The one-hundred-sixty-fourth commencement exercises of Oxford College took place on Saturday, May 9 on the college quadrangle.  Beneath Oxford's green canopy of trees and a short distance from the obelisk honoring founding president Ignatius Alphonso Few, the 268 graduates of the class of 2009 were honored with appropriate pomp and circumstance. 

The ceremony opened by tradition with a bagpiper, playing The Emory and Old St. Andrews March and wearing the colors of Emory University and the University of St. Andrews, Emory's sister university in Scotland.  Then followed the procession of students, faculty and special guests.  Chief Marshal Dr. Eloise Carter led, assisted by the 2009 Class Marshals, graduates with a GPA of 4.0, which included Eb Joseph Daniels, Lyndsey Kim Davis, Emily Abigail Gardner, Samuel Hong, Julie Michelle Long, James Isaac Payne, Juliet Dawn Sheridan and Amy Yie.  The official Emory mace was carried by Suleman Muhmmad Usman Malik, student body president.

The commencement address was given by Dr. James T. Laney, president emeritus of Emory College, who recalled the college's founders' value on education and service and challenged the Oxford graduates to live a life that exemplifies both.  Emory President Dr. James Wagner conferred the degrees.

A highlight of commencement was the announcement of two awards, the Virgil Y.C. Eady Sophomore Service Award and the Emory Williams Award for Distinguished Teaching.  The Eady Award is given to the sophomore student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has given outstanding service to campus life during the year.  The award was first given in 1969 and is named in honor of the late Dean Eady, who served the college for 37 years.  This year's recipient is Helen Suzanne Hill. 

The Emory Williams Award was established in 1972 by alumnus Emory Williams 32C.  It is one of Emory University's oldest awards for excellence in teaching.  Brenda Harmon, senior lecturer in chemistry, is the 2009 honoree.

Special guests for the ceremony included past recipients of the Eady Award, who attended in commemoration of the award's 40^th anniversary.  Also on hand were members of the Oxford class of 1959, the newest members of Corpus Cordis Aureum, the Golden Corps of the Heart, alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more.  These alumni wore special gold robes and were part of the processional body. 

The graduation celebration also included an interfaith baccalaureate service on Friday evening, May 8.  Held in Old Church, the historic 1841 structure on the edge of Oxford's campus.  Music was provided by the Oxford College chorale, prayers were led by students representing four faiths, and the homily was given by Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, Emory Dean of Chapel and Religious Life.