Members of the Town of Elon and Elon University community gathered on Williamson Avenue to commemorate the removal of a 50-foot section of the historic wall in downtown Elon.

President Leo Lambert, School of Communications Dean Paul Parsons and Town of Elon Mayor Jerry Tolley offered remarks before bricks were removed from the historic wall in light of this summer's School of Communications construction and town expansion.

“In many ways, the removal of this wall serves as a reminder of how the well-being of the community is tied to a growing and increasingly vibrant downtown,” Lambert said. "Today is a reminder of the great progress we’ve made in Elon, North Carolina, and we can all look forward to a brighter future.”

Built in 1925, the wall surrounded the university’s entire campus — a total of 25 acres. But with the campus now boasting more than 600 acres, more room was needed to grant accessibility to popular surrounding businesses and restaurants — including The Root and Pandora's Pies.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen the private investment flow of the community with a variety of establishments that serve our town and university alike,” Lambert said. “The town of Elon is becoming a destination for families, students and the wider community.”

The expansion of the School of Communications was another reason for the wall removal. Dwight Schar Hall, scheduled to be finished by fall 2016, will be connected a grand glass atrium, a movie theater, several classrooms and offices. McEwen will also undergo renovations for student media organizations and a large operating newsroom.

“The School of Communications has 1,200 majors, so this corner of campus draws about 20 percent of the student body each day,” Parsons said. “As the wall comes back, the archway will become popular with all Elon students as well as faculty and staff.”

Tolley also showed excitement about the future renovations, saying he hopes the changes will benefit the town as well as the university.

“Throughout all the years of Elon and Elon University, there’s always been this mutual respect," Tolley said. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with Elon."