Posted in Academics, Student organizations on May 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
May 3, 2013
1964 Radio Team
The concept of the radio was developed in the late 1800s, where electricity allowed wireless communication. Elon College offered its first class about this new invention in 1922, which was described as experimental in nature. The class was taught in conjunction with electricity, and students focused on the practical and theoretical operation of the radio.
Posted in Athletics, Student organizations on March 22, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
March 22, 2013
The 1999-2000 women’s soccer team.
The 1980s and 1990s at Elon was a time of great transition as the college sought to gain public recognition. The student body profile, in addition to the alumni and faculty, was changing in that Elon became more engaged in academics, networking, and athletics. This in part was due to the “Plan of the 90’s” that worked to increase the quality of Elon and develop programs. In 1991, the South Atlantic Conference moved to NCAA Division II from the NAIA. However, the Division II was considered “No Man’s Land,” and on June 17, 1996, Elon officials decided it was time to go to Division I in the NCAA. Elon participated without conference affiliation for the first two years before joining the Big South Conference in 1999.
Most of the Elon sports teams struggled in Division I due to the increased competition, but in 1999, women’s soccer prevailed. Coached by Paul Webster, the women were the third seed in the championship and defeated Liberty University in overtime. The team won the Big South Tournament Championship, becoming the first program at Elon to go to a Division I NCAA postseason tournament. According to the Magazine of Elon Winter 2000 issue, “junior midfielder Erin Morse earned first-team All Big South Conference honors and was named to the league’s All Academic Team. Four Elon players were named to the All Conference second team, including junior sweeper Patricia Clark, sophomore midfielder MacKenzie Sisson, sophomore defender Erin Lautermilch and junior goalkeeper Sommer Cork.” (more…)
Posted in Athletics, Student Life, Student organizations on March 15, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
March 15, 2013
Women’s Volleyball Team in 1975
The 1960s and 1970s were a time of different turning points in both American and Elon history. The Vietnam War, the Civil Rights and women’s movements were just a few of the milestones that occurred. This impacted women’s sports in various ways. The Commission of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was soon recognized, and America faced a time of subsiding societal restrictions. This in part was due to increased coverage of the Olympics, where women had been at least to some extent competing since the 1900 Paris Games. (more…)
Posted in Athletics, Student Life, Student organizations on March 8, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
March 8, 2013
Women’s Tennis Team in 1949
“Archery for skill, volleyball for coordination, and riding for the figure is Elon’s way of turning out healthy, ‘well-rounded’ girls.” – Phi Psi Cli, 1953
World War II caused lasting impacts at Elon College, especially the changed role of sports for both men and women. In 1942, men’s intercollegiate activities were temporarily abolished, and the soldiers stationed on campus used the gymnasium for training. It was not until 1944 that sports became a part of Elon activities once again. Due to the effects of the war, fitness became a more crucial factor in individuals’ lifestyles on local and national levels. It was soon acceptable for women too to physically train to improve overall health and strength. (more…)
Posted in Athletics, Student Life, Student organizations on March 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
March 1, 2013
Women’s Archery in 1939
During the beginning decades of Elon as an institution, society held a very different impression about women than the contemporary opinion. Lady-like behavior was strongly encouraged, and women were often protected against potential masculinity that was incorporated in notions about sports and physical training. At the turn of the twentieth century, women were confined to calisthenics and recreational tennis. Over the next twenty years, the Young Women’s Christian Association at Elon College was formed and requests for more athletic opportunities were expressed. As views of women changed in America from delicate to more durable, the trend in sports was reflected accordingly. (more…)
Posted in Alumni, Student organizations on October 5, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
October 5, 2012
The Emanons in the 1970s.
During Homecoming this year, the Emanons will celebrate their 50th reunion. In 1962, Dr. Jack O. White organized a jazz band at Elon College. The first members named themselves the Emanons, spelling “No Name” backwards and they played a wide variety of music. From the beginning, the Emanons were an extremely talented group of musicians. Their first annual concert occurred on March 15, 1962 and in 1964, they performed at the New York World Fair. In 1970, Dr. David Bragg joined Dr. White as assistant director, just as the Emanons began their global debut. Over the years, the band expanded their repertoire from jazz to big band and rock. 
(more…)
Posted in Academics, Cultural events, Student organizations on September 27, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Julia Mueller
September 27, 2012
Photo of the 1970-71 Liberal Arts Forum. Front row L-R: David Marion, Brad Curran, Steve Leocha, Cathy Albair, Ann Shawhan, Beth Brinkerhoff, Carolyn Overstreet, Pat Jones. Back Row L-R: Bob Lane, Jan Davis, John Finch, Chris Walsh, Chris Butcher, Dr. James P. Elder, Bill Ogle, Mike Bunitsky, Frank Lyon.
In 1958, the Student Government Association established the Liberal Arts Forum. The purpose of this student-led group was to promote the arts and humanities aspect of Elon’s liberal arts campus, and they encouraged curiosity through scholarly lectures. Only a few students and professors were involved in the forum at its beginning – these people being Etta Britt, James P. Elder, Daniel Gee, and Professors William M. Brown, Clarence Carson, Richard Haff and James Hess. While presentations by noted professors of the time were the primary events hosted by the Liberal Arts Forum, other occasions included art displays, films, concerts, seminars, and debates. (more…)
Posted in Alumni, Student organizations, tagged Black Cultural Society, Black History Month on February 1, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Shaunta Alvarez
February 1, 2012
National Black Heritage Week was first celebrated at Elon in February 1975. The newly-established Black Cultural Society (BCS) sponsored activities throughout the week:
Posted in Alumni, Campus traditions, Student organizations on October 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Katie Nash
October 17, 2011
Homecoming float, 1991
“Mardi Gras at Elon” was the Homecoming theme in 1991. Prior to Homecoming week, a few events were scheduled which included Skit Night in Whitley Auditorium, and the infamous Homecoming float competition that took place on Haggard Avenue. The Homecoming floats were created by a number of student organizations. The float competition preceded the Elon football game, in which the Fightin’ Christians played the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb (and Elon lost). Other events that took place during Homecoming included a penny drive to benefit the United Way and a carnival. (more…)
Posted in Academics, Student Life, Student organizations on May 24, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Miriam Pace – volunteer in Archives
May 24, 2011
Radio room in Whitley, 1948.
If you’re old enough to remember a time with no TV, no internet, no Nook or Blackberry, then you will remember the radio. The family gathered around that early entertainment center and listened to “The Jack Benny Show” or “One Man’s Family” or “Your Hit Parade” and thought themselves lucky to have a radio in their home. By 1947, Elon had completed a radio broadcasting studio in Whitley auditorium on the second floor facing the stage and was ready to launch the Elon Radio Players over WBBB, the Burlington, N.C. station that would carry the plays. The room, the wiring, and installation of equipment was done by Professor A.L. Hook and students from his physics classes. (more…)
