Posts by Jaleh Hagigh | Today at ��ϲ�� | ��ϲ��

��ϲ��’s future health and wellness hub named Slattery Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:03:04 +0000

The Slattery Center, named following a gift from Bill and Tish Slattery P’24 P’28, is scheduled to open in the fall.

A generous gift from ��ϲ�� Trustee Bill Slattery and his wife Tish Slattery P’24 P’28 will name the university’s new center for health and wellness and also create 14 additional scholarships in the Odyssey Program to assist talented students with significant financial need.

��ϲ�� President Connie Ledoux Book and the Board of Trustees announced the Slatterys’ gift at the board’s spring meeting April 10-11. Book thanked the Slattery family for their generosity and leadership in supporting a center that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

“The ��ϲ�� community is deeply honored to name the HealthEU Center in recognition of the Slattery family,” Book said. “This extraordinary investment from Bill and Tish Slattery will help ��ϲ�� meet its mission to transform the mind, body and spirit of every student, and prepare healthy graduates ready to share their gifts with the world.”

The ability to address the health and well-being of students early in their lives inspired the Slatterys to make their gift.

“My career at the intersection of science and investment often requires decades to witness the outcomes of success,” Bill Slattery said. “HealthEU is an opportunity to intervene with our students at an early age and engage in these activities in a more structured, thoughtful way, and hopefully reduce some of their adversities in life.”

“I believe social media has impacted students greatly, and institutions like ��ϲ�� that provide centers like HealthEU will be at an advantage going forward,” Tish Slattery said. “Health and wellness encompass so much more than just the physical aspect. I’m incredibly grateful that we’re able to impact ��ϲ�� with this gift.”

Slattery Center is a central component to the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly ��ϲ�� strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center will be located within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

Slattery Center rendering

The Slatterys’ gift will also endow the William and Tish Slattery Odyssey Program Scholarship, funding 14 new scholarships in the program that gives bright, passionate students with high financial need and/or no family history of college attendance access to ��ϲ��’s nationally recognized engaged learning programs.

These new investments bring the total number of Odyssey Program scholarships to nearly 300, more than halfway to the university’s goal of having a total of 400 Odyssey Scholarships, or 100 scholars per class, as called for in the Boldly ��ϲ�� strategic plan. Housed in ��ϲ��’s Center for Access and Success, the Odyssey Program is nationally recognized as a model for need- and merit-based initiatives, with a nearly 100% first-to-second-year student retention rate and an 87% graduation rate, well above the national average.

The Slatterys have been impressed by the educational experience ��ϲ�� delivers to students. Their daughter Madelyn graduated in 2024, and their son James is an ��ϲ�� sophomore.

“I’ve been very happy to see the school excel at its academic responsibility in education while equally addressing students’ needs as people at the social level,” Bill said. “It’s a pleasant, inviting and warm place that cares for its students.”

“From the moment you step foot on ��ϲ��’s campus, you feel a great sense of community,” Tish said. “The close relationships that students have with their professors makes ��ϲ�� stand out among its peers.”

Bill Slattery is a partner at Deerfield Management Company, Therapeutics. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2000, Slattery served as a senior healthcare analyst for 10 years at Amerindo Investment Advisors in New York, where he oversaw biotechnology investments. He has also held various positions in research, including those at National Medical Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson, and HMSS. He is the former chair of Red Door Community, which supports those impacted by cancer and their families.

Bill was elected to ��ϲ��’s Board of Trustees in 2024. Tish is a member of the Slattery Family Foundation and served in administration at Amerindo Investment Advisors. Recently, Tish was named chair of the Miss Hall’s School Arts Advisory Council. The couple reside in Rye, New York.

Honoring a lifelong friendship

Jaleh Hagigh — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:55:41 +0000

Bill Rudd III, at left, and George Robertson showcase the space in the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center named for their fathers’ 80-year friendship that began at ��ϲ��.

William Rudd Jr. ’50 and James Robertson ’50 understood the value of friendship better than most people. After all, theirs lasted close to 80 years.

To honor his father and that friendship, Rudd’s son, Bill Rudd III, made a $100,000 gift to ��ϲ��’s HealthEU Center. In recognition of the gift, a plaque will be installed on the landing between the second and third floors of Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center with the following inscription: “In honor of William G. Rudd Jr., and James E. Robertson, distinguished members of the Class of 1950, for their nearly 80 years as classmates, fellow WWII veterans, business partners and lifelong friends.”

The named space features a comfortable sitting area and plenty of natural light that Bill hopes will inspire students to gather and begin their own lifelong friendships. Rudd and Robertson studied the sciences at ��ϲ��, with Rudd majoring in pre-med and Robertson biology.

“I thought there needs to be a way to honor my father’s life, especially knowing that he and James had such a long friendship,” Bill said. “Nowadays, things are so transitory, including interactions between people, but you can’t put a value on 80 years of friendship.”

Bill Rudd Jr. ’50

Bill Rudd Jr. grew up in the small rural community of Monticello in Guilford County, North Carolina, where he spent many hours working the family’s 75-acre tobacco farm. Robertson was raised about 30 miles north in Leaksville, North Carolina, near the town of Eden in Rockingham County. Both men grew up during the Depression, which made them resilient and appreciate what little money they had.

“I think that’s one of the things that bound them together, the modest circumstances in which they were born and lived,” Bill said.

