Wake Forest University holds its annual Commencement ceremony on Hearn Plaza on Monday, May 16, 2011.

More than 1,600 graduates and their families gathered on Hearn Plaza under cloudy skies for the 2011 Commencement Ceremony. In her speech, “For Humanity,” PepsiCo CEO Indra K. Nooyi urged graduates to keep their curiosity and stay positive. Read more »

Read the full text of Nooyi’s address »

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Students | Family & friends | Ceremony | Faculty and staff | Audio slideshow

Hatch addresses graduates

President Nathan Hatch

President Nathan O. Hatch, in his remarks to the Class of 2011, said he hoped their Wake Forest education had whetted their appetite for a life of learning. “The very reason a University exists — its heart and soul — is to inspire passion to learn, explore, discover, understand.” Read more »

 

Meet the class of 2011

Meet 2011 Grad: Ben Comer
Meet 2011 Grad: Travis Beal
Meet 2011 Grad: Jung Hoon Kim
Meet 2011 Grad: Teddy Aronson
Meet 2011 Grad: Kristy Tayapongsak
Meet 2011 Grad: Jackie Willingham
Meet 2011 Grad: Keli Beck
Meet 2011 Grad: Jon Bougher
Meet 2011 Grad: Gregory E. Griffey
Meet 2011 Grad: Camille Collier
Meet 2011 Grad: Ae’Jay Mitchell
Meet 2011 Grad: Carey Alice Carpenter
Meet 2011 Grad: Melanie Firestone
Meet 2011 Grad: Ryan McBreen
Meet 2011 Grad: Caitlin Crawford

View all senior profiles »


Then and Now

From first-year student to graduating senior — students from religion professor Lynn Neal’s first-year seminar class look back on how they’ve changed in four years.

From first-year student to graduating senior — students from religion professor Lynn Neal’s first-year seminar class look back on how they’ve changed in four years.

Senior wins Marshall Scholarship

Bo-Shan Ziang

Senior Bo-Shan Xiang, who is on a mission to build American interest in the study of philosophy, has been awarded a Marshall Scholarship. Xiang plans to study metaethics at the University of St. Andrews.

Senior receives award for community service

Lisa Northrop

Senior Lisa Northrop was one of 34 college students from across North Carolina to receive the Community Impact Student Award and a volunteer recognition certificate of appreciation from Governor Beverly Perdue.

Science and social entrepreneurship

Billy Oelsner

For as long as he can remember, senior biology major William Oelsner wanted to be a physician. Then he discovered that by joining science know-how and business savvy, he could improve lives more than one patient at a time.


Senior orations

Building Bridges at Home and Abroad” (Catherine “Cate” Berenato)
Application for the Class of 2011″ (Ashley Gedraitis)
To Understand the World …” (Ava Petrash)

See also: Senior video


A natural leader

Natalie Halpern

Student government president Natalie Halpern, a senior from Marietta, Ga., has a track record of leading people and getting projects accomplished in her time at Wake Forest.

Ten seniors named Wake Forest Fellows

Wake Forest Fellows 2011

Ten seniors have been named Wake Forest Fellows and will work in the President’s Office, Information Systems, University Advancement and in other offices for the next year.

Friendship fosters success

Jung Kim

Sometimes children find that making friends is hard. They need someone to help break the ice. Senior Jung Hoon Kim does this for his “little brother” through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Whirling and twirling

Ryann DuRant

Though her parents encouraged her to try a wide variety of sports and activities, dance was “the only thing that stuck,” says Ryann DuRant, a senior communication major and Presidential Scholar in Dance.


More stories about seniors:


PROGRAMS

Download Commencement programs PDF

Gallery: Commencement 2011

Commencement 2011: Ceremony