The program’s 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.

“This 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,” said Fred Young, who served as the university’s 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.

“Fred and Phyllis Young’s contributions to �þ��� over many decades are vast and many—from doubling our enrollment and expanding our campus to enriching academic programs and supporting generations of students,” Book said. “Their 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.”

In addition to full orchestra concerts, it is envisioned that the Youngs’ 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 �þ��� 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’s current ensembles, including:

• Bands (The Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band & Phoenix Pep Band)
• Choral Activities & Voice (University Chorale, Camerata, élan & Opera Workshop.)
• �þ��� Orchestra
• �þ��� Wind Ensemble & Elon Concert Band
• Elon Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos
• Elon Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
• Commercial and Pop Music (Elon Electric Ensemble, Techtronica)

About 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’s remarkable rise to national distinction. Young led an era of historic growth and transformation as Elon became one of the premier �þ��� institutions on the Eastern seaboard.

During Young’s 25-year tenure, Elon’s 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’s 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’s 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’s most dedicated donors, making gifts to Elon’s 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 ’28.

The Chandlers remain impressed by Elon’s commitment to sound strategic planning and doing what’s best for students. It’s what inspired the couple’s gift to Slattery Center, the university’s 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’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs. The center is part of the university’s broader HealthEU initiative to serve students, faculty and staff.

“It 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,” said Bob Chandler, former executive vice president of Chandler Concrete Co. “This facility shows that the university is aware of the challenges students face and how to help them in all aspects of their health.”

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

“Global 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,” said Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics. “Bob 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.”

“Our 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,” Bob Chandler said.

“Elon is a national leader in global study, and we are thrilled to help provide this experience for student-athletes,” he added. “It’s 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.”

The Chandler family is among Elon’s 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’s 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’s 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’s highest honor.

“Elon’s trajectory shows remarkable advancement,” Bob Chandler said. “Elon has a vision of what’s 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.”

The university’s influence extends far beyond the campus.

“The impact that Elon has on Alamance County and the region is significant, and we feel it’s important for our family to support the university,” Bob said. “It’s a community that we are proud to be part of.”

“The tour guide explained that from the first day of freshman year, you can have hands-on experience,” Im recalled. “Many other schools I toured said that the first couple of years were mainly theory-based classes and less hands-on experience. I find a lot of value in having access to the resources all four years.”

That promise of hands-on experience was kept. Within her first week as a freshman, Im was already behind a Sony 4K camera through Elon’s Fresh TV program. Now a junior majoring in cinema and television arts with minors in leadership studies and psychology, she recalled, “The CTA program was the biggest reason I loved Elon.”

Im grew up in South Korea, where her father still lives, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her mother and siblings for high school. She said that her transition from high school to Elon was comfortable, and that compared to her previous experience, she had more opportunities for interaction with her peers.

“When I came to Elon, I had more of a chance to share my culture and interact with people who have different backgrounds,” she recalled. “It made my perspective change in general. I learned more about how other people from different cultures think and see the world.”

Much of her growth in her freshman year happened in her International Living-Learning Community residence hall. She remembered connecting with the people living in her residence hall who spoke different languages and carried distinct cultural perspectives that they shared freely — sometimes in unconventional ways.

“We taught each other how to swear in our languages,” Im laughed. “That was one of my core memories, and still, I hear my friends cursing in Korean once in a while. I think it’s very funny; the freshman dorm experience was so much fun.”

Her energy to share and inspire carried forward. Im is very involved on campus through being an Orientation Leader, Residence Assistant, a Leadership Fellow and a member of Women’s Club Rugby.

She recalled two examples that solidified what it meant to her to be a positive mentor at Elon. Feeling proud of the work she is involved with, Im shared the personal meaning behind her drive to improve Elon’s campus.

“When I get respect, I feel that I am doing well,” she said. During Fellows Weekend, a student walked up to her, “He said, ‘I don’t think you remember me, but you gave me a tour two years ago, and that tour made me excited to come to Elon.’”

