Boisfeuillet Jones Medals
The Boisfeuillet Jones Medals were established, designed, and initially endowed by D.V.S. Senior Society to honor this D.V.S. alumnus, one of Emory’s most prominent and distinguished graduates. Representing what was special and unique about Jones, recipients are selected for their good citizenship, outstanding leadership, devoted service to Emory and the community, academic performance, and potential to become a “change agent” in their chosen profession and society at large.
Knights of Emory Spirit Awards
These awards recognize outstanding students, faculty, and staff who are unsung heroes/ heroines. Those selected for this honor have made great contributions to the university and promote Emory spirit with passion and selflessness.
Brit Katz Senior Appreciation Award
Honored for his devotion to students and for serving as role model, leader, and friend, director of residence life R. Britton Katz was recognized at the first Class Day celebration in 2003. The Brit Katz Award, a wooden bowl, is presented to an administrator or staff member selected by seniors who has served as role model and friend to the senior class, who has participated in the Emory community beyond their professional duty, and who is deemed worthy of special recognition. The award is sponsored by the Ducemus Senior Society.
Lightkeeper of Emory Award
This honor, awarded by the Order of Ammon, is bestowed upon a graduating senior unafraid to engage in divergent thought; motivated by an instinct to turn bold ideas into progress; and guided by an uncommon, radical empathy. Students named Lightkeepers have led efforts to foster a more inclusive Emory, leaving behind an enduring legacy without actively seeking recognition. The award is named for the nineteenth-century mariners who tended American lighthouses through the long hours of the night. These lightkeepers worked for little to no compensation, driven instead by the solemn gratification that came with keeping fellow sailors out of harm’s way.
Kal Penn
Kal Penn is an actor, writer, producer, and former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. He starred in Designated Survivor, House, Mira Nair’s The Namesake, the Harold & Kumar franchise, and the patriotic immigration sit-com Sunnyside which he co-created for NBC.
From 2009 to 2011, Penn took a sabbatical from acting to serve in the Obama/Biden administration as the President’s Liaison on issues including the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Affordable Care Act, Pell Grants, arts and culture programs, the DREAM Act, and rapid response to the BP Oil Spill and earthquake in Haiti.
He was national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012, serving on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities. The New Jersey native received his undergraduate degree in sociology, theater, film, and television from the University of California, Los Angeles and a graduate certificate in international security from Stanford University.
Penn recently wrapped production on the CBS drama, Clarice (based on Silence of the Lambs), and Freeform’s late-night youth election format show Kal Penn Approves This Message. He currently stars in the animated Disney Junior series Mira, Royal Detective, and recently guest hosted The Daily Show on Comedy Central.
Class Day Crossover Program
Emory Student Center
Thursday, the Fourth of May
Two Thousand Twenty-three Seven Thirty in the Evening
Order of Program Order of Program
Welcome
Ed Lee IIISenior Director of Inclusivity, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Presentation of the Lightkeeper of Emory Award
Sydney Gillespie 21Ox 23C
Presentation of the Knights of Emory Spirit Awards
Chad Sunstein
Senior Director, Campus Dining
Presentation of the Brit Katz Senior Appreciation Award
Anna Rhoads 21Ox 23B
Enku Gelaye
2022 Recipient, Brit Katz Award
Presentation of the Boisfeuillet Jones Medals
Enku Gelaye
Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life
Laura Jones Hardman 67C
Emory University Trustee Emerita
Carla Freeman
Interim Dean, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Kristy Martyn
Associate Dean for Education, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Gareth James Dean, Goizueta Business School
100 Senior Honorary Recognition
Ed Lee III
Remarks
Gregory L. Fenves
President of the University
Introduction of Speaker
Anna Rhoads 21Ox 23B
Class Day Speaker
Kal Penn
Coke Toast
Gregory L. Fenves
Alma Mater AHANA
Jamie Baker 26C
Halle Bereket 26C
Seymone Clarke 21Ox 23C
Yulia Gu 25C
Jalen Harris 25C
Zeaven Hoxie 24C
Alexa Lisenby 23C
Anushka Nayak 25C
J'Dyn Plater 24C
Shreya Reddy 23C
Avery Rose 25C
Amna Sadig 23C
Yvonna Smothers 25C
Devyn Townsend 23C
Ammar Ul Haq 25C
Selah Williams 23C
In the heart of dear old Emory, Where the sun doth shine, That is where our hearts are turning ’Round old Emory’s shrine.
We will ever sing thy praises, Sons and daughters true, Hail we now our Alma Mater, Hail the Gold and Blue!
Though the years around us gather, Crowned with love and cheer, Still the memory of Old Emory Grows to us more dear.
We will ever sing thy praises, Sons and daughters true, Hail we now our Alma Mater, Hail the Gold and Blue!
—J. Marvin Rast 1918C 29T