Academic Innovation Photos: Emory University Commencement 2017 May 8, 2017 current / total Emory's 172nd Commencement honored the achievements of this year's 4,615 graduates before an audience of about 15,000.Emory Photo/Video Print Resources Commencement: Stories Top Stories Arts & Culture Emory professor Tayari Jones wins Kirkus Prize for novel ‘Kin’ Praised by the Kirkus Prize as “a powerfully compelling novel that brims with the cadences of the Black South,” Tayari Jones’ “Kin” follows two motherless friends whose bond is tested by time, geography and class shifts. Atlanta & Georgia Emory and Georgia Tech invest over $1B in AI to drive state’s jobs, economic growth The funding strengthens Georgia’s ability to attract companies, develop talent and accelerate Atlanta’s growth as a leading tech hub. Emory’s investments cultivate AI talent, healthcare innovation and technology applications in medicine, business, law, the humanities and ethics. Around Emory Former Sen. Jeff Flake inspires bipartisan dialogue with visit to Emory The former U.S. senator from Arizona and ambassador to Turkey visited Emory in September to talk with students about bipartisan leadership and his career in public service at a fireside chat — the inaugural event for the newly launched Center for Civic Reasoning.