Elon College is a coeducational, residential, church-related college situated on a spacious campus in the heart of the Piedmont near Burlington, North Carolina. Named for the Hebrew word for "oak," the college is located in what was once an oak forest, and many of these majestic trees still grace Elon's campus.

     The third largest of the 36 private colleges and universities in North Carolina, Elon offers a wide range of choices in academics and campus activities, yet is small enough to allow students to feel a sense of personal involvement and interaction with faculty members and fellow students.

The Mission of Elon College

     Motivated by the beliefs and spiritual values that have grown out of its founding by the historic Christian Church, Elon offers men and women a liberal arts education that enriches them as human beings, prepares them for the choice of a profession and for service to their communities. Within this context, Elon College also offers selected career-oriented majors and graduate programs to facilitate professional development.

     In accordance with the provisions of the charter, Elon College aims to provide its students the opportunity to develop:

• a personal philosophy of life which will be reflected in a sense of integrity, high ethical standards, and significant religious insights and practice;
• an understanding of their responsibilities and rights as citizens in a democratic society, and a recognition of the intrinsic worth of all individuals;
• an informed respect for the differences among cultures as well as an understanding of the interdependence of world conditions and of the need for individual and collective responsibility for the environment;
• a love of learning and sensitivity to aesthetic values sufficient to stimulate continued intellectual and cultural growth;
• the ability to gather information, to think critically, logically, and creatively, and to communicate effectively;
• a basic knowledge of the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, and an appreciation of their interrelationships;
• a level of competence in at least one field of knowledge sufficient to provide depth of intellectual perspective and preparation for graduate study or professional activity;
• an understanding of the principles of mental and physical health essential for developing a lifestyle of wholeness and well-being;
• an appreciation of the potential for lifelong personal growth and professional development which their own distinct abilities and aptitudes provide.

     In keeping with these educational objectives, Elon College recognizes its broader responsibilities as an institution of higher learning. The college supports scholarly and artistic expression by providing the conditions for serious intellectual work by both students and faculty. It furthermore promotes open and honest inquiry, respect for persons of all circumstances, sensitivity to diverse cultural traditions, an understanding of the economic environment, an appreciation for the value of work and habits of democratic citizenship. As participants in a community of learners, all members of the college are expected to enact the ideals of personal integrity and public responsibility.

History

     Elon College was founded by the Christian Church (now United Church of Christ) in 1889. Two schools were forerunners of Elon College: The Graham College, established in 1851 in Graham, North Carolina; and the Suffolk Collegiate Institute, established in 1872 in Suffolk, Virginia. In 1888, the Southern Christian Convention, now a part of the United Church of Christ, voted to establish Elon College. Since its founding, seven presidents have provided the leadership essential for progress.

     The site of the new college was known as Mill Point, located four miles west of Burlington, North Carolina. In its early years, Elon survived many difficulties. The student body population was severely reduced during World War I, and a major fire in 1923 destroyed most of the campus buildings. Within three years, a new campus emerged from the ruins: The five central buildings, including Alamance, were built at this time. The Great Depression and World War II also created challenges for the college.

     The decades following World War II brought physical growth and academic development. As enrollment increased, new buildings went up and the college expanded beyond its brick walls. Students from half of the states in the Union, as well as from foreign countries, gave the college a regional complexion.

     Elon experienced a decade of unprecedented growth during the 1980s. During this time, applications doubled and enrollment increased 35 percent, making Elon one of the fastest growing colleges in the region. Dozens of academic and student life programs were added to enrich the quality of an Elon education. Special classes and volunteer programs were developed to provide students with leadership and service opportunities. In fall 1984, the college began offering a master of business administration degree, in the fall 1986, a master of education degree and in the fall 1997, a master of physical therapy degree.. The college physical plant grew during the 1980s as well. Total campus acreage doubled, and square footage of buildings increased 73 percent. The college also made major investments in computer and library technology and equipment for the sciences and communications.

