Donors made more than 1,400 gifts during a special initiative to support students and participate in the beloved Ƶ tradition.
The treasured tradition of the annual Festival of Holiday Lights returned to Ƶ’s campus to Tuesday, Nov. 17.
For the seventh year, the event also included a special tribute to alumni, senior, faculty and staff donors, whose names were placed on the luminaries lining the walkway during the evening. In addition, parents and families had the opportunity to make a gift leading up to the Festival of Holiday Lights and have their current Ƶ students honored on a luminary. By giving back to the university, these donors have literally and figuratively lit the path for Ƶ students.
During this year’s luminary initiative, members of the Ƶ family collectively made over 1,400 gifts in support of the university. Their gifts supported a variety of areas on campus, including scholarships, academic schools and departments, student organizations, sports programs, and more. All gifts made also count toward the comprehensive Ƶ LEADS Campaign, which has a goal of $250 million that will provide support for four main priorities: scholarships for graduates the world needs, engaged learning, mentors who matter, and Ƶ’s iconic learning environment. This collective generosity gives way to a brighter future for us all.
“Having children opened our eyes to the positive benefits of supporting future generations of Ƶ,” said loyal donor Webb Bond ’08. “We take pride in helping Ƶ while they develop the graduates the world needs.”
Senior donor luminarias were once again placed around Fonville Fountain, with alumni and others dispersed throughout Historic Neighborhood, the heart of Ƶ’s campus.
Members of the Ƶ family will have their next special opportunity to support the university on Tuesday, Dec. 1, when the world celebrates Giving Tuesday. For questions, please contact giving@elon.edu.
To learn more about the event, where programming took place across seven different stations to maintain the safety of attendees, click here.