Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Dec. 1, 2016, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Elon University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
THURSDAY DECEMBER 1,2016 REMEMBERING DANIELEY The sturdiest oak in Elon Danieley’s impact on Elon to be felt for decades Tommy Hamzik Executive Director @T Ham2ik His time at Elon spanned more than 75 years, during which he expanded the university, en acted social change and touched the hearts of countless members of the community. In every sense of the word, J. Earl Danieley was a legend of Elon University and the sur rounding area. Danieley, president emeritus, died Tuesday at 92 of various health issues. He’ll be remem bered at Elon, which he graduat ed from in 1946, for everything from his smile to his teaching to his presence at basketball games. “I struggle to find words that are adequate to describe the im pact of Dr. Danieley’s life on Elon and the tens of thousands of stu dents, faculty, staff and friends who loved him,” Elon President Leo Lambert said in a statement announcing Danieley’s death. “... It is no exaggeration to say that Earl Danieley was a unique figure in American higher education.” That he was. He took a job teaching chemistry at Elon Col lege upon graduation, and never left. Between then and his retire ment in spring 2016, he taught thousands of students in his chemistry courses, went to lunch with many of them and waved his towel at hundreds of basket ball games. He served as dean for four years, then reluctantly accepted the presidency in 1957. During his 16 years leading Elon, he ad mitted the first African-Ameri can student, grew the faculty and improved the academic stan dards. And after stepping down in President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley bows his head in a processional in 1995. 1973 to devote more time to teaching, he maintained his pres ence as a constant supporter of the university. When there was backlash over changing the name of the mas cot, Danieley was there as sup port. When the university held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Schar Center in October, he was there holding a shovel. And he continued to attend men’s and women’s basketball and volley ball games up through mid-No PHOTO COURTJSTY OF UNIVERSfTY ARCHIVES vember. “Every occasion, he was al ways for the university advanc ing,” said Smith Jackson, dean of Student Life. “You could always count on him, always having people’s back, supporting every one. He was a wonderful lead er. He brought the university through times that distinguished the university to become what it is today, which is a great univer sity.” Danieley is credited with starting the women’s athletic program and the Elon College Sports Hall of Fame. He served 12 years on the North Caroli na Board of Governors and five years as director of planned giv ing for Elon. His impact reached far be yond Elon, visible in the reaction after his death. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, Sen. Thom Tillis and the Alamance Coun ty Republican Party all released statements commending Danie ley’s contributions. His love and spirit for Elon was infectious. He sat in a spe cial chair in the Danieley Neigh borhood, named for him, each move-in day to greet new stu dents. Danieley lived with basketball players at times during his final years, and kept in touch with many of his former students. “We love Elon here — I think everybody has an affinity for Elon,” said men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny. “That’s one of the great things about this school and this community. I think you could feel that when you were in the presence of Dr. D.” Danieley’s legacy is hard to quantify, largely because of how colossal it is. Lambert said Dan ieley’s name “will last around here for a very, very long time to come.” Through his eyes, it’s simple, yet powerful. “I would like them to say, ‘That was one honest man, and he did his best,”’ Danieley said. “I don’t want anything else. I don’t need anyone to brag on what I did or anything if they say I did the best I could. That suits me alright.” Paige Pauroso, senior reporter, contributed reporting. CELEBRATING DANIELEY FRIDAY, DEC. 2 NOON INUMEN LUMEN PAVILION Dr. Danieley’s body will lie in state for members of the community to pay their respects. SATURDAY, DEC. 3 2 P.M. I ALUMNI GYM A memorial service for Dr. Danieley will be held in Koury Athletic Center, open to the Elon community. Following the memorial, there will be a College Coffee reception in Moseley Center. Visitation hours hosted by the Danieley family.
Elon University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 1, 2016, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75