More than 100 Elon alumni and parents from the Washington, D.C. area joined President Leo M. Lambert for a regional launch of Ever Elon: The Campaign for the Future of Our University on Nov. 19.
The event, held at Westwood Country Club in Vienna, Va., was hosted by Charles Clohan ’98, who is a member at Westwood. Clohan shares strong Elon ties with his sister, Lisa Clohan Rankin ’02, who also was in attendance. Charles and Lisa’s father, Robert A. Clohan III, graduated from Elon in 1967. The Clohans have been generous donors to the university.
“We are grateful for all of the things that they do,” said Chuck Davis, director of the Ever Elon Campaign. “They are families that are very special to us.”
After a reception, President Lambert presented to guests the central goals of the $100 million Ever Elon Campaign, which are to support scholarships, faculty development, engaged learning, campus preservation and facilities, and to increase annual and long-term unrestricted giving.
“We’re at the top of a lot of lists, but we’re at the bottom of another list, and that’s endowment,” President Lambert said. “This campaign is about supporting the institution that we love.”
President Lambert also emphasized the important role young alumni will play in helping Ever Elon reach its financial goals. He recognized the Washington, D.C. alumni chapter president, Lindsey Goodman Baker ’04, who was among the event’s guests, and he highlighted the commitment to service and succesful programs initiated by the chapter. He also announced that the Young Alumni Council was the only alumni group to reach 100 percent participation in annual giving for 2007-2008.
“Small donations in large numbers make a difference,” President Lambert said.
Following the president’s remarks, guests viewed the Ever Elon Campaign video, then were able to ask questions about the campaign and Elon’s future in a session lasting about 20 minutes.
Several parents and alumni completed interviews for the Ever Elon Web site describing what Elon means to their lives today. To hear excerpts from those videos, click on the links at the right.
To learn more about the Ever Elon Campaign and to view more videos, please visit www.everelon.org.