ELON COLLEGE – Elon College has been named one of the top 100 character-developing colleges and universities in the nation by “The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development,” a guidebook that was released Friday, Oct. 22.
Designed for students, parents and educators who believe that character matters, the guide contains profiles of 405 exemplary college programs in 10 categories; 50 college presidents who have exercised leadership in character development; and 100 colleges and universities named to the Templeton Honor Roll for their record of commitment to inspiring students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives.
More than 300 four-year public and private colleges nationwide are included in “The Templeton Guide.” Individual programs were selected in the following categories: first-year programs; academic honesty programs; faculty and curriculum programs; volunteer service programs; substance-abuse prevention programs; student leadership programs; spiritual growth programs; civic education programs; character and sexuality programs; and senior-year programs.
Elon was cited in two categories – volunteer service and senior-year programs.
“We are pleased that “The Templeton Guide” has named Elon to its honor roll and also recognized our volunteer service and senior-year programs,” said Dr. Leo M. Lambert, president of Elon College. “Elon’s mission is to offer students a liberal arts education that enriches them as human beings and prepares them for a life of service through character-and career-oriented programs.”
More than 67 percent of Elon students provided more than 40,000 hours of service during the most recent academic year. The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Elon Volunteers! give students the opportunity to develop an ethic of service by connecting campus and community through service experiences.
The college’s senior-year program includes Transition Tactics, a three-day career development conference sponsored by the career center. Designed to give seniors a jump-start on their job search, the conference offers a unique work-shadowing experience complemented by employability skills workshops. Students spend two days at their chosen work site, gaining valuable insights and perspectives on their profession of interest.
The guide, which is published by the John Templeton Foundation, recognizes programs that represent the best practices in the field of character development during the college years. The programs are chosen through a highly selective process that considered clarity of vision and statement of purpose; institutional resources; involvement of institutional leaders; impact on students, faculty, campus and community, integration into the core curriculum or academic study; longevity; external awards and recognition; and assessment.
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