Health & Wellness

Hurricane Helene leaves mark on Western North Carolina, recovery efforts underway

Western North Carolina is picking up its pieces following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through the region in a 500-mile-wide path Sept. 27. The Category 4 hurricane left over 292,000 people without power and caused severe property damage. According to the Associated Press, the death toll has reached 200. Asheville, Boone, Canton, Lake Lure, and Rutherford Counties experienced extreme flooding from the French Broad River — with water levels rising over 20 feet. The flooding caused water to run through many buildings, including Asheville Community Movement Gymnastics. Co-owner Rebecca Hall said that the flooding lifted up the flooring of the gymnasium.

Elon University community reacts to Mark Robinson controversy

After what began as a close gubernatorial race, now Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson does not seem like he has a high chance of winning, Carrie Eaves, political science professor, said. These comments include Robinson expressing support for reinstituting slavery, calling himself a “Black Nazi,” a “perv” and saying he enjoys transgender pornography. The gubernatorial race between Robinson and Democrat nominee Josh Stein has opened up with a recent Elon poll conducted between Sept. 4 to 13 finding Stein up by 14 points — before the comments came to light Sept. 19.

Elon’s Chinese Club to host karaoke, game night

Karaoke, traditional games and unique snacks — all things students can expect from the Chinese Club’s karaoke and game night. Elon University’s Chinese Club will host its karaoke and game night from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education located upstairs in the Moseley Center. This is the third year the Chinese Club has hosted the event. The club’s vice president of communications senior Bryn Hall said after the event,  Chinese club has many other events planned for the semester.

Elon Jewish community prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashana 1 year after Hamas attack

Now almost one year after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz — director of Elon Chabad — said he was initially concerned students would not want to participate in celebrating Rosh Hashana this year. But instead, Minkowitz said he noticed "a renaissance in Jewish pride" throughout the Elon community. Rosh Hashana is the celebration of the Jewish new year. This year, Rosh Hashana falls from Oct. 2 to 4. Throughout the rest of this week, Elon's Truitt has partnered with Elon Chabad and Hillel groups to host several events for students.

Alamance County Board of Commissioners candidates prioritize lowering taxes, funding education

The six candidates running for Alamance County's Board of Commissioners spoke at a forum held Oct. 1 at the Paramount Theater in Burlington. The board has six commissioners, with three seats open at this election. Two candidates, Democrat Pamela Tyler Thompson and Republican John Paisley Jr., are running for reelection and Democrat Carissa Graves, Democrat Chris Smith, Democrat Anthony Pierce and Republican Ed Priola are looking for a seat. The forum was hosted by Impact Alamance, Alamance Chamber and Elon University with support from the city of Burlington and Elon News Network.

Elon Votes hosts vice presidential debate watch party in Moseley Student Center

Elon Votes hosted a watch party for the vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Oct. 1 in Moseley Student Center. Director of Outreach for Elon Votes and senior Allison Durand said she believes the organization can help to create a community on campus by providing a place for students to gather and talk about issues involving the election. Student turnout was only about half of the presidential debate watch party at around 50 — with many leaving before the end of the debate.

Elon alumna returns to campus to discuss career in politics

Elon University alumna Austin Moore ’22 returned to campus Oct. 1 as a part of the speaker series titled “Alumni Voices: Conversations with Political Insiders on the 2024 Elections.” The speaker series was organized by professor of political science Jill Auditori and professor of journalism Israel Balderas as a way to inform students about the upcoming 2024 elections. The first speaker in the series, Moore graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international and global studies. She currently works as the deputy field director for Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s campaign and decided to return to be a resource for current students.

Elon University men’s soccer falls to High Point in physical, defensive clash

In a Piedmont Triad showdown, the Elon University men’s soccer team lost in a physically demanding game to High Point University 1-0 on Oct. 1. Elon jumped off to an almost perfect start, entering the top 10 of Top Drawer Soccer’s national rankings for the first time since 2015. They are also currently ranked 17 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Coming off the team’s first loss of the season after falling to Hofstra University on Sept. 28, Elon looked to bounce back from one of the first signs of adversity the team has faced this year.

Elon University to perform ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’

In preparation for the fall play, costume designer and junior Brooke Gustafson has been pulling pieces from Elon’s costume shop, Amazon and thrift stores. Elon’s performance of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” draws inspiration from the play’s themes of absurdism by featuring costumes with both Elizabethan and contemporary styles. Showings will run from Oct. 4, 5, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., as well as two matinees on Oct. 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. in Scott Studios. Tickets are available for $15 or free with an Elon ID.

