The inauguration of Connie Ledoux Book as the university’s ninth president marks the beginning of Elon’s next chapter.

President Connie Ledoux Book was installed as Elon's ninth president during an Oct. 18 ceremony.

It was perhaps fitting that the stage was set for the first 21st century inauguration of an Elon University president by a post on social media. “She may not be the first female university president, but Dr. Book is the first female Elon president, and seeing a woman hold one of your dream jobs that’s so typically held by men is inspiring,” Elon junior Susan Derasmo tweeted the morning prior to the Oct. 18 ceremony.

That tweet inspired one of the blessings bestowed on Elon’s ninth president at a special Numen Lumen spiritual observance held before the inauguration ceremony. Senior Lecturer in English Paula Patch had read Derasmo’s tweet and adopted the sentiment: “President Book—Connie. Since 1889 women have been welcome at Elon,” Patch said. “Until today women have been able to look to the side and see another woman. Starting today they get to look to the top and see a woman.”

Students cheer as President Book is introduced as Elon's first female president.

The excitement over the first female president in Elon’s 129-year history continued at the formal inauguration ceremony in Schar Center with an invocation by the Rev. Jessica Patchett ’05. “Today we gather for a profound milestone in our Elon University’s life. We will celebrate the unique gifts and contributions of Dr. Connie Book and the inauguration of her leadership among us.”

The emotions burst into the open with loud cheers filling the new arena after Elon University Board of Trustees Chair Ed Doherty formally administered the oath of office. “On behalf of the board of trustees and the entire Elon University community, I proudly declare you, Connie Ledoux Book, officially invested as the first woman president of Elon as well as the ninth president of Elon.”

Vice President Emerita Jo Watts Williams ’55 congratulates President Book after the ceremony.

The ceremony concluded with remarks by two female alumnae separated by generations but united in their admiration of President Book. “Today, our hearts are bursting with pride and optimism about the future,” Lauren Brown ’18 said. Vice President Emerita Jo Watts Williams ’55, long considered among the most influential figures in Elon history, echoed the sentiment. “After witnessing more than seven decades of growth and change at Elon, I feel a great sense of pride and anticipation as we begin this next chapter in Elon’s unique story,” she said. “Open your minds and dream big, Elon. We’re just getting started.”

* * *

The presidential inauguration—Elon’s first since Leo M. Lambert was installed in 1999—provided the opportunity for members of the Elon community to reflect on the institution’s values and assets, reconnect with one another and celebrate what the future holds as Book begins to chart the course for the university going forward. “Today the baton is officially being passed from a legacy of great college presidents to a person who I believe can be the greatest ever,” trustee Noel Allen ’69 said as he welcomed the thousands who attended the event.

Prudence Layne, associate professor of English and chair of the Academic Council, SGA Executive President Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19 & Janet Rauhe, manager of Phoenix Card Services and chair of the Staff Advisory Council

Faculty, staff and student representatives spoke to the values and spirit that the Elon community holds common. Elon is a diverse intellectual community made up of a “rich fabric of cultures, backgrounds and perspectives,” said Prudence Layne, associate professor of English and chair of the Academic Council.

“It is a time for us to recommit as a community to our shared values and to celebrate our unique and affirming community,” said Janet Rauhe, manager of Phoenix Card Services and chair of the Staff Advisory Council. “Those of us who walk these red bricks under mighty oaks aspire to create the finest learning community in the country.”

Student Government Association Executive President Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19 challenged members of the crowd to express their excitement and support for the Elon community and for Book with their applause, noting that “as we look forward to a bright tomorrow, we the students, faculty and staff of Elon University say to you, President Book, that we stand with you.”

Introducing Book was retired Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa Jr., president emeritus of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, who in 2015 brought Book, then associate provost at Elon, to the Charleston institution to serve as its first female provost. He called hiring Book “one of our greatest achievements,” noting that she “set the gold standard” for her position and had a profound impact on The Citadel during her tenure there.

