In this edition of #ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵTBT, we look back to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ in the 1930s as the college and the City of Burlington partnered on an idea to strengthen their relationship and raise funds for the school.
In the #ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵTBT series, the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ News Bureau, along with , will flash back to the past to take a look at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ over the years. You will find videos, newspaper clippings, photos and more to celebrate ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s past, while looking ahead to the future. Follow along on Today at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ and the university’s ,ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý pages every Thursday to see what we dig up.
In 1939, as then-ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College found itself in the midst of financial struggles, administrators looked to launch a new campaign. The goal was to garner support from the people of Alamance County and encourage citizens to donate $50,000 to help ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ pay off its debts.
At the same time, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce wanted to strengthen its relationship with the college. So, the chamber declared Oct. 28, 1939, “ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College Day” in Burlington. The event was part of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Golden Anniversary celebrations – marking the first 50 years of the college – and was an important opportunity to rally the community in support of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.
“This will be a great day for ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College, so everyone should be interested in this parade going over big,” read an article in the Oct. 28, 1939, Maroon and Gold student newspaper. “Its success will have much to do with the outcome of the campaign.”
The parade turned out to be a great success. The Daily Times-News of Burlington reported thousands of people lined the main intersection in Burlington to see the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ marching band lead faculty, alumni and student organizations on a mile-long route through the city.
The article described an ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ banner that stretched across the road and light poles decorated in maroon and gold. Students crafted colorful floats and marched through the streets of Burlington to show all that ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ had to offer while reaching out to create a closer connection with the city.
“And Burlington welcomed the gesture with open arms as it prepared to begin its part of a campaign starting Monday to put the school on a firm financial foundation,” the article read.
Eighty years later in the spring of 2019, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ launched the public phase of the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the university’s history. The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ LEADS campaign aims not to cancel debt, but to raise $250 million to be invested in graduates the world needs, engaged learning, mentors who matter and an iconic learning environment.
Do you have any special pieces of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ history? Share your photos and videos with us via email at news@elon.edu or using the hashtag #ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵTBT on ,ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý.