Elon to welcome parents and family members to campus Sept. 24-26 for Family Weekend

Read this note for the full schedule of events that includes Fall Convocation featuring soccer legend Carli Lloyd, informational sessions, performances, athletics competitions and social events.

Elon University is preparing to welcome scores of Elon parents and other family members to campus Sept. 24-26 for its annual Family Weekend celebration. The weekend full of events offers the opportunity for family members to spend time with their students, learn more about Elon, connect with Elon faculty and staff, and cheer on the Phoenix in Rhodes Stadium.

Family Weekend this year includes the first event in the Elon University Speaker Series, with soccer legend Carli Lloyd to be joined by her trainer, Danny Madaroski, for a special conversation in Schar Center during Fall Convocation at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24. Visitors will find community events such as Phoenix Fourth Friday in downtown Burlington as well as musical and dance performances around campus, indoors and out. Parents and family members will have the opportunity to meet and connect with Elon faculty and staff, shop with student entrepreneurs at Marketplace Under the Oaks, cheer on the Phoenix in Rhodes Stadium, at Rudd Field and in the Schar Center, and build connections at a variety of social events.

A full schedule of events and other information about the weekend is available at the Family Weekend website. A reminder that Elon will continue to follow state and local public health guidelines, and the university is currently requiring masks in indoor campus spaces and crowded outdoor gatherings. Please visit the Healthy Elon website for more information on the university’s current COVID-related policies.

Friday, September 24, 2021


Check-in and Registration

McKinnon Hall, Moseley Student Center, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Check in and grab your student’s schedule for the faculty meet and greet on Saturday morning, tickets for pre-registered events, Family Weekend t-shirts, pocket guides, and other useful information. Don’t forget to grab a “proud” Elon sticker!

Driving Range Open Hours

Harden Clubhouse, South Campus, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Enjoy the use of our driving range, putting green, and chipping green throughout the day. Range balls in small, medium, and large buckets can be purchased from the golf ball dispenser located on the front porch of Harden Clubhouse.

Information Session: Fraternity and Sorority Involvement

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Is your student interested in joining a fraternity or sorority? Come learn about Elon Fraternity and Sorority Involvement, the community, responsibilities, and obligations of membership, and have your recruitment process questions answered. Session will be recorded and available on our website at a later date.

Information Session: Global Education and Study Abroad / Study USA

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
If your student is interested in studying abroad or taking advantage of one of Elon’s Study USA programs, join the Global Education Center staff to learn more information about programs, scholarships, and resources that Elon has to offer. Session will be recorded and available on our website at a later date.

For Grandparents: Grandparent Book Club

Ward Octagon, Moseley Student Center, 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Engage in the campus conversation on this year’s Elon Common Reading book: Stamped, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Participants are encouraged to read the book prior to this event.

Information Session: Student Professional Development Center

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Learn more about how the Elon Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) assists students and alumni in understanding their career-related interests, individual preferences, strengths, and values. Glean helpful information on how the SPDC aids students in understanding how to pursue meaningful internships and careers. Session will be recorded and available on our website at a later date.

Fall Convocation with Carli Lloyd

Schar Center, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion, soccer legend Carli Lloyd will deliver the Fall Convocation address with her trainer, Danny Madaroski. Tickets are $15 per person and are general admission. Students may use their Phoenix Card to request one complimentary ticket from the Center for the Arts Box Office.

Loy Farm Open House

Loy Farm, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Loy Farm features a solar farm and the Elon Environmental Center, which includes the responsible design studio, forest classroom, and agricultural farm. Students, faculty and staff will be available to talk about the sustainability initiatives taking place at Loy Farm. Located at 2635 W. Front St. in Burlington, the farm is a short walk, bike ride, or drive from main campus along the greenway path.

