While every student's Elon experience is different in many ways, there is one thing that every single one of us has in common: we all have benefited greatly from the generosity of those who came to Elon before us. Many of the programs, facilities, and opportunities that differentiate Elon from every other institution would not be possible if not for the generous gifts from Elon's alumni, parents and friends.
The support that Elon receives each year from our donors helps us students in more ways than we realize. Without their support, study abroad programs and internship opportunities would not be available on the scale that we know, are accustomed to, and appreciate. Free facilities, such as the fitness center, could not be possible without the donations made by our donors. Scholarship funding and programs would not be as widely available if our alumni did not care so greatly about our education and experiences. Elon's small class sizes, which allow for a more personal education, are in part due to the gifts given by our donors. Many privileges that we have grown to love could not be possible without our supporters.
As Elon students, we have access to beneficial and invaluable resources, which make us so competitive in the job market after graduation. On March 11th, 2014, Elon will be celebrating its 125th anniversary, and I cannot think of a better time to show thanks to this wonderful university for all it has done for us. To celebrate, I plan on wearing my maroon and gold, sharing my Elon pride with friends, making my senior class gift, and showing thanks to our donors for their abundant support.
As in the past few years, Elon will host A Thousand Thanks, an event that allows students to write thank you cards to our supporters and donors, on March 12, 2014. So if you have had the opportunity to participate in a study abroad or internship program, enjoy access to premier facilities, work one-on-one with a professor for a SURF Day project, receive any type of scholarship support, have participated in a service trip, or take advantage of any of the other valuable opportunities and resources Elon has to offer, I encourage you to join me in writing a thank you card to one of our many generous and supportive donors. I urge you to take a minute to stop by one of the many stations that will be set up across campus on March 12th to thank those who have helped make every minute of each of our Elon Experiences unique and irreplaceable.
Brian Sullivan Elon Class of 2014