Hurricane Florence Coverage

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NEWS 12/26/23 6:17pm

Elon University’s Whitley Auditorium turns 100 years old

By Lilly Molina

Whitley Auditorium was one of the five buildings constructed after the famous 1923 fire burned down Elon’s administration building. The year of 2023 marks Whitley’s 100th anniversary of being a space where students can come together and make memories. According to Elon’s archives, Whitley was dedicated to J.M. Darden’s father-in-law Deacon L.H. Whitley. Darden financially backed the project and was the one to approve all the plans. The cornerstone of Whitley was laid on May 23, 1923. Sophomore Wyatt Zsiga said Whitley holds a significant historical meaning to him and his a cappella group. 

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LIFESTYLE 12/21/23 5:33pm

Elon Watches: “Blue Eye Samurai”

By Lucy Samuels

In the shadows of Japan’s samurai legacy lies one unique warrior: Mizu, The Infamous Blue Eye Samurai. Written by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi for Netflix, “Blue Eye Samurai” is a wildly refreshing and action-packed adult animated series. The series follows Mizu, a downtrodden warrior who is outcast because of her blue eyes. In the show, her mixed race heritage of half-Japanese and half-European is seen as a subhuman trait as portrayed in the show. As a result, Mizu hides her blue eyes with tinted sunglasses and a Ronin hat, concealing her identity as both mixed race and female.

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NEWS 12/19/23 7:47am

Tiny House, Big Impact: Elon University leads sustainable living

By Jenna Manderioli

By the 2012-13 academic year, the Center for Environmental Studies began to take form in Loy Farm. With an agroecological center, and courses for adventure-based learning and gardening, Loy Farm continued to expand as the department pitched more and more ideas for the space. Now, a tenured professor and department chair for environmental studies, Robert Charest began teaching at Elon University 13 years ago and is a licensed architect in North Carolina — as well as a general contractor for Elon University. He has worked to bring his architectural ideas to life in his courses and into the Tiny House Project.

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NEWS 12/17/23 2:35pm

Mebane Planning Council votes no to Buc-ee’s

By Lilly Molina

Before the Mebane Planning Council voted no, Buc-ee’s was set to construct a new location in Mebane off of Interstate 40 on Trollingwood Hawfield Road. According to the planning council, a representative from Buc-ee’s was hoping for approval on the proposed zoning area of 31.37 acres. Buc-ee’s shared that their migration into North Carolina would increase economic prosperity, but opponents at the meeting expressed concern that Buc-ee’s new arrival will increase traffic. Though rejected by the Mebane Planning Council on Dec 11, city council will have final say on the future of Buc-ee’s in Mebane during its next meeting Jan. 8.

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NEWS 12/15/23 8:21am

Elon University granted reaccreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

By Katharyn MacDonald

Elon University was granted reaccreditation after an examination of 73 measures of quality — ranging from academic affairs, to student life, administration and governing boards. Accreditation displays that a university upholds the standards of quality education and actively carries out its mission statement. According to Jessica Platania, associate provost for academic affairs, universities that fail to be granted accreditation cannot provide federally-funded financial aid to students, and credits earned are not recognized by any other institution if students are to transfer.

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NEWS 12/12/23 4:29pm

Elon University engineering students model real-world problems like tagging sharks, collecting trash

By Madison Powers

Students from five sections of Elon University’s Grand Challenges I engineering course launched underwater remote-operated vehicles as part of their final project. This course is one of two required for the engineering degree, all of which integrate the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges in Engineering. This final project exemplifies the 14th: to engineer the tools of scientific discovery. Will Pluer, professor of engineering, said the project revolves around using a design-focused approach to the scientific method.

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SPORTS 12/11/23 1:02am

Second half surge proves not enough in Elon University men’s basketball 82-73 loss to UNCG

By Jack Prahinski

After fifth-year guard Rob Higgins cut University of North Carolina Greensboro’s lead to three with 36 seconds to go, it looked like the Elon University men’s basketball team might overcome a 24-point deficit and pull off a miraculous comeback win. Yet, an errant pass by graduate student forward Zac Ervin with 33 seconds remaining all but ensured Elon’s loss, as the Phoenix went on to fall 82-73 to the Spartans Dec. 10 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The Phoenix now look to a home matchup scheduled for 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 against Bridgewater College at Schar Center.

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NEWS 12/8/23 3:16pm

Gilded Bean Coffee Bar to close Dec. 23

By Michael Leung

Charles Beard, owner of The Gilded Bean Coffee Bar, announced on Facebook that the store would be closing Dec. 23. According to Beard, the location is being renovated  between January 2024 to June 2024. For friends Gretchen Pete and Coral Erikson, visiting the Gilded Bean Coffee Bar has become a staple of their weekly routine. The two said they would travel all the way from Burlington and Graham, respectively, to Gibsonville — where the coffee bar is stationed — and catch up with each other over coffee and treats.

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NEWS 12/7/23 7:03pm

Campus police report false rumor of active shooter in Mill Point

By Ryan Kupperman

According to Elon University campus police officer Nick Anders, Elon campus police received multiple reports about an active shooter in Mill Point Station around 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Anders was first on scene and said the reports appear to be just rumors. Anders encourages anyone with information regarding the origin of the rumor to contact campus police at 336-278-5555. Anders also said police are still investigating the source of the rumor, but an E-Alert was sent out at 6:55 p.m. reporting that there was no type of violence committed at Mill Point or anywhere nearby.

