For Elon students, opportunity often begins with someone they may never meet. For instance, a donor who believes in their potential.

That spirit of belief was on full display during Elon Day 2026, as alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends came together for the university’s 13th annual day of giving. Over the course of 24 hours, supporters made 6,214 gifts raising a record-breaking $3.58 million, with each gift being an investment in the experiences that define an Elon education.

From scholarships that make college possible to funding for �þ��� research, study abroad, athletics and student organizations, this year’s Elon Day touched 276 funds across campus. The breadth of support reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every student has access to transformative opportunities.

“Yesterday, our community demonstrated once again what makes this university so extraordinary,” says President Connie Ledoux Book. “The success of Elon Day comes from the thousands of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends around the world who step up every year to participate, and each of their gifts is a powerful vote of confidence in the promise of Elon students.”

She adds, “I am deeply grateful to every person who participated and encouraged others to join them. Because of you, our students will learn more boldly, lead more courageously and serve more compassionately.”

Throughout the day, momentum grew as challenge and matching gifts encouraged participation and amplified impact. Leadership donors helped spark enthusiasm and inspire others to give, demonstrating how collective action can multiply opportunity. We extend special thanks to the following individuals for making these initiatives possible:

• Trustee Kerrii Anderson ’79
• Steve Anderson P’16
• Trustee Toni Brown and Michael Brown P’20
• Jonathan and Tina Winnick P’28
• Joe and Lynette Zarrett P’27
• Trustee Dave Porter and Jen Porter P’11 P’19
• Trustee Bill Smith and Sue Smith
• Katie Sherborne P’27
• Liz and David Forgash P’28
• Patrick and Laura Strickler P’28
• Several anonymous Elon families

The celebration extended far beyond giving. �þ��� gathered on campus for special events, faculty and staff joined in the festivities, and alumni across the country hosted regional gatherings. Social media lit up with maroon and gold pride, connecting the Elon community across time zones and continents.

Since its founding in 2014, Elon Day has grown into one of the university’s most meaningful traditions, generating more than $27.5 million through over 63,000 gifts in support of students. Each year builds on the last, reinforcing a culture of philanthropy that ensures Elon’s future remains strong.
For current students and those yet to arrive, the impact of Elon Day will be lasting — measured not only in dollars raised, but in doors opened, experiences enriched and dreams realized.

To learn more about the impact of Elon Day, .

“Scholarships and financial aid were critical to both of us being able to attend any college, let alone Elon,” Rachel said. “We don’t take for granted the support that we both received to make those four years possible.”

As a student, Rachel majored in journalism and minored in , and , becoming involved with student media and as a fellow with the Pulitzer Center. David pursued a double major in finance and accounting with a minor in as part of the Business Fellows program. He was also very involved with the Elon Microfinance Initiative, Beta Alpha Psi and as a founding member of Zeta Beta Tau.

Both alumni took advantage of Elon Experiences, studying abroad in Israel for Rachel and Denmark for David, and participating in career-shaping internships. Rachel interned for “60 Minutes” and the “Cape Cod Times,” while David found hands-on learning with Merrill Lynch, Ferrel Capital Management and Ernst & Young (EY). The couple also served as campus tour guides and were active members of Hillel.

In the spring of their senior year, they got engaged in Whitley Auditorium — a moment that will forever be a part of their shared Elon story.

Following graduation, the two settled in Charlotte, where they began their careers and married life together. Rachel started in the communications field, first as a reporter at a small newspaper, then working in development and marketing at a non-profit organization. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she pivoted and now works as a labor doula, childbirth educator and infant feeding counselor. David received a full-time offer with EY following his internship and became a licensed CPA working for the company ever since. He currently works as a Senior Manager in the Tax Technology & Transformation group with a focus on sustainability.

“We moved to Charlotte after graduation because we both had job offers in the area, but we really thought it would be a temporary home for us. Twelve years, two houses, a dog and three kids later, and I’d say it’s pretty permanent,” Rachel said.

While building their family and careers, Rachel and David are still closely connected to Elon, serving on the board for the Charlotte alumni chapter and the Young Alumni Council. They have been involved with the Jewish Life Advisory Council and David serves on the Board of Advisors for the Love School of Business. He is also very active in recruiting Elon students for EY. In recognition of his service and leadership, David was named one of Elon’s “Top 10 Under 10” alumni in 2023.

Giving back to Elon has become a shared value for the Campbells — and a lesson that they are �þ��� their children. As donors, they often support Jewish life on campus and they contributed to the capital campaign for the Inn at Elon. And, what started out as a joke has now become an annual Elon Day tradition with their dog Pluto, giving to his favorite designation, Club Tennis.

Rachel is also very involved with one of Elon’s newer initiatives, Women of Elon (WE).

