In March 22 graduating seniors entered Boren lounge to prepare for the final event of their college careers: graduation. Senior Salute is an annual event in which seniors order their caps and gowns and address various problems that can make graduation – or graduating – difficult.

This was the first year the event culminated in a Senior Dinner. Free to seniors and the professors who taught FYE classes in Fall 2001, when most of the graduating class entered Guilford, it was a chance for seniors to reflect on the pending changes to their lives.

Organized by the Senior Celebration Committee, the dinner was also an opportunity for seniors to reconnect with one another in anticipation of graduation. The committee (consisting of staff members Scott Pierce Coleman, Karrie Opaleski, Emily Schmidt, Sandy Bowles, Aaron Fetrow, Nancy Riemer, and Blaine Lukkar) labeled tables so that seniors could sit with their FYE class members, some of whom had not seen each other since the end of their first semesters at Guilford.

Rex Adelberger and John Stoneburner, faculty members who will be “retiring” though teaching part-time after this academic year, spoke during the dinner.

“Life is a lot like wine,” Adelberger, who has taught in the physics department since 1973, told students in his speech. “What makes the wine good is what you do with it along the way.”

“We’ve made sure that there’s lots of sugar in the grapes, but we don’t know how you’ll turn out. Come back in 15 years, and we’ll see … if you’ve seized the journey,” Adelberger said.

“The journey is as meaningful as the place at which you’ve arrived,” he said.

Stoneburner, who has taught at Guilford since 1968, talked about knowing Guilford when Friendly Ave. was a two-lane road, when there were cow pastures where Harris Teeter now stands, and when the original Founders hall was in use.

“Overall it has been an honor to teach at Guilford, and to cross paths with you students,” he said.

“There are ways education (is) a commodity, but authentic learning and teaching is a dependent process,” Stoneburner said. “Gift-giving is the best way I have to describe the process of teaching and learning at Guilford.”

“Gifts multiply in some unexplainable manner,” he continued. “An old fogy word of advice: Thank (those who have helped you) for their gifts to you. Thank them for their help on your journey.”

Senior Salute allowed students to order caps, gowns, and announcements for graduation and class rings through Jostens. Founded in 1897, Jostens also provides yearbooks, school photography and athletic championship gear for students grades K-12, students who were home schooled, and students in college. In addition to these groups, Jostens provides services for specialty groups such as the armed forces; police, fire, and EMS squads; and other specialized markets.

Class rings and personalized graduation announcements may still be ordered through Jostens online, at www.jostens.com, or by calling 1-800-353-5299. Caps and gowns, which cost $30 to rent, can still to be ordered through the Guilford bookstore. They will be available on April. 15. The bookstore sells blank graduation announcements for $12.

During Senior Salute seniors could speak with people from the Office of Financial Assistance about fiscal matters, including consolidating and deferring their student loans. Someone from the Registrar’s office was also available so that students could check the spelling of their names for their diplomas as well as the status of their graduation applications.

Additionally students gave feedback on their experiences at Guilford through a survey distributed by the Office of Campus Life.

Seniors also voted to select the students who will speak, along with alumna Mel Bringle, during graduation ceremonies on May 7, 2005. The Senior Celebration Committee announced results of the vote via the Beacon on April 1. Terrell “Bird” Balof-Bird was selected from traditional students, and Will Hall from non-traditional students.

Additional details concerning the commencement schedule and local lodging for guests can be found at:

http://www.guilford.edu/newsEvents/index.cfm?ID=800000670.