Not long after, in her sophomore summer, she was recognized for being an engaging leader again by a former orientation student who had become an RA, just like her. He sought her out to thank her for being an engaging leader. For Im, the pattern was clear.

“I’m happy that I’m doing well in mentorship and getting appreciated in many different ways, but also I’m proud that my mentees are doing well on campus. And that brings me joy in many different ways,” she added.

In the classroom and production studio, Im has been equally determined to succeed. She is currently the producer for Elon After Hours, the student-run late-night talk show under Elon Student Television. As a freshman, she earned the program’s Rookie of the Year award, recognition she said she hadn’t seen coming.

“I did not know that the upperclassmen were appreciating my help until I got that award, and that’s when I realized they think I’m doing my job well,” she said.

Im also received the highest academic achievement award from CREDE, the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, though she is quick to express what achievement means to her. “Getting a good grade is important, but what I do and what I learn is more important than just getting a grade.”

This semester, her focus is on an advanced documentary class where her group is producing a live-broadcast game show, complete with original graphics. Her group plans to produce a live broadcast of the game show when it is being filmed, and the final cut will be a highlight reel of the show’s best moments. “I’m so excited for that,” she added.

Even though Im received awards and worked well with her mentees, she was conflicted between staying at Elon, and carrying the financial weight of tuition, or leaving.

“I was considering dropping out of college or transferring, even though I value and appreciate the education I get at Elon, because financial troubles are inevitable,” she expressed.

Through her Reverend Dr. William J. Andes ’35 Endowed Scholarship changed that. The scholarship was not just supportive financially, but also supported what her values as a student meant to the Elon community. To her, it felt like someone had seen what she was doing and decided it mattered. It proved to her that her talents are worth investing in.

With the scholarship, Im was able to expand her reach beyond Elon’s campus and enroll in the Study USA New York City program.

“If I were not enrolled with Elon, and supported through a scholarship, I would not have had the experience to meet alumni and connect with people based on our interests in New York City,” said Im.

Im is now one year from finishing her degree and acknowledged how close she came to never reaching this point.

“Thank you so much. I cannot explain how much of an impact they made on my life and my family’s lives,” Im said of her scholarship donors.” The fact that I can tell my family that I received money as recognition of my skills is a huge help. I have the opportunity to make this campus a better space, and the fact that I have that privilege –I’m so thankful for that. Sincerely, the scholarship changed my life, and now I can contribute to the community.”

The gift from alumna and Trustee Kerrii Brown Anderson ’79 will name the Connie Ledoux Book Courtyard at Slattery Center, which will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center is located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

Anderson praised Book for her commitment to Slattery Center, which is a key component of Elon’s broader HealthEU initiative.

“President Book is so committed to student success, both emotionally, physically and academically,” Anderson said. “This garden represents a serene place where students can gather and enjoy spending time together. I could not think of a better idea than to call this ‘Connie’s Courtyard.’”

The courtyard will be located on the west side of Slattery Center, facing Innovation Quad and Richard W. Sankey Hall. The space will include tables and chairs for students, faculty and staff to gather and a lush garden featuring a variety of flowering trees and shrubs.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to Kerrii Anderson for this generous and thoughtful gift and for her many years of distinguished service on the Board of Trustees,” Book said. “Kerrii’s steadfast support of key institutional priorities like HealthEU and Slattery Center has strengthened Elon’s national reputation for engaged, student-centered learning.”

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.

“HealthEU demonstrates our commitment as a university in doing what’s right and in the best interest of our students to be successful long term,” Anderson said. “To Connie’s credit, she recognizes that the total success for students includes a great foundation, both mentally, physically and academically.”

Anderson noted Book’s record of leadership at Elon, including her 16-year tenure as a faculty member and administrative leader, helping to build the university’s national reputation for excellence in engaged �þ��� and learning. In 2015, Book was named the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, before returning to Elon in 2018 to serve as the university’s ninth president.

“I owe Connie such a debt of gratitude for participating in the presidential search process and for the last eight years of leadership as president,” Anderson said.