     During this time, financial support for the college was strong, with annual revenues increasing more than 200 percent. Counted among Elon's most loyal benefactors are the alumni: 24 percent make a gift to the college each year, placing Elon among the top of private colleges and universities in alumni participation.

     Elon's forward momentum has continued in the 1990s. In an effort to further enhance teaching and academic excellence, the college has recently revised the General Studies curriculum, converted to a four semester-hour structure, initiated a masters program in physical therapy and added significant new facilities; Moseley Center, a new 74,000 square-foot campus center; Koury Center, a renovated physical education, athletic, recreation complex; a new 81,000 square-foot science building and a new 75,000 square-foot library to open in the fall of 1999.

     As a result of Elon's accomplishments, Elon was ranked in the top quartile of southern regional colleges and universities in the 1998 U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" guidebook.

     Although there have been many changes through the years, Elon remains church-related rather than church controlled. It embraces general Christian principles and values as an appropriate foundation for the development of human personality and social order.

Students

     From its initial enrollment of 108 students, Elon's student body has grown steadily. Elon's 3,641 undergraduate and 208 graduate students come from 40 states and 22 foreign countries. In 1997, 28 percent of Elon students were from North Carolina and 72 percent were from out-of-state. Slightly more than half of the students are women, and the student body includes several racial and socio-economic groups. Elon College admits students of any race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin and disability without discrimination. This diversity enriches the life of the community and reflects the nature of American society itself.

Faculty

     Elon students benefit from a dedicated staff and an outstanding faculty whose primary concern is teaching. Faculty members have been chosen because of their academic preparation, individual initiative and commitment to excellence in teaching. Approximately 84 percent hold the highest degree in their fields. Many of Elon's faculty demonstrate their satisfaction with the college with long years of service. With a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, Elon chooses to remain small so that the relationship between faculty and students is friendly, informal and lasting.

Programs

     Elon College believes that the study of liberal arts prepares students for rewarding, meaningful lives. Its programs are designed to challenge students to excel intellectually, to pursue self-fulfillment and to learn the meaning of service to others.

     The academic program provides opportunities for each student to develop a mature proficiency in the use of the English language, an awareness of history and an appreciation of cultural, social and scientific achievements. The General Studies courses give students the breadth and background needed for mature intellectual development and a lifetime of learning and leadership. The upper-level courses allow students to concentrate in areas of special interest and in professional and career-oriented branches of learning. To meet such individual needs, the academic program includes such features as independent study, study abroad opportunities, internships and cooperative education.

     Elon College complements the classroom through a broad range of activities and student life programs that encourage students to find their personal identities, refine their social skills, broaden their perspectives and create lifetime friendships.

Academic Calendar

     The college's academic year is divided into a 4-1-4 calendar. The fall semester is a four-month term, ending before Christmas holidays, followed by a one-month winter term and a four-month spring semester. The one-month winter term offers opportunities for study abroad, internships and service programs in addition to specialized courses on campus. Evening classes are offered and a summer session is held each year.

     The calendar is designed to meet the needs of: (l) full-time students who plan to complete degree requirements within four years, (2) part-time students, (3) high school seniors who wish to take one or two college-level courses, (4) members of the community who desire further educational work in day or evening classes, and (5) those who seek a graduate degree in business (MBA), education (M.Ed.) or physical therapy (MPT). Summer school serves the same groups and, in addition, provides an opportunity for new students or students enrolled in other colleges to more quickly complete their degree requirements. Students entering the graduate program in Physical Therapy are seated each January to begin the twenty-eight month program.

Accreditation

     Elon College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number: 404-679-4501) to award bachelor's and master's degrees.

     Elon's education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction.

     The college is a member of the following associations:

• The American Council of Education
• The American Association for Higher Education
• The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
• The Association of American Colleges
• The North Carolina Association of Colleges and Universities
• The North Carolina Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• The European Council of International Schools
• Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Independent College Fund of North Carolina
• The Council of Independent Colleges
• The Council for Higher Education of the United Church of Christ
• The American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business