“What most drew me to involvement with this initiative was really feeling inspired by Dr. Book as a leader of the university, as well as the incredible female staff within the Offices of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. Initiatives like WE connect women to each other, empower them to become meaningfully involved and hopefully create inspiration and a pipeline for leadership in all areas of volunteer and civic engagement,” Rachel explained.

This summer, the Campbells established the Catanese and Gardner Families Internship Endowment to help students afford short-term housing and living expenses during internships. The Catanese and Gardner families helped the Campbells when they needed housing during their internship opportunities.

“For both of David’s out-of-state internships, he almost had to decline because of housing challenges,” said Rachel. “But family friends stepped up two summers in a row and offered him a bedroom in their home so he could participate. The generosity of the Gardner and Catanese families shaped the course of his life, and in turn, our family’s path.”

“We’ve really tried to pay that forward to other Elon students,” says David. “Earlier in our post-grad lives, we were able to house an Elon intern one summer. Now we’re excited to ramp up our support.”

When asked what motivates them to stay involved and give back, the couple says it’s their gratitude and desire to create opportunities for others.

“Elon students are so talented and we know first-hand how the right breakthrough at the right time can change everything,” David said. “We want to help make sure students can always say ‘yes’ to those opportunities.”

From small-town Delaware to a life built around community, purpose and generosity, Rachel and David are proud to be two of Elon’s biggest champions — paying forward the support that helped them thrive.

Supporting scholarships and other campus priorities can be life-changing, just as it was for Liam Dupas ’26.

A filmmaker in the making

Liam Dupas never imagined that a scholarship could unlock the path to his life’s calling, but receiving the Don Bolden School of Communications Dean’s Scholarship did just that.

“This scholarship didn’t just help me financially; it inspired me to work even harder toward my goals,” Liam reflects.

Growing up in a large Atlanta public high school of nearly 4,000 students, Liam’s passion for filmmaking ignited unexpectedly during his senior year when he enrolled in film class. He learned that filmmaking is so much more than just directors and actors; it’s a powerful tool for emotional connection and storytelling.

At Elon, that spark has grown. Immersed in hands-on learning and mentored by professors and others with real-world industry experience, Liam is thriving. One standout figure in his journey has been Director of Technology, Operations and Multimedia Projects Bryan Baker.

“He’s more than just a teacher to me – he’s an inspiration and a role model,” Liam explains. “Through his audio class, I learned how the sound industry operates and got to work with Avid Pro Tools, an industry-standard software.”

Liam’s time at Elon has shaped not just his skills, but also his identity. From tight-knit friendships to the beauty of the campus and the deep support from faculty, Elon has become, in his words, his “home away from home.”

“Elon has helped me grow academically, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially and socially,” he shares, “Because of this education, I’m working toward a future where I can give back — to my parents, my community and to Elon.”

The financial support from his scholarship has been a pivotal part of his ability to say “yes” to these experiences.

“This degree represents the culmination of years of hard work, the support of my family and friends, and most importantly, the generosity of donors. I know this is my ticket to a career in filmmaking — and I don’t take that for granted.”

-Liam Dupas ’26

As Liam enters his senior year, he has big goals. Following graduation, he hopes to work in commercial or freelance cinematography for a faith-based company – something fast-paced with quick production timelines that will make for lots of travel and impactful experiences.

“I hope to tell stories that leave an impact on viewers and continue to serve wherever the Lord takes me,” he says. “Thank you for believing in students like me. I’m committed to making the most of this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing the journey ahead.”

For donors who wonder whether their philanthropy makes a real difference, Liam is living proof. Your investment is not just funding education, it’s launching a new generation of storytellers who will move the world with their vision.

Liam’s story is one of many. �þ��� across campus have similar stories of how donor generosity changed their lives.

Investing in tomorrow’s leaders

Donor support plays a vital role in shaping the Elon student experience and opening doors to transformative opportunities. Elon is proud to share the many ways donors gave back and invested in the university over the past year.

• $32.5 million given to support Elon students (including annual, capital and endowment gifts and pledges).
• 6,507 alumni gave to 298 various designations across campus.
• 4,008 parents gave to 410 designations across campus.
• $2.3 million planned gifts committed.
• $3.1 million donated for the 12th annual Elon Day held on March 6, 2025, with 43% of gifts coming from alumni, 23% from parents and grandparents, 21% from faculty and staff, and the rest from friends of the university and students.
• 61% of faculty and staff made a gift, with 970 members donating.

