Letters to the Editor

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NEWS 4/3/12 6:05pm

Martin became martyr for unsung victims of racial profiling in U.S.A.

By Jonathan Black

A country that was built on the foundation of multiple cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs should, in a perfect world, lack stereotypes and misconceptions about people different from themselves.

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NEWS 4/3/12 6:03pm

Power over people: Representatives focus on personal gains more than constituents

By Ethan Smith

Politics – it’s not a four-letter word, but it’s rapidly becoming a dirty word. Candidates running for office seem to be more occupied with attacking each another  with  socially charged comments, such as, “The American left hates Christendom.

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NEWS 4/3/12 6:02pm

Technological advances dictate library functionality

By Melissa Kansky

A library characterized by dusty text is an outdated concept, and the newly selected dean and university librarian defies the antiquated image attached to the institution. “I think any librarian who’s successful today is very adaptive to the fast, fast pace of changes technologically,” said Joan Ruelle, who will assume the position at Elon University June 1. The selection committee recognized the ability to transform the library in accordance with patrons’ technological literacy as a significant qualification for the new librarian, according to Mary Wise, associate vice president of academic affairs and chairwoman of the selection committee. “It’s not about collecting books and putting them on shelves,” Wise said.

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NEWS 4/3/12 5:59pm

Returning to the classroom: Elon employees take courses on campus to broaden opportunities

By Melissa Kansky

In one moment, she was an Elon University parent, employee and student. After 16 years, her relationship with the university strengthened when she became an Elon graduate in May 2011 as well. Kim Giles, resources and communication coordinator, came to Elon with a high school degree and worked as an employee in the admissions office performing data entry in 1994.

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NEWS 4/3/12 5:58pm

Reduction in dining facilities may close 1889 Grill Room

By Katherine Segura

With the closing of Harden Dining Hall in fall 2012, Elon Dining Services has plans to close 1889 Grill Room and incorporate the facility into Colonnades dining hall in order to provide more seating for students frequenting the all-you-can eat dining option. Harden Dining Hall will close so that construction of the new Global Residential Neighborhood can begin, leaving the Elon community with McEwen and Colonnades as the only two all-you-can-eat dining options.

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NEWS 4/3/12 5:54pm

New Jewish studies minor unites courses into comprehensive study of culture

By Caitlin O'Donnell

It was during his first semester on campus that sophomore Mason Sklut discovered his interest in Jewish history and culture.

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NEWS 4/3/12 5:53pm

Shock journalism, even on April Fool's, is anything but a joke

By Kristen Case

April Fools’ Day is, by far, one of my least favorite days. No one is to be trusted and people think it’s okay to say, or publish, inappropriate things that are ‘made okay’ by tacking on “April Fools’” at the end. Adding the phrase “just kidding” to the end of something, like telling your parents that you (or your girlfriend) are pregnant, doesn’t make it funny.

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NEWS 4/3/12 5:48pm

Pay it forward: Students acknowledge importance of giving back to university

By Grace Elkus

Exercising at the gym, printing assignments in the library and riding on the Bio Bus are all activities that Elon students take part in on a weekly, and often daily, basis.

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NEWS 4/3/12 5:02pm

Redshirts take unique path in world of college athletics

By Zachary Horner

Ever heard of Warren Alfson? Probably not, but his decision in 1938 helped give several Elon Phoenix athletes an extra year of college athletics participation. Alfson, a sophomore member of the Nebraska University football team at the time, decided to take a year to just practice and not play because there were too many good players ahead of him, therefore gaining an extra year of playing eligibility in the process.

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NEWS 4/3/12 4:46pm

Student vocalist jazzed to embrace real-world career

By Lindsay Kimble

Junior Alicia Varcoe’s rich jazz vocals have been heard everywhere on Elon University’s campus, from Midnight Meals to performances with the Elon Jazz Ensemble. With the release of her debut jazz album, they will likely be heard on a much larger scale. Varcoe is recording “Since I Fell for You” as part of her College Fellows thesis project and is planning on a fall 2012 release.

