Commencement Pageant

"The Feast of Reason and the Flow of Soul"

From the back of the gathered crowd a single bagpipe wails its first martial notes, followed by a roll of drums and a crashing skirl from the rest of the Atlanta Pipe Band. The chief marshal of the University steps out in stately time, followed by the bagpipers, then University trustees, officers, and honorary degree recipients. Immediately preceding the president is the bedel, carrying the University's silver and gold mace, symbol of the institution as a corporate body of scholars. At the same time, deputy marshals begin to lead in the faculty from two directions, and faculty marshals lead in the degree candidates from every school. The processions converge on the Quadrangle from all directions, like some grand medieval army on parade, bright gonfalons waving aloft, faculty resplendent in antiquated garb, black-cloaked graduated regaled in colored hoods distinctive to their degrees. Commencement at Emory once again is underway.

Source: Gary S. Hauk, 91Ph.D., "Commencement Program"

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