Signature Events

Beloved annual event attended by more than 15,000 on the Emory University Quadrangle. In 2020 Commencement was streamed online and gift boxes were shipped to graduates around the world. In 2021 a series of in-person Commencement ceremonies were held off-campus at the Georgia World Congress Center to allow for COVID-19 safety protocols. In 2022 the ceremony returned to the Quad with keynote speaker Tyler Perry.

A special Commencement tradition observed by the undergraduate senior class for more than two decades. In 2022, the tradition was reimagined with an enhanced Senior Reception, Class Day Ceremony with student-selected keynote speaker, Candlelight Crossover procession lined by alumni and staff, and the Emory Alumni welcome Celebration on McDonough Field with DJs, refreshments, and unique photo opportunities.

Another Emory alumni, student, family tradition reimagined in 2022 with the creation of the Food and Music Festival. Featuring several national music acts on multiple stages as well as chef interactions, fiery food demos, and mouth-watering culinary options. The festival was part of the broader Homecoming, Reunions, and Family Weekend events which included Hocofest student talent showcase, the Homecoming Parade, a Town Hall with the President, and an Alumni Party on the Quad.

Winner of the 2022 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence “Gold Medal award” for Multi-Day In-Person Special Event.   The 2O36 Campaign featured a multi-day, multi-city campaign launch celebration with innovative twists on traditional launch events.  The major donor events were split over two nights increasing total attendance to more than 600 while decreasing density for COVID protocols. The event was expanded to provide a similar guest experience for 2,000 university faculty, staff, and students at a campaign “open house” before transforming yet again to host 5,000 alumni and parents at reunions and Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Each event featured five dome structures for guests to safely explore and engage. The first three domes highlighted the extraordinary work of faculty, researchers, and students in a live podcast recording studio, via Ted Talk style presentations, and in an interactive “museum” connecting scholars with physical representations of their research. The final two domes activated our guests as storytellers as they recorded their own personal testimonials in StoryCorps-style audio booths and added their vision for Emory’s future to a digital wall.

Three days later, key parts of these experiences moved to New York, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, and North Carolina for the first phase of a multi-year regional launch which would reach multiple cities in Florida, Texas, California, plus Colorado, and Illinois. The launch then traveled overseas to Seoul, South Korea and London, England.

In 2007, 2010, and 2013 Emory University hosted Visits of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in his capacity as Presidential Distinguished Professor, the first university appointment accepted by the 1989 Nobel Peace Laureate. The 2010 Visit received the prestigious "Grand Gold" award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

During the October 20-22, 2007 Visit, His Holiness accepted Emory's offer of a Presidential Distinguished Professorship and delivered his inaugural lecture. He also participated in a conference on science and spirituality co-hosted by the Mind & Life Institute, provided a teaching to the Buddhist community, and led an interfaith summit on religion as a source of both conflict and peace. The visit concluded with a free public talk in downtown Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park.

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama returned to Emory October 17-19, 2010. He participated in a series of public events including programs on science research and meditation, creativity and spirituality with Richard Gere and Alice Walker, an interfaith dialogue on the concept of happiness, and a teaching for the Buddhist community on compassion.

The October 8-10, 2013 visit included a series of public and campus events with a focus on responsible citizenship, ethics, and education. The highlight of this visit was a full-day public event at the Gwinnett Arena. 

In 2008, Campaign Emory launched with a 500-person gala dinner and a 1750-person Emory community event two days later under the largest freespan tent structure constructed at Emory complete with realistic replicas of campus landmarks. Featured in these two events was Enquérir, an original Cirque du Soleil-style show produced entirely by the events office which won the International Live Events Association (ILEA) "Esprit Award" that year for Best Original Entertainment. The show featured five scenes illustrating the key messages of the campaign through original costume, music, scenery, and acrobatic performances. Emory was a triple finalist that year at the ILEA international awards. In addition to the original entertainment award, Emory was a finalist for "Best event for a Non-Profit" and "Best Overall Team Effort," a very rare feat for a university competing against global fundraising galas and corporate events.  The event also received a bronze medal recognition from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

A selection of images from other Emory Events (2005-Present)