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NEWS 4/3/12 4:44pm

Senior succeeds through ambitious experiences

By Edith Veremu

If you ask any staff member at the Student Professional Development Center about Cedric Pulliam, chances are, they know him. Pulliam, a senior political science and international studies major, has gone beyond the required completion of one Experiential Learning Requirement and instead, received credit for all five ELRs.

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NEWS 4/3/12 4:43pm

A guide to professional wear

By Kanree Wright

The school year is coming to an end, and if you’re anything like me, you’re working your butt off to land a summer internship.

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NEWS 4/3/12 4:21pm

Alex Swim named NCBWA National Hitter of the Week

By Adam Lawson

Junior catcher Alex Swim has been named National Hitter of the Week for the week of March 26-April 1 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Swim hit .591 (13-22) and was a key catalyst to a four-win week for the Phoenix. He went 12-19 in a road series at Samford, extending his hit streak to 22 games. "It's a good award to win," Swim said after Tuesday's practice.

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NEWS 4/3/12 3:35pm

Executive intern program expands into second year

By Hannah Delacourt

Students can find internship opportunities within the campus walls through Elon University’s Executive Intern Program. The program allows selected students to work with mentors from Elon’s senior staff, develop leadership skills, learn more about higher education administration and work on projects developed by senior staff. For the second year, the program accepted applications and will conduct interviews throughout April. [box]Intern Requirements: Must be in good academic standing Demonstrate confidentiality Full-time student will be given preference No specific major/minor required[/box] This year’s three interns served in the pilot of the program, which was first suggested by junior Darien Flowers. He came to President Leo Lambert with the idea, and the pilot program was created. Flowers first heard about a similar program at Bucknell University.

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NEWS 4/3/12 3:30pm

Destination International brings global insight to students

By Kristen Olsen

Elon University alumni showed students it is possible to live internationally after graduation. Students got a chance to have a question and answer session with young alumni who have lived abroad at this year’s Destination: International event. The Destination series of presentations is designed to give students the opportunity to talk with recent alumni about the different cities in which they live or work.

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NEWS 4/3/12 3:01pm

Tweeting Phoenix brings up social media issues

By Zachary Horner

Ever since the development of Twitter and the tendency of athletes and other sports figures to use it, there have been several controversial incidents involving both. When Elon University senior running back Jamal Shuman posted profane statements on his Twitter page following the Phoenix’s 48-28 loss to Wofford College Oct.

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NEWS 4/3/12 3:01pm

SPECTRUM finds common ground at Southeast Regional Unity Conference

By Adriana Miano

Members of SPECTRUM, Elon University’s queer-straight alliance, gathered to discuss the commonalities that bind individuals within their community together at this year’s Southeast Regional Unity Conference. “A conference such as Unity brings together multiple schools and a variety of different people to show us that there are many people, specifically in the southeast, that can support one another and bond with one another,” said Kevin Moore, president of SPECTRUM. The conference, which was held March 30 to April 1, focused on the ways the diverse identities within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities intersect to form one larger identity. The conference took place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and gave members of LGBTIQ communities from a variety of schools an opportunity to interact and network. “I got the chance to work with many other schools from different states, and now have developed plans and ideas on how our (schools) can work together towards a goal of equality for everyone,” Moore said. In addition to learning about how LGBTIQ organizations function on campuses other than Elon’s, networking allows members of SPECTRUM to develop important contacts, according to Raafe Purnsley. “So many of the ideas, so many of the speakers and programs we bring back to campus come from the conference,” Purnsley said. Attending the conference has always compelled SPECTRUM to make some important changes, according to Purnsley.

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NEWS 4/3/12 2:58pm

Phoenix baseball turns insult into inspiration, sweeps Samford away

By Adam Lawson

A member of the Samford University coaching staff, trying to motivate his troops before a series against Elon University this past weekend, gave his team a message.

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NEWS 4/3/12 2:35pm

Spring awakening for football team strikes fast, early

By Zachary Horner

The siren on the megaphone went off, and almost the entire 2012 Elon University football team came together for stretches, led by one of the coaches.

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NEWS 4/3/12 2:32pm

How to complete an absentee ballot

By Kassondra Cloos

If you’re a North Carolina resident and you are unable to return home to vote in the upcoming primary election May 8, you may vote using an absentee ballot.

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