A look back at select sights from around campus during a year that saw the introduction of new faces, the commemoration of historic milestones and accomplishments from members of the university community.
Another fantastic year is in the books for Elon University, as the institution took a look back at the past century of accomplishments since the devastating 1923 fire and ahead at what its students, faculty and staff will accomplish in the decades to come.
A selection of 23 photos from the year offers a look at what Elon and members of its community were able to do together during the past 12 months.
Among the notable news from 2023:
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- In January, Elon kicked off a year-long commemoration of the catastrophic fire of 1923 and the visionary rebuilding of Elon that paved the way for the past century of growth and accomplishment. Throughout the year, the university offered opportunities to look back at how the fire transformed Elon and to look ahead at how the university’s generations of people have positioned it for future greatness.
- Elon welcomed a host of speakers from literature, journalism, cinema and television arts and technology through its annual Speaker Series. Among the speakers who visited campus were author Tommy Orange, neuroscientist Indira Turney, journalist and surgeon Sanjay Gupta, actress and activist Ashley Judd, author Mónica Guzmán, entrepreneur Daymond John and activist Reshma Saujani. Among the speakers hosted by Elon Law this year included Sunny Hostin of The View and FOX News’s Shannon Bream. Third-generation venture capitalist and loyal supporter of his alma mater Ashton Newhall ’98 delivered the annual commencement address to the Class of 2023 in May.
- Elon celebrated the successful conclusion of its Elon LEADS Campaign that raised a record $260 million for university priorities. During a May event in Schar Center, President Connie Ledoux Book offered a thank you to the record 34,000 donors who made the campaign such a successful endeavor.
- This fall saw the announcement of a new location for Elon — Elon Charlotte. The new center will be home to a part-time Elon Law degree program, the Elon Law Flex Program, and is providing students majoring and minoring in sport management the opportunity to study and work in Charlotte.
- Elon saw the introduction of new members of the university’s senior leadership team during 2023, starting with Rebecca Kohn as provost and vice president for academic affairs, who joined Elon in January. Others selected for leadership roles in 2023 include Zak Kramer, dean of Elon University School of Law; Maha Lund, dean of the School of Health Sciences; Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications; and Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics.
- The accolades kept coming in 2023 for Elon, which for a third straight year was named #1 in undergraduate teaching excellence by U.S. News & World Report. The university was again the only institution ranked in the top 20 of all eight “Programs to Look For” that contribute to student success. Poets&Quants, a business education outlet, ranked Elon among the country’s top 40 undergraduate business programs and the Princeton Review ranked Elon Law among the nation’s best and named Elon a “Best Value College,” among the top 10 in the country for internships and among the “best-run colleges” in the country. In November, Elon University was ranked #1 in study abroad in the Institute of International Education’s annual Open Doors Report.
- Even Elon’s newest academic programs are setting a high bar for academic excellence. This spring, the 14 students in the first cohort of its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam, the national licensing exam for nurses.
- As part of an effort to broaden and deepen the university’s commitment to multifaith understanding and to prepare graduates to navigate a complex and diverse world, Elon adopted a new Multifaith Strategic Plan in March.
- In April, Elon hosted the formal dedication of its two newest buildings, Founders Hall and Innovation Hall, which have become anchor facilities in the university’s Innovation Quad. Installed in front of Founders Hall this spring, the university’s new SmartFlower offers a sunny welcome to visitors.
- Elon marked the 30th anniversary of the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum in April. The annual showcase of the research undertaken by Elon undergraduates and their mentors has grown from fewer than 20 during its inaugural year to a daylong event with more than 270 presentations.
- In October, President Connie Ledoux Book led a delegation to Japan to present on artificial intelligence and higher education at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Kyoto. During the visit to Japan, Book also connected with the family of Toshio Sato Kato, a member of Elon’s Class of 1920 and its first international graduate.
- The university said congratulations and farewell (for now) to the Class of 2023 at Commencement in May and hello to the Class of 2027 with Move-In Day and New Student Convocation in August. In December, new scores of professionals received their diplomas from Elon Law and the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
- Two received the Elon Medallion, the university’s highest honor for service, during 2023: local businessman and longtime Elon trustee Tom Chandler and retired staff member Vickie Somers. The university also honored two senior full professors — Ann Cahill and Mary Jo Festle for their career achievements by naming them Distinguished University Professors.
- In December, Elon secured its reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.