Together with her husband Doug, Kerrii Anderson is among Elon’s most generous donors, making gifts to The Inn at Elon, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center and Numen Lumen Pavilion. In 2017, Anderson made a generous gift to endow the Kerrii Brown Anderson Odyssey Scholarship to assist talented students with significant financial need. Her gift to Slattery Center will also deepen funding for her Odyssey Scholarship.

Anderson has been a member of Elon’s Board of Trustees since 2008 and previously served as board chair. She received the university’s Alumna of the Year award in 2000 and currently serves on the Women of Elon Advisory Council. Anderson has also been a devoted donor to Elon Day, the university’s largest day of giving.

“It’s the best when you hear the laughs and see the smiles,” Liam said. “To see that piece come to life was really special.”

For two brothers who had started filmmaking with a DSLR camera and the guidance of a high school teacher, it was a milestone in their careers worth remembering.

Liam and Julien Dupas, identical twins born and raised in Atlanta, had a passion for filmmaking long before they discovered �þ���. In high school, their broadcast teacher owned a production company outside of his �þ���, where he would produce music videos for popular Atlanta artists.

“We started to build a close relationship with him,” Julien said. “Because he saw our passion, he hired us for some of his own projects, showing us a side of filmmaking we had never seen before.”

“I was saving up for my first-ever camera at the time. I worked a few side jobs to save up, and we both invested in a camera and started shooting a bunch of videos. It was a DSLR camera, the Lumix G85,” Liam said.

As both Liam and Julien were in the early stages of exploring their passion for film, they knew they wanted to continue pursuing it professionally. After touring Elon’s School of Communications and learning what the program had to offer from day one of enrollment, they decided to apply for scholarships.

Both Liam and Julien were accepted into the Communications Fellows scholarship program, and Julien was also accepted into the Odyssey Program. They expressed their love for Elon’s School of Communications and pointed out that with the help of their scholarships, they made the final decision to enroll.

Freshman year, they began their Elon journey with FreshTV, a 15-week accelerated program that introduced first-year students to camera operation and video editing. The program, led by Bryan Baker, director of technology, operations and multimedia projects, was one of the biggest factors in their decision.

“It gave me the feeling that I know where I’m at, and I need to be here,” Liam said. “Bryan Baker has been more than a professor to me. Since the beginning, he’s been a friend and a mentor. It’s been such a professional relationship that he’s been able to pour into us. I am truly blessed with the opportunity to work with Bryan Baker inside the classroom and outside the classroom.”

Julien added, “Liam and I had some experience filming coming into college, so we knew Elon had access to cinema-level cameras like the C70. I remember talking to Bryan and expressing our interest in shooting with the C70. Sure enough, he gave us access as freshmen to that camera, which shows how willing he is to help if he sees your passion.”

In their sophomore year, Liam and Julien collaborated with friends they met through FreshTV and Cinelon Productions, each with varying interests in film production, to create their own production company.

“One of our buddies is really interested in producing logistics, and our other friend was really good at directing and screenwriting. I was pretty skilled at shooting, so we all had different interests, and we came together over multiple meetings. We decided to start a production company,” Julien said.

Seismic Studios was born. Under the Seismic Studios name, their team created 30 to 40 videos.

“We did everything from weddings to music videos to corporate stuff and some film for our religious organization we are a part of, and some commercials, short films and short documentaries,” Julien said.

Sour Note was one of their award-winning short films that went on to be shown in a theater with an audience.

“I remember vividly we went to a screening in Raleigh and saw Sour Note on a big screen with an actual audience full of people I’ve never met, and hearing their reactions was a thrilling experience. It’s the best when you hear the laughs and see the smiles. To see that piece come to life was really special,” Liam recalled.

Their work was also shown at the Cinelon Productions Film Festival in Turner Theatre. Complete with a mini red carpet, the team’s family, friends and loved ones got the opportunity to gather for a celebration of the hard work that went into creating the short film.

“Watching our work on the big screen, with everyone around you, brings the film to life,” Julien said.

