ALUMNI ACTION
HOMECOMING 2013 ENJOYS RECORD ATTENDANCE
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ore than 3,500 Elon alumni returned to campus Nov. 8–10 to take part in Elon’s quasquicentennial Homecoming celebration, making it the largest Homecoming to date. The festivities kicked off Friday with the 125th Anniversary Celebration and Alumni Awards Ceremony that honored seven distinguished alumni award recipients. The event also recognized class and affinity groups that celebrated milestone reunions by raising more than $1.4 million in gifts to the university (read more on page 8). A brand new tailgating experience welcomed back Phoenix fans as they gathered on Hunt Field to get ready for the Saturday football game. It provided a festive atmosphere with live music, dancing, festival games, a photo booth, caricature artists and more. Alumni were also able to visit a special 125th anniversary exhibit that offered details about institutional milestones, historic photos, a “then-and-now” campus map, and a feedback board where visitors shared messages describing what they love about Elon. “One of our favorite memories is walking by Fonville Fountain on our way to and from class,” wrote Scott ’09 and Kim ’08 Leighty. “This was where we got engaged in January of 2012. Elon holds a very special place in our hearts for countless reasons.” To see more photos from the weekend, including many submitted via social media, see the inside back cover.
Other highlights from the weekend include: The Elon Black Alumni Network celebrated the accomplishments of black alumni, students and faculty at its Nov. 9 annual Black Alumni Scholarship Gala, which also celebrated 50 years of black students attending Elon. Ruby Thornton ’99 was honored with the Gail Fonville Parker ’70 Distinguished Alumna Award; Darryl Smith ’86 received the Eugene Perry ’69 Distinguished Alumnus Award; and Elon Associate Professor of English Prudence Layne was awarded the K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award. Three outstanding members of the Elon community were honored for their positive contributions to the LGBTQIA community with the LGBTQIA Community Enrichment Awards during a Nov. 10 event. Honored were Mark Gustafson ’04, Cecelia Thompson ’05 and Elon Associate Professor of Religious Studies Lynn R. Huber.
SAVE THE DATE
Homecoming 2014 » October 17–19 elon.edu/homecoming
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