Elon University and Town of Elon officials gathered June 1 to commemorate the change from Elon College, the name they shared for 112 years. Details...
More than 200 trustees, students, faculty and staff joined town citizens in a 10 a.m. gathering held at the Moseley Center entrance on Young Commons.
University President Leo M. Lambert was joined by board of trustees chair Noel Allen and board secretary Ed Powell in signing the university’s new charter. Those attending the ceremony were invited to sign their names on special ledgers that will be kept in the university archives and in the town register.
“This is an institution of progress, innovation and leadership,” Allen said. “This is a capstone, but only the beginning of the story.”
Trustees voted to adopt the university name in October 2000 and the town voted to change its name along with the school effective June 1.
President Emeritus Earl Danieley enthusiastically proclaimed “Long live Elon University,” as he reflected on the history of the institution and spoke about continuity and change. “You have come a long way. You have weathered many storms. You have arrived at a pivotal point in your history. May God continue to bless you richly in the years to come,” Danieley said.
During the ceremony, President Emeritus Fred Young and Town Manager Mike Dula exchanged commemorative plaques that note the school’s and town’s founding dates. “Elon, the institution, and Elon, the town, have had a long, cordial and mutually beneficial relationship,” Young said.
President Lambert credited his predecessors for their leadership during the past 40 years and gave special recognition to trustee Wallace Chandler, who was a driving force in Elon’s development and transition to university.
In a special prayer, Lambert gave thanks for 112 years of blessings enjoyed by the school and town. “On this special day, we ask for continued guidance as we endeavor to strengthen the minds, bodies and spirits of young people.”
With a trumpet fanfare played by Tom Erdmann, associate professor music, Trey Bolton, president of the Student Government Association, raised the Elon University flag for the first time over Scott Plaza.
The move to university status was envisioned in 1994, when trustees launched the Elon Vision, a strategic plan which was completed in April. The 14th goal of the plan was “To have the programs, personnel, students and trustees worthy of recognition as a comprehensive undergraduate university.”
Over the past six years, Elon has added 60 faculty positions; established a college of arts and sciences and schools of education and communications; built a new state-of-the-art library, science building, campus center and other facilities; begun construction of a new athletics stadium; increased enrollment from 3,500 to more than 4,100; made the transition to NCAA Division I athletics and gained extensive national recognition in numerous college guides and other publications.