Hurricane Florence Coverage

---

SPORTS 4/2/25 10:09am

Elon athletes turn their names into brands with help from Elon University NIL store

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University student-athletes can now be seen wearing their names not only on the field, but off. The name, image, likeness store empowers student athletes to represent their brand by creating merchandise, such as jerseys and sweatshirts, with $6 per shirt, $8 per crewneck, $10 per hoodie, and $12 per jersey going back to the student athlete. Elon University has recently partnered with the NIL store and has contracted with 86 out of the Elon 503 student-athletes. There are 44 men’s and 42 women’s customized items seen on the Elon NIL website. 

---

LIFESTYLE 4/2/25 2:17am

Persnickety Books embraces change in its new location after leaving downtown Burlington

By Abigail Hines

When Persnickety Books packed up its shelves and moved to a new location co-owner Ian Baltutis wasn’t sure what the new space would hold for them. But after a month at its new location, Baltutis said the store has only grown from where it used to be. “It is a relief to know that as we took this change, took this risk of moving, we feel like we didn’t lose a stride, and we have a nice solid foundation to build from,” Baltutis said. 

---

LIFESTYLE 4/1/25 1:23pm

AI enters Elon courses as a classmate

By Katharyn MacDonald

As a response to the questions raised today surrounding AI’s role in higher education, Elon University created six principles of its own in October 2024: human-centered work, overcoming the digital divide, information literacy, responsibility, learning evolving technology and using AI as a tool rather than a replacement were the goals set. Nearly a year and a half later, these principles have led some faculty to incorporate AI tool use and experimentation, from the brainstorming stage to final edits. Some professors have opted to use ChatGPT in their classes for assignments in order to work with AI instead of against it.

---

LIFESTYLE 3/31/25 8:24pm

Elon University students differ on AI use in school

By Virginia Vance

According to a March 12 survey from Elon’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, 52% of U.S. adults now use AI large language models like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. The survey noted that twice as many respondents said they used AI mostly for personal learning or planning compared to those who mostly use AI for work. A common thread among Elon students was that AI should be used for the right reasons. But which reasons are the right ones is less consistent.

---

LIFESTYLE 3/31/25 9:08am

Elon SPDC continues to use AI platform for student alumni connections

By Evan Cooper

With under three months until graduation, the Student Professional Development Center has continued to use Elon Q&A, a new tool implemented in the fall semester, utilizing AI to connect students with alumni. Elon Q&A was implemented in September 2024, and Elon Q&A uses AI to search for keywords in a student’s question, then searches the alumni database for a relevant connection. Once a match is found the AI sends the question, then sends a response back to the student when the question is answered.

---

SPORTS 3/30/25 6:37pm

Elon football stars hope to play in the NFL

By Miles Hayford

Six players including Chandler Brayboy and Kevin Burkett have declared for the NFL Draft and are hoping to make an NFL roster next season. Burkett excelled in his final year at Elon, earning first team All-CAA honors and being ranked by Pro Football Focus as the top pass protecting offensive lineman in all of FCS Football. Wide receiver and kick returner Chandler Brayboy also has his sights set on the NFL. Nationally recognized, he earned Second Team All-American honors from the Associated Press and was named the Phil Steele FCS Special Teams Player of the Year. 

---

LIFESTYLE 3/30/25 4:18pm

Senior aims to show off the stars using virtual reality

By Nia Bedard

Senior Aubrey Spicola’s honors thesis is a virtual reality planetarium app that allows users to see stars and planets as well as listen to an instructor, who is guiding the user through the VR planetarium. As an honors fellow, part of the program includes students engaging in the study of some sort of defined problem or question over the course of one and a half to two years. With Spicola’s major in astrophysics and her love of planetarium education, she was able to develop her thesis with the help of her mentor and professor Dr. Anthony Crider. 

