Dedication ceremonies were held Wednesday, Oct. 15 for the William R. Kenan, Jr. Honors Pavilion, the second living-learning pavilion to open in Elon's Academic Village. Details...
Friends of the university, faculty and students joined representatives from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust at the dedication ceremonies, held in the pavilion’s entrance lobby.
A welcome and opening comments were made by Zachary Walker III ’60, chair of the Elon Board of Trustees. Dan Wright, associate professor of chemistry and director of Elon’s Honors Program, introduced students Caitlin Jacobs and Victoria “Tori” Strange, who live in the Kenan pavilion.
“Being a part of this living-learning community, I have grown immeasurably,” said Jacobs. “I am surrounded by a group of people who are dedicated to pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones intellectually, socially, and culturally.” She said she and the 20 other students who live in the pavilion have “learned to appreciate each other for our differences, as well as our similarities.”
Kenan residents choose a common theme to study and research each year, Jacobs said. This year’s theme is focused on the fine arts, and students will attend a variety of cultural events at Elon and off campus to become well-versed in the arts.
“The main idea behind all of these activities is to initiate dialogue between residents about aspects of fine art that would not be a likely topic of conversation otherwise, thus broadening and deepening our knowledge as well-rounded individuals,” Jacobs said.
Tori Strange, the first recipient of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Honors Fellows Scholarship, expressed her thanks to those who have made her experience possible.
“I am truly honored to be the first recipient of the Kenan Fellowship,” Strange said. “As the first recipient, I want to make a significant contribution to the honors program.”
The Kenan Honors Fellows Scholarship provides a four-year, full-tuition grant for the top Honors Fellow entering Elon each fall. Recipients will also have extensive enrichment opportunities, including leadership development, service learning experiences, study abroad, research stipends and internships. Strange plans to use the scholarship to explore internships and study abroad opportunities that will further her interest in the protection of the natural environment.
President Leo M. Lambert presented a framed photograph of the pavilion to Thomas Kenan III, right, and thanked him for the trust’s generosity.
“I believe William Kenan’s hope is fulfilled in the Elon honors program,” said Lambert.
A North Carolina native, William R. Kenan, Jr. was a chemist and industrialist with wide-ranging business interests. Upon his death in 1965, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust was created to further his strong interest in education. Since 1966 the Trust has made grants totaling $400 million in support of education.