Members of the Elon community joined family, friends and former students of President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley '46 at a special College Coffee on Tuesday, March 9. The crowd enjoyed warm temperatures, bountiful sunshine and the planting of a white oak tree in Danieley's honor in Founders Grove by Lindner Hall.
Elon’s annual Founders Day celebrations honor individuals who have made an impact on the life of the university.
“On Thursday, March 11, Elon is celebrating a birthday – 122 years old,” Executive Vice President Gerry Francis said. “I calculated, Dr. Danieley – you’ve been present for 68 of those birthdays since you arrived as a freshman.”
Francis highlighted Danieley’s many roles at Elon, from alumnus to faculty member to president. He also noted the many ways Danieley became part of the fabric of the university after stepping down from the presidency in 1973.
“He’s a presence on campus in the in the chemistry classroom, he’s carried the university mace at special events, he’s given the graduation address, and, for those of you who attend basketball games, you’ll see him standing up waving a victory towel,” Francis said.
As he invited the crowd to join Danieley for the tree planting in Founders Grove, Francis pulled a white towel from behind the lectern and waved it in tribute.
“Give a good round of applause for Doc-tor Dan-iel-ey! Doc-tor Dan-iel-ey!” he quipped.
Danieley’s wife, Verona; sisters Frances Wood and Faye Conally; brothers-in-law Chuck Wood and Tom Conally; sons Mark and Ned Danieley; and daughter-in-law Linda Danieley joined the president emeritus for the tree planting.
Founders Day celebrations resume Thursday with College Chapel in the morning and a “fireside chat” in the evening, both in Whitley Auditorium. The Founders Day trivia contest will continue through Thursday with questions posted to E-Net each morning. Faculty, staff and students are invited to view poster presentations about Founders Day and Danieley located in Belk Library and Moseley Center.