Family Weekend will kick off on Friday, Sept. 27. The Phoenix will take on the James Madison Dukes on Saturday, Sept. 28. Homecoming and Reunion Weekend is Nov. 1-3, as the maroon and gold faces the William & Mary Tribe on Saturday, Nov. 2. Schedules for both weekends, including football game times, will be announced this summer when online registration opens.

Visit elon.edu/familyweekend or elon.edu/homecomingĚýfor more information on these exciting weekends.

One such tradition is the annual Festival of Holiday Lights, which on Dec. 5 will help usher in what many considerĚýthe “most wonderful time of the year.” In addition to nostalgic music, hot chocolate and tasty treats, more thanĚý3,000 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’s 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’s 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’s 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.Ěý

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

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 10Ěýyears and doubled since 2011. This year’s 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 ’17 presented a check for the total amount of $36,060 to ľĂľĂČČ PresidentĚýLeo M. Lambert. In additionĚýmany families honored their graduates this year with generous contributions totaling more than $4.7 million.

Ben Charette ’17 chaired the senior class giving committee, which included a diverse group of 25 student leaders. Other executive board members included Madeliene Ker ’17, Kendra Sterneck ’17 and Hailey Winter ’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’s loyal giving society.

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

Festivities began the night of Friday, Oct. 21, at Elon’s inaugural block party, Rock the Block. Reunion attendees were invited to a special Reunion HQ tent just for class and affinity reunions, with giveaways, yearbooks and a customized photobooth available for enjoyment.

During halftime of the football game vs. Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 22, each class and affinity group presented checks for total funds raised to President Leo M. Lambert, and Vice President of University AdvancementĚýJim Piatt. In total, alumni celebrating reunions contributed more than $3.1 million to the university and more than 130 alumni volunteered to coordinate reunion fundraising efforts.

The Class of 1966 celebrated itsĚý50thĚýreunion with 44 percentĚýgiving participation and $243,889 raised for Elon. Class members were inducted as Golden Alumni at a special brunch on SaturdayĚýand also hosted a reception, dinner and other weekend events. President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 was an honored guest at the Golden Alumni Brunch and Class of 1966ĚýInduction Ceremony sharing words of wisdom with members of the class and other Golden Alumni.

Mary Benson Daniels ’66, committee co-chair for the 50th reunion, stated that every person she saw during their reunion events was pleased and enjoyed the weekend, especially enjoying how special Elon made them feel. Eileen Cobb ’66, committee co-chair for the 50th reunion added, “Our 50th reunion weekend was a time to celebrate the impact Elon had on our lives individually and the friends we made collectively who became family for the rest of our lives.” Eleven alumni volunteers helped Mary and Eileen plan a memorable 50th reunion weekend.

More than 200 alumni and friends gathered at the Tap House on Friday night for the third annual “Alumni Celebration at the Lighthouse.” The signature entertainment for the evening was a two-hour set by the bandĚýDakkota. Made up of Elon alumni from the 1990sĚýincluding Rudy Baker ’93, Joe Beckham ’94, Stan Powell ’94, Patrick Riddick ’96, Brian Spangler ’96 and Andy Timmons ’94, the band hadĚýnot played together in at least five years. They came together and rocked the house for alumni from the 1980s, ’90s and early 2000s.

Jim Bush ’91, leader of the 25th reunion committee, shared that staying involved with Elon and reconnecting with alumni from all over the country is important to him. He reflected on his experience by saying, “I think about the great times I had at Elon every day. Volunteering is a small way to give back to an institution that has given me immeasurable opportunities. I would not have been able to go to Elon without the financial help I received from the school. I am happy to be a volunteer fundraiser today so that other students have the same opportunities I had.ĚýElon is a family, and family members take care of each other.”

Elon is currently recruiting volunteers to help with Homecoming 2017. Visit the class reunions websiteĚýfor more information and contact classreunions@elon.edu if you would like to volunteer.

The band members coming back to Homecoming include: Rudy Baker ’93, Joe Beckham ’94, Stan Powell ’94, Patrick Riddick ’96, Brian Spangler ’96 and Andy Timmons ’94. In 2002, Dakkota officially ended their time touring because life, families and careers took them away from the music scene. Or as Brian Spangler shared, they finally “started to grow up.”

Lee Leckie ’98 could notĚýbe more excited about this fall’s Dakkota reunion. The band members areĚýgood friends of his, and he says it was a big part of his Elon experience. According to Lee, “anyone that was there in the late ’90s, Dakkota at the Lighthouse would have been a big part of our experience.

