More than 60 graduates attended the Volunteer Leadership Summit May 4-5, learning how to become critical partners, advocates and investors in Elon.
Alumni volunteers from all eras who serve on the Elon Alumni Board, Young Alumni Council, Phoenix Club Advisory Board, LGBTQIA Leadership Team, reunion committees and the boards of Elon’s alumni chapters and clubs nationwide attended the event. The summit included tours of new campus facilities and a Friday night volunteer appreciation dinner with President Leo M. Lambert, who challenged the group to assume ownership of Elon and responsibility for furthering its success.
Alumni kicked off Saturday’s sessions with updates from university leaders about progress on The Elon Commitment, Elon’s strategic plan through 2020. Afterward, participants took part in breakout sessions addressing various facets of the alumni experience, including how to manage their own volunteers, support Elon’s admissions and advancement initiatives and connect current students with internship and career opportunities.
In addition to Elon staff members, several alumni presented or led discussions in the breakout sessions, including Jodie Luke ’72, Mark Richter ’99, Lindsey Goodman Baker ’04, Dan Hanson ’05, Natasha Christensen ’07, Kristin Smith ’07, Devin Kelley ’08 and Kelsey Glover ’11.
Elon trustee Kebbler McGhee Williams ’98 closed the day’s meetings with a brief address about the importance of alumni engagement in the life of the university.
“I’ve recognized that there were people who came before me who made my Elon experience possible, and because there is no way I can pay them back directly, I must pay it forward,” she said. “I encourage you to partner with, advocate for and invest in Elon. The future of this institution depends on it.”
Following the Volunteer Leadership Summit, the Elon Alumni Board and Young Alumni Council held their annual spring meetings and welcomed several new members, including:
Elon Alumni Board:
- Faye Gordon Humphrey ’61, Charlotte, N.C.
- Jim Humphrey ’60, Charlotte, N.C.
- Shannon Moody ’94, Wilmington, N.C.
- Kent Strosnider ’91, Baltimore, Md.
Young Alumni Council
- Kevin Tonkin ’05 L’11, Burlington, N.C.
- Brian Hooper ’06, Charlotte, N.C.
- Clayton Collins ’07, Durham, N.C.
- Ian Baltutis ’08, Burlington, N.C.
- Danielle Gaquin Davis ’08, Atlanta, Ga.
- Scott Leighty ’08, Raleigh, N.C.
- Chase Rumley ’09, Charlotte, N.C.
- Dorian Wanzer ’09, Washington, D.C.
- Walt Yates ’09, Greensboro, N.C.
- Ashley Barnas ’10, New Castle, Del.
- Liza Carey ’10, New York, N.Y.
- Elizabeth Palmer ’10, Raleigh, N.C.
- Adley Kloth ’11, Silver Spring, Md.
- Michael Nowak ’11, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Luci Strauss ’11, New York, N.Y.