College Spotlight--Elon University

Link: Elon University

Elon University is a selective, independent, private university renowned as a national model for engaged learning, along with excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs. Elon's beautiful and historic campus in central North Carolina is designated as a botanical garden.

Elon’s rich intellectual community is characterized by active student engagement with a faculty dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarly accomplishment. The curriculum is grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences and complemented by distinctive professional and graduate programs. Elon students put knowledge into practice, fulfilling their roles as global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.

Elon sends more undergraduate students to study abroad than any other master’s-level school in the nation, and was named one of the top three universities in the nation for community service by the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service. In addition, 78 percent of students complete internships, one-third of students hold at least one campus leadership position, and about 250 students annually work with faculty members on undergraduate research projects.

In its 2011 "America's Best Colleges" guide, U.S.News & World Report rates Elon the #2 Southern University and among the top 86 colleges and universities in the nation "where the faculty has an unusual commitment to undergraduate teaching."Newsweek-Kaplan named Elon the nation's "leader in engaged learning" and one of 25 featured colleges in its 2010 guide, and Princeton Review ranks Elon among the nation's 373 "best colleges." Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, USA Today, Princeton Review and the Fiske Guide to Colleges all name Elon one of the nation's "best value" private universities.

Elon's 600-acre campus is recognized by Princeton Review as one of the nation's most beautiful college environments. The campus has been designated a botanical garden, and includes the 56-acre Elon University Forest, a land preserve and natural area for scientific research.

Elon's 358 full-time faculty teach in more than 50 undergraduate majors. The university includes Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the School of Education; and the School of Law. Master's programs are offered in business administration, education and interactive media, and doctoral programs include physical therapy and law. Elon operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar, including a four-week term in January.

Elon's 5,032 undergraduate and 677 graduate students come from 48 states, the District of Columbia and 49 other nations. About 25 percent are from North Carolina, with 9 percent each from New Jersey and Massachusetts, 7 percent each from Maryland and Virginia, 6 percent from Pennsylvania and 5 percent each from Connecticut and New York.

Elon Phoenix athletics include 16 intercollegiate men's and women's sports in NCAA Division I (FCS football), and Elon is a member of the Southern Conference. In addition, many students actively participate in 18 intramural and 21 club sports.

Elon was founded by the Christian Church (now the United Church of Christ) in 1889, and its core values have remained constant throughout history: close relationships between faculty and students, a culture that supports constant innovation, and a strong sense of community. Each Tuesday morning, students, faculty and staff gather around Fonville Fountain for refreshments and fellowship during "College Coffee." Weekly chapel services in historic Whitley Auditorium provide an interfaith worship experience. Daily events, spontaneous gatherings and sidewalk conversations are the hallmarks of this friendly and welcoming academic community.

Elon University is a member of Project Pericles®, a national organization of colleges and universities committed to make socially responsible and participatory citizenship an essential part of our educational program - in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.