Trustee Emeritus Philip H. Elliott Jr. (HonDoc ’04) passed away Nov. 9, 2021. Elliott became the first sitting board member in 1967 to become a benefactor of the university. He and his late wife, Joyce, established the endowed Philip H. Elliott Scholarship for Embry-Riddle students and supported several capital projects and programs to advance the mission of the university. Elliott helped persuade City of Daytona Beach leaders to support Embry-Riddle’s relocation from Miami in 1965, known as “Operation Boot Strap.”
“In the 2019 State of the University Address, I had the opportunity to publicly thank Phil Elliott for his critical role in establishing Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach,” said President P. Barry Butler. “It was an honor to be the seventh president of this institution to benefit from his skill as an attorney, insight into the community and genuine concern for the success of our students. He was an extraordinary man, and his advocacy was a great gift to us.”
Elliott served as attorney for Embry-Riddle from 1965-98. He served on the board of trustees from 1965-2004, including as vice chair from 1970-83 and chair of the executive committee from 1968-83. As Trustee Emeritus until his death, he missed only one board meeting.
Elliott proved a trusted advisor as Embry-Riddle became an accredited university and acquired the former Prescott College. Elliott summed up his long relationship with Embry-Riddle: “I’m very glad that I had the opportunity to become involved in something as important as Embry-Riddle … It has been my privilege to play that part.”