View a slide show of Commencement photos.
Watch Commencement recording here.
The last time a crowd filled Ragan-Brown Field House at Guilford College, the Quakers’ men’s basketball team was winning a sectional final playoff game March 9 that propelled it to the NCAA Division III Final Four. It was a highlight of the past year.
On Saturday, May 18, a different type of celebration took place in front of a large crowd in the Field House: Guilford's Commencement exercises honoring 225 graduates earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the Class of 2024.
The featured speaker was Wendy Poteat '10 and President and Chief Executive Officer of shift_ed, a Greensboro nonprofit that provides access to support services and scholarships to prepare Guilford County Schools’ students for college, career and life.
“Let the lessons you have learned at Guilford College illuminate your path,” said Wendy, who enrolled at the College as an adult student after a family tragedy and graduated in 2010. “Be beacons of hope, embracing and uplifting those around you. Champion equality and justice, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
Wendy's remarks were interrupted by a three-minute demonstration by students and other persons calling attention to the plight of Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas. The demonstrators stood near the stage holding signs while music played.
Returning to her talk, Wendy encouraged graduates to, “Strive for excellence, not only for personal gain but for the betterment of society. Uphold integrity in all your endeavors, knowing that your character holds equal importance to your achievements. Be stewards of our planet, working tirelessly to create a sustainable and flourishing world.”
Kevin Buikpor ’24, a Cyber Network Security and Computer Technology Information Systems double major chosen as student speaker, reminded his peers that, moving forward, “every setback is a setup for a comeback.”
Because of the pandemic, Kevin found himself back home in the west African nation of Togo taking his freshman classes at Guilford online. Struggling to grasp a new language and keep up with his work, he called his father to tell him he wanted to drop out. "Give it one more week," his father said.
“That one week changed everything,” he told graduates. “As you face hardship in the future, give it one more week, and you'll see the strength within you that can move mountains.”
Speaking on behalf of alumni, Liz Nicholson '12, Director of the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program, said, "I boldly ask you all to continue embracing complexity, to release yourself from the danger of binary thinking, and to lean into relationships and community, especially when it's hard, because again change doesn't happen outside the context of relationships."
In welcoming remarks, President Kyle Farmbry acknowledged that graduates entered Guilford during the COVID pandemic. Many had not experienced a high school graduation ceremony.
“You came to campus not quite knowing what to expect, and over almost two academic years you navigated new realities in your academic, social and personal lives. Those graduating today are not only survivors of the experience, but thrivers.”
During the ceremony the College presented Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards to community leader John Googe ’50 and graduating seniors Grace Christensen ’24 and Maren Lamb ’24.
Commencement was held indoors for the second time in three years due to heavy rain in the past week and the threat of showers on the day of the ceremony.