Women’s History Month: Women’s Athletics at Elon in the 1920s-1930s
Julia Mueller March 1, 2013 During the beginning decades of Elon as an institution, society held a very different impression about women than the contemporary opinion. Lady-like behavior was strongly encouraged, and women were often protected against potential masculinity that was incorporated in notions about sports and physical training. At the turn of the twentieth century, women were confined to calisthenics and recreational tennis. Over the next twenty years, the Young Women’s Christian Association at Elon College was formed and requests for more athletic opportunities were expressed. As views of women changed in America from delicate to more durable, the trend in sports was reflected accordingly.
Read MoreThe Emanons – Fifty Years and Counting
Julia Mueller October 5, 2012 During Homecoming this year, the Emanons will celebrate their 50th reunion. In 1962, Dr. Jack O. White organized a jazz band at Elon College. The first members named themselves the Emanons, spelling “No Name” backwards and they played a wide variety of music. From the beginning, the Emanons were an extremely talented group of musicians. Their first annual concert occurred on March 15, 1962 and in 1964, they performed at the New York World Fair. In 1970, Dr. David Bragg joined Dr. White as assistant director, just as the Emanons began their global debut. Over the years, the band expanded their repertoire from jazz to big band and rock.
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 MoreElon’s First Black History Celebration
Shaunta Alvarez February 1, 2012 National Black Heritage Week was first celebrated at Elon in February 1975. The newly-established Black Cultural Society (BCS) sponsored activities throughout the week: – a program of hymns and poetry by BCS members – a talk by Dr. Raymond McLaughlin, professor of history at North Carolina A &T State University, titled “What it Means to be Black in the Twentieth Century” – a talk by Rev. Marvin Morgan ’71, a Burlington minister, titled “The Standpoint of Theology in the Black Society”
Read MoreHomecoming 20 years ago
Katie Nash October 17, 2011 “Mardi Gras at Elon” was the Homecoming theme in 1991. Prior to Homecoming week, a few events were scheduled which included Skit Night in Whitley Auditorium, and the infamous Homecoming float competition that took place on Haggard Avenue. The Homecoming floats were created by a number of student organizations. The float competition preceded the Elon football game, in which the Fightin’ Christians played the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb (and Elon lost). Other events that took place during Homecoming included a penny drive to benefit the United Way and a carnival.
Read MoreElon’s Radio Players
Miriam Pace – volunteer in Archives May 24, 2011 If you’re old enough to remember a time with no TV, no internet, no Nook or Blackberry, then you will remember the radio. The family gathered around that early entertainment center and listened to “The Jack Benny Show” or “One Man’s Family” or “Your Hit Parade” and thought themselves lucky to have a radio in their home. By 1947, Elon had completed a radio broadcasting studio in Whitley auditorium on the second floor facing the stage and was ready to launch the Elon Radio Players over WBBB, the Burlington, N.C. station that would carry the plays. The room, the wiring, and installation of equipment was done by Professor A.L. Hook and students from his physics classes.
Read MoreHistory of the old Pendulum Building
Jacob Chitwood – Class of 2011 March 14, 2011 As the former Pendulum office on the corner of Williamson and West College Avenue was torn down last month, onlookers gathered outside to watch bulldozers and backhoes make way for the construction project that is part of Elon’s future growth and downtown expansion. Most probably knew the building only as a home for the Pendulum, but a look into the past reveals some of its other important functions.
Read MoreSelf-governing club at Elon
Pam Richter – Class of 2011 November 19th, 2010 Currently Resident Assistants serve as the watchdog in dorm rooms across Elon’s campus, but this was not always the case. In September 1909, the East Dormitory self-governing club was established. President E.L. Moffitt was upset with the behavior taking place in the dormitory and appointed professors W.P. Lawrence and Thomas Cicero Amick to draft a constitution and establish bylaws.
Read MoreCollection of photos from Elon in the early 20th century
Pam Richter – Class of 2011 June 21, 2010 Here is a collection of some photos of Elon’s buildings, events and students on campus from the early 20th century. Commencement, groundbreaking of Alamance Building and a basketball team from the 1930s are all featured.
Read MorePhi Beta Kappa and the Order of the Oak
Katie Nash April 15, 2010 On April 13, 2010 a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, one of the most prestigious liberal arts honor societies in the country, was established at Elon University. This is the not the first academic honor society that has been present on Elon’s campus. The Order of the Oak was established by faculty at Elon in 1962 and bestowed privileges of membership to outstanding students at the college. According to the Constitution of the Order of the Oak, the purpose was “to recognize superior scholarship, to encourage intellectual achievement, and to foster the liberal and critical mind.”
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