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(11/12/14 1:51am)
People poured into the office of the Rev. Phil Hardy, pastor at Life’s Journey United Church of Christ in Burlington. It was Spring 2012, and Amendment One, which made it illegal for North Carolina to recognize same-sex marriage, had just passed.
(11/05/14 12:46pm)
It was a good night for North Carolina Republicans. North Carolina Speaker of the House Thom Tillis came out on top in one of the nation’s closest Senate races two and a half hours after Republican Mark Walker earned a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Walker, who celebrated at Life Community church just outside Greensboro, represented District 06, which includes Alamance County.
The North Carolina Senate race has been considered one of the most important in the country, with party control for U.S. Senate hanging in the balance. Either candidate’s victory would have tipped the balance of party control in Washington, D.C.
“The Democrats have proven that they are incompetent for regulating business,” said Jeffrey Berlin, a Charlotte resident. “Tillis has shown that with his reform of the tax code that he has helped business climate.”
Hundreds of North Carolinians came out to support Hagan, who also rallied in Greensboro, each with their own reason for casting their votes for her.
Sara Thompson, a first grade teacher at Easton Elementary School in Winston-Salem, said she appreciated Hagan’s support for education.
“I work so hard because I have 19 kids that deserve me working so hard, but we don’t get the support or the supplies we need from the government,” she said. “I think that her focus is on education.”
The race for the North Carolina Senate seat was among the closest and most expensive in the U.S, with more than $100 million spent between the two campaigns. Two-thirds of that money was spent by outside groups.
When voters arrived at polls on Tuesday, there was no clear indication of who had the majority. The latest Elon University Poll had Hagan leading Tillis by a margin of just 4 percent. Hagan maintained a slight lead over Tillis throughout the campaign, despite a late surge by the Republican candidate.
Supporters of Tillis who came out to the election party at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte were optimistic at the beginning of the night.
“Hagan’s tough,” said Justin Stewart, a Charlotte resident who was at the hotel. “I believe in the voters, and if we’re still in charge, we’ll do alright.”
Others were convinced Tillis’ experience as North Carolina’s Speaker of the House would serve the state well.
“To me it all comes down to record,” said John Stewart, Chairman of the 9th district for North Carolina GOP. “In four years, Tillis has passed tort reform, corporate tax reforms, corporate tax code. Hagan, in the past six years, all she has done is be the deciding vote on Obamacare.”
Both candidates received support from more seasoned politicians. Bill and Hillary Clinton endorsed Hagan, while Tillis received support from John McCain and Lindsey Graham as well as an endorsement from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Throughout the race, Hagan portrayed herself as a moderate candidate, though she received continued support from President Barack Obama.
This resonated with some North Carolinians, like Jill Kazura, a former state employee.
“Hagan is moderate, and she’s willing to listen to all sides,” Kazura said. “That’s something we haven’t seen in a while. This stalemate in Washington has got to stop.”
The Tillis campaign capitalized on Hagan’s alignment with Obama on 96 percent of the issues including the Affordable Care Act, as something that would negatively impact the state.
Libertarian candidate Sean Haugh hovered at about 4 percent of the vote throughout the evening.
Other races
Walker and Fjeld faced off to replace former U.S. representative Howard Coble, who recently retired after 30 years in office. Walker led the race early on and maintained his advantage right up until polls closed about 8:15 p.m.
With 16 percent precincts accounted for, Walker was declared winner with 59 percent of the vote shortly after the polls closed.
Voters came from across the state to celebrate with the candidates they supported. John Trymosky, a Rockingham County resident, drove 20 miles to support Walker and to work in the polls Tuesday.
“His ideas to make changes in Washington were very positive,” Trymosky said. “He’s going to be a terrific congressman.”
Republican Renee Ellmers won the seat for the 2nd Congressional District over Democratic candidate Clay Aiken. She took 59 percent of the votes over Aiken’s 41 percent.
There were a couple of victories for Democrats as G.K. Butterfield won the 1st Congressional District, which encompasses most of northeastern North Carolina, over Republican Arthur Rich. Democrat David Price also beat out Republican candidate Paul Wright for the 4th Congressional District, which includes Orange, Durham and Wake County.
Additoinal reporting by Hali Tauxe-Stewart, staff photographer.
