Abigail Hobbs

Abigail Hobbs '25 serves as managing editor of The Pendulum and is passionate about reporting, writing and copy editing. She is a journalism and strategic communications double major and a political science minor. Find her work at abigailhobbs.com. 

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Recent Articles

NEWS 11/16/23 8:03am

Law enforcement copes with increase in Alamance County overdoses

By Abigail Hobbs

From 2000 to 2022, over 36,000 North Carolinians died from overdose and 3,875 deaths in 2022 alone. Cpt. Chris Crain from the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department said he has responded to more calls of overdose in Alamance County than he can count — at least two to three a week. Alamance County saw 34 opioid-related overdoses in 2020, 50 in 2021 and 40 in 2022, according to the NCDHHS. Town of Elon Sgt. Chris Miles said he is seeing more younger people overdosing from fentanyl since it is being laced in drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. 

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NEWS 11/7/23 12:08pm

Elon University SGA sees failed impeachment attempt

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University’s Student Government Association’s Vice President of Finance senior Gabby Gutiérrez faced an impeachment vote Nov. 2 after Student Body President Britt Mobley and Speaker of the Senate Chloe Higgins filed a formal judicial complaint, according to a statement sent to Elon News Network Nov. 7 from the SGA executive team. A student in SGA, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the participants at the hearing were told not to talk about it and the time between when the complaint was filed on Oct. 26 to the hearing on Nov. 2 was not long enough for proper deliberation.

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LIFESTYLE 11/3/23 10:32am

Elon University showcases art exhibition connecting humanity, consumerism

By Abigail Hobbs

Every time Elon exhibiting artist Joshua Newth went for a walk around his Missouri neighborhood in 2019, he would pick up a piece of trash. Bridging his degree in biology and interest in painting, Newth created “Confessions of the Consumer,” a collection of paintings and sculptures that reuse litter to get his audience to think about the connections between nature and humanity. The collections will be on display in Arts West until Dec. 1. In his works, Newth, an art professor at Southeast Missouri State University, said he uses the human form “accessorized” with litter to explore humanity’s relationship with consumerism in a non-confrontational way.

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NEWS 10/19/23 8:13pm

Elon University community honors sophomore with memorial

By Abigail Hobbs and Madison Powers

Friends and family of rising sophomore Jason Titunik, who died over the summer in a car crash, recognized his life Oct. 19 by sharing memories and planting a tree in his honor. Over 75 members of the Elon community gathered outside of Hook, Brannock and Barney residence halls — where Titunik lived his freshman year — to express condolences and support. The Rev. Kristin Boswell and Ira Titunik, Jason’s father, as well as friends and roommates described Jason’s personality and memory before planting a tree outside of HBB.  

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NEWS 10/9/23 9:54pm

Elon University students, faculty gather to support Jewish community

By Abigail Hobbs

At the Israel Solidarity Gathering on Phi Beta Commons on Oct. 9, students and faculty came together to support those affected by the Israel-Hamas war. On Oct. 7, the Hamas militant group attacked the southern border of Israel — killing and abducting local residents. The Israeli government declared a war on Hamas on Oct. 8, which has led to bombings and mass casualties of nearly 1,600 as of 4 p.m. Oct. 9, according to the Associated Press. The gathering, hosted by Elon Hillel and Chabad, included praying, singing Oseh Shalom — a Jewish prayer for peace —, offering resources to students and providing options of where to donate.

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LIFESTYLE 10/7/23 12:25pm

Burlington lemonade vendor shares tips for starting business with new book

By Abigail Hobbs

When doing research on how to open a successful lemonade business, Keith Slader saw an opportunity. Slader said most of the books he found about running a lemonade business were $30 to $40 and only 20 pages long. Slader owns Lisa’s Lemonade — a traveling lemonade booth — which started after Keith’s sister, Lisa Slader, died of kidney cancer in 2020. Wanting to create a family business with low startup costs, Keith said he remembered the popularity of a certain beverage at a past job.

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NEWS 10/5/23 9:45pm

Town of Elon mayor, town manager declare funding a pressing issue

By Abigail Hobbs

Town of Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe and Town Manager Rich Roedner sat down with students Oct. 5 in Moseley Center to answer questions about working at a local municipality. The town hall event included town, community and county issues. The event was part of the Active Citizen Series hosted by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Elon Votes, Elon Political Engagement Work Group and Council on Civic Engagement. Elon Votes coordinators sophomore Lindsay Bialecki and junior Bo Dalrymple moderated the discussion. 

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NEWS 10/4/23 7:52am

Elon University police, Title IX office attribute trained, trusted employees to more rape reports

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University has seen an increase in reported rapes in the last three years, according to the 2023 fire and safety report. The report details crimes reported in 2022, which includes 17 cases of rape, seven more than the year prior and 15 more than 2020. All 17 cases were in residential facilities, which the university defines as dormitories and other on-campus housing. Elon University Chief of Police Joe LeMire said the large jump from 2020 to 2022 can be partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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SPORTS 9/30/23 1:18pm

Elon University volleyball player turns to coaching after medical issues

By Mason Willett and Abigail Hobbs

Just weeks before her senior year, Presly Austin had a difficult decision to make. During volleyball conditioning, Austin slipped two discs in her back, causing her to go to the hospital. It happened again only a little while later. Austin said she had to decide to suffer through the pain to play her last year of volleyball or quit the sport she loves. Austin has been playing volleyball for 12 years and started her college recruitment process as a freshman in high school. She said she adored Elon — plus escaping the cold weather of Alberta, Canada, was a plus.