Phoenix Fourth Friday

Historic Downtown Depot, Burlington, NC, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Burlington City B-Town Events and Burlington Downtown Corporation bring you this exciting event you won’t want to miss! Experience local food trucks, live performances, merchant giveaways, family friendly activities, and much more. Attendance is free, and shuttles will run every half hour from campus (Inman Admissions loop) to downtown. If you plan to drive, you can use Burlington Downtown Depot, 200 S. Main Street, as the destination address. Street parking is available. Be sure to wear your maroon and gold, and join us for this fun-filled community event!

Dancing in the Landscape

Under the Oaks/Snow Atrium, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts, Dancing in the Landscape is a site-specific dance performance featuring original and experimental choreography by faculty, guest artists and students. Please join us for this production that explores and highlights beautiful places on Elon’s campus.

Downtown Burlington Bike Tour

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join the Elon Outdoors staff for a bike ride down the Greenway to downtown Burlington. The tour will make stops at Loy Farm and the Fourth Friday event in downtown Burlington where you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy the festivities. Bikes and helmets are provided. Meet at the ELOA Office (Room 106) in the Koury Athletic Center.

Hillel Oneg

Sklut Hillel Center, 5:30 p.m.
Join Elon Hillel for a festive community Shabbat candle lighting and oneg on Friday evening at the Sklut Hillel Center. This celebration is open to all – bring your friends and family.

The Music Department Faculty Concert

Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
Faculty artists invite Elon families and friends to a mixed program for voice, piano, percussion, wind, brass, and strings. This program has become a much-anticipated Family Weekend event since it began in 1999.

SUBCinema — “Coco”

Turner Theatre, Schar Hall, 8:00 p.m.
Come and enjoy a family-friendly movie in Turner Theatre! Popcorn, candy, and soda will be available.

Night on the Commons

Young Commons, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Join us on Young Commons for an outdoor screening of the Broadway musical film, In the Heights. Additionally, there will be 18 holes of Glow in the Dark Mini Golf available for the entire family to enjoy.

Saturday, September 25, 2021


Check-in and Registration

McKinnon Hall, Moseley Student Center, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join us to check-in if you weren’t able to make it on Friday. Pick up your t-shirt, campus maps, and pocket guides!

Coffee with the President

Young Commons, 8 – 9 a.m.
Join Dr. Connie Ledoux Book, members of Elon’s Senior Staff, and other Elon families for coffee and a continental breakfast to kick start your Saturday. Rain location: Koury Athletic Center Concourse.

University Update

Alumni Gym, 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Dr. Connie Ledoux Book, university president, will welcome families and provide a university update.

Driving Range Open Hours

Harden Clubhouse, South Campus, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Enjoy the use of our driving range, putting green, and chipping green throughout the day. Range balls in small, medium, and large buckets can be purchased from the golf ball dispenser located on the front porch of Harden Clubhouse.

Academic Connections

9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Learn more about academic life at Elon and enjoy informal conversations with academic leaders. Details provided at check-in.

For Grandparents: Elon Storytellers Fireside Chat

Great Hall, Global Commons, 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
This Fireside Chat will featured speakers who will recount Elon’s journey through the years, and the stories that have shaped our institution and defined our traditions. Though this session is designed for Grandparents, any Elon family member may attend!

Moderator: Chrystal Carpenter
Chrystal Carpenter is the Coordinator of University Archives and Special Collections and Associate Librarian at Elon University. Carpenter is a certified Archivist and serves on the Elon History and Memory Committee.

Panelists:

  • Debbie Yow-Bowden ’74, Elon Trustee, former Director of Athletics at North Carolina State University and the University of Maryland
  • Dr. Steven House, Executive Vice President, Elon University
  • Ian Baltutis ’08, Mayor of Burlington, N.C.

Marketplace Under the Oaks

Beside Lake Mary Nell, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Come shop from some of Elon’s best student entrepreneurs. Marketplace Under the Oaks is an initiative that focuses on creative ventures with a community of students who have products and services to sell. It offers the opportunity for students to bring their ideas to market through pop-up stores like this one.

