Historic highlight: 125th exhibit open in Center for the Arts

Elon continues its quasquicentennial celebration with a special historical exhibit that will be open through Nov. 11.

125th Anniversary Exhibit
9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nov. 4-11
Isabella Cannon Room, Center for the Arts
Admission: Free – open to the public

The exhibit includes details about milestones in Elon history, historic photos, a “then-and-now” campus map, an opportunity to leave messages describing what you love about Elon, and complete sets of the Elon 125th Anniversary history cards.

An opening reception on Nov. 4 featured remarks by Nancy Midgette, professor of history, who talked about the story of Elon’s history. She paid special tribute to President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 who came to Elon as a student and has spent his career at the university. She also honored Vice President Emerita Jo Watts Williams ’55 for her work as a professor and in leading Elon’s development efforts, and Professor of History Emeritus George Troxler, who served for many years on the faculty before being named Dean of Cultural and Special Programs. Much of the exhibit is based on the extensive research Troxler did for his upcoming book on Elon’s history, “From a Grove of Oaks: The Story of Elon University.” The book will be published in March as part of Elon’s 2014 Founders Day commemoration.

Stories and photos for the 125th Anniversary Exhibit are organized around three themes: resilience, innovation and community. The exhibit includes photos of many prominent people and events in Elon’s growth and development as well as a historic look at the buildings that have been part of campus over the past 125 years.

The 125th Anniversary Exhibit was produced through a partnership involving the Office of University Communications, Belk Library Archives and Special Collections, and the Department of Art and Art History. Staff and faculty who collaborated on the exhibit included university archivist Katie Nash and her colleagues in Belk Library; University Communications staff members Holley Berry, Christopher Eyl, Keren Rivas, Dan Anderson and Tim Paulson; Ethan Moore, coordinator of the university’s art collection; and historical consultants Nancy Midgette, Mary Wise, Gerry Francis and George Troxler.