Elmhurst College awarded 208 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees at the Midyear Commencement of the College’s 143rd year on February 8, 2014.

In his Commencement address, “Now It Gets Complicated,” President S. Alan Ray exhorted the College’s newest alumni to hold on to the lessons they have learned at Elmhurst.

“The temptations to abandon the life of the mind, the compassion of the heart and the service of the hands in favor of simple ideas, materialistic values and self-seeking behavior will be real,” he said. “As you leave us, keep your mind alert, your heart open and your body engaged in just service.”

Other speakers included Uchenna C. Ebiringah, Class of 2014, and Associate Professor Donna J. Goetz. Bob “Hollywood” Mills ’64 greeted each graduate on behalf of the Elmhurst College Alumni Association.

Music for the Commencement ceremony was provided by the Elmhurst College Concert Choir, led by Susan Moninger, and the Elmhurst College Wind Ensemble, which featured student conductors in addition to the ensemble’s regular conductor, Judith Grimes.