Take a look back at Elon University's achievements with a selection of 24 photos from 2024.
It was a big year for Elon University. Among many major moments, Elon was ranked #1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News and World Report for the fourth consecutive year; the Class of 2028, Elon’s most diverse yet, was welcomed with open arms; Elon Law School launched the Flex Law Program in Charlotte and plans for the new HealthEU center were announced.
A selection of 24 photos from the year offers a look at what the Elon community accomplished in 2024.
Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications Karen Lindsey works with students in small groups during the Foundations of Strategic Communications class. In 2024, Elon was ranked #1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching for the fourth consecutive year.
The Class of 2028 and incoming transfer students proceed out of Alamance Building to New Student Convocation on Aug. 24.
Elon Medallion recipients, from left, Kyle Wills, Jean Rattigan-Rohr and Steven House
Jeremy Allen '07 with his father, Trustee Noel Allen '69 at the Elon Medallion ceremony on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Mary Jo Festle, left, and Ann Cahill were presented with medallions in recognition of their selection as Distinguished University Professors during a formal ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in McKinnon Hall.
Recognized at the 2024 Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony are, from left, Professor of Physical Therapy Education Charity Johansson, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education Srikant Vallabhajosula, Associate Professor of Sport Management Shaina Dabbs and Professor of Sociology Tom Arcaro.
Retired Adm. Mike Mullen delivers the inaugural Carol Ann Walker International Lecture in McCrary Theatre on Nov. 11, 2024.
Actor Ginna Claire Mason performs with students during the commencement ceremony on May 24, 2024.
Longtime Elon Admissions leader Barry Bradberry '75 was surprised with a special retirement breakfast at Biscuitville with staff from the Office of Admissions on May 28, 2024.
Emily Stober '25 performs as Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde: The Musical" during an Elon mainstage production in Fall 2024. In a collaboration between Elon’s Music Theatre Program and the Department of Engineering, the show’s co-starring dogs were played by quadruped robots programmed, costumed and controlled by engineering students.
Students gather during the first College Coffee of the Fall 2024 semester. College Coffee is a weekly tradition every Tuesday during the academic year, allowing students, faculty and staff to gather for food and fellowship.
Elon University Family Weekend 2024
Fireworks kick off Elon's Homecoming & Reunion Weekend at Rock the Block.
Students created a "Hope Wall" in front of Alamance Building following the 2024 Election.
The new EcoVillage at Loy Farm opened in Fall 2024. The Living Learning Community will offer an opportunity for hands-on learning through horticulture, agriculture and research with the Center for Environmental Studies. It will eventually include 12 sustainable homes along with a renovated ranch house that will serve as a common area. Students designed the first home alongside Robert Charest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, with input from University Planning Design and Construction Management.
Elon reached the CAA Men's Soccer Championship Semifinals for the fourth straight season and finished as the tournament's number one seed in two of the last three years.
President Connie Ledoux Book speaks at an Evening for Elon event in Washington, D.C.
Renovations were completed on the Gerald L. Francis Center. The university has been updating the Francis Center over the last several years by adding skills labs, classrooms, student study spaces and a interprofessional lab equipped with augmented, virtual and mixed reality technology. There is also a new entry garden dedicated to those who have donated their bodies to science. The building houses Elon’s School of Health Sciences.
Students move into the new East Neighborhood Commons on Aug. 23, 2024. Elon welcomed the Class of 2028, Elon's most diverse yet.
A Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduate receives their hood from School of Health Sciences Dean Maha Lund during the School of Health Sciences commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 in Alumni Gym.
The inaugural cohort of the Elon University Flex Law Program.
For the first time, floating Asian lanterns were placed in Fonville Fountain on Scott Plaza for the Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Students wrote wishes on the lanterns and released them into the water.
Arthur C. Brooks participates in a Q&A session with Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, following his Fall Convocation address on Sept. 27 in Alumni Gym.
Among the notable news from 2024:
- The accolades continued to pour in for Elon University. In addition to a #1 ranking for undergraduate teaching, U.S. News and World Report also ranked Elon #1 for learning communities and first-year experiences, and Elon was ranked in the top 12 in all eight U.S. News and World Report categories of “programs that enhance student experience.” The Princetown Review listed Elon Law in its 2024 guidebook of “The Best 168 Law Schools” and named Elon’s MBA program as one of the “Best Business Schools for 2024.”
- Elon welcomed several new and familiar faces to university leadership. Hilton Kelly began his role as dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences. Associate Dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Haya Ajjan was named the next dean of the school. Anu Räisänen became the inaugural director of HealthEU Initiatives and Professor of Management Mustafa Akben was named Elon’s first director of artificial intelligence integration.
- Elon broke its record for study abroad participation with a 94% participation rate among doctoral institutions, according to the 2022-23 Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report.
- In March, Elon launched the Imagining the Digital Future Center, expanding upon the work during the past 20 years of The Imagining the Internet Center with scholar-in-residence Lee Rainie, with the Pew Research Center, now at Elon as the new center’s director.
- A new partnership with Novant Health will allow students in Elon’s Physician Assistant Studies program to undertake hands-on clinical education in the Charlotte metro area.
- Elon and eight other colleges and universities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania joined forces to bring an innovative, large-scale solar facility online in western Kentucky. The project is a significant step in Elon’s journey to carbon neutrality by 2037.
- Several new facilities opened on campus including a new EcoVillage at Loy Farm and the East Neighborhood Commons. Final renovations were also completed at the Gerald L. Francis Center to include skills labs, classrooms, student study spaces and an interprofessional lab.
- The Elon Medallion, the university’s highest honor for service, was awarded to four: Trustee Noel Allen ‘69 in April and three former university leaders in August: Provost Emeritx Steven House, former Senior Associate Athletics Director Kyle Wills and former Vice President for Access and Success Jean Rattigan-Rohr.
- Elon announced a $3 million fundraising campaign to expand and enhance training and practice facilities for the men’s and women’s golf teams, creating one of the golf facilities in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and college golf.
- Elon said farewell to the Class of 2024 with actor Ginna Claire Mason ’13, formerly Glinda in Broadway’s “Wicked,” delivering the 2024 commencement address, encouraging graduates to “dream big, keep going and sing out.”
- Elon’s 17th annual Night of the Phoenix event set a new record, raising $521,923 for Elon Athletics.
- The university welcomed several speakers to campus through the Elon Speaker Series including authors Herb Frazier, Bernard Powers and Marjory Wentworth; Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford; Hall of Fame baseball manager Tony La Russa; former presidential advisor David Gergen and his son Christopher Gergen; environmental activist and author Leah Thomas; Havard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks and retired Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint chiefs of staff, who delivered the inaugural Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship.
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Connie Book
President
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Anu Räisänen
Director of Health EU and Assistant Professor
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Hilton Kelly
Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Professor of Sociology
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Haya Ajjan
Associate Dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and Professor of Management Information Systems
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Kirstin Boswell
University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement