SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced today the 12 recipients of the league’s 2010 Distinguished Service Award. Each member institution selects an honoree based on that person’s contribution to the institution. This year, Elon has chosen to honor Wes and Cathy Elingburg.
"Wes and Cathy are such an important part of Elon University - and also the athletics department," stated Dave Blank, Elon Director of Athletics. "They have been instrumental in helping Elon provide the best experience for our student-athletes and we are very appreciative of their support and involvement."
Each award winner will be honored for their contributions at the Southern Conference Honors Dinner presented by Carolina Ford Dealers in Hilton Head Island, S.C., on June 1.
The Distinguished Service Award program was started in 2002 as a way for the Southern Conference to recognize those individuals from its member institutions who have contributed to all aspects of the university. Along with the Elingburgs, this year’s honorees include G.A. Sywassink (Appalachian State), George and Marie Barnette (College of Charleston), William F. Schupp (The Citadel), Janet H. Wilson (Davidson), Colonel and Mrs. F. Pelzer Barry, Jr. (Furman), Phil Moore (Georgia Southern), Pat Hielscher (UNC Greensboro), Lynn Boggs (Samford), Robert T. Davis (Chattanooga), Steve White (Western Carolina) and John Bauknight (Wofford).
The Elingburgs have been instrumental leaders in the advancement of Elon University and, in particular, the Elon Department of Athletics. The Elingburgs are familiar faces among Elon supporters, as the couple is a staple in the stands, encouraging and cheering on the Phoenix student-athletes.
The couple made a generous contribution in support of Alumni Field House, a project that will add a 30,000 square-foot facility at the north end of Rhodes Stadium and help to service Elon’s student-athletes.
Mr. and Mrs. Elingburg also play an active role in providing necessary scholarship support for Elon student-athletes as members of the IMPACT Circle, the premier giving group of the athletic department fundraising arm the Phoenix Club. In addition, the pair is an active member of the men’s basketball Champions Club.
The Elingburgs have made many generous financial commitments to Elon, namely endowing the Wesley R. Elingburg Professorship in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. They also contribute to the Elon Academy, a university-run academic enrichment program for high school students in the Alamance-Burlington School System.
Mr. Elingburg has served as a member of the Elon University Board of Trustees since 2005, the same year he retired from his position as chief financial officer at LabCorp. He has also served as a member of the Love School Board of Advisors. Mr. Elingburg was very influential and provided strong leadership while co-chairing the team that created the university’s new strategic plan, The Elon Commitment, which was adopted by the trustees in December.
Mrs. Elingburg, an Alamance County native, earned a degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975.
The couple's son, Nolan, is an Elon junior.
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