Commencement 2015

Commencement

Wake Forest celebrated its 2015 Commencement on Hearn Plaza on May 18, welcoming comedian Stephen Colbert as its speaker.

Enjoy the photos below, and if you’re looking for even more photos, please see the Commencement gallery and Baccalaureate gallery on Flickr.

“Relish the friendships you’ve formed here.” — Nathan O. Hatch, president of Wake Forest University

“It’s time to say goodbye to the person we’ve become, the person you’ve worked so hard to perfect. And to make some critical decisions about who we’re going to be.” — Stephen Colbert, comedian and late night television host

“Take a deep breath; welcome the unexpected.” — Nathan Hatch

“Make the world good according to your standards.” — Stephen Colbert

“Stop, slow down, and savor the moment.” — Nathan Hatch

“May you ride eternal, shiny and chrome.” — Stephen Colbert

“Get ready for my generation to tell you everything that can’t be done. … And we should know they can’t be done. After all, we’re the ones who didn’t do them. Your job, Pro Humanitate, is to prove us wrong.” — Stephen Colbert

Seniors reflect on their Wake Forest experience in this video by Wrought Iron Productions, a student-run film company.

“It is as much a beginning as an ending.” — Nathan Hatch

“Clearly, Wake Forest has come a long way since it was a labor school founded by a horseless drifter. But as great as Wake Forest is, Wake is your past now.” — Stephen Colbert

“Any standards worth having will be a challenge to meet. And most of the time, you will fall short. But what is nice about having your own set of standards is that from now on, you fill out your own report card. So do yourself a favor: Be an easy grader. Score yourself on a curve. Give yourself extra credit.” — Stephen Colbert

“The future is a dark chasm of yawning uncertainty. But don’t worry. You don’t have to face the future for like two hours. First, brunch. Then yawning uncertainty.” — Stephen Colbert

Baccalaureate

“Don’t just live. Have a life worth living.” — Baccalaureate speaker Jonathan L. Walton, the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University and Pusey Minister in Harvard’s Memorial Church

“Suma Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Thank the Laude” — Jonathan Walton

“Dare to think with your hearts.” — Jonathan Walton