Parents

A $250,000 endowment gift to the Ever Elon Campaign from The Levine-Sklut Family Foundation will significantly expand the university’s Jewish Studies program by establishing The Lori and Eric Sklut Emerging Scholar in Jewish Studies. This gift was made possible thanks to Elon parents Eric and Lori Sklut, of Charlotte, N.C.

Elon University's board of trustees voted April 15 to establish a new School of Health Sciences, serving graduate students in the existing doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program along with students in the new physician assistant (PA) studies master's program, which will enroll its first class in January 2013.

Forty-one percent of Elon University alumni in the Class of 2011 had accepted a full-time position by the day they received their diplomas, the highest percentage in five years of students reporting employment at time of graduation, according to initial results from the Cap & Gown survey administered by the Office of Career Services to seniors prior to Commencement.

Sixty-eight students representing several majors have been participating this summer in a domestic summer internship programs in both Los Angeles and New York. While in their respective cities, students take an academic course on Mondays and complete internships the rest of the week. The structures of the nine-week programs vary, but students receive the same general experience, as they live, take classes and do internships in a major American city.

This week, Elon Career Services' LinkedIn profile reached 3,000 1st degree connections with an expanded network of 11,220,000 people.

Elon University professors, students and alumni continue to make news this summer through their research and campus activities. Notable in recent weeks was regional media coverage of Elon University School of Law's full accreditation from the American Bar Association, regional stories and broadcasts on Elon's new head women's basketball coach, and mention of the Elon University Poll by the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.

Incoming freshman Lauren Astley '15 of Wayland, Mass., was killed this week in her hometown. As her family, friends and future Elon classmates mourn her loss, Smith Jackson, vice president for student life and dean of students, emailed the university community on July 6, 2011, with reflections on Astley's accomplishments and her service to the community.

Having a job while in high school means extra cash for going to the movies and filling up the gas tank, but is part-time work for high school students a negative thing? Steve DeLoach, professor of economics, examined this long-standing question along with Stephanie Franz ’11, recent Elon graduate, and Jen Platania, associate professor of economics.

Several major campus construction projects outlined in the Elon Commitment strategic plan are under way, with completion expected this summer on some work, while other projects are getting started. Following this spring’s construction bidding process, timelines for several projects have been established.

Each year, gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff sustain and strengthen the hallmarks of an Elon education. During 2010-2011, members of the Elon community contributed $5.3 million in annual gifts to the university, supporting close to 200 programs. Check out this end-of-fiscal-year video message from President Leo M. Lambert.