Julia Donaghy

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NEWS 4/29/25 2:11pm

East Burlington comes together to protect equity, provide a voice

By Julia Donaghy

For years, there have been local efforts to remediate the 22-acre property once called the Tarheel Army Missile Plant. From 1942 to 2004, it was owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and previously leased to Western Electric, an electrical engineering and manufacturing company, to produce Nike Ajax surface-to-air missiles. Now, it remains abandoned under private ownership, creating more than just an eye sore to East Burlington, according to the Rev. Donna Vanhook, an Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. 

NEWS 2/7/25 9:21am

East Burlington residents fight for environmental equity

By Julia Donaghy

Just five miles east of Elon sits a 22-acre property called by different names within the east Burlington community. Some refer to it as Western Electric, others, the Tarheel Army Missile Plant. The property’s buildings are dilapidated and come with a list of public health concerns. Because of this, Donna Vanhook, an