Book stood out during her three years at The Citadel because of the way she grew as a leader, particularly as a person without a military background who stepped into the No. 2 position at a military college, Rosa said. As provost, she developed new academic programs including a nursing school, helped move faculty toward shared governance of the institution and expanded study abroad opportunities. He said when he thinks back on Book and her time at The Citadel, he is always drawn to the word “leadership.” He recounted how she overcame crisis and challenges during her tenure with her unique insights and willingness to innovate, always eager to get her team on board.

“Connie Book made The Citadel a better place to work and live,” Rosa told the crowd. “She made me a better president. She loves students and is passionate about making their experience all that it can be. She embraced our faculty and our staff and built a dynamic team. I commend Elon on her selection and I am certain she will lead this wonderful institution with great skill for many, many years.”

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In her inaugural address, President Book described the importance of “always becoming”—as a student, as a professional, as a higher education leader and as a university. Drawing from examples in her own life and from history, Book said that living a life marked by growth and always reaching higher can change how we see the world, and how we seek to change it. “‘Always becoming’ is Elon’s story—this great institution recognizing the strength of setting our own course, our own sails, a perpetual state of always becoming more, better, stronger,” Book said.

President Book walks to the stage as her mother, Glenna, and daughter, Bella, look on.

She said she has experienced or witnessed people and institutions propelled forward through “liberating acts,” a phrase drawn from “Small Craft Advisory,” a 1991 memoir by Charleston native and literary scholar Louis D. Rubin. Book said she has been inspired by moments of bravery and courage when people follow their minds and hearts. Her parents did just that when they decided to uproot their family of 11 to move from Louisiana to Corvallis, Oregon, so her father could continue his education. “That liberating act would change all nine of their children’s lives, forever better, forever richer, and all of our children’s lives,” Book said.

As a child, Book read about women throughout history whose lives were changed by liberating acts, such as aviator Amelia Earhart, sharpshooter Annie Oakley and author Louisa May Alcott. These stories inspired her to strive to be more. “You see, I believe liberating acts break us out of the status quo,” Book said. “They do away with the expected and open wide the horizon to a bolder future that we hadn’t previously imagined. “And yes, liberating acts help us understand that the most meaningful part of our lives is not the finish line. The richness of life is in the next, the hope of becoming better, brighter stronger and wiser.”

The impact of these liberating acts are intertwined into Elon’s history, she said. There is Isabella Cannon ’24, whose life took her around the world as she explored various professions before being elected the first female mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, at the age of 73. Cannon delivered Elon’s Commencement address in 2000 at the age of 96 and encouraged graduates to embrace the unexpected opportunities that come their way.

These stories continue to inspire, Book said, and reflect Elon’s own story. She talked about the impact that Elon presidents Earl Danieley ’63, Fred Young and Leo M. Lambert had on the institution over the past 45 years. They deepened Elon’s commitment to teaching and learning, expanded the student body and campus, and led the university to higher levels of academic excellence and national prominence. “This is Elon—a community of courageous and determined educators dedicated to liberating acts and always becoming better,” Book said. “One of the things I have so admired about each of you and Elon is when faced with challenges, we get to it and work to improve, to listen to each other, and with our new understanding, advance our community.”

During her address, Book also announced new gifts to Elon that will expand access to an Elon education and allow students to take advantage of opportunities they may encounter during their time at Elon. A gift from Trustee Louis DeJoy and his wife, Dr. Aldona Wos, of Greensboro, North Carolina, will provide for 12 new Odyssey Program scholarships for students from Guilford County. Don Chaplin and Andy Hunt of Burlington, North Carolina, made two gifts to support the students and programs in Elon’s Gender and LGBTQIA Center that opened in 2013.

Looking ahead, Book believes the university must hold tight to its student-centered mission to develop the mind, body and spirit. Elon will deepen and advance curricular and experiential offerings on its own campus and in locations around the world, she said. “Our strength for tomorrow depends on each of us—our dedication and our talents in support of Elon’s future, and of our students’ futures,” she said. “Today, we boldly embrace Elon’s future, knowing there is no endpoint to this journey, with each of us always becoming. Elon—always becoming. That’s who we are. That’s why we soar.”

