Evan Cooper

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LIFESTYLE 9/2/26 11:52pm

Students and clubs connect at Fall Organization Fair

By Evan Cooper

Students and on-campus clubs filled Young Commons for Elon University’s 2026 Fall Organization Fair. Hosted by the Office of Student Involvement, the Organization Fair is a chance for students to see the different on-campus clubs and organizations open to them at Elon.

NEWS 8/29/26 4:22pm

Gov. Stein vetoes controversial elections reform bill

By Evan Cooper

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a sweeping elections reform bill that would reduce early voting days and expand the state auditor’s authority in elections. The legislation now heads back to the state House of Representatives. House Bill 958 includes measures to reduce early voting periods for primaries and special elections from 17 days to 10 days, allow precinct officials to be removed by county boards on the day of an election and require the state auditor to conduct post-election audits of county election systems. Stein vetoed the bill Aug. 17.

NEWS 8/27/26 11:17am

Director of bands leaves Elon University mid-summer

By Evan Cooper

After three music department staff members left Elon University during the summer, KC Carter — a drum major for Elon’s Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band — said they were concerned about the future of the band. Jonathan Poquette served as the director of bands since 2019, but he left Elon University over the summer. Poquette’s last day at Elon was July 3.

NEWS 8/18/26 8:51pm

Elon University Performing Arts professor dies

By Evan Cooper

Elon University Performing Arts professor Carroll “Chip” Johnson has died, according to the department. Johnson performed in theatre productions at Elon in roles like The Starkeeper in Carousel, Grandpa in Ragtime and Jekyll’s Father in Jekyll & Hyde. A memorial service will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro on Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. 

NEWS 7/30/26 8:00am

N.C. attorney general will not sign new Duke Energy settlement

By Evan Cooper

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is not joining a proposed settlement submitted by Duke Energy Carolinas, the largest electricity provider in Alamance County. Jackson acknowledged the concessions Duke Energy has made, but he was not satisfied with the proposed rates, according to a press release by the North Carolina Department of Justice.

NEWS 5/10/26 5:14pm

North Carolina teacher pay decreases since 2024-25 school year

By Evan Cooper

As North Carolina remains the only state without a budget, it is also the only state where teacher salaries have decreased since last year. According to a report by the National Education Association, North Carolina’s average teacher salaries decreased by 0.58% in the last year. The national average salary increased by almost 3%. 

NEWS 3/11/26 1:52pm

NC electricity costs, consumption expected to rise

By Evan Cooper

North Carolina electricity bills have risen 22% since 2020, according to a February report from the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force. With data centers being proposed across North Carolina, those costs could rise even more. Currently, North Carolina hosts data centers from companies such as Google, Meta and Apple.

NEWS 2/17/26 8:54am

Elon University ranks 9th for on-campus technological integration

By Evan Cooper

Elon University is ranked the ninth best high-tech college campus by University Magazine, a publication that reports news about colleges and universities to inform students and prospective students. It is the highest ranking high-tech campus in the state of North Carolina, above Duke University at twelfth.

LIFESTYLE 1/15/26 12:15am

Annual Elon Cares cabaret raises money for HIV/AIDS relief

By Evan Cooper

The Elon University performing arts students hosted their 19th annual benefit cabaret, Elon Cares, on Jan. 14 in Yeager Recital Hall. The cabaret was in support of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS charity. The event organizers aimed to raise $2,000 for the charity, and reached their goal before the second show began. Sophomore Laird Stearns, who is on the Elon Cares artistic board of directors and a performer in the show, said that as of 10:30 p.m. they estimated the event had raised $2,300.

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.”

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.”

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”. 

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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SPORTS 09/12/2026 9:32pm
Elon women’s volleyball gets back on winning track

Elon women’s volleyball team beat the University of South Carolina Upstate Spartans 3-1 at Schar Center — closing out a three-game homestand. The Phoenix were hoping to get back into their winning ways after falling to Appalachian State University and Davidson College earlier in the week. Head coach Matt Troy said he wanted his team to start stronger than in the previous games. Junior Anna Sewell got the Phoenix going in the first set as she slammed the ball past two defenders to get Elon on the board, grabbing an early 3-1 lead. As the set continued, the Spartans went on a 4-point run after an Elon ball crashed into the net. 

LIFESTYLE 09/12/2026 3:21pm
Graham community gathers for annual 9/11 commemorative 5K

Nearly 500 runners and walkers gathered behind the Graham Fire Station on Sept. 12 for the city’s sixth annual 9/11 Commemorative 5K, honoring the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The event included a 5K run and walk, a noncompetitive one-mile course, the First Responders Team Cup and a new Community Team Cup. Attendees could also participate in a blood drive, visit first responder vehicles and take part in a range of other activities.

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