This video, titled Elon University’s Next Strategic Plan, was held in McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts on August 24, 2009. Leo M. Lambert, Elon’s President, presented the academic strategies for the future years. Lambert stated, strategic planning at Elon has allowed Elon to become a national model that has transformed itself … Elon’s strategic planning is more like an impressionist painting or a story with our major hopes and dreams. Our strategic plans are of living and evolving. Lambert reflected on past strategic plans that changed during the processes. Lambert stated, we are an academic community committed to human transformation. That we value freedom of thought. That we are a Liberal Arts University. We believe in active student engagement. We are dedicated to both teaching and scholarly accomplishments. We believe passionately in our students becoming global citizens. We know who we are. Elon has added to the contributions of the landscape in higher education that are important. The innovation of these contributions characterizes our work as a great institutional strength and of a great national interest. U.S. News and World Report named us as the school to watch two years in a row. The name for the Elon Strategic Plan is named Imagine Elon. There were two versions for the year 2020. 00:06:00 Lambert said, I see the Elon Strategic Plan into eight major themes (diversity; supporting faculty and staff; attaining the highest benchmarks for Elon’s academic programs; launching innovative pathways in undergraduate and graduate education; delivering on Elon’s promise as a best value university; engaging the next generation of alumni leaders and philanthropists; advancing excellence in Phoenix athletics; and further building our beautiful campus and creating a thriving, safe, and environmentally friendly university). Lambert spoke of building new living and learning communities and theme housing for juniors and seniors on campus with an addition of 1,600 beds. Lambert urged more private business within walking distance of Elon University. Lambert mentioned private businesses such as, more restaurants, cafes, a pharmacy, an ice cream shop, and other shops common in town. There will be Geo-Thermal Plans. Lambert asked the audience to pause and imagine Elon in the year of 2020. Elon will be a much more diverse place. 00:31:56 He said, imagine hosting a presidential debate in our new convocation center. Elon will have gained an international reputation as a place that teaches religious topics and teaches inter-faith understanding. Lambert said, we will expand our campus work ethic here…Admissions is everyone’s business and admissions and fundraising are everyone’s business. 00:33:03 We will have one of the most active alumni bodies in the nation. The Town of Elon will be a destination place in the area for recreation and fun. 00:33:18 And no one will ever ask the question, “Where is Elon?” This will happen because Elon and Elon University is destined for great things. We will turn vision into reality. Some names mentioned: Tim Pepples, Tom Hendricks, Wallace Chandler, and Nancy Midgette.