Pennsylvania governor shows support for North Carolina Democrats

In an effort to rally supporters for Democrat candidates such as Josh Stein, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the Alamance County Democrats welcomed a special guest — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Shapiro addressed the North Carolina Democrats on Sept. 29 at the Democratic headquarters in Burlington, emphasizing the urgency of active participation in the upcoming election. ACD volunteer Robert Shuford said it was exciting to see Shapiro talk to Alamance County citizens to help other Democratic candidates.

Candidates differ on budget plans at ABSS Board of Education candidate forum

Candidates at the Board of Education candidates forum agreed that the Alamance-Burlington School System needs to focus on students and help recoup its finances — but candidates differ on the best way to do that. The event, sponsored by Impact Alamance, Elon University and The Alamance Chamber — with support from Elon News Network and the city of Burlington — was Sept. 30 at the Paramount Theater in Burlington. Five out of the eight candidates were present at the forum, which was moderated by Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts School of Education.

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2024 Elon University security, fire safety report shows increase in substance violations

Over 100 more liquor law violations were referred for disciplinary action than the year before, according to Elon University's 2024 security and fire safety report. This report details reported crimes that occurred on campus and within buildings owned by Elon, and pulls from data from 2023. As part of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, institutions that participate in student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 are required to disclose campus crime statistics and security information.

Elon University challenges students’ perspectives with unconventional map

The world map in Lindner 106 within Elon University’s Academic Village depicts the world with accurate land proportions using the Galls-Peters projection. The Mercator projection is the most commonly used world map; however, it distorts the size of land masses farther away from the Equator, making them disproportionately large. For example, Greenland appears to be larger than Australia. In reality, Australia is over three times larger than Greenland. Also unlike traditional world maps, the one in Lindner is south side up, oriented with Antarctica reaching the ceiling and the Arctic Circle pointed toward the floor.

Turnovers, Richmond’s rushing attack doom Elon football on Family Weekend

Elon University’s football team was defeated by Richmond University 27-17 in their CAA opener. With a strong Richmond rushing attack and three turnovers, Elon struggled to build any momentum. During the game, head coach Tony Trisciani decided to make a change and subbed in redshirt junior transfer Jack Salopek. Trisciani praised Salopek’s performance, but didn’t indicate whether the switch will be permanent or who the starting quarterback will be going forward. Elon falls to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. They head into the bye week before hosting New Hampshire at 2 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 5.

Happiness expert shares ‘tricks’ for college success at Elon's Fall Convocation

Arthur Brooks, social scientist, bestselling author and columnist for The Atlantic, spoke at Elon’s 2024 Fall Convocation on Sept. 27. Brooks is the author of 13 books as well as a professor at Harvard where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. Prior to convocation he spoke to Elon News Network about the key to setting yourself up for happiness and success during college. Brooks opened convocation by speaking about expectations that college students have about happiness.

Elon anatomy lab opens space for Family Weekend

This year is the second year the program had permission from Elon to invite families to see the students’ work in the lab over Family Weekend. During the open house Sept. 28, parents could come by the lab and see a human brain, spinal cord and heart; tools for dissections; and models of bones and parts of the body. The human brain on display was one students had used in a craniotomy a couple of weeks ago, removing the brain from a donor. Elon’s anatomy lab uses human donors, through Elon’s Anatomical Gift Program, allowing students and professors to study human bodies after death.

Elon music theatre students perform annual “Collage” showcase

With both performances sold out, Elon music theatre students performed “Collage” — an annual showcase hosted by the performing arts department. Yeager Recital Hall — with its 125 seats — was filled with students, faculty and staff, and families visiting for the weekend. The hour-long performance was directed, arranged, choreographed and music directed entirely by students, according to one of the event’s advisers and professor of performing arts Chris Rayis. Instant Laughter, a student improv group, will have performances at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in Center for the Arts’ Yeager Recital Hall.

Fallen tree closes entrance to campus off O’Kelly Avenue

The O’Kelly Avenue entrance to the university, also leading to the Inn at Elon, has been closed due to a fallen tree. A campus security car has been damaged, according to Elon Campus Security Police Chief Joe LeMire. There are no reported injuries. At 3:52 p.m., an E-Alert announced that the entrance was blocked and to avoid the area. The tree fell to the left of the Inn at Elon. Rain and wind damage from Hurricane Helene is a possible cause for the tree’s fall. At 5 p.m., an E-Alert announced the road to O’Kelly Avenue was reopened.

Elon’s Fall Convocation speaker speaks on finding happiness

Arthur C. Brooks is speaking at Fall Convocation at 3 p.m. Sept. 27 in Alumni Gym. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery professor of the practice of public and nonprofit leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and professor of management practice at Harvard Business School. Brooks writes The Atlantic column “How to Build a Life” and has written 13 books including the 2023 #1 New York Times bestseller “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier ” with co-author Oprah Winfrey, and the 2022 #1 New York Times bestseller “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.”