The two met on ��ϲ��’s campus following their military service in World War II. Drafted in 1944, Rudd served in the Army’s 87th Infantry Division and fought in France during the Battle of the Bulge. Robertson enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a high school senior and served stateside as a radio operator. Both enrolled at ��ϲ�� through the GI Bill and bonded over their shared military service, small-town roots and interest in science. When they weren’t studying, they passed the time playing cards and hanging out on campus. If they wanted to go anywhere, they had to hitchhike since neither had a car.

James Robertson ’50

Following graduation, the two men returned to their hometowns, with Rudd working at Sears in Greensboro, while Robertson went to work at Duke Energy at the Dan River Station in Eden. Before long, Rudd joined his best friend at the utility company, where they worked together for nearly four decades.

“It was his first step in getting away from home and was a chance for him to see the world,” Bill recalled. “He did not want to live on a tobacco farm.”

In 1952, while still working at Duke Energy, Robertson opened his own business, Rockingham Insurance Agency, in an 800-square-foot brick building in Eden. His father had a successful career in insurance and Robertson wanted to continue that legacy. Rudd agreed to join Robertson as co-owner, proving that best friends can be successful business partners. They quickly developed a reputation for honesty among their clients and regularly drew on each other’s strengths to grow their business, including Robertson’s mastery of numbers.

“They both worked hard and treated people with dignity,” Bill said. “They never abused the responsibility they had for selling and serving insurance.”

“They were able to communicate with each other in a way that they respected each other and were there for each other in the good and the bad times,” added James’ son, George Robertson. “Life is tough and you have to be there for each other and they were.”

Both men were also loyal donors to ��ϲ�� and visited campus as often as they could. Together they amassed nearly 60 years of annual giving to their university, primarily for scholarships, as a way of thanking ��ϲ�� for their education.

James Robertson ’50 attended the funeral of best friend Bill Rudd Jr. ’50 in 2023.

Rudd and Robertson remained close, even after Rudd entered assisted living. Though his memory was fading, Rudd never forgot his best friend when he came to visit. Rudd passed away on October 3, 2023, and Robertson died four months later.

During a recent visit to campus, Bill Rudd reflected on how happy he was to continue his father’s legacy and that of his best friend.

“I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that carries on beyond their deaths,” he said. “In some ways, ��ϲ�� has helped me to become who I am today, and I am forever grateful for that.”

About the HealthEU Center

The new HealthEU Center will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and beyond.

The center is a key component of the Boldly ��ϲ�� strategic plan and ��ϲ��’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Currently under construction, the center is located within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs, and scheduled to open in Fall 2026.

Many naming opportunities remain in the HealthEU Center, beginning at $50,000. Gift commitments may be made in full or with a pledge over five years. To find out how you can make an impact with your gift, contact Brian Baker, associate vice president for university advancement, at 336.278.7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

Alumna Joan Danieley ’82 makes generous estate gift to endow professorship

Jaleh Hagigh — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:03:31 +0000

Joan Danieley ’82

Inspired by her ��ϲ�� education, Joan Danieley ’82 has established a professorship that will focus on complex issues surrounding family histories and reconciliation.

The Joan Danieley Distinguished Professorship will support a faculty scholar in any field of study whose teaching and research explore family histories and how individuals and societies navigate issues of reconciliation.

The fields of study may include, but are not limited to, history, psychology, sociology, human service studies, English and communications. Topics of reconciliation may include the legacy of slavery, the aftermath of Nazi Germany, displacement of Native Americans, internment of Japanese Americans and the contemporary political divide.

Danieley, who is the niece of the late ��ϲ�� President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46, is passionate about the lessons society and individuals can learn from exploring issues of identity, ancestry and cultural heritage.

Danieley was deeply moved after watching the PBS documentary series, “Finding Your Roots,” hosted by renowned Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The series explores the ancestry of celebrities and other well-known individuals from diverse backgrounds, some of whom have discovered family connections to slavery and the Holocaust. By taking viewers deep into the past, Gates seeks to demonstrate our common humanity.

“As I watched ‘Finding Your Roots,’ I was stunned by how family history and reconciling our pasts impacts us today,” Danieley said. “All these years later, the impact is palpable and the reconciliation continues.”

Danieley recalled learning about her own family history after reading the book, “Shuttle & Plow: A History of Alamance County, North Carolina,” written by ��ϲ�� Professor Emerita Carole W. Troxler and William Vincent. Danieley said the book “completely changed my life.”

“In that book, they wrote about slavery and that my great-great-grandfather, Henry Hubbard Danieley, was rabidly anti-slavery,” she said. “But my great-grandmother’s family owned lots of slaves. We are all a mixture of contradictions upon which we layer the values we choose as our personal values.”

��ϲ��’s values inspired Danieley to make her estate gift to establish the professorship, which she hopes will encourage meaningful discussions among students and faculty.

“��ϲ��’s commitment to diversity, integrity, collaboration and respect for differences aligned with my values,” she said. “Putting ��ϲ�� in my will acknowledges ��ϲ��’s effect on who I became and who I strive to be.”

