News

---

NEWS 4/8/24 9:24pm

Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean announces departure

By Lilly Molina

Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean Raghu Tadepalli has announced his departure from deanship after 12 years in the role. His deanship will conclude after the 2024-25 academic year and the university will begin its search for a replacement in fall 2024. This is the sixth senior staff member to leave their position within the past two years. Despite his departure from this role, Tadepalli will be returning in the 2026-27 academic year after a yearlong sabbatical to serve as dean emeritus and special assistant to Elon University President Connie Book.

---

NEWS 4/8/24 7:50pm

Partial eclipse passes over Elon

By Joseph Navin

On the afternoon of April 8, a rare total solar eclipse – referred to by some as the “Great North American Eclipse” — traveled over parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada – blanketing parts of North America located in the “path of totality” in a brief period of darkness. While Elon and central North Carolina were not situated in the area for the total eclipse, the region did experience a partial eclipse. The Elon University Physics Department held an eclipse watching event at the Innovation Quad between 2 and 4 p.m., where roughly 500 people showed up at the moment of partial totality.

---

NEWS 4/5/24 7:03pm

Habitat for Humanity CEO speaks at Elon’s James P. Elder lecture

By Reagan Sizemore

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, spoke about his journey to becoming one of the most influential nonprofit leaders in America during the 2024 James P. Elder Lecture. On Thursday, April 4, Reckford gave his lecture to roughly 150 Elon alumni, faculty, staff, students and Alamance County community members in Whitley Auditorium. In a Q&A-style interview, Reckford discussed the success of Habitat for Humanity. The nonprofit operates in more than 70 countries and is responsible for helping over 13 million people in the last year have access to affordable shelter.

---

NEWS 4/4/24 11:13pm

Elon Farmers Market returns for 2024 season

By Jordyn Forni

The Elon Farmers Market launched for the first time this season on April 4 and will be open every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. until Oct. 31. Almost all of the previous vendors will be returning for the new season and attendees can expect up to 25 vendors in total, according to Market Manager Sarah Bass. This includes a handful of new vendors as well. Bass also said the majority of both new and returning vendors are sourcing their products locally or from just outside Alamance County.

---

NEWS 4/4/24 9:33pm

Following Jackson Yelle’s death, father returns to campus and raises money for MLB cause

By Avery Sloan

A year after Elon junior Jackson Yelle was killed in a hit-and-run on a beach trip with his club baseball team, his father Scott Yelle honors his son’s memory through the Jackson Yelle Family Foundation and stays in close contact with the rest of the team. Scott came to Elon sporting Jackson’s worn baseball hat and a Boston Red Sox shirt with “Yelle” on the back — along with Jackson’s No. 2. Scott came to Elon on April 4 to watch a club baseball practice and visit with Jackson’s friends, who have meant so much to him and his family.

---

NEWS 4/4/24 5:03pm

Alamance County Sheriff's Office announces suspect in 45-year-old murder case

By Joseph Navin

During a press conference held in Graham on April 4, an emotional Terry Johnson — Alamance County sheriff — announced that authorities found the suspect in the 1979 murder of then 20-year-old Tammy Aldridge. The suspect in the case was Gary Lane Laframboise, who died in 2020 in South Carolina. While the Alamance County Sheriff's Office has identified the subject, they do not know if he acted alone. Another individual was originally charged for her murder, but was found not guilty. Relatives of Aldridge attended the event, but declined Elon News Network’s request for comment.

---

NEWS 4/3/24 9:00pm

Elon University launches Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By Lilly Molina

George Dou, assistant director for the Center of Race Ethnicity Diversity Education, said that the first time he got to explore his Asian roots was during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Though API Heritage Month is typically celebrated in May, Elon changed the month to April to avoid conflicting with exams and have the opportunity to celebrate it fully. Dou and others within CREDE organized the kick-off event on April 3 at Medallion Plaza. This is the second annual kickoff and Dou said he hopes that API students get a chance to further explore their identities.

---

NEWS 4/1/24 5:35pm

Elon University Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Calendar

By Elon News Network

April 1 marks the beginning of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Elon’s Center for Race Ethnicity Diversity Education has prepared several events to educate students. This year’s theme is “Identities in bloom, Identities take root” which is meant to spread awareness on API students building communities and forging their own path on Elon’s campus. Other organizations such as the Asian-Pacific Student Association, Chinese Club and Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. are also hosting events. The kickoff event will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at Medallion Plaza.

---

NEWS 3/27/24 2:25pm

One of MLB’s winningest managers set to present for Elon Law

By Keely Garcia

Elon Law announced former Major League Baseball coach Tony La Russa as the guest for this year's Distinguished Leadership Lecture series hosted at 6:30 p.m. on April 10 in Carolina Theatre. The leadership series works to bring accomplished leaders from a variety of disciplines to Elon to share their experiences and perspectives with students and faculty. La Russa’s accomplishments include four manager of the year awards, the first manager to win multiple pennants in both leagues and three World Series championships in 1989, 2006 and 2011.

---

NEWS 3/22/24 1:46pm

Elon University presents medal to founders of Live Oak Branch Shares for entrepreneurial leadership

By Maggie Reetz

W. Lee Williams III and James S. “Chip” Mahan III, founders of Live Oak Bank Shares, were honored on Thursday, March 21 as recipients of the 2024 Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The award, presented by the Love School of Business and the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, recognizes entrepreneurs who are leaders in their field and who represent Elon’s values. Live Oak Bank Shares is a digital banking company insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mahan is the chairman and Williams is the vice chairman.

