Elon College and the First World War, part 2: Patriotism at Elon, 1917-1918
By Randall Bowman, Archivist and Assistant Librarian. As soon as the United States entered World War I, Americans began volunteering to enlist in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and the Red Cross. Elon students were no exception to the patriotic fervor that swept the country. On the very day war was declared, three Elon students volunteered for military service: W. F. Odom, William M. Horner, and Elvin Tuck. Such enlistments soon had a visible effect on Elon’s campus; some members of the graduating class of 1917 were graduated in absentia since they were already in uniform. This was possible because the faculty chose to give credit for courses to any male or female student whose studies were interrupted because they were serving. Elon College encouraged other ways of supporting the war effort; it was announced by the Board of Trustees that the college would give three…
Read MoreElon College and the First World War, part 1: On the eve of The Great War
By Randall Bowman, Archivist and Assistant Librarian. November 11, 2018, is the 100th anniversary of the cease-fire that ended World War I, often ironically called “The War to End All Wars.” What was Elon like in the early years of the Twentieth Century, before this First World War? When William Allen Harper became Elon College’s fourth president in 1911, the school was very different from the university it is today. In the fall of 1911, total enrollment for the college was only 234, although that was the largest enrollment since the school opened its doors in 1890. Dr. Harper, then thirty-one years old, was an 1899 alumnus of Elon College, and the first graduate to serve as president. He set out on an ambitious program to expand the school’s physical size, allowing for an increase in enrollment. He was also determined to standardize and expand the curriculum. In addition, Harper…
Read MoreWest Dorm as Summer Resort in 1909
Katie Nash May 21, 2014 As the campus prepares for commencement exercises on May 24, 2014, we can’t forget about all the history and interesting stories that have involved West Residence Hall since it opened on campus in the fall of 1906. As the campus community and guests enjoy the shade and cool breezes under the oaks and facing West Residence Hall during commencement, here’s an interesting story about West during the summer of 1909. Here’s to the beginning of summer!
Read MoreThe Loy Center ‘Spirit Rock’
Julia Mueller May 9, 2014 In 1997, the Elon College Greek Courts were renamed from the Greek Lodges to the Loy Center in honor of William (Bill) E. Loy, Jr. and in memory of his wife, Elizabeth Apple Loy ’47. Two rocks were added to the neighborhood. The first rock belonged to Mrs. Loy’s family, and was placed in the Greek circle. A plaque commemorating the Loy family is attached to the rock. This rock is not to be painted. The second rock became known as the ‘spirit rock.’
Read MoreMartin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Celebration–“His Past. Your Future. One Dream.”
Julia Mueller January 17, 2014 The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Celebration at Elon University commemorates the life and service of MLK, Jr. It also celebrates tolerance and diversity on campus. Elon Teaching Fellows, DEEP, the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, the Multicultural Center, the Black Cultural Society, the National Panhellenic Council, the Office of Student Activities, and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life organized the 2014 program.
Read MoreHats Off to Elon College’s First Homecoming King
Julia Mueller November 6, 2013 In 1993, the first Homecoming King at Elon College was crowned. David Bynes (Class of 1997), a Communications major, represented the Black Cultural Society. Holly Good of Alpha Omicron Pi was crowned Homecoming Queen. The nominees represented twenty organizations, and the theme of Homecoming was “Hats Off to Hollywood.” Each nominee wrote a personal statement and was interviewed by a Student Government Association Homecoming committee. This constituted 40% of the score. Popular vote accounted for the remaining 60%.
Read MoreElon University Seal
Katie Nash August 31, 2012 During most events at Elon University, the large university seal is usually present. Maybe you have never noticed it before, but hopefully after reading this blog post you will begin to notice it and have a better understanding of what it means and its origins.
Read MoreStudent Uniforms
Katie Nash August 24, 2012 What if Elon students were required to wear a uniform while on campus and/or attending classes? Today students have a choice about what to wear each day, but that was not always the case for Elon students. The first mention of students wearing uniforms appears in the 1890-1891 Bulletin of Elon College catalog publication. It states, “For economy and to avoid unpleasant distinctions in dress, young ladies will be required to wear a black uniform. The trimmings and scarfs to be determined by the individual’s taste. It is desired that the quality shall not be expensive, but heavy enough to hold the color and last through the winter. Young men need plain and substantial, but not expensive clothing. As a general rule, the more money a student spends on dress the less time is given to study.” It was understood that the uniform for men…
Read MoreCommencement Traditions: Oak Tree Saplings
Katie Nash May 18, 2012 Commencement at Elon in 1991 marked the first time tree saplings were handed out to graduates. Furman Moseley (Class of 1956) was the Commencement speaker that year, and gave graduates California Redwood saplings. President Fred Young (1973-1999) decided to carry on this tradition at the 1992 Commencement by giving each graduate an oak sapling. According to the Elon Traditions web site, “Upon graduation, each graduate is given a Shumard oak sapling to celebrate the growth they have experienced throughout their time at Elon as well as the growth they’ll encounter as lifelong learners. ” This tradition is continued today, and may your oak sapling thrive! Read more here about the tradition at Elon.
Read MoreCommencement Traditions: Academic Regalia
Katie Nash May 11, 2012 Academic regalia has been worn by faculty and students at Elon during Commencement and selected Convocations since the first Commencement at Elon in 1891. The wearing of academic regalia at modern colleges and university’s originated in medieval European universities and has not changed much since the 16th century. It signifies the wearer’s academic accomplishment and includes a robe, head covering, and hood.
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