福利亚洲国产精品 will host 鈥淯nited in Purpose鈥� on Thursday, Nov. 5, bringing together alumni, parents and friends of 福利亚洲国产精品 and Queens University of Charlotte for an evening of connection and community.

The event will be held at Urban Garden in Charlotte and begin at 6:30 p.m. with a hosted reception featuring hors d鈥檕euvres. Guests will gather at 7:30 p.m. for a special program featuring remarks from 福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie Ledoux Book. A dessert reception will follow the program and conclude the evening. Business attire is requested.

United in Purpose
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
6:30 p.m. 鈥� Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30 p.m. 鈥� Program
Dessert reception to follow until 9 p.m.

Urban Garden
150 N. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Register at or contact advancement@elon.edu.

The $500,000 contribution from Trustee Vicky Hunt and Sam Hunt will fund strategic priorities in athletics, continuing a tradition of generous philanthropy at Elon that spans more than three decades.

The Burlington, North Carolina, couple said they are proud to invest in and the success of student-athletes, both in the classroom and in competition. Their recent gift is an effort to continue advancing Phoenix athletics under the leadership of Director of Athletics Jenn Stawley.

鈥淲e believe in the value of Elon athletics and its positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes,鈥� the Hunts said.聽鈥淯nder Jenn鈥檚 leadership,聽the vision and plan established for athletics has elevated our program. Our plans are to continue supporting President Connie Book, Jenn Strawley and Elon in every way we can!鈥�

Strawley thanked the Hunts for believing in the vision for Elon athletics.

鈥淚 am deeply grateful to Sam and Vicky for their long-time support of Elon athletics,鈥� Strawley said. 鈥淭heir generosity has allowed countless student-athletes to thrive both athletically and academically. I also appreciate the trust and belief they鈥檝e shown in our vision. Their generous support of the Athletic Director鈥檚 Excellence Fund advances our priorities and continues to elevate Elon athletics.鈥�

The impact of Vicky and Sam Hunt鈥檚 philanthropy can be seen across Elon鈥檚 campus and in the accomplishments of outstanding students.

The couple are among the university鈥檚 most generous and loyal donors, making gifts to name Hunt Atrium, a dynamic and spacious entry point to Founders Hall in the Innovation Quad, featuring open collaboration spaces and assembly areas, tiered bench seating and space for group events, guest speakers and receptions. Their gift to the IQ also endowed the Sam and Vicky Hunt Business Fellows Scholarship for top students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The Hunts also contributed $1 million to name Phoenix Atrium in Slattery Center, Elon鈥檚 future health and wellness hub, and to provide additional funding for the Sam and Vicky Hunt Odyssey Scholarship, which the couple endowed in 2017 to assist students with significant financial need, including first-generation college students.

In addition to scholarships, the Hunts have contributed generously to the Phoenix Club and Elon Academy, the university鈥檚 successful college access and success program, and advanced Elon鈥檚 iconic campus with gifts to Hunt Softball Park, Schar Center and . The couple have also made a $3 million estate gift that in the future will create an endowment to fund scholarships.

Sam Hunt is the retired chairman and CEO of Atlas Lighting Products and Hunt Electric Supply Company in Burlington. He served four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives before being named Transportation Secretary in 1993. He went on to serve as President and Chairman of the N.C. Railroad from 1996-2002. In addition to her role in their businesses, Vicky Hunt has served on Elon鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 1997 and is actively involved with charitable work in her community.

Formerly known as Summer in the Village, Summer Launch prepares students for their incoming grade-level curriculum while creating opportunities to build relationships and confidence before returning to the classroom.

Two Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) teachers led each classroom, all of whom had previously worked with the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project, and volunteers supported them. This additional support allowed students to work in smaller groups and receive individualized attention throughout the program.

For one volunteer, Summer Launch offered the chance to return to a program that had been part of his own childhood. Diego Aguilar Hernandez grew up attending Big Village tutoring sessions. Now a rising senior in high school, he has returned to his roots, working alongside his former fourth-grade teacher, Ashley Cook, this summer.

鈥淪ummer Launch gave me the opportunity to build relationships with the students while helping them grow academically,鈥� said Hernandez. 鈥淚t was really rewarding seeing their progress and confidence grow throughout the two weeks, and I鈥檓 grateful I got to be part of their experience.鈥�

Cook has long supported the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project in the mission to uplift students, and is a testament to how ABSS teachers are key to the program’s success. Her commitment to the classroom proves why students such as Hernandez have become eager to give back.

