Letters to the Editor

Communication, teaching tools part of Moodle’s package

A dependency on the Internet transcends generations on Elon’s campus. The transition to Moodle, a learning management system, provides faculty with a new set of online learning tools to utilize in their courses. Starting in June, Blackboard will be a platform of the past, and the university will completely switch to Moodle. “Moodle has allowed us to introduce faculty to the full capability of our instructional technologies to let them think about what they want to do in their course and then how to do that,” said Roger Gant, an academic support specialist. The moving process has taken about two years, according to Gant.

Paging Mac Miller...

When I say Mac Miller has got me jumping through hoops, I don’t mean literally (although that would be hilarious). I mean that, much to my poor editor Rebecca’s chagrin, I have been tugging and pulling at strings for the past month or so trying to secure an interview with Mac, who is one of the artists performing at Elon’s Spring Show 2012. Now let me say this: the lack of contact thus far is not one particular person’s fault.

Guest speaker condemns economic policies prevalent throughout Europe

David Blanchflower, professor of economics at Dartmouth College, explored the issue of economic austerity, a policy reducing government spending, in Europe, and presented alterior methods to address deficit. He criticized the current economic policies prevalent in Europe in which reduced government spending is often used to pay off national debts and in turn, reduce the deficit, but generally leads to an increase in tax rates or a decrease in the supply of public services. The event was co-sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Religious diversity remains a subject of student debate

Elon University was founded by the modern-day United Church of Christ in 1889. In the 1930s, our mascot was coined as the Fighting Christian.

Fresh, local food common to Costa Rican natives

In the United States, food is equivalent to social time, cultural events and celebrations. In order to eat fresh, healthy foods in the United States, it costs significantly more.

Little-known metal band rocks campus, gains following

Senior Jack Ruley, vocalist for Elon’s only metal band, Wake Leviathan, is working with his band members to bring the group into the spotlight. The band, which played its first show in a local garage last week — dubbed “The Crowbar” — said it recognizes the novelty of performing on campus. “This is all very new territory,” Ruley said. The band only prepared for three weeks before hitting the stage Friday. Wake Leviathan’s music spans different genres, from fast-paced black metal to ominous doom metal.

Biscuitville attracts students hungry for business challenge

The combination of a $5,000 prize and a create-your-own menu item at Biscuitville calls to students' imaginations.

Elon applicants, current students aim to impress during Fellows Weekend

The applicants aren't the only ones competing Fellows Weekend. While Fellows Weekend provides Elon faculty with the opportunity to assess perspective students, the weekend also enables the faculty and current students to impress fellows applicants. This year’s annual Fellows Weekend hosted the largest number of potential fellows students in the university’s history.

Awareness of higher learning starts early

College seems like a distant future for the North Graham Elementary School fifth graders, but Elon Academy Ambassadors recently introduced them to the possibility of continued learning. “Is college something you have to do?” asked John Pickett, assistant director of Elon Academy and director of the ambassadors program. “No,” students said. “What is college?” Pickett said.

Students experience others’ struggles with poverty simulation

At Elon University, to experience is to learn — and studying the issue of poverty is no exception.

Bringing the farm home: Agricultural campaign produces local partnership

Local farmers have a hand in Dining Services. Elon University adopted the 10 Percent Campaign, a state-wide initiative establishes trade agreements between local farmers and businesses. Businesses involved in the program pledge to purchase a minimum of 10 percent of all food locally, which largely determines from where and from whom the university purchases produce. Fresh produce is an important aspect of Elon Dining Service’s involvement in the 10 Percent movement, according to Kate Nelson, marketing manager for Elon Dining Services. “You not only get a closer relationship with those growing your food, but you get to know about how that food is produced and the values that the farmer lives by,” said Michelle Ferrier, associate professor of communications and the creator of locallygrownnews.com, a site devoted to sharing and promoting local food experiences. The relationships between local farmers and the university produce environmental benefits as well, according to Ferrier.

New director’s reporting experience advances Elon Poll communication

Elon Poll projects people’s voice into public light

Elon students reach into the community and out to the public with the Elon Poll. The increased use of social media and partnership with North Carolina media organizations contributed to the political dialogue that characterizes the Elon Poll. The Elon Poll, held from Feb.

Elon sorority keeps Service Day tradition alive

Members of many Elon organizations gathered in Harden Clubhouse 9 a.m. Saturday, March 3 to benefit a cause they said they felt was well worth waking up early for. These students were participating in Impact Day: A Day of Service, an event that promotes community service at several sites in Elon and the towns surrounding it. “I think (service) is an important part of being a student at Elon,” said Brittany Walker, chairwoman of the event. Walker decided to organize the event after she learned the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement had chosen not to host it, as it had in the past. [quote]I think it’s always good to take part in an event that gives back to the community. -- Candice Blacknall, Impact Day participant.[/quote] Walker said her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, considers community service one of its core values, and its members agreed to host Impact Day to benefit those in need. “We thought it was such an amazing day that people could volunteer for,” Walker said. Walker said she was eager to expose participants of Impact Day to a wider range of service opportunities than they may not have known existed. In order to partner with a variety of service locations, Walker personally contacted the Elon community partners listed on the university’s website, many of which she coordinated with in the past as the director of the Kernodle Center’s Leadership in Collaborative Services. She then worked with the service sites that responded to her emails to identify their greatest areas of need, some of which called for labor-intensive projects. “We’re cleaning out stables, we’re digging up gardens and we’re weeding,” Walker said.

Students love technology, need to love people too

I love my laptop. I remember the day I got in at the end of my senior year of high school, ready to bring it to college.

Distinguished visiting professor champions passion as life’s guide

Judith Jamison, dancer and choreographer, addressed a fully-seated auditorium with an informal speaking style, advising the primarily student-based audience to live passionately. Passion has been her guideline to success as a leader, she said. “The people that make a difference are not always visionaries, but people that passionately and vehemently believe in what they are doing,” Jamison said. Too often people are fixed on goals they are not truly passionate about, she said. “I know it looks good on paper, but how does it really feel?” she asked.

Students help tackle the ‘Impossible’ at nearby restaurant

When Elon University students were offered the opportunity to join the “Restaurant: Impossible” crew as they re-modeled University Grill, appreciation and excitement came from both ends. Students who participated in the effort had the chance to go behind the scenes of the popular Food Network show, in which chef Robert Irvine has two days and $10,000 to transform a failing restaurant. “I literally was watching them create a show, which is what I want to do,” said junior Julie Morse, a broadcast journalism major and a self-proclaimed addict of the series.

Honors Fellow builds strength through final thesis

Senior Arroya Karian hopes to express how she gained inner strength through her struggles and overcame the obstacles in her life.

Vote for The Pendulum's 2012 Basketball Awards

For the first time, The Pendulum is handing out end-of-season awards to Elon basketball teams.

Garden class grows self-productivity

Instead of picking up fast food for lunch, students in a new Garden Studio class can make their own meal — literally. Michael Strickland, professor in English and environmental studies, decided to start the class two years ago as a way of teaching students of any major how to properly plant and maintain a home-scale garden and harvest their own food. “It’s really about producing good food in small amounts of land in the most efficient manner,” Strickland said.