Letters to the Editor

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LIFESTYLE 11/17/23 1:37pm

From McCrary to Manhattan: Elon University’s presence on Broadway

By Sarah T. Moore

From May 5, 2022 to April 27, 20 actors from Elon performed in a Broadway show. According to Playbill, a national magazine and website for theatergoers, Elon is the 13th most represented college on Broadway in 2023 — a three-place drop from Playbill’s 2022 list of represented colleges and universities. As Elon University junior Marina Jansen joined Elon’s cohort of Broadway performers, they also became one of four people from Elon to make their Broadway debut in 2023, alongside Steven Telsey ’18 in “Harmony,” Nick Martinez ’15 in “Moulin Rouge” and Hannah Kevitt ’23 in “Back to the Future: The Musical.”

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NEWS 11/17/23 8:22am

Invicta Water collaborates with Elon University students to combat PFAS

By Miles Hayford

Invicta Water, a private water treatment company, is working to remove PFAS from water sources along with the help of Elon students. Elon and its surrounding area has recently faced multiple chemical leaks into nearby water sources such as the Haw River. Additionally, drinking water in the Alamance County area has PFAS levels higher than the Environmental Protection Agency recommends. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — otherwise known as PFAS — is a group of chemicals that is used in products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. 

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NEWS 11/16/23 7:53pm

Elon University recognized by Institute of International Education

By Jenna Rudolph

Elon University has been recognized for the 18th year as the leading university for highest percentage of students who study abroad among doctoral universities, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report. This year also had the highest percentage of undergraduate students who study abroad at Elon in University history at 87.8%. Additionally, Elon ranked No. 12 nationally among doctoral universities in the total number of students who completed mid-length study abroad programs and No. 26 among doctoral universities in total number of students studying abroad.

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NEWS 11/16/23 8:03am

Law enforcement copes with increase in Alamance County overdoses

By Abigail Hobbs

From 2000 to 2022, over 36,000 North Carolinians died from overdose and 3,875 deaths in 2022 alone. Cpt. Chris Crain from the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department said he has responded to more calls of overdose in Alamance County than he can count — at least two to three a week. Alamance County saw 34 opioid-related overdoses in 2020, 50 in 2021 and 40 in 2022, according to the NCDHHS. Town of Elon Sgt. Chris Miles said he is seeing more younger people overdosing from fentanyl since it is being laced in drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/15/23 9:29pm

Elon University digital art showcase displays importance of recognizing Indigenous artists, history

By Charlotte Pfabe

Elon University’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education hosted a beading workshop, as well as an Indigenous digital art showcase, as part of its Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month celebration. The workshop was led by Vickie Jeffries, a tribal administrator for the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, and took place in the CREDE office Nov. 13. “Inventive Minds: An Indigenous Art Showcase” displayed a variety of artworks from different time periods. Set up in the CREDE office on the second floor of Moseley, viewers walked around and looked at art from museums, caves and more. 

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NEWS 11/15/23 5:20pm

Town of Elon permanent plaza set for Dec. 2

By Miles Hayford

The launch date for the permanent plaza in downtown Elon has been set for 6 p.m. Dec. 2, according to Elon’s Downtown Development Director Jill Weston. The construction of the new gathering space began Aug 3., and after three months of construction, it is expected to debut at the town of Elon’s Hometown Christmas event. The plaza will include dining tables, umbrellas and a stage area for events and musical performances.

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LIFESTYLE 11/15/23 1:19pm

Student-written play at Elon University explores nuances of LGBTQ+ identity, significance of safe spaces

By Sarah T. Moore

In her sophomore year, now junior Laney Lynch was sitting in an acting class when she got the idea to write “Cardboard Boxes.” Lynch said the class was going over Anton Chekhov, a 19th century Russian playwright whose work included Elon University’s 2022 spring play “The Cherry Orchard.” “Cardboard Boxes” is a contemporary play that follows a group of college students learning how to be true to themselves. Lynch said this theme stemmed from wanting to explore the nuances of being LGBTQ+ in college. 

