The Powell Building is located in the Historic Neighborhood of Elon University, adjacent to East Haggard Avenue, in Elon, North Carolina. The building faces Scott Plaza and Fonville Fountain. Present day, it houses the Office of the President; the Interactive Media masters program, and other academic offices and classrooms. In 1979, the Classroom Office Building was named in honor of Caroline E. Powell in recognition of major gifts from five of her nephews, which at the time was the largest gift in Elon’s 90-year history. Powell, for many years secretary of Carolina Biological Supply, was the sister of company founder Thomas E. Powell, a former Elon biology professor. When it opened in 1970, it was the home to the offices of the president, dean, emeritus, alumni, financial aid, admissions, deans of college and instruction, registrar, publications, news bureau, public relations, and development. Although the building was built in 1970, the design, scale, and materials used match the other buildings in the Historic Neighborhood that were built in the 1920’s. In 2009, the Powell Building received major renovations, and the offices were relocated for the summer during construction.