In August, Instructional & Campus Technologies (ICT) launched Cherwell as the new IT Service Management (ITSM) tool to track technology service requests and incidents. Cherwell has allowed ICT to continually improve and reshape division processes to offer higher levels of support to the university community.

As the project’s manager, Gay spoke to approximately 40 users at event, hosted by UNC-Charlotte, about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s implementation process. The project implementation began on July 11 and launched on August 12. During this short time, members throughout ICT participated in process revisions and assisted in the launch of the Cherwell system.

Assistant Vice President for Technology and Chief Information Officer Christopher Waters said, “Each time Ryan shares our implementation story with others in technology outside ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, they are consistently shocked with the speed and agility in which we launched a new ITSM system.”

For his presentation, Gay focused on how he worked with staff throughout ICT to find a blend of best practices and standards that aligned the division more closely with the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and best addressed the technology support needs of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.

Of particularly interest to the group was ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s innovation of a process that allows ICT to confidentially handle IT security-related incidents. Additionally, Gay addressed how the division linked the Technology Wiki into the ticketing system for increased troubleshooting capabilities, revised the entire Service Catalog of supported technology services, and the importance of achieving stakeholder buy-in as a way to make such a massive project a success in a short period of time.

“The successful design and implementation of Cherwell speaks to our commitment to the innovation of technology support at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ,” Waters said. “The staff did an excellent job.”

“ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ embraces a pluralistic view of society and is making inroads in enhancing diversity, and we want to be part of that,” says Eric, founder of Perfection Automotive Inc., and vice chair of the board for the Center for Jewish Studies at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “You can’t have a truly global liberal arts education without having a Jewish Studies program. It’s important for people of all faiths.”

The Emerging Scholar in Jewish Studies will bring outstanding research and expertise to the discipline. As the program grows, earnings from the endowment could support opportunities for visiting scholars, guest lecturers, course development and other initiatives that enrich the program. The couple’s son, Mason, is an ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ junior who has been active in the university’s Hillel organization.

“Lori and I want our kids to be in an environment where they can have exchanges with people of different faiths and from different cultures,” Eric says. “Our hope is that this program will grow and spark additional interest among donors who may not be aware that this opportunity is available.”
 

“One night a group of men took all the Muslim men in my neighborhood to a concentration camp,” Zana says. “What really hurt was the men who pointed out all the Muslim houses and took my dad, my grandfather and my uncle were our neighbors. They used to be our friends.”

Fast-forward to 2012. Zana, now 22, is looking forward to graduating in May with her father, Melik, mother, Asja, and brother, Amir, looking on. She credits the Susan Scholarship with making her ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ education—and a bright future—possible.

“Without the Susan Scholarship, I could not have attended ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ,” Zana says. “I was so happy when I received it because I knew I could attend the university of my dreams.”

Furman C. Moseley Jr. ’56 endowed the Susan Scholarship in 2007 with a generous gift to honor his wife, Susan Reed Moseley, and support women of promise. Zana is grateful to the Moseleys for their generosity. She gives back to the university by serving as a mentor with the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Academy, the university’s college-access program for high school students with high financial need or no family history of attending college. In ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Multicultural Center, she helps coordinate the Watson and Odyssey programs, which include some of the university’s largest need-based scholarships, including the Susan and Georgeo Scholarships. These experiences have inspired Zana to pursue a master’s degree in higher education administration.

“I can see myself in each and every one of those students because I was in their shoes coming to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ,” Zana says. “They helped me decide what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’d like to work at a university helping multicultural students with financial need. They need to know they are not alone.”

Eleven years have passed since Zana and her family settled as refugees in Burlington, a few miles from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s campus. Gone is the scared girl who spoke no English on her first day of elementary school and feared for her future.

“I never thought I would be where I am now,” Zana says. “I can actually say I’m successful. I’m ready for my next challenge and I know with the help of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ I can meet that challenge. I know it’s just the beginning.”

It should come as no surprise that he’s a loyal donor as well.

“I stay faithful to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ because my experience was great,” Ike says. “I had faculty like David Crowe, Rudy Zarzar and George Troxler who gave me the opportunity to perform academically and made me believe in myself. I also can’t forget the numerous times as a member of the Black Cultural Society and the Gospel Choir that the school supported our efforts to stay in touch with our own heritage and represent our school. I always felt included, and I’ll never forget that.”

Ike is one of dozens of African-American alumni who came together to endow the Black Alumni Scholarship to help students with financial need.

