Monday, May 11, 2020, 11:30 AM – 1 PM EDT

“The Feast of Reason and the Flow of Soul”—A History of Emory Commencement

Since COVID-19 has forced cancellation of the 2020 Emory Commencement, come join a virtual Commencement on the day that would have witnessed Emory’s 175th graduation exercises, Monday, May 11. Gary Hauk, who retired as the Emory University historian in January, will tell how the university has celebrated the achievements of its students and faculty members through the generations. Where did the bagpipes come in? When did regalia become part of the scene? Who was the most celebrated Commencement speaker? And what about those honorary degrees? (Three cheers for Anthony Fauci, DSc 2003!) A nineteenth-century newspaper article called the Emory College Commencement of the day “the feast of reason and the flow of soul,” borrowing a line from Alexander Pope. The phrase seems apt even now to describe the celebratory end of the academic year. Come prepared to share your own Commencement memories as we observe the day that would have been.