During the 2018-19 fiscal year, donors made a direct impact on many parts of Elon’s campus. Many gifts supported the four key priorities of the Elon LEADS Campaign:

• Scholarships for graduates the world needs
• Access to engaged learning opportunities
• Support for faculty and staff mentors who matter
• Investing in Elon’s iconic learning environment

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Elon’s generous community of donors achieved the following highlights from June 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019:

Since the campaign began, more than 23,000 donors have raised $171 million toward the campaign’s $250 million goal. All gifts to the university count in the campaign, regardless of size or designation.

Alumni giving grew to a record 26 percent, with nearly 8,000 alumni donors making a gift to their alma mater. The alumni giving rate has increased by 10 points in the last decade. It is based on how many鈥媋lumni make gifts of any size for the year, and it’s a key factor in Elon’s national rankings.

Faculty and staff giving climbed two percentage points to reach 80 percent, exceeding all previous records. Elon’s faculty and staff giving rate is among the highest in the nation.

More than 780 members of the Class of 2019 took part in the Elon tradition of making their senior class gift, breaking the record for the number of senior donors who made their gift. The Class of 2019 ended the year with 56 percent participation – giving about $24,000 back to Elon.

Total support for Elon’s endowment, capital projects and annual funds鈥媟eached close to $24 million.

鈥婽hank you to Elon alumni, parents, friends and students who gave back to the university during the 18-19 fiscal year. Your generosity makes a difference.

Seniors were invited to various events throughout the year including a kick-off event in the fall, senior photos in Fonville Fountain and the first ever “Senior Fest” – a week of celebrating the members 鈥媜f the Class of 2019. Many of these events were hosted by the Senior Class Giving Committee.

The academic year ended with the $20K – Give it Away! Challenge announced to the class on May 21. The challenge, made possible by parents Jen and Trustee Dave Porter P’19, encouraged seniors to make a gift before Commencement on May 24.

Lara Yeast ‘19 was selected and decided to evenly split the $20K between the Center for Organizational Analytics and the Department of Sport Management.

“I chose to make my senior class gift mainly because of how thankful I am to the school and community,” Lara stated. “I want to be able to give back to the place that shaped my life and career. Elon gave me鈥媠o much more than I will ever be able to repay. Whether that was learning experiences, lifelong mentors and friends, my Elon experience is something I am extremely thankful for.”

All Class of 2019 donors are now members of The 1889 Society – Elon’s loyal donor society and they can renew membership each year by making an annual gift to Elon.

For a full list of senior donors, please visit the Senior Class Giving website: /u/advancement/senior-class-giving/honor-roll/

While a gift of $20.18 in honor of their class year was encouraged, gifts of any size to any area of campus were accepted. 

The class of 2018 ended their year with 56 percent participation, a 23 percent increase from just five years ago. Additionally, the more than $14,000 raised will support various areas across campus, allowing for the continued success and development of future Elon students. 

The senior class giving committee, led by co-chairs Helen Leahy ’18 and Evan Seder ’18 hosted many events throughout the year, from a senior year kickoff celebration in August, to a donors-only reception with President Connie Ledoux Book during Senior Week. 

Students serving on the committee worked to educate peers on the importance of private donations to the university, stressing that a senior class gift is the foundation of successful university philanthropy. Because of this, all senior donors immediately became members of The 1889 Society, Elon’s loyal giving society. 

To see a complete list of senior donors, and to learn more about senior class giving, please visit . 

The celebration had been planned for Tuesday night, but was postponed due to the threat of inclement weather. 

Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, the festival will feature 2,100 luminarias lining the walkways around the heart of Elon’s campus to honor contributions from alumni and Class of 2018 donors. Throughout the day on Thursday, volunteers from the Truitt Center and the SGA will be setting out the luminarias. 

The Festival of Holiday Lights, which has been held for nearly 30 years, will include the chance to enjoy hot chocolate, cider and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus as holiday songs fill the air. A formal lighting of holiday decorations around Elon’s campus will take place.

The night will feature musical performances by Smooth Progressions, Twisted Measure, the Elon Gospel Choir and the Elon Trumpet Trio.

For the past four years, the generosity of those who support Elon’s mission has been highlighted. The luminarias represent individuals who are lighting the way for the campus community through their gifts and donations.

The event will be live-streamed on . 

