Elon honored the life of Thad Eure, a lifelong supporter of the university who served as chair of the Board of Trustees for 37 years, during College Chapel in Whitley Auditorium Thursday, March 8. Details...
Eure was elected secretary of state in 1936 and served under 13 North
Carolina governors. Known for his signature bow ties and straw hats, he
was an expert parliamentarian and taught each new class of freshman
legislators the rules of conduct. He was a champion of common citizens
and children, and insisted that the door to his office never be closed
to the public.
During the chapel service, President Leo M. Lambert offered opening remarks, and trustee Noel Allen ’69 spoke about Eure’s loyalty to Elon and the friendship he and Eure shared.
“Thad was loyal to the core,” Allen said. “He was loyal to Elon and he was loyal to his political party. He was proud to be dubbed the oldest rat in the Democratic barn. It was Thad’s proper sense of loyalty and balance and sense of humor that served him so well.”
Eure was serious about his role as secretary of state and his duty to the citizens of North Carolina, Allen said.
“He had a sense of service that included a sense of openness,” Allen said. “He prided himself on keeping his office door at the Capitol open at all times.”
The service concluded with an audio recording of Eure delivering the famous words he used to end the many speeches he gave at Elon through the years: “Long Live Elon!”