Elon to welcome parents and family members to campus for Family Weekend 2024

Elon University is preparing to once again welcome more than 2,000 families to campus for its annual Family Weekend celebration from Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29.

The weekend offers a diverse range of activities and events that will allow families to spend time with their students and experience life on campus. The weekend offers the opportunity for family members to connect with Elon faculty and staff, witness showcases of talented student performers and watch Phoenix athletes in action.

Friday’s activities include an event from the Elon University Speaker Series, with author and columnist Arthur Brooks, who will deliver the Fall Convocation address in Alumni Gym at 3:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, parents and family members will have a chance to learn from and meet Elon faculty and staff members, take in musical and dance performances around campus, build connections at a variety of social events, and cheer on the Phoenix in football, soccer and volleyball.

A full schedule of events and other information about the weekend is available on the Family Weekend website. Check the website throughout the weekend for any weather-related updates.

Did you miss advance registration or need to make changes to an existing reservation? Visit the check-in stations in McKinnon Hall on Friday or Saturday.

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

2024 Family Weekend Schedule 

Friday, Sept. 27

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

Noon – 7 p.m.
Driving Range Open Hours, Harden Clubhouse, South Campus
Enjoy the use of our driving range throughout the day. Range balls in small, medium and large buckets can be purchased from the golf ball dispenser.

Noon – 3 p.m.
Elon Experiences+ Office Hours
Learn more about the Elon Experiences and other offices and hear about the exciting opportunities available to your students. Participating offices include:
Student Professional Development Center (First Floor of Moseley Center)
Kernodle Center for Civic Life (Moseley Center 232)
Global Education Center (Global Commons 360)
Undergraduate Research (Powell 108H)
Center for Leadership (Moseley Center 230)
Office of Student Involvement (Moseley Center 205)
Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education (CREDE) (Moseley Center 221)
Student Government (Moseley Center 201)
Gender & LGBTQIA Center (Moseley Center 209)
Maker Hub (130 N. Williamson Ave., Downtown Elon above Pandora’s Pies)

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Muslim Life at Elon Lunch, Numen Lumen Pavilion 201
Students and families are invited to join Muslim Life at Elon for a catered lunch. Connect with other Muslim families, Imam Shane Atkinson, Muslim faculty and staff and student leaders from Elon Muslim Society.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Family Weekend Jummah Prayer Service, Numen Lumen Pavilion 210
Jummah Prayers for students and families hosted by Muslim Life at Elon.

2 – 2:45 p.m.
Phoenix Family Book Club, Global Commons 103
Engage in the campus conversation on this year’s Elon Common Reading book: The Intersectional Environmentalist, by Leah Thomas. Participants are encouraged to read the book prior to this event.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fall Convocation with Arthur C. Brooks, Alumni Gym (Pre-Registration Required)
Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and professor of management practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular “How to Build a Life” column.

Brooks is the author of 13 books, including the 2023 No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” with co-author Oprah Winfrey, and the 2022 No. 1 New York Times bestseller “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.” He speaks to audiences around the world about human happiness and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations.

Tickets are $15 per person and are general admission. Students may use their Phoenix Card to request one complimentary ticket for themselves from the Center for the Arts Box Office.

5 -6 p.m.
Loy Farm & EcoVillage Open House
Loy Farm features a solar farm and the Elon Environmental Center, which includes the responsible design studio, forest classroom, and agricultural farm. Stop by to learn about the sustainability initiatives taking place at Loy Farm. The student housing manager for the EcoVillage will also be available to answer questions about the Loy Farm Living-Learning Community EcoVillage. 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.

5 – 8 p.m.
Downtown Burlington Bike Tour (Pre-Registration Required)
Join the Elon Outdoors staff for a bike ride down the Greenway to downtown Burlington. The total mileage for the ride is approximately 9 miles. Space is extremely limited so advance registration is required. Bikes and helmets are provided. Meet at the ELOA Office (Room 106) in the Koury Athletic Center.

5:30 – 9 p.m.
Phoenix 4th Friday, Downtown Burlington
Gather with the local community as we celebrate Elon University’s long-standing partnership with Alamance County. Local food trucks, games, and activities will be available, and come hear live entertainment including Elon student band Thistle Ridge. Learn more here.

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Dancing in the Landscape, Center for the Arts Plaza
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.

5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
Elon Wind Ensemble Concert, “Through a Child’s Eyes,” McCrary Theater
The Elon Wind Ensemble’s first concert of the academic year features a wide variety of music written for the modern wind band. The concert is designed to be reminiscent of your youth, and we are certain there will be something for everyone in this program. This will be a concert you certainly won’t want to miss.

5:30 p.m.
Sklut Hillel Center Shabbat Celebration, Sklut Hillel Center (Pre-Registration through Hillel Required)
Join us at the Sklut Hillel Center as we welcome Shabbat together. We’ll gather under the new Hillel Pavilion in the backyard of the Sklut Hillel Center for remarks, Shabbat blessings, light refreshments, and the chance to schmooze and mingle. This celebration is open to all – bring your friends and family.

7:30 p.m.
The Music Department Faculty Concert, Whitley Auditorium
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.

