President Leo M. Lambert has announced that all recognition bricks from the university’s current “Brick by Brick” campaign will be installed Under the Oaks.
For the first time in Elon’s history, alumni and seniors have the opportunity to leave their mark Under the Oaks with a personalized brick. The news came in a video message from Elon University President Leo M. Lambert that was released May 15.
Alumni and seniors can participate in the “Brick by Brick” campaign by setting up a recurring gift of $5 per month or $60 per year for three years, to any area of campus. Gifts must be submitted by May 31, the last day of the university’s fiscal year.
For alumni, the historic location of the bricks will serve as a physical reminder of the past and the future of the university. When the founders of Elon selected a name for the institution, they settled upon “Elon,” the Hebrew word for “oak,” in reference to the large grove of oak trees that stood on the land where the college was built. As the land was cleared, several large oaks were spared and stand in front of where West Dormitory and the new School of Communications exist today.
“Although Elon’s campus has expanded, the imagery of the brick pathways Under the Oaks is memorable to every generation of alumni,” says John Barnhill ’92, assistant vice president for university advancement. “The symbolism of alumni leaving their mark on campus with a brick shows a close connection with the university, no matter their distance or graduation year.”
Alumni who participate in “Brick by Brick” will also become a part of the 1889 Society, which honors Elon’s most loyal alumni donors. The bricks will be installed by Homecoming Weekend 2017, Nov. 3-5.
For more information including a list of frequently asked questions, visit www.elon.edu/bricks. For additional questions, contact Elon’s Office of Annual Giving at giving@elon.edu or (336) 278-7447.