News

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NEWS 10/10/25 10:00pm

Elon University holds listening sessions for alumni about proposed Queens merger

By Miles Hayford

Jim Piatt, Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs and co-chair of the Elon University and Queens University merger sprint team, held a listening session for alumni on Oct. 10 in LaRose Commons 200. The session was part of Elon's Homecoming Weekend activities and was a way for alumni to learn more information about the merger and voice their opinions about it. Piatt told them that there is still a lot of work to be done, but that next steps involve assuming governance of Queens by Aug. 1, 2026.

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NEWS 10/10/25 7:28pm

Elon University dedicates building to first international graduate

By Nia Bedard

Elon University administration, students and community members came together Oct. 10 to celebrate the university’s first international graduate, Toshio Sato, who graduated in 1920. The university also renamed the Global Commons in her honor. Kelly Policelli, coordinator of university archives and special collections, described Sato as highly involved during her time at Elon. “There was an announcement the week that she got here about her arrival, then literally a week later, she is singing at a mission group event. So she was, from the very beginning, super involved. She seemed very happy to be here.”

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NEWS 10/7/25 11:25pm

NC State professor encourages Elon students to be disruptors in sustainability

By Lily Mosbacher

Students and faculty gathered in McKinnon Hall Oct. 7 to hear North Carolina State University professor Jessica Yinka Thomas, director of the Business Sustainability Collaborative, deliver the keynote address, kicking off Elon University's Sustainability Week. The Business Sustainability Collaborative at NC State works to integrate environmental and social responsibility into business, education, and industry partnerships. Yinka Thomas discussed B Corps, which are companies that demonstrate high social and environmental performance.“Their vision is to build an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet,” Yinka Thomas said.

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NEWS 10/7/25 9:18pm

Elon skatepark committee looks to break ground with redesign following failed grant application

By Miles Hayford

Since being named the chair, Scott Ingalls, member of the town of Elon skatepark committee, has helped lead the committee one step closer to building Elon’s first ever skatepark.The skatepark has been several years in the making and initially began with an 8,000 to 10,000 square foot design that would cost around $600,000, according to Ingalls. To make up for this money, the committee applied for a North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant from the state of North Carolina but did not receive it. 

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NEWS 10/7/25 9:59am

Suspects arrested after shooting in Green Level

By Fiona McAllister

The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to announce arrests from a shooting that happened Sept. 20 in Green Level, North Carolina. Five people were injured by gunfire. The sheriff’s office has made two arrests in relation to the ongoing investigation. Cedric Lamont Watson Jr., 20, has been charged with 18 counts. Javiya A. Parker, 19, was also arrested in relation to the shooting and has been charged with one count of felony accessory after the fact of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. Parker’s bond was set at $50,000, but Parker has been released after posting bond.

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NEWS 10/6/25 4:16pm

Elon University prepares for homecoming 2025

By Logan Davila

Elon University is gearing up for Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 9-12. Among the events are tailgates, open houses and receptions. “Freshman year, I grew a big bond with the senior class,” Elon junior Jackson Choma Choma said. “I'm just really excited to have them come back and see them again once they’ve settled in with their adult life.” Alumni will also have the chance to tour campus on Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11. The tours will begin at Martin Alumni Center at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively. In addition, an All-Alumni Tailgate will be hosted on Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Schar Center.

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NEWS 10/4/25 12:32pm

‘Peace, Love and Unity’: The Wailers spread their mission of hope to Burlington

By Megan Walsh

“Peace, love and unity” is the mission statement behind The Wailers, the former band of reggae star Bob Marley, now focused on spreading hope to the younger generations. The Wailers performed in downtown Burlington. For band leader Aston Barrett Jr., carrying on The Wailers’ message is about more than just encouraging the people of the world, but also about carrying on the legacy of his family. "If there's anything going on in the world that you need as a revolutionary song that could unite the people and keep their minds straight, if you see them going like this, we already wrote those songs so you could sing those songs,” Barrett said.

