Elon to host 'A Thousand Thanks' – March 12

Elon students, faculty and staff will soon have the chance to show their appreciation to the university’s donors during A Thousand Thanks, a campus-wide gratitude event taking place March 12. The fourth annual thank you event, scheduled in conjunction with the university’s 125th anniversary celebration, highlights the important role philanthropy has played throughout Elon’s history and invites members of the Elon community to write personal notes thanking university donors for their support.

“Elon would not be where it is today without philanthropy,” says Kelly Smith ’14, who is working with the Office of Donor Relations in University Advancement to coordinate the event. “For 125 years, Elon donors have provided an additional measure of support beyond tuition dollars. The extra resources we are provided, the connections that are available, and the general heart of the institution are all thanks to gifts.”

For Elon junior Pari Shah, a Watson Scholar, A Thousand Thanks is an opportunity to express gratitude to the donors who help make her Elon experience possible.

“Without Elon donors, a college education would not exist in my life right now,” says Shah. “Elon donors are the reason I have hope for a better future for myself, my parents and a future family. Their gift to me is not money; it is the opportunity it brings.”

Senior Jason Waterman, a member of Elon’s soccer team, says that donors set an important example for students by supporting the university financially.

“Philanthropy is important at Elon because it gives students the chance to broaden their perspective and fulfill Elon’s mission of transforming students to be leaders concerned for the common good,” Waterman says. “I hope that this event lets the donors know that their generosity both enables us to have an amazing experience at Elon and serves as an example to the students about the value of helping others.”

Students, faculty and staff may participate in A Thousand Thanks at any of the following six locations:

•     Moseley Center, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.*
•     Isabella Cannon Room (Center for the Arts), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•     Koury Business Center, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
•     Pandora’s Pies, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•     Writing Center (Belk Library), 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
•     Mill Point Depot, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

*Former university president Dr. J. Earl Danieley ’46 will visit the A Thousand Thanks table in the Moseley Center at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12.

Volunteers representing the Senior Class Giving Committee, Student Alumni Council, Elon Ambassadors, the Student-Alumni house, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, student Writing Center consultants and Phonathon will staff each of the stations.