* * *

Sixty-nine alumni participated in the ceremony as part of the Long Maroon Line.

Joining Elon students, trustees, faculty and staff, and delegates from 81 other colleges, universities and organizations, was the “Long Maroon Line of Alumni” with representatives from 69 Elon graduating classes dating back to the 1930s. Representing Elon’s 33,500 alumni, Michelle Wideman Snavely ’00 presented Book with a copy of the original, handwritten charter of Elon College. “This historic document reminds us of our deep roots and our founders’ vision to grow the branches of this mighty oak ever higher,” said Snavely, who serves as president of the Elon Alumni Board. “In offering this gift of Elon’s charter, we place in your hands our trust and the future of this institution that we love.”

After the ceremony, many of those in attendance reflected on what the event meant for them. “It’s a groundbreaking moment,” said alumnus David Campbell ’13, who serves as vice president of Elon’s Young Alumni Council. “It’s cool to be here and be part of the history of Elon in the flesh.”

Students take photos with President Book after the ceremony.

Senior Deirdre Kronschnabel enjoyed listening to the stories President Book shared about her upbringing and time at The Citadel. “They were a testimony to her ability to make connections and build relationships,” she said. For junior Liam Collins, the event was a perfect way to seal Book’s full transition as Elon’s ninth president. “This is an exciting time to be an Elon student,” he said. “I’m very excited for what’s to come.”

Williams agreed. When she first stepped foot on campus in 1945, she never imagined the extent of the growth she would witness at Elon. Taking part in the inauguration of Elon’s first female president was particularly meaningful to her. “It took 129 years but we now have a woman president and that is just so fulfilling for the university,” she said. “She is one of us. She was here for so many years and contributed so much during those years and now it’s just a stepping stone for her to take us to even greater heights.”

Inauguration Week Events

Oct. 16

Inauguration College Coffee
The festivities kicked off Tuesday with the launch of the “Honor President Book Drive” at a special College Coffee (read more on page 10). During the event, Ashley Billie ‘21 presented Bruce Benson, superintendent of Alamance-Burlington School System, with the first book from the drive — “A Perfect Day” by Lane Smith.

Oct. 18 & 19

Walking Tours & Pop-up Exhibit

Campus tours designed especially for delegates visiting from other universities and alumni were offered Thursday. A pop-up exhibit in Moseley Center on Thursday and Friday gave visitors the opportunity to peruse 129 years of Elon’s unique and transformative history.

Oct. 18

Numen Lumen Service
A special Numen Lumen, Elon’s weekly spiritual gathering, allowed many members of the campus community to share blessings and reflections with President Book about the significance of this historical inauguration.

Campuswide Celebration
Following the inauguration ceremony, a campuswide celebration was held in the Great Hall of the Global Commons building and the surrounding plaza. The celebration was an opportunity for members of the Elon community to congratulate President Book and take pictures with her.

Oct. 19

Elon Talks: Faculty Voices
Friday afternoon highlighted Elon academics with “TED-talk” style presentations by 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 Professor of Education Jean Rattigan-Rohr.

Student Showcase
The evening program in Whitley Auditorium celebrated Elon’s past, present and future by pairing musical performances with a look back at the university’s history.

Oct. 20

Tailgate & Football Game
Pre-game and halftime ceremonies included a tribute to President Book during Elon’s football game against the Richmond Spiders, in which she was presented with a framed football jersey bearing her name and the No. 9 as well as a custom Elon necklace.

Student Inaugural Ball
Elon students dressed up and enjoyed an evening of music, dancing, food stations, games and more on the first floor of Moseley Center. Many students posed for photos with Elon’s ninth president.

For more photos and information from the weeklong celebration, visit elon.edu/inauguration.

Posted in: Magazine of Elon