The university's Board of Trustees is hosting a wide variety of celebratory events surrounding the Oct. 18 presidential inauguration.
Elon University will mark a milestone in its 129-year history this week as it inaugurates its ninth president, Connie Ledoux Book, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18.
>> VISIT THE ELON PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION WEBSITE
To be held in Schar Center, the inauguration ceremony will celebrate Elon’s past and future, with President Book delivering her inaugural address before thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and community members. The ceremony is at the center of several days of events hosted by the Elon Board of Trustees that will engage the minds, bodies and spirit of the Elon community.
All members of the Elon community are encouraged to celebrate this special time in the university’s history by attending inauguration week events.
Inauguration Week Events
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Inauguration College Coffee
9:40 a.m.
Phi Beta Kappa Plaza (Rain location: McKinnon Hall)
The Elon campus community is invited to gather for a special College Coffee, which will include an “Honor President Book Drive” fundraiser to benefit Elon programs. For each gift of $20 or more, a book will be donated to Alamance-Burlington public schools, including a sticker noting the donation in honor of President Book. Donations will be accepted at College Coffee, at a special online giving website beginning October 1, and at tables set up at the Phoenix football game on Saturday at Rhodes Stadium. You can contribute here – https://connect.elon.edu/honor-president-book.
Thursday, Oct. 18
Numen Lumen
9:50 a.m.
Numen Lumen Pavilion
Elon’s weekly spiritual gathering, Numen Lumen, will hold a special Inauguration Week multi-faith observance. Chaplain’s staff and students from Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life will lead the community in music, reflection, and inspiration as the community celebrates this historic milestone.
Campus Tours
9 a.m. to Noon
Inman Admissions Welcome Center
Delegates from other colleges, visitors and members of the Elon Alumni Long Maroon Line are invited to join student guides in walking tours of Elon’s inspiring environment for learning, regularly cited as one of the nation’s finest college campuses. Small-group tours will depart every 30 minutes from the Inman Admissions Welcome Center. Please sign up using the following links:
Presidential Inauguration Pop-Up Exhibit
10:30-12:30 p.m.
Moseley Center
Elon will showcase 129 years of its unique and transformative history through an interactive pop-up exhibit highlighting Elon’s presidents and the momentous events and history that shaped their presidencies.
Inauguration Ceremony and Campus Celebration
3 p.m.
Schar Center
Connie Ledoux Book will be inaugurated as Elon’s ninth president in formal ceremonies in the university’s new Schar Center. The ceremony will include a procession of alumni representing Elon graduating classes, delegates from colleges and universities from across the country, a series of greetings and musical selections and an inaugural address by President Book.
Following the ceremony, all are invited to a campus-wide celebration in the Great Hall of the Global Commons building and the surrounding plaza. The celebration will include refreshments and a performance by the Elon Music Ambassadors.
Friday, Oct. 19
Presidential Inauguration Pop-Up Exhibit
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Moseley Center
Elon will showcase 129 years of its unique and transformative history through an interactive pop-up exhibit highlighting Elon’s presidents and the momentous events and history that shaped their presidencies.
Elon Talks: Faculty voices
2:30 p.m.
Great Hall of the Global Commons Building
Inauguration Week will highlight faculty voices and expertise with brief “TED talk” style presentations moderated by School of Communications Associate Dean Kenn Gaither and featuring the innovative scholarship of Associate Professor of Management Information Systems Haya Ajjan, Professor of Physics Tony Crider, Watts-Thompson Professor of Public Health Studies and Human Service Studies Cynthia Fair, and Executive Director of Community Partnerships and Director of the Center for Access and Success Jean Rattigan-Rohr.
Student Showcase
7:30 p.m.
Whitley Auditorium
Elon celebrates its past, present and future with a program highlighting talented student and alumni performers. The elegant Whitley Auditorium, which opened in 1924, is a perfect setting for our community to recall and honor Elon’s proud 129-year history.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Inn at Elon Groundbreaking
11:45 a.m.
Front of Koury Business Center
Elon will celebrate the start of construction of the Inn at Elon, an on-campus university-owned hotel, and thank the many benefactors who contributed funds to make this new community resource possible. All members of the Elon community are invited to attend and join Elon’s Board of Trustees in showing appreciation to the generous donors who supported the project.
Elon Football vs. University of Richmond
1:30 p.m.
Rhodes Stadium
The Phoenix takes on Colonial Athletic Association rival Richmond in a big game at Rhodes Stadium. President Connie Ledoux Book will join head coach Curt Cignetti and the team in the pre-game Phoenix Walk to the stadium. Faculty and staff are invited to a tailgate party near Rudd Field, while students and alumni join in the fun at tailgating on Bank of America Drive and the surrounding venues. Fans attending the game are invited to contribute to the “Honor President Book Drive.” Pre-game and halftime ceremonies will include special tributes to President Book.
Student Inaugural Ball (Elon Students Only)
8 to 11 p.m.
Moseley Center
Elon students are invited to dress up and enjoy an evening of music, dancing, food stations and more on the first floor of Moseley Center. There will be a photo booth, so be ready to pose for pictures with your friends. Watch for a visit to the ball by President Connie Ledoux Book.