As donations continue to roll in on Elon University’s 13th annual Elon Day, students and faculty are excited about the day of giving. Events were happening all over campus — like a special College Coffee, senior toast and a performance from comedian Leslie Jones.
Last year, Elon raised the most money in Elon Day history, with over $3.1 million and a total of 6,385 gifts. This year, as of 6:13 p.m., Elon had only raised a little over half of that — $1.6 million with 3,835 total gifts — with less than six hours left to raise more money.
Coordinator of Donor Relations Charlotte Freckleton hosted a table at College Coffee where students and faculty could write a note of gratitude on a paper acorn and post it on a makeshift tree — all to give thanks. Freckleton said that donating is something the entire community benefits from.
“It's especially important to donate on Elon Day because it helps bring together everybody as a community and it helps provide students opportunities to either explore on campus or around the world in ways they wouldn't be able to before,” Freckleton said.
Freckleton donated to the First Generation Student Support and the Gender and LGBTQIA Center — she said these organizations mean a lot to her.
“It has a special place in my heart,” Freckleton said. “I just want to help promote the students who might be feeling a little excluded right now.”
Program coordinator for the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life and Elon freshman Lael Taylor said that before she came to Elon, she saw Elon Day all over social media and was excited to join the fun.
“Elon Day was such a huge deal and it's great being able to experience it in person,” Taylor said.
Taylor said that she loves showing support for her organization and promoting it as best as possible — especially on Elon Day.
“I love the Truitt Center specifically and I love that we have the opportunity for alumni and community members to engage with the community in such a meaningful way and support everything that goes on on campus,” Taylor said.
As the day went on, Elon Day had more events in store … with a highlight being comedian Leslie Jones’ performance — Jones is a comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member. But some students on campus did not know who Leslie Jones was or that she was coming to campus.
Elon freshman Louis Skelly said that although he did not know who Jones was initially, he will go see her perform tonight.
“I don't have anything else to do,” Skelly said.
Elon junior Reilly McGeehan said that, like Skelly, she did not know who Jones was at first — but she thinks it is nice that Elon brings people, like Jones, to perform.
“I did not recognize the name at first, but after seeing her, I’ve watched SNL before, but I would totally go, I think it would be fun,” McGeehan said.
But Elon senior Khoreen Johnson said in a previous interview with Elon News Network that she was excited about Jones coming to campus.
“In the front row is where I plan to be,” Johnson said. “One thousand percent with the rest of my friend group. We already talked about it.”