This week, Elon launches the largest fundraising campaign in its history, focusing on the priority of building the university’s endowment. Today, E-Net details plans to expand support for Elon’s active, hands-on style of teaching and learning.
Elon seeks to expand support of the engaged learning programs that have earned the university a national reputation. The primary focus will be to endow funding for the five Elon Experiences:
- Undergraduate Research
- Study Abroad
- Internships
- Service
- Leadership
Undergraduate Research
During the summer months and the regular academic year, about 250 students work closely with faculty mentors, devising their own projects based on their intellectual curiosity. The rigor and focus required in these projects are invaluable preparation for graduate study and often provide Elon students an advantage in the job market. Additional funds will expand the number of projects and increase the level of support. In addition, new funds will underwrite faculty-student teams engaged in summer research projects and provide additional opportunities for these teams to present their research at national and international conferences.
Study abroad
Elon sends more undergraduate students to study abroad (71%) than any other master’s-level school in the nation. Sufficient endowment for study abroad will guarantee that every Elon undergraduate, regardless of economic circumstances, has access to an international experience. By adding locations where the university operates study centers and housing facilities, Elon also will greatly expand its offerings, allowing students access to international internships and service projects.
Internships, service and leadership for the common good
About 80 percent of students complete internships. With financial support, more students would be able to undertake internships in cities where housing and living costs are high, here or abroad, or take exciting and career-making, but perhaps unpaid, internships. The role and importance of service is expanding at Elon, selected as one of the three top universities in the nation for community service by the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service. With better funding, for example, the Kernodle Center for Service Learning could offer more Student Initiative Grant Awards. Award winners receive up to $1,000 for projects they plan and implement to meet needs in the community. Other service learners would be assisted in their projects across the country and abroad, such as those initiated by Elon’s award-winning Project Pericles.
The Elon Academy
In addition to support for the Elon Experiences, the university also seeks funds to support The Elon Academy, which engages dozens of Elon students and faculty in service learning each year. The Elon Academy is an academic enrichment and college access program that serves local high school students with financial need or no family history of attending college. Academy scholars enroll as rising sophomores and commit to a three-year program that combines three intensive four-week summer residential experiences at Elon with a variety of academic activities throughout the school year. Academy scholars are enrolled at no cost to them, and a new class of approximately 25 students is admitted each year. The goal of the program is to inspire and empower high school students to attend four-year colleges or universities, and to go on to assume leadership roles in their communities. Elon opened its academy in 2007 with support from Edna Truitt Noiles ’44 and her husband, Doug, of New Canaan, Conn.