Emory Commencement 2012

Think small: An honorary degree was given to Muhammad Yunus, chair of the Yunus Centre and recipient of the Nobel Prize in 2006 for helping to establish the microfinancing movement across the developing world.

Steady hands: Commencement speaker Benjamin Carson, a Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon, shared stories of his experiences in surgically separating conjoined twins and extols the importance of respecting differing opinions. "What true success is all about," he told graduates, "is using the talent that you have to elevate other people."

Sustainability leader: Peggy Barlett, Goodrich C. White Professor of Anthropology, received the Thomas Jefferson Award for "putting Emory on the path to sustainability."

Scholar and teacher: Sarah Freeman, Betty Tigner Turner Clinical Professor of Nursing and recipient of the University Scholar/Teacher award, said research and clinical practice go "hand in hand."

Leader of the pack: Bobbi Patterson, professor of pedagogy in the Department of Religion and chief marshal for Emory College, led the arts and sciences graduates. She will take over as the first female university marshal next year.

Rainy days and Mondays: A little rain didn't dampen graduates' high spirits, but it did cause a flurry of umbrellas to open among the crowd.

Man vs. Class Day: Adam Richman 96C (right), host of the Travel Channel show Man vs. Food Nation, advised Emory grads to savor life and to make full use of the range of their experiences at college as they catapult into their futures.

Golden years: Members of Corpus Cordis Aureum (below right), alumni who graduated fifty years ago or more, made for a bright spot on the rainy Quadrangle.

Keep the fire burning: Graduating seniors (below) carried candles into their new lives as alumni at the annual Candlelight Crossover, hosted by the Emory Alumni Association.