PAGE 4 // WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27. 2010 NEWS THE pendulum Former chairman of board of trusteos rocGives honorary degree Becca lynes Senior Reporter As a result of his longtime support and commitment to Elon University, Allen Gant, former chairman of the Elon University Board of Trustees and current chief executive officer of Glen Raven, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters during Elon's Fall Convocation Oct. 12. “He's a great leader, and he’s very excited about the future of Elon," Mark Mahaffey, current chairman of the Elon University Board of Trustees said. “He really cares about Elon.” Gant served as a member on the board of trustees for 13 years, including three years as the chairman of the board. While serving on the board, Gant was also very influential in the launch of the $100 million Ever Elon Campaign. “When I stepped up as chairman of the board of trustees, I asked him to be the chairman of the Ever Elon campaign,” Mahaffey said. “He is still and always will be vital to the board and the future of Elon.” Mahaffey said that Gant spearheaded The Elon Commitment, Elon’s current 10-year strategic plan focusing on enhancing the school’s campus in a variety of ways. “Leo, myself and the rest of the board have worked very hard on the strategic plan,” Gant said. “It is really a driving force for the university.” For him, it’s most exciting to see all the new dorms and buildings being built, Gant said. “It is so much fun to see the strategic plan go into action and to know that I had a small part to play in it,” Gant said. Mahaffey said helping form the Elon Commitment was one of Gant’s biggest accomplishments. “That was quite an undertaking,” Mahaffey said. “Once Allen became chairman, a lot of things started happening. The law school became a reality, and the Ever Elon campaign and new strategic plan became active." Typically, a board member will only serve as chairman of the board for two years. Gant was unusual in the fact that he served as chairman for three years. “When he was asked to take on a third year, he quickly said ‘Yes, anything for Elon,’” Mahaffey said. FILE PHOTO Former Chairman of Elon University Board of Trustees Allen Gant receives an honorary degree from Elon University. President Leo Lambert congratulates him at the podium during fall convocation. “Allen has such a strong passion for Elon.” According to Gant, the chairman’s position is to help the university set its goals. “Elon is one of the greatest universities in the world, and I consider it an honor that I’ve played a small part in building It for the future,” Gant said. Gant said that without Lambert and the rest of the board members, his work with the strategic plan and the Ever Elon Campaign would not have been as successful. “Leo is just the greatest president we’ve ever had, and the team of people the university has is incredible," Gant said. According to Mahaffey, the work Gant accomplished will be a tough act to follow. “He’s a very dynamic leader, and as far as being the chairman of the board and of his own industry, he set a real example for me and for those who will follow me," Mahaffey said. Gant said every member of the Elon community does something to better the school and make it the outstanding university that it is. “What makes Elon so great is that every single person contributes in some way to make it that way,’ Gant said. “It is a wonderful system that’s working very well. We are all so blessed to be a part of tte university." Elon freshman released from hospital 5 days after Haggard crosswalk accident Anna Johnson Managing Editor The Elon University freshman struck at the Haggard Avenue crosswalk was released from the hospital Monday. Peter Kesarls was on his way to Belk Library when a gold Mazda, driven by Elon senior Elizabeth Rice, hit him as he was walking through the crosswalk. Rice is being charged with two traffic violations; careless and reckless driving, andfailuretoyield to a pedestrian. She declined to comment. Kesaris was taken to Moses Cone Health Center and was alert, said Elon Police Detective Kelly Blackwelder. Kesaris said he couldn’t remember anything from the day of the accident. “It seriously hurt,” he said. “1 had two concussion, bleeding in the brain, cracked tooth, broken ACL, MCL and partial PCL, and I have surgery on Wednesday for my broken nose." He is in a wheelchair and will be moving from Brannock Hall to the Oaks Apartments because it is wheelchair assessable. He is currently staying in a hotel with his mom. Kesaris was in class on Monday. “I’m actually dropping one class to make it a Jittle easier,” he said. “All of my professors have been really accominodating. It felt really {Joed I® ge back -iQ the swing of things." According to an Elon Police Department incident report. Rice was travelling east on East Haggard and did not see Kesaris because of heavy condensation on her windshield. The report states Rice was running late to work and didn’t see the pedestrian until it was too late. Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of Student Life, sent an e-mail out to Friends organize fundraiser in memory of Pfieger “I’m actually dropping one class to make it a little easier. All of my professors have been really accommodating. It felt really good to go back in the swing of things.” -PETER KESARIS ELON FRESHMAN the student body Friday afternoon updating students on Kesaris' condition. He was taken to Moses Cone Health Center and was alert, said Elon Police Detective Kelly Blackwelder. Jackson wrote that his mom is with him at the hospital and he will be in the hospital for three or four days. Assistant Dean of Students Jodean Schmiederer arrived at the scene shortly after police and spoke to Rice. A string of pedestrian and bicycle accidents in 2009-2010 prompted university officials to address the low visibility at several crosswalks around campus. In February 2010, new LED lights were installed in the street lamps along Williamson and Haggard avenues. Later in the same month, larger and more powerful lighting was installed on Powell Building, Mooney Building, McEwen Dining Hall, The Pendulum office and Smith, Carolina and Sloan residence halls. Fnwa 2001 to 2009, there were 15 accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in the Town of Elon. Ca'rtlin O’Donnell News Editor Bracelets in memorial of Michelle Pfieger, the student who collapsed on campus and then died last month, were sold last Thursday night in Moseley center. Kelly Armstrong, who has been one of Pfleger’s best friends since elementary school, and Rachel Taravella, who met Pfieger at Elon, had around 400 teal bracelets available, engraved with “Michelle Pfieger 09/24.” Armstrong said they sold about 250 bracelets and made S740. “A group of friends from home ordered the bracelets in memory of Michelle,” Armstrong said. “The money will go back to her mom, who will use the money for a scholarship for a student at our high school at home (in New Jersey) or for the 4H club Michelle was a part of.” While there was no set price for the bracelet, students were encouraged to donate whatever they wished. Armstrong said the group originally ordered 1,400 bracelets and sold some at their high school’s recent homecoming game. Armstrong said she became friends with Pfieger in fourth grade through their love of horses. Taravella connected with Pfieger through her passion for horseback riding. “We met through Kelly,” she said. “And then she took me to the farm where her horse Velvet was kept.” Armstrong said Velvet was housed at HighClere Farms in Burlington. Following her death, a group of Pfleger’s friends began a campaign to raise money to send Velvet back home to New Jersey. According to Armstrong, as of last Wednesday, Velvet was returned home. “Michelle was a beautiful, intelligent girl and certainly lived every day to the fullest, as all who met her could account for,” Armstrong said in an e-mail to the student body. “I would like your bracelet to remind you to do the same and to never take a single day you have for granted.” o OPEN FOR LUNCH! ACCEPTS PHOENIX CASH Tuesday through Saturday 11:30am-2:00pm, 5:00pnv9;00pm 116 West Lebanon Avenue, Elon 116oak.com 336-584-5423 25% OFF Glasses of wine Tuesdays! ■25%wr“““ Bottles of wine Thursdays!