Over 30 graduates with family members who are Elon alumni were recognized at the Legacy Reception on May 21 in McKinnon Hall.
For senior Chloe Prince, the event marked the close of a chapter at Elon that began in childhood. Her parents, Maggie Prince ‘97 and Chris Prince ‘97, introduced her to Elon through football games and described Elon as a second home.
“It feels amazing and super surreal,” Chloe said. “I'm just very, very grateful to have been introduced by them, and obviously, to be a student here and just get all the amazing perks of Elon.”
After graduating with a degree in strategic communications, Chloe is moving to Chicago to work in the creator marketing department of United Entertainment Group and is excited to connect with other Elon alumni in the city.
In a speech to legacy graduates, a coordinator of annual giving, Graham Thurley, encouraged students to do just that. He emphasized that the Elon community extends beyond graduation through 28 alumni chapters — 27 in the United States and one in London — and a global network.
“The same sense of community and belonging that you feel here on campus will follow you everywhere you go,” Thurley said. “As you join the Elon family alongside your legacy family members, know that Elon is committed to keeping you engaged throughout your entire experience after graduation. Whether you're moving to a new city, attending graduate school, starting a new job or building your professional network, this community will always be here for you.”
Like Chloe, Preston Burnside also spent time at Elon before committing to enroll through visits to his brother, a 2023 graduate.
“I came to Elon over and over and over to visit my brother,” Burnside said. “I got to see him more often, see Elon deeper, and it was able to really make me feel secure in the decision to come here.”
Burnside is moving to Tampa, Florida, with his fiancée after graduation to work as a control systems engineer. He also has a younger sister who is considering Elon for college.
Senior Kiersten Bergman receives her Elon pin from her grandfather, 1959 Elon student body president, at Legacy Reception on May 21 in McKinnon Hall.
The Legacy Reception also included a pinning ceremony where family members placed Elon pins on their graduating seniors.
Assistant vice president for university advancement Brian Feeley closed the ceremony by motivating students to stay connected and remember their time at Elon.
“My hope is you all will be there for each other for a lifelong relationship with Elon,” Feeley said. “You've heard about the lifelong relationships that are already here. And if you think about that word, lifelong, what's in the heart of that word? Elon.”