“I felt like it was critical for me to support the scholarship because I received grants and other aid, and I wanted others to have the opportunity to experience ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ,” he says. “The only way you can do that is to put your money where your mouth is.”

Ike, who retired from the military after a 20-year career, remains with the Army as a senior training specialist. He is proud of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s efforts to enhance global engagement, including attracting students from different cultures. He also salutes the work of the Black Alumni Network and other efforts by the university to keep African-American alumni connected.

“At Homecoming last fall, my wife was so amazed at the unity and school spirit from African-American alumni,” Ike says. “When your institution makes you feel like you’re part of it, you’re compelled to want to give.”

To learn more about supporting the annual funds at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, go to or contact Melisha Chamra ’03, Associate Director of Annual Giving at 336.278.7464 or mchamra@elon.edu.
 

“Making this gift gives me a good feeling that I couldn’t possibly buy,” Jessie says. “It won’t affect my lifestyle any and in the future it will help more students attend ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, which can only make our world better. I can’t think of any other way to spend my money that would give me as much pleasure. It’s just that simple.”

Jessie endowed a scholarship in her name to help students with financial need. She made ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ the beneficiary of her retirement plan, enabling her to leave a legacy at the university and gain valuable income tax and estate tax savings. She says it’s the least she can do to thank her alma mater.

“Had ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ not helped me, I couldn’t help ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ today,” she says. “Scholarships are very important because a lot of people need help to attend college. I can’t think of any better use for my money that will do more good in the long run. I think it’s a good buy for the buck!”

After graduating from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ with degrees in biology and English, Jessie earned a master’s degree in biochemistry at Emory University before beginning a successful career as a lab researcher. She later married Edward W. Hook, former chair of the department of medicine at the University of Virginia, and raised four children in Charlottesville, Va.

“My education enlarged my perspective on many things,” Jessie says. “I hope my scholarship will pave the way for students to develop themselves and use their abilities as well as they can. I also hope this inspires others to give.”

To learn more about estate gifts and other planned giving options, go to or call Brian Baker, Executive Director of Major and Planned Giving, at 336.278.7453.

The Georgia native was one of close to 200 ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ athletes named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll for 2010-2011. Being a student-athlete has taught Niko plenty.

“Playing baseball at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has probably been the best preparation for the rest of my life,” he says. “I see being on a Division I team like being in a workplace. You have to deal with many different personalities, and you have to bring the best out of everyone to accomplish a common goal. As much as I love baseball, I know I’m not going to play it for the rest of my life, and that’s where being a student comes in.”

Niko is grateful to former ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ parents Damion and Sherri Carufe for endowing a scholarship to help members of the baseball team.

“Without the Carufe Scholarship, my family couldn’t afford ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ,” he says. “Having this scholarship is a responsibility for me to fulfill. I want the Carufes to be proud of me.”

NIko has grown personally, intellectually and spiritually at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.

“My ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ experience has been the biggest transformation of my life,” he says. “I’m a lot more grounded and open-minded now. I’m no longer focused on Niko’s stats but on how the team does. I also became a Christian at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. I have found something to stand for that I can take into the classroom and onto the field and let that be my driving force.”

Niko leads the baseball team’s Bible study sessions and is a leader with Campus Outreach, one of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s religious and spiritual life organizations. He embraces his role as team captain and is known for being a bit of a nerd during practice.

“I like coming out to the field and talking about classroom topics like philosophy or religion,” he says. “I think it’s fun.”

The journalism major is quick to thank his professors for inspiring him to learn.

“All the communications faculty take a strong interest in their students, and they push you when you need to be pushed,” he says. “During my sophomore year, I did a video project that was really challenging. I got the same butterflies when I presented my video in class that I get when I’m up at bat.”
When asked what grade he received, Niko smiled. “I got an A.”

We will be at Lucky Strike Lanes from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 7. Complimentary appetizers will be served and 20 lucky attendees will receive a free game of bowling and free shoe rental. A cash bar will be available.

Register online or by calling 877.784.3566.

Lucky Strike Lanes is located at 145 Ipswich Street in Boston.

We will be at Lucky Strike Lanes from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 7. Complimentary appetizers will be served and 20 lucky attendees will receive a free game of bowling and free shoe rental. A cash bar will be available. Register online or by calling 877.784.3566.

Lucky Strike Lanes is located at 145 Ipswich Street in Boston.