In May 2003, I was able to complete my Project
Pericles sabbatical. I was glad to be able to work at my
church, Brown Wesleyan. I helped out the church in several
ways. One of the projects was working in the educational
building. I painted several rooms and helped to build a barn
for one of the children's Sunday School
classrooms.
I did a lot of landscaping around the
church. I mowed, pruned trees, and replanted flower
beds.
I also rebuilt the handicap ramp at the
youth building and repaired several broken pews in the
sanctuary.
I think this was a great opportunity,
and I appreciate the chance Elon University gave me to work
in the community.
Below is a letter from Pastor Larry
Pope of Brown Wesleyan Church
August 11, 2003
Dear Elon Administration:
On behalf of the ministry and congregation
here at Brown Wesleyan Church, I wanted to extend our
appreciation for your very practical support of the
communities surrounding your campus.
All too often we hear about the humanitarian efforts and
philosophies of our institutions for higher learning, but
experience very little impact within the community. I salute
your passion to not only think differently, but also apply
your vision in tangible and influential ways.
During the month of May, 2003, Mr. Ray Pruitt served in a
sabbatical role as an extension of good will from Elon
University. The spirit that he brought to our facilities and
ministry, coupled with the expertise and professionalism,
cannot be measured in terms of money nor vocabulary. He
represented your program and vision in a way that radically
changed our perspective and lifted our dreams to a new
level.
Through practical tasks (painting, carpentry, electrical,
landscaping, etc.) Ray was able to impact our corner of the
world with the blessing and fingerprints of Elon
University.
I am convinced that learning at a higher level can actually
impact body, soul and spirit. That by learning we actually
influence living. You have proved to us here at Brown
Wesleyan that Elon University not only fills the heads of an
up and coming generation but you also touch the hearts of
many in the surrounding area.
Once again, I thank you for your vision that lifts, and for
your mission that touches in ways that will live on forever.
You have a friend in the Gibsonville area.
Forever Grateful,
Pastor Larry Pope
Below is a letter from Raymond's
supervisor
Ray,
This is in regards
to you asking me what I thought about the Project Pericles.
One of the first thoughts I had was that I am awful proud to
have an employee and friend to be selected for a Sabbatical
especially on the ground floor of this great foregoing
Project. It is a great way for Elon to share a hard working
citizen with the community. When I see a volunteer I think of
them as natural born leader and hard working leaders can make
a community accomplish great goals. I am sure your Church and
Fire Department feel grateful to have a leader like you
working with their youth and sharing your many skills with
them.
Project Pericles is an exciting way to bring our community
together with our students to show the world how committed
Elon University is to community and developing leaders for
now and the future. It is hard to educate folks just in the
class room, so this makes Pericles even more important
because it is education outside the classroom. It gives
students the chances at experiencing community service during
their college years and this helps them see that working
together you can accomplish more. Working hard outside the
classroom with volunteer organizations gives us first hand
experience of learning from other leaders of the
community.
