Members of the Elon community gathered Wednesday, July 28 in Moseley Center to enjoy a picnic lunch and celebrate President Emeritus Earl Danieley's 80th birthday. Details...
Danieley and his wife, Verona, were joined by family members and multitudes of friends for fried chicken, potato salad, sandwiches and watermelon. Elon President Leo M. Lambert recognized Danieley for his dedication to the university before Vice President Gerald Whittington led the group in singing “Happy Birthday.”
Danieley, who grew up on a farm not far from campus, said as a small child he could not have imagined reaching 80 years old. “But I like it so much, I think I’ll go for 81!” he said.
Danieley came to Elon as a student in the fall of 1941, graduating in 1946. He joined the faculty that fall to teach chemistry, went on to become dean and was named president in 1957. At the time, he was one of the youngest college presidents in the country.
Danieley stepped down from the presidency in 1973 to return to the classroom. He was named director of planned giving at Elon in 1987 and held that position until 1998, when he again returned to teaching.
The annual event gives employees a chance to build relationships and share with others the details of their summer work and vacation activities.