Their scholarships have launched their Elon careers and set them up for success in their industry post-graduation.

“I always like to give thanks to the donors first and foremost for the opportunity to be a part of these scholarships. For both Odyssey and Communications Fellows, we’ve taken multiple trips to cities where the communications industries are thriving. We got to meet with professionals, do Q&As with them, pick their brains and it’s led to my understanding of the film industry in a whole new light,” Julien explained.

“This scholarship has given me a stepping stone into the industry,” said Liam of the Communications Fellows. “During the Fellows’ first-year January term Florida trip, we got to tour agencies and production companies. I secured a prestigious internship a year and a half later at Diamond Gear, where I was an editor. It was truly one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had.”

“I got to work with real professionals who were working on commercials with Publix, Red Bull, Amazon, WWE, and it was mind-blowing,” Liam added. “I attribute it all to the Communications Fellows because, had I not gone on that trip, I wouldn’t have been able to meet such incredible people and get that opportunity.”

Liam and Julien are so grateful for the donors who have made their Elon experience possible.

“These projects and doing contracting work, starting a production company, working with professors in and outside of the classroom. That’s all because of the Communication Fellows program,” explained Liam.

“I’d like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart because without the scholarships I’ve received, I wouldn’t be here or have taken the classes that I have gotten to take, and I wouldn’t be as far in my career as I am,” Julien said. “I’m so grateful for the donors who generously give their money to students like me to have these opportunities and, as cliché as it sounds, make my dreams a reality.”

Those who knew Allison Keill remember her passion for education and mentoring and how she touched the lives of every student she encountered in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

That legacy will live on in the Allison E. Keill Memorial Global Engagement Endowed Scholarship that has been established by Keill’s husband, Chad Esposito, of Burlington, North Carolina, along with gifts from dozens of friends and family members who have come together to honor her memory.

Keill, 50, served as director of the Curriculum Resources Center and associate librarian in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education before passing away March 25, 2026.

“Allison brought light and love to all in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education,” said Dean Ann Bullock. “Her genuine, welcoming spirit and boundless sense of adventure make this scholarship a fitting tribute to an educator who impacted lives far beyond the classroom.”

The scholarship will assist students with financial need in the Watts Williams School of Education who are pursuing study abroad or Study USA opportunities.

Esposito remembers his wife as a woman of extraordinary grace, strength and heart who loved her family deeply.

“Allison was selfless and giving in every sense of the word—always putting others before herself and offering love, comfort and kindness so freely to everyone fortunate enough to know her,” he said. “She had a way of making people feel seen, cared for and important, and her beautiful smile could light up even the darkest room. Allison will be remembered for her positivity, intelligence, resilience and unwavering spirit.”

Keill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2024 yet refused to let the disease define her, Esposito said.

“Even in the face of unimaginable hardship, Allison remained inspiring, strong, thoughtful and full of love,” he said. “She met life’s challenges with courage and dignity, and she taught those around her what it truly means to live with purpose, gratitude and grace. Her family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. She also understood deeply that nothing in this life is guaranteed, and because of that, she embraced each moment with love, laughter and intention.”

Esposito hopes the scholarship will inspire students to embrace education and global exploration.

“Endowing this scholarship ensures that Allison’s legacy continues in a way that reflects who she was—a compassionate educator, an inspiring mentor and someone who saw the world as a classroom without borders,” he said. “Allison had a genuine love of learning, not only through books and �þ���, but through experiencing the world firsthand. She believed that understanding different cultures and perspectives made people better educators, better thinkers and better human beings.”

Born in Summit, New Jersey, Keill grew up in Westport, Connecticut, and Brunswick County, North Carolina. After graduating high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she earned her bachelor’s degree from UNC-Greensboro, and a master’s degree in library science from East Carolina University.