8 p.m.
SUBCinema, Turner Theatre, Schar Hall
Come and enjoy a screening of “The Lego Batman Movie” in Turner Theatre. Popcorn, candy and soda is available for family and friends.

9 p.m. – Midnight
Casino Night, Moseley Student Center
Join us for the annual Family Weekend Casino Night! Casino dealers will be on site to host games like blackjack, roulette, craps, 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!

Saturday, Sept. 28

7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Pickleball Open Hours, South Gym
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just want to try out the sport that everyone’s talking about, come play pickleball indoors, no matter the weather! Equipment is provided or you can bring your own paddle.

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Check-in and Registration, McKinnon Hall, Moseley Student Center
Join us to check in if you couldn’t make it on Friday. Pick up your T-shirt, campus maps and pocket guides!

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Coffee with the President, Young Commons (Pre-Registration Required)
Join Elon President Connie Ledoux Book and other Elon families for coffee and a continental breakfast to kick start your Saturday.

9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Driving Range Open Hours, Harden Clubhouse, South Campus
Enjoy the use of our driving range throughout the day. Range balls in small, medium and large buckets can be purchased from the golf ball dispenser.

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
University Update, Alumni Gym
Elon President Connie Ledoux Book will welcome families and provide a university update.

10 a.m. – Noon
Academic Connections 
Enjoy informal conversations with your student’s professors and learn more about classes at Elon. Professors will be available to discuss learning goals and objectives, major assignments, and general information about courses. Meeting locations are printed on your student’s guide that is available at check-in.

10:15 – 11 a.m.
History of Elon, Great Hall, Global Commons
Based loosely on the book “Transforming a College,” this session will feature the recently retired Barry Bradberry ’75, who served as Associate Dean of Admissions and Special Assistant to the President, and 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! At the conclusion, golf cart transportation to the Elon Campus Story Tour will be provided.

10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Oak Originals at the Marketplace, Beside Lake Mary Nell
Come shop from some of Elon’s best student entrepreneurs. Oak Originals at the Marketplace 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.

11 – 11:45 a.m.
For Grandparents: Elon Campus Story Tour, Elon Express bus stop at Inman Admissions Welcome Center (Pre-Registration Required)
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 Elon Express bus stop at Inman Admissions Welcome Center and will make an additional drop-off at Schar Center for those who wish to join the Phoenix Fan Fest at the conclusion of the tour.

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phoenix Fan Fest, Schar Center (Pre-Registration Required)
Get excited for the football game against Richmond at our Fan Fest! Enjoy a variety of food, lawn games, musical entertainment, caricature artists, giveaways, and much more!

11:15 a.m. – Noon
Acorn Talks
Recipients of major teaching awards and other distinguished faculty and staff will teach these mini-classes. A full list of session topics, descriptions and locations is available here.

Noon – 1 p.m.
Dancing in the Landscape, Center for the Arts Plaza
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.

2 p.m.
Football Game, Rhodes Stadium (Pre-Registration Required)
Cheer on the Phoenix as they take on a fellow CAA member, the Richmond Spiders. Tickets 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.

For more information about the different football ticket options, click here.

6:30 p.m.
ROCKapella Show #1, Alumni Gym (Pre-Registration Required)
You and your family will be in for a treat as Elon’s a cappella groups “rock the house!”

7:30 p.m.
Instant Laughter Improv, Yeager Recital Hall, Center for the Arts
Elon’s comic improv team, Instant Laughter, takes the stage performing scenes and sketches based on audience suggestions. Need a laugh? Join us for an evening of improv comedy! Admission is $15 and will be collected at the door.

8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
SUBCinema, Turner Theatre, Schar Hall
Come and enjoy a screening of The Lego Batman Movie in Turner Theatre! Popcorn, candy, and soda is available for family and friends.

8:30 p.m.
ROCKapella Show #2, Alumni Gym (Pre-Registration Required)
You and your family will be in for a treat as Elon’s a cappella groups “rock the house!”

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Night on the Commons, Young Commons
Join us on Young Commons for an evening of fun for the entire family to enjoy, including Blacklight Mini-Golf and Glow Axe Throwing!

Sunday, Sept. 29

We encourage you to use this day to spend time with your student! Enjoy a leisurely brunch in a dining hall, 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!

9 a.m. – Noon
Family Hospitality Suite, Martin Alumni Center
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.

9 – 11 a.m.
Pickleball Open Hours, South Gym
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just want to try out the sport that everyone’s talking about, come play pickleball indoors, no matter the weather! Equipment is provided or you can bring your own paddle.

10 a.m.
Family Weekend Protestant Worship and Brunch, Holt Chapel, South Campus
Protestant worship for students and families hosted by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

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

11 a.m.
Catholic Campus Ministry Brunch, Numen Lumen Pavilion (Pre-Registration Required)
All students and families are invited to join Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) for a catered brunch. Connect with other Catholic families along with Father Peter Tremblay, CCM staff, and student leaders.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hillel Bagel Brunch, McKinnon Hall (Pre-Registration through Hillel Required)
Join us for bagels, shmear, remarks, and time to schmooze with fellow families. Be a part of this annual tradition and enjoy a fun, delicious way to close out Family Weekend.

1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer Game, Rudd Field
Be loud and help the Phoenix knock off the Hampton Pirates!