---

NEWS 3/21/24 10:09am

Mental Health Statewide Issue

 

Nine North Carolina college newsrooms have united to address the pressing mental health crisis in their communities. Led by The Daily Tar Heel, The Pendulum and eight other newspapers delve into various facets of this issue, from the impact of COVID-19 isolation to alarming suicide rates among students. This collaborative effort aims to shed light on challenges faced by diverse groups, including students of color and athletes, emphasizing the urgent need for improved mental health support across campuses.

---

NEWS 3/20/24 11:36am

NOAA issues fire spread warning for Alamance County until 8 p.m.

By Charles De Poortere

A fire warning has been issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration across central North Carolina from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Otherwise known as a Red Flag warning, this means that the affected areas are at an increased risk of fires spreading due to a combination of high winds, low humidity and warm temperatures. The warning is in effect for Alamance, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange and Durham counties.

---

NEWS 3/20/24 11:35am

HealthEU moves toward new wellness center

By Lilly Molina

Elon officials noticed there were different programs dedicated to students' well-being for years, but they were all scattered across campus, Elon University Dean of Students Jana Lynn Patterson said. In August 2022, the University launched HealthEU, Elon University’s health and wellness initiative, to organize those already existing organizations, but also promote them to students. Patterson said HealthEU is not only for students to take advantage of, but also for faculty and staff. The initiative consists of six pillars: community, emotional, physical, financial, purpose and social well-being. Patterson said all of these pillars are interconnected and centralized.

---

NEWS 3/19/24 11:11pm

Phoenix Free: Sobriety on campus

By Avery Sloan

Months before coming to Elon, current senior Syd Danziger made the decision to become sober. Without fully knowing what that would entail, Danziger entered Elon University feeling isolated and striving to keep this aspect of their identity quiet. Now, Danziger is the president of Phoenix Free, Elon’s collegiate recovery community. Danziger said despite initial hesitation around making their sobriety part of their identity – having Phoenix Free as a community has been crucial to their college experience and sobriety. Elon is one of nine universities in North Carolina receiving funding from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for its collegiate recovery program.

---

NEWS 3/19/24 9:15pm

NC Court of Appeals rules Graham Confederate monument cannot be removed by Alamance County

By Joseph Navin

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was the first in a long line of plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Alamance County and its Board of Commissioners for protecting the Confederate monument located in front of the county courthouse in Graham. The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the county commissioners on March 19, stating that the commissioners lack the authority to move the monument due to North Carolina’s Monument Protection Law. The monument has been the subject of numerous controversies, events and protests — especially at the height of the George Floyd era in 2020.

---

NEWS 3/19/24 3:25pm

Delta Delta Delta faces probation

By Elon News Network

Delta Delta Delta, otherwise known as Tri Delta, is one of Elon’s nine Panhellenic sororities and has been placed on probation. According to student involvement ambassador Aidan Connolly, Tri Delta is not allowed to recruit new members next spring and the organization's operations have been briefly suspended. According to university spokesperson Owen Covington, the sorority will face disciplinary probation for two years due to multiple violations of the Code of Conduct. This comes after investigations of activities related to its new member education program.

---

NEWS 3/18/24 8:16pm

County Commissioners welcome ABSS interim superintendent

By Joseph Navin

Hours after being sworn in as Interim Superintendent of the Alamance-Burlington School System, Bill Harrison was welcomed into his role by members of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners during their meeting on March 18. He replaced former Superintendent Dain Butler who resigned earlier this month. Harrison is no stranger to Alamance County, he previously served as both interim superintendent and superintendent of the school system between 2014 and 2018. Before that, he served as the chairman for the State Board of Education from 2009 to 2013.

---

NEWS 3/18/24 1:27pm

Three individuals trespass on campus; false rumors circulate

By Elon News Network

Last night, multiple Elon resident assistants sent messages to their halls warning students about going outside alone, as there were rumors circulating about three individuals targeting girls on campus. Elon University Campus Police Chief Joe LeMire said three individuals were found making rude comments and “racially charged words.” Elon News Network reached out to the office of campus police for comment at roughly 11:30 p.m. on March 17, and was told police were actively dispatched and unavailable for comment. Elon News Network then reposted the messages sent from RAs to Instagram and Facebook.

---

NEWS 3/18/24 9:51am

Elon upperclassmen face challenges with on-campus housing changes

By Monika Jurevicius

Elon University upperclassmen face challenges with housing following residence life’s announcement no longer allowing all residents in the Crest, Danieley and Oaks apartments to renew their leases. Students living in Park Place and Station at Mill Point apartments were allowed to renew at designated times earlier this semester. Students living in Crest, Danieley and Oaks are able to participate in the housing selection process, the same as students who did not previously have leases in these neighborhoods. This is the first year the change will be implemented.

---

NEWS 3/16/24 3:34pm

Elon University’s Student Professional Development Center helps students with job, internship opportunities

By Emilio Nunez

Junior Chris Murphy has been searching for internships that would fit for his major in music or his minor in communications. One way he has been trying to find these options is through the Student Professional Development Center with Brooke Buffington, assistant vice president for the SPDC. Buffington said the SPDC has always had the goal of getting 85 to 90% of graduating seniors to work with the office in one way or another. 

---