The on-campus events offered an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to safely gather to celebrate the university and support Elon Day.
Elon University’s annual day of giving kicked off Tuesday with students, alumni, faculty and staff voicing their support for the university they hold dear.
It’s the university’s eighth Elon Day, a day of philanthropy to celebrate its founding in 1889 and the impact it has had on generations of students, families and communities through the years. With events and challenges throughout the day, Elon supporters young and old can join in creating opportunities for students for generations to come.
All members of the Elon University family are invited to be a part of growing opportunities and to follow along with the activity throughout the day on the Elon Day website.
Elon Day started with a $75,000 Scholarship Challenge with the goal of hitting the 1,000-gift mark by the start of College Coffee at 9:40 a.m. Elon supporters successfully completed the challenge, which means the creation of a new $75,000 Global Engagement Scholarship.
Members of the campus community gathered on Scott Plaza, Under the Oaks and by Chandler Fountain in front of the Koury Business Center for a special College Coffee. Hot drinks and sweet treats awaited, as students, faculty and staff visited with each other and listened to music.
The start of College Coffee meant the launch of a $150,000 Scholarship Challenge. Supporters were asked to help unlock three new student scholarships totaling $150,000 by making a gift of any size to any designation to help reach 1,889 gifts by 1 p.m., and met the goal with 20 minutes to spare. The challenge is supported by sponsors Beth Solomon and Scott Bakal P’21, Eric Meier P’21 and Mary Jo and Michael Cavaretta P’19.
Other challenges launched Tuesday morning would support Elon Athletics, Catholic Campus Ministry, the School of Communications, Hillel and Elon student-athletes. Information about additional challenges will be shared on the Elon Day website.
As in years past, donors will be able to make gifts toward specific areas of campus that mean the most to them. These areas include student scholarships, affinity networks (Elon Black Alumni Network, Elon Jewish Alumni Network, Elon Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Network and the LGBTQIA Alumni Network), academic schools and departments, and the Phoenix Club (Elon Athletics). For those wanting to make a difference in the Alamance County community, consider making a gift to the Elon Academy, part of the Center for Access and Success. All Elon Day gifts will also count toward the Elon LEADS Campaign.
Those celebrating online are invited to download special Elon Day digital swag for their social media and Zoom accounts.
At 4 p.m., the Elon Day Extravaganza kicked off at Lakeside Plaza next to the Moseley Center and Lake Mary Nell. Sponsored by the Student Union Board, the celebration for students, faculty and staff includes live music by the band Shiny Penny, food trucks, a photo booth area and lawn games. The Extravaganza includes a Senior Celebration, with members of the Class of 2021 who have contributed to the class gift receiving T-shirts and Elon luggage tags.
All attendees are asked to abide by the university’s face covering and physical distancing guidelines. Follow the Student Union Board on Instagram for more updates.
Tuesday night will include virtual toasts for Elon alumni via Zoom, with the East Coast toast getting underway at 7:30 p.m. EST and the West Coast toast getting underway at 7:30 p.m. PST. There will be Elon Day events for parents and families at 7 p.m. in the Eastern, Central and Pacific time zones as well. Details about all Elon Day events are available here.
Make sure to follow @elonuniversity on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for exciting news and updates.
