This video titled, Elon College Inauguration Celebration, was held from September 12, 1999 through September 15, 1999 at various locations on Elon College’s campus. This video began with the Ecumenical Worship Service. This was a service of worship in celebrating the religious heritage of Elon College and the Inauguration of Leo M. Lambert as the eight president of Elon College. The worship service began with the Reverend Richard McBride, College Chaplain, who gave the sermon. McBride closed his sermon with – Long Live the town and the college named Elon. 00:07:35 The Reverend Aitcheson, Pastor of Elon College Community Church, delivered The Presentation of Letters to Dr. Lambert. 00:09:21 Dr. Lambert walked up onto the stage and received the letters from Aitcheson. Dr. Lambert waved as he walked to the opposite side of the stage to shake all of the pastors’ hands. 00:09:58 The Reverend Aitcheson provided The Benediction of the service. The next video clip was the Luncheon Under the Oaks on Wednesday, September 15, 1999. Elizabeth Rogers can be seen with her daughter in the background. The third piece of video was the Academic Colloquium on Monday, September 13, 1999. The video began with Dr. Lambert speaking in the McCrary Theatre, Faith Rockefeller Model Center (in 2017, the building is called The Center for the Arts). Lambert introduced his friend and colleague, Jerry G. Gaff, Vice President of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. 00:12:30 Gaff spoke of the changes of past, present, and future. 00:16:05 The Elder Clock Dedication occurred on Tuesday, September 14, 1999 in front of the Carol Grotnes Belk Library. Lambert spoke of the central location of the Elder clock. Lambert stated, The Howard Post Clock that stands before the entrance of the Belk Library will be known as the Elder Clock, a permanent memorial for W. Clifton and Elizabeth Cheek Elder. 00:17:26 An unknown Elder grand-daughter spoke of what this clock meant to her. She stated, If you focus on money and outcomes, you will be making a living, but if you focus on service and being, you will be making a life. 00:19:04 The next in the video collaboration was the Carol Grotnes Belk Library Dedication on Wednesday, September 15, 1999. Lambert opened with a statement, We are standing finally (Laughter) in the Carol Grotnes Belk Library. When it is completed in a few weeks, it will be both the physical and the intellectual center of the Elon College campus. It represents the completion of a major goal in the Elon Vision. Lambert informed the audience about the Belk Library from its Boston designers. The Belk Library will combine the traditional library collection with state-of-the-art electronic information capabilities. There will be 150 computers, networked class rooms, and audio and visual stations. In addition, the Belk Library will have a periodical book collection, a special archives area, and many spaces for quiet study. It will house student and faculty support services, including tutoring, the writing and media centers, academic computing, and the honors sponsored research and general studies programs. The result will be a truly integrated approach to learning. I hereby declare this building to be known as the Carol Grotnes Belk Library. It is my privilege to dedicate this building in honor of our friends Carol and Ike Belk. All who seek knowledge are welcome within. 00:21:36 Kate Hickey asked Lambert to lead the guests by placing books on the shelves. As the guests placed their books on the shelves, a bagpipe played Amazing Grace. 00:21:58 Some of the librarians can be seen, especially Judy Hamler. 00:22:22 The next video in the video file was the Inaugural Convocation which began on Wednesday, September 15, 1999 in Alumni Gym at 10:30am. The video began with The Academic Procession. 00:24:13 Dr. Leo Lambert was seen walking around the stage and walking up the stage stairs with trustee, Gail Drew. Lambert was smiling away. 00:24:51 The Invocation was given by Richard McBride, Elon College’s Chaplain. This video file does have tracking problems. 00:28:37 Dr. Lambert was bowing his head in prayer. 00:28:48 The Keynote Address was given by The Honorable James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor of North Carolina. 00:33:37 The Investiture, including the Charge and Oath of Office, was presented by Noel Allen, Class of 1969, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees. Allen spoke of the challenge in selecting the new Elon College President by striving for excellence in our college. 00:35:36 Lambert placed one hand on a bible (cannot be seen) and raised his right arm. Allen stated, I ask, do you Leo M. Lambert pledge that as President of Elon College, you will do to your best ability, uphold and advanced (the camera moved) the honor, the integrity, ideals, tradition and courage of this institution? If you do, please say, I do. Lambert responded (with poor audio), I do. Allen continued to state, On the behalf of our Elon College community, I proudly declare you, Leo M. Lambert, officially vested as the eighth president of Elon College. And I extend my congratulations to you. In the words of Thad Eure, May God’s richest blessings be upon you as you undertake this scared trust. Congratulations. Gail Drew placed the Presidential Medallion over Dr. Lambert’s head (cannot be seen due to guests standing up in the audience). 00:37:00 Lambert kissed Laurie Lambert, hugged daughters, Callie and Mollie Lambert. 00:37:20 Dr. Lambert waved to the audience. 00:37:33 Dr. Lambert’s Response stated, “Let me begin by thanking each of you for sharing in this celebration of Elon College. I assume the responsibility of the presidency with tremendous confidence in the future of this institution with humbleness in being entrusted with its leadership. And with certainty that together we will dream of and achieve an even greater dynasty. On this historic occasion at Elon College, I would like to share some thoughts on the theme of pride and promise. 00:38:27 I see before me a long maroon line. Proud alumni representing classes dating back to 1924. They were led into this hall by our two distinguished former presidents, Dr. J. Earl Danieley and Dr. J. Fred Young. Their legacy of excellence is a source of tremendous pride for everyone associated with Elon. Thank you alumni for your continued support of your alma mater. And thank you Earl and Fred for your combined 41 years of outstanding leadership. You have prepared a firm foundation for our future. Dr. Lambert stepped away from the podium and applauded Danieley and Young. 00:39:40 Lambert continued to state, Pride at Elon grows out of an ethos that students and learning are at the very center that all of what we do. It is unacceptable here for any student to fall through the cracks, to go unnoticed, to fail to receive the support to realize his or her full potential. We take great pride in our dramatic and steady rise in college and universities rakings and in the increase selectivity of our students who now hail from 42 states and 30 nations. We have pride in our beautiful and inviting campus. Certainly one of the most scenic in the nation. We marvel at our new Belk Library. It will soon be filled with advanced technology and expanding collections. We are already making great use of the state-of-the-art McMichael Science Center. And we anticipate with excitement the opening of Rhodes Stadium, which will bring thousands of friends and visitors to the campus to share in our special ambience. 00:41:00 We take pride in how we lead and plan. Trustees, faculty, students, administration, alumni, and friends all those associated with the college visioning, daring, stretching, and following through with the resources and the talents that have enabled us to turn the Elon Vision into the Elon Reality. Finally, we take pride in our community that warms and welcomes all. We are deeply rooted in the traditions of our founding church and its motto from the Gospel of St. John: In that they all be one. It is a fundamental strength that we must value and nurture. Yes, pride sustains in our work at Elon and provides us the incentive to strive for excellence. And it is the promise of that excellence that provides us with the framework for Elon’s new era. We are now ready to embark on a new journey to define a nationally distinctive academic mission. The stunning improvements to facilities in recent years have transformed Elon. We promise to continue that transformation by committing even more deeply to academic and intellectual accomplishments in a way that is uniquely Elon. We promise to take academic programs to new levels of excellence and make the Elon student experience renowned for its special (the video stopped). 00:43:01 Some names included: Gail Elder Harden, Sandra Elder Harper, and Cliffy Elder Water.