Elon parents continue to be among the most generous donors to the Ever Elon Campaign. Through their gifts, they show their support for the campaign priorities of building the endowment, increasing annual and planned gifts, and building and preserving a beautiful campus.
As of Sept. 1, donors had contributed $67 million in cash and pledges toward the $100 million comprehensive campaign goal.
Recent major gifts from parents have supported construction of Lindner Hall, the centerpiece to the Academic Village and the new administrative home of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences. Elon’s “greenest” academic building to date was completed in May.
Inmans support outstanding facilities
Elon trustee William J. “Bill” Inman and his wife, Patricia, of McLean, Va., have made a $500,000 gift to support construction of Lindner Hall. In recognition of their generosity, the spacious first-floor reading room has been named in their honor. The Inman Reading Room, accented with dark wood and antique brass fixtures, offers students an attractive setting for quiet study and reflection.
The Inmans were inspired to make their gift because of the experience of their daughter, Jackie, a 2000 Elon graduate, who benefitted from Elon’s study abroad program and caring faculty mentors.
“The educational system that Elon has undertaken in the past 20 years or so is second to none,” Bill Inman says. “What the students get out of their education is just spectacular.”
The couple say they believe strongly in the campaign goals, including increasing the number of need-based scholarships through endowment building.
“Elon can’t give the financial assistance it wants to give to students because of its low endowment,” Inman says. He says Elon must develop a stronger culture of giving particularly among alumni, who represent the future of the university.
The Inmans have generously supported Elon through the years, including making gifts to Rhodes Stadium and the Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center. They are members of the Phoenix Club, Aesculus Society and The Elon Society President’s Circle.
Reiflers help preserve ‘a very special place’
Parents Council members Brad and Ash Reifler, of Millbrook, N.Y., also have supported Lindner Hall with a major gift.
The Reiflers say their daughter, Kelsey, an Elon sophomore, has flourished at the university and they want to make the same opportunities available to more students.
“Ash and I feel that under President Lambert’s leadership and vision, Elon has created a very special place for those who are curious in a variety of academic areas,” Brad Reifler says. “Kelsey has had an incredible experience of growth, self-awareness and independence, yet she has never felt lost or overlooked and feels a wonderful sense of community at Elon. We are grateful such a place exists and are proud of our association with Elon.”
Reifler is a former founding partner, chairman and CEO of Pali Capital Inc., a global financial services firm. He currently serves as CEO of Forefront Advisory. The Reiflers are members of The Elon Society Founder’s Circle.
The university is grateful to these friends and all campaign supporters for helping secure Elon’s future. To learn more about Ever Elon and how you can become involved, click on the link at top right.