One such tradition is the annual Festival of Holiday Lights, which on Dec. 5 will help usher in what many consider听the 鈥渕ost wonderful time of the year.鈥� In addition to nostalgic music, hot chocolate and tasty treats, more than听3,000 alumni and senior class donors will be honored with their name displayed on a luminaria during the celebration.

For the past four years, the generosity of those who support Elon鈥檚 mission has been highlighted at this beloved festival. The luminarias symbolically represent individuals who are lighting the way for our community through their gifts and donations.

All alumni and senior class donors (since June 1) will have the opportunity to be represented at the Festival of Holiday Lights. Our most loyal donors, members of the 1889 Society, will have distinct recognition with the society鈥檚 symbol proudly displayed by their name.

The final day to make a gift to Elon and be recognized at this annual tradition is Nov. 28, which also marks Giving Tuesday, a global day of philanthropy. On that day, everyone is invited to share their support for the university by posting a picture with Elon鈥檚 Giving Tuesday banner on social media with a meaningful caption that includes #ElonLuminary and #GivingTuesday.

about how you can be part of this annual tradition and get involved on #GivingTuesday.听

Visit to make a donation to any designation or fund at Elon. To make a gift over the phone, call 336-278-7444.听

The Class of 2017 demonstrated a strong commitment to Elon with 56 percent of all graduates making a gift to the university. The tradition of seniors giving back to Elon has grown over the past 10听years and doubled since 2011. This year鈥檚 senior class giving campaign raised more than $36,000.

At many events throughout the year, seniors were asked to give at least $20.17 or the amount of their choice to the area of Elon that meant the most to their student experience. More than 750 members of the senior class made a gift to Elon over the course of the academic year, including 207 seniors that made gifts on #ElonDay, held on March 7.

On the morning of the Commencement exercises on May 20, senior class president Kelsea Johnson 鈥�17 presented a check for the total amount of $36,060 to 福利亚洲国产精品 President听Leo M. Lambert. In addition听many families honored their graduates this year with generous contributions totaling more than $4.7 million.

Ben Charette 鈥�17 chaired the senior class giving committee, which included a diverse group of 25 student leaders. Other executive board members included Madeliene Ker 鈥�17, Kendra Sterneck 鈥�17 and Hailey Winter 鈥�17. Student leaders serving on the senior class giving committee helped educate peers on the importance of annual support and gained direct fundraising experience. The goal of the campaign is for seniors to make a gift during their senior year, beginning a tradition of annual support. All senior donors immediately become members of The 1889 Society, Elon鈥檚 loyal giving society.

To see a complete list of senior donors and learn more about senior class giving, visit听.

福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 senior class giving campaign success continues to grow. The Class of 2016 set a new record this year with 59 percent of all graduates making a gift to the university.听

The tradition of seniors giving back to Elon has increased over the past few years, and more than doubled since 2011. This year鈥檚 campaign raised more than $20,000 from seniors since launching the fundraising efforts at the Senior Picnic in August.

All seniors were encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to Elon by giving $20.16 or the amount of their choice. More than 700 members of the senior class made a donation to Elon over the course of the academic year, and a record 232 seniors made gifts in honor of #ElonDay on March 8. The committee collected more than 380 donations of $20.16. Many families honored their graduates with generous contributions totaling more than听$341,148.

Class president Sean Barry 鈥�16 presented a check prior to the Commencement exercises Saturday for the total amount of $20,990 to 福利亚洲国产精品 President Leo M. Lambert.听

The senior class giving campaign efforts are led by a diverse group of more than听30 student leaders. Committee members host events and programs throughout the year to educate seniors on the crucial importance of alumni giving for the university. The goal of these efforts is to start a tradition of giving back during senior year. Mac McCann 鈥�16 chaired the senior class giving committee with executive board members including Marshall Moore 鈥�16, Morgan O鈥橞rien 鈥�16, Marisa Pareti 鈥�16, Danielle Parris 鈥�16, Ryan Rabbitt 鈥�16, Ruthie Robinson 鈥�16 and Courtney Sola 鈥�16.

To see a complete list of senior donors and learn more about senior class giving, visit听.

#ElonDay, a 24-hour celebration of pride in the university, is set for Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Now in its third year, the event encourages engagement and philanthropy of all members in the Elon community around the globe.

