Hurricane Florence Coverage

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NEWS 4/17/25 11:18am

Elon launches neuroscience major for fall 2025

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University will launch new Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs in neuroscience beginning in fall 2025, in line with the university’s commitment to science, technology, education and mathematics education in its Boldly Elon strategic plan. The new major — housed in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences — will build on the success of Elon’s existing neuroscience minor. Roughly 180 students are working toward completing the neuroscience minor, which started in 2009, according to coordinator of the neuroscience minor and professor of exercise science, Matt Wittstein. 

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NEWS 4/17/25 10:26am

Internal candidate selected as next dean of students at Elon University after confidential search

By Avery Sloan

Whitney Gregory will serve as Elon’s next dean of students following a confidential candidate search. This was announced to faculty and staff in an email from Jon Dooley, vice president of student life, on April 17. Gregory, the current assistant dean of students, will step into her new role this summer, after current dean of students, Jana Lynn Patterson, begins her new role as the associate vice president and dean of student health and well-being. Patterson has worked at Elon for 39 years and will retire in 2026, after serving in a new capacity. 

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NEWS 4/17/25 9:39am

Elon Law graduate appointed as district court judge

By Kate Gray

Last fall, Judge William Solomon of the North Carolina 8th District Court retired, leaving a vacancy in the position to complete his term through 2026. On March 31, Stein announced Elon Law alumnus Tia Hudgins Taylor’s appointment to the position, describing her as an “exceptional” and “dedicated” attorney. Taylor worked as an assistant attorney in criminal law for the North Carolina 8th District Court, which includes Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties. She also spent time in private practice covering real estate, estate planning, civil matters, family law and juvenile law. 

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NEWS 4/16/25 7:54pm

American Association of University Professors to hold Day of Action at Elon University

By Charlotte Pfabe

Elon University’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors plans to hold a Day of Action at the Belk Outdoor Theater on Thursday, April 17 to bring attention to recent executive orders targeting higher education. From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Elon’s AAUP will present “teach-in” sessions every 30 minutes, taught by professors from various departments, including art history, philosophy, peace and conflict studies, and more. The Day of Action is a national AAUP event with universities across the U.S. participating. In North Carolina, there are five universities hosting events related to the Day of Action.

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NEWS 4/16/25 9:09am

Contested ballots threaten to overturn North Carolina Supreme Court election

By Miles Hayford

North Carolinians are still talking about who might win in the race for the highest state court. North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, was elected in November 2024, but her seat is still being contested by her opponent in the 2024 election, Republican Jefferson Griffin, after Riggs won by 734 votes after two recounts. Griffin challenged the ballots in November and claimed that 65,782 ballots should not be included in the election results because they failed to follow state law. This is the only statewide race from the November 2024 election that remains uncertified.

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SPORTS 4/15/25 7:41pm

Elon University men’s basketball lands two transfer guards

By Miles Hayford

After losing two of its best offensive players in TK and TJ Simpkins to the transfer portal, Elon University men’s basketball has finally made its first move in the portal. Bryson Cokley, a transfer from George Mason University and Randall Petus II, who played at Northern Kentucky University last year. Acquiring guard play was a crucial need for the Phoenix as it lost two of their best guards in the Simpkins brothers and potentially losing sophomore Nick Dorn who has also recently entered the transfer portal. 

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NEWS 4/15/25 6:08pm

Elon University organization holds peaceful walk around campus

By Trista Panagakos

The Students for Peace and Justice organization held a peaceful protest walk outside Moseley Student Center on Young Commons on the morning of April 15. According to event attendees, Together We Walk for Peace and Justice was an event held for students to join in the fight against oppression around the world. Many of the attendees came to the event with their own signs about a number of issues including transgender rights, Palestinian freedom and free speech. There was no chanting during the walk, but members spoke among themselves about the signs they were holding and why they were walking.

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LIFESTYLE 4/15/25 5:35pm

Student-run theater organization presents original play

By Alannah Klingsporn

Elon University’s student-run theater company NewWorks debuted "Captain’s Log" on April 12, a student-written play by senior Graham Cole exploring the challenges of college life through the lens of two freshmen with social anxiety. Inspired by Cole’s own college experience, the play challenges the idealized view of college as “the best years of your life.” Directed by senior Grace Minton and featuring Elon junior Maggie Blakeney as Adrianna, "Captain’s Log" emphasizes inner monologues and emotional honesty, aiming to foster empathy and remind students they’re not alone in their struggles.

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LIFESTYLE 4/15/25 3:48pm

Special Olympics packs Elon University’s Schar Center for annual spring games

By Abigail Hines

Hundreds of athletes and volunteers filled Schar Center on April 10 for the 2025 Special Olympics Alamance County Spring Games. The athletes competed in a variety of events including softball throw, long jump and relay racing. Throughout the day, students and adults rotated through each event, and volunteers and guests cheered from the stands as they competed. At the end of each event, athletes were awarded a medal for their participation. Special Olympics Alamance County hosts weekly events for its athletes. Students interested in volunteering can visit the Kernodle Center or the Special Olympics Alamance County website. 

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LIFESTYLE 4/13/25 10:50pm

Elon Club Esports hosts Super Smash Bros. tournament

By Alice Morrissey

Teams from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and Elon University gathered in Global Commons to compete in a bracket-style tournament on Saturday, April 5. ​​The room was filled with the sounds of buzzers and the rapid clacking of controllers. The Elon esports team has previously traveled to other schools for similar competitions, but this Super Smash Bros. tournament was held at the clubs home base in Global Commons.