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NEWS 10/2/25 3:28pm

Las comunidades de la Universidad Elon y la Universidad Queens de Charlotte buscan respuestas tras el anuncio de la fusión prevista

By Elon News Network

La presidenta de la Universidad de Elon, Connie Book, anunció una propuesta de fusión entre Elon y la Universidad Queens de Charlotte. Si la fusión se aprueba para finales de 2025 y la colaboración entre ambas universidades avanza satisfactoriamente durante la primavera, Jim Piatt, vicepresidente sénior de Desarrollo y Asuntos Externos, afirmó que Elon buscaría comenzar a operar en Queens el 1 de agosto de 2026. "En todas estas conversaciones que se han estado llevando a cabo, conversaciones sobre balances y finanzas, se trata de servir a los estudiantes y a nuestras comunidades de la mejor manera posible", declaró Piatt. "Queremos ser competitivos a nivel nacional y tener arraigo local".

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NEWS 10/2/25 3:28pm

Elon University, Queens University of Charlotte communities look for answers after intended merger is announced

By Elon News Network

Elon University President Connie Book announced a proposed merger between Elon and Queens University of Charlotte. If the merger is approved by the end of 2025 and work between both universities goes well through spring, Senior Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs Jim Piatt said Elon would look to begin operating at Queens by Aug. 1, 2026. "In all of these conversations that have been happening, conversations about balance sheets and money, this is about serving students and serving our communities in the best ways that we can,"Piatt said. "We want to be nationally competitive and locally rooted."

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NEWS 10/2/25 9:53am

North Carolina expands anti-hazing law; Students, faculty and staff involved with hazing will receive more severe penalties

By Nia Bedard

Everything changed for Lianne Kowiak when her son Harrison died in a hazing incident. Now “Harrison’s Law” will go into effect in North Carolina on Dec. 1 and includes major changes to anti-hazing law in the state. North Carolina now defines hazing as any serious physical or psychological damage as part of initiation for or as a prerequisite to join any organized school group. Now any students who are found guilty of hazing can receive a Class A1 misdemeanor, which has a maximum punishment of 150 days in jail and is the most serious misdemeanor offense a person can receive.

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NEWS 9/29/25 3:48pm

Popular reggae band to perform in Downtown Burlington

By Megan Walsh

The Wailers, the former band of Bob Marley, will fill downtown Burlington with music Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Burlington Food Hall. “I hope that from this, it opens the door not only for the food hall, but for downtown as a whole to maybe become more involved,” Wellsley Robinson, owner of the Burlington Food Hall, said. “North Carolina is growing so fast. I mean, Elon's growing, everybody's growing right in our state, and so maybe it would give us the opportunity to become more and more involved in things that are happening statewide, because there's a lot going on.”

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NEWS 9/29/25 3:48pm

Banda de reggae The Wailers se presentará en el centro de Burlington

By Megan Walsh

Tras un cambio inesperado de lugar, The Wailers, la legendaria banda que acompañó a Bob Marley, llenará de música el centro de Burlington el viernes 3 deoctubre a las 7 p.m. frente al Burlington Food Hall. Wellsley Robinson, dueña del Burlington Food Hall, contó que hace alrededor de un mes le propusieron organizar el evento, después de que la agrupación supiera que el lugar original en Greensboro seguiría en construcción. Al enterarse de esa situación, The Wailers se acercaron a Robinson para llevar el espectáculo a Front Street, justo frente al food hall. Tras coordinar con la ciudad, Robinson y sus socios descubrieron que la zona resultaba ideal para conciertos de esta magnitud.

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NEWS 9/29/25 11:43am

Elon University anatomy teaching assistants open lab to visitors for Family Weekend

By Virginia Vance

The Edler family came to Elon University’s open anatomy lab to see what their child, Julia, was learning in anatomy class. “I was impressed that my daughter actually knew the anatomy for the sections that she’s already learned,” Michelle Edler said. By contrast, Elon biology professor Matthew Clark was shocked that more people don’t know their own anatomy. “It’s amazing to me how so many people don’t really understand what’s inside the human body,” Clark said. “It’s almost like a mechanic who, when you go to take your car to the auto shop, you really don’t know what’s under the hood.”