Supporting students through every connection

Elon’s community continues to thrive, with 9,654 alumni and 2,560 family members actively engaged this year through volunteering and attending events. Their involvement made a lasting impact – here’s a look at how alumni, parents and friends made a difference:

• Elon held 201 events for alumni seeing a total of 3,757 attendees. Events included Welcome to the City, Cheers to Elon, Evening for Elon and more.
• 1,831 alumni came back to campus to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.
• 2,275 alumni volunteered at events supporting the university.
• New this year: Elon held 17 virtual events for alumni with a total of 317 attendees, and 322 alumni attended 23 different Women of Elon events.
• Lifelong learning saw 488 alumni participants engage with career coaching, career search foundations, Life @ Elon, Elon NEXT and webinars.
• 276 alumni served as social media ambassadors for the university, supporting initiatives and events by building engagement on their social channels.
• 7,257 family members attended Family Weekend 2024.
• 1,042 parents and students attended one of 37 Summer Welcome Events held in 20 different states.
• 1,152 individuals served as Elon Day volunteers, supporting 45 events with 6,298 attendees.
• 103 Elon families served as FAMbassadors – volunteers who help with events and other initiatives on and off campus.
• 41 faculty and staff members served as giving captains.
• 91 alumni served their reunion class as a member of their reunion committee, raising support for students and encouraging involvement.
• Over 1,000 alumni and students participated in Elon Q&A, an AI-driven platform that allows alumni to stay connected with Elon as a resource for students.

All of these statistics reflect what makes the Elon community special – the people that support growth and innovation through a spirit of giving back.

The night started with a reception followed by an introductory video highlighting the new projects and initiatives at Elon.

Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs, James B. Piatt, Jr., introduced President Connie Ledoux Book and moderator Kailey Tracy ’17, an alumnus of Elon’s School of Communications and multimedia journalist at Fox13 Tampa Bay.

Tracy facilitated a Q&A with President Book about the latest news on campus. Their conversation included an update on how Boldly Elon, the university’s current strategic plan, has created high-impact spaces that foster Elon’s mission to respond to society’s needs. One example of this was establishing the Gerald L. Francis Center that houses the Department of Nursing. This new building enables nursing students to learn at a higher caliber, which will help combat the nursing shortage in America. President Book also shared that Elon’s faculty were named best in the nation for �þ��� �þ��� for the fourth year in a row. She also noted the plan for new majors that will serve a purpose in our community, such as financial technology and cybersecurity.

Tracy also asked President Book about how Elon was responding to, leveraging and managing expectations concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, in the classroom. President Book said Elon has taken a proactive response by developing an AI research team and working alongside numerous other higher education institutions to develop core guiding principles. Elon is expanding the knowledge and use of AI into every major.

President Book highlighted , a new way to connect alumni with students to build engagement in the community. The platform allows students to ask questions about many topics, including career advice, and they are matched by AI with alumni who can best answer those questions. Alumni are also connecting with their alma mater through Elon NEXT, the continuing education program specifically designed for their professional development journey.

Tracy concluded the fireside chat with a discussion about the new Elon Flex Law Program and internships for �þ���s in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of Elon’s National �þ��� Programs. Clay Thompson ’20, the Tampa alumni chapter president, offered closing remarks, ending with “Long Live Elon,” before the night concluded with a dessert reception.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, alumni, parents and friends gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate their connections to �þ���.

Following the reception, a short introductory video showcased the many updates to Elon’s campus allowing attendees to visualize the new spaces. These included projects such as the Francis Center, East Neighborhood Commons, an indoor batting facility for the baseball team, the Loy Farm Living-Learning Community and the relocation of the Acorn Coffee shop to Belk Library. The video also revealed a new rendering of the Health EU building that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.

Following the video, Kristen Burke ’18, the DC alumni chapter president, and �þ��� Trustee, Shelly Hazel ’78 LP’09, took the stage. Burke discussed her pride in serving the alumni in the area and the excitement for their upcoming chapter events, including a first-time homebuying seminar and their first Women of Elon event being held this December.

Hazel introduced President Connie Ledoux Book, touching on how the president was changing Elon for the better before even stepping into her current role.

“Our President redesigned Career Services at Elon from the ground up, giving it a new mission, new leadership, and new facilities in Moseley, the Koury Business Center and the School of Communications,” said Hazel.

President Book took the stage to explain the latest news and accomplishments for the University.

“Elon remains the number one university in the nation for study abroad, and during Winter Term, students will also complete internships and engage in service projects in the Alamance County community,” Book said.

President Book continued her remarks with updates on Elon’s innovation in artificial intelligence, including Mustafa Akbens’ efforts to ensure responsible and ethical usages across campus as Elon’s first director of AI integration.

“Drs. Akben, (Haya) Ajjan, and (Paula) Rosinski are just a few of the many faculty on campus using AI to enhance student learning and engagement. Each represents the highest levels of �þ���, scholarship and service at Elon,” Book explains.

One notable initiative that the president focused on is the new AI-driven platform , which connects students and alumni.

“This tool allows anyone in the Elon community to ask a question, and AI technology finds alumni with the relevant expertise to answer,” said Book. “Whether it’s career advice or academic insights, Elon Q&A makes meaningful connections possible.”

