News

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NEWS 6/18/25 3:43pm

“It’s not riots happening in LA”: Summer Study USA programs grapple with anti-ICE protests

By Fiona McAllister

Elon University students studying in Los Angeles, California are witnessing protests against Immigration Customs Enforcement errupt accross the city. Director of Elon Los Angeles Brad Lemack said that students’ safety is the program’s number one priority. The university program is located in Hollywood, California — almost six miles from LA. Lemack said that Hollywood has not been impacted by protests. In January, LA was hit with a string of wildfires. Lemack said the Elon Los Angeles program worked through the fires differently than the downtown LA protests, though still with the goal of keeping students safe. 

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NEWS 6/14/25 11:15am

Protestors gather across North Carolina against President Donald Trump

By Nia Bedard

Protesters gathered on June 14 at the Hillsborough courthouse to protest President Donald Trump and his policies as a part of the nationwide No Kings protest. The protest in Hillsborough is one of over 60 happening in North Carolina and over 2,000 happening across America. Concerned Carolinias, an unaffiliated grassroots political action group organized the demonstration with member Bob Conrad calling the event one of the largest demonstrations in Hillsborough. The protest is a response to what nationwide organizers are calling “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy,” according to the organization’s website. 

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NEWS 6/13/25 1:12pm

Members of Elon University shelter while in Israel

By Nia Bedard

Fewer than 20 members of the Elon University community who are currently in Israel spent the morning of June 13 in bomb shelters following Israel’s strike on nuclear sites in Iran. According to Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz, director of Elon University Chabad Jewish Student Center, the Elon University community members in Israel include current students, recent graduates and alumni and he has been in contact with nearly all of them. “Everybody who's responded has been able to tell me that they're accounted for, they're safe, they're all right,” Minkowitz said.

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NEWS 6/12/25 3:08pm

Former ABSS teacher facing multiple charges, warrants show

By Nia Bedard

A former Alamance-Burlington School System teacher is facing charges of sexual battery, indecent liberties with a student and soliciting prostitution. Nicholas Allen Anders, a former agriculture teacher at Southern Alamance High School originally hired in 2005, was charged with one count of indecent liberties with a student by the Alamance County Sheriff's Office and another count of indecent liberties with a student, sexual battery and soliciting prostitution by the Graham Police Department. According to Emily-Lynn Adkins, a spokesperson for ABSS, the district plans on cooperating with law enforcement and Anders resigned from his position on May 30. 

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NEWS 6/5/25 5:02pm

Elon University assistant men’s basketball coach dies suddenly

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University assistant men’s basketball coach and director of video scouting and recruiting operations Stacey Palmore died unexpectedly on the evening of June 4 according to a statement from the men’s basketball team. The cause of Palmore’s death is currently unknown. Palmore was a part of Elon’s basketball program since joining the team as an assistant coach in 2022. Along with head coach Billy Taylor, Palmore helped contribute to the team’s recent success during their first winning season in eight years. 

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NEWS 6/3/25 12:46am

Alamance County citizens voice thoughts on proposed county budget at County Commissioners meeting

By Nia Bedard

Firefighters, teachers and concerned citizens of Alamance County packed the historical courthouse in Graham during the County Commissioners meeting June 2 to voice their opinions about the proposed county budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. County manager Heidi York presented the proposed budget outline for the county during the County Commissioners meeting May 19. The proposed budget included raising the county property tax rate by 1.59 cents; closing library branches of Graham, Mebane and North Park; cutting the budget for the Alamance Burlington School System by 19.7%; and cutting funding for emergency and rescue services in the county. 

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NEWS 5/31/25 5:09pm

Elon University Odyssey Scholars unite over termination of director

By Nia Bedard

On May 29, recent graduate Kai Whiteside and other recently graduated and current members of the Odyssey Scholars program received an email from Marcus Elliott, the former director of the Odyssey Scholars program, stating that he was terminated effective immediately the day prior. "It really started breaking me down," Recent graduate and former Odyssey Scholar Kai Whiteside '25 said. "Marcus Elliott was a person that kind of gave me an opportunity, and not just myself, hundreds and hundreds of kids he's brought into Elon to give them just degrees and opportunities and mentorship and all these wonderful things."