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NEWS 9/29/23 7:50am

Haw River continually contaminated by Burlington companies

By Abigail Hobbs

The town of Pittsboro is performing tests on the water it receives from the Haw River due to a 1,4-dioxane leak in Burlington — the second time in two months. On Sept. 22, the city of Burlington received a test it had conducted by its wastewater treatment plant from Sept. 14 showing 459 parts per billion of 1,4-dioxane were leaving Burlington’s wastewater treatment plant at that time. The Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory for 1,4-dioxane is .35 parts per billion in rivers and 35 parts per billion in drinking water — meaning this contamination is 1,300 times the EPA’s health advisory levels for rivers.

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NEWS 9/27/23 11:25am

Elon University falls 49 spots in U.S. News ‘national universities’ ranking

By Abigail Hobbs and Cece Ebora

Elon University has fallen in multiple categories across multiple college ranking lists, most notably the 49 spot drop in the U.S. News and World Report’s “national universities” ranking. Elon also dropped 12 spots in “best value schools,” three sports in best study abroad programs and two spots in “most innovative,” all from U.S. News and World Report. According to an Elon University admissions website, Elon University was ranked at No. 84 in national universities in 2019 and has since dropped to No. 133, but there may be a reason for the changes. 

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NEWS 9/23/23 4:40pm

Pittsboro water under testing due to 1,4-dioxane leak in Burlington

By Abigail Hobbs

The town of Pittsboro is advising citizens to avoid the drinking water until further testing can be done after a 1,4-dioxane leak in Burlington. The town of Pittsboro has partnered with Chatham Marketplace to offer free reverse osmosis treated water to citizens who receive their water from the town. Customers can use the code 64261 to fill jugs and bottles for free. Pittsboro is 30 miles downstream from Burlington and is advising residents to reduce using the water for non-essential uses, including watering lawns and washing cars.

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NEWS 9/22/23 12:40pm

2023 Elon University security, fire safety report shows increase in harassment

By Mason Willett and Abigail Hobbs

Elon University released the 2023 security and fire safety report that details reported crimes located on campus and within buildings owned by Elon in 2022. According to Elon University Police Chief Joe LeMire, the university is still adding cases to the report and will officially release them next week — however, a version is available on the Campus Safety and Police reports webpage as of Sept. 22. There were 17 rapes reported within residential facilities — defined as dormitories and other on-campus student facilities — compared to 10 reported in 2021.

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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.

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NEWS 9/2/23 11:22am

Elon University welcomes 4 new majors, minors

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University introduced four new majors and minors at the start of the 2023-24 academic year, which include a mechanical engineering concentration and a financial technology major, as well as expressive arts and health communications minors. According to designer of the mechanical engineering concentration and professor of engineering Jonathan Su, mechanical engineering is in high demand as one of the broadest and oldest engineering sectors. Similarly, professor of strategic communications Julie Lellis said the health communications minor can be applied to a variety of professions as an interdisciplinary avenue, including government, healthcare and community settings.

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NEWS 8/30/23 8:45am

UNC Chapel Hill students share experiences in lockdown

By Abigail Hobbs

Two University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill seniors describe their experiences in lockdown and hearing rumors, news and university communications differ. “That was the most nerve-wracking part,” Ava Dobson said. “It was pretty scary — just the initial hour — because there was so little was known about what exactly was going on.” Elon University Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley advises students in an email to update their contact information and review safety protocols.

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SPORTS 8/29/23 9:15am

Elon University track and field athlete enters motorway with NASCAR internship

By Mason Willett and Abigail Hobbs

Elon University senior track and field athlete Lauryn Carlton partnered with NASCAR this summer for her marketing internship. According to Carlton, she didn’t want to make her passion for sports feel like a job, but searched for something during the summer in the industry. In the internship, Carlton said she helped manage the relationship between NASCAR and its official partners. She also said her most memorable assignment was putting together an information packet for the Chicago Street Race — the first street race in NASCAR history.

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NEWS 8/28/23 2:30pm

Faculty member killed in shooting at UNC Chapel Hill

By Abigail Hobbs

A faculty member has been killed in a shooting at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on Aug. 28. Tailei Qi is in custody on charges for first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on education property. Classes and non-mandatory operations on campus are canceled for Aug. 29. The weapon and the motive have not been identified by police. 

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LIFESTYLE 8/24/23 7:41am

Elon University art exhibit showcases consumer culture with “The Forgotten”

By Abigail Hobbs

Todd Jones developed an interest in consumer culture and materialism while experimenting with nylon and paint skins in graduate school at Ohio University during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collection of carved, discarded paint named “The Forgotten,” of which Jones has created over the last two years, is now on display in Arts West from Aug. 22 to Oct. 19 and breaks off from his traditional paintings. Jones said he noticed an influx of mistinted house paint in 2020, when people were stuck at home doing renovations.

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NEWS 8/23/23 3:51pm

Elon University dean of the College of Arts and Sciences steps down

By Abigail Hobbs and Madison Powers

Gabie Smith, the dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, will step down after the 2023-24 school year and return to a teaching position in the Department of Psychology. Smith stepping down marks the fifth senior staff member to leave their position in the last two years, following Jeff Stein, former vice president of strategic initiatives; Rebbeca Neiduski, former dean of the School of Health Sciences; Rochelle Ford, former dean of the School of Communications; and Aswani Volety, former provost. 

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