Local

---

LIFESTYLE 8/23/25 4:58pm

Families prepare to leave campus as new Elon University students settle in

By Sarah T. Moore

The family picnic Aug. 23 gave families the opportunity to share a meal during move-in weekend. For many students this will be the last meal they have together until fall or Thanksgiving break. The picnic was spread across campus with tables near the alumni center, Koury Athletic Center and Medallion Plaza. One common topic of conversation across the tables was how streamlined Elon’s move-in day was. “It took the stress out of it,” parent Susie Elster-Sarachek said. “It was just a well-oiled machine.”

---

NEWS 8/23/25 1:20pm

Elon University welcomes class of 2029 with Convocation

By Kate Gray

Student Government Association President Anya Bratić and university President Connie Book encouraged students to learn from their failures and be curious at New Student Convocation on Aug. 23. “I want to talk about something that I’ve spent most of my life trying to avoid: failure,” Bratić said in her address. “I know you just got here and you don’t want to talk about failing, but I also don’t want you to think that I ended up here on this stage because everything magically went right for me or that I knew what I was doing from day one.”

---

NEWS 8/22/25 1:16pm

Elon University welcomes incoming freshmen to Global Neighborhood

By Evan Cooper

Elon University freshmen moved into the Global Neighborhood on the morning of Aug. 22. Reese Kimball, a freshman from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said she enjoyed the welcoming environment of Elon. “It just felt really friendly, very welcoming,” Kimball said. “It really felt like people wanted you to be there, and I think that kind of really stuck with me.” Kimball is a Nursing Fellow and said she is excited to get nursing experience in her freshman year. “I've been wanting to start nursing school for four years, and I get to do stuff with nursing students earlier than I was expecting to." 

---

NEWS 8/22/25 1:15pm

The class of 2029 moves into Elon University

By Elon News Network

Elon University was filled with cars, faculty, staff and student volunteers greeting new students and unloading packed cars as the class of 2029 moved into campus. The parking lot of Schar Center was transformed for move-in day Aug. 22 with license plates from across the country as cars were funneled into different lines depending on what neighborhood the incoming student will be living in. The class of 2029 consists of 1,517 students, with the top 10 most represented states in the class being on the east coast. 

---

NEWS 8/22/25 11:56am

Freshmen students move into Elon University’s Colonnades Neighborhood

By Benjamin Berfield

As freshmen move into their dorms in Colonnades Neighborhood at Elon University, many are experiencing a range of different feelings. With plenty of energy during the morning, families are navigating their way around the neighborhood for the first time. McKinzie Alexander, a freshman from Maryland, said she’s especially looking forward to meeting new people in her building. “I’m definitely excited about meeting my new roommate, and also just my resources for helping me out with everything,” Alexander said. 

---

NEWS 8/22/25 10:48am

Elon University class of 2029 arrives to Historic Neighborhood for move in

By Kate Gray and Trista Panagakos

Student volunteers welcomed the class of 2029 to Elon's Historic Neighborhood Aug. 22. Student volunteers stood outside residence halls to unload arriving cars. Rylan Shibley, a member of the football team, is an incoming freshman who already moved into his dorm. He spent his morning helping other freshmen move in and said he was looking forward to meeting fellow freshmen.“On the football team, we had a little bit of a head start, so I kind of know what everyone’s going through, kind of what to expect, but I think it’s good that we get to meet and greet other people."

---

NEWS 8/22/25 10:11am

Families arrive on campus for Elon University’s new student move in day

By Sarah T. Moore

The parking lot of Schar Center was transformed for move-in day Aug. 22. There were license plates from across the country as cars were funneled into different lines depending on what neighborhood the incoming student will be living in. The Vander Greind family was excited to be checking in, one step closer to seeing Lucy’s dorm room in the East neighborhood. “Ever since I visited, I fell in love with it and couldn’t stop thinking about it,” Lucy said. “I’m so excited to be back.” 

---

NEWS 8/22/25 9:31am

Elon University freshmen move into East Neighborhood

By Miles Hayford

East Neighborhood on Elon University’s campus was bustling with energy and new students on Aug. 22 as the freshmen class began to move into their dorms. Olive Steadman, a freshman from North Carolina, said she was thankful for the help student volunteers were providing. “Everybody was really helpful,” Steadman said. “We had eight people bring our stuff into the elevator and they were all cheering.” Steadman chose Elon largely because she got accepted into the Communications Fellows program, but said the welcoming atmosphere made her feel at home here.

---

NEWS 8/21/25 8:48pm

Elon University’s New Student Programs prepares to welcome class of 2029

By Megan Walsh

For the Elon University class of 2029, preparing to start college began during the summer. For New Student Programs, preparations began back in the fall of 2024. According to Director of New Student Programs Emily Krechel, preparing for orientation has involved efforts from student leaders, the staff of Elon's New Student Programs office and a variety of campus and local partners."We want students to get to know other people and have these meaningful relationships that they walk away from having learned or grown or dug deeper or developed more authentic connections with people," Krechel said.

---

NEWS 8/21/25 6:24pm

Elon University welcomes new international students

By Megan Walsh

Coming from all across the globe, Elon University international students began their journey on campus during international move-in and orientation Aug. 20 and 21. Isabel Guerrero Domecq, an international student from Spain, plans to study business. She said she chose Elon for its large international student population. “I knew that there was such a good community, also lots of international students,” Guerrero Domecq said. “I am looking forward to meet new people from different countries.” International students will join the class of 2029 and transfer students in the new student orientation starting Aug. 22.