“Being a part of the Village Project is an experience I hold near and dear to my heart. I鈥檝e loved being the Andrews Elementary liaison, but teaching this diverse group of ABSS students was such a special treat,” said Cook. “The genuine love and appreciation shown by the students and their families was palpable 鈥� as teachers, we know when that is real! It鈥檚 a beautiful testament to the incredible, often unseen hard work that Laura and Keely put into fundraising and building partnerships so that our Title I students can have these amazing opportunities.鈥�

Another source of dedication within the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project is Annabelle Jones, who co-leads instruction for the Village鈥檚 STEM program, IGNITE, formerly known as Engineering in the Village.

鈥淎fter having the opportunity to help lead with Engineering in the Village, when I saw the opportunity to be a part of the Elon Village Summer Launch, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Jones. “Being connected with opportunities from Elon is so special to me. I received my K-12 AIG Certification through Elon and continued on with the Master’s Program. As a 2019 graduate from 福利亚洲国产精品, with a Master’s in Education – Gifted Education, helping out with the Village feels like coming home. The joy it brings to support the whole child is incredible. Fostering the love of learning, building relationships and community is something that the Village provides a space and place for.鈥�

Although Summer Launch differed from Jones鈥� usual STEM-focused curriculum, she embraced the opportunity to create a memorable experience for her students. Her classroom became 鈥淐amp Care-A-Lot,鈥� complete with outdoor-themed activities, a campfire centerpiece and a campfire song for students each day.

鈥淎t the end of the summer camp, students shared how they weren’t ready for it to end and how they would miss me. The feeling is mutual for sure! Another student shared how when she grows up and has kids of her own, she wants to send them to the Village Summer Camp because she wants them to have the same experience. That really helps to explain how special and the uniqueness of the program,” Jones said. “Being a part of the Village is such a positive experience. I am full of passion for the program and I am honored to give back to the community in such a meaningful way. Thank you Elon!鈥�

While teachers brought their creativity and expertise into the classroom, Newlin Elementary staff helped make Summer Launch possible by supporting the day-to-day operations of the program. During the school year, Natasha King serves as Newlin Elementary School鈥檚 teacher liaison, a leadership role that helps ensure the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project鈥檚 programming runs smoothly. During Summer Launch, King remained at the forefront of check-in, welcoming students with a smiling face at the beginning and end of each day.

鈥淲orking in the Village program throughout the years and most recently this summer has provided me with the opportunity to experience how the program keeps evolving from its humble beginnings, as it continues to meet the needs of the dynamic community that we serve,鈥� said King.

Alongside King, Principal Intern at Newlin Elementary Brittany Daye served as a site coordinator for Summer Launch. From preparing supplies in advance to coordinating logistics, Daye played an integral role in bringing the program together and helping create a welcoming environment for students and families.

鈥淚 genuinely enjoyed every moment of this journey. 鈥�’It Takes a Village’ is truly a magical program that not only enriches students academically but also builds relationships, inspires educators, and creates lasting memories,鈥� said Daye. 鈥淚t is an incredible asset to the Alamance County community, and I am honored to have been part of something that reminds us all that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, amazing things happen.”

Throughout its two-week duration, the program focused on helping students transition back to school in a fun and interactive way. The 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project supported teachers in bringing their big ideas to life by providing supplies for hands-on activities, such as designing pinecone bird feeders or creating a rainbow from cereal. During the second week, students participated in a summer-themed spirit week, coming to camp dressed in sunglasses, beach hats and other tropical attire.

For educators like King, Summer Launch is a glimpse into an exciting year of continued 鈥淚t Takes a Village” Project programs for students.

鈥淚 love that even though ‘the Village,’ continues to grow and has added new programming, the premise of the program which is, ‘It Takes a Village,’ remains at the forefront of each and every program that is offered,鈥� said King. 鈥淭he Village continues to be intentional about including our families, educators, tutors, volunteers and students. We know that when children feel safe, supported and are nurtured by those around them, it makes it easier for them to learn new things, as they become more confident in themselves. I am so proud to be a part of such an awesome community!鈥�

This fall, the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project will continue working alongside ABSS staff, volunteers, families and students to build on that momentum and ensure every child has a successful and exciting school year.

