The Executive Committee of the Elon University Board of Trustees has approved naming the University’s liberal arts and sciences programs Elon College.
The name gives prominence to these core academic programs and honors the 112-year history of the institution.
Thus, Elon University will comprise Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; and the School of Education. Please note that although “Elon College” is the formal name of this academic unit, the descriptive phrase “the College of Arts and Sciences” will be used when appropriate to make the nature of Elon College clear to our various constituencies.
The action was taken on the recommendation of a special faculty-staff-student task force chaired by Associate Provost Nancy Midgette, which studied the issue of retaining the Elon College name as part of the transition to Elon University. This action was also supported by the Academic Council.
Several other universities designate a central arts and sciences college within the larger institution, including Wake Forest College within Wake Forest University, Emory College within Emory University, Harvard College within Harvard University and Trinity College within Duke University.
The NewCentury@Elon strategic plan incorporates objectives to promote the centrality of the liberal arts and sciences at Elon University, including the establishment of a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. These objectives will be supported by the creation of Elon College within Elon University and the appointment of new, permanent leadership to champion the liberal arts and sciences. Dr. Steven House, currently associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University, will become Dean of Elon College in July.
As is indicated in the facilities master plan approved by the Board, every effort will be made to locate the majority of arts and sciences programs on Elon’s “historic campus,” including the proposed academic village complex, to give a physical identity to Elon College.