Make a Gift

Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship may contact Brian Baker, associate vice president of university advancement, at (336) 278-7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

A generous gift from Elon Trustee Bill Slattery and his wife Tish Slattery P’24 P’28 will name the university’s new center for health and wellness and also create 14 additional scholarships in the Odyssey Program to assist talented students with significant financial need.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book and the Board of Trustees announced the Slatterys’ gift at the board’s spring meeting April 10-11. Book thanked the Slattery family for their generosity and leadership in supporting a center that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

“The Elon community is deeply honored to name the HealthEU Center in recognition of the Slattery family,” Book said. “This extraordinary investment from Bill and Tish Slattery will help Elon meet its mission to transform the mind, body and spirit of every student, and prepare healthy graduates ready to share their gifts with the world.”

The ability to address the health and well-being of students early in their lives inspired the Slatterys to make their gift.

“My career at the intersection of science and investment often requires decades to witness the outcomes of success,” Bill Slattery said. “HealthEU is an opportunity to intervene with our students at an early age and engage in these activities in a more structured, thoughtful way, and hopefully reduce some of their adversities in life.”

“I believe social media has impacted students greatly, and institutions like Elon that provide centers like HealthEU will be at an advantage going forward,” Tish Slattery said. “Health and wellness encompass so much more than just the physical aspect. I’m incredibly grateful that we’re able to impact Elon with this gift.”

Slattery Center is a central component to the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story 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. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center will be located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

The Slatterys’ gift will also endow the William and Tish Slattery Odyssey Program Scholarship, funding 14 new scholarships in the program that gives bright, passionate students with high financial need and/or no family history of college attendance access to Elon’s nationally recognized engaged learning programs.

These new investments bring the total number of Odyssey Program scholarships to nearly 300, more than halfway to the university’s goal of having a total of 400 Odyssey Scholarships, or 100 scholars per class, as called for in the Boldly Elon strategic plan. Housed in Elon’s Center for Access and Success, the Odyssey Program is nationally recognized as a model for need- and merit-based initiatives, with a nearly 100% first-to-second-year student retention rate and an 87% graduation rate, well above the national average.

The Slatterys have been impressed by the educational experience Elon delivers to students. Their daughter Madelyn graduated in 2024, and their son James is an Elon sophomore.

“I’ve been very happy to see the school excel at its academic responsibility in education while equally addressing students’ needs as people at the social level,” Bill said. “It’s a pleasant, inviting and warm place that cares for its students.”

“From the moment you step foot on Elon’s campus, you feel a great sense of community,” Tish said. “The close relationships that students have with their professors makes Elon stand out among its peers.”

Bill Slattery is a partner at Deerfield Management Company, Therapeutics. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2000, Slattery served as a senior healthcare analyst for 10 years at Amerindo Investment Advisors in New York, where he oversaw biotechnology investments. He has also held various positions in research, including those at National Medical Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson, and HMSS. He is the former chair of Red Door Community, which supports those impacted by cancer and their families.

Bill was elected to Elon’s Board of Trustees in 2024. Tish is a member of the Slattery Family Foundation and served in administration at Amerindo Investment Advisors. Recently, Tish was named chair of the Miss Hall’s School Arts Advisory Council. The couple reside in Rye, New York.

Members of the Board of Trustees joined with President Connie Ledoux Book and Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley on April 10, 2026, to rededicate a building that has served multiple purposes for more than half a century and two separate locations on campus.

Alumni, parents and friends have contributed $3 million to the expansion of the university’s golf complex, which also includes the W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center. The expansion represents a significant investment in the future of both men’s and women’s golf and places the university’s training facilities among the best in collegiate golf.

Holland House now provides student-athletes with a premier clubhouse environment to learn, train and compete, with new practice and team spaces, and state-of-the-art technology that allows students to pursue excellence academically and athletically.

The complex expansion project also encompassed renovations to the driving range, including the creation of a 17,000-square-foot tee box, and renovation of the short-game area with reconstruction of the bunkers.

Holland House was renovated to create a centralized home base for the golf program. The clubhouse includes locker rooms, coaches’ offices, quiet spaces for academic study, team engagement spaces and player meeting rooms, strengthening team culture and promoting student growth off the course.

