The University of Lynchburg has a new endowed award, thanks to the generous support of Dr. Ralph Elliott, after whom it was named.
The Dr. Ralph Delano Elliott Excellence Award Endowment recognizes faculty and staff who create meaningful learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom — programs and initiatives that open doors, remove barriers, and invite students to learn in new ways.
Each year, one outstanding recipient will receive a stipend and public recognition, and their name will be added to a permanent plaque honoring those who advance the University’s mission of innovation and inclusion.
From the dairy farm where he was raised in rural Virginia to a distinguished 34-year career in higher education, Elliott’s journey is a testament to the power of opportunity — and the lifelong impact of the University of Lynchburg experience.
After graduating from Warsaw High School in 1962, Elliott attended what was then Lynchburg College. He arrived at Lynchburg seeking an environment where he could grow. He found exactly that.
“Lynchburg was the ideal academic choice for me,” he recalled. “Its strong focus on individual achievement and welcoming environment provided the perfect setting for someone coming from a small high school.”
After two years, Elliott transferred to North Carolina State University, where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and earned a PhD in economics. He then spent more than three decades at Clemson University as vice provost and professor of economics.
There, he became a national leader in off-campus, distance, and continuing education — fields that reflected his deep belief in lifelong learning. Even in retirement, he continued sharing his expertise through work with Auburn University and its Outreach programs.
That same commitment to expanding access to education inspired him to establish the Dr. Ralph Delano Elliott Excellence Award Endowment at the University of Lynchburg.
“Dr. Elliott’s gift is a powerful example of the undeniably life-changing experience students find here at the University of Lynchburg,” Lynchburg President Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar said.
“This heartfelt gift honors the faculty and staff who make that transformation happen. It will continue to fuel our mission of inspiring independent thinkers to become trustworthy effective leaders who shape caring communities for generations to come.”
From his family’s farm to his leadership in higher education, Elliott’s legacy reflects curiosity, hard work, and gratitude. Through this endowment, he is helping future generations experience the same transformative opportunities that shaped his life.