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NEWS 11/15/23 7:46am

Elon University Student Health Services hires registered nurse

By Madison Powers

After a monthslong gap, Elon University Student Health Services has hired a registered nurse who can provide allergy shots, patient care and other treatment. Becky Amash, who previously worked with the Alamance County Health Department, is joining as a full-time RN after Registered Nurse Cynthia Moore retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year after working at Elon for over 14 years. Dr. Ginette Archinal, university physician and medical director of student health at Elon, said there is a shortage of registered nurses which made it difficult to fill the position at the university. 

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NEWS 11/14/23 8:59pm

Abandoned Graham mill continues to smolder

By Joseph Navin

The former Culp Weaving Mill continues to burn after fire crews from across central North Carolina — including Alamance, Guilford and Orange Counties — responded to a fire at 300 E. Parker St. in Graham overnight Nov. 12. According to Graham Fire Chief Tommy Cole, the fire department was called to the former Culp Weaving Mill around 7:55 p.m. Nov. 12. The Graham Recreation Center on College Street served as a temporary shelter for those affected in the community, according to Graham Mayor Jennifer Talley. 

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NEWS 11/14/23 4:17pm

Elon University hosts multifaith panel to discuss the Israel-Gaza war

By Cassie Weymouth

A panel of Elon University’s multifaith chaplains gathered in the Sacred Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion. The panelists discussed the Israel-Hamas war and how to navigate the conversations around it, particularly with the holidays drawing near. The Rev. Kirstin Boswell, the Rev. Julie Tonnesen, Imam Shane Atkinson and Rabbi Maor Greene spoke at the event Nov. 13. During the event, Greene said because the attack on Oct. 7 happened on Shabbat and the festival of Sukkot — a Jewish holiday —, there was extra shock and grief felt by the Jewish community. 

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NEWS 11/14/23 1:21pm

Haggard Avenue expected to close for 3 weeks

By Lilly Molina

East Haggard Avenue — from North Williamson Avenue to North Antioch Avenue — will be closed for three weeks starting on Nov. 15 and opening again on Dec. 6. In addition, part of North O’Kelly Avenue located north of East Haggard will be closed as well. Dooley sent an email from Senior Director for Facilities Management Raymond Fletcher, who said the closure is due to a project conducted by the Town of Elon focused on water system improvements. During non-work hours, the roadways are expected to resume back to normal, and most of the sidewalks will remain untouched by the roadwork.  

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NEWS 11/14/23 11:04am

Fire engulfs abandoned mill in Graham as nearby homes evacuated

By Jenna Manderioli and Joseph Navin

Fire crews from across central North Carolina, including Alamance, Guilford and Orange Counties responded to afire at 300 E. Parker St. in Graham. This marked the second major fire at the complex in roughly a year after an October 2022 fire. According to Graham Fire Chief Tommy Cole, the fire began the night of Nov. 12 and continued into the morning on Nov. 13. Fire crews are continuing to work to put out remaining hot-spots around the facility. The source of the fire has not been identified, according to Beau Russell at the Graham Fire Department.

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NEWS 11/14/23 7:58am

Elon University students welcome Wawa expansion into North Carolina

By Lilly Molina

For Emma Puleo, an Elon senior from Maryland, Wawa was her life. Wawa is a major gas station chain that sells food and beverages such as hoagies, club sandwiches, milkshakes and smoothies.The company originated in Pennsylvania and has since expanded all over the East Coast but has bypassed North Carolina, until now. Wawa announced its expansion into North Carolina on Oct. 25 at the Greenville Convention Center and Casita Brewing Company in Wilson. In a statement, Wawa said they plan to open 15 more stores in North Carolina by 2025 and are investing $7 million for each store.  