---

LIFESTYLE 3/30/25 1:02pm

Technology creates Oklahoma in Elon for production of ‘Grapes of Wrath’

By Megan Walsh

Dust storms, the Colorado River, a large thunderstorm and a flood — all major plot points of Elon University’s production of “Grapes of Wrath” where technology plays a large role. Lighting and sound are important for the show as it sets the mood of scenes. establishes where onstage audiences should be focused and portrays dust storms, the Colorado River, a large thunderstorm and a flood. The show, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, will be performed April 3 to 5 in McCrary Theatre.

---

LIFESTYLE 3/30/25 12:27pm

Kiki Ball brings Elon University’s LGBTQ+ communities together

By Alice Morrissey

Lights dimmed and music blasted as the College Street Taphouse prepared for one of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center’s favorite events of the year — the Kiki Ball. The theme of the ball was out of this world, and participants brought their own flair, drawing inspiration from ballroom culture, voguing and freestyle dance. Competitors captured the audience with their confidence and creativity; some executed dramatic floorwork, while others commanded the space with sharp, precise movements, each performance adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the event.

---

SPORTS 3/29/25 5:22pm

Elon University lacrosse holds off Campbell for 13-10 Senior Day win

By Miles Hayford

Despite a late comeback by Campbell, the Elon University lacrosse team held on to secure a 13-10 Senior Day victory, thanks to hat tricks from both freshman Lillian Austin and redshirt sophomore Ana Lee Vandiver. The win continued a 7-game conference win streak dating back to last season for Elon, the longest in program history. The Phoenix moves to 3-0 in conference play and remain atop the Coastal Athletic Association standings alongside Drexel and Stony Brook. Elon plays next at Delaware on April 4.

---

NEWS 3/29/25 12:36pm

Stein approval rating mostly positive after first few months in office

By Nia Bedard

Elon Poll published its first poll of 2025 that focused on issues within North Carolina, such as  Gov. Josh Stein’s approval rating, Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, the North Carolina Supreme Court election and concealed handgun permits. The poll found that most North Carolinians are happy with Stein’s performance as governor. With a sample of 800 North Carolina adults, the Elon Poll found that 44% of those polled approve of Stein’s performance as he approaches his first 100 days in office. Despite most North Carolinians polled approving of Stein, 39% are unsure about his performance and 17% disapprove.

---

LIFESTYLE 3/29/25 12:19pm

Elon University’s Liberal Arts Forum hosts Maysoon Zayid

By Alannah Klingsporn

Students filled Whitley Auditorium on Thursday evening, March 27, as the Liberal Arts Forum hosted Maysoon Zayid as the second speaker of its 2025 spring Speaker Series.  Zayid, a comedian, actress and disability activist living with cerebral palsy spoke about a number of topics, ranging from her personal experiences to choosing her identity. Zayid also focused on the representation of disabilities in the media. Zayid is the founder and co-executive producer of the New York Eric Comedy Festival and the Muslim Funny Fest. She has also written for Glamour Magazine and appeared on 60 Minutes and ABC news. 

---

SPORTS 3/29/25 10:50am

Southeast Alamance girls soccer avenges loss, defeats Northwood

By Evan Bennett

Southeast Alamance High School had one thing on its mind Thursday night: redemption. Following a tough 1-0 loss at Northwood High School two weeks ago, the Stallions approached the conference rematch with a determined mentality, emphasizing physicality and defense. The outcome? A gritty 3-2 win that not only avenged its previous loss but also demonstrated its growth and resiliency. With confidence soaring, the Stallions will aim to build on this momentum when they travel to North Moore for another pivotal conference showdown against the Mustangs on April 1.

---

SPORTS 3/28/25 6:31pm

Southern Alamance dominates in run-rule win over Chatham Central

By Sydney Spencer

With runners at first and second and one out in the bottom of the fifth, senior shortstop Mark King delivered a win for the Southern Alamance High School baseball team in royal fashion. The Patriots entered the inning with an 8-0 lead over Chatham Central. Down 0-2 in the count, King smashed a double into left field, scoring both runners and securing the walk-off 10-0 run-rule win. Southern Alamance improved to a 10-2 record and will look to build upon the non-conference victory before its next conference match at home against Person High School at 7 p.m April 1.