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NEWS 5/31/25 9:26am

Fulbright delays, funding freeze leave Elon University semifinalists uncertain about future

By Liya Rike

There were no Fulbright finalist announcements and clear information at Elon University’s annual celebration for students applying to fellowships, creating a tense atmosphere for the first time in years. It was a harsh reality for Nicole Galante, the assistant director of national and international fellowships. “Since the inauguration, it has been kind of turbulent in the fellowships world,” Galante said. “So many of the awards we work with are government-funded, like Fulbright, and in the midst of all of this uncertainty and changing in the government, students have been a casualty.”

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NEWS 5/30/25 7:48am

LinkedOut: Elon University students face uncertain job market

By Alex Nettles

Elon’s University’s class of 2025 confronts adulthood in a job market influenced with technological development and cautious hiring. Elon seniors graduate to a period of economic uncertainty with less job openings and more applications across most careers. Openings for jobs are down 15%, while applications per job are up 30%, according to a report by the job search website Handshake. The report indicates an environment of “heightened anxiety and competition,” and students applying at a higher rate than years before.

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NEWS 5/29/25 5:37pm

Elon University transitions to eduroam Wi-Fi network

By Charlotte Pfabe

Elon University Information Technology is rolling out a new option for Wi-Fi connection on campus – eduroam. Eduroam will fully replace elonu-secure as Elon’s primary Wi-Fi network by the end of the fall 2025 semester, according to Director of Campus Technology Support Rebecca Beck. “It's just an ease of access from both sides,” Beck said. “I can go anywhere that has an eduroam connection and log in with my Elon credentials, and then I know that I'm logging in securely and connecting to my whole network.”

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NEWS 5/26/25 10:45am

6 Elon University faculty members retire

By Trista Panagakos , Megan Walsh and Ruby Burckle

With the 2024-25 academic year over, six Elon University faculty members are retiring. The retiring faculty members include Martin Fowler, Nancy Harris, Betty Garrison, Pieter Swanepoel, Joyce Davis and Mary Jo Festle. These faculty members have worked at Elon University teaching classes, sitting on committees and leading Winter Term trips. As the six retiring faculty members prepare to leave Elon University, they reminisced on their time at Elon Univeristy and how Elon has changed and shared their plans for their future. 

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NEWS 5/23/25 10:40pm

Elon University celebrates 135th Commencement

By Elon News Network

The class of 2025 graduated from Elon University and transitions from students to alumni as Commencement events come to a close. During the 135th annual Undergraduate Commencement student speaker Craig Brandstetter encourged members of the class of 2025 to break out of the "Elon Bubble" and start their next journey. “So class of 2025, let's not fear what's next. Let's not hesitate at the edge of the bubble,” Brandstetter said. “Instead, let's take a deep breath and step through. For it's not about leaving the bubble, it's what we carry through it. Here's to the bubble that held us and to the world that now awaits us.”

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NEWS 5/23/25 9:23pm

Elon University School of Business, School of Communications take the step from students to alumni

By Charlotte Pfabe

Graduating seniors from the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications walked the stage and earned their diplomas during Elon University’s 135th Undergraduate Commencement May 23 at Schar Center. As the graduating seniors sat waiting to process into the ceremony, Durham spoke to the anxious students, connecting with them now as soon-to-be fellow alumni. “I hope, as Dr. Book said, you'll leave here with no regrets,” Durham said. “Because this place gets more special, believe it or not, it gets more special after you attend. Because we are a powerful core unit of people.”

