Elon University’s School of Health Sciences class of 2024 transitioned from students to alumni during the school’s commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 in Alumni Gym where Commencement speakers father and son, Jeff Shoup G’ 00 G’ 05 and Durand Shoup G’ 22, encouraged graduating students to leave their profession better than they found it. 

“Embrace the struggle,” Jeff said. “Maybe better said, embrace the suck. If you want to leave the profession better than you found it, you will need to embrace the suck.”

The ceremony recognized 18 graduating students from the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, 36 graduating students from the master of science in physician assistant studies program and 41 graduating students from the doctor of physical therapy program. 

They also asked the graduating students to step into the lives of their patients in order to serve them. 

“Throughout our careers, what has propelled us forward hasn't been our grit, or our own accomplishments,” Jeff said. “It’s been the relationships that we build mostly by stepping into space, doing our part to build a bridge.”

University President Connie Book also pushed the graduating students to not only help their patients but to change the state of medicine using the values taught to them while at Elon. 

“You came with expectations of an education that was not only rigorous in the science and hands-on practice, but also rich in values like compassion and respect,” Book said. “As we envision each of you launching this exciting career in healthcare, I charge you to carry Elon's values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect with you. Always use Elon's values when you encounter the inevitable hard choices ahead.”           

Book then presented the graduates with their oak saplings and also encouraged them to lean on each other and Elon in their future endeavors.

“Always use Elon's values when you encounter the inevitable hard choices ahead,” Book said. “Lean on them, and I want you to lean on each other. You now have your new professional network all around you waiting to reason things out. Remember that we are forever bound together by Elon and these values.”

As the ceremony closed and the School of Health Sciences class of 2024 graduated, speakers, staff and faculty at Elon encouraged growth from the foundation they built while at Elon. 

“Seek wisdom through humility,” Durand said. “Strengthen your foundation you built here at Elon, let imposter syndrome die within you and embrace the suck as you step into a space with others with kindness, empathy and willingness to grow.”