---

SPORTS 3/28/25 4:04pm

9 Elon University men’s basketball players enter transfer portal, only two scholarship players left on roster

By Miles Hayford

Despite coming off one of their best seasons in years, Elon’s men’s basketball team has seen a flurry of activity in the transfer portal with nine players entering the portal since it opened March 24, leaving only two scholarship players on the roster. Junior TK Simpkins, sophomore TJ Simpkins, graduate student Matthew Van Komen and sophomore Nick Dorn have officially entered the transfer portal. Redshirt sophomore Andrew King, junior Jameel Rideout, redshirt freshman Brayden Crump, junior Deandre Smart and sophomore Kendall Campbell announced on social media that they have all also entered the transfer portal.

---

LIFESTYLE 3/28/25 9:47am

Elon hosts Datafest to advance data competency on campus

By Sarah T. Moore

From making curated recommendations on streaming platforms to targeted advertisements and weather forecasts, there is a growing demand for data competency. From April 10 to 14, Elon University’s Data Nexus will host its second Datafest. The four-day event will contain workshops, a “Hack-a-thon,” a creative artificial intelligence contest, a keynote speaker, networking opportunities and the American Statistical Association’s DataFest Data Challenge. Elon is one of over 100 colleges and universities across the world participating in ASA’s DataFest this year. Workshops, a hack-a-thon and other elements of this year’s Datafest are expansions from Elon’s inaugural event last year. 

---

SPORTS 3/27/25 12:33pm

Graham girls soccer falls to Northwood 10-1

By Christian Holland

Graham High School’s girl's soccer team fell to Northwood, 10-1, in conference play on March 26 at Graham High School. While the score was lopsided, the determination and teamwork in communication has significantly improved for Graham as the team entered the game 1-4. The victory against Graham was a solid bounce back for the Chargers after falling to Seaforth in such a lopsided score. The win improves Northwood to 5-5 overall and 4-1 in conference. Meanwhile, Graham falls to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in conference. The Red Devils will reevaluate and take lessons learned into their next match. 

---

NEWS 3/27/25 10:53am

University yet to make statement to student body on Trump immigration policy, ICE concerns

By Nia Bedard

With President Donald Trump back in office, one of his first of many executive orders was called “Protecting the American people against invasion, ” which is intended to limit the number of people entering the U.S. through the southern border. It grants the Department of Homeland Security new enforcement policies, including expedited removal and authorizing state and local law enforcement to detain and apprehend individuals in the country illegally. Despite this, Elon University, a private institution with less reliance on federal funding, does not plan to issue an official statement on ICE policies to the student body.

---

NEWS 3/26/25 9:45pm

Elon University Student Government Association discusses mental health resources at town hall

By Rachel Holley

Elon University’s Student Government Association hosted its annual town hall in East Commons. The discussion focused on the mental health resources that Elon’s campus offers to students. SGA hosted a panel of students as well as Director of Counseling Services, Anita Hodnett. Hodnett spoke about the different services that Counseling Services offers such as individual and group counseling. Another on-campus mental health group on the panel was Peers Empathy, Assistance and Referral Support, also known as Peers EARS. This group allows for student to student conversations about mental health. 

---

SPORTS 3/25/25 10:14pm

Elon University baseball falls to Wake Forest 10-0

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University baseball team was mercy ruled in its yearly home matchup against Wake Forest 10-0. The Demon Deacons, who are ranked 16th in the country, notched 13 hits, while preventing Elon’s starting lineup from gaining any momentum. Its win comes after two consecutive seasons in which Elon pulled off upset wins at Latham Park. The loss gives Elon a 9-15 record. It will open a three game series against Delaware at 6 p.m. March 28 at Latham Park.

---