Local leaders gather at Schar Center for President's Community Update

Gathered on the concourse of the new Schar Center on Tuesday, community leaders from Alamance and Guilford counties received an update from President Connie Ledoux Book about what’s new at Elon as the university prepares to begin another academic year. 

The more than 100 attendees heard about new buildings, new programs and the Elon’s Class of 2022, which will arrive Aug. 24 as the largest class in the university’s history. With about 1,690 members, this newest Elon class was selected from a record 10,729 applicants.

“This is an exciting time at Elon,” Book said, standing on the concourse that overlooks the 5,100-seat main arena in Schar Center. 

Book noted that Elon will launch its new four-year engineering degree program this fall, to supplement its existing dual-degree engineering program. The new program will allow students to remain at Elon throughout their undergraduate experience and take full advantage of the breadth of experiences offered by Elon. 

Throughout this summer, Elon’s campus has been home to local students participating in programs such as the Elon Academy and the It Takes a Village Project, two of a broad array of programs through which Elon partners with the local community, particularly in the area of education. “It’s really important to create opportunity locally, help educate students locally, and have them really make a difference in our community,” Book said. 

Turning to new facilities around Elon’s campus, Book explained that this academic year will see the opening of multiple buildings, including Richard W. Sankey Hall on the north end of the former McMichael Science Center parking lot. Positioned adjacent to the Love School of Business, Sankey Hall is an interdisciplinary building that links business to all the other majors, Book said. 

Also opening for the start of the academic year will be the new Koenigsberger Learning Center, an addition to Belk Library that will be home to three student support programs — Academic Advising, Learning Assistance and disabilities resources. 

Elsewhere on campus, the new East Neighborhood will become home to more than 300 students, the South Campus Recreation Center will open for use and this fall, and an expanded McEwen Dining Hall will reopen. Work has also begun to prepare for the construction of the new 80-bed Inn at Elon University. 

Following Book’s remarks, the group toured the 161,000-square-foot Schar Center, which will host its first athletic contest on Aug. 28 when the Elon volleyball team takes on N.C. A&T State University. In November the women’s and men’s basketball teams will play their first home games in Schar Center, with the facility preparing to host other large-scale gatherings through this new academic year and many more to come.