Emory University News Release

Release date: May 11, 2004
Contact: Beverly Cox Clark, Assistant Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-712-8780 or bclark2@emory.edu

Emory University Celebrates 159th Commencement

Emory University graduated more than 3,300 students during its 159th commencement ceremony May 10 on the campus quadrangle. Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson delivered the keynote speech, and was also awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Describing education as "a great gift," Robinson told the graduates that much will be expected of them, and urged them to work for the greater good, even if it meant making tough decisions.

"You might wish that I could offer a roadmap," she said. "Each one of you will need to rely on your own moral compass to find your path.”

The three remaining honorary degree recipients -- medieval historian Caroline Walker Bynum, president emeritus of the U.S. Olympic Committee LeRoy T. Walker, and Emory trustee emeritus James Bryan Williams, retired chairman and CEO of SunTrust -- also gave brief remarks. Emory President James Wagner presided at the 90-minute ceremony, his first since becoming president last fall.

Several Emory faculty members were honored for their service to the university. The Thomas Jefferson Award, the university’s premier faculty/administrative officer award, and the University Scholar/Teacher Award, given on behalf of the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry, were presented. The Marion Luther Brittain Award, the most prestigious student award for service to the university, as well as the Lucius Lamar McMullan Award – which includes $20,000 – also were presented.

Emory graduated approximately 3,331 students from the academic year 2003-04. Of those students, 38 received double degrees. An approximate total of 3,369 degrees were awarded: 1,754 undergraduate degrees; 1,162 graduate degrees and 446 professional degrees.

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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 more than a decade 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, a comprehensive metropolitan health care system.