Letters to the Editor

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NEWS 2/12/25 2:36pm

Elon University announces Wes Durham ’88 as 2025 commencement speaker

By Miles Hayford

Wes Durham will give Elon's commencement address in May to the class of 2025. Durham is a play-by-play commentator for ESPN and ACC Network, and he has served as the radio play-by-play voice for the Atlanta Falcons since 2004. He received the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award in the School of Communications. Durham's brother, also an Elon graduate, is the play-by-play announcer for Elon's men's basketball, football and baseball teams. Elon News Network sat down with the class of 2025 commencement speaker before the 2025 graduation ceremony.

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NEWS 2/12/25 11:45am

Immigrants in Alamance County adjust to evolving policies

By Avery Sloan

In the less than 30 days Trump has been in office, Trump has tried to pass an executive order to block citizenship for children in the U.S. born to undocumented immigrants and has significantly increased ICE enforcement. Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson said the sheriff’s department has had a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2007 and has been holding ICE detainees in the county jail since 2012. In 2022, ICE released a press release saying it would no longer use the county’s detention facility for long-term detention, only short periods of custody.

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NEWS 2/11/25 8:44pm

Elon Town Council approves two new downtown sponsorship programs

By Fiona McAllister and Avery Sloan

Elon is launching two new downtown sponsorship programs, one allowing residents or businesses to sponsor an event and the second allowing sponsors to pay an annual fee. Elon Town Council unanimously approved this fundraising program on Feb. 11 at its council meeting. The downtown Elon event sponsorship opportunities have four levels of sponsorship, ranging from a platinum sponsorship costing $3,500, a gold sponsorship costing $2,500, a silver sponsorship costing $1,500 and a bronze sponsorship costing $500. These sponsorship levels will be for individual events, but for a series with multiple occurrences the sponsorship will last for individual occurrence. 

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LIFESTYLE 2/10/25 9:31pm

Elon art exhibition highlights gender identity, representation

By Abigail Hobbs

Melissa Wilkinson introduced her art exhibition “Queens and Monsters” on Feb. 10 at Gallery 406 in Arts West. About 50 spectators watched as Wilkinson described her inspiration for the exhibit, which features celebrities, roller skates and classic ’80s motifs. The exhibition looks at gendered gaze, noting how the surveyors are typically masculine and the surveyed is feminine. Wilkinson said she wanted to change the dichotomy in this work. The exhibition will be displayed in Gallery 406 in Arts West until March 13.

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NEWS 2/10/25 9:04pm

Elon students prepare for housing selection for the 2025-26 academic year

By Nia Bedard

As Elon University Residence Life prepares for housing selection for the 2025-26 academic year, rising juniors and seniors are faced with the decision of whether or not they want to continue to live on-campus. This housing selection, with applications due Feb. 10, comes after the new construction of East Commons and Loy Farm Ecovillage, which added 102 beds for students, according to Elon University, and Residence Life allowing students who live in Crest, Oaks and Danieley Center to renew their leases. Last year, Residence Life announced that students living in those apartments would be unable to renew their leases.

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NEWS 2/10/25 3:40pm

The Alamance County Community Remembrance Coalition honors Black history education

By Anjolina Fantaroni

As Black History Month continues, the Alamance County Community Remembrance Coalition works to acknowledge and educate the community about racial terror. Through historical projects, educational events and vigils, the coalition fosters conversation about race and justice, making sure victims of racial violence in Alamance County are never forgotten. One of the coalition's initiatives is the Equal Justice Initiative’s soil collection project. This project included collecting soil from sites where documented lynchings occurred, honoring the lives of Wyatt Outlaw, William Puryear and John Jeffress. The coalition works closely with the African-American Cultural Arts & History Center to showcase the soil collections.

