Two rooms in Johnston Hall were dedicated Thursday, May 4 in honor of Rev. Dr. Walstein “Wally” Snyder, a 1945 Elon alumnus and former executive director of Elon Homes for Children, and Clyde Rudd, a 1937 Elon alumnus. Details...
The Snyder Room honors Wally Snyder of Burlington, who served as executive director of Elon Homes for Children from 1960 to 1990. Snyder and his late wife, Nell, previously served as co-chairs of the Elon Society, the university’s premier annual giving group. Wally Snyder served on the National Alumni Executive Board and the Elon Society Executive Committee, and has been his class reunion giving chair. He is a member of the Order of the Oak.
In 1981, Snyder was named Elon’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. He established the Walstein W. and Nell M. Snyder Endowed Scholarship in 2003 in memory of his late wife and to ensure that worthy students, regardless of financial background, have the opportunity to attend Elon University.
The Snyder Room, located in Johnston Hall, served as Snyder’s office for many years when the building was part of Elon Homes for Children.
The Rudd Room, a dining room on the first floor of Johnston Hall, is named for Clyde W. Rudd, Sr., a Caswell County native. Rudd (at right) spent his childhood in Johnston Hall when the building was part of the Christian Orphanage, the predecessor to Elon Homes for Children. Rudd, who lives in Greensboro, founded his own office products company after graduation. He was active in the Lions Club and the Greensboro Business Club and served on the Board of Trustees of Elon Homes for Children for many years.