The late President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46

The Danieley family’s roots run deep at ��ϲ��. Earl Danieley was one of North Carolina’s strongest advocates for higher education. Beloved by generations of students and alumni who knew him as “Dr. D,” Earl Danieley grew up on a farm in Alamance County, North Carolina, not far from the ��ϲ�� campus. He earned his degree in chemistry in 1946 and later that year joined the ��ϲ�� faculty to teach chemistry, beginning a remarkable career that spanned 70 years. In 1957, at age 32, Danieley was named the sixth president of then-��ϲ�� College and guided the college to a new level of quality during his 16-year term, making improvements in academic standards and faculty credentials. He retired from the presidency in 1973 and returned to the classroom to teach, later serving in a variety of administrative positions. He passed away in 2016 at age 92.

“My ancestors agreed on their love for ��ϲ�� and its influence on its students and community,” Joan Danieley said. “It was there that I began to get clarity on my values and the willingness to discuss these complex issues. I hope my donation will further this conversation and ultimately improve the reconciliation among diverse communities with differing histories, social norms and how we came into being.”

Provost Rebecca Kohn thanked Danieley for investing in faculty scholars and student learning.

“The entire ��ϲ�� community is indebted to Joan Danieley for recognizing the importance of investing in life-changing teacher-scholar-mentors who play an essential role in preparing students for success on campus and beyond,” Kohn said.

“This gift is a powerful example of how philanthropy can advance rigorous scholarship, while also creating space for courageous, necessary conversations,” said Leanna Giles ’02, associate director of planned giving.

Danieley, a retired health care executive, earned her ��ϲ�� degree in physical education and health from the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education in 1982 and earned master’s and law degrees from Tulane University.

“Leaving a legacy of love and reconciliation is how I want to be remembered,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at ��ϲ�� through your estate, contact Leanna Giles ’02, associate director of planned giving, at (336) 278-5798 or lgiles@elon.edu.

Harvest Table Culinary Group makes generous gift to ��ϲ��’s HealthEU Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:08:11 +0000

��ϲ��’s commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff inspired Harvest Table Culinary Group to make a generous gift to the new HealthEU Center, which will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and beyond.

“Our dining philosophy is rooted in the belief that food should nourish, energize and support long-term health, while celebrating flavor, culture and sustainability,” said Mary Thorton, founder and president of Harvest Table Culinary Group. “By supporting the HealthEU Center, we can continue advancing these values and create meaningful experiences that promote well-being.”

In recognition of the company’s gift, the demonstration kitchen and adjoining classroom on the third floor of the HealthEU Center will be named the Harvest Table Culinary Group Classroom and Kitchen. Teaching Kitchens encourage faculty, staff and student organizations to partner with ��ϲ�� Dining’s chefs and dietitian to create enriching learning experiences while learning valuable skills concerning healthy eating and meal preparation.

“The Teaching Kitchen program we co-developed with ��ϲ�� is a hallmark of the ��ϲ�� Dining experience and a source of great pride for us,” Thorton said. “Having a dedicated space within the HealthEU Center to host teaching kitchens will be transformative for this program.”

Harvest Table Culinary Group provides for the entire campus community. The company focuses on chef-driven, authentic and locally sourced food that emphasizes clean ingredients, community connection and well-being through partnerships with local farms and chefs.

“��ϲ�� is a founding partner of Harvest Table Culinary Group, and we are thrilled to have a long-term, collaborative relationship,” Thorton said. “Our shared values—student-centered learning, global engagement and experiential education—make this partnership truly special. We are deeply committed to the success of the Boldly ��ϲ�� (strategic plan) and proud to support the university in every way possible.”

Construction continues on the HealthEU Center, which is expected to open in fall 2026.

The HealthEU Center is a central component of Boldly ��ϲ�� and the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Currently under construction, the center is located within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs, and scheduled to open in Fall 2026. ��ϲ�� has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $23 million to the project.

“The ��ϲ�� community is grateful to Harvest Table Culinary Group for their generous support of the HealthEU Center,” said Janet Williams, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. “By providing healthy and nutritious meals to our campus, Harvest Table plays an essential role in our commitment to the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff.”

Make An Impact

��ϲ��’s HealthEU Center: ‘A gift beyond measure’

Jaleh Hagigh — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:55:28 +0000

��ϲ�� parents Neil and Jennifer Wizel P’28, of Houston, have contributed $100,000 to the HealthEU Center. The couple praised ��ϲ��’s decision to make students’ health and well-being a top institutional priority, along with their academic and career preparation, and to help them form meaningful relationships. The couple’s daughter Grace ’28 is a sophomore.

“College students today face unique challenges—they are digital natives, buoyed by the benefits of technology and social media, and simultaneously threatened by the relentless culture of comparison and living in an age where real-life relationships often take a back seat,” Jennifer Wizel said. “They are also living on the heels of a pandemic, with a fluid and unpredictable economy and a divisiveness in society that sometimes feel intractable. Having institutional support for their health and well-being is a gift beyond measure.”

The new HealthEU Center will feature multiple floors of fitness activities along with academic, research and engagement spaces.

The HealthEU Center is a key component of the university’s Boldly ��ϲ�� strategic plan and HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story facility will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research and engagement spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, including an aquatics center and climbing/bouldering walls, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, with space for individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, the center is designed to impact every student as they learn essential skills and practices to thrive on campus and throughout each stage of their lives.

While it was bittersweet sending Grace to college, the Wizels said they are enjoying watching her become more independent and make friends on campus.

