The William Henry Belk Pavilion, home to the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, was formally dedicated May 1 when members of the Belk family traveled to Elon University for a ceremony attended by dozens of faculty and staff.
“We are honored that the name William Henry Belk will forever be a part of the Elon University campus,” said Elon President Leo M. Lambert.
A $500,000 gift to the university by The Belk Foundation of Charlotte, N.C., helped fund a pavilion named in honor of the founder of the Belk retail department stores. William Belk served at the helm of the company until his death in 1952. John Belk succeeded him in that role, and in addition to his role as a corporate leader, the younger man served four terms as mayor of Charlotte (1969-1977).
John Belk, a longtime friend of Elon, died last year. The Belk chain remains the largest privately held department store company in the nation.
Peter Felten, director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, told the audience that in his research of the Belk family, the phrase “upbuilding of mankind” caught his attention.
“’Upbuilding’ is about transformation, it’s about change, it’s about progress,” Felten said. “The experimental teaching and innovation that happens in this building ripples out across campus.”
Members of the Belk family, including John’s widow, Claudia, and daughter, Katie Morris, attended the event. Morris offered reflections on her family legacy and what the pavilion symbolizes in regards to her grandfather, who valued both education and innovation.
“This building, and what happens in this building, bring together the two things that were most important to him,” said Morris, board chair for the Belk Foundation. “I know William Henry Belk would be very proud of having his name associated with what happens here.”
About The Belk Foundation
With assets of more than $50 million, The Belk Foundation awards grantsto a variety of community-based nonprofit organizations andinstitutions that support the Foundation’s five focus areas: education,religion, culture, society and health care.
Most of its grants benefitcommunities located in the Carolinas where Belk, Inc. is based. Grants are also made to charitable organizations in the 12other Southeastern states served by Belk stores.