In this column for the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of The Magazine of Elon, President Book reflects on the power of public service and celebrates Elon alumni whose careers exemplify meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.
On Nov. 11, Elon welcomed Ret. Adm. Mike Mullen to campus as the first speaker in a new lecture series funded by Rear Adm. Ted Walker Jr. and his wife, Carol. Ted and Carol were lifetime advocates of Elon, sending two daughters and later a grandchild to the university, recommending dozens of others to our admissions team, and supporting the goals of three Elon presidents, including myself. This new endowed lecture series aims to bring a military or civic leader to campus each year to share messages with the community about the importance and impact of careers in public service.
Mullen, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told a packed McCrary Theatre to actively support veterans in our community through our voting and advocacy. In addition to saying “thank you for your service,” he asked the audience to serve as advocates for veteran health care, assimilation after active duty and other innovative ways local communities are supporting the veteran community.
His remarks reminded me about the importance of living a life of service. As I talk with alumni, parents and friends of the university about their career journeys, it is truly remarkable to hear how they are living lives of purpose and service through professional engagement.
In this edition of The Magazine of Elon, you’ll read about Elon parent and trustee Bill Inman. Following his service to our country in the U.S. Army, Bill pursued a career innovating and constructing housing communities. His work over a lifetime has created opportunity for thousands of families to realize the dream and financial impact of owning their own homes. He continued his service later in life by serving as an Elon trustee to help the university make critical decisions and by supporting scholarships in the Odyssey Program and transformative building projects like Inman Admissions Welcome Center. We are truly grateful to the Inman family for their decades of service and impact at Elon.
As I talk with alumni, parents and friends of the university about their career journeys, it is truly remarkable to hear how they are living lives of purpose and service through professional engagement.
I recently visited with Stephanie Marken ’08, a senior partner at Gallup, one of the world’s leading public opinion and research firms. She found her passion working with the Elon Poll as a first-generation college student. Today she leads research within Gallup’s global analytics division and is working on a public opinion project about higher education. That data is being used to foster an understanding of public perceptions about what’s working and not working in the U.S. higher education system, staging critical conversations on how to improve and accelerate change across universities and colleges to better support student success. In other words, Stephanie is living a professional life of service as she and her husband navigate the joy of their 1-year-old baby boy, Jack.
Benjamin Lutz ’07 is another alumnus you will read about in this issue who embodies service through everyday dialogue, fostering peace by building connections and empowering communities. From his time at Elon and now through his work with Mediators Beyond Borders International, Benjamin merges local action and global impact, enabling sustainable peacebuilding projects. His service-driven approach demonstrates that meaningful conversations can bridge divides and inspire lasting change.
Last year, I received an email from Adam Rozan ’01, who serves as the director of programs and audience development at the Smithsonian. If you’ve visited a Smithsonian museum and felt inspired by an exhibit, there’s a good chance Adam or his team crafted that experience with you in mind. Imagine the thousands of people worldwide impacted by Adam’s efforts — the education sparked through exhibitions and the powerful role they play in connecting audiences to history. Alongside his work at the Smithsonian, Adam shares his expertise at Harvard University, where he teaches future museum professionals. When I told him about our new minor in museum studies and public history, he was thrilled and immediately offered support.
From small businesses to large corporations, military service, law, health care, journalism, creative arts, startups, performances and education, the diverse careers and service contributions of Elon graduates are truly transforming our world. As Mullen shook hands and spoke with students, faculty, staff and community members after his lecture, I was struck by the depth of service he continues to offer. This reminder of his commitment underscores the importance of approaching our daily lives with a service mindset, ultimately enriching all of our lives.