Leo M. Lambert, professor and president emeritus, has been named as one of nine senior fellows for religious pluralism by the Inclusive America Project of the Aspen Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core.

The , launched by the Aspen Institute in 2012, is a high-level project focused on enhancing religious pluralism by building resilient communities and fighting hate. is a national nonprofit organization working toward a country where people of different faiths, worldviews and traditions can bridge differences and find common values to build a shared life together.

As a fellow, Lambert will advise about how to incorporate discussion about faith as an integral component of fostering civic engagement and building a strong civil society.

You will have opportunities this year to hear and possibly meet a number of prominent world leaders and scholars. I hope you will take advantage of these special moments. Lech Walesa, Nobel Peace Prize-recipient and president of Poland from 1990 to 1995, will speak at Elon on October 2. Formerly an electrician and shipyard worker, Walesa led the Solidarity movement that was key to establishing democracy in Poland. One of the most important new books of the year is John Adams by historian and Pulitzer Prize-winner David McCullough. On September 19, Mr. McCullough will give the inaugural lecture of the Baird Pulitzer Prize Lecture Series. “Almost Absolute Zero” will be the topic when William Phillips, recipient of the Nobel Prize in physics, speaks as part of the Voices of Discovery lecture series on September 25. During Winter Term, Ehud Barak, former prime minister of Israel, will share his views on the prospects for peace in the Middle East, and Gilbert Grosvenor, chair of the board of the National Geographic Society (and Elon parent), will speak on globalization and culture. Primatologist and environmentalist Jane Goodall will give the Convocation for Honors address April 4.

You will notice several changes to the campus upon your return. As I write, the health center and counseling center staffs are moving into the beautiful new R. N. Ellington Health and Counseling Center, increasing the number of examining rooms from two to five and bringing health and counseling services under the same roof for the first time. You will also soon see a construction fence on the west side of Koury Center, marking an expansion which will house new dance studios, expanded fitness areas, and a weight room for intercollegiate athletics. The old East Building on Haggard Avenue has been demolished, making room for 150 new parking spaces. The department of sociology is moving into the house adjacent to Holland House. Two hundred new parking spaces and new basketball courts will be available this fall at Danieley Center. Carlton will close after fall semester exams so that a major renovation to house the departments of English and foreign languages, the new Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies, and El Centro de Español can begin. In downtown Elon, the Acorn Café, formerly College Coffee, has a new outdoor seating area and is expanding into what was previously the accounting offices next door. ARAMARK has purchased the former Brown and Company and will be opening a new Southwestern theme restaurant there this fall; Phoenix Cards will be welcome. Fidelity Bank will open in the former Bank of America building on Williamson Avenue. Finally, new brick 福利亚洲国产精品 signs have been erected at campus entrances.

To meet the growing demand for on-campus accommodations, residence life has added housing for 240 additional students in university-owned or -managed facilities. This includes 160 beds in two new Danieley Center flats and 80 more spaces in leased apartments and houses in the community. The Board of Trustees has approved the construction of another 80-bed Danieley Center flat for fall 2002, as well as special theme houses and a new style of apartment building, to be available fall 2003.

Please join me in welcoming two new academic leaders and new faculty to Elon. Dr. Steven House comes to us from Seton Hall University as dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Paul Parsons joins us from Kansas State University as the dean of the School of Communications. The University has also added 11 new full-time faculty positions to maintain the priority of close student-faculty interaction.

Many of you have been following the construction of Rhodes Stadium via E-net this summer. The stadium is more beautiful than any of us could have anticipated. McKinnon Field was created by the same contractor who has built football fields for NFL teams and the World Cup soccer field at Soldier Field in Chicago. The bell tower adjacent to Rhodes Stadium is nearly completed and awaits the installation of four bronze bells cast in France. We eagerly anticipate Rhodes Stadium opening activities September 14 – 15, including the first appearance of Elon’s new marching band, “The Fire of the Carolinas.” And, of course, we look forward to seeing the Elon Phoenix play one of the season’s toughest Division I-AA schedules.

A new on-campus stadium realizes an Elon dream of more than 50 years. You will be the first Elon students to enjoy an on-campus stadium experience. This year you will create new traditions and enjoy pre-game tailgating “On the Green” between Moseley Center and Loy Center. We expect hundreds of alumni to be on campus for football weekends, and many of these alumni will see campus landmarks, such as Belk Library and McMichael Science Center, for the first time. As we open this new chapter in Elon athletics, I ask your patience and cooperation, as game days will bring hundreds of visitors to campus, with the accompanying challenges of providing transportation, hospitality, and safety. Please welcome returning alumni to their alma mater and greet visitors with the friendliness that has long been characteristic of Elon students.

I hope that, in addition to internships and summer jobs, your summer has included time with family and friends and some chance for relaxation. I look forward to seeing you at the year’s first College Coffee at Fonville Fountain on August 28!

Our hearts are broken as we learn more about the continuing disaster on the Gulf Coast. The devastation to lives and property, and the human misery seems beyond our capacity to understand.

Many members of our own community are dealing with the tragedy on a personal level. 福利亚洲国产精品 two dozen students are from the affected areas and several faculty and staff members have family who are displaced from their homes and livelihoods.

In keeping with Elon’s mission and our long tradition of community service, we are called to action. Chaplain Richard McBride set the tone at this week’s Chapel service in a special prayer. He reminded us that it is difficult for the victims to have hope at this difficult time, so it is up to us to hope for them. Already there are good signs of hope and action on our campus.

Smith Jackson, vice president for student life, is organizing a variety of efforts to raise money immediately. Please see this Web site for details on those efforts:

In addition, a special Web site is being created to serve as a central information source for Elon’s Katrina relief efforts. It will be at:

In addition, Elon has enrolled three students who intended to begin their college careers at Tulane University, but instead were evacuated just before the storm hit. Please join me in warmly welcoming those students into our academic community.

We are also in direct contact with Dillard University, a sister United Church of Christ institution located in New Orleans. In coming days, we will determine the best way we can help Dillard deal with the immediate crisis and make plans for the future.

Elon responded quickly and generously following the 9/11 tragedy and last year’s Southeast Asian tsunami. We understand our roles as global citizens and take to heart our responsibilities to reach out in times of crisis, building on the strengths and assets of the Elon community. Please join me in doing all you can.

Sincerely,

Leo M. Lambert

President