Campus is changing and to President Lambert, the improvements made to the university in the past 12 years when Elon College changed its name to Elon University, is remarkable.
"This institution has been counted out many times along the way but has always preserved and particularly in the modern age, has always thrived," President Lambert said.
With the addition of new buildings and picturesque scenery has come not only national recognition, but also an increase in tuition cost.
Since 2009, tuition has increased 18.2 percent and for the first time, the total cost of attending Elon has broken the $40,000 barrier.
"We are still a value compared to our peer and private or private competitors, peer institutions. $10- $15,000 less expensive but still, $40,000 is a lot of money," he said.
But the increased cost is not for nothing. President Lambert has overseen the addition of more than 100 buildings since he became president of the institution in 1999.
President Lambert hopes when he is done serving as president that he will be remembered for academic excellence and a commitment to keeping Elon at a low cost.
"Focusing on academic excellence has always been a priority of mine and we have built in my almost 15 years here, a marvelous faculty and staff which are the most important resource for students," he said. "The other is a commitment I feel very deeply about, Elon being a place that is accessible to students whose parents can't pay the full cost of tuition and attendance."
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