This video, titled An Elon Evening Conversation with President Leo M. Lambert (Elon’s 8th President) and President Elect, Dr. Connie Ledoux Book (Elon’s 9th President), occurred in Charleston, South Carolina in the spring of 2018. Brian Feeley, Director of Alumni Engagement, Class of 2003, introduced Lambert and President Book. Feeley stated, “Good Evening Charleston.” The crowd cheered. Feeley spoke of building the Elon network and celebrating Elon Alumni that unites Elon University. 00:01:43 Feeley acknowledged Laurie Lambert for her 19 years of Elon University and the Burlington community service. 00:02:34 The introduction of Lambert and President Book occurred. 00:04:50 Lambert and President Book walked onto the stage. Lambert stated, “” 00:06:23 The question and answer conversation Good Evening, Charleston. I want to say, no one can be more excited to have Connie Book as number nine, than I am. I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Book for many years during her earlier tenure at Elon. And those of you who know her – know what a woman of great intelligence, passion, vision, and courage she is. And someone who loves Elon as much as I do to have such great confidence and affection for your successor…Connie we are so delighted to have you as number nine. Welcome.” President Book responded, “I am really excited between Lambert and President Book began. Topics included President Book reflecting on her lessons learned at Elon in her “Elon Play Book” and implementing diversity and inclusion, study aboard, and internships. She stated, “The reason why she wanted to be the ninth president at Elon was because it was the right thing to do. It equals student success. It keeps young people challenging themselves. It leads to their own transformation…and to follow the course you (Leo) have set. It is a team culture of innovation and problem solving. Elon does a very good job at listening and asking questions. It is always that itch to be better. In the military they call that, go to the point of friction. What is the point of friction? Where are things that can be better at? Looking for that point of friction and solving that next problem. So these are the reasons for being Elon’s ninth president is going to be the opportunity of my lifetime and my career.” President Book asked Lambert about high education costs. Scholarships was what Lambert spoke about at Elon. Lambert asked Elon’s culture. President Book said, “It is such a powerful campus because of the culture. That strong sense of community and accountability…our sense of ownership and safeguard here, but we also still continue to ask ourselves important questions…” 00:27:11 Lambert spoke of Elon Employees anniversary service luncheons. Lambert explained how it was his honor to present when J. Earl Danieley celebrated his 70th year of Elon service. He continued to say – the community sits at round tables from across the campus departments with a celebratory lunch with calling on every single person in the room. 00:27:40 Lambert stated, “When I leave the luncheons every year saying what makes Elon incredibly special, is that every single person in that room can define their job related to creating an extraordinary environment for student learning.” Lambert used a staff example. He said, “The mission is students.” President Book spoke of her Assistant Provost Elon Move-In Day experience with faculty. 00:29:46 President Book stated, “We love 18 -22 year olds (laughter). We did not by accident show up in this profession. We love those young people. It is one of the powerful pieces of an Elon education is the residential experience that unfolds across our campus in different neighborhoods. It is very intentional. We have faculty living on campus. We have our Elon 101 signature program. For all of our Elon Alumni, they just had a flash of those memories—working with orientation leaders that very first week, staging their success.” President Book spoke about online classes vs. lifelong learning to share what is happening in people’s lives and professions. 00:31:50 President Book asked Lambert about the Elon Commitment that will come to a close and the next strategic plan will unfold in 2020 and the role of alumni. Lambert stated that sixty percent of Elon’s Alumni in 2018 are in their 20’s and 30’s. 00:39:25 President Book spoke about reaching out to Elon Alumni across the world to think about the 2020 strategic plan, along with curriculum. She also mentioned, “User Experience” referring to customer service with word meaning… 00:43:32 President Book spoke about how senior management knew Elon needed a new convocation center and Schar Center, which opened in the August of 2018. 00:43:58 Lambert showed pictures of new Elon buildings and future buildings. 00:52:53 Lambert spoke of his new office in Martin Alumni Center (The MAC) and serving Elon University. 00:53:31 Lambert said, “While I was sitting (before our event began) between you (Book) and Laurie Lambert, I am feeling that I am sitting between my future boss (referring to Book) and my permanent boss (Laurie Lambert). Laughter followed. Laurie Lambert stated, “Get use to it.” 00:53:48 Lambert stated, “What a privilege to be the 8th president of Elon University…to be around bright, young, people who are so inspiring and caring and have such good hearts and such incredibly powerful brains and to see the impact that they are having on the world is an amazing amazing privilege. It is the best job in the world. And I have loved it. And I have loved the fact that we all, in our work at Elon, take our motto seriously, Numen Lumen- intellectual light and spiritual light for the world. And the world needs Elon Graduates. And the world needs that light. There are a lot of dark places out there where the lamps that Elon graduates can bring out in the world to make a difference in the lives and communities of people all over the planet. We do great work in this respect at Elon. And I think all of us affiliated with the university are deeply deeply proud of. That is the legacy that we look forward to watching you (Book) lead us and carry forward, Connie. I look forward to being with all of these alumni and with you and with the faculty…it is a great and noble calling.” 00:55:25 President Book thanked Lambert for his leadership at Elon University. 00:55:49 Questions and Answers session took place. Some names mentioned: Jim Piatt Jr.,Brian Baker, John Gardner Jr., and Peter Felten.