(10/29/14 12:18pm)
Rashidi Byaombe wasn’t used to peace.
(09/24/14 11:18am)
Hermione Granger isn’t going to stand for your sexism.
In front of the United Nations, Emma Watson made her stand for the global equality of women. With a slightly shaky voice, she delivered a commanding speech, urging men to participate in stopping violence against women through a campaign called HeForShe.
Watson, a goodwill ambassador for UN Women, rightfully challenged men to promote equality of the sexes. She is the latest celebrity to join the fight, and may be the most influential yet. This speech comes as a welcome surprise as the NFL continuously fumbling punishments toward Ray Rice and other players, raining the question in how society views the treatment of women.
People of all ages, from tweens to adults, have immersed themselves in the Harry Potter culture. They live and breathe for Hogwarts and it’s cast of characters, a world where sexual inequality doesn’t exist. Witches are just as powerful as wizards, and as Watson shows, people of all genders are just as powerful as one another.
By addressing men, Watson reminds the audience feminism is not a women-focused movement. No one, regardless of gender, should be afraid to fight for gender equality.
While this could easily pass as another social media fad, we’ve seen the power celebrity actions have caused in the past year.
Amy Poehler’s “Smart Girls,” a web series encouraging girls to pursue their passions, has a loyal following. Beyonce’s “Flawless” is routinely performed on national television and sung by people everywhere.
Whether or not people are intentionally accepting these messages, they are being internalized.
Watson took a more direct route openly challenging men, but it’s the right one. Too long men have stood aside, afraid being labeled feminist would somehow make them less masculine.
If it takes a celebrity message to convince the masses, so be it. It’s time we all become feminists.
(08/27/14 4:24pm)
Elon University students reported a break-in at the Sheraton Place apartment, an off-campus housing location located near Danieley Center, last night to the Town of Elon Police. The break-in occurred sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
(08/22/14 1:00pm)
As Matt Cesari walks onto campus as an Elon University student for the first time on Friday, he will be a part of history. Keeping with previous years, Elon will welcome its largest class size in history, with 1,496 students expected to move in.
For Cesari, the diversity of programs was the most appealing factor about Elon.
“If you have a passion, Elon has a way you can show, develop and share that passion,” he said. “It’s awesome to go to a school that can be bragged about for its academia as well as its artistic side.”
The number of incoming students is a reflection of the applicant pool. The school received a record high of 10,442 applicants.
While applicants and incoming students have risen, the demographics of the Class of 2018 are similar to previous years, including the lower number of in-state students.
North Carolina still makes up about 16 percent of the incoming class, the largest of the 44 states represented. For Cesari, a graduate of Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, this isn’t a bad thing.
“I didn’t want my college experience to be seeing the same old people from high school, just in a different setting,” he said. “I wanted to see some new faces and get a really unique experience. “
Greg Zaiser, vice president of admissions and financial planning, said this could be because of state legislation. Historically, state residents going to Elon received a small grant based on state residency alone. In 2012, N.C. legislation removed the grant to create a new program restricted to students with financial aidfrom the state.
“I’m thrilled we’ve been able to hold our own in the state without North Carolinians,” Zaiser said. “I’d like it to remain our top state, but we’re out and about more.”
Incoming students who identify as ethnically diverse compose 17 percent of the freshman class. That number has remained the same three of the past four years. But diversity overall has increased when factoring in socioeconomics.
“The percentage of students who are eligible for federal funds shows we are really investing in socioeconomic diversity,” he said. “I’m pleased with the fact that Elon is more accessible for students who might not be able to attend.”
Twelve percent of the Class of 2018, the highest amount in the school’s history, will receive the Pell Grant, a federal grant dependent on financial need, schools costs and full-time student status.
Other changes occurred in international students. This year, Elon will welcome 98 new international students – five fewer from last year - from 18 countries, not including the United States.
Male-to-female association has remained similar to previous years, with females making up 61 percent of the incoming class, mirroring the national trend of liberal arts schools receiving more female applicants.
No matter the demographics, Zaiser has noticed a continuous rise in quality from incoming students.
“Admissions looks at where else these students apply – Wake Forest, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bucknell University, University of Richmond – are selective schools,” Zaiser said. “This speaks very well of Elon and the students we enrolled in.”
