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NEWS 9/22/23 8:37am

Q&A: North Carolinians Against Gun Violence encourage students to contact their lawmaker

By Abigail Hobbs

Within the first month of school, there were two lockdowns at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, one resulting in the death of a faculty member. North Carolina saw 1,839 firearm-related deaths in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children in particular are suffering from gun violence now more than ever: firearm-related death rates for children ages zero to 17 increased 231.3% from 2012 to 2021, according to North Carolina’s Child Fatality Task Force. Becky Ceartas is the executive director at NCGV and spoke to Elon News Network about gun violence prevention in North Carolina.

NEWS 9/21/23 11:04pm

Elon University common reading author encourages curiosity, thoughtfulness

By Madison Powers and Emily Stabell

Mónica Guzmán — author of Elon University’s 2023-24 common reading book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times,” — said it is vital for communities to have difficult conversations to create connection. Guzmán’s lecture on Sept. 21 was a part of Elon’s speaker series — presented by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio — and explored themes of “creating together.” Guzmán, a Mexican immigrant, said it is important to listen and learn from others.

NEWS 9/21/23 7:16pm

Author of Elon University’s 2023 common reading promotes human connection, engagement

By Camryn Banks

Elon News Network sat down with Mónica Guzmán in the studio before her speech, titled “Curious Questions, Sparking Conversations.” Guzmán's speech will focus on her book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.” All freshmen were required to read Guzmán’s book for this year’s common reading. She said her book was inspired by the political difference between her and her parents. Guzmán said she hopes students understand that people can’t control others and that not every problem is going to be solved or understood immediately. 

NEWS 9/21/23 3:10pm

Acorn Coffee Shop reopens at Elon University

By Miles Hayford

Acorn Coffee Shop reopened at its new location on the first floor of Belk Library on Sept. 21. The new location — within the Koenigsberger Learning Center — is a fresh start for the shop, which was previously located in downtown Elon at 116 N. Williamson Ave.  Following its closure in 2022, Mediterranean Deli will be taking over Acorn Coffee Shop’s previous location on Williamson Avenue. The deli will reopen in 2024 following a fire at its sister location in Chapel Hill. 

NEWS 9/20/23 4:01pm

Bike to Burlington brings Elon University students into community

By Audrey Geib

Elon Outdoors’ will host a Bike to Burlington event Friday, Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. in which participants will use the Burlington Greenway to make the three-mile journey from the Koury athletic center to downtown Burlington. Harer said this will give students the opportunity to experience the accessibility of the greenway and downtown Burlington. Registration is required through a form on the sustainability website. Bikes are provided for students who wish to borrow an Elon Outdoors bike, but participants are welcome to bring their own. The event is open to everyone. 

NEWS 9/20/23 8:12am

App launches as hub for Elon University recreation, wellness events

By Anne Thyfault

Elon’s Campus Recreation and Wellness released RecWell, an app designed to provide students with information on various recreation and wellness activities. According to Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Larry Mellinger, the app released in late August and already has a good response from students with over 1,000 downloads. Personal training sessions, Elon Outdoor Adventures and HealthEU resources are all available on the platform. Students are able to sign up for programs, rent equipment and pay for events directly from the app by logging in with their Elon username and password. 

NEWS 9/19/23 12:03pm

Elon University expands academic opportunities at Charlotte Regional Center

By Erin Martin and Madison Powers

Elon University officially announced a greater presence in Charlotte through the Charlotte Regional Center. The university held an opening ceremony Sept. 19, where university representatives made various announcements for the future of Elon in Charlotte, including the Elon Law FLEX program, a summer finance program and new events to be held at the center. The Charlotte Regional Center is located at 330 W. Tremont Ave. in South End, which is an expanding Charlotte neighborhood.

NEWS 9/19/23 1:09am

Alamance County board of commissioners highlight needed repairs for ABSS facilities

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance County board of commissioners voted unanimously to hire engineers and assess heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems within both the Alamance-Burlington schools and Alamance County facilities. In the wake of the discovery of mold within roughly 30 ABSS schools and facilities in August and September, Builder Services Inc. of North Carolina was hired to conduct remediation services. Ben Bass, the executive vice president of Builder Services, warned the board that roof leaks inside ABSS facilities will lead to a resurgence of mold unless the district takes immediate action.

NEWS 9/18/23 4:52pm

ABSS receives bomb threat, Sheriff Office gives all-clear

By Madison Powers

Alamance Burlington School System received threats by email stating the existence of “multiple explosives” in a “district school” this morning, according to a press release by the Alamance County Sheriff's Office. Les Atkins, public information officer at ABSS, said other North Carolina districts, like Alleghany County, received similar emails. Atkins said ABSS believes this email was a “swatting email” — meant to falsely report a situation in order to provoke an emergency response. Atkins also said instructional hours were not severely interrupted.

NEWS 9/18/23 2:51pm

Elon University students concerned for school safety

By Anne Thyfault

Following the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill's two firearm-related lockdowns within the first month of the 2023-24 school year, Elon University students express concerns over the possibility of gun violence occurring on campus. Elon sophomore Addison Fry said the stress she felt following University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s recent lockdowns impacts her daily life — down to the start of her daily routine with getting dressed for movement and practicality over comfort and looks. With UNC, Chapel Hill roughly 45 minutes away from Elon University, other Elon students said they have been hyper aware and conscious of their safety. 

NEWS 9/15/23 8:07pm

Elon Law files application for new Charlotte campus

By Erin Martin

Elon University School of Law submitted an application for accreditation to the American Bar Association to establish a separate location in Charlotte. If the ABA approves Elon's application, it would mark the first instance of a law school operating in Charlotte since the Charlotte School of Law ceased operations in 2017. There will be a press conference Sept.19 at 330 W. Tremont Ave. where the university plans to announce the opening of its new "Elon in Charlotte Regional Center." 