The President’s remarks also focused on the Health EU initiative, Elon’s largest capital fundraising initiative to date. She shared renderings and plans for the building, giving guests a look at the many features the state-of-the-art facility will entail. Her speech concluded with a call to action for attendees to be partners, advocates, mentors and investors of the university to empower students and inspire bold futures: “Together, we are building a future that reflects our shared values and ambitions,” she said.

Following President Book, Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, concluded the event with inspiring thoughts on unity. He honed in on what it truly means to be a partner, advocate and investor in the university and the campus community, sharing specific ways that attendees can get involved, such as recruiting at Elon, referring prospective students to Elon and hiring students from Elon. He also encouraged those in attendance to stay connected to the DC chapter and with the campus community through attending events like Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

The evening concluded with a Cheers to Elon celebration honoring current alumni donors and the university’s most active alumni volunteers.

The next Evening for Elon event will take place in Tampa, Florida at Armature Works on Thursday, Nov. 14. Register at .

A natural passion for business

During his junior year of high school, he and his dad toured colleges in the southeast, visiting different baseball camps and universities with strong programs. Along the way, Straub met Elon’s baseball coach Mike Kennedy and he quickly fell in love with Elon’s campus and academics.

“I was blessed to be offered a spot within the Business Fellows Program, it is really what sealed the deal for me along with Elon’s amazing faculty. So, I traded in baseball to pursue another passion in business,” says Straub.

Growing up in a household where his parents owned and operated several businesses, Straub had a natural passion for learning more about the business field.

“When I was 12, my parents opened two Bruster’s ice cream franchises, so my high school years were spent working in those stores, interacting with customers and learning what it took to build a business in our local community,” he explained.

Straub ultimately decided to major in finance and accounting to follow in his parents’ footsteps. During his �þ��� career, he also took advantage of opportunities to become more involved on campus.

As a member of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting fraternity in the Martha & Spencer Love School of Business, Straub helped organize The Elon Network, a professional networking event held in Alumni Gym once a year.

But, Straub is never happy to be working on just one project at a time.  So, he also worked in the Office of Residence Life and part-time off campus doing various odd jobs like buying and reselling textbooks from students at the end of each semester. It was in this job that he met his wife, Lauren, when he bought her textbooks her first year of college.

Straub was also one of three students admitted as a Doherty Scholar through the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“This scholarship opened doors for me to explore entrepreneurship, where I built relationships with investors in the Piedmont Angel Network and organized a ‘Shark Tank’ like event with them to benefit other business students on campus,” explained Straub.

He also traveled to Utah to attend the University Venture Fund conference where he learned about venture fund models. “I am forever grateful to Ed and Joan Doherty for the opportunities they made available through their generosity,” he said 

Learning abroad

Straub’s scholarships from the Dohertys and the Business Fellows Program gave him the chance to study abroad as well. He traveled to Poland his first year of college and was introduced to a passion for travel.

“I went on study abroad four times while at Elon, once every year,” said Straub. “I studied microfinance in Argentina, attended Nanyang Business School in Singapore and traveled to Turkey and Dubai during my senior year (Winter Term). These study abroad opportunities taught me valuable skills and helped me become increasingly resilient even outside of my comfort zone.”

All of these �þ��� experiences prepared Straub well for a career in business following graduation. Straub started his career with GE Capital as part of their leadership development program and later moved over to BMO Bank where he spent two years before moving back to North Carolina.

A homecoming

He quickly landed a job with Winston-Salem-based private equity firm Five Points Capital where he worked on control equity buyout transactions and made credit investments out of their two funds. A few years later, he left North Carolina once more for a new job at Corporation Service Company in the Philadelphia area, where he still is today, closer to his own family. He currently serves as director of corporate development and helps evaluate and execute strategic acquisitions for this firm and provides support on various strategic initiatives for the company.

Straub’s real passion, though, lies in his work with his dad in their business they started together soon after he moved back to Pennsylvania.

“In 2021, my dad, Dave, and I started talking about building a business together. When my dad was young, he made candles with his father, and the idea of starting a candle-making experience-based business was one we began to explore,” said Straub. “In the wake of the pandemic, we believed people were craving quality time together with friends and we felt that building a business that offered guests a creative outlet and a safe space to gather was the foundation of a winning concept.”

Straub and his father signed a lease to open their first Cork & Candles location in June 2021, opening their doors the following March. The goal from the start was for the business to become a franchise opportunity to expand to more communities.

“There is a complexity to selecting the best supplies for the chemistry behind candle making – from getting the right wick, wax and fragrance combination, it’s not as easy as YouTube might make it seem and there’s a lot of testing behind the scenes,” said Straub.

With his Elon business education and the experience he received through work following graduation, combined with the craftmanship knowledge passed down from his grandfather, Straub was able to bring the perfect blend of skills needed for their startup.

Not a class, an experience

Today, guests are welcomed with a signature smell when they enter their stores. Each store is designed to have a rustic Napa Valley feel, with a small retail section for novelty candles that have been designed by his father. More important is their space for guests to gather and spend time together learning this fun craft.

