The 10,000-square-foot, two-story building officially opened in September and includes gathering and study space for students, faculty and staff.
Elon University on Saturday celebrated the generosity and vision of alumna Gail H. LaRose ’64 and her daughter, trustee Michelle LaRose, at the dedication of the LaRose Student Commons that opened in September.
Their $2.5 million gift supported the construction of the 10,000-square-foot, two-story building adjacent to Long and Mooney buildings. The new commons provides students, faculty and staff in the Historic Neighborhood a space to gather, study and socialize.
“Each time I walk by, I smile, because it is fully in use,” said President Connie Ledoux Book. “Students on the rocking chairs, studying at the oak tables that were built from the felled trees on this spot, making meals in the kitchen or playing my favorite game, table tennis,” said President Connie Ledoux Book. “This is what this space was designed for — community engagement — and it’s quickly become a favorite spot for students here in the Historic Neighborhood.”
The commons building is located near where Gail LaRose met her future husband, the late Bob LaRose ’66, who served as chair of the Board of Trustees, was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and was elected Elon’s first Life Trustee in 2006. Walking in the front door, visitors are greeted by a painted portrait of Gail LaRose.
“This building represents nearly 60 years of passion that my mom has for this institution,” Michelle LaRose said. “It just feels so right to have her portrait hanging here and watching over students that will come here in the future and hopefully enjoy it as much as she did.”
The building includes:
- A 1,200-square-foot activity room on the first floor with comfortable seating that could host a variety of gatherings, including neighborhood meetings led by Residence Life staff
- Ample space for students to work on group projects or gather for late-night conversations
- A game room with pool table, table tennis, an area for videogaming
- A 3,000-square-foot event space with catering kitchen on the second floor that could host student group meetings and events, guest lectures featuring Elon faculty scholars, career services seminars and discussions following major campus speakers.
- A kitchen for students to prepare food.
- Office space for the Historic Neighborhood faculty director and Residence Life staff.
Standing just outside the front doors, Gail LaRose thanked the friends and family who had gathered to celebrate the addition of this new gathering space that will impact the lives of students for years to come. “I am so proud of this building,” LaRose said.
Andrew Vendelis ’20, a member of the Resident Life staff in Historic Neighborhood, has spent nearly his entire time at Elon living in the Historic Neighborhood, which is now home to close to 700 students living in residence halls including Carolina, Smith, Virginia, West, Sloan and Hook, Brannock and Barney. He told those gathered in front of LaRose Student Commons on Saturday that the new facility builds upon what Historic Neighborhood has to offer and is a significant enhancement, he said.
“It really is a testament to the progress that Historic Neighborhood is making,” Vendelis said. “The addition of LaRose Student Commons has really been a game-changer.”
The gift from the LaRoses is part of the university’s Elon LEADS campaign, which seeks to raise at least $250 million by the time it concludes in 2022. “This building is evidence of how inspired philanthropy truly makes a difference for Elon students,” said Jim Piatt, vice president for university advancement.