The final phase of the project includes upgrades to the existing W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center, a dedicated indoor practice facility that allows players to train in adverse weather conditions. The center opened in 2009 and includes multiple indoor heated hitting bays, a computerized swing analysis center, indoor putting facility and an outdoor lighted driving range.

Worsley, a 1986 Elon graduate and former member of the golf team, served on the Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023. He and his wife, alumna JoAnna Sutton Worsley ’87, are the parents of W. Cecil Worsley IV, a 2014 Elon graduate.

Another critical component of the project was the addition of Trackman Range, a technology that tracks every shot hit by a golfer, giving coaches and student-athletes immediate access to data to improve performance and create greater practice efficiency.

“The repurposing of Holland House marks a transformational moment for Elon Athletics. It is special to take a building rich with institutional history and create a best-in-class home for our golf student-athletes that honors our past while boldly investing in our future,” Strawley said. “Facilities like this represent our aspirations brought to life, and they only become possible through the generosity of many. I am profoundly grateful to everyone who made this possible, and equally excited for the impact this will have for our golf student-athletes.”

Built in 1963 as the official residence for President Earl Danieley and his family, Holland House stood along Haggard Avenue as a symbol of leadership, hospitality and community at Elon. The home quickly became part of campus lore, including a memorable student protest led by Student Government Association President and future Elon Trustee Noel Allen ‘69 and joined by Danieley himself.

In 1973, President Fred Young and his family continued the tradition of welcoming students, alumni and distinguished guests, making the house a center of connection and celebration. In 1985, trustees honored longtime supporter Shirley Thomas Holland by naming the building in his memory, cementing its place in Elon’s history.

After the presidential residence moved in 1988 to today’s Maynard House, Holland House entered a new phase, serving a variety of campus needs, from development and alumni relations to academic programs and student engagement. In 2009, the building was carefully relocated across campus, where it served as home to the Catholic �þ��� Ministries Newman Center. Work is now under way to build a new Newman Center.

“Today is a wonderful moment for Elon, for Phoenix Athletics, and for our investment in golf and the futures of these student-athletes,” Book said in her dedication remarks. “And it holds a special distinction: this is the first new athletics facility opened under Athletics Director Jenn Strawley.”

Book described the renovated Holland House as a testament to the strength of the programs built by men’s head coach Don Hill and women’s head coach Chris Dockrill.

“And to our student-athletes: I know that every donor agrees that this is for you,” Book said. “Every locker, every building, every asset here was about creating a championship home for Phoenix golf, and we’re very excited for the next chapter to unfold and to cheer you on as you make history.”

Jennings Glenn ‘25 G’26, a member of the men’s golf team, and Elon Trustee Debra Del Vecchio P’22 P’24 also delivered remarks during the ceremony, which was held on the front lawn of Holland House.

“These past five years have been super special to me. I’ve met so many incredible people and built such lasting relationships and created memories I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Glenn, who thanked donors on behalf of the team. “This is really the best place in the world to be a student-athlete and that’s because of you. Thank you. It’s been amazing to watch this program grow and for me to be a part of it all.”

Del Vecchio thanked Book and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to students and for an institutional decisiveness that led to the expansion project. She then praised the golf teams for their dedication to the sport and to the university.

“It is all or nothing, a commitment and true discipline needed to be a student-athlete,”  Del Vecchio said. “At times I’m sure it can be quite challenging, juggling classes, assignments, and a rigorous playing schedule. But here you are. Know that we recognize and are extremely proud of all of you. You are the face of Elon, especially when you walk out on the golf course. You are not only representing yourself but Elon as well.”

Women’s team captain Ashley Lafontaine ‘26 of Ottawa, Canada, delivered remarks during a dinner program that followed the ribbon-cutting.

“This space gives us something we’ve never truly had before: a home that’s entirely our own,” she said. “It’s a space where we can train, study, connect, and grow together all under one roof. It creates an environment where everything we need to succeed, both as athletes and as people, exists in one place.