“It’s not a class so much as it’s an experience,” he said. “You can bring your own beverage or wine, explore our scent library where our staff helps you pick out what you like, and then you get to enjoy the art of candle making with friends, family and others.”

The original storefront also has some handmade furniture made from wine barrels that Straub’s father made, a woodworking skill that he learned from his own father. Guests can also admire the candle-making memorabilia that Straub’s father and grandfather used when Straub’s father was young and originally learning the craft. Each store also has a storyboard that provides a history and gives a nod to the role of Straub’s grandfather in passing down his skill set.

Together, Straub and his father have built a team around them with general managers who run the individual stores, a marketing coordinator and a regional manager who supports operations. Meanwhile, Straub and his father focus on the vision for the company, designing the intricacies of the guest experiences and testing out new recipes for the many signature scents that the stores offer.

“The most rewarding part of this journey has been building something alongside my dad,” he said. “Sharing this experience together has been more than I could have imagined. Equally rewarding, building a business where our employees can come to work and have fun and getting to watch our guests enjoy themselves and interact with our employees is fulfilling. It’s the realization of a vision we had when we started – build a space where friends gather and watch the impact it can have in our local communities.”

Be proactive

Straub feels Elon prepared him well for the many opportunities that he has had since graduation. His love for working on multiple projects at once and operating in a space outside of his comfort zone all stemmed from his time at Elon.

“Elon has a tremendous number of organizations and ways to get involved both on and off campus. As a student, I often said ‘yes’ to so many things and juggled a lot at the same time. In hindsight, these competing priorities helped prepare me to multitask well and handle multiple business ventures at once,” Straub said.

Just last year, Cork & Candles began franchising and they sold their first franchise this year. The goal is to grow the brand nationally now that they have the licensing to franchise across the United States. As they grow, they are excited to support their franchises, helping them as they build their own love for business in their own communities across the country.

Straub hopes that all budding entrepreneurs dive in and pursue their passions. His advice to Elon students following in his footsteps is to network and just get started.

“Being proactive will set you apart from others in your field,” said Straub. “Find someone that is doing what you want to do and take them to lunch, then ask them about their experiences and learn from them. Don’t be afraid of negative feedback – the toughest feedback usually highlights your biggest growth opportunities.”

Funding scholarships and the many designations on campus can truly change lives, just like it did for Megan Liebig ’24. Read more about her story below and the impact that donor generosity had on her four years at Elon.

Preparing for a new academic year offers an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments made possible through the incredible support of university partners, advocates and investors. See below for some of the highlights of the 2023-24 fiscal year:

Partners for Elon’s legacy

Elon’s network remains vibrant and active, with a total of 9,083 engaged alumni and 2,503 engaged families. Here’s the tremendous impact of involvement with Elon:

• Throughout the year, Elon sponsored 263 alumni events on campus, nationally and internationally. These included “Welcome to the City,” “Cheers to Elon” and “Evening for Elon” events. At these events, alumni and others came together to celebrate the bonds they have through the university.
• 3,206 alumni participated in regional events held in their own cities.
• 2,114 alumni returned to campus to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2023, participating in events like Rock the Block, a special College Coffee, the Alumni Tailgate, the Young Alumni Celebration and, of course, the Homecoming football game against Monmouth that ended in a Phoenix win!
• 2,163 families attended Family Weekend 2023.
• 877 parents and students attended one of 35 Summer Welcome Events held in 16 different states.

Advocates for innovation and growth

Advocates engage with the university through their time and talents as they volunteer for various university initiatives. Whether they served their class reunion as a committee member or championed Elon Day through peer-to-peer fundraising – volunteers continue to be the heartbeat of Elon’s events and initiatives. Here is the breakdown of volunteerism this past fiscal year:

• Elon saw 1,972 total alumni volunteers for events held both on and off campus.
• 203 alumni influencers from the Elon community served as social media ambassadors expanding the reach of the Elon name through their personal social media channels.
• 326 individuals served as Elon Day Champions, raising money through Elon’s online peer-to-peer fundraising tool that will support Elon students for years to come through many designations.
• 138 parents served on Parents Council – working together to share strategic feedback on plans and goals for the university, through leadership level giving and providing resources for incoming families.
• 89 Elon families served as FAMbassadors – volunteers who help with events and other initiatives on and off campus.
• 38 faculty and staff members served as giving captains to raise support from their peers for various designations.
• 93 alumni served their reunion class as a member of their reunion committee raising additional support for students and encouraging involvement in Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

Investors in Elon’s future

Donor support continues to make all the difference in the lives of Elon students, ensuring they have access to opportunities that allow them to become graduates the world needs. Through donor support, students pursue research, internships, study abroad, involvement in organizations, compete in competitions and pursue their passions. These donations propel students to achieve their dreams.