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NEWS 12/7/23 6:02pm

Three suspects charged in Carolina Mill fire

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office announced Dec. 7 that three adult males were arrested and charged on Dec. 6 and 7 for the Carolina Mill fire along Haw River. The mill burned on Nov. 25, with hot spots lingering through the night to Nov. 26. The building was a former cotton mill built in 1869 and was vacant at the time of the fire. While the Carolina Mill and Culp Weaving Mill fires occurred within roughly two weeks of each other, the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that these were isolated incidents. The Sheriff’s office said the investigation into the Carolina Mill fire is still ongoing.

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NEWS 12/6/23 6:55pm

Elon University concludes candidate presentations for dean of College of Arts and Sciences

By Ryan Kupperman

Shawnrece Campbell is the fourth and final candidate in the running for dean of Elon’s  College of Arts and Sciences; she spoke to the Elon community Dec. 6 about the importance of competency-based education. Campbell is currently serving as director and coordinator of competency-based education at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi — as well as co-chair of Latino adult students success, academic affairs liaison and professor of English and Interdisciplinary Studies. Prior to starting at Texas in 2021, Campbell spent 19 years working at Stetson University in Florida.

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NEWS 12/6/23 5:14pm

Third candidate for Dean of College of Arts and Sciences visits Elon

By Lilly Molina

The third of four candidates, Hilton Kelly, for the dean of Elon's College of Arts and Sciences presented to the Elon community on Dec. 4. Kelly is currently the Dean the College of Liberal Arts and Education at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Before his current role, he was the department chair of educational studies at Davidson College where he was a professor of Educational studies and Africana studies. Kelly said that besides teaching in North Carolina, he was born and raised in Sharpsburg, North Carolina — a little over two hours from campus.

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NEWS 12/5/23 7:15pm

Suspects charged in Culp Weaving Mill fire

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance County Sheriff's Office provided an update Dec. 5 on the cause of the Culp Weaving Mill fire at 300 E. Parker St. in Graham, which occurred overnight Nov. 12 to 13. This was the first of two Alamance County mill fires in November, with the Carolina Mill burning on Nov. 25. The Culp Weaving Mill also caught fire in October 2022. Wayland Heath Phillips, a 22-year-old resident of Graham, is charged with two counts of felony burning certain building and two counts of felony breaking and entering for his alleged connection in both the Culp Weaving Mill fire and the Apple Blossom Lane house fires.

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NEWS 12/4/23 3:05pm

Alamance-Burlington schools grapple with financial strain after summer mold crisis

By Sophie Rosenthal

Mold was found in 32 of the 36 Alamance-Burlington School System schools in August — prompting an expensive clean-up and delaying the school year two weeks. Of the schools that tested positive, toxigenic mold was identified in 16 of them. Months later, the school system is still lacking the resources to implement measures to prevent the mold from returning. On Dec. 4, ABSS board members requested $6.9 million for the districts remaining invoices for the mold remediation, among other requests for additional money. The county commissioners approved $5.2 million in funding — still not enough to cover the entire remediation cost. 

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NEWS 12/2/23 8:12pm

PHOTO GALLERY: City of Graham kicks off December with Christmas Parade

By Joseph Navin

Despite forecasts for rain, Graham was able to hold their 62nd annual Christmas parade. The parade route began on North Main Street and continued south toward Court Square and down South Main Street.   

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SPORTS 12/2/23 8:06pm

Big first half guides Wingate over Elon University women’s basketball

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University women’s basketball team was defeated at home in a Saturday matchup against Wingate University. With an efficient first half, Wingate was able to build a big lead going into halftime, which would ultimately pave the way to a 72-53 victory and be Wingate’s sixth win of the season. Offensively, Elon started the game on a 6-0 run and although Wingate responded with a 7-0 run of their own, a three pointer by sophomore guard Regina Walton helped them reclaim the lead at 9-7. 

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NEWS 12/1/23 11:45am

First woman to serve on Supreme Court dies

By Abigail Hobbs

Sandra Day O’Connor — the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court — died at 93 years old Dec. 1 due to complications with dementia. O’Connor was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and played a large role in the decisions of important cases such as affirmative action, abortion, voting rights and many others. O’Connor also dedicated Elon Law in 2006 and spoke as a keynote speaker in 2010. 

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SPORTS 12/1/23 10:11am

Elon University men’s basketball dominates on historic night

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University men’s basketball team made history and along the way defeated Warren Wilson 127-56. It was apparent from the tip-off that Division III opponent Warren Wilson was outmatched. Elon started the game 8-0 thanks to a hot six-point and four rebound start for junior Sam Sherry. Shortly after, Elon went on another 8-0 run. A few minutes later, the Phoenix went on a 7-0 run. It was scoring run after scoring run, Elon had a permanent hot hand. The Phoenix will next play at Radford at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Dedmon Center. 

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NEWS 11/30/23 9:05pm

Christopher Newport Dean visits Elon University as second College of Arts and Sciences dean candidate

By Joseph Navin

Elon University faculty members listened to a presentation by Dean Nicole Guajardo from Christopher Newport University inside upstairs Lakeside on Nov. 30. This comes as the university is looking for a new dean to helm Elon College, College of Arts and Sciences starting fall 2024. At the end of this academic year, Dean Gabie Smith will end her two decade-long tenure as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Smith will remain a professor in the Department of Psychology afterwards. Dr. Hilton Kelly will be the third candidate to present at 2:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 in Lakeside 213.

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NEWS 11/30/23 7:36am

Dean of Elon College candidate offers vision for liberal arts education

By Miles Hayford

Jennifer Fredericks presented and spoke to Elon faculty members about her vision for the College of Arts and Sciences, along with her philosophy on the ideals of liberal arts education. Following Gabie Smith’s decision to step down as the Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, Fredricks is one of four candidates interviewing for the position of dean of the college. Nicole Guajardo of Christopher Newport University, the next candidate, will speak to Elon Nov. 30 from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. in Lakeside 212.

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