Alumni,聽parents聽and friends of Elon are invited to come together for an Evening for Elon in聽Chicago. Connect with fellow members of the Elon community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on聽Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Join us at 6:30 p.m.聽for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at聽7:30聽p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.

Evening for Elon in聽Chicago聽with President Connie L. Book聽
Tuesday, Oct. 6,聽2026
6:30聽p.m. Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30聽p.m. Program with remarks by President Book

Chicago Cultural Center
77 East Randolph Street
颁丑颈肠补驳辞,听滨尝听60602

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at聽聽or contact聽advancement@elon.edu.

As Elon prepares for the new academic year ahead,聽we celebrate聽the accomplishments and the incredible support of donors聽during this past聽fiscal year.

Learn聽more聽below聽about the impact that donors聽made聽in 2025-26.

Giving: How donors invested in students

Elon provides聽an聽exceptional聽education, unique in the opportunities that are provided to students from the very beginning. Donor support helps bridge the gap between an ordinary education and unlocking the potential of all that Elon has to offer.聽From hands-on learning and mentorship,聽to聽Elon Experiences like study abroad and research, students聽can聽take advantage of what makes Elon special with the help of donor funding.

Donor generosity from the 2025-26 fiscal year will continue to聽impact聽students for years to come. Here are just a few of the ways in which donors invested in students this past year:

• $31.8 million raised for students
• 6,337 alumni donors
• 4,208 parent and grandparent donors
• 1,021 faculty and staff donors
• 364+ funds impacted
• 11 new planned gifts totaling $5+ Million
• 搁别肠辞谤诲-产谤别补办颈苍驳听Elon Day 2026聽raising $3.5 million
• Top funds supported: Elon鈥檚 Greatest Needs, Elon Student Scholarships, Academic Schools & Departments, The Phoenix Club and聽HealthEU

Student success: What donor gifts made possible

Thanks to donor support,聽Elon鈥檚 Odyssey聽Program聽reached a new milestone, welcoming the largest cohort in Elon history.聽You can learn more about this accomplishment on Today at Elon.

Donor generosity also led to a successful year for聽student-athletes. This year marked a 48% increase聽for聽annual giving to support Phoenix Athletics compared to just聽five聽years ago. Twenty student-athletes presented their research at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and 93 student-athletes graduated in May 2026.聽All of this聽in聽addition聽to winning multiple CAA championship titles!聽

More than 1,500 students walked across the stage to accept their diplomas during聽Commencement 2026. Thanks to donor support, students were able to see their dreams聽realized.聽Visit Today at Elon to read the stories of graduating seniors to see how donors helped them along the way.

Community:聽How we strengthened聽Elon together

Elon’s network continues to thrive because of the engagement of alumni,聽families, faculty,聽staff聽and friends.聽Their聽involvement is what makes the university so special, strengthening our community and creating opportunities for future generations.

These accomplishments illustrate聽the聽tremendous impact of involvement with Elon:

Alumni

• 10,550 engaged alumni
• 186听alumni events聽with聽3,547 attendees
• 2,427 alumni returned for聽Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
• 2,523 alumni served as volunteers
• 296 shared their love for Elon as聽Social Media Ambassadors
• 33听Women of Elon聽events聽with聽368 attendees
• 811 participants in聽Lifelong聽Learning and聽Professional聽Development
• 1,523 alumni participated聽in聽
• 67 reunion committee members

Families

• 6,881听聽attendees representing聽1,939 families
• 32 Summer Welcome Events with聽756 attendees聽in聽23聽States
• 364 鈥淩eady, Set, Elon!鈥� virtual attendees
• 116听FAMbassadors
• 7 parent聽Webinars听飞颈迟丑听967听础迟迟别苍诲别别蝉

Faculty & Staff

• 42 Giving聽Captains
• 4 Co-Chairs for聽Faculty & Staff Giving
• 105 Elon Day Champions

Together, these聽accomplishments聽tell聽the story of an extraordinary Elon community and its enduring commitment to giving back. Thank you to our 2025鈥�26 fiscal year donors for investing in our students and their future.

Alumni,聽parents聽and friends of Elon are invited to come together for an Evening for Elon in Washington, DC. Connect with fellow members of the Elon community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the National Portrait Gallery. Join us at 7 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 8 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.聽Following the remarks,聽current alumni donors are聽invited to the Cheers to Elon celebration, featuring聽additional聽food and drinks, lively聽music聽and the opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Elon community.聽聽to the designation of your choice to join the fun.

