Columns

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NEWS 10/23/24 10:53pm

Data Nexus 'Power of Women in Data' series continues with Elon alumna

By Kate Gray

Maggie Macdonald ’15 spoke at Elon University on Oct. 23 as part of the Data Nexus Power of Women in Data series to discuss the role of district boundaries and social media in elections. The assistant professor of political science at the University of Kentucky has research experience in congressional campaigns and elections, specifically concerning strategic online political communication and campaign finances. Data Nexus is Elon’s Hub for data competency, particularly designed to prepare students to understand the role of data and data analysis in society.

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LIFESTYLE 10/23/24 12:07pm

Elon’s Chinese Club creates community

By Megan Walsh

The symbol of rising from the ashes applies to more at Elon University than the fire in 1923 and rebuilding that followed. Elon’s Chinese Club was born out of several failed attempts and a global pandemic. Now, the club hosts a variety of Chinese cultural events — positively impacting students and the Elon community. Featured events include the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, Dumplings Across Cultures event with the Italian club and Latinx-Hispanic Union, karaoke and game night events, calligraphy nights and study abroad information sessions about Chinese-speaking countries.

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NEWS 10/22/24 10:30pm

Democratic Women of Alamance County rally around voter turnout, key issues

By Erin Hroncich

The Red, White and Blue Rally hosted by the Democratic Women of Alamance County brought in a range of community members and candidates looking to increase voter turnout Oct. 22. Around 100 people gathered in downtown Burlington to hear from local candidates and speakers about key issues in the upcoming election, such as education and voter rights. The keynote speech was given by Kimberly Hardy, a professor at Fayetteville State University’s School of Social Work. Hardy emphasized the importance of encouraging lower turnout groups to show up this election.

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NEWS 10/22/24 9:31pm

Elon alumni speaker series continues with political misinformation discussion

By Evan Cooper

Reporter and Elon alumna Maria Ramirez Uribe ’20 spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 22 about disinformation surrounding the upcoming election as part of the university’s alumni speaker series. Ramirez currently works for PolitiFact as an immigration reporter and fact checker. Ramirez started the presentation by explaining what PolitiFact is — a news organization that tracks statements made by politicians and then verifies if they are true or not. Since 2016 and the rise of misinformation online, PolitiFact has also begun to track social media posts and comments.

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NEWS 10/22/24 8:55pm

Elon University hosts deepfake discussion 2 weeks ahead of election day

By Monika Jurevicius

Purdue University doctoral student Christina Walker visited Elon University on Oct. 22 to discuss the impact of political deepfakes on social media users and how labeling could help stop the spread of misinformation. Deepfakes are a form of artificial intelligence that can add someone’s face and voice to another user. Walker and her team capture information on who shares these systems on social media and tracks its original source when available. The main goal of the political deepfake database is to track media users’ understanding of a specific watermark for AI-generated content, which signals the material posted is fake.

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NEWS 10/22/24 6:54pm

Railroad arms experience malfunctions in downtown Elon; intersections now cleared

By Miles Hayford

The railroad gate arms at the intersections of West Lebanon Avenue and North Williamson Avenue, West Lebanon and Church Street, and East Lebanon and Oak Street were down, according to Elon Police Chief Joe LeMire. According to an E-Alert sent at 7:21 p.m., the intersections at Oak, Williamson and Church have been cleared. These gate arms have been having issues all day and prevented the flow of traffic in downtown Elon.

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NEWS 10/22/24 3:36pm

Elon Students for Peace, Justice walk through campus

By Fiona McAllister

The Students for Peace and Justice at Elon University walked from Medallion Plaza, throughout Young Commons and eventually ended at the Moseley Center patio. Ten advocates led the march through campus holding signs with slogans like, “Humanity must prevail.” Leading the walk was Elon junior Natalia Sendawy. Sendawy said in a speech to the crowd that their purpose for this event was to stand in solidarity with oppressed people around the world. Adviser to Students for Peace and Justice Thomas Arcaro also encouraged actions of passion and said involvement with current events is something not to be taken lightly.

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NEWS 10/22/24 1:29pm

Former President Trump makes campaign stop in Greensboro

By Nia Bedard and Trista Panagakos

Former President Donald Trump has held multiple rallies in North Carolina in the weeks leading up to election day. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Trump is campaigning in Greensboro at Minges Coliseum. He is expected to speak at 7 p.m., but attendees have been gathering as early as 11 a.m. Trump gathers in the Tar Heel state as early voting began last Thursday, Oct. 17 and election day is exactly two weeks away. North Carolina is a swing state with 16 electoral votes, and polls have shown Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris virtually tied in North Carolina.

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LIFESTYLE 10/22/24 9:40am

Elon English faculty host discussion on ‘Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder’

By Julia Donaghy

In honor of the annual awareness campaign Banned Books Week, promoted by the American Library Association, English professors Dan Burns and Dinidu Karunanayake decided to co-lead a reading and discussion of Salman Rushdie’s memoir “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.” While not technically a banned book, “Knife” describes the aftermath of the assassination attempt on the controversial author in 2022. Burns hosted the second meeting covering the memoir on Oct. 21 in Carlton 224. The third and final meeting will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in Carlton 224.

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LIFESTYLE 10/21/24 10:34pm

Gala Latina empowers Latinx, Hispanic communities at Elon University

By Lauren McCowan

To end Hispanic Heritage Month, Elon University’s El Centro hosted its eighth annual gala to support and empower students, faculty and staff who identify as Latinx/Hispanic. With laughter, music and cultural food, there was a community atmosphere in LaRose Student Commons throughout the night of Oct. 18. Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams said while these events are open to all, they are crucial for the campus’ Latinx and Hispanic communities to celebrate their heritage and feel a sense of belonging.  

