Laughter could be heard outside of Alumni Gym for more than an hour when Elon students, alumni and faculty gathered in Alumni Gym on April 3, to listen to anecdotes from the experiences of Elon's former president, Dr. J. Earl Danieley.
President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley '46 left behind a legacy at Elon as an alum, professor of chemistry, dean and president during the 73 years since he first stepped foot onto the campus. In his discussion with current President Leo M. Lambert for Spring Convocation, Danieley shared memories of watching Elon grow, his role in expanding the university and what he hopes to see for the school in the future as part of Elon's quasquicentennial celebrations.
In second grade, Danieley realized that he wanted to be a teacher. So after attending Elon College as an undergraduate student, Danieley returned to his former high school to teach Chemistry, Math and French.
Daniely had taken to Chemistry "like a duck to water" in school. However, Danieley said, "North Carolina in 1946 payed a beginning teacher with a grade A certificate $1,438."
Though the low salary was not enough to stop him from teaching, it was a driving force behind his enrollment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his masters degree in Education Administration.
"I think being involved in the lives of young people is probably the most noblest cause that a person can respond to." Danieley said.
Danieley would continue involve himself in the lives of Elon students when he began a career at Elon as a chemistry instructor. He later served as a dean of the college, and eventually became Elon's sixth president in 1957 at only 32 years old.
"This institution was gonna be a leader." Danieley said.
When Danieley took over post-World War II, the campus was deteriorating and Elon desperately needed money. In addition to the debts it had already accumulated, equipment was outdated and the college had lost its accreditation. Under President Danieley's tenure, Elon began to reverse its decline. Now, study abroad opportunities, a racially integrated campus, our 4-1-4 academic calendar, successful fundraising campaigns and infrastructure can all be attributed to the Danieley presidency period.
Danieley now serves as the Thomas E. Powell Jr. Professor of Chemistry. He has held this position since 1982.
Danieley's affection for the university has transcended time and generations. In closing, Danieley's pride for his life's work was evident.
"There is no more remarkable story in all the history of American higher education than the growth and development of this institution." Danieley said. "Sometimes you have to be patient"