It was a bright and early morning for some members of the Elon community as President Connie Book led the first Phoenix Walk with a group of students at 7.a.m. 

The two-mile walk beginning and ending outside of the Koury Center is an attempt to promote mental and physical well-being on campus and an initiative she said she is passionate about.

“I’m a regular walker, and I always say , 'Do you want to walk and talk,' instead of having sitting meetings," Book said. "Just trying to keep moving. I feel so much better when I walk everyday. It’s a great way to stay physically fit and a stress reliever." 

In her President’s Address, Book shared her plans to “improve student wellness” and introduced her initiative to bring Phoenix Walks to campus in the fall. 

According to Book, her experiences at The Citadel, including a daily 5:15 a.m. workout routine, inspired her to start walking with students, faculty and staff.