Signature Events & Traditions

Signature Events & Traditions

The Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship brings entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators to Elon University through signature events, lectures and competitions. These experiences connect students with industry leaders, celebrate entrepreneurial achievement and encourage creative thinking and innovation.

Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership

The Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership is awarded to an entrepreneur who is a leader in his or her industry and who exemplifies the values of Elon University. These values include integrity, innovation and creativity, passion for lifelong learning, and a commitment to building a dynamic community.

The medal design captures the essence of the award. The flame represents the spark of creativity, the first requirement for an entrepreneurial venture. The open space represents the opportunity for creativity to flourish. Leadership brings creativity and opportunity together for a successful venture.

Recent Recipients

• Past Medal Recipients

  2021 – Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of NC IDEA
  2019 – Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, pediatrician, scientist, author and activist
  2018 – Mr. Mitch Kapor, partner at Kapor Capital and the Kapor Center for Social Impact
  2017 – Mr. Louis DeJoy, president, LDJ Global Strategies, LLC
  2016 – Mr. Alexander Julian, fashion and furniture designer
  2015 – Guy Harvey, wildlife artist and conservationist
  2014 – Patrick Awuah, Jr., founder and president, Ashesi University
  2013 – Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, founder and CEO, Pace Communications, and chairman of the board, American Red Cross
  2012 – Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, founder of the Grameen Bank, and chairman of the Yunus Centre
  2010 – Bernard A. Harris, Jr., CEO and managing partner, Vesalius Ventures, Inc.
  2009 – Jim Goodnight, CEO and founder, SAS

C. Ashton Newhall Endowed Lecture Series

The C. Ashton Newhall Endowed Lecture Series, named for Elon University trustee C. Ashton Newhall ’98, brings successful entrepreneurs to campus to share their knowledge and experience managing the risks and rewards of entrepreneurial endeavors.

 

Elon Innovation Challenge

This annual spring event invites Elon students, alumni and faculty/staff to enter their business, goods or services to demonstrate the uniqueness of their product or service offering and their ability to gain traction with customers/users and grow (scale) their venture and sustain momentum.

Learn more