Kernodle Center History

Kernodle Center History

2023
New language is adopted to broaden service-learning to community-based learning.  Elon community-based learning will now also include areas such as social innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.

2020
The Kernodle Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement changes its name to the Kernodle Center for Civic Life.

2019
Elon is recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as #2 in the nation for service learning.
30th Year Anniversary of the first Habitat for Humanity house build.

2016
Elon’s Carnegie Classification status is accepted for renewal.

2015-2016
Habitat for Humanity dedicates their 25th house in Alamance County.

2014-2015
62 Academic Service-Learning courses are offered in departments across campus.
Elon Votes! is founded to encourage student voter registration and participation in elections.

2013-2014
Service hours increase by 23% and exceed 127,000 hours for the first time.

2012-2013
Downtown Center for Community Engagement Opens.
The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement Celebrates 25th  Anniversary.

2011-2012
110 students serve as EV! leaders.

2010-2011
The Elon University Campus Kitchen begins operations.
Elon University students participate in over 100,000 hours of service.
The East Burlington route of the Elon Bio Bus is fully funded by Elon University. The route connects students to 32 partner agencies.

2009-2010
The Kernodle Center for Service Learning changes its name to the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement.
The Elon University Campus Kitchen is funded. A full-time staff member is hired to manage the project.

2008-2009
Elon sends its 21st service trip to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Katrina relief.
Elon is named one of 5 recipients of The Washington Center’s inaugural Higher Education Civic Engagement Award.
President Leo Lambert receives the inaugural William Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education from the National Society for Experiential Education.

2007-2008
Elon Volunteers! celebrates its 20th anniversary at Elon’s Homecoming. Chaplain Richard W. McBride is honored for his leadership.

2006-2007
Elon is named as one of the top three universities nationwide in the inaugural President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

2006
Elon is recognized in the Carnegie Classification for the first time.

2005-2006
Elon sends five service trips to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to provide Hurricane Katrina relief.
Elon receives money from the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation of Arkansas to develop two new programs – Community Partnership Initiative Grants and Leaders in Collaborative Service.

2004-2005
Kernodle Center hires first full-time Assistant Director.
International spring break service trips expand to include the Mexican border region.

2003-2004
Pam Kiser named first Kernodle Center Faculty Development Fellow for Academic Service-Learning.
AmeriCorps*VISTA begins first term of service.
Elon ranks among top-20 higher education service learning programs by US. News.
Elon offers first international spring break service trip to Dominican Republic.

2002-2003
Two part-time employees are hired: an Associate Director and an Outreach Coordinator.
Elon ranks #14 in U.S. News & World Report for higher education service learning programs.

2001- 2002
Elon offers first Habitat for Humanity study abroad winter term course in Guatemala.
North Carolina Campus Compact forms at Elon.

2000-2001
First year that Elon’s Habitat for Humanity Chapter builds two homes.

1999-2000
First North Carolina Campus Volunteers Service-Learning Institute is held at Elon.
Kernodle Center is featured in the Kaplan/Newsweek “How to Get into College” Guide.

1997
America Reads program starts.
Center for Service-Learning receives endowment gift from the John R. Kernodle, Sr. family to name the center in honor of John Robert Kernodle, Jr.

1996
First year the “Call to Service” winter term course is offered.

1995
Elon receives grant from the Council of Independent Colleges to establish a Center for Service-Learning.

1994-1995
First year of the Service-Learning Living and Learning Community.
First year of tracking courses linked with a service component.

1994
Office of Volunteer Programs and Leadership moves to Student Affairs.

1993
Office of Volunteer Programs forms as part of the Provost’s Office.

1992-1993
First year of tracking number of service hours and volunteers (1,187 volunteers / 15,509 hours).

1992
First paid staff member is hired and funded by grant from the United Church of Christ.

1990
Habitat volunteers expands and became Elon Volunteers! (EV!) as part of the Chaplain’s Office broadening the areas of service.

1989
Former President Jimmy Carter visits Elon College and promotes Habitat for Humanity.

1988
Elon College Habitat for Humanity Chapter is chartered.