(08/08/14 7:18pm)
On Thursday, I lost my best friend for the last 13 years, my dog Sadie.
(05/18/14 7:09pm)
To look back at how I started at Elon University, it almost seems like an accident.
I had always hated the news growing up, because it seemed as if there was nothing good ever going on in the world. I came to associate Brian Williams’ face and perfectly coiffed hair with death, conflict and all manners of natural disasters.
So it was with trepidation I chose to sign up junior year for the newspaper class my high school offered because I needed another class.
I remember my first story being about Jaycee Dugard, the woman who had been kidnapped for 11 years. It was, more than likely, a poorly written piece but the thrill of seeing my name in the paper was an ego boost, which still drives me today.
I did not realize it at the time, but this would be a turning point in my life, one that would eventually take me on a path leading to Elon and The Pendulum.
The Pendulum’s 60 plus staff members and I have had the pleasure of delivering the most important news not only to the university, but to the surrounding community as well. There have been incredible highs and equal dips in the last nine months. From the low sanitation ratings for on-campus dining establishments to the scheduled opening of downtown’s newest business, The Oak House, we have striven to keep the community constantly informed.
It is safe to assume, like the more than a thousand of you crossing the stage on commencement, Elon has changed. It has been an honor reporting on the issues as they have unraveled across the campus, town, state and even the nation.
Whether or not you had always planned on receiving your diploma Under the Oaks or it turned out be a complete accident, you should be proud of your accomplishments. If nothing else, you’ll always have the memory of President Leo Lambert telling you not to make a bologna sandwich.
Best of luck to you, seniors. Based on any indication from past graduating classes, you won’t have any trouble finding success.
(05/08/14 7:47pm)
There’s a new bar coming to downtown Elon, albeit with a much different flair than West End Terrace or Taphouse.
(04/22/14 7:38pm)
For a majority of the residents in the William R. Kenan Jr. Honors Pavilion, there was nothing unusual about a fire drill. As everyone began to leave the building, two of its residents stayed behind.
(03/05/14 11:26pm)
I have been surrounded by cigarettes since before I was born. No, my family wasn’t made up of smokers, nor have I ever smoked, but it’s been prevalent in my life nonetheless. I am a child of big tobacco.
(03/05/14 4:47am)
The Town of Elon released its first downtown master plan two weeks ago. The plan calls for an eight-block change to the downtown area bordered by Williamson and Manning Avenues to the east and west and Haggard and Lebanon Avenues to the north and south.
(02/18/14 8:42pm)
The Town of Elon has proposed a new revitalization plan that would restructure the eight-block area known as downtown Elon.
(02/12/14 4:17pm)
The Elon University Board of Trustees met Tuesday to approve the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget, which includes a 3.69 percent increase in undergraduate tuition. Next year, tuition will cost $30,848 with the total cost of living on campus adding up to $41,914.
(02/03/14 6:55pm)
Kate McKinnon, a cast member for “Saturday Night Live,” will perform at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Elon University’s McCrary Theatre.
(01/29/14 9:19pm)
On Monday night, Elon University hosted a public forum in McKinnon Hall on the issue of poverty in the United States, North Carolina and Alamance County. The forum was led by 10 panelists, four invited by the university and six chosen through an application process representing the university and the surrounding area.
(01/22/14 6:19pm)
I’ve never been one to look too much into my grades. As a communications student, I’m more worried about my standings in organizations and landing good internships than studying for a test on the influence of guilds in the 19th century. Yet when I discovered that more than 35 percent of the Elon University student body made the Dean’s and President’s Lists last semester, I wondered for the first time if my grades were mediocre.
(12/16/13 4:03pm)
Mary Carillo, a former professional tennis player and current sports analyst for NBC, CBS and Tennis Channel, will deliver the Commencement address at Elon University on May 24, 2013. The ceremony will take place at 9:15 a.m. "Under the Oaks" in front of West Dormitory.
(11/19/13 7:00pm)
Since coming out to my friends freshman year, I have been fortunate enough to never have faced adversity for my sexuality.
(10/29/13 4:26am)
Since freshman year, walking into my house for the first time for a weekend visit or break has always been one of my favorite parts of coming home. It isn’t because my parents usually have a fresh meal waiting for me — half of the time they’re not even at the house when I arrive — or because I’m walking into a spotless home not covered in clutter.