With rousing encouragement and inspiration from speaker Lisa Borders, more than 5,500 new graduates join the world-wide Duke alumni community at the university’s 167th commencement.
The celebration began days before Commencement as students spent the week in Chapel Drive and in front of Duke Chapel taking last campus photos with their friends.
Gathering in Pascal Field House, Duke students shared last hugs and memories before lining up for the procession.
Despite predictions of rain, the precipitation held off and temperatures settled in the low 70s, making for a comfortable ceremony.
As they walked, students shared waves and shouts of “I love you!” with friends and family members in the audience.
There was time for a few surprises: Lola Sanchez-Carrion, a Trinity senior from Peru, was shocked when her mother arranged for a wreath of flowers to be sent out for her to wear during the ceremony, which is a family tradition.
Held on Mother’s Day, the ceremony was filled with emotion.
Led by Academic Council Chair Don Taylor who carried the university mace, the faculty followed the students. They were joined by honorary degree recipients and other honored guests.
Duke President Vincent Price opened the ceremony by celebrating “the many accomplishments of this exceptional group of graduates.”
This year’s student speaker, Leah Rosen, asks the Class of 2019 to stay focused on who they want to be rather than what they want to do before taking a fond look back at her time at Duke and “the power of this place.”
Watch the full speech »
“It was only recently that I was even able to unlock the experiences of being. To be enough. To be in love. To be patient—with others and myself. To be joyful.”
Four inspirational thinkers who have changed the world through their scholarship and leadership received honorary degrees: Elizabeth Alexander is president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Philosopher Anthony Appiah, professor at New York University; Nobel Laureate Brian Kobilka, professor of molecular and cellular physiology at Stanford University; and groundbreaking mathematician Caroline Series, professor emeritus at the University of Warwick.
Let’s hear an “Amen” for Commencement speaker Lisa Borders. The Duke alumna and trustee, a granddaughter of a noted Atlanta preacher, challenged the Class of 2019 to embrace adversity and find ways to turn the lessons learned into success.
“Discouragement doesn’t have to be debilitating. If anything, discouragement should drive you to open your own doors and design your own future.”
With assistance from the 10 deans, President Price concluded the ceremony by conferring degrees upon the Class of 2019. Price’s last words assured them that the new graduates would remain an important part of the Duke family.
“Remember that you are not going it alone. We are all fortunate to be part of a community of extraordinary people of accomplishment and purpose, here in Durham and across the world, a Duke family now hundreds of thousands strong. And we rely on each other for help and support, for intellectual challenge, and for fellowship and encouragement to excel.”
Some of our favorite decorations of the day.
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