The Pendulum
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Mirfnri”'““i"®' Robert Talbert, sits on his tire as he and two security guards
b Tnlhl.! 'heft. According to Police Chief Dan Ingle, at 11:55 pm on Sept.
^ook Rro pizza, valued at $20 were taken from his car parked in the lot outside of
^^^tJrannock, Barney dorms.
Photo by; Michael Johnson
I Minority from page 1
^de up 9.5 percent of the student
dy.
The Pendulum asked Dr. Board
at he thought might had been the
ise for the decline. He said,
he first thing is that the trend
lonally is down. Students from
t social economic background
^more inclined to use education
get into the job market im-
ately. They are doing it by go
to places like community col
es.
le added that a second reason is
the cost of a four*year educa
Dean of Academic Affairs
Gerald Francis said that faculty
members are very concerned about
the dropping minority enrollment.
“They are also knowledgeable
that this is a difficult problem.
They are active about suggesting
different techniques that might be
used in attracting more minorities.
They are also quite involved about
helping out with recruiting,” Fran
cis added.
The Pendulum asked Dr. Board
if the administration was doing
anything to attract more minority
students. “Yes,” he said. “We
have some projects that are under-
1 hai w uavc 5>uiiie projects mat are under-
;)ne nr' ” especially way and some that are planned for
png private colleges.”
Board added that he was not
' Elon has had an historical
^tation of attracting minority
ients.
ast year, in the wake of Pen-
stories about minority
ment, the English department
a resolution expressing its
=ern and calling for increased
rts.
the future.
Board also said, “We now have
a new staff member (LaTonya
Birch) in the admissions depart
ment who is currently involved
with a research project. That pro
ject is to find out what it is that
would attract minorities to Elon. ”
Board also stated that the new
minority recruiter will be follow
ing up with every minority family
,^2 S. Church St.
'urlington, NC
2 FOR
SHAMPOO, CUT & BLO DRY
Rick li.ir”®' °"'y- ''a'W Mon., Tues., Weds. Ask for
^ Must Come At The Same Time.
that shows an interest of having
their siblings attend Elon.
Board added that after these pro
jects were complete, an advisory
committee made up of faculty, ad
ministrators, and students would
be formed to advise on the
outcome.
It is hard to say what may lie
ahead for Elon, but the administra
tion is hopeful. Dr. Board said that
he would like to see the school
reach the 1983 level of 9.5 percent.
“That is the direction we should
go, and after that we should see if
we are retaining those students and
see if they are succeeding after
graduation. This is my own goal,
and it doesn’t necessarily represent
any trustee policies,” Board said.
In concluding remarks, Dr.
Board said that the college’s
motives are the right ones. He add
ed, “We are g(5ing to grind this
thing out, and that’s how we get
things done here at Elon. We do
it through planning, funding, then
delivering at a level of quality.”
Phone:229-4247 •
FULL SERVICE j
Centennial Moments
June 1891 and 1892 the “town turns
out” for the First Commencements.
On June 2, 1891, the two-day exercises of Elon College’s first com
mencement began. This was not only a notable event throughout the
Christian Church, but also one in which “naturally very considerable
interest” was felt in Alamance County. This was especially true of
Graham, whose citizens attended to such an extent that the local
newspaper commented, “Everybody who could get a conveyance is gone
from this place—the town turned out.”
Commencement programs of that day were not merely graduating ex
ercises, but the culmination of the outstanding scholastic accomplishments
of the entire student body for the year. It was also a time of social con
viviality to the extent that the usually strict rules governing student con
duct wee relaxed in order to permit the men to escort the ladies to the
various events.
This manner of closing the college year was typical of educational in
stitutions at the time and served as a pattern that, except for periodic
modifications, was a format for similar occasions at Elon and elsewhere
until well into the twentieth century. The Christian Sun printed the en
tire 1891 program.
The first graduating class was composed of Nathaniel G. Newman,
C.C. Peel, and Herbert Scholz. All three had averaged more than 95
in their studies and graduated cum maxima laud, and all three ultimate
ly became ministers of the Christian Church. Scholz earned a graduate
degree from Elon and served on its faculty for several years. Newman,
a brother of Dr. J.U. Newman, also achieved a graduate degree, and
eventually served as pastor of the college church for a number of years.
Also during the 1891 ceremonies, the administration used the authority
granted by its charter to confer two honorary degrees. The first was a
Master of Arts to H.J. Stockard, who had been principal of the
preparatory school at the former Graham College. The second was the
Doctor of Divinity to the Reverend J.P. Watson, editor of The Herald
Of Gospel Liberty, who had enthusiastically publicized the founding of
Elon in the official organ of the northern Christians.
These were expressions of respect for scholarly achievement and
gratitude for support of the institution, and were the first of many similar
degrees to be conferred by the college on those it wished to honor. The
prerogative w'as used for the third time shortly after the commencement
was concluded when Elon conferred the Doctor of Divinity degree upon
the Reverend Charles J. Jones, who had preached the baccalaureate ser
mon for the initial occasion.
The first commencement was a success from every viewpoint. The
second, in June 1892, was similar to it except that only one student was
awarded a diploma. Miss Irene Johnson was not only the first woman
to receive a degree from the college, she was the only person in its history
to constitute the entire graduating class.
Exerpted from Elon College: Its History and Traditions by D. T. Stokes
A Benefit
VOLLEYBALL
MARATHON
Friday, October 7
2:00 pm - 12:00 pm MIDNIGHT
JORDAN CENTER OUTDOOR COURT
Rain location: Jordan Gym
Teams of 6 perons(male, female, or co-ed)
will be playing
The $30 registration fee for each team will be
donated to the Good Shepherd Community Kitchen
in Burlington
Walk-ons Welcome
Free refreshments to all participants
Sponcered by:
Newman Club and the Student Religous Life Owncil