This funding will continue to impact students for years to come, and Elon is proud to announce the many ways in which donors invested in the university this past year:

• Alumni gave a total of $3.5 million to various designations across campus.
• 6,198 alumni made gifts last fiscal year. All of these gifts will collectively fund student scholarships and experiences for many years.
• Over 245 funds were impacted through donations. This means that funds across campus are widely supported. Whether it’s the Martha & Spencer Love School of Business, the arts, the School of Communications, Greek life, the CREDE, , a student organization, the Truitt Center or something else entirely – donor gifts will touch every part of campus!
• Parents and grandparents gave a total of $5 million to various designations throughout the fiscal year, with 4,383 parents and grandparents making gifts.
• $2.8 million of the fiscal year totals from alumni and families went to directly support Elon’s Greatest Needs, the fund that immediately helps with scholarships, programs and service learning, academic departments and faculty development – all to benefit students wherever it is needed most.
• 60% of faculty and staff made a gift to the university, with 932 individuals supporting students. In total, faculty and staff donated $383,264.
• On Elon Day 2024, more than 2,800 alumni gave and 1,289 parents and grandparents gave, helping raise $2.6 million for students.
• 13 alumni made planned gifts this year totaling $3,283,000.

These numbers reflect the heart of the Elon community and a continued spirit of giving back. Thank you, 2023-24 fiscal year donors, for supporting students!

Megan Liebig ’24

Megan Liebig ’24 is just one of the many seniors who graduated in May who knows the incredible impact of donor gifts. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Liebig came to Elon with the help of the Glen Raven Mills Scholarship.

“Growing up, I had a pink scrapbook full of my college dreams. Pictures of campuses and course descriptions filled the pages as I dreamed of participating in my own scientific experiments and research,” said Liebig.

Looking back at her four years at Elon, she is proud that she has lived out her dream with some of that financial burden lifted off of her family’s shoulders thanks to donor generosity.

While at Elon, Liebig pursued breast cancer research because of her family’s history with this type of cancer. After four years of hard work, she proudly walked across the stage to receive her bachelor of science degree in biochemistry. She’s grateful that her research doesn’t end there though – thanks to her scholarship, which eased her financial burden for her �þ��� degree, Liebig is now able to continue this research as she pursues her Ph.D. in biochemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University this fall.

“With four generations of breast cancer in my family, I am so excited to continue this research in hopes that it will have a positive impact on the future,” Liebig said. “Thank you so much donors, truly!”

Her story is just one of many. �þ��� all across campus have similar stories of how donor generosity changed their lives. Thank you, donors, for making stories like this one possible.

After moving to Colorado, Jeffrey Cook ’15 decided to try his luck on a dating app after getting settled in his new city. A few days after he signed up on the app, he received a message from Callie Crew ’15 wanting to connect after seeing that they were both Elon alums. Their first time meeting they realized that they had so many mutual connections and friends, including Jeff’s former roommate. In fact, they found out that they lived across the street from each other their senior year, and even walked across the stage at graduation close together, completely unbeknownst to them. Fast forward to today and they are partners living together in Denver and excelling in both of their careers, aided by their Elon education and experiences.

Crew began her Elon career after finding it to be the perfect fit for her college needs.

“I wanted a private liberal arts university in the South with a robust study abroad program. When I was accepted into the Honors Fellows program at Elon, it was a no-brainer to attend,” she said.

It was the Honors Fellows that also provided her with a yearly scholarship which allowed her to use her college savings to later pursue a part-time MBA through the University of Denver; which she will graduate from in June 2024.

Starting out as a history major, she eventually pivoted to economics, a program where she completed a two-year thesis focused on the effect of world heritage site tourism on regional poverty. She had the opportunity to present her research at the Eastern Economics Conference in New York City, alongside Associate Professor of Economics Steven Bednar. During her time at Elon, she was also involved in Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and served as editor of the yearbook.

Following graduation, she says she took an unusual route to her current role.

“I spent so much time on my thesis, I forgot to apply for a job. The day after graduation, I drove out to Aspen, Colorado and I spent what I call a ‘working-gap-year x2’ in hospitality,” said said. “I had always been an outdoorsy person, but I found my passion living in the mountains. I managed extremely affluent and demanding clients while building my confidence and experience.”

Ultimately, she says it was a trade-off because it took her a long time to feel like she had caught up to her peers professionally. However, without this experience, she would not have found the outdoor industry that she works in currently.

“I wanted to work for a company that made products that encouraged people to go out and explore. I found my first finance position at KEEN Footwear, based in Portland, Oregon,” Crew said. Years later, she found out that The North Face was moving from San Francisco to Denver. This was a dream position for her, and it was ultimately an Elon connection from the Executive in Residence program that helped her get an interview for a financial analyst role with the company.