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LIFESTYLE 10/21/24 6:28pm

Pop-up bookstore promotes sustainable, affordable reading in Alamance County

By Sarah T. Moore

Paper Trail Books, isn’t a typical brick and mortar bookstore. Paper Trail has no physical storefront. Instead, the duo vends at different pop-up markets and events in Mebane and the wider Alamance County area, such as Filament Coffee + Tea’s “Gilmore Girls” night. Pop-ups, co-owner Callie Oldham said, help Paper Trail engage more directly with the Mebane community.  Other co-owner Stephanie Batten said she wanted the business to contribute toward sustainable reading habits. Paper Trail Books’ next event is during downtown Mebane’s holiday reveal event Nov. 2.

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NEWS 10/19/24 6:46pm

The Rosemary opens at Elon under Park Place

By Nia Bedard

Following a month of renovations, The Rosemary, located underneath Park Place, opened to the public on Oct. 19. There were no customers present at the time of the opening. Owner and Elon alum Derek Bates ’85 said that The Rosemary will have multiple options for students and Elon locals, including grab-and-go items, coffee, sandwiches and soups and fine dining. The Rosemary will be having a student appreciation and introduction night where they will be giving out free chicken and brisket tacos Oct. 22 from 8 to 10 p.m.

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NEWS 10/19/24 5:37pm

Josh Stein visits Alamance County Democratic Party

By Charlotte Pfabe

With the general election swiftly approaching, Democratic candidate for governor and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein visited the Alamance County Democratic Party Headquarters in Burlington on Oct. 19. Volunteers at the ACDP showed their support with cheers for Stein as he spoke about his plans if elected as governor this November. The event brought together both local community members, but also students from Elon University. Elon Law student Dimitri McKinney works on Stein’s campaign as a volunteer. An Alamance County native himself, McKinney said local politics are just as important as the federal elections.

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NEWS 10/18/24 2:13pm

Executive director of OpenSecrets shares role of money in 2024 election with Elon students

By Alice Morrissey

Students gathered in the forum space of East Commons on Oct. 17 to learn about the role money plays in a political campaign. In a conversation hosted by Carrie Eaves, chair of political science and public policy at Elon University, students were able to get first-hand insights about donation tracking from Hilary Braseth,  executive director of OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets is a nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit database website dedicated to tracking where and to whom money donated to election campaigns goes.

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NEWS 10/18/24 1:07pm

Elon’s College Democrats host town hall with state house candidates

By Alannah Klingsporn

Elon University’s College Democrats hosted a panel with North Carolina House of Representative Democratic candidates LeVon Barnes and Robin Wintringham on Oct.17. The discussion was held to give students more information about both candidates and what issues they are running on. Wintringham, who graduated from Elon University’s School of Law and previously worked with Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years, is running for a seat to represent District 63. Barnes, who previously worked in education as a public school teacher and coach, is running to represent District 64.

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NEWS 10/17/24 11:56pm

Tim Walz, former President Bill Clinton stop in Durham on first day of early voting

By Fiona McAllister

Durham held two prominent Democratic guests Oct. 17 — vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton. Both Walz and Clinton, accompanied by local political figures such as Durham’s Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, made key points about why casting an early ballot is important in order to stop Republicans from taking over the state’s elected positions. Clinton repeatedly reminded the crowd that their vote in this election matters and should be for Harris and Walz.

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SPORTS 10/17/24 11:14pm

Timely goals, tough defense propels Elon University women’s soccer over Hofstra

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University women’s soccer team defeated Hofstra University 2-1 to win their 11th game of the season Oct. 17. With a late goal and tough second half defense, Elon managed to prevail in a tightly contested matchup against Hofstra. It was Elon’s first win after losing 0-3 to College of Charleston on Oct. 13. Both teams went scoreless until there were three minutes remaining in the first half when Hofstra freshman forward Hailey Moschitta tied the game at 1-1. Despite ranking sixth in saves, Elon ranks second in points allowed with 12, according to CAA Handbook Statistics.

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NEWS 10/17/24 5:04pm

Gubernatorial candidate hosts virtual press conference for North Carolina student media

By Trista Panagakos

As early voting started across North Carolina on Oct. 17, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein held a virtual press conference for student journalists across the state. Throughout the press conference, Stein focused on issues such as public education, the economy and LGBTQ+ rights. He also heavily contrasted his own campaign with his Republican counterpart’s, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Stein said he has made it a priority to energize college students to vote in this election cycle. Stein’s final message to readers of student publications: vote.

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NEWS 10/15/24 11:01pm

Author of 'Wastelands' comes to Elon for sustainability week keynote

By Evan Cooper

Lawyer and author Corban Addison spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 15 about the legal battle between industrial hog farming and residents of eastern North Carolina. This keynote is a part of Elon University’s Campus sustainability week. Oct. 14 to 18 serves as a chance for Elon students, faculty and staff to come together to learn about and celebrate sustainable practices. As part of Elon’s sustainability week, Addison focused on holding Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, accountable for long-time environmental damage.

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NEWS 10/15/24 6:19pm

Elon Votes helps students request absentee ballots

By Alice Morrissey

With elections less than 21 days away, most students are gearing up to vote in their first presidential election. However, the process of registering to vote can seem daunting, especially for students opting to vote back in their home states, according to freshman Madeline Dolan. Elon Votes, an organization on campus geared toward students political involvement, has been helping students register to vote in the upcoming election across campus. Though a lot of resources have been focused on students voting locally, it also provides resources for those looking to cast votes outside of North Carolina. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 29.

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