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SPORTS 4/13/25 9:47pm

Elon University baseball flys high, low against Towson

By Kathan Gandhi

Elon baseball exits its three-game weekend series against Towson University with two more additions to the win column. After heavy rain postponed Elon’s game on Friday, the Phoenix opened the weekend playing a double-header versus the Towson Tigers on Saturday, April 12. The Phoenix started the series with a 10-0 win and a 23-5 loss in a doubleheader. The final game of the series witnessed a 6-4 victory for the Phoenix. Following the series, Elon now has a 13-22 record for the season. Elon plays University of North Carolina, Greensboro  next at 6 p.m. April 15 at Latham Park. 

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SPORTS 4/12/25 7:05pm

Elon University men’s basketball star transfers to Seton Hall University

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s star TJ Simpkins is transferring to Seton Hall University, according to an announcement on social media April 12. Simpkins was a key aspect of Elon’s offense as he averaged 14.6 points per game with the third most total points on the team. He had an average of 3.8 rebounds per game and the second most total assists with 85. He led the team in steals with 45 and added 11 blocks on the season. Simpkins was impressive against Power Four opponents this year, scoring 18 against North Carolina and 16 against Notre Dame.

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NEWS 4/11/25 10:51am

Elon University Student Government Association appoints vice presidents of communications, finance

By Trista Panagakos

Elon University’s Student Government Association appointed its vice president of communications and finance at its business meeting Thursday, April 10. Juniors Kennedy Steiner and Ian Brecker were selected by executive Student Body president Anya Bratic to be vice president of communications and finance, respectively. Unlike the senate, executive president and vice president, these roles are not elected by the student body and instead go through an application and interview process. After the president selects a candidate, the senate must vote on their approval.

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LIFESTYLE 4/10/25 9:34pm

'I'm not hiding out': Transitioning late in life

By Avery Sloan

Crystal Burroughs knew she was meant to be a girl by the time she was 4 years old, before she knew what the word transgender meant. But even though she was sure of her identity from a young age, growing up in the 1960s and 70s without transgender representation and living through decades of normalized transphobia — she never planned to actually come out as a transgender woman. In March 2023, when Burroughs was 60 years old, she came out as transgender, first just to her wife. Now, she is fully out as as transgender to her job and larger community.

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NEWS 4/10/25 11:09am

Elon University announces 2025 Lumen Scholar winners

By Avery Sloan

The Lumen Advisory Committee director Michael Carignan announced Elon University’s 2025 Lumen Scholar winners. The 15 Lumen Prize winners are granted $20,000 to support their mentored research and creative projects. Established in 2007 by former Elon president Leo Lambert, the goal of the Lumen Prize is to give students an opportunity to pursue research and support other experiences such as international travel, service projects and workshops. For the next two years, the Lumen Scholars will work closely with their mentors to complete their research.

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NEWS 4/10/25 9:12am

PARC development set to bring 1,000 new housing units to town of Elon

By Charlotte Pfabe

Over the next 10 years, around 1,000 new housing units are expected to be built in the town of Elon. PARC Village was approved by the town of Elon Town Council on March 24 to be constructed behind Schar Center. The area where PARC Village will be located received a conditional rezoning to be a mixed-use development, allowing for both residential and commercial structures on the property. According to GreenHawk’s development plans presented to the town council, PARC Village will include housing units, office and retail buildings, a hotel, and a grocery store.

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SPORTS 4/9/25 8:51pm

Elon University men’s basketball star guard transfers to University of Oregon

By Miles Hayford

Elon men’s basketball’s leading scorer in points per game from last season TK Simpkins is transferring to the University of Oregon. Simpkins announced on social media on April 9 that he is transferring. Simpkins was instrumental for the Phoenix this year as he made the All-CAA Second Team by leading the team in points with an average of 16.4 points per game. He was second on the team in 3-pointers with 58 and was third in assists with 70. He shot 36.7% from beyond the arc and 42.3% from the field.

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NEWS 4/9/25 4:38pm

SGA to choose vice presidents of finance, communications

By Trista Panagakos

While the new Student Government Association executive president and vice president prepare to be sworn in on Thursday April 10, an SGA interview committee is deciding who will take over the roles of vice president of finance and vice president of communications. Unlike the senate, the president and vice president positions, the two executive roles of vice president of finance and communications are not voted on by the student body. After interviews, the chosen applicants are selected by the incoming president and approved by the new senate.

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NEWS 4/9/25 12:11pm

15 residents apply for open seat on ABSS Board of Education

By Anjolina Fantaroni

The Alamance Burlington School System is reviewing 15 applications from individuals seeking to fill a vacant seat on the seven-member board of education — the most people ABSS has ever had apply for a vacancy, according to ABSS board of education member Seneca Rogers. The seat is open following the resignation of Chuck Marsh on Feb. 24. The board will hear from the applicants during its April 28 meeting and could potentially vote the same night to appoint the seat. 

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NEWS 4/9/25 9:59am

Elon Town Council debates proposed tax increases

By Virginia Vance and Megan Walsh

Elon Town Manager Rich Roedner recommended increases to property taxes, water and sewage fees, and trash bin fees at the April 8 Elon Town Council meeting. Roedner said his proposed budget has less buffer room if the town brings in less tax revenue than projected. Mayor Emily Sharpe said she would be more comfortable with a property-tax-based revenue budget in place of a sales-tax-based budget. “We need to eventually get to where those are flipped,” Sharpe said. “There's way too much variability in that sales tax number where there isn't that variability in a real estate tax number.”

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