Graduates march out of Chambers Hall at Davidson College Sunday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Former Davidson College President Tom Ross returned to campus Sunday to help send off the Class of 2011, telling 436 graduates their Davidson degrees will create opportunities, but also bring a responsibility to lead.

“Your Davidson diploma places you in a very privileged position compared most people in this world,” President Emeritus Ross told the crowd of students and parents.

“But the position of privilege you occupy and the many opportunities that will come your way bring with them a responsibility to live lives of leadership and service.” Read the full story

From left, Rosie Molinary, Nancy Fairley and Keyne Cheshire were among the big award winners. (Bill Giduz photos)

Davidson College’s 2011 commencement Sunday included recognition for top students, retiring faculty and several Davidson residents. Rosie Molinary of Davidson was the community winner of this year’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, given annually for “outstanding spiritual qualities applied to daily living.” Meanwhile, professors Keyne Cheshire (classic) and Nancy Fairley (anthropology) won the college’s top teaching awards. Here’s a recap of all the day’s awards.

RELATED GRADUATION COVERAGE: “Ross tells Davidson grads: ‘do well, do good’”

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Davidson College’s graduation every May is always a community event as well as a campus celebration, in part because of presentation of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. That’s when the college recognizes students and members of the Davidson community for their “fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living, usually going to persons who have given unselfish service without due recognition.”

This year’s awards were given out at Sunday’s commencement and went to three people well known around town: two townspeople – Pam Stephenson and Bernice Houston – and senior Katie Epstein. Read on for details of their awards. Read the full story

Florence Cole

Florence Adaline Mason Cole, 83, of The Pines at Davidson, died Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at The Pines Health Center.

Mrs. Cole was the wife of retired Davidson College English professor Richard Cole. She was active in Davidson College Presbyterian Church and other local organizations. She was a past winner of the college’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, given annually to a local citizen for service to the community.

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David Boraks (Brenda Barger photo)

Here’s a special Sunday edition of Brenda Barger’s Around Davidson column, celebrating a bit of news close to home.

The month of May has been one of many celebrations for David Boraks. Just a few days ago he blew out quite a few candles on his birthday cake (50) and on Sunday stood tall at Davidson College’s commencement at the newest recipient of the 2009 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. This award is given annually at graduation to a deserving member of the senior class and a deserving member of the Davidson community who possesses “fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living, usually going to persons who have given unselfish service without due recognition.” (See more about 2009 commencement below.) Read the full story

Mildred Hartness Thompson, longtime resident of The Pines at Davidson and member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008. She was 97. A visiting hour is scheduled Friday, June 6, at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 at Raymer Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. Burial will follow, at Davidson College Cemetery. Read on for a full death notice from Raymer Funeral Home.
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As we think toward summer plans, the cry for many may be “Surf’s Up” but in the meantime the cry from area farmers is “Hay’s Down!” Pastures of tall fescue are ready for mowing which makes trips along rural roads of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties a beautiful scene of tractors cutting the tall grass, raking windrows and baling hay. Frequent showers are certainly welcome if only they would wait for the hay to be packed in those tidy round bales.

Rain, however, did wait for commencement activities to be completed Sunday at Davidson College. The late afternoon wind and rain gave weary graduates a delightful respite from toting boxes and belongings to waiting vehicles. Congratulations to all graduating seniors from Davidson College. We wish you the best in the future.

We bring news this week of this year’s two Sullivan award winners, Elizabeth Anne Henry and Susan Abbott, announced at graduation, plus special recognition for Dr. Ben Klein. In addition, this week’s column has tips on handling flamingos, updates on the Fagg family, a move for Rush and Erin Beam, and a few thoughts on political signs being nabbed from neighborhoods.

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Susan Abbott was among those honored at Davidson’s graduation. (Bill Giduz photo)

(Davidson College announcement)
Presiding over his first commencement as Davidson College’s 17th President, Thomas W. Ross urged graduates on Sunday to recognize the value of knowing what they don’t know.

“You are people who care about each other and the world, your minds are sharp and filled with ideas and innovations and you are truly prepared for the adventures, opportunities and challenges life will bring to you,” President Ross told the 423 graduates. In accordance with college tradition, the president is the featured commencement speaker. Read the full story