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LIFESTYLE 2/9/25 2:56pm

Tiny Shelf hosts student performers to celebrate Black History Month

By Monika Jurevicius

Belk Library turned into a stage to celebrate Black musicians with student performers on Feb. 7 at its Tiny Shelf concert series. This was the second event in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education’s Black History Month calendar, following the Black History Month Kickoff. Four groups were featured during the event, along with the CREDE testing audience members on Grammy Trivia focusing on Black musicians during transitions. The Tiny Shelf concert, inspired by NPR's Tiny Desk series, was hosted by Elon’s campus radio WSOE and the CREDE.

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SPORTS 2/8/25 10:53pm

Elon University softball splits Elon Softball Classic doubleheader, falls short against Ohio St., explodes against NC Central

By Miles Hayford

The Elon University softball team split a doubleheader in the Elon Softball Classic, losing 4-3 to Ohio State University and dominating 13-7 against North Carolina Central. Elon was coming off an 0-2 start to the season after losing to the University of Connecticut and Ohio University in the first two games of the Elon Softball Classic tournament. Elon plays its final game of the Elon Softball Classic at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Hunt Softball Park versus UNC Greensboro.

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SPORTS 2/8/25 5:49pm

Elon University women’s tennis handles Belmont Abbey

By Benjamin Berfield

The Elon University women’s tennis team started their doubleheader against Belmont Abbey on a high note, winning 7-0 this Saturday morning. In doubles, Elon withheld multiple comeback attempts by the Crusaders in each of the first two games. Freshman Lisa Kranec and junior Simone Bergeron won the first set, while freshman Heidi Bulger and junior Madison Cordisco battled back to win the second set. Elon’s success in doubles gave every player a winning record in doubles matches for the season. They then took control in singles with a mix of forehands and returns, winning every set 2-0. 

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NEWS 2/8/25 4:05pm

Holocaust survivor visits Elon, tells story of courage and reconnecting with faith

By Abby Gravely

At age 4, Renée Fink’s parents loaded her onto a stranger’s bicycle with no explanation. She was taken to live with a Catholic family in Holland, and she never saw her parents again. To a standing-room-only Turner Theatre crowd on Feb. 6, Fink shared her story as a childhood Holocaust survivor to an audience of Elon students, staff and community members. Her conversation with retired professor of journalism Richard Landesberg marked the latest event in an Elon tradition lasting more than eight years: inviting Holocaust survivors in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

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LIFESTYLE 2/8/25 1:27pm

Local businesses play cupid’s helper for Valentine’s Day shoppers

By Megan Walsh

The bright petals of flowers and the sweet smells of fresh-baked desserts — just two common Valentine’s Day gifts that local businesses in Elon and Burlington are ready to serve up. As Valentine’s Day approaches, both Roxie’s Florist in Burlington and Cakes, etc. by Cindy in Elon are preparing for an increase in orders and purchases. Roxie’s Florist is already taking orders for students who are looking to purchase bouquets, and Cakes, etc. by Cindy will begin putting out Valentine’s treats and selling treat boxes this week.

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LIFESTYLE 2/8/25 10:38am

Asian-Pacific Student Association, Chinese Club, Truitt Center host the 9th annual Lunar New Year festival

By Kate Gray

Elon’s Asian-Pacific Student Association and Chinese Club kicked off the Lunar New Year on Feb. 7 with song and dance performances, a buffet of traditional food and snacks, and activities such as origami and calligraphy. The Lunar New Year is historically a time for renewal, reflection and connection with others. The holiday marks the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar and is observed in many Asian countries. For some, APSA events like Lunar New Year are a way to connect to their heritage and bond with fellow Elon students.

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LIFESTYLE 2/7/25 4:24pm

“Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” creates, fosters connection

By Megan Walsh

The lights go down, the room fills with the sound of the accordion as the stage begins to lighten and the melodic voices of the cast join in, telling the story of “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.” The show, based on a section of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” is Elon University’s winter musical, which is set to be performed Feb. 7 through Feb. 9 in McCrary Theatre. Featuring only one line of spoken dialogue, the show is almost completely portrayed through song.