NEWS 9/15/23 2:57pm

Illness spreads through Elon University campus

By Monika Jurevicius

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has seen a spike in respiratory virus hospitalizations, with a 1% increase from the start of the school year, from 5.6% to 6.6%. Elon University Health Services also no longer tracks cases as the state no longer needs them to be reported to NCDHHS, according to Elon’s Medical Director and University Physician Ginette Archinal. Students are encouraged to stay in their living areas and speak to staff on their health status based on current CDC guidelines.

NEWS 9/14/23 5:44pm

Former Elon University campus police officer promoted to Town of Elon assistant police chief over operations

By Madison Powers

Town of Elon Police Chief Kelly Blackwelder announced the appointment of Lt. Kedrick King as new assistant police chief over operations. Kind is a former officer for Elon University's campus police. According to the police department, King has previously worked as a patrol officer, master police officer, sergeant and lieutenant with the Elon police department before being promoted Sept. 11.

NEWS 9/14/23 8:38am

AI hits the road, high tech highways emerge in NC

By Tucker Price

North Carolina Highway Patrol announced in July it would implement an artificial intelligence-based system meant to catch violations of the Hands-Free Law and seatbelt use in commercial truck drivers. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, over 10% of the 1,658 traffic casualties in 2020 involved collision with a large truck. Elon University computer science professor Scott Spurlock said that these innovations in artificial intelligence were previously unheard of, and shared his thoughts about the developing technology.

NEWS 9/13/23 8:06pm

UNC lockdowns spark further concern at Elon University

By Ryan Kupperman

For the second time in roughly two weeks, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill went on lockdown because of reports of an armed and dangerous individual. On Sept. 13, the Alert Carolina system at UNC Chapel Hill reported an individual with a weapon on campus. UNC police later reported the incident to have happened at Alpine Bagel Cafe in the UNC student union just before 1 p.m. Elon University faculty members and UNC students reflected on the recent lockdown regarding an armed and dangerous individual on UNC's campus, as well as advocated for increased policy, legislation and protocol. 

NEWS 9/13/23 7:02am

Hispanic Heritage Month events calendar

By Elon News Network

Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Elon University hosts a Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Festival in Medallion Plaza each year, with various events throughout the month that celebrate Hispanic food, music, performers and more. Sept. 14 and 15 mark the beginning of community-wide celebration with the kick-off festival and book display beginning Sept. 15. Here is a comprehensive list of Hispanic cultural events on or around Elon's campus over the next month.

NEWS 9/12/23 3:17pm

Lane on N. Williamson Ave. to close Sept. 13 on Elon University campus

By Madison Powers

Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley sent an email today informing students of a Town of Elon lane closure on North Williamson Avenue Sept. 13, from West Lebanon Avenue to West Haggard Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dooley originally said the closure would take place on Nov. 13, but sent a follow-up email two hours later clarifying the closure will occur on Sept. 13. Traffic will be one-way due to construction and Dooley advised drivers to allow for extra travel time or take an alternate route.

NEWS 9/12/23 7:31am

North Carolina DMV no longer issues, renews Confederate flag license plates

By Cassie Weymouth

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a 2021 North Carolina Department of Transportation ban on issuing or renewing specialty license plates with the Confederate flag. According to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, North Carolina offers three standard plates and over 200 specialty license plates, representing more than 100 civic clubs and interest groups. In 2021 the Sons of Confederate Veterans sued the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A lower court dismissed the case and a federal appeals court agreed with that decision in 2022. Elon Law professors Luke Bierman and Enrique Armijo shared mixed opinions about the Supreme Court refusing to review the case.

NEWS 9/10/23 1:29pm

Child care development center to open at Elon University spring 2025

By Madison Powers

Elon University will open a child care development center for children ages newborn to 2-years-old of Elon faculty, staff and students. The center is being created because of a child care crisis in Alamance County due to COVID-19. Williams said phase one of the center is scheduled to open spring 2025. According to Vice President for Finance and Administration Janet Williams, Elon hired Bright Horizons, an educational support systems company, to conduct a study in 2022 on the need for child care in Alamance County. Williams said while the study is not yet published, it further illuminated a local child care deficit.

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NEWS 04/19/2024 6:21pm
Elon Board of Trustee member honored with Elon Medallion, renaming of Colonnades E in his honor

Noel Allen, after serving 40 years on the board of trustees, was honored with an Elon Medallion on April 19, the highest honor given by the university. Allen grew up in the town of Elon and then was a student at Elon where he served as the student body president.  Allen has witnessed Elon’s growth as an institution, joining the board when enrollment was under 3,000 students. Allen has been a part of every long range strategic plan, since he was a student member of President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley’s first planning committee in 1966, University President Connie Book said. Allen also served as board chair from 2001 to 2003, when Elon transitioned from a college to a university and adopted the Phoenix as its mascot, Book said.

NEWS 04/19/2024 4:12pm
Elon University expansions leave off-campus residents scrambling

Her first night at Elon, junior Kelsey Eshleman was invited by members of Elon Young Life to a bonfire event at an off-campus house, affectionately nicknamed Full House. That night, Eshleman said she remembered thinking how cool it would be to live there with her newfound friends. Now, Eshleman is still close with many students she met her first night and is one of five people living in Full House. But after living in the house for this past year and signing her lease renewal for next academic year, Eshleman and her roommates received a message from their landlord in February — the house that had been a pass down in Elon’s Christian community for 15 years was no longer available to rent. 

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