“We feel tremendous affection, pride and excitement that Grace is spending these years at ��ϲ��, cultivating a deeper awareness about who she is, what she values and how to move through the world with curiosity, agency and purpose,” Jennifer said. “She will be challenged at ��ϲ��, supported and made to feel welcome and whole in her journey.”

The couple’s gift will also establish the Wizel Family ��ϲ�� Engagement Scholarship to make an ��ϲ�� education possible for promising incoming students eager to participate in the university’s nationally recognized engaged learning programs, including undergraduate research, study abroad or Study USA, internships, service learning or leadership development.

Architectural rendering of Del Vecchio Commons at the entrance to HealthEU.

��ϲ�� has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $22.4 million to the center, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in fall 2026 within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

The comprehensive nature of the HealthEU Center and thoughtful design also inspired a generous gift from Parents Council members Armins and Cynthia Rusis P’28, of New London, New Hampshire. The couple are also members of the President’s Parents Leadership Council.

“By integrating fitness and wellness into the college experience, the center will help students establish habits that contribute to lifelong health,” Cynthia said. “Without a healthy balance between academics, recreation, and physical and mental resilience, it becomes significantly harder to thrive in today’s demanding and competitive world.”

The couple said they are “absolutely thrilled” with their daughter Lily’s ��ϲ�� experience.

“The university offers an incredible range of opportunities, both academically, socially and through extracurricular involvement,” Cynthia said. “We’re deeply grateful for all that ��ϲ�� provides and are proud to support the school and its mission.”

Their gift will also create the Rusis Family ��ϲ�� Engagement Scholarship.

The Cannon Foundation has continued its loyal and generous support of the university, contributing $100,000 to the center. Since 2000, the foundation has made gifts to some of ��ϲ��’s key facilities, including the Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center, R.N. Ellington Health Center, Physician Assistant Studies program, Inman Admissions Welcome Center and Koenigsberger Learning Center.

“The Cannon Foundation provided funding for this opportunity because it supports the total student,” said Suzanne Philemon, executive director of the foundation. “We want students to be successful and feel that these areas help make for a healthy, well-rounded human being. Our college and university students are our state’s future, and health and well-being are critical elements to their success.”

The foundation’s gift will also endow The Cannon Foundation ��ϲ�� Engagement Scholarship to assist students pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing degree in the university’s School of Health Sciences, with preference for students from Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

How to Make an Impact

Trustee makes $2 million gift to new HealthEU Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:01:43 +0000

Debra Del Vecchio P’22 P’24 with her children, Cristian ’22 and Angelica ’24

Debra Del Vecchio knew there was something special about ��ϲ�� when she first stepped onto campus in fall 2017, when her son Cristian ’22 enrolled. That affinity only grew stronger when her daughter Angelica ’24 joined the ��ϲ�� community a few years later.

“What I admire most about ��ϲ�� is its deep sense of commitment,” said Del Vecchio, of Oyster Bay, New York. “The university is proactive, always thinking ahead to ensure students are supported, not just academically, but emotionally, socially and physically. The new HealthEU facility is a perfect example of this. It will be a state-of-the-art space, but more than that, I’m confident it will be a warm and welcoming hub of well-being at the heart of campus life.”

In recognition of her gift, the main entrance to the HealthEU Center will be named Del Vecchio Commons, a spacious area that will welcome all visitors to the center and serve as an inviting gathering spot for students, faculty and staff. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, the center will be located within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

The gift will also endow the Del Vecchio Family Internship as part of the Women of ��ϲ�� (WE) initiative. This initiative seeks to inspire alumnae, parents and friends to increase philanthropic support for students by raising $2.5 million by 2026 to make internships possible for students with financial need. Del Vecchio is a member of the Women of ��ϲ�� Advisory Council. Finally, the gift will provide additional funding for the Odyssey Scholarships previously endowed by the Del Vecchio family, in honor of Cristian and Angelica, to make an ��ϲ�� education possible for talented students with significant financial need.

“The ��ϲ�� community is grateful to Debra Del Vecchio for her inspired leadership and engagement as a trustee and for generously supporting scholarships, health and wellness and other top university priorities,” said James B. Piatt, Jr., senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs. “We are a stronger institution because of devoted partners like Debra Del Vecchio.”

Architectural rendering of Del Vecchio Commons at the entrance to HealthEU.

The HealthEU Center is a central component to the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, the HealthEU Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices to flourish on campus and throughout each stage of their lives. The center is a key priority of the Boldly ��ϲ�� strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030.

��ϲ�� has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $22.4 million to the project.

Del Vecchio is one of ��ϲ��’s most generous donors, making gifts to support scholarships, ��ϲ��’s Greatest Needs, Catholic Campus Ministry and, along with Cristian, expansion of the university’s golf training facilities on South Campus.

“I know firsthand the difference this community can make in a student’s life,” Del Vecchio said. “And I know that countless others will graduate from ��ϲ�� carrying that same sense of gratitude, confidence and care that my own children did. That’s why I’m proud to support ��ϲ�� and why I believe in what the HealthEU Center represents for this generation and those to come.”

How to make an impact

To support the Women of ��ϲ�� initiative, contact Emily Majmudar, director of development, at emajmudar@elon.edu or 336.520.5395.

Cantos family makes generous estate gift to ��ϲ�� Hillel

Jaleh Hagigh — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:05:54 +0000

Andy and Ilene Cantos P’25 with daughter Kylie ‘25 and son Brendan.