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NEWS 9/27/25 7:41pm

Elon University holds listening session for parents about proposed Queens merger

By Kate Gray

Jim Piatt, co-chair of the sprint team for the merger between Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte, held a listening session for parents. He addressed why Elon chose to pursue a merger, what the merger would mean for the name and branding of both schools, and how graduate programs may be affected or expanded.“Charlotte, in our assessments and in our work to study Charlotte, is largely underserved when it comes to higher education,” Piatt said. “That doesn't say anything about quality. That's not a statement on that. It's a statement about the capacity to serve students there.”

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NEWS 9/27/25 2:37pm

Cars crashed at North Williamson Avenue entrance to Elon University

By Nia Bedard

Multiple vehicles collided at the intersection of North Williamson Avenue and University Drive around 2 p.m. on Sept. 27. Town of Elon Fire Department, Town of Elon Police, Gibsonville Police, and Elon Campus Safety and Police are currently on the scene directing traffic. An e alert that was released at 2:09 p.m. informing students of the accident. As of 2:37 p.m. the site of the crash is cleared.

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NEWS 9/27/25 12:11pm

Elon University president informs parents about Queens merger, new school of engineering, computing

By Nia Bedard

An entirely new school, an enrollment cliff and a merger. These were just some of the topics Elon University president Connie Book focused on during the University Update Sept. 27 in Alumni Gym. Taking place over Elon’s Family Weekend, Book updated visiting parents on new steps the university will be taking and new projects that are currently underway. These new developments include the intended merger between Elon and Queens University of Charlotte. Family weekend events will continue throughout Sept. 27 and 28. 

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NEWS 9/26/25 9:51pm

La atleta olímpica Katie Ledecky comparte su historia y consejos durante la Convocatoria de Otoño de Elon

By Megan Walsh

Desde su debut olímpico a los 15 años hasta alcanzar la mayor cantidad de medallas de oro entre las nadadoras del mundo, Katie Ledecky compartió su historia y sabiduría con el público de la Universidad de Elon durante la Convocatoria de Otoño el 26 de septiembre. "Sé que habrá días buenos y días malos, ya sea en el entrenamiento, las carreras o cualquier otra cosa", declaró Ledecky en una entrevista con Elon News Network. "Puede que haya pequeños obstáculos en el camino, pero creo que confiar en el proceso, confiar en mis entrenadores y, a veces, confiar en mí misma, han sido los aspectos más importantes".

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NEWS 9/26/25 9:50pm

Olympian Katie Ledecky shares her story, advice during Elon’s Fall Convocation

By Megan Walsh

From making her Olympic debut at age 15 to holding the most gold medals of a female swimmer in the world, Katie Ledecky shared her story and wisdom with audiences at Elon University during Fall Convocation on Sept. 26. “I know that there are going to be good days and they're going to be bad days, whether that's with training or racing or just anything,” Ledecky said in an interview with Elon News Network. “There could be little roadblocks along the way, but I think trusting the process, trusting my coaches, trusting myself at times, I think those have been the biggest things.”

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NEWS 9/24/25 9:22pm

Elon University publishes annual security, fire safety report

By Fiona McAllister and Nia Bedard

Elon University released its annual security and fire safety report on Sept. 24 in compliance with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. This act requires that any institutions that participate in any student financial aid programs within Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 must disclose campus crime statistics and security information. The report includes crime that occurred on campus and within buildings owned by Elon, and includes data from 2022 to 2024. The report showed a 93.3% decrease in cases of rape and a 64.4% decrease in drug violations.

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NEWS 9/24/25 6:22pm

Elon Q&A surpasses 1-year goals

By Evan Cooper

Over a year after Elon University launched the artificial intelligence platform “Elon Q&A,” the service is still connecting Elon students and faculty to Elon alumni, fostering connections and allowing alumni to give back to their alma mater. Kendra Haskins, senior director of Alumni Engagement, said the platform is kept simplistic to allow for easy access. “We went specifically looking for something that didn’t require anything,” Haskins said. “You don’t need to download anything, you don’t need to log in. You just go to the platform and ask your question, and the AI will find the alumni with the expertise to respond.”

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