Lifestyle

LIFESTYLE 5/21/26 9:24pm

Achievements, African heritage celebrated at Elon University’s Donning of the Kente

By Miles Hayford

In South Africa, there is a common greeting known as “sawubona.” It translates to “I see you.” There are a few different responses to this greeting. One can just be “Yes, I see you, too.” But the exchange can deepen, according to Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence at Elon University. This exchange was at the heart of Elon’s Donning of the Kente ceremony, which celebrates graduates with African roots, that took place May 21 in Alumni Gym.

LIFESTYLE 5/21/26 8:35pm

Legacy Reception celebrates seniors related to Elon alumni

By Kate Gray

Over 30 graduates with family members who are Elon alumni were recognized at the Legacy Reception on May 21 in McKinnon Hall. For senior Chloe Prince, the event marked the close of a chapter at Elon that began in childhood. Her parents, Maggie Prince ‘97 and Chris Prince ‘97, introduced her to Elon through football games and described Elon as a second home.

LIFESTYLE 5/20/26 7:51pm

Elon University Nursing Program recognizes new graduates at Nurse Pinning Ceremony

By Monika Jurevicius

The Elon University Nurse Pinning Ceremony celebrated the class of 2026 cohort, which consists of 28 nursing students, on May 20 in McCrary Theatre. The pinning ceremony marks the transition from student nurse to professional nurse for the students graduating from the class. Dating back to the 1800s through nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, nursing program director and department chair Cathy Quay said the ceremony doesn’t just symbolize graduating with a nursing degree, but it also symbolizes nursing values like compassion, integrity, advocacy and service. 

LIFESTYLE 5/20/26 6:13pm

First-generation graduates recognized at stole ceremony

By Kate Gray

When Cici Salazar began her undergraduate education at Elon University in 2019, the school had just begun offering focused support services to first-generation students through the Center for Access and Success. Seven years later, Salazar is graduating with a Master of Arts in Higher Education and received her first-generation stole after planning the past two years’ ceremonies.

LIFESTYLE 5/20/26 2:47pm

From landscaping to utilities, university readies campus for commencement

By Mia Torres

As commencement approaches at Elon University, behind the scenes, the landscaping, grounds, facilities and utilities teams are already deep into preparations to ensure the university looks its best for graduating students and their families. For Audrey Rose, a gardener, commencement season is both familiar and demanding. While campus upkeep is a year-round responsibility, she said the work intensifies in the weeks leading up to graduation, particularly after May 8.

LIFESTYLE 5/19/26 11:55pm

‘Rooted deeply’: Elon University’s class of 2026 reminisces during Numen Lumen Senior Baccalaureate Reflection

By Charlotte Pfabe

As the sun ducked behind Snow Family Grand Atrium, over 1,400 candles lit the darkness Under the Oaks during Elon University’s annual Numen Lumen Senior Baccalaureate Reflection ceremony May 19. The senior baccalaureate is a celebration for Elon seniors focused on light, both spiritually and intellectually, according to Elon University.

LIFESTYLE 5/18/26 6:02pm

Human service studies student centers community in upcoming commencement speech

By Elissa Leka

Two years ago, Ruby Radis watched her sorority big, best friend and Elon alum, Grace Ackerman, speak at the commencement ceremony in 2024. What Radis didn’t know was that moment would open the possibility of being a speaker at her own graduation. Radis, a human service studies major, was selected by a board of Elon University students, faculty and President Connie Book to be the undergraduate commencement speaker for the 136th Commencement ceremonies on May 22.

LIFESTYLE 5/11/26 11:11pm

Elon Art History program celebrates seniors in muggening celebration

By Megan Walsh

The Elon University Art History program celebrated its seniors with mugs and books picked specifically for each senior at the end-of-year Muggening celebration May 11. The celebration brought art history majors and minors together, as well as the museum studies minors, to celebrate the graduating seniors at Powell House, the program’s home.

LIFESTYLE 5/8/26 11:39pm

Elon senior honored at ROTC commissioning ceremony

By Kate Gray

The North Carolina A&T State University Army ROTC program held its spring 2026 commissioning ceremony May 8. The program is commonly referred to as the Aggie Battalion and includes several colleges and universities in the Greensboro area, including Elon University. Elon senior Erin Hroncich was among twelve cadets who transitioned to second lieutenants in the United States Army.

LIFESTYLE 5/8/26 9:58pm

Rainbow stoles celebrate identity tradition,visibility at Elon

By Lily Mosbacher

Seventy-three graduating students donned rainbow stoles May 8 at Elon University's 14th annual Lavender Celebration run by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. The ceremony honored LGBTQIA students for their contributions to inclusion on campus ahead of commencement later this month. The celebration, held in Alumni Gym, recognized both undergraduate and graduate students. Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, has coordinated the event for the past six years and said the ceremony has grown significantly. 

LIFESTYLE 5/7/26 11:10am

Elon community honors “silent teachers” at memorial

By Mia Torres

Under the glow of light in Alumni Gym, circular tables were arranged in rows. Each one held fragments of a larger story. The Elon Anatomy Teaching Assistant Program Students and faculty gathered for the annual Human Donor Memorial on May 5, a ceremony on gratitude, reflection and remembrance for those known as “silent teachers.” 

LIFESTYLE 5/6/26 11:38pm

Elon seniors set their legacy in stone with personalized brick laying

By Mia Torres

As graduation approaches, members of the Class of 2026 are taking part in a long-standing campus tradition with a more hands-on experience. From noon to 5 p.m. on May 6, seniors gathered under the Oaks to place personalized bricks engraved with their names and graduation year. While the university has offered commemorative bricks for years, allowing students to physically lay their own bricks is a more recent addition. 

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NEWS 06/19/2026 8:35pm
Railroad work to cause intermittent crossing closures near Elon through early July

Students, faculty and staff remaining on Elon University’s campus this summer may experience travel delays as construction begins along the rail line running through the Town of Elon. In an email sent to the campus community, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley shared information from Elon University Campus Safety and Police regarding upcoming work by Norfolk Southern.

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