For Grandparents: Elon Campus Story Tour

Center for the Arts, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Join us for a special campus bus tour just for grandparents. Get an insider’s view of the university and enjoy the beauty of the campus, which is a designated botanical garden and a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. Buses will depart from and return to the Center for the Arts, and will make an additional stop at Schar Center for those who wish to join the Phoenix Fan Fest.

Phoenix Fan Fest

Schar Center, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Get excited for the football game against William & Mary at our all-new Fan Fest! Enjoy a variety of food, lawn games, musical entertainment, caricature artists, giveaways, and much more! Families are also welcome to bring their own food and beverages. Please be sure to review our tailgating guidelines. Rain location: Schar Center concourse.

Acorn Talks

11:15 a.m. – Noon
Distinguished faculty and staff will teach these mini-classes. A full list of session topics, descriptions, and locations will be provided at check-in.

Dancing in the Landscape

Under the Oaks/Snow Atrium, Noon – 1 p.m.
Sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts, Dancing in the Landscape is a site-specific dance performance featuring original and experimental choreography by faculty, guest artists and students. Please join us for this production that explores and highlights beautiful places on Elon’s campus.

Football Game

Rhodes Stadium, Kickoff 2 p.m.
Cheer on the Phoenix as they take on fellow Colonial Athletic Association member, the William & Mary Tribe. Several ticket options and packages are available through the Family Weekend registration site, and will be sent to you digitally. Tickets are final sale; no returns or exchanges. Students may use their Phoenix Card for a complimentary ticket in the student section. Due to popularity, this game is expected to sell out. 

Catholic Mass

Elon Community Church, 5:30 p.m.
Elon Catholic Campus Ministry invites students and families to Mass. Reception to follow.

ROCKapella Show #1

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 6:30 p.m.
You and your family will be in for a treat as Elon’s a cappella groups “rock the house!” Meet the performers in the Koury Center concourse between shows.

Men’s Soccer Game

Rudd Field, 7 p.m.
Come cheer on the Phoenix as they take on CAA rival James Madison University!

Volleyball Game

Schar Center, 7 p.m.
The action continues inside Schar Center as the Phoenix take on the Delaware Blue Hens!

SUBCinema (Coco)

Turner Theatre, Schar Hall, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Come and enjoy a family-friendly movie in Turner Theatre! Popcorn, candy, and soda will be available.

ROCKapella Show #2

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 8:30 p.m.
You and your family will be in for a treat as Elon’s a cappella groups “rock the house!”

Casino Night

Moseley Student Center, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Join us for the annual Family Weekend Casino Night! Casino dealers will be onsite to host games like Blackjack, Roulette, Money Wheel, Poker and more! Leave your money at home – you’ll be given house money to play with at the door, and have a chance to win great prizes! Free food and a cash bar for those 21+.

Sunday, September 26, 2021


We encourage you to use this day to spend time with your student! Come join us for brunch, have your student take you on a campus tour of their favorite spots, use our campus recreation facilities, or simply catch up in your student’s neighborhood.

Family Hospitality Suite

Martin Alumni Center, 9 a.m. – Noon
Need to pick up your T-Shirt? Want more information about campus, programs, and events? Need a place to relax with a cup of coffee? Come visit the Office of Parent Engagement staff at our Hospitality Suite for anything you may need before you depart campus.

Family Weekend Brunch

McEwen Dining Hall and Lakeside Dining Hall, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Help cap off your weekend with a special Family Weekend brunch served in two of our top-notch dining halls. Students joining their families can use a meal plan swipe for their meal.

Sunday Christian Worship

Holt Chapel, South Campus, 10 a.m.
Multi-denominational Christian Worship for students, families, and guests. Connect with campus ministers and student leaders in Christian Life at Elon.

Catholic Mass

Numen Lumen Pavilion, 10 a.m.
Elon Catholic Campus Ministry invites students and families to Mass.

Hillel Bagel Brunch

McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join Jewish students, families, faculty and staff for bagels and conversation.

Volleyball Game

Schar Center, 1:30 p.m.
The Phoenix are back in action with another matchup against Delaware.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact the Family Weekend staff at familyweekend@elon.edu.