President Connie Ledoux Book and Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs James B. Piatt, Jr. shared updates with the Dallas alumni community.
Alumni, parents and friends gathered at an Evening for Elon in Dallas on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Fearing’s Restaurant in The Ritz Carlton.
The event started with a reception followed by welcome remarks from Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs James B. Piatt, Jr. and a video highlighting new projects and initiatives at Elon. Ben Seay ’03, a Dallas Alumni Chapter Board member, shared how Elon has made a significant impact on his life and career and introduced President Ledoux Book.
President Book began her remarks by highlighting the success of the Elon LEADS campaign that raised over $260 million and created 287 new endowed scholarships and 60 new endowments. She shared how these funds are expanding access for student experiences like studying abroad, undergraduate research and internships.
She recognized supporters of the HealthEU initiative, a wellness center set to open in 2026 and outlined plans to expand health-related academic programs, including counseling and physician assistant studies. She also noted the new majors that will serve a purpose in our community, such as business analytics, mechanical engineering and financial technology.
President Book highlighted Elon’s National Campus program that is an extension of the main campus. Each location offers unique internships and professional experiences to undergraduate students and graduate degree programs, like the new part-time School of Law J.D. program in Charlotte. She also spoke about Elon’s efforts to strengthen recruitment efforts by adding admissions counselors in strategic regions across the country, including Texas.
She shared Elon’s recent accolades: #1 in undergraduate teaching for the fourth consecutive year (U.S. News & World Report) and being one of the best schools in the nation for study abroad (Institute of International Education Open Doors Report). Following her remarks, she answered questions from those in attendance.
The evening concluded with Piatt sharing how alumni and parents can become more involved at Elon by being partners, advocates and investors, ending his message with “Long Live Elon!”