Ilene and Andy Cantos P’25 of Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, made their estate gift to support ��ϲ�� Hillel in perpetuity because of the powerful impact the organization had on their daughter, Kylie Cantos ’25, who served as a peer mentor and executive board member with Hillel.

“Hillel provided Kylie with a warm, welcoming community where she felt a sense of belonging and identity,” Ilene Cantos said. “It was more than just a student organization—it became a home away from home for her.”

The couple’s gift is one of the largest made to ��ϲ�� Hillel, a dynamic student-run and student-centered organization that engages approximately 800 Jewish students (undergraduate and graduate) on campus, along with non-Jewish students. Hillel hosts a variety of activities and services throughout the academic year, including bagel brunches, weekly Shabbat dinners, Hanukkah parties, movie nights, Israeli cooking classes and get out the vote projects, among other activities. The organization is located in the Sklut Hillel Center, which opened in 2013 and is named for ��ϲ�� parents Lori and Eric Sklut P’14 of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Cantos family was impressed by how deeply Hillel and Jewish Life staff invest in each student’s well-being and personal growth, including Hillel’s “SoupWorks” program that provides chicken soup and check-ins for students when they’re ill.

“There’s always someone looking out for the students, and that level of care really matters,” Ilene said. “We believe that every student deserves to have access to the same kind of supportive, inspiring and growth-focused community. That’s why we’re proud to support ��ϲ�� and to be champions of its Jewish Life program.”

Betsy Polk Joseph, senior director of Jewish Life at ��ϲ��, thanked the Cantos family for their generosity and deep engagement with the university and Hillel.

“Throughout Kylie’s four years at ��ϲ��, Ilene and Andy Cantos led the way as volunteers, champions, philanthropists and advocates for ��ϲ��,” she said. “Their legacy gift demonstrates that their generous commitment is lifelong and will inspire donors now and far into the future.”

The couple served on ��ϲ��’s Jewish Life Advisory Council (JLAC), which gave them a front-row seat to the value of Jewish Life and Hillel to students’ academic, social and professional growth.

“Serving on JLAC and staying engaged with ��ϲ�� has deepened our appreciation for the university’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive environment,” Andy Cantos said. “Jewish life, and especially Hillel, is a key part of that. It doesn’t just enrich student life—it helps transform it.”

��ϲ�� Hillel engages hundreds of Jewish and non-Jewish students each year in a variety of activities.

Organizations like Hillel make it easy for students to get involved and stay engaged throughout their entire ��ϲ�� experience, Ilene said.

“Whether they’re leading a program, participating in a fellowship, working a paid internship or just showing up to a Shabbat dinner, they’re gaining confidence, skills and connections that will last long after graduation,” she said.

The Cantos family was also pleased with Kylie’s overall ��ϲ�� experience, which allowed her to grow personally and professionally as a Change Maker Scholar in the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, vice president of philanthropy with Alpha Chi Omega sorority and as an executive board member of the Pre-Health Society. Kylie earned her undergraduate degree in psychology.

“Kylie had access to incredible facilities and was constantly challenged academically while also being encouraged to get involved outside the classroom,” Ilene said. “Watching our daughter thrive at ��ϲ�� has been a gift, and we’re proud to continue supporting this incredible community.”

“��ϲ�� is grateful to the Cantos family for generously supporting Hillel through their estate, which will help secure the future of this outstanding organization and make a meaningful impact on generations of students,” said John Gardner ’01, senior director of development.

Visit ��ϲ��’s website for more information on how you can make a difference with student learning through estate gifts.

About ��ϲ�� Hillel

Hillel is open to all Jewish students from all backgrounds, identities and levels of observance, as well as to non-Jewish students. The organization seeks to build a welcoming, inclusive community that provides empowering Jewish experiences for students and embraces the diversity of Jewish traditions and identities.

The Sklut Hillel Center is a popular gathering place for students, whether they’re looking for a fridge full of food, a place to hang out or study, a way to meet other students, or somewhere to celebrate a Jewish holiday. ��ϲ�� Jewish Life also advocates for the Jewish community on campus and prepares students for life beyond college through access to summer jobs and internships.

Zeller family makes $500,000 gift to ��ϲ��’s HealthEU Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:12:14 +0000

For ��ϲ�� parents Scott and Jeannine Zeller P’25, the health and wellness of today’s college students has never been more important. With highly processed food just a few clicks away, mounting pressure from social media and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, the health challenges can be serious and long-lasting.

That is one of the reasons the couple from Stratham, New Hampshire, decided to make a $500,000 gift to ��ϲ��’s HealthEU Center, the new home for comprehensive health and wellness programs that will serve all students, faculty and staff.

“Our young adults are facing health challenges that in many ways are unique to their generation,” Scott Zeller said. “We commend ��ϲ�� for recognizing that all aspects of health are interconnected and should be addressed under one roof.”

The couple was also inspired to give after watching ��ϲ��’s administration in action while their son Luke ’25 was enrolled.

“While we have always prioritized health as a family, our decision to support the HealthEU Center is also a reflection of our faith in ��ϲ��’s leadership,” Zeller said. “Over the past four years, we have come to thoroughly trust and respect the vision of President Book and the Trustees.”

The new HealthEU Center will feature multiple floors of fitness activities along with academic, research and engagement spaces.