They first played at the Kappa Alpha house because the owner of the Lighthouse said a country band would never be successful.” But when they finally did start playing at the Lighthouse it was “wall-to-wall people every time they played, good music and good fun.” Lee said, “they played a lot of big shows and opened for a lot of country artists. It’s fun to hear some of the stories.” Dakkota has opened for country greats, such as George Jones, Travis Tritt, Kenny Chesney, David Allen Coe, Rhett Atkins and Tracy Byrd.

This year, for Elon’s Homecoming, the class of 1996 20th reunion committee and Elon’s Office of Annual Giving are bringing in Dakkota for a special performance at College Street Tap House, formerly known as the Lighthouse. This alumni celebration is open to all, with a $10 cover charge, to attend. A cash bar will be available at the event. Attendees should register before October 14 on the Elon Homecoming website. In addition to a performance by Dakkota, Elon is highlighting the following reunion years: 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001.

ľĂľĂČČ’s 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.Ěý

The tradition of seniors giving back to Elon has increased over the past few years, and more than doubled since 2011. This year’s 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 thanĚý$341,148.

Class president Sean Barry ’16 presented a check prior to the Commencement exercises Saturday for the total amount of $20,990 to ľĂľĂČČ President Leo M. Lambert.Ěý

The senior class giving campaign efforts are led by a diverse group of more thanĚý30 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 ’16 chaired the senior class giving committee with executive board members including Marshall Moore ’16, Morgan O’Brien ’16, Marisa Pareti ’16, Danielle Parris ’16, Ryan Rabbitt ’16, Ruthie Robinson ’16 and Courtney Sola ’16.

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

As a volunteer, you will work with fellow alumni from your graduating year. Each team of volunteers will reach out to classmates to increase alumni giving participation and help current students succeed. As a volunteer, you will also be able to earn new Elon gear.

by April 29Ěýto serve as a volunteer during the month of May, and help Elon achieve new goals in alumni participation. Please contact Chandler Thompson at cthompson39@elon.edu or (336) 278-7423 for more information.

The senior class giving committee will host A Toast for Elon as part of the on-campus #ElonDay celebrations. More information and an invitation will be sent to all seniors via email.

A Toast for Elon
Tuesday, March 8, 9 p.m.
McKinnon Hall, Moseley Student Center

Please contact Chandler Thompson, coordinator of annual giving, at (336) 278-7423 or cthompson39@elon.edu with any questions. To learn more about #ElonDay, visit .

The continued success of Elon’s reunion program was on full display Oct. 16-18 as more than 800 alumni returned to campus to celebrate reunions during Homecoming 2015.

Festivities began Friday, Oct. 16, as each class presented checks for total funds raised to President Leo M. Lambert before the Welcome Home Reception & Opening Ceremony. In total, alumni celebrating reunions contributed more than $882,000 to the university and more than 130 alumni volunteered to coordinate fundraising efforts.

The class of 1965 marked its 50th reunion by achieving 42 percent participation and raising $26,259 for Elon. Class members were inducted as Golden Alumni at a special brunch on Saturday, Oct. 17, and also hosted a reception, dinner and other weekend events. President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 was an honored guest at many of the events.

More than 30 members of the class of 2005 returned to celebrate their 10th reunion, which included a special gathering at the Oak House Friday night. “The reunion was a great way to connect back into Elon,” said Chris Morse ’05, who served as committee chair for the reunion. “It gave us a chance to help support a place that still means so much to all of us. Life gets busy now, so it’s events like these that help remind us to take time to remember andĚýappreciate how special our Elon experiences were.”

The classes of 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995 hosted an alumni celebration at the Lighthouse with more than 140 alumni in attendance. Bryan James ’95, committee chair for the 20th reunion, called the event “a great way to remember the old days with old friends.”

James also reflected on his role as a class reunion volunteer. “One of the unique challenges about serving on the Homecoming committee is connecting the dots for fellow alumni between giving and the value of your diploma,” James said. “Reaching out for the school so many years after graduating was more rewarding than I expected it to be and gave me a great chance to connect or reconnect with classmates.”

​Elon is currently recruiting volunteers to help with Homecoming 2016. Visit theĚýclass reunions websiteĚýfor a list of groups celebrating a milestone reunion and contact classreunions@elon.edu if you would like to volunteer.

Join your class Facebook group from the list below and invite other classmates that you know on Facebook to join.

You can also follow for more information about alumni happenings and news.