Elon showcases student talents Kris Moody / Reporter
This year, the Student Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF)
won't be the only opportunity for students to display
their talents and achievements. In addition to the
annual event, there will be a weeklong celebration dedicated
to student involvement in the arts.
From April 24-29, Celebrate Student Achievement in Academics
and the Arts week will feature art exhibitions, plays, a film
festival, dance performances, music performances and much
more. This will be the first year of Celebrate's
existence, but it is expected to flourish into an annual
tradition at Elon.
"I think this is an event that in five years will be
thought of like College Coffee," said Rex Waters,
associate dean of Students. "People will think
that this has always been at Elon."
The idea for the event was sparked by Harvard
University's program Arts First. Since 1992, Arts
First has allowed undergraduates and graduates to present
their accomplishments in the arts. Steven House, dean
of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences attended
the program one year and dreamed of creating a similar
celebration at Elon.
House and various department chairs worked together to
establish a starting ground. They noticed that SURF
acknowledged the research abilities of students and the ODK
award ceremony honored their leadership skills, but the
faculty desired to expand the appreciation to include
accomplishments in academics and the arts.
"The thing we really wanted to do was involve the
students," House said.
Even the logo, designed by senior Laura Somerville, featured
the talent of Elon students that characterizes the nature of
Celebrate.
Students were also instrumental in the design and editing of
the program of events and the preparations for the Friday
afternoon student performances.
The attention that has been given to Celebrate indicates the
growth of the arts. With increasing participation in
the various denominations of the arts, Celebrate provides the
opportunity for further expansion.
"Hopefully this will encourage more
participation," Waters said. "It could have a
very powerful impact."
Waters stressed the fact that Celebrate is about bringing
the community together. The wide range of presentations
offers something that will appeal to everyone. It's
a chance to experience gratification for all the hard work
put forth by students. House said that he would like to
see the towns of Elon, Burlington and the surrounding area
embrace the program in the future and contribute to its
growth.
"We all invest a great deal at this university,"
Waters said. "This is a way to enjoy the fruits of
the labor."
Elon is one of the few institutions in the nation to develop
such a program. Colleges who annually have a similar
celebration have experienced great success. Celebrate
provides an opportunity for Elon to rival the achievements of
well-respected universities and applaud the talents of
distinguished students.
Contact Kris Moody at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247. | .jpg)
Jessica Frizen / Photographer Celebrate will highlight the artistic accomplishments of
students. Sophomore Hailey Stebbins shows her self portait to
her digital art class.
Alyse Knorr / Photographer Sweet Signatures is scheduled to perform for Celebrate
festivities. 
Jessica Frizen / Photographer Sophomore Ben DeLoose prepares for his presentation on
Tuesday of "The Dystopian City in Film." | 