Today, Crew is the manager of pricing & profitability at The North Face, focused on global merchandising and products. She supports the product team by ensuring that each style is selling at both a profitable margin and the optimal price within each market. It’s a data-driven job, but her favorite projects look at how the company can incorporate sustainable materials into its products.

“It’s fun to see a product come to life and even more rewarding when I see it out in the ‘wild’ for the first time,” Crew said.

She also works with a global team and frequently gets to work with colleagues in their international offices in Singapore, Switzerland and Panama. She says she is proud to work for a brand like The North Face.

“I love that they value inclusivity and the environment and have products that allow our athletes and consumers to reach the next peak or create space for people to connect in nature with their loved ones,” she said.

Crew says that Elon prepared her well and that her economics background was critical to building out the analytical skills that she needed to perform in the finance industry, leading her to her current work.

In contrast to Crew’s Elon beginning, Cook knew for a long time that he wanted to attend Elon, saying, “weird enough, I knew in sixth grade that I was interested in Elon.” Cook went on a family trip to campus when his older sister was touring colleges, and the experience made such an impression. “When my turn came around, it was the first visit I made, and I eventually applied early decision. It felt like home before I even moved in,” Cook said.

Once arriving at Elon, Cook decided to major in strategic communications and became involved on campus as a student manager for the men’s basketball team, which he says was one of his most formative experiences at Elon.

“The sense of responsibility and role playing prepared me for life after college better than anything else I can imagine. The team also provided some incredible memories and lifelong friendships. I stay in touch with many of my teammates to this day,” he said.

Cook remained dedicated during his time at Elon, pursuing an internship in Washington, D.C. for ABC News in the summer after his sophomore year, and offering to come back and serve as holiday relief for the entry-level staff during Thanksgiving and winter break. This led to Cook returning every break at the Washington bureau at ABC, which eventually led to a full-time position with them.

Currently, Cook is a field producer covering the Western U.S. and international breaking news with work appearing on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, This Week and Nightline. He says his greatest career accomplishment thus far has been winning two national Emmy awards, one for coverage during and after Hurricane Michael in 2018, and one for climate change and migration coverage from Guatemala and covering the refugee crisis in Poland surrounding the invasion of Ukraine.

He also covered the 2020 presidential campaign and lived on the road from 2019 to 2020. Following this coverage, he was offered a field producer position out of Denver. It was a dream of his to live out West, but he didn’t realize then how much he would fall in love with that part of the country. It was at this point in his life that he and Crew met.

While working in journalism can often highlight the devastation of life, Cook says that he is often encouraged by the people he meets.

“I often see the worst humanity has to offer and meet people on the worst days of their lives, but this job has done nothing but fuel my faith in us as people,” he said. “When your community is struck by tragedy, I encourage you to give yourself a chance to see all the people working to help pick up the pieces. Whether it is first responders running towards danger, neighbors giving out meals, entire towns signing up to search for someone, or even kids just tacking their drawings of hope around the neighborhood, there is so much good in the world. It is what motivates me to keep responding to these disasters.”

When Crew and Cook reflect on their time at Elon, they are grateful that their alma mater gave them the ability to achieve their goals through their choice of study, extracurriculars and research opportunities. They both said Elon attracts a certain driven, curious and intelligent type of person. 

Professionally, Crew hopes to support the global pricing function from The North Face European offices in Switzerland and maybe even start her own brand years down the road. Cook hopes to continue in the news field.

“There’s nothing like standing there, knowing you’re witnessing history and being responsible for sending that information back home. I don’t care about my professional title, as long as I feel like I’m making a difference,” Cook said. 

Personally, Crew is working towards running the 2024 Tokyo Marathon. They both love their life in Denver and are hoping to one day purchase a home in that area. They also have hopes to travel to many different countries, exploring the world together.

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In the dazzling lights of New York City, at the Cipriani 42nd Street on Sept. 13, Elon alumni, parents and friends gathered to celebrate a new academic year and receive an update on the innovative new initiatives happening on campus this year.

The night began with a reception that featured a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres. Once guests had time to mingle, programming began with an introduction from Chuck Racioppo ’17, who serves as president of the New York regional alumni chapter board, along with a short video review of Elon today.

Racioppo shared key updates from the New York alumni board.

“This year, I’m excited to announce that some of our events will be dedicated to the women of Elon. We’ll be recognizing, supporting and connecting our women alumni. Each year, we are finding new ways to positively impact our alumni base and the city we call home. I couldn’t be more excited for the new events that are in store for this year, and I hope to see you all there,” Racioppo said. 

President Connie Ledoux Book began her university update by sharing her gratitude for Elon’s donors. She also cited the addition of 287 new endowed scholarships and 60 new endowments to ensure that all Elon students can engage in Elon Experiences.

“Thank you for the role each of you played in making our Elon LEADS Campaign, which concluded last December, the most successful in university history. More than 34,000 donors contributed more than $260 million to support our distinctive mission,” Book said. 

