Men’s Rugby at Elon
October 9, 2015 Emma Flaherty During Homecoming 2015 celebrations, Elon University’s men’s club rugby team is celebrating its 20th anniversary. However, the first mention of men’s rugby in the student-run newspaper, The Pendulum, came seven years before the team’s founding in 1995. In 1987, the men’s rugby team at Elon was a small organization under a parent team, the Dan-river rugby club based out of Danville, Virginia. Elon team members travelled to Virginia to practice with the Dan-river team and a few Elon students even played in several of Dan-river’s matches. Unfortunately, the Elon rugby team could not get a $400 fee to cover spring dues in 1987 from the college; after this news, the men’s rugby team disappears from The Pendulum until 1995.Throughout its history, the men’s rugby team has consistently overcome a lack of experience with the sport, primarily because many students had no previous exposure to rugby…
Read MoreSpecial Olympics at Elon
Betty Garrison April 11, 2014 Elon and the Special Olympics have always had a special bond. Elon College hosted the first state Games in 1972, just four years after the first national Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Over the years, Elon has supplied thousands of volunteers, from those who plan the event to those who partner with an athlete for the day to all those who sit in the stands to cheer them on. Each athlete is a winner and each receives a medal on the day they compete.
Read MoreThe Literary Societies of Elon College
Randall Bowman December 13, 2013 In 1913, the first yearbook was published at Elon College, the PhiPsiCli. The name was derived from the three literary societies that existed at Elon during its early years; the Philologian, Psiphelian, and Clio Societies. These three organizations were founded soon after the college opened its doors; like most college literary societies, they no longer exist. Literary societies were a mainstay of college life from the colonial era to the early twentieth century. Often just called “societies,” they usually had names derived from either Latin or Greek. Societies organized debates and social events, and members wrote original compositions such as essays, poetry, and music. Since most college graduates were men who went into law, the ministry, or teaching, literary society activities supplemented the classical education students received. Their debates gave members the chance to practice their oratory and rhetorical skills.
Read MoreHome Economics Maven with a Heart of Gold
Shaunta Alvarez November 13, 2013 Edith Ruth Brannock ’39 received the Heart of Gold Award this year during Homecoming festivities. This lifetime achievement award was presented on behalf of members of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and its predecessor, Tau Zeta Phi, to a sister alumnus that has “motivated and inspired others to know the power of one heart touching another heart; that has led a life that has exemplified to others that selfless service is a noble virtue.” This was the second time the award was been presented. The inaugural presentation was in 2010 when the award was given to Dr. Jo Watts Williams ’55, Vice President Emerita. One could say that service and dedication to the Elon community are in Edith Brannock’s blood, even going all the way back to Elon College’s very beginnings. Ms. Brannock is a descendant of Rev. James O’Kelly, founder of the Christian Church,…
Read MoreVeterans Day: Remembering Elon’s First Fallen Hero
Shannon Tennant November 11, 2013 We celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 because it marks the end of World War I, when hostilities formally ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The first Elon student to die in the service of our country did so during this conflict, nearly 100 years ago. This Veterans Day, let us remember Charles N. Whitelock.
Read MoreKCSL Celebrates 25 Years!
Julia Mueller October 30, 2013 This academic year the Kernodle Center for Service Learning is celebrating its 25th anniversary! The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement provides a variety of volunteer opportunities to students, faculty, and the community. The goal is to promote leadership, student learning, and citizenship through community engagement. The Center for Service Learning was founded in 1988 when Habitat for Humanity was chartered at Elon College. In 1989, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter promoted Habitat for Humanity during his visit to Elon. In 1990, Elon Volunteers (EV!) was founded as a part of the Chaplain’s Office. In 1992, the Center for Service Learning hired its first paid staff member, which was funded through a grant given to the college from the United Church of Christ. The academic year from 1992-1993 were the first years that volunteer hours and number of volunteers were tracked. The Service Learning…
Read MoreElon’s First Radio Station
Julia Mueller May 3, 2013 The concept of the radio was developed in the late 1800s, where electricity allowed wireless communication. Elon College offered its first class about this new invention in 1922, which was described as experimental in nature. The class was taught in conjunction with electricity, and students focused on the practical and theoretical operation of the radio.
Read MoreWomen’s History Month: Women’s Athletics at Elon in the 1980s-1990s
Julia Mueller March 22, 2013 The 1980s and 1990s at Elon was a time of great transition as the college sought to gain public recognition. The student body profile, in addition to the alumni and faculty, was changing in that Elon became more engaged in academics, networking, and athletics. This in part was due to the “Plan of the 90’s” that worked to increase the quality of Elon and develop programs. In 1991, the South Atlantic Conference moved to NCAA Division II from the NAIA. However, the Division II was considered “No Man’s Land,” and on June 17, 1996, Elon officials decided it was time to go to Division I in the NCAA. Elon participated without conference affiliation for the first two years before joining the Big South Conference in 1999. Most of the Elon sports teams struggled in Division I due to the increased competition, but in 1999, women’s…
Read MoreWomen’s History Month: Women’s Athletics at Elon in the 1960s-1970s
Julia Mueller March 15, 2013 The 1960s and 1970s were a time of different turning points in both American and Elon history. The Vietnam War, the Civil Rights and women’s movements were just a few of the milestones that occurred. This impacted women’s sports in various ways. The Commission of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was soon recognized, and America faced a time of subsiding societal restrictions. This in part was due to increased coverage of the Olympics, where women had been at least to some extent competing since the 1900 Paris Games.
Read MoreWomen’s History Month: Women’s Athletics at Elon in the 1940s-1950s
Julia Mueller March 8, 2013 “Archery for skill, volleyball for coordination, and riding for the figure is Elon’s way of turning out healthy, ‘well-rounded’ girls.” – Phi Psi Cli, 1953 World War II caused lasting impacts at Elon College, especially the changed role of sports for both men and women. In 1942, men’s intercollegiate activities were temporarily abolished, and the soldiers stationed on campus used the gymnasium for training. It was not until 1944 that sports became a part of Elon activities once again. Due to the effects of the war, fitness became a more crucial factor in individuals’ lifestyles on local and national levels. It was soon acceptable for women too to physically train to improve overall health and strength.
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