---

NEWS 8/21/25 4:34pm

IRS decision allows some churches to endorse political candidates, remain tax exempt

By Kate Gray

The Johnson Amendment, added to the U.S. tax code in 1964, prohibits certain nonprofit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates until a group of religious nonprofits, including two churches, filed a lawsuit that claimed the Johnson Amendment violated their free speech and free exercise rights under the First Amendment. “This amendment protects the separation of church and state by making sure that houses of worship aren't corrupted by politics,” Alexandra Zaretsky, a litigation consultant for Americans United for Separation of Church and State said. 

---

NEWS 8/19/25 8:07pm

Elon University president discusses enrollment, campus wellness, growth

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University President Connie Book sat down with Elon News Network to discuss enrollment, health and wellness initiatives and campus expansions.

---

NEWS 8/19/25 4:00pm

Vehicles collided in accident on West Haggard Avenue

By Charlotte Pfabe

An Elon University cushman maintenance vehicle is blocking part of West Haggard Avenue after a collision with another vehicle. According to the driver of the Cushman, he was in the middle lane to turn onto North Williamson Avenue when the other car pulled out of Circle K and hit the back lefthand corner of his vehicle. He said he then hit his brakes and his vehicle was pushed onto the curb. Both vehicles have been moved to the Circle K parking lot. According to Town of Elon Police, neither of the drivers were injured in the accident.

---

NEWS 8/19/25 10:12am

Elon University launches Acorn Academy child care center with Vivvi

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University opened a new on-campus child care center for faculty, staff and students balancing careers and family life. Acorn Academy, which opened in the psychology and human service studies building, is operating with Vivvi, a company that provides employer-sponsored child care across the country. Jason Husser, professor of political science and public policy, served on Elon’s child care committee and said they were focused on finding a high quality provider. “There was a real focus on ‘let’s figure out a way to provide high-quality childcare, make the lives of the parents better, where parents can go on and do the things they need to be doing.’”

---

NEWS 8/18/25 11:50am

Elon University class of 2029 enrollment decreases by 11.6%

By Nia Bedard

As Elon University prepares for the class of 2029 to arrive on campus, the enrollment of incoming new students has decreased by 11.6%. Elon University Admissions was expecting this drop in enrollment due to a demographic shift, according to a statement to Elon News Network from Vice President for Enrollment, Greg Zaiser. This demographic cliff was caused by the birth rate falling in the U.S. at the start of the Great Recession in 2008. Despite Elon’s decrease in enrollment, the National Center for Education Statistics. predicts that enrollment will increase by 7% for four-year institutions by 2031. 

---

NEWS 8/13/25 6:48pm

Elon University Campus Police announces temporary delay to freshman parking lots

By Fiona McAllister

As the start of the academic year approaches, Elon University Campus Police released an update about the construction of the freshman parking lot at the Francis Center. Due to delays caused by weather, freshmen will be parking in Danieley Center lots, a section of the Hunt B parking lot, which is located behind the Schar Center, and designated parking locations on south campus. According to Elon University Chief of Police Joseph LeMire that these new changes to parking are temporary.

---

LIFESTYLE 8/10/25 9:39am

Inside the hive: Alamance County Beekeepers and their fight for honeybee survival

By Lilly Molina

Ira Poston begins his day on his farm at 8 a.m. and cares for the over 70 bee colonies on his property. Poston is the Regional Director of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, and the former President of the Alamance County Beekeepers for 10 years. The Alamance County Beekeepers is a chapter of the state’s beekeepers associations. It is a nonprofit club focused on educating the community about honeybees by visiting schools, local clubs and even teaching a bee school for aspiring beekeepers. 

---

NEWS 8/9/25 11:42am

Elon University study abroad participation reaches over 94%

By Evan Cooper

Elon University ranked second for undergraduate study abroad participation among U.S. doctoral universities, according to the most recent Institute of International Education Open Doors Report. The institute reported that an estimated 94.3% of students studied abroad by the end of the 2022-23 academic year. Nick Gozik, Dean of Global Education wrote in a statement to Elon News Network that the GEC is proud of current student participation but is working to increase participation. “Elon University is deeply committed to ensuring 100% access to study abroad opportunities for its students, a principle that has contributed significantly to our exceptional participation rate,” Gozik wrote.

---

NEWS 8/7/25 5:40pm

Burlington breaks ground on Paramount Theater expansion

By Nia Bedard

After closing its doors in March 2025 to begin renovations, the city of Burlington celebrated breaking ground on the expansion of the Paramount Theater during a ceremony Aug. 7. “The project includes essential upgrades and replacements of the theater and stage equipment, ensuring that performances can be supported by modern, reliable technology,” Capital Project Manager for the city of Burlington, Fred Patrick said during the event. “At the same time, we are committed to preserving the theater's historic character.” The theater will also be expanding the front lobby, adding a second floor and adding a rooftop deck.

---

SPORTS 8/6/25 3:27pm

Elon University Athletics sees record high transfer numbers

By Kathan Gandhi

A successful college sports team requires many things such as premier coaching, experienced leadership and quality team chemistry. But since 2018, a new factor has become essential to building a winning program. The transfer portal. Every school has been impacted by the rise of the transfer portal, including Elon University. Elon’s Athletic Director, Jennifer Strawley, said she has seen that impact first-hand. “College athletics is operating in a more transactional nature, nationally and holistically, as opposed to  more relationship and development-based.” In 2024, 24 student-athletes transferred from Elon athletic teams. In 2025, the number increased to at least 33, a program high.

---