Book shared upcoming events that are bringing excitement to Elon, including the appropriate use of AI, the addition of new majors, the expansion of Elon STEM programs and the opening of a new Regional Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Her remarks also covered one of the largest construction projects in university history, describing a wellness facility that will serve as “a physical hub to provide programs and spaces to allow students to explore ways to advance their personal wellness within each of these areas and to develop habits and skills that will support their wellness for the rest of their lives.”

“This new facility is going to be transformational providing space for collaboration, connection and community building,” Book said.

Attendees also learned that construction of a new performing arts center is on the horizon for Elon, which will support the dynamic music theatre and performing arts students and programs. 

Following Book’s remarks, Giselle Watts ’23 took the stage to perform the song “Beautiful,” as featured in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which Watts performed in this past summer as Little Eva/Shirelle at Short North Stage in Ohio. Watts majored in music theatre at Elon and is now pursuing a career in music theatre, working with several major companies.

Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, provided closing remarks, focusing on growing stronger together. He gave an example of an oak tree, explaining how the roots will grow together to create a stronger foundation that anchors the tree so that it withstands storms.

Because they are so connected, the roots share resources so the tree can grow and thrive for centuries. It’s a powerful idea, that we grow stronger when we grow together.

Piatt closed out the night with a call to action, asking constituents to be involved as partners, advocates and investors in the spirit of helping Elon thrive.

The next Evening for Elon event will take place in Philadelphia at Down Town Club on Wednesday, Oct. 4. To register for the event, please email advancement@elon.edu.

“This scholarship made me feel like Elon really valued who I was, and that they wanted to help me accomplish my dreams,” said Avery.

As a student, she majored in human service studies with a minor in business administration, psychology and early childhood education. She got involved on campus as a member of Kappa Delta sorority, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and the university’s Disability Advisory Committee.

Along the way, she contended with a diagnosis of Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare and progressive neuro-muscular disorder. Avery’s sister had also been diagnosed with the inherited degenerative disorder, which affects just 15,000 people worldwide. During her time at Elon, Avery went from walking freely to using a walker, and eventually became a full-time wheelchair user.

Having been diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare degenerative disease, at a young age, Avery said it could have been easy for her to be pessimistic about her diagnosis. But a quote from Confucius — “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall — has become a motto for her own life, reminding her of all she has to be thankful for.

“When my diagnosis gets me down, it’s easy to go down the tunnel of ‘Why me? What did I do to deserve this?’ But it’s so important not to. I have to remind myself that I am so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends that support me and that there is much more going on in my life than Friedreich’s Ataxia.”

Despite dealing with the hardship of the disease, Avery has become an advocate for herself and for others. That advocacy extends to Elon, where she designates her donations to disability resources to provide support for other students with disabilities.

“Elon taught me how to speak up for myself and others. Dealing with the changes of a progressive condition is not a typical experience for a college student. I learned how to ask for accommodations that I needed, and I refused to let my disability hold me back,” said Avery.

Through her own advocacy, the courses that she took at Elon and her volunteer work as a student, Avery learned to better communicate with the people around her. It’s a skill that has proven invaluable during her work with the NFL, as an independent consultant with the .

“I learned to connect with people from all walks of life. That has been a very important skill that has given me the ability to speak with nonprofits, youth or high school administrators, NFL club representatives, current or former NFL players, and others that I work with daily in my current role,” she said.

She was introduced to the NFL Foundation after an internship with the community relations division soon after graduating from Elon. The nonprofit is dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football, from players at all levels to communities across the country. “It’s been seven years now, and it’s been a great experience,” said Avery.

In her role, she manages more than 50 grant programs with other colleagues. “I love reading about the incredible work organizations are doing and being able to support them. My favorite thing to work on is our annual report. I’m able to use my creativity to showcase the impact our department has on others,” Avery said.

The most rewarding part of her career so far was being named one of the “. Avery said it was really special to be recognized by her hometown, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was also struggling personally with the passing of her grandmother. The surprise of being named to this list brightened an otherwise difficult time in her life.

She earned an MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management from the University of Tampa in December 2022 and has continued her volunteer work with the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

Her family has hosted the FARA Energy Ball in Tampa for the last 15 years. Since moving back, she has been involved as the event raised $2 million for Friedreich’s Ataxia research last year. She also supports the alliance by speaking at in-person events and online, even meeting with politicians on Capitol Hill to advocate for the alliance’s goals.

“Earlier this year, FARA announced the first FDA approved treatment for Friedreich’s Ataxia. My family and I flew out to Dallas and spoke with the drug company on the day it was approved. This is only the beginning of a very exciting future,” said Avery.

As for her future, Avery said that she has become increasingly passionate about disability rights, specifically accessibility and addressing the issues many people have when navigating insurance. She would love to work in this field to help others. 

“I hope to stay happy and healthy myself, but would love to start my own nonprofit or support one that focuses on disability advocacy,” she said. 

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