<p>Someone on the Elon forum here mentioned this book, published by the Johns Hopkins University Press, and so I read it. I highly recommend it for all prospective and current Elon students and parents, as it provides an indepth look at how EU grew from a small rather mediocre liberal arts college to what it is today, and the ethos behind that growth:</p>
<p>Book</a> Review: Transforming a College | University Advancement</p>
<p>It’s a good book. People who are interested should also read Elon’s 10 year plans. They have a history of accomplishing everything in 5 years and then starting the next 10 year plan. </p>
<p>[The</a> Elon Commitment: Engaged minds. Inspired Leaders. Global Citizens.](<a href=“Elon University / The Elon Commitment”>Elon University / The Elon Commitment)</p>
<p>In short they always aim for -
A campus that serves every student
Employing great teachers
Being a great value
Positive Change </p>
<p>The goals are understandable and could be considered common, but they always lay out everything they are going to accomplish, and a blue print that holds them accountable. It’s very impressive to follow. </p>
<p>At a time in history when many schools are trying to adapt and not cut too deep, Elon is expanding because their plans have always been based on sustainable planned quality.</p>
<p>(Yes - after 3.5 years of being an Elon parent, I’m not only still a fan , I admire them even more).</p>
<p>Yes - I have read - great book. It really explains what Elon is trying to accomplish. It also helps one to understand why people who know of Elon from 20 years ago might wonder why you would want to send your student there - they have no idea how different Elon is today.</p>
<p>I also read that book and it sold me. You are right NotMamaRose; it is a must-read. I have never seen a university with that kind of vision, along with a comprehensive plan that makes that vision a reality. That success has been borne out by the amazing reviews that Elon gets from US News, Princeton Review, Kiplingers etc. Here’s a link to many of them for anyone who is interested: [Elon</a> University Rankings and Recognitions](<a href=“Elon University - America’s Top-Ranked Teaching University”>Elon University / About Elon / Rankings & Recognition) It’s so impressive what they have done over the last 40 years or so.</p>
<p>There is a great “energy” that comes from people working together on a shared vision, and especially at this point in the growth curve, when it’s rising so fast and the fruits of the work are so tangible. I felt it when I was on campus, and understood why when I read “Transforming a College”. I’m so excited that we get to be a part of it.</p>
<p>Read it, loved it. It’s becoming out of date (published 2004) in some ways, but in others… well, things haven’t changed. Elon is still growing, still building, still keeping the campus beautiful, still #1 on the list of “runs like butter” (in other words, still committed to excellence at all levels of the process), still has faculty that care about students and teaching, still knows who their students are and engages them with their studies, and still does it all for 30% lower price than similar private colleges, and with an endowment significantly smaller than many other private institutions. Their current president, Leo Lambert, is a true gem. A beloved leader who commands respect, but still manages to keep a twitter account (#headphoenix) from which he tweeted a picture of his striped homecoming socks.</p>
<p>I was intrigued that the book mentioned that when Elon students were administered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test, most students were ENFPs (extroverted, intuitive, feeling, perceivers).</p>
<p>Me too! That was part of what sealed the deal for us, as that is our D (she’s actually the #2 personality type – ESTJ). She loves to learn when she can use it, but takes no pleasure in learning just to use it on a test. I love that Elon makes a point to make education meaningful for these types of students, plus the fact that she will be around a lot of other extroverted and active peers. </p>
<p>I talked to a 2009 (I think) graduate and she said that Elon’s engaged learning has helped her so much in her career because she knows what she needs to know (i.e. good education) but also is used to working with people and she’s used to applying what she has learned to real life circumstances; both things that employers these days are screaming for. In my experience, people who can apply knowledge and who have people skills are much more likely to advance and get promotions. Another reason we chose Elon.</p>