Reunion volunteers planned special events and helped raise more than $3.1 million for the university this year
Elon’s milestone reunion programs celebrated another successful year during Elon’s Homecoming, Oct. 21-23. A group of more than 1,000 alumni returned to campus to celebrate milestone reunions during the weekend.
Festivities began the night of Friday, Oct. 21, at Elon’s inaugural block party, Rock the Block. Reunion attendees were invited to a special Reunion HQ tent just for class and affinity reunions, with giveaways, yearbooks and a customized photobooth available for enjoyment.
During halftime of the football game vs. Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 22, each class and affinity group presented checks for total funds raised to President Leo M. Lambert, and Vice President of University Advancement Jim Piatt. In total, alumni celebrating reunions contributed more than $3.1 million to the university and more than 130 alumni volunteered to coordinate reunion fundraising efforts.
The Class of 1966 celebrated its 50th reunion with 44 percent giving participation and $243,889 raised for Elon. Class members were inducted as Golden Alumni at a special brunch on Saturday and also hosted a reception, dinner and other weekend events. President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 was an honored guest at the Golden Alumni Brunch and Class of 1966 Induction Ceremony sharing words of wisdom with members of the class and other Golden Alumni.
Mary Benson Daniels ’66, committee co-chair for the 50th reunion, stated that every person she saw during their reunion events was pleased and enjoyed the weekend, especially enjoying how special Elon made them feel. Eileen Cobb ’66, committee co-chair for the 50th reunion added, “Our 50th reunion weekend was a time to celebrate the impact Elon had on our lives individually and the friends we made collectively who became family for the rest of our lives.” Eleven alumni volunteers helped Mary and Eileen plan a memorable 50th reunion weekend.
More than 200 alumni and friends gathered at the Tap House on Friday night for the third annual “Alumni Celebration at the Lighthouse.” The signature entertainment for the evening was a two-hour set by the band Dakkota. Made up of Elon alumni from the 1990s including Rudy Baker ’93, Joe Beckham ’94, Stan Powell ’94, Patrick Riddick ’96, Brian Spangler ’96 and Andy Timmons ’94, the band had not played together in at least five years. They came together and rocked the house for alumni from the 1980s, ’90s and early 2000s.
Jim Bush ’91, leader of the 25th reunion committee, shared that staying involved with Elon and reconnecting with alumni from all over the country is important to him. He reflected on his experience by saying, “I think about the great times I had at Elon every day. Volunteering is a small way to give back to an institution that has given me immeasurable opportunities. I would not have been able to go to Elon without the financial help I received from the school. I am happy to be a volunteer fundraiser today so that other students have the same opportunities I had. Elon is a family, and family members take care of each other.”
Elon is currently recruiting volunteers to help with Homecoming 2017. Visit the class reunions website for more information and contact classreunions@elon.edu if you would like to volunteer.