor and interim dean of the Emory Law School. The University Scholar/Teacher Award, given on behalf of the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry, was awarded to Francis Smith Foster, Charles Howard Candler Professor of English.

The Marion Luther Brittain Award, the most prestigious student award for service to the university, was awarded to Emory College senior Feras Akbik. The McMullan Award, which includes $20,000, was awarded during the diploma ceremony for Emory College (the undergraduate arts and sciences school) to seniors J.B. Tarter and Devin Murphy – the first time ever the award has been given to two individuals in the same year.

A video of the central ceremony and more information can be found on Emory's commencement Web site.

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. For nearly two decades Emory has been named one of the country's top 25 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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