You’ll have to excuse Ike Credle '83 for his enthusiasm for Elon. He can’t help himself. Ike supports Elon each year because he values his education and wants to preserve what he loved most about his alma mater.
“I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think about Elon,” the retired Army major says. “I wear a gold Elon pin and I have Elon paraphernalia on my car. That’s my university. I’m proud to be an Elon graduate.”
It should come as no surprise that he’s a loyal donor as well.
“I stay faithful to Elon because my experience was great,” Ike says. “I had faculty like David Crowe, Rudy Zarzar and George Troxler who gave me the opportunity to perform academically and made me believe in myself. I also can’t forget the numerous times as a member of the Black Cultural Society and the Gospel Choir that the school supported our efforts to stay in touch with our own heritage and represent our school. I always felt included, and I’ll never forget that.”
Ike is one of dozens of African-American alumni who came together to endow the Black Alumni Scholarship to help students with financial need.
“I felt like it was critical for me to support the scholarship because I received grants and other aid, and I wanted others to have the opportunity to experience Elon,” he says. “The only way you can do that is to put your money where your mouth is.”
Ike, who retired from the military after a 20-year career, remains with the Army as a senior training specialist. He is proud of Elon’s efforts to enhance global engagement, including attracting students from different cultures. He also salutes the work of the Black Alumni Network and other efforts by the university to keep African-American alumni connected.
“At Homecoming last fall, my wife was so amazed at the unity and school spirit from African-American alumni,” Ike says. “When your institution makes you feel like you’re part of it, you’re compelled to want to give.”
To learn more about supporting the annual funds at Elon, go to http://www.elon.edu/e-web/advancement/annual-giving/ or contact Melisha Chamra ’03, Associate Director of Annual Giving at 336.278.7464 or mchamra@elon.edu.