Elon College’s Finest Hour: Convocation with Lady Margaret Thatcher
Julia Mueller April 2, 2015 On April 28, 1995, Lady Margaret Thatcher spoke at Elon College’s Spring Convocation. The theme of the event was academic excellence, community service, and philanthropy. Lady Thatcher discussed the purpose of universities in her speech titled “The Challenges Facing the 21st Century” and encouraged individuality among students. She was critical of communism, President Clinton, the separation of church and state, educational trends, and welfare. While some in the audience disagreed with her political stances or thought the event was too political, many were impressed by the conviction of her opinions.
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 MoreThe Liberal Arts Forum: Its History and Progression
Julia Mueller September 27, 2012 In 1958, the Student Government Association established the Liberal Arts Forum. The purpose of this student-led group was to promote the arts and humanities aspect of Elon’s liberal arts campus, and they encouraged curiosity through scholarly lectures. Only a few students and professors were involved in the forum at its beginning – these people being Etta Britt, James P. Elder, Daniel Gee, and Professors William M. Brown, Clarence Carson, Richard Haff and James Hess. While presentations by noted professors of the time were the primary events hosted by the Liberal Arts Forum, other occasions included art displays, films, concerts, seminars, and debates.
Read MoreConfusion at an opera
Miriam Pace – volunteer in Archives April 11, 2011 On February 12, 1947, the New York City Civic Opera Company came to Elon College to perform two operas, “Rigoletto” and “Carmen”. They came complete with an orchestra, singers and a corps ballet ensemble. At least 350 students and townspeople were in attendance for the first opera, ready to absorb some culture – even though they were really not too familiar with the genre. Programs and librettos were available at the door of Whitley Auditorium, so the audience settled down to what was sure to be a real treat.
Read MoreCommon reading enters 19th year
Pam Richter – Class of 2011 September 15, 2010 On Tuesday, September 21, Rob Gifford will be speaking at Elon University for this year’s common reading lecture. Gifford is the author of China Road, which was selected as the common reading book for the campus this year. Each spring a committee consisting of faculty, staff, and students choose a book for the Elon community to read for the following year. Often times these books are integrated into the Global Experience or Elon 101 classes and often times the author of the book deliver a lecture on campus during the fall.
Read MoreWading in Fonville Fountain
Pam Richter – Class of 2011 May 17, 2010 Today, Elon students are not allowed to splash or wade in Fonville Fountain after receiving their diplomas during commencement, but in the 1980s, this was a well-embraced Elon tradition on commencement.
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