��ϲ�� has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $21.6 million to the project, which will bring academic, wellness, counseling, campus recreation and fitness programs together to support student success. The center is scheduled to open in fall 2026 within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

The Zellers are grateful for Luke’s ��ϲ�� experience and their time serving on Parents Council, where they witnessed firsthand why ��ϲ�� is known as a “best-run” institution.

“From start to finish, the staff at ��ϲ�� have proven to be not only extremely talented but genuinely dedicated to educating and supporting the student body,” Scott said. “Not only are students challenged in the most positive way, by the time they graduate they are poised to succeed in a competitive world.”

Luke Zeller ’25 graduated in May with a degree in finance from the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

“As Luke navigates a tricky job market, we are learning that ��ϲ��’s commitment to its students doesn’t end at graduation,” Zeller said. “The career center has been very useful in guiding him through this next chapter. Suffice it to say that we will always be grateful that he chose ��ϲ��!”

The Zellers’ gift will also establish the Zeller Family Odyssey Program Scholarship, which will assist promising students with high financial need, including first-generation college students.

“��ϲ�� is grateful to the Zeller family for recognizing the importance of supporting the HealthEU Center, which will give students the knowledge and skills they need to succeed,” said John Gardner ’01, senior director of development.

About The HealthEU Center

The HealthEU Center is a central component of the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story facility will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research and engagement spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, including an aquatics center and climbing/bouldering walls, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide space for individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

How to Make an Impact

Many naming opportunities are available in the HealthEU Center, beginning at $50,000. Gift commitments may be made in full or with a pledge over five years. To find out how you can make an impact with your gift, contact Brian Baker, associate vice president for university advancement, at 336.278.7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

Alumni, parents continue to generously support HealthEU Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:18:01 +0000

When Bryan ’07 and Liz Padgette ’06 think about important moments in their lives, they often think of ��ϲ��. The couple met on campus as students, and in 2010, Bryan proposed to Liz in front of Fonville Fountain in the shadow of Alamance Building. Since then, their love for ��ϲ�� has only grown stronger.

“Liz and I owe our relationship to ��ϲ��,” Bryan said. “We think it’s a special place, and we wanted to give something back.”

Recently, the couple made a $100,000 gift to the university’s HealthEU Center, which will be the new home for holistic health and wellness initiatives to serve students, faculty and staff. Their gift will also create the Padgette Family ��ϲ�� Engagement Scholarship. Engagement Scholarships are designed for promising incoming students eager to participate in ��ϲ��’s nationally recognized engaged learning curriculum. The scholarship includes a grant for participation in one of the university’s ��ϲ�� Experiences. The couple’s scholarship will assist students who reside in rural communities of North Carolina.

��ϲ�� has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $20.2 million to the project, which will bring academic, wellness, counseling, campus recreation and fitness programs together under one roof to support student success. Scheduled to open in summer 2026, the center will be located within ��ϲ��’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

Supporting the center resonated with the couple, who see the initiative as integral to any collegiate experience.

“College is a pivotal point in your life,” Liz said. “I love that ��ϲ�� is prioritizing health and well-being and encouraging students to take better care of themselves while they’re in college. I also love that there is an opportunity for alumni and others to contribute to this effort.”

“I think we know more today about how important health and wellness are to make a complete person,” Bryan said. “I’m proud that ��ϲ�� is helping students build a foundation early that will set them up for success in the future.”

Rendering of ��ϲ��’s HealthEU Center

The HealthEU Center is a central component of the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story facility will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research and engagement spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide space for individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Supporting a top institutional priority has brought the Padgettes closer to their alma mater, where Bryan received his degree in sport management and math and Liz in human service studies. Bryan also serves on the ��ϲ�� Alumni Board.

“I owe a lot to ��ϲ��,” he said. “As I get older, I recognize that what I learned at ��ϲ�� built the foundation for a lot of things that made me successful. I’m proud to say I graduated from ��ϲ��.”

Liz recalls falling in love with ��ϲ�� on her first campus visit. “I had one of those ‘aha moments,’” she said. “I know it sounds corny, but I knew at that moment that ��ϲ�� was the place for me. ��ϲ�� made you feel like family.”

The Padgettes have been devoted donors to the Phoenix Club, ��ϲ��’s Greatest Needs, ��ϲ�� Day and the ��ϲ�� Alumni Board Endowed Internship. The couple has also made an estate gift that in the future, will support their Engagement Scholarship. By making an estate gift, the couple wanted to demonstrate the many ways alumni can multiply the impact of their giving to ��ϲ�� and create a legacy at the same time.

“We really feel strongly about building ��ϲ��’s endowment, and that’s why we wanted to direct our estate gift to our scholarship,” he said. “We think it’s pivotal for ��ϲ�� to greatly increase its endowment in order to be successful in the future.”

“��ϲ�� is grateful for the Padgette family’s generous commitment to support HealthEU and student scholarships,” said Cole Hyman ’16 G’21, assistant director of development. “As an alumni couple, their advocacy as champions of ��ϲ�� is both impactful and inspiring and will make a meaningful difference in the lives of ��ϲ�� students for years to come.”

(l-r) Ryan Dorfman ’27, Katie Sherborne P’27 and Emma Dorfman

��ϲ�� parents have also continued their support of the HealthEU Center. Parents Council member Katie Sherborne P’27, of Houston, recently contributed $125,000 to the project.