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SPORTS 2/7/25 2:06pm

Women’s basketball star lights up the court in freshman campaign

By Miles Hayford

Freshman Jayda Angel began her Elon women's basketball career with a combined 35 points and 9 rebounds in her first two games. Angel, who boasts an impressive high school career as well, said a key factor in her decision to choose Elon was the fact that they were her second ever offer and never lost contact with her. She currently leads the team in 3-pointers with 18 and averages 10.6 points per game and has 44 steals — two categories that she ranks second on the team in. 

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NEWS 2/7/25 9:21am

East Burlington residents fight for environmental equity

By Julia Donaghy

Just five miles east of Elon sits a 22-acre property called by different names within the east Burlington community. Some refer to it as Western Electric, others, the Tarheel Army Missile Plant. The property’s buildings are dilapidated and come with a list of public health concerns. Because of this, Donna Vanhook, an Alamance County soil and water conservation district supervisor, believes it needs to be torn down. Originally constructed in 1927 as a synthetic fabrics factory, the 22-building site has a checkered past and present.

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NEWS 2/6/25 5:27pm

Q&A: Professor emphasizes the impact the TikTok ban could have on the First Amendment

By Charlotte Pfabe

As time ticks on President Donald Trump’s 75-day extension for TikTok, millions are wondering about the fate of the app and the precedent the ban may set. TikTok has been unavailable to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store since the platform’s original ban on Jan. 19. Under Trump’s recent executive order, he advised the U.S. Attorney General to not enforce the ban. Elon professor of journalism Israel Balderas, has been outspoken about the impact the executive order and ban could have on future interpretation of the First Amendment.

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LIFESTYLE 2/6/25 3:40pm

Huemanity of People showcases inclusive excellence through storytelling

By Lilly Molina

The Huemanity of People is a storytelling project sponsored by the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Education. Its goal is to showcase the wide range of diversity that makes up Elon, according to Randy Williams, vice president of inclusive excellence and education. The project started with a blank wall. Williams said when the division of inclusive excellence and education emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many empty walls within the second floor of the Powell Building where their offices are located.

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LIFESTYLE 2/6/25 9:12am

Elon encourages students to celebrate Black History Month at campus-wide events

By Trista Panagakos

As Black History Month begins, Elon’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education has planned nine events for students to celebrate and educate themselves about the month and their identity. The Black History Month celebrations will end Feb. 28 with the Black Solidarity Conference. Other events include a Black Table Talk about legacy on Feb. 12 and a Health and Hustle event meant to teach students how to eat healthy on a budget while also maintaining their mental health. The CREDE is bringing a Carnaval celebration to Elon, with steel pan performers Feb. 26. 

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LIFESTYLE 2/5/25 8:38pm

Ora Teahouse brings handcrafted, ethically-sourced tea to North Carolina cafes

By Liya Rike

Ora Teahouse, launched in 2020, offers handcrafted tea blends and sustainably sourced products from countries like Japan, China and India. Customers can order online for shipping or find its products in select North Carolina stores through local partnerships. With a background in baking, Trista Sanford, founder of Ora Teahouse, uses her skills in flavor profiles to create teas that engage with all senses. For Sanford, tea isn’t just a beverage; it’s a means of connection, care and empowerment. Despite its success, running Ora Teahouse hasn’t been without challenges. Sanford described funding as a common hurdle for small Black-owned businesses.

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NEWS 2/5/25 10:00am

Town of Elon’s diversity committee stands firm amid DEI rollbacks

By Fiona McAllister

The town of Elon’s Diversity, Equity and Belonging Committee held its first meeting of 2025 on Feb. 3. As the meeting unfolded, the committee covered its plans for the next few months, along with addressing the possibility of issues with diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the near future.The DEB was started around two years ago and holds monthly meetings. President Donald Trump recalled DEI programs within the federal government through an executive order during his first few days in office. Through this executive order, Trump said he aims to target DEI within private businesses and higher education.

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