This unedited event, Announcement of Elon College’s 8th President: Leo Lambert, was announced on October 13, 1998 by the Board of Trustees in the Isabella Cannon Room. The selection committee searched for the 8th Elon College President for six months. Noel Allen, the chair, of the Elon College Search Committee made the introduction of the new Elon College President, Dr. Leo M. Lambert. 00:01:32 Allen’s comments included an explanation of: their search committee, which comprised of 14 members (trustees, faculty, staff, and students); 2,000 volunteer hours in the search for the new president; a process of over 1,000 emails, faxes, letters, phone calls, and miles of travel; and how the Elon community met Dr. Lambert and his family during the selection process. In addition, Allen spoke of Lambert’s talents that he will bring to the next Elon Vision in the 21st Century. 00:03:25 Allen spoke of Lambert’s academic accomplishments at the University of Wisconsin, Syracuse University, and higher education associations. His personal interests are in English, music, Rotary Club, church, and his family. 00:04:58 Allen stated, It is my great honor and pleasure to introduce to you, the next 8th president of this institution, Dr. Leo Lambert. 00:05:02 Lambert walked to the podium with the Elon College banner hanging behind the podium (applause). Lambert smiled away at the podium and stated, Thank you. Lambert stated, Thank you very much for that very warm and gracious introduction, Noel. It is truly a joy and delight for my family and I to be here today. I would like to begin right from the very start by introducing you to the three most important people in my life, my wife and two daughters. Laurie, if you would stand (camera panned over to Laurie). Laurie is an elementary and math teacher in the La Crosse Public School District in Wisconsin. She thrives on reading. An avid golfer. And the most terrific mom you would ever imagine. And keeps herself very busy with our two girls. 00:06:04 My oldest daughter, Callie, next to her, Callie would you stand – is 13 and she is in 8th grade. She loves sports, including soccer, golf, swimming, and she just finished her tennis team, plays French horn and piano, and is looking forward to starting middle school here in January. Last and certainly not least is my baby, Mollie, who is now 10. Mollie also plays piano and enjoys gymnastics, soccer, swimming, and golf (a three shot of the three Lambert ladies). A couple active kids that we have here. All four of us are looking forward to joining the Elon College family. Thank you. 00:06:49 The camera is back on Dr. Lambert. Applause. Lambert continued his remarks. I have been asked many times over the course of the week or so – about how I feel of having the honor of becoming the 8th president of Elon College. I have quoted a line that I will quote one more time this afternoon. 00:07:19 After Laurie and I left our interview here, a couple of weeks ago, we were so excited about the fit between our family and the Elon College family. We said that we really did not need an airplane to fly home, we were just soaring high after our visit here. It was a wonderful experience. As I told the trustees this morning, a thought comes to mind from a Quaker hymn – which also describes how I feel. And it is the hymn, SIMPLE GIFTS: Tis the gift to be simple. Tis the gift to be free. Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be. This is how our family feels that Elon College is where we out to be. It feels very right in our hearts to be here. I think most of all, I feel, an overwhelming sense of humbleness about being here, as well. Because this is a treasure of an institution, as everyone in this room knows. And it is a great deal of responsibility to take this office. And one that I take with the upmost curiousness. It is also humbling, following in the footsteps of two long standing and absolutely brilliant past presidents – Earl, I am sure I will look to you (Lambert laughs because Danieley is looking around the room) and Fred Young is here. I want to say a few words about Fred Young, especially to begin with, because Fred has already been the most gracious mentor that a new president can have. President Young has left/leaving Elon College in a position of strength and vitality. This is a terrific institution, in part, to the leadership that he has provided – I think the leadership is going to move very confidently into the 21st Century due to his legacy. 00:09:37 He and Phyllis are leaving us with tradition, of honorable and good work on the behalf of Elon College. Phyllis and Fred will be good friends over the course of – what we hope – will be many many many years – where we can work together on behalf of the college. Fred, I think, everyone in this room owes you gratitude that cannot be spoken appropriately. Thank you so much (applause). 00:10:20 I would like to say for a minute, what attracted me to Elon College. What is it about the spirit of Elon College that I think is so dynamic and wonderful? There are many many things that I could name. I am just listing three. 00:10:40 The first is – this strikes me as a true academic community – dedicated to the development of students. The sense of community is very strong. Very real. And very caring. This is the most important feature of the college, I think, that needs to continue. Secondly, I think, Elon has developed a very distinctive approach to preparing leaders for the 21st Century. All of our students are grounded in the very strong program of the liberal arts through the general studies program. They also have an opportunity to stimulate this work through an Elon Experience in this program, which emphasizes, as you know, international education, undergraduate research, service learning, student leadership development, internships, and cooperative experiences. And on top of this – an opportunity for some students to participate in really wonderful professional programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This is a very powerful combination, I think, will continue to advance Elon and students into a very very productive lives and careers. Elon College is one of the most improved institutions of higher education in the United States. And certainly in the state of North Carolina over the course of a dozen to 15 years. This is a remarkable place in terms of how quickly it has progressed forward. And you can literally feel the momentum when you are on campus, in terms of the forward progress that the institution is making. And that progress has been achieved, I think, with a clear view of making this institution a better Elon College and not simply copying over a blueprint of another college or university. 00:13:05 So what is ahead? Well, President Young and I are going to have a quiet dinner together tonight and begin to talk about transitional planning. I plan on making several trips back to North Carolina over the course of two or three months. Laurie and the girls, and I will be down here as a family – January 1st (1999). I am sure I will be calling on many of you over the next several weeks for your help and guidance and support. Again, it is a great thrill to be named the 8th president of Elon College. And I hope that we in this room become friends over the course of many years to come. Thank you. 00:13:57 The audience applauded. Mark Rickter, president of the Student Government Association (SGA) welcomed the Lambert family on behalf of the student body. Rickter stated, In recent days, I had my eye on becoming the ninth president of Elon College. But after a conversation with Dr. Lambert’s oldest daughter, Callie, she will probably become his successor. On the behalf of all the students who are here at Elon College, we would like to welcome the Lambert family. Rickter gave Dr. Lambert an Elon College hat and sweatshirt, and the entire family received the same. A wide shot of the Lamberts with their Elon College hats on and holding up their sweatshirts. 00:16:37 Dr. Lambert returned to the podium and stated, Mark, I have a return presentation for you. You know in Wisconsin, we have been branded by the people of Illinois, as the cheese heads. We have adopted it with great state pride. I will not tell you our return nickname for the citizens of Illinois (laughter). On behalf of our family, we wanted to give you this memento from the great state of Wisconsin. Rickter opened up the gift. Rickter placed the cheese head hat on his head and shook Lambert’s hand. 00:18:12 The press asked Lambert questions. Lambert answered questions for 10 minutes. 00:29:30 A reception, on Scott Plaza, in front of the Alamance building, was to follow after the press conference.