“From the moment I first learned about ��ϲ��, I had a strong sense that this was a special place and one where students are truly supported in all aspects of their development,” Sherborne said. “The HealthEU Center captures that spirit beautifully, and I am proud to support it.”

Sherborne praised the center’s mission and ��ϲ�� for recognizing its importance in today’s rapidly changing world.

“The pressures facing today’s students are unlike anything we experienced, and they are intensified by social media, information overload and a constant stream of comparison,” she said. “If we want our children to succeed, sustain that success and live meaningful, fulfilling lives, we must invest in their health and well-being now.”

Sherborne’s gift will also endow the Jane Stepp Sherborne GP’27 ��ϲ�� Engagement Scholarship, with a preference for female nursing students in the School of Health Sciences. The scholarship honors Sherborne’s mother, a retired pediatric nurse practitioner who spent her career helping children overcome health issues and cope with learning disabilities and other developmental challenges.

Sherborne is pleased that her son, Ryan Dorfman ’27, a sport management major, is thriving.

“Ryan is surrounded by peers and mentors who inspire him to be his best self,” she said. “As a parent, there is nothing more comforting than knowing your child is in a place that recognizes their potential, nurtures their growth and is grounded in meaningful values. For us, that place is ��ϲ��.”

Ryan ’27 and Grant Dorfman P’27

Ryan’s father, Grant Dorfman P’27, and his wife, Angie P’27, of Bellaire, Texas, agree. They have contributed $100,000 to the center.

“We wanted to make this gift to the HealthEU Center because it is the largest and most sign,ificant new initiative at the university, and we knew that by assisting in its completion we would be making a meaningful contribution to the school community,” Grant Dorfman said.

“This initiative also spoke to us as parents because when you entrust the university with your child, it is reassuring to know that the school will emphasize development of the whole person,” he added. “HealthEU will provide ��ϲ�� students what they need to ensure their physical and mental well-being.”

Dorfman, a member of the Parents Council along with Angie, is equally pleased with Ryan’s experience at ��ϲ��.

“It has been a great and supportive living and learning environment for him, and by giving to the HealthEU initiative, we hope to play a part in making it even better.”

The couple’s gift will also establish the Dorfman Family ��ϲ�� Engagement Scholarship, which will assist students studying in the university’s sport management program.

“The generous support from ��ϲ�� families like the Sherbornes and the Dorfmans is helping to shape a transformational resource for our students,” said Emily Majmudar, director of development. “Their commitment to supporting student well-being and holistic development is both inspiring and impactful. Through their gifts, they are helping to create a healthier, more supportive campus environment and empowering future generations of ��ϲ�� students to thrive.”

HealthEU: Make An Impact

Kaso House in ��ϲ��’s EcoVillage named in honor of recent graduate

Jaleh Hagigh — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:45:52 +0000

Under blue skies and with a strong wind blowing, ��ϲ�� President Connie Ledoux Book recently led a special dedication ceremony in the EcoVillage neighborhood at Loy Farm to honor a member of the Class of 2025 during Commencement week.

The ceremony marked the culmination of a dream that Trustee John Replogle P’18 and wife Kristin Replogle P’18 had to honor Gloria Kaso ’25, a student from Albania whose family years ago had generously hosted the Replogles’ daughter Tate Replogle ’18 during her Peace Corps service teaching English in the village of Bilisht.

The Replogles visited Tate during her experience and grew close with Kaso and her family, later encouraging Kaso to consider enrolling at ��ϲ��.

In 2023, the Replogles donated $100,000 to the EcoVillage project, which they called “truly inspirational” and “uniquely ��ϲ��.” Their gift funded the first home in the neighborhood, which was built by a team of students under the leadership of Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Robert Charest, co-founder of the Center for Environmental Studies at Loy Farm, along with input from ��ϲ��’s Planning, Design and Construction Management team.

(l-r) President Connie Ledoux Book led the dedication ceremony with Gloria Kaso ’25, Tate Replogle ’18 and Kristin and John Replogle P’18 in the EcoVillage at Loy Farm.

The Replogles had always planned to name the house in honor of Kaso and to surprise her with the news upon her graduation. On May 22, one day prior to ��ϲ��’s 135th Commencement, that dream became reality. Kaso sat on the porch of the house that would bear her name and listened as the ceremony unfolded.

John Replogle recalled how much he enjoyed meeting Kaso’s parents, Drita and Ziqiri Kaso, who share his passion for sustainable living. The families grew so close that Replogle calls Kaso an “adopted daughter.” With her degree in engineering and computer science, Kaso plans to begin her career as an environmental engineer working on water reclamation projects for a firm in San Diego.

“She’s going to go out and help solve the world’s problems, and we could not be more proud of you, Gloria,” Replogle said. “You’ve done an exceptional job. The courage that you had to come so far from home to make (��ϲ��) your home, we are really thrilled and delighted to dedicate this home in your name. We want you to always feel at home here at ��ϲ��.”

Gloria Kaso ’25 teared up after learning the student-built house would be named in her honor.

Kaso teared up after hearing the news as students, faculty and staff broke into applause. She later said she was overwhelmed by the honor.

“To have an EcoVillage house at ��ϲ�� named after me is more than an honor. It’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received,” Kaso said. “It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come, of the dreams I’ve held since childhood and of the future I’m committed to building. It’s not just a recognition. It’s a responsibility I carry with deep gratitude and pride.”

