Gerald O. Whittington, the senior vice president emeritus who played a pivotal role in the growth of Elon University’s physical campus and national reputation over three decades of service, received the institution’s highest tribute during an Elon Day celebration featuring the dedication of a residence hall in his honor.
University leaders presented Elon’s most prestigious honor to a steadfast executive who helped fuel the campus’s rise to national prominence through his integrity, dedication and innovative spirit across three decades of service to the institution.
On March 6, 2025, Elon awarded the Elon Medallion to Gerald O. Whittington, senior vice president emeritus and special assistant to the president, during a ceremony that also dedicated a residence hall in his honor.
With his wife, Roberta, by his side inside the Great Hall in the Global Commons, Whittington stood before hundreds of professors, staff and administrators as Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book read a citation summarizing the meaningful career of “one of our university’s great historic figures.”
Elon University Trustee Mark Mahaffey conferred the medallion on Whittington, who followed with remarks in acknowledgment of his achievement.
“My time at Elon has seen it rise… to one of the nation’s most creative and innovative institutions – a university of quality, excellence and repute.”
-Gerald O. Whittington
“Indeed, Elon is a place where pride of service to students is paramount and it is a place of quiet gravitas: doing meaningful work for society, in the nation’s best environment for learning,” said Whittington. “I was so lucky to share that experience with all of you.”
The ceremony coincided with Elon Day, the university’s annual day of giving and celebration, and brought together family, friends and the campus community to commemorate a career that spanned the administrations of three presidents, three provosts and 15 board chairs.
The Elon Medallion represents the highest honor bestowed by Elon University and is awarded to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and meritorious service to the institution.
Hired in 1992 by President J. Fred Young, Whittington served as senior vice president for business, finance and technology and corporate treasurer of the board of trustees and corporation, directly assisting in Elon’s transformation from a regional college to a nationally ranked university.
“One of my favorite idioms is the Latin phrase, ‘sine qua non,’ meaning ‘without which, not,’” Young said in ceremonial remarks where he addressed Whittington directly. “I think you were not only essential, but you were indispensable the years we worked with you at Elon. ‘Sine qua non.’”
Whittington played a key role in Elon doubling its enrollment and quadrupling its physical campus in size through four strategic plans. He helped steer the university through major financial challenges, including the Great Recession of 2007-09, and he oversaw significant growth in Elon’s financial standing and workforce.
He provided leadership for key departments, including business and finance, human resources, facilities management, information technology, campus safety and police, and planning, design and construction.
Widely admired for his financial mind and record of astute and ethical leadership, Whittington oversaw years of successful audits and championed the use of long-term bonds to finance key facilities to strengthen Elon’s reputation as a best-run institution committed to the highest level of fiscal responsibility.
The National Association of College and University Business Officers named him its 2018 Distinguished Business Officer of the Year, the organization’s highest and most prestigious award.
“Elon has a culture of collaboration – leadership is a team sport. Gerald personified that idea.”
-President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert.
“Too many CFOs in this country hide under their green eye shades and say ‘no’ a lot. Gerald, in contrast, helped his colleagues get things done,” said Lambert. “In the end, we all knew he would help us accomplish our goals – he was the best collaborator.”
In honor of Whittington’s significant contributions to the university, the Global A residence hall in Global Neighborhood was formally dedicated at the ceremony as “Gerald O. Whittington Hall,” a reflection of his commitment to global engagement and the liberal arts.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a university-commissioned painting of that residence hall for Whittington to display in his home.
After thanking his former colleagues and the Board of Trustees, and praising the unwavering support of his family, including his wife and his son, Chris, Whittington concluded his remarks with a charge to those in attendance “to develop meaningful, impactful and undeniable answers” to turmoil in American higher education.
“Connect with the public and bring to light all the values that we at Elon display every day,” he said. “Not only does ‘the world need Elon graduates,’ but also ‘the world needs Elon.’ In my view, Elon is the antidote to this world of crisis.
“So, Elon, take courage, be that leader and make true the slogan of ‘Long live Elon.’”
