Columns

Bringing the farm home: Agricultural campaign produces local partnership

Local farmers have a hand in Dining Services. Elon University adopted the 10 Percent Campaign, a state-wide initiative establishes trade agreements between local farmers and businesses. Businesses involved in the program pledge to purchase a minimum of 10 percent of all food locally, which largely determines from where and from whom the university purchases produce. Fresh produce is an important aspect of Elon Dining Service’s involvement in the 10 Percent movement, according to Kate Nelson, marketing manager for Elon Dining Services. “You not only get a closer relationship with those growing your food, but you get to know about how that food is produced and the values that the farmer lives by,” said Michelle Ferrier, associate professor of communications and the creator of locallygrownnews.com, a site devoted to sharing and promoting local food experiences. The relationships between local farmers and the university produce environmental benefits as well, according to Ferrier.

New director’s reporting experience advances Elon Poll communication

Elon Poll projects people’s voice into public light

Elon students reach into the community and out to the public with the Elon Poll. The increased use of social media and partnership with North Carolina media organizations contributed to the political dialogue that characterizes the Elon Poll. The Elon Poll, held from Feb.

Elon sorority keeps Service Day tradition alive

Members of many Elon organizations gathered in Harden Clubhouse 9 a.m. Saturday, March 3 to benefit a cause they said they felt was well worth waking up early for. These students were participating in Impact Day: A Day of Service, an event that promotes community service at several sites in Elon and the towns surrounding it. “I think (service) is an important part of being a student at Elon,” said Brittany Walker, chairwoman of the event. Walker decided to organize the event after she learned the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement had chosen not to host it, as it had in the past. [quote]I think it’s always good to take part in an event that gives back to the community. -- Candice Blacknall, Impact Day participant.[/quote] Walker said her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, considers community service one of its core values, and its members agreed to host Impact Day to benefit those in need. “We thought it was such an amazing day that people could volunteer for,” Walker said. Walker said she was eager to expose participants of Impact Day to a wider range of service opportunities than they may not have known existed. In order to partner with a variety of service locations, Walker personally contacted the Elon community partners listed on the university’s website, many of which she coordinated with in the past as the director of the Kernodle Center’s Leadership in Collaborative Services. She then worked with the service sites that responded to her emails to identify their greatest areas of need, some of which called for labor-intensive projects. “We’re cleaning out stables, we’re digging up gardens and we’re weeding,” Walker said.

Students love technology, need to love people too

I love my laptop. I remember the day I got in at the end of my senior year of high school, ready to bring it to college.

Distinguished visiting professor champions passion as life’s guide

Judith Jamison, dancer and choreographer, addressed a fully-seated auditorium with an informal speaking style, advising the primarily student-based audience to live passionately. Passion has been her guideline to success as a leader, she said. “The people that make a difference are not always visionaries, but people that passionately and vehemently believe in what they are doing,” Jamison said. Too often people are fixed on goals they are not truly passionate about, she said. “I know it looks good on paper, but how does it really feel?” she asked.

Students help tackle the ‘Impossible’ at nearby restaurant

When Elon University students were offered the opportunity to join the “Restaurant: Impossible” crew as they re-modeled University Grill, appreciation and excitement came from both ends. Students who participated in the effort had the chance to go behind the scenes of the popular Food Network show, in which chef Robert Irvine has two days and $10,000 to transform a failing restaurant. “I literally was watching them create a show, which is what I want to do,” said junior Julie Morse, a broadcast journalism major and a self-proclaimed addict of the series.

Honors Fellow builds strength through final thesis

Senior Arroya Karian hopes to express how she gained inner strength through her struggles and overcame the obstacles in her life.

Vote for The Pendulum's 2012 Basketball Awards

For the first time, The Pendulum is handing out end-of-season awards to Elon basketball teams.

Garden class grows self-productivity

Instead of picking up fast food for lunch, students in a new Garden Studio class can make their own meal — literally. Michael Strickland, professor in English and environmental studies, decided to start the class two years ago as a way of teaching students of any major how to properly plant and maintain a home-scale garden and harvest their own food. “It’s really about producing good food in small amounts of land in the most efficient manner,” Strickland said.

Outdoor lifestyle sprouts undergraduate research

For junior Kileigh Browning, undergraduate research is more than a school project: It’s a lifestyle. “As an environmental and ecological science major, I tend to spend a lot of time outside,” Browning said.

Black and White Ball foxtrots ‘for the kids’

No experience was necessary for attendees at the Black and White Ball, cohosted by the Ballroom Club and Elonthon March 3 in McKinnon Hall. The ball was a semi-formal event, so attending students were dressed to the nines in black and white attire for a classy evening. Originating in 2007, the ball is a co-sponsored event between the Ballroom Club and another organization asked by the Ballroom Club to volunteer each year.

Phoenix’s strong showing in Buzz Classic boosts softball

The Elon University softball team left for Woodstock, Ga.

Women's club lacrosse intrigued by potential for program

Whitney Powel proudly wears a love for her sport. After a Thursday night practice, the freshman co-captain and midfielder of the club lacrosse team can’t stop the red imprint of tightly worn goggles from making its mark on her face.

Starting the SoCon right important for Elon baseball

Not a bad recovery effort. After losing three of three to the two-time defending national champion University of South Carolina, the Elon Phoenix baseball team is in first place in the Southern Conference after taking two of three from No.

Internet study speculates about cognitive skills of younger generation

Generation gaps are not a foreign concept. Many adults question the effect of digital technologyon the younger generation, a new survey shows. Janna Anderson, associate professor of communications and director of Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center, and Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, conducted a survey that explored the increasing prevalence of digital technology and its potential consequences come 2020. More than 1,000 Internet experts and users provided predictions about the overall consequences of hyper-connectivity.

New Elon linebackers coach has three distinct priorities: faith, family, football

When asked about Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, Elon Phoenix head football coach Jason Swepson couldn't say enough about his “family man” mentality. “Obviously, our wives know each other, did a lot of birthday parties over the last couple of years together,” he said.

SGA allocates funds to 86 student organizations despite budget decrease

The Student Government Association approved funding for 86 campus organizations, with money remaining in the organization budget. More money was requested from the SGA by student organizations for 2012-2013 than last year, but approved allocations for the upcoming year total slightly less compared to the past year. At  the culmination of budget hearings March 1, allocations for student organizations totaled $484,293.40, and a remainder of $20,990.60 will be allocated to the 26 SGA-recognized campus organizations that did not yet submit budget applications. “We (trimmed) the fat off the budget this year,” said Nick Livengood, current executive treasurer.

Supreme Court to rule whether race plays role in college entry

The Supreme Court will examine the significance of race during the college admission process for the second time this decade.

International Adventures - March 6, 2012

http://elonpendulum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/International_3.06.mp3 International editor, Katie Moran, discusses spring break abroad.