The mobile-friendly  will be updated throughout the day to include a total of Elon Day gifts in real-time, a live list of donors and interactive leaderboards displaying the academic schools, campus funds and athletic programs receiving support. Gifts of all sizes and designations will count toward the total given during the campaign.

On-campus events include a special College Coffee at 9:40 a.m. on Scott Plaza in front of Alamance Building, which will be livestreamed at 9:50 a.m. Student Activities and the Department of Athletics are hosting a student tailgate on Bank of America Drive from 3-5 p.m., the senior class giving committee will host “A Toast for Elon” at 9 p.m. in McKinnon Hall, and all students are invited to attend an #ElonDay celebration in the Moseley Center at 10 p.m. with activities ranging from photo booths and a Skee-Ball competition. Alumni chapters and clubs will also be holding #ElonDay events in more than 30 locations across the country and in London.

In addition, all members of the university community can use the #ElonDay tag on social media to share and follow the celebration.

“There is so much energy around Elon Day. It resonates because it’s an opportunity for the entire Elon family to come together and celebrate all the things that make this place so special,” said John H. Barnhill ’92, assistant vice president for University Advancement. “It is truly an honor to be a part of the process and watch our community come together to raise Elon ever higher.”

Elon Day began in 2014 as part of the university’s 125th anniversary celebration. Last year, donors made 2,703 gifts totaling more than $702,000 in honor of #ElonDay, and several alumni and parent donors provided generous matching and challenge gifts to encourage additional support for the university.

#ElonDay also garnered over 4,000 mentions on social media, becoming a top six trending topic nationwide on Twitter.

Learn more about additional on-campus events and regional alumni chapter and club #ElonDay parties on the , and follow the #ElonDay tag on social media for exciting news and updates.

Please send an email to elonday@elon.edu or contact 1 (877) 784-ELON (3566) with questions. 

– Story written by Megan McClure and Kara Nunnally, University Advancement

A seasonal tradition returned to campus Thursday night as the 福利亚洲国产精品 community celebrated the end of the fall semester and the arrival of holidays that symbolize warmth, light and love.

Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, the Festival of Holiday Lights featured 1,500 luminarias casting a soft glow as the campus community enjoyed hot chocolate and cider, traditional Christmas carols, and students from Hillel who lit candles on a Menorah as a symbol of the Jewish holiday that begins later in the month.

Music by the Elon Saxophone Quartet, the Gospel Choir, the Sweet Signatures a capella group, the Elon Brass Quintet, and the Smooth Progressions a capella group filled the evening as well.

Natually, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus made an appearance at the end of the festival, where they were swarmed by the young and the young-at-heart alike.

福利亚洲国产精品 Chaplain Jan Fuller said that gatherings such as the Festival of Holiday Lights don’t ignore the painful realities of world events in recent months, from war abroad to gun violence at home, from racial injustice to political divisions. Instead, the festival on Thursday and others like it throughout the school year “remind us of the origins of our hope.”

“All over the world, people are celebrating holidays and Holy Days that offer the gift of light to the world, along with all that light means—warmth, joy, deliverance, hope, and salvation,” Fuller told the crowd. “Jewish Hanukkah marks the miracle of something small being enough. Bodhi Day commemorates the Buddha’s enlightenment. Christian celebrations of Christmas give thanks for the birth of the Savior Jesus, a surprising deliverer, a light of hope in darkness. And there are many other holidays in December that bring us light.”

The Festival of Holiday Lights gives strength to act in ways that are in keeping with core values, Fuller said before the program. Everyone needs to play, to sing, and to seek joy in the midst of sorrow so he or she can better work to create a more just and peaceful world.

In addition, the event allowed to the university to honor the generosity of 2,814 alumni and senior donors who have made gifts to Elon since June by placing their names on the luminaries that lit the pathways between Moseley and Alamance buildings. Of that number, 242 were from the Class of 2016.

“The Festival of Holiday Lights is an opportunity for Elon to recognize the thousands of alumni donors throughout the world that believe in their alma mater,” said Jordan Bacharach ’09, the university’s coordinator of alumni giving. “We would like to extend a special thank you to all of our alumni and Class of 2016 luminaries that continue to light the way and make an impact on the Elon experience for current and future students.”

Elon relies on the generosity of donors to make the many benefits of an Elon education available to students. Alumni support provides innumerable opportunities for students to become fully immersed in the Elon experience and allows the university to grow stronger every year.