“But more importantly, it sends a message. It tells every current and future Elon holder that they are valued. That their experience matters. That this program is worth investing in. And for future players, I hope this becomes more than just a facility. I hope it becomes their safe space. Their meeting place. Their place to celebrate wins, work through losses, and build the kind of relationships that last far beyond their four years here.”

These photos highlight key moments from the month, captured by staff in the Office of University Communications.

Elon Day

Elon’s 13th annual Elon Day saw a record-breaking amount raised thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends. 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.

Carnegie Concert

The Elon Wind Ensemble took the stage on March 11 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, marking the first time an ensemble from the university performed inside the world-renowned venue.

Connecting with Queens

Activity related to the merger between �þ��� and Queens University of Charlotte continues to expand this spring with recent efforts focused on campus visits, external outreach and community engagement.

Administrators and staff from Queens University of Charlotte traveled to Elon for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the Elon campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

Roots & Horizons

The Spring Dance Concert, “Roots & Horizons,” drew inspiration from the Akan concept of Sankofa, meaning “to go back and get it,” which emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to move forward. The production featured works by all women choreographers, including Elon faculty and guest artists, performed by Elon students.

‘We should do better’

In The Baird Lecture on March 12, part of the �þ��� Speaker Series, techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufecki spoke to the threats posed by artificial intelligence and how college students can be at the forefront of a solution.

“Don’t let anybody tell you this is so big that we can’t do anything, because we have always done this,” she said. “We just can do it better. We should do it better.”

A WEekend of wellness

The second Women of Elon WEekend brought together the Elon community for two days focused on connection, inspiration and transformation. The event centered around the six dimensions of well-being within HealthEU: community, emotional, financial, physical, purpose and social.

Held on March 13 and 14, the WEekend included information sessions with experts on a variety of topics, including a fireside chat with Joy Bauer, nutrition expert from the TODAY Show.

The 2026 results surpassed the previous high of $46,157.01 set during Elon Day 2025 and reflected broad engagement from alumni, students, parents and friends of the law school.

“There is an energy at Elon Law that you won’t find anywhere else,” said Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Engagement Scott Leighty. “Philanthropy here is more than just giving. Every gift is a direct investment in this special community and the innovative way we prepare students for the profession. Seeing our alumni, students, parents and friends come together like this shows just how much they believe in our mission.”

In total, 178 donors made gifts on March 5, a 24.5% increase from the 143 donors who participated on Elon Day in 2025.

Participation increased across nearly every constituency group.

• Gifts from students rose sharply to 45 donors, up from eight last year — a 462.5% increase.
• Parent participation increased to 12 donors, up from eight, or 50%.
• Alumni participation also climbed, with 64 alumni making gifts compared with 56 last year, a 14.2% rise.

Elon Day events and competitions were held throughout the day on March 5, including a large “E”-painting competition among student organizations and an evening celebration at Joymongers in downtown Greensboro. Perhaps the highlight was a Pie Your Professor event, with student donors lining up to hurl plates of whipped cream at Dean Zak Kramer, Professors Steve Friedland and Bob Minarcin, and Assistant Professors Erin Fitzgerald and Susan Ross.

Kramer praised the growing support for Elon Law and the community members who help make the annual day of giving successful.

“I want to thank everyone for their contributions, whether philanthropic, pitching in to make the day special, taking a pie to the face, or all of it,” Kramer said. “These gifts go directly to support our students and the opportunities that prepare them for the profession.”

Kramer also credited Leighty’s leadership in connecting with alumni and supporters, growing Elon Law’s momentum.

“Scott is doggedly pursuing financial support for our students,” Kramer said. “It’s not easy asking people for money, but our numbers keep increasing in a remarkably steep line. It’s a testament to his hard work and the great investment of our whole community.”

Elon Day gifts help fund scholarships, student programs and experiential learning opportunities that define Elon Law’s innovative, practice-focused curriculum.

The growth in participation during Elon Day reflects a broader trend in philanthropy supporting Elon Law. The law school has seen steady increases in donor engagement over the past several years, underscoring the strength of its alumni network and the community’s investment in the next generation of lawyers.