Two rooms in Elon’s Johnston Hall on South
Campus were dedicated May 4 in honor of the Rev. Dr. Walstein
“Wally” Snyder ’45, former executive director
of Elon Homes for Children, and Clyde Rudd ’37.
The Snyder Room honors Snyder of Burlington (at right), 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,
Elon’s planned giving society.
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.
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 Rudd, a Caswell County, N.C., 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 an office products company after graduation. He
served on the Board of Trustees of Elon Homes for Children
for many years.