Message to Alumni – September 2024

A Message to Alumni of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences

From the September 2024 Alumni Newsletter

As the new dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, I started the academic year sharing a poem. I chose to start with words and sentiments to reveal who I am as a leader. The poem I selected, “Soul Food” by O. S. Brooks, really was about positioning me as a Southern Black male who grew up in eastern North Carolina. It was also an attempt to give faculty and staff a glimpse into my life outside of the College — a foodie who enjoys talk and play with friends and colleagues. Moreover, I aimed to send a message that I lead through meaningful relationships in an open and honest environment. The poem speaks to all these things and more.

My goal was for colleagues to have some understanding of me as a leader and the positive reception affirms that it landed well. The poem is a metaphor for how I think about leadership. I spent many days on my grandmother’s porch or around her kitchen table with a pot of something on the stove. Never thinking or dreaming that I could lead a college — like my grandmother led our family. And like “Soul Food,” the work of a dean demands making something out of nothing. There are never enough resources. There is a constant need to be hopeful and creative. There is an expectation that I will unite everyone around a common vision, mission and values. Indeed, the job demands that I — the dean — create magic.

We have put together a fantastic newsletter that captures some of the magic and joy that students, faculty and staff experience daily at Elon. There is more to come as I start a listening tour of the 21 departments that make up the College. Each session will pose three simple questions: Who are we; what do we do well; and what makes us distinct? I expect a lively discussion around tables much like those I shared growing up with family over plates of soul food. While I have established a few working goals in my first year that students, faculty, staff and alumni will hear more about in the coming months, one overarching goal will be to continue building upon the legacy of former Elon College Deans Stephen House, Alison Morrison-Shetlar, and Gabie Smith to sustain a stable, responsive, collaborative, supportive and innovative culture in the College.  And so, the journey begins . . .

 

Onward!

Hilton Kelly
Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences