Truliant Federal Credit Union makes gift to Elon Academy

A $1,000 check was presented Dec. 3, 2013, to leaders of Elon University's college access and success program.

Truliant Federal Credit Union made a gift to the Elon this week to help strengthen the literacy skills of local high school students taking part in the university’s college access and success program.

Truliant officials presented a $1,000 check to Elon Academy leaders on Tuesday during a reception honoring a 20-year partnership between the credit union and the university. The gift funds new book groups planned for next summer in which Elon Academy participants will discuss issues related to service-learning experiences.

Nearly two dozen credit union staff members, Elon University officials, Elon Academy staff members, and current Elon students attended the presentation.

“We very much value our partnership with Elon University,” Todd Hall, chief operating officer of Truliant Federal Credit Union, said at the reception inside the Student Professional Development Center. “This is a great, great opportunity for us. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of what you do.”

Associate Professor Terry Tomasek, co-director of the Elon Academy, praised Truliant and offered gratitude for its interest in the program. “The heart of our partnership is the people we serve,” Tomasek said. “All of the Elon Academy staff lives, breaths and bleeds for our students. … And we could not do this without partners like you.”

Started in 2007, the Elon Academy welcomes each summer academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. It includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday programs for students and families.

About 150 young men and women are currently enrolled in the Elon Academy or have matriculated to colleges and university across the nation. The program is not funded by tuition dollars and relies instead on the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations to succeed.

Chartered in North Carolina in 1952, Truliant Federal Credit Union boasts a membership of more than 180,000 member-owners with assets nearing $1.6 billion, extending credit union services to more than 900 organizations located throughout four states.