Elon Vocal Scholars is a select, audition-based program for incoming first-year students interested in any academic major who are passionate about singing and want to develop their talents to enhance Elon and the local community. Up to 15 scholars will be selected in each class to receive $5,000 annual scholarships. Scholars will perform regularly on campus and at community events. Senior Lecturer in Music Polly Cornelius coordinates the program, which will attract top-tier singers to Elon. The first cohort enrolls in fall 2023.
Elon’s first cohort of 11 Data Analytics Scholars will enroll this fall. Data Analytics Scholars will cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary to be future leaders in a field where understanding and applying data science is increasingly vital to industries, businesses, policy-making, scientific breakthroughs and technological and cultural disciplines. Working closely with faculty scholars, students will make industry connections, complete mentored data science projects and attend professional conferences. Up to 15 Data Analytics Scholars are selected from each incoming class to receive $5,000 annual scholarships.
Collaborating with colleagues across departments and schools, faculty introduced six interdisciplinary minors in 2022-23 to expand studies of culture, history, design, wellbeing and sustainability.
A gift from Gregory and Shelley Bausch P’16 and P’18 of Arizona created the Joyce Davis Endowment for Exercise Science, a scholarship to ensure majors have access to the Elon Experiences in internships and undergraduate research. The Bausches made the gift in honor of Davis, who mentored their daughter, Megan Bausch ’18, in life-changing ways.
Shelley Bausch announced the endowment at the College Faculty Meeting during Planning Week in August 2022.
“The impact that you as faculty have on the lives of students is unbelievable,” Bausch said. “When we discussed this, we looked at Elon’s academic mission: ‘to build supportive and collaborative human relationships that promote personal growth,’ and the role of faculty ‘to provide both challenge and encouragement to help students discover their ambition to seek greatness and to develop in them the courage to achieve it.’ That is Joyce Davis.”
Clay and Cameron Smith P’22 of Dallas established the M. Clay Smith and Cameron B. Smith Elon College Fellows Endowment through a gift to Elon LEADS. The Smith Family Elon College Fellows Scholarship will be awarded to Fellows majoring in any discipline in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.
They made the gift in recognition of their daughter’s experience in the College. Margaret Smith ’22 was an English major who thrived due to close relationships with faculty and opportunities to study and intern abroad — even during the pandemic.
“We think the Fellows program is a fantastic opportunity, and we are happy to contribute to it,” Clay Cameron said.
Elon University Board of Trustees Chair Dave Porter and Jen Porter P’11 P’19 sponsored a visit for 15 rising seniors to expand their professional contacts, tour major organizations, and connect with Boston-based alumni.
Members of the Class of 2023 closed out their summer break with a five-day experience in Boston that included stops at the Massachusetts State House, the international headquarters of Fidelity Investments and even Fenway Park. During the visit, students met with Governor Charlie Baker and Representative Russell E. Holmes at the Massachusetts State House, toured the robotics demo lab and connected with Chief Operating Officer John Hassett at Analog Devices, and made visits to First Republic Bank, MassMutual and Fidelity.
Gifts from two Elon families will expand access to the Elon Experiences through Elon Engagement Scholarships.
Dave and Suzanne Lissy P’24 of Needham, Massachusetts, endowed the Lissy Family Elon Engagement Scholarship. Will and Laura Wilson P’23 of Wellesley, Massachusetts, endowed the Wilson Family Elon Engagement Scholarship. These scholarships will ensure promising incoming students embodying Elon’s spirit and values receive grants to participate in the five Elon Experiences: global study, internships, undergraduate research, service learning and leadership development.
