Evan Cooper

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Recent Articles

LIFESTYLE 11/10/25 11:16pm

Washington Post reporter discusses importance of political journalism

By Evan Cooper

When working at the Burlington Times-News as a crime reporter, Elon alum Natalie Allison ’13 never expected she would one day be flying on Air Force One as a member of the Washington Post White House press team. Allison spoke to attendees at Elon University on Nov. 10 in Turner Theatre, talking with Chair of the Journalism Department Anthony Hatcher about her journey to The Washington Post, her time as a reporter, and the role of journalism in politics. “It really shows that your first job doesn't have to be in D.C., it doesn't have to be a national outlet,” Allison said. “You can really work your tail off and still get there.”

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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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NEWS 9/24/25 6:21pm

Elon Q&A supera las metas de un año

By Evan Cooper

Más de un año después de que la Universidad de Elon lanzara la plataforma de inteligencia artificial “Elon Q&A”, el servicio sigue conectando a estudiantes y profesores de Elon con exalumnos de la universidad, fomentando vínculos y permitiendo que los exalumnos retribuyan a su alma máter. Kendra Haskins, directora sénior de Vinculación con Exalumnos, dijo que la plataforma se mantiene sencilla para facilitar el acceso. “Buscamos específicamente algo que no requiera nada”, dijo Haskins. “No necesitas descargar nada, no necesitas iniciar sesión. Solo entras a la plataforma y haces tu pregunta, y la IA encontrará al exalumno con la experiencia para responder”. 

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NEWS 9/3/25 7:15am

Elon University students, faculty adjust to updated Moodle interface

By Evan Cooper

As fall semester classes start at Elon University, students and professors are getting their first look at Moodle 4.5, the latest update to the learning platform. Kelly Reimer, senior director of Teaching and Learning Technologies, declined an interview but wrote in an email statement to Elon News Network that the new update improves accessibility, modernizes the text editor and improves the user interface — also known as UI. According to Reimer, Moodle 4.5 refined workflows for instructors to better manage their courses. “Students will benefit from a more consistent, user-friendly experience that’s easier to navigate, especially as courses evolve with new learning tools,” Reimer wrote.

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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." 

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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.

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NEWS 7/19/25 8:47am

Elon University HealthEU center construction delayed by weather

By Evan Cooper

The HealthEU center has shifted its opening to fall of 2026 due to weather causing delays in construction. The center is being built on Elon University’s Innovation Quad, and was initially set to open in summer of 2026 when the project was announced in the spring of 2024. “We've had some significant wet weather this summer, so we're constantly adjusting the activities to compensate for weather delays,” David Haught, senior director for planning, design and construction management at Elon, said. Haught said the construction team is hoping to complete most underground work before move-in day for the class of 2029, Aug. 22, 2025.

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NEWS 6/26/25 7:20pm

Four new Living-Learning Communities to open Fall 2025 at Elon University

By Evan Cooper

Elon University is opening four new Living-Learning Communities on campus in fall 2025. The new LLCs are Health Sciences, International House, Living with Data and Mi Casa. Health Sciences will be located in Russell B. Gill Hall, International House will be located in Trollinger House, Living with Data will be located in Staley Hall and Mi Casa will be located in Nan P. Perkins Hall. These LLCs will join Elon University's 23 other LLCs in the 2025-2026 year, bringing the total to 27 LLCs on campus.

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LIFESTYLE 3/31/25 9:08am

Elon SPDC continues to use AI platform for student alumni connections

By Evan Cooper

With under three months until graduation, the Student Professional Development Center has continued to use Elon Q&A, a new tool implemented in the fall semester, utilizing AI to connect students with alumni. Elon Q&A was implemented in September 2024, and Elon Q&A uses AI to search for keywords in a student’s question, then searches the alumni database for a relevant connection. Once a match is found the AI sends the question, then sends a response back to the student when the question is answered.

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LIFESTYLE 2/2/25 8:30pm

Department of Performing Arts brings Eden to Elon in Paradise Lost

By Evan Cooper

Elon’s Department of Performing Arts concluded its production of “Paradise Lost,” adapted from John Milton’s epic poem by playwright Erin Shields, on Feb. 2. This was the department’s fifth performance of the school year and the second stage play of the 2024-2025 season, after “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.” The production was directed by professor of theatre Susanne Shawyer, with senior Grace Minton as assistant director. Minton said Shawyer’s direction is reflected in the show’s minimalist set, costumes and scene composition. 

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LIFESTYLE 12/7/24 1:43pm

Elon Electric Ensemble showcases songwriting talent in Fall Songwriter Showcase

By Evan Cooper

Music production students performed original songs in McCrary Theatre on Dec. 6 as a part of the Fall Songwriter Showcase, a yearly concert held by Elon’s Music Production and Recording Arts program. Members of the Elon Electric Ensemble had the chance to debut songs they worked on throughout the semester, and the crowd had the chance to see the talent present at Elon. Ten songs were performed, with nine written by sophomore Maya Spencer, junior Shreyas Kumar, sophomore Keller Knight and sophomore Maya Cohen.

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NEWS 10/22/24 9:31pm

Elon alumni speaker series continues with political misinformation discussion

By Evan Cooper

Reporter and Elon alumna Maria Ramirez Uribe ’20 spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 22 about disinformation surrounding the upcoming election as part of the university’s alumni speaker series. Ramirez currently works for PolitiFact as an immigration reporter and fact checker. Ramirez started the presentation by explaining what PolitiFact is — a news organization that tracks statements made by politicians and then verifies if they are true or not. Since 2016 and the rise of misinformation online, PolitiFact has also begun to track social media posts and comments.

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NEWS 10/15/24 11:01pm

Author of 'Wastelands' comes to Elon for sustainability week keynote

By Evan Cooper

Lawyer and author Corban Addison spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 15 about the legal battle between industrial hog farming and residents of eastern North Carolina. This keynote is a part of Elon University’s Campus sustainability week. Oct. 14 to 18 serves as a chance for Elon students, faculty and staff to come together to learn about and celebrate sustainable practices. As part of Elon’s sustainability week, Addison focused on holding Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, accountable for long-time environmental damage.

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