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NEWS 11/13/23 11:24am

Elon University biology major fights to keep senior year alive

By Mason Willett

Senior Mandi Lichtenstein started to feel symptoms during the first week of school. As symptoms got worse Lichtenstein knew something was wrong so she decided to drive herself to the hospital on Aug. 29. After sitting in the emergency room waiting area for six hours, Lichtenstein was finally able to get the exams she needed. “They gave me a CT scan of my kidney and bladder and they found a shadow on the bladder scan, which could have been anything," Lichtenstein said. "But the doctor who came in was like, ‘No, you probably have cancer.’”

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LIFESTYLE 11/12/23 10:11pm

Elon Watches: “Killers of the Flower Moon”

By Tucker Price

Two of this year’s most acclaimed films are not only dramatic retellings of historical events but are created by two of the most prolific directors of all time. While Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” may have beaten Martin Scorcese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” at the box office, “Flower Moon” towers over Oppy as a masterclass in storytelling and directorial achievement. “Killers of the Flower Moon” follows Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Molly Berkhart, played by Lily Gladstone, as they navigate life under the pressure of a series of murders in a territory during an intense dispute driven by jealousy.

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SPORTS 11/11/23 12:03pm

Elon University men’s basketball head coach takes on 2nd year leading the Phoenix

By Mason Willett

With the men’s basketball season arriving, head coach Billy Taylor looks to lead the team as he starts year two. For the first season of Taylor’s era, the team finished last spring with 8-24 and 6-12 in conference play. Taylor said he doesn’t believe the record told the full story as the team was shorthanded with a small roster and then some injuries. Now the team brings in six new freshmen and two transfers. The Phoenix won its home opener against East Tennessee State University on Nov. 9 and look to take on North Dakota at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12 in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

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NEWS 11/11/23 11:47am

Elon residential students can now access Max with university accounts

By Nia Bedard

Elon Residence Life announced that the streaming platform Max is now accessible to residential students through their Elon University accounts. Assistant Dean of Campus Life and Director of Residence Life Kristen Carrier announced the update in an email that was sent out to students living on-campus on Nov. 8. In February 2023, Elon students lost the ability to use Max — formerly HBO Max — with their university logins, following a change in cable providers from Philo to Streeme. After nine months without the streaming service, Max is now back at Elon.

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LIFESTYLE 11/10/23 11:13am

Students make directorial debut in Renegade’s fall play at Elon University

By Sarah T. Moore

Elon seniors Brynn Lackey and Janie Chamberlin met for the first time six weeks ago; now, the two are co-directing Renegade Productions’ fall play “Peter and the Starcatcher.” The play will have three runs in the Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 5 p.m. Nov. 11 and 10 p.m. Nov. 11. Tickets are free for all attendees and can be reserved online through Renegade’s Eventbrite page. Renegade is a student theater organization at Elon that is open to all students, regardless of major or theater background.

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SPORTS 11/9/23 11:16pm

Elon University men’s basketball wins home opener in thrilling finish

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University men’s basketball team defeated East Tennessee State University 79-76 in its home opener Nov. 9 at the Schar Center, fueled by first half dominance and last second heroics. This was their first win over the Buccaneers since 2005, and avenged a brutal loss against ETSU in the Asheville Championship last year. The Phoenix got off to a rocky start, plagued by early turnovers and superb defense by ETSU. In the first three minutes, Elon found themselves having committed four turnovers. ETSU quickly found themselves up by 10. However, sophomore LA Pratt helped Elon get back on track with back-to-back 3-pointers.

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NEWS 11/9/23 6:30pm

Alamance County Board of Elections results show incumbent wins, first Black Burlington city council member

By Madison Powers

According to the Alamance Board of Elections on Nov. 9, results for the Nov. 7 elections will be unofficial until Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. Polls closed at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 for municipalities in Alamance County. Incumbent Jim Butler has a lead in the election for Burlington mayor, beating Beth Kennett. Dejuana Bigelow and Bob Ward are the top two candidates for City of Burlington council members. If elected, Bigelow would be the first Black woman to hold the position. For the Town of Elon council election — of which three seats are available — incumbents Quinn Ray and Monti Allison are the top two candidates with Michael Woods in third.

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