Kaso also shared her gratitude for the Replogle family.

“They saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself,” she said. “Their belief in my potential when it was still just a quiet dream gave me the courage to dream bigger, work harder and push forward with purpose. I will carry their belief in me into every project, every challenge and every step forward. One day, I hope to pass that same gift on, to recognize potential, to uplift others and to help build a more sustainable, hopeful world.”

The EcoVillage is a dynamic living-learning community, where students learn and practice sustainable living principles. The community opened in Fall 2024 with 12 students living in the first six homes. In partnership with donors, the final six homes will be added in the future, creating an opportunity for as many as two dozen students to apply their classroom learning to tending the farm while learning sustainable principles.

The community will serve as a model for sustainable architecture and hands-on, engaged learning opportunities unavailable at many colleges and universities.

At the dedication ceremony, Replogle shared how delighted the couple were to support the project.

Trustee John Replogle P’18

“My career has been built on the idea of protecting the planet, and when Kristin and I first heard about this project, we were truly inspired,” Replogle said. “When I graduated, our college president charged us with a very clear directive. He said, ‘The world’s problems are your problems, and there are no problems that better human beings cannot fix.’ Kaso House is a source of inspiration to solve those problems. And hopefully a place like this will continue to inspire young leaders to step up and make the world’s problems their own.”

President Book called the EcoVillage “part of a greater mission” at ��ϲ��.

“We know we have engaged, experiential learning, but this mission was also about our students’ understanding that they’re the caretakers of the world ahead and that this sense of empowerment about how they choose to live can actually impact the world,” Book said. “The EcoVillage represents this effort with our students to not only learn by doing, but also to take ownership of the world. Each of these houses represents the use of creativity to respond to our impact on the world.”

Robert Charest, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies

Kaso House was a labor of love for 114 student “apprentices” who for two years worked alongside Charest to design and build the home. Charest also incorporated the project into his design courses.

“Every square inch of this house, its structure, innovative details, cabinets, furniture, were made with love and to be loved,” he said.

Charest, an architect committed to the principles of sustainable design, and students presented the project at a national design conference, which he called, “one of the proudest moments of my life.”

“I’m so grateful to ��ϲ�� for being brave enough to support experiential learning in high stakes projects, such as (Kaso) House,” he said. “I spent the better part of my career designing and building good structures with apprentices. In the beginning, they do not know how to bring designs into being. After this experience, though, 114 wonderful humans became amazing designers, builders, problem solvers, leaders and so much more.”

Abi O’Toole ’26

Abi O’Toole ’26 was one of those student-apprentices and shared her experience at the ceremony.

“I think this building will always serve as a reminder that it was not just about the construction of the building, but also relationships, which I believe can teach us all that the process is just as important as the end result, especially when it comes to our role in sustainability for the planet,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to make eco-friendly choices throughout this build, but in the end, it’s about finding the right tools and the right materials that give us a strong foundation for the future.”

More about EcoVillage & Loy Farm

The EcoVillage living-learning community represents a major step forward in the evolution of Loy Farm, which the university acquired in 2000 from the late Bill Loy Jr., whose generous gifts to the university include Loy Center and the land upon which The Inn at ��ϲ�� was built. The farm is a sustainable teaching and research farm that promotes experiential learning and community outreach and is located along Front Street east of the university’s South Campus and Comer Fields, where many of ��ϲ��’s intramural and club sports compete.

Each home is approximately 600 square feet and includes two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and areas for food preparation and gathering. The homes include distinctive features of sustainable design and construction, including rainwater collection systems and solar panels. An existing brick ranch house adjacent to the property was renovated to create a student commons building, with a group kitchen, laundry facilities and meeting room.

The farm has become a dynamic living-learning laboratory in keeping with ��ϲ��’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. Enhancing sustainability efforts is an important component of the Boldy ��ϲ�� strategic plan, which will guide the university through 2030. Boldly ��ϲ�� calls on the campus community to engage in sustainable practices to become carbon neutral by 2037, investing in renewable energy, reducing energy consumption and preparing students to lead lives that build a sustainable future.

About the Replogles

Former chairs of ��ϲ��’s Parents Council, Kristin and John Replogle have a long history of philanthropy in education, health, housing and the arts.

At ��ϲ��, their gifts have supported many key institutional priorities, including scholarship funding and construction of Founders Hall and Innovation Hall in the Innovation Quad and The Inn at ��ϲ��. In 2020, the couple established the Elizabeth “Tate” Replogle Endowment for Team Teaching in Religious Studies in honor of their daughter and her faculty mentors. The couple have also made a generous estate gift and are members of Order of the Oak, ��ϲ��’s planned giving society.

John is the founder and partner at Raleigh-based One Better Ventures, which advises, invests in and develops consumer brands with sustainable business models, including Burt’s Bees and Seventh Generation. He previously served as chair of ��ϲ��’s Engineering Advisory Board. Kristin Replogle serves as president of the Replogle Family Foundation.

Make an Impact

Many philanthropic opportunities are available to support the EcoVillage. To learn how you can make an impact, contact John Gardner ’01, senior director of development, at (336) 278-7432 or jgardner9@elon.edu.

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���ϲ�����’s future health and wellness hub named Slattery Center