Acorn & Oak Tradition
The tradition began in 1991 when Furman Moseley spoke to the graduating class. Moseley, a 1956 graduate of Elon, incorporated his career in the timber business by giving each alum a redwood sapling. Dr. J. Fred Young, president of Elon from1973 to 1998, decided to make the gifting of saplings a permanent tradition in 1992. Instead of a redwood sapling, he opted to give each student an oak sapling in accordance with the meaning of the school’s name. When Dr. Leo Lambert became president, he built upon the tradition by giving each new student an acorn.
At the end of the New Student Convocation ceremony all students receive an acorn to symbolize the beginning of their college careers. When students graduate they each receive a Shumond oak sapling symbolizing the growth students have experienced during their time at Elon as well as the growth that they are sure to experience in years to come.
Call to Honor
This event takes place every fall for incoming freshman to give their commitment to the Elon Honor Pledge. Honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect are the core values Elon students seek to uphold and serve as the backbone of the Elon Honor Code. Each of the four class presidents light a candle on stage to represent the four core values. Freshmen are joined by numerous alumni members and students as they receive the symbolic honor coin and recite the Call to Honor.
Celebrate Week
During this week more than 100 students share their research findings with students, faculty and staff. In addition to sharing their research through poster sessions, students also make presentations across campus. Many students refer to this event as SURF, Spring Undergraduate Research Forum.
College Chapel
Chapel is among the oldest of Elon student traditions, serving as a weekly reminder that the purpose of an Elon education is to see each student as a whole person, whose mind, body, and soul deserves respect. Chapel is voluntary, and it’s open to people of different faith traditions. Students, faculty and staff meet for reflection and informal worship. Weekly Chapel services are the perfect time to quiet your soul and rejuvenate your spirit.
College Chapel is every Thursday from 9:50a.m.-10:20a.m. and is held at Whitley Auditorium. This is a nondenominational service open to the entire Elon community.
College Coffee
College Coffee is one of Elon's oldest and most appreciated traditions. This weekly community event brings Elon faculty, staff and students together for a time of friendship and fellowship. College Coffee offers conversation in a relaxed atmosphere and also provides snacks and beverages.
This event is every Tuesday from 9:40 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. The location is generally the Moseley Center Front Terrace and Young Commons. Special events and inclement weather necessitate relocation. Please call 278-7271 for location.
Holiday Tree Lighting and Luminary Ceremony
The Elon community gathers each year to share hot chocolate and cider, sing Christmas carols and other seasonal songs, light the Menorah in celebration of Hanukkah, and stroll through more than 2,000 luminaries around the center campus quad. Campus buildings and trees are lit with more than 50,000 holiday lights. There is also an opportunity for you to enjoy a magical ride on the Little Blue Choo! (a mini-sized train offering rides to children of all ages.) Students, faculty, staff and members of the Elon community join together for this joyous celebration.
Holiday at the President’s House
Right before winter break, all students are invited to the President’s house to celebrate the holiday season with hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Students also have the opportunity to take a holiday picture with the President that is sent to their home over winter break.
Honors Convocation
This is a recognition ceremony for students that have received honors during the past academic year. To learn more about how you can be an academic honor visit, http://www.elon.edu/e-web/academics/advising/honors.xhtml
Family Weekend
This weekend is for family and friends of Elon students to return to campus to visit and participate in numerous scheduled events. For more information visit the Family Weekend Web site.
“Long Live Elon!”
Thad Eure was elected secretary of state in 1936 and served under 13 North Carolina governors. He was a champion of common citizens and children, and insisted that the door to his office never be closed to the public. Eure had extensive family ties to Elon.
Remaining faithful to Elon, he joined the board of trustees in 1942. Eure had a booming voice and gave powerful speeches on campus, ending with the pronouncement, "Long Live Elon!" This tradition continues today at Commencement, when graduates join with the University President in hailing Elon.
New Student Convocation
The opening convocation for new students is a formal ceremony marking the start of your college career, and it’s important for many reasons. The opening convocation signifies the journey about to be taken is not traveled alone but with the support and help of others.
New students are surrounded by Elon faculty, staff, parents, relatives and friends, marking the transition from the nurturing world of family to the caring mentorship of Elon’s academic community. Each new student is given an acorn as a symbol of the promise of an Elon education (Elon is the Hebrew world for oak).
“Wear Your Maroon”
The “Wear Your Maroon” campaign was designed to promote Elon’s school colors and also to be used as a tag line to promote Elon athletics. This project was initiated several years ago and we still encourage everyone to do this when planning to attend an Elon athletic event.
Help show your spirit by ordering your class T-Shirt for only $6! T-Shirts are available for new students and their family members.