Evening for Elon in Washington, DC聽with President Connie L. Book聽
Wednesday,聽September聽2, 2026
7聽p.m. Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
8聽p.m. Program with remarks by President Book
8:30聽-10 p.m. Cheers聽to Elon celebration for alumni donors

National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at聽聽or contact聽advancement@elon.edu.

A total of 347 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends made gifts to Elon Law during the 2025-26 academic year, a 23% increase over the previous year and the highest donor total in school history.

The law school also recorded a school-record Elon Society-level donors 鈥� pledging $1,500 or more annually 鈥� reflecting growing investment in Elon Law’s students, programs and future.

Highlights from the year include:

• The highest annual fundraising total in seven years and a 20% increase year over year.
• 11% alumni participation, a school record.
• 24% growth in Elon Day fundraising.
• 67% growth in the 3L class gift campaign.
• A new endowed scholarship established to support student bar examination preparation.

“This kind of support doesn’t happen by accident,” Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer said. “There’s excitement about where Elon Law is going. We’ve seen record bar exam results, record applications and approval to expand our full-time program to Charlotte. Big things are happening at Elon Law, and our alumni and friends are making them possible.”

The results continue a multi-year trend of increasing engagement among Elon Law alumni and supporters, who contribute to scholarships, student programming, professional development opportunities and other initiatives that strengthen the law school’s mission.

Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Scott Leighty said the record-setting year reflects the growing community of alumni and friends who believe in Elon Law’s students and mission.

“We like to say that big things are happening at Elon Law. Indeed, they are,鈥� Leighty said. 鈥淧hilanthropy reflects our community鈥檚 shared belief in our students.鈥�

Among the year’s accomplishments was the establishment of a new endowed scholarship dedicated to helping students prepare for the bar examination, expanding support for graduates as they take the final step toward entering the legal profession. That growing support paid dividends this year, as the Class of 2025 set school records for state and national bar passage.

The latest fundraising and engagement results build on continued momentum across Elon Law as the law school expands its impact in Greensboro, Charlotte and throughout North Carolina.

Losing a parent changes everything. How you see the world. How you build relationships. How you understand risk, love and time.

Aidan Steinbach 鈥�23 knows this all too well. He was just seven years old when his mother died. A respected scholar and professor of public health, Michelle Mayer dedicated her life to bringing quality healthcare to communities in need before her life was cut short by a rare autoimmune disease that she battled for more than 12 years. She was 39 years old.

To honor her memory, Steinbach made a $2 million estate gift to create the Michelle Mayer Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will assist students who have experienced the death of a parent or guardian, with first preference given to entrepreneurship majors in Elon鈥檚 Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, where Steinbach earned his degree in management in 2023.

Endowing the scholarship is Steinbach鈥檚 way of paying tribute to his mother鈥攚ho helped fund his Elon education鈥攁nd helping future generations of students grappling with the same kind of loss he experienced.

鈥淢y Mom was Wonder Woman,鈥� Steinbach said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 who your mom is when you鈥檙e seven years old. She鈥檚 the person who protects you, clothes and feeds you, and teaches you right from wrong. I聽miss her every day.鈥�

Mayer was also someone who valued education and ensured Steinbach and his older sister Amelia had the chance to go to college.

鈥淢y Mom wasn鈥檛 wealthy. She didn鈥檛 leave behind real estate or investments or anything you鈥檇 call an estate,鈥� Steinbach said. 鈥淲hat she left was a life insurance policy that helped pay for my Elon education. I got to go to school debt-free because my mother died. I鈥檝e sat with that fact for most of my life. It鈥檚 not something you ever fully resolve. You just learn to carry it.鈥�

Michelle Lynn Mayer died October 11, 2008, at the Duke Hospice Inpatient Care Facility in Durham, North Carolina, after battling scleroderma, part of a group of chronic autoimmune disorders marked by hardening and tightening of the skin. Scleroderma can also damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, digestive track, muscles and joints, and other internal organs.

It was a struggle Mayer chronicled in her blog, 鈥淒iary of a Dying Mom,鈥� where she wrote essays on parenting, living and dying to help families facing the challenges of terminal illnesses.