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NEWS 5/23/25 8:57am

Elon University College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences graduates walk into new chapter

By Charlotte Pfabe

Elon seniors are filling the Schar Center as they prepare to graduate during Elon University’s 135th Undergraduate Commencement May 23. The ceremony for Elon College, The College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the ceremony for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications at 2:30 p.m. Each ceremony will feature an address from University president Connie Book, elected class speaker Craig Brandsetter and Commencement speaker Wes Durham ‘88. 

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NEWS 5/23/25 8:19am

Elon University updates payment system

By Virginia Vance

Elon University’s e-billing system was updated as the 2024-25 school year comes to a close.Bursar Alessandra Gabriel said the update is meant to provide a more modern, user-friendly experience. “Payment plans are on a different portal. Statements are not real time, they’re manually uploaded, so they could be not as up to date with someone’s account activity that may be happening in real time,” Gabriel said. “So we knew it was time to modernize some things and give people access to what they were needing and wanting.”

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NEWS 5/22/25 9:57pm

Elon University’s Donning of the Kente ceremony celebrates graduates’ achievements, African legacy

By Miles Hayford

Cheering, drummers, dancers and heartfelt messages defined Elon University’s ninth annual Donning of the Kente ceremony on May 22. Donning of the Kente is a cultural ceremony designed to celebrate the achievements of graduating students with African roots. Each student receives a stole made of authentic, handmade kente cloth imported from West Africa. Randy Williams, Elon University vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence, said that the ceremony’s goal is to uplift the graduates. “It is a reminder that blackness is not a deficit, but rather a deep well of faith and hope, of wisdom and joy, and of strength and power that benefits all people," Williams said.

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NEWS 5/22/25 6:21pm

Hispanic and Latinx graduating students fly into their next chapter at ¡Celebremos!

By Nia Bedard

Eighteen graduating Hispanic and Latix students were celebrated for their accomplishments throughout their four years at Elon University and honored with a stole decorated with a monarch butterfly at ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight.  According to assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity, MJ Larrazabal, ¡Celebremos! is an opportunity to not only celebrate the graduating students but to also celebrate those who have helped them on their journey. “This meaningful event uplifts the rich diversity, resilience and the impact of Latinx Hispanic students as they prepare to take flight beyond Elon,” Larrazabal said during the ceremony. 

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NEWS 5/21/25 11:22pm

Elon University Nursing Program celebrates inaugural cohort’s pinning ceremony

By Megan Walsh

Elon University’s Nursing Program celebrated its inaugural bachelor of science in nursing cohort’s nursing pinning ceremony on May 21 in McCrary Theatre. The cohort is the first to graduate from the undergraduate nursing program since its establishment in the fall of 2021. The program received its accreditation in February 2025. Senior nursing student Olivia Landolfo highlighted the challenges and experiences her cohort faced as the inaugural group. “We built the first committees and clubs, tested out academic schedules and clinical rotations and adapted to constant and significant change,” Landolfo said.

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NEWS 5/21/25 10:17pm

Elon University graduate students receive master’s degrees at commencement ceremony

By Miles Hayford

In a ceremony marked by the bestowing of hoods and diplomas given by Elon University president Connie Book, 85 students received their master’s degrees at Elon University’s graduate commencement ceremony May 21 in Alumni Gym. The ceremony honored graduates of Elon’s graduate programs within the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education — Master of Arts in higher education, Master of Education in innovation, Master of Science in accounting, Master of Science in business analytics and Master of Business administration. 

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NEWS 5/21/25 3:53pm

Elon University stole ceremony celebrates first-generation graduates

By Megan Walsh

Elon University’s Center for Access and Success hosted its annual First-Generation Stole Ceremony, recognizing its largest class to date with 63 graduates. The ceremony highlighted the hard work and dedication of first-generation students. Student keynote speaker, senior Archie Tan, highlighted that being a first-generation student means there is no predetermined way to go about your time in college. “There's no guidebooks to your life as a first-gen students,” Tan said. “You have the advantage of being the first to figure out what you want to do with your life, free from others' expectations or limitations today."

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