Letters to the Editor

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NEWS 4/19/25 9:12am

Elon University School of Communications to launch new major in fall 2025

By Nia Bedard

Elon University School of Communications has announced the addition of a new major to its curriculum — digital content management. The last time the School of Communications introduced any new majors was in 2015 with the establishment of cinema and television arts, communication design and media analytics. The announcement of the new digital content management major comes after a 17% decline in enrollment at the School of Communications since 2021. Dean of the School of Communications Kenn Gaither said adding this major will hopefully increase the total enrollment of the school. 

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NEWS 4/18/25 10:33pm

Elon University's American Association of University Professors hosts Day of Action

By Charlotte Pfabe

For nearly eight hours, Elon University professors across disciplines presented teach-in sessions at Belk Outdoor Theater on April 17 as a part of a nationwide Day of Action, organized by the American Association of University Professors. A national AAUP event, the Day of Action aimed to bring attention to recent executive orders and actions targeting higher education. Professors taught lessons every 30 minutes. With 14 sessions total, the sessions focused on topics such as immigration rights, Project 2025, campus activism and more, but all returned to the same overarching theme of the impact of recent executive orders on higher education. 

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NEWS 4/18/25 2:41pm

Behavioral Center to open inpatient wing departments for security

By Avery Sloan

Despite Alamance County’s Behavioral Health Center opening its doors June 19, it is still waiting on a license from the federal government to open its 24/7 inpatient care wing, according to Donald Reuss, vice president of behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability network operations at Vaya Health. The behavioral health center was created in partnership with Vaya Health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and RHA Health Services. The goal of this center is to provide people with mental health and substance abuse issues a place they can seek treatment.

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SPORTS 4/18/25 10:13am

$6.6 billion bet in first year of legalized sports betting in North Carolina

By Miles Hayford

It’s been 13 months since sports betting was legalized in North Carolina, and the inaugural year was a success for the state and betting operators but led to an increase in gambling addiction. A total of $6.6 billion in bets were placed in the first year, with players winning more than $5.85 billion. The eight authorized sports betting operators — Underdog Sports Wagering, BETMGM, ESPN Bet, Draft Kings, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook and Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise — made more than $713 million in the first year and the state received $128 million in tax revenue.

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LIFESTYLE 4/17/25 1:41pm

Elon University’s lack of religious exemption for Easter Monday sparks concern among students

By Rachel Holley

Some students expressed disappointment that Easter Monday is not a religiously exempt holiday. Last year, the last day of Spring Break was on Easter, but for at least the past five years before that, Elon University had Easter Monday off. Easter Sunday, also known as resurrection Sunday, is a Christian Holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. More than 40% of students at Elon identify with Christian denominations that celebrate Easter, according to Elon’s spring 2025 Registrar’s Report. Because Elon University is holding classes on Easter Monday, some students said they can't spend the holiday with her families.

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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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NEWS 4/14/25 11:13pm

Misdemeanor charges against Elon University student dismissed

By Elon News Network

Elon junior Jaimes Kylie Dean was arrested April 12 and is facing three misdemeanor charges — including assault inflicting serious injury, breaking or entering, and crime of domestic violence. Dean is 21 years old. According to the arrest warrant from the town of Elon Police Department, Dean allegedly wrongfully entered the residence of the victim and poured toilet bowl cleaner resulting in visible skin irritation to the victim’s face. Dean's bond had been set at $12,500. Dean was released April 14. 

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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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