鈥淚 deal with the topic of death head-on in an unflinching way,鈥� Mayer wrote in one entry. 鈥淚 believe that, as a culture, we shy away from anything surrounding death and, consequently, deprive ourselves of all the lessons inherent in the dying and grieving process. We ignore the reality that death is as much a part of life as birth.鈥�

A Philadelphia native, Mayer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania (1990) with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing and a minor in economics from the Wharton School of Business, before earning her master鈥檚 degree in public health education (1992) and a doctorate in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997). During her doctoral program, Mayer also served as a health economics consultant for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1997, Mayer married Dr. William J. Steinbach after the two met as graduate students at UNC.

The couple (and later their young children) briefly lived in California during Dr. Steinbach鈥檚 medical residency. During this time, Mayer worked as a clinical research associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University and as research director of the Children鈥檚 Health Initiative at the Lucile S. Packard Children鈥檚 Hospital in Palo Alto, California. The family then moved back to the Triangle in 2001, and Mayer served as a research fellow at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and a research assistant professor in the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, until stepping down in 2007 due to her illness.

In the family鈥檚 Durham neighborhood, Mayer started a group for families with young children, which was a vital source of support for her family during her illness. Mayer also regularly volunteered at her children鈥檚 school, even after the disease had curtailed many of her daily activities. Throughout her ordeal, Mayer remained passionate about improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities, supporting women and families, and promoting awareness of scleroderma.

Steinbach is grateful to his mother for giving him the gift of education. He is equally grateful to Elon for providing him with an outstanding experience, including participation in the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program and Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which prepared him for success. Steinbach, who lives in San Francisco, is a banker at Erebor and also runs his own consulting firm, working with companies backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and others.

Steinbach hopes the scholarship will encourage students to follow their dreams, knowing someone is willing to invest in their success.

鈥淢y mother inspired me to be a better person. I hope this scholarship inspires others to be better as well, and, in turn, to own that obligation as they go out into the world,鈥� he said. 鈥淓lon gave me a chance during a stretch of my life when the odds weren鈥檛 obviously in my favor. The scholarship is my attempt to extend that same chance to someone else who didn鈥檛 ask for what happened to them, but is still here trying to figure out what comes next.鈥�

鈥淎idan鈥檚 desire to honor his mother鈥檚 legacy while creating opportunity for others is a wonderful example of the power of philanthropy to change lives,鈥� said Leanna Giles 鈥�02, associate director of planned giving. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 just want to honor her memory鈥攈e wanted to transform something painful into possibility for someone else. For that, the Elon community is grateful.鈥�

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at Elon through your estate, contact Leanna Giles 鈥�02, associate director of planned giving, at (336) 278-5798 or lgiles@elon.edu.

The program鈥檚 inaugural performance will feature the North Carolina Symphony on September 30, 2026, in Alumni Gym. Details about this concert, including tickets, will be shared with the Elon community this summer.

鈥淭his gift is to express gratitude to the Elon community for 25 wonderful years together and to provide enhanced opportunities for all of us to experience great music at Elon,鈥� said Fred Young, who served as the university鈥檚 seventh president from 1973-1998, leading historic growth and progress at the institution.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book thanked the Youngs for their generosity and dedicated service to the university.

鈥淔red and Phyllis Young鈥檚 contributions to 福利亚洲国产精品 over many decades are vast and many鈥攆rom doubling our enrollment and expanding our campus to enriching academic programs and supporting generations of students,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭heir dedication has helped shape the Elon we know today. With this remarkable gift, they now add the joy of classical music to that legacy, ensuring our community will experience exceptional performances for years to come.鈥�

In addition to full orchestra concerts, it is envisioned that the Youngs鈥� endowment will fund other signature performances on campus, including seasonal concerts and a chamber music concert, as well as engagement opportunities with music students, including career development seminars and master classes. Performances by the 福利亚洲国产精品 Orchestra and Elon Wind Ensemble may also be included.

As the endowment grows, additional opportunities for students may include new music-themed Winter Term courses and global engagement experiences, as well as opera performances on campus.

The Fred and Phyllis Young Classical Music Program Endowment will complement performances by Elon鈥檚 current ensembles, including:

• Bands (The Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band & Phoenix Pep Band)
• Choral Activities & Voice (University Chorale, Camerata, 茅lan & Opera Workshop.)
• 福利亚洲国产精品 Orchestra
• 福利亚洲国产精品 Wind Ensemble & Elon Concert Band
• Elon Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos
• Elon Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
• Commercial and Pop Music (Elon Electric Ensemble, Techtronica)

福利亚洲国产精品 President Emeritus James Fred Young

J. Fred Young was one of the longest-serving presidents in Elon history whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for Elon鈥檚 remarkable rise to national distinction. Young led an era of historic growth and transformation as Elon became one of the premier undergraduate institutions on the Eastern seaboard.

