The Edge

NEWS 5/22/26 6:45pm

Elon University College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences graduates cross the stage

By Kate Gray

Seniors in the Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and School of Health Sciences graduated in Schar Center at Elon University’s 136th Undergraduate Commencement on May 22. The event was the second Elon commencement of the day, with students from the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications graduating at 9 a.m.

NEWS 5/22/26 1:30pm

Elon University schools of business, communications graduates receive their diplomas

By Kate Gray

Graduating seniors from the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and School of Communications crossed the stage in Schar Center at Elon University’s 136th Undergraduate Commencement on May 22. The ceremony for business and communications majors began at 9 a.m. and featured speeches from Elon University President Connie Book, student speaker Ruby Radis ‘26 and commencement speaker Patricia Walsh Chadwick. 

LIFESTYLE 5/21/26 9:24pm

Achievements, African heritage celebrated at Elon University’s Donning of the Kente

By Miles Hayford

In South Africa, there is a common greeting known as “sawubona.” It translates to “I see you.” There are a few different responses to this greeting. One can just be “Yes, I see you, too.” But the exchange can deepen, according to Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence at Elon University. This exchange was at the heart of Elon’s Donning of the Kente ceremony, which celebrates graduates with African roots, that took place May 21 in Alumni Gym.

LIFESTYLE 5/21/26 8:35pm

Legacy Reception celebrates seniors related to Elon alumni

By Kate Gray

Over 30 graduates with family members who are Elon alumni were recognized at the Legacy Reception on May 21 in McKinnon Hall. For senior Chloe Prince, the event marked the close of a chapter at Elon that began in childhood. Her parents, Maggie Prince ‘97 and Chris Prince ‘97, introduced her to Elon through football games and described Elon as a second home.

NEWS 5/20/26 10:11pm

Elon University graduate students step into next chapter, receive degrees

By Miles Hayford

Elon University’s graduate commencement ceremony took place May 20 in Alumni Gym, recognizing graduates of Elon’s graduate programs within the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education — Master of Arts in higher education, Master of Education in innovation, Master of Science in accounting, Master of Science in business analytics and Master of business administration.

LIFESTYLE 5/20/26 7:51pm

Elon University Nursing Program recognizes new graduates at Nurse Pinning Ceremony

By Monika Jurevicius

The Elon University Nurse Pinning Ceremony celebrated the class of 2026 cohort, which consists of 28 nursing students, on May 20 in McCrary Theatre. The pinning ceremony marks the transition from student nurse to professional nurse for the students graduating from the class. Dating back to the 1800s through nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, nursing program director and department chair Cathy Quay said the ceremony doesn’t just symbolize graduating with a nursing degree, but it also symbolizes nursing values like compassion, integrity, advocacy and service. 

LIFESTYLE 5/20/26 6:13pm

First-generation graduates recognized at stole ceremony

By Kate Gray

When Cici Salazar began her undergraduate education at Elon University in 2019, the school had just begun offering focused support services to first-generation students through the Center for Access and Success. Seven years later, Salazar is graduating with a Master of Arts in Higher Education and received her first-generation stole after planning the past two years’ ceremonies.

LIFESTYLE 5/20/26 2:47pm

From landscaping to utilities, university readies campus for commencement

By Mia Torres

As commencement approaches at Elon University, behind the scenes, the landscaping, grounds, facilities and utilities teams are already deep into preparations to ensure the university looks its best for graduating students and their families. For Audrey Rose, a gardener, commencement season is both familiar and demanding. While campus upkeep is a year-round responsibility, she said the work intensifies in the weeks leading up to graduation, particularly after May 8.

LIFESTYLE 5/19/26 11:55pm

‘Rooted deeply’: Elon University’s class of 2026 reminisces during Numen Lumen Senior Baccalaureate Reflection

By Charlotte Pfabe

As the sun ducked behind Snow Family Grand Atrium, over 1,400 candles lit the darkness Under the Oaks during Elon University’s annual Numen Lumen Senior Baccalaureate Reflection ceremony May 19. The senior baccalaureate is a celebration for Elon seniors focused on light, both spiritually and intellectually, according to Elon University.

LIFESTYLE 5/18/26 6:02pm

Human service studies student centers community in upcoming commencement speech

By Elissa Leka

Two years ago, Ruby Radis watched her sorority big, best friend and Elon alum, Grace Ackerman, speak at the commencement ceremony in 2024. What Radis didn’t know was that moment would open the possibility of being a speaker at her own graduation. Radis, a human service studies major, was selected by a board of Elon University students, faculty and President Connie Book to be the undergraduate commencement speaker for the 136th Commencement ceremonies on May 22.

NEWS 5/17/26 5:19pm

NC bill seeks protections for immigrant students amid ICE fears

By Lily Mosbacher

More than 20,000 students were absent from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools during immigration enforcement operations last fall, according to district reporting, a wave of fear that helped spark a new bill in the North Carolina General Assembly aimed at protecting immigrant students in public schools.House Bill 1061, titled the “Plyler Educational Protections,” would reinforce students’ right to public education and establish clearer guidance for how schools respond to federal immigration enforcement requests. 

SPORTS 5/16/26 8:41pm

Triple Crown Clinched: Elon wins Coastal Athletic Association women’s track championship

By Kathan Gandhi

Two days. 17 finals events. 15 podium finishes. One championship trophy. That was the scene at Elon’s Jerry and Jeanne Robertson Track and Field Complex on May 15 and 16, as Elon hosted and won the Coastal Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field championships. Elon women’s track and field’s first-place finish clinched a self-proclaimed ‘Triple Crown’ — winning the CAA in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. 

NEWS 5/15/26 2:04pm

2 Elon librarians retire at end of 2025-26 academic year

By Anjolina Fantaroni

At the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, two Elon University librarians are turning the page to retirement. Both Teresa LePors and Patrick Rudd will leave their positions in just a few short weeks. The two together have worked a total of 68 years at Elon. For LePors, 45 years, and for Rudd, 23. 

NEWS 5/14/26 2:19pm

Smoke fills business center classroom, some final exams delayed

By Fiona McAllister

Around 12:45 p.m. May 14, Elon sophomore Reese Hurwitch said she saw and smelled smoke coming from her classroom on the third floor of the Koury Business Center, KOBC 310. According to Town of Elon Police division chief Brandon Waddell, there was a problem with the HVAC system in the classroom, causing smoke to form.

NEWS 5/14/26 1:55pm

Elon nursing seniors prepare for national exam

By Emma Perman

As graduation approaches for seniors in the nursing program at Elon University, many students say their final hurdle before officially becoming a registered nurse is actually after they walk across the stage. The National Council Licensure Examination, better known as the NCLEX, is the standardized national exam required for nursing graduates to become licensed registered nurses in the United States. 

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NEWS 05/14/2026 11:52am
Clipping the South's wisteria problem

Sam Wright kneels at the base of a tree, just where the woods thin out along the edge of the Oak Crest neighborhood. The line between property and forest is blurred here, somewhere along the border of Chatham and Orange County — and thick with rolling waves of wisteria.

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