During Young鈥檚 25-year tenure, Elon鈥檚 enrollment more than doubled to 3,685 students and the campus grew from about 145 acres to more than 500 acres. New academic offerings were added, including master鈥檚 programs in business administration, education and physical therapy; a new general studies program (now Elon Core Curriculum); and new majors, including communications, computer systems, sports medicine and leisure/sport management. The Elon Experiences engaged learning programs also grew under Young鈥檚 leadership.

Facilities construction and renovation included additions to the Center for the Arts, Koury Center for athletics, Moseley Center for campus activities and the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. In addition, construction began on the Carol Grotnes Belk Library, while Young also began planning and fundraising for Rhodes Stadium. Young was named President Emeritus by the Elon Board of Trustees.

Fred and Phyllis Young are among Elon鈥檚 most dedicated donors, making gifts to Elon鈥檚 Greatest Needs, including scholarships, and the Phoenix Club. Young Commons, the expansive lawn in front of Moseley Center, was dedicated on October 10, 2000, in honor of the Youngs and their decades of leadership and service to the university. Fred and Phyllis are the grandparents of Elon sophomore Myla Young 鈥�28.

The Chandlers remain impressed by Elon鈥檚 commitment to sound strategic planning and doing what鈥檚 best for students. It鈥檚 what inspired the couple鈥檚 gift to Slattery Center, the university鈥檚 new hub for health and wellness that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to succeed on campus and throughout their lives.

Scheduled to open later this year, Slattery Center is located within Elon鈥檚 Innovation Quad, home to the university鈥檚 engineering and other STEM programs. The center is part of the university鈥檚 broader HealthEU initiative to serve students, faculty and staff.

鈥淚t adds value and is beneficial when you can provide a place where students can go to be in community, exercise, receive counseling and focus on their well-being,鈥� said Bob Chandler, former executive vice president of Chandler Concrete Co. 鈥淭his facility shows that the university is aware of the challenges students face and how to help them in all aspects of their health.鈥�

The HealthEU initiative focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story Slattery Center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly Elon strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030.

The couple鈥檚 gift will also endow the Chandler Family Global Experience Fund, strengthening Elon鈥檚 commitment to provide each of the university鈥檚 17 varsity teams with a global experience every four years.

鈥淕lobal experiences are a cornerstone of an Elon education, and thanks to Bob and Amy Chandler, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the world while sharing their sport across cultures,鈥� said Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics. 鈥淏ob and Amy are truly special people who value the holistic development of our student-athletes and their generosity will be felt for generations. I am deeply grateful for their many years of dedication to this university and for the profound difference they make in the lives of our student-athletes.鈥�

鈥淥ur family has been sports fans for as long as I can remember. We love the energy and excitement athletics brings to campus and the opportunities it provides to students,鈥� Bob Chandler said.

鈥淓lon is a national leader in global study, and we are thrilled to help provide this experience for student-athletes,” he added. “It鈥檚 essential that students have the opportunity to witness other cultures and encounter the differences and similarities of the people there. It provides tremendous growth for a person and a deeper understanding of the world.鈥�

The Chandler family is among Elon鈥檚 most generous and devoted donors, helping to shape one of the finest learning environments in the nation through their gifts to Belk Library, Rhodes Stadium, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center, Gerald L. Francis Center, Alumni Field House, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Schar Center, The Inn at Elon and Innovation Quad.

Bob Chandler鈥檚 parents, Tom and Lynn Chandler, also endowed the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Tom Chandler was the chairman and former CEO of Chandler Concrete, which he founded in 1973, and he served on Elon鈥檚 Board of Trustees for more than two decades before being elected Life Trustee in 2021. In 2023, Tom Chandler received the Elon Medallion, the university鈥檚 highest honor.

鈥淓lon鈥檚 trajectory shows remarkable advancement,鈥� Bob Chandler said. 鈥淓lon has a vision of what鈥檚 to come and how to keep the university moving forward. It is a vibrant and thriving university that is gratifying for the students, faculty and community.鈥�

The university鈥檚 influence extends far beyond the campus.

鈥淭he impact that Elon has on Alamance County and the region is significant, and we feel it鈥檚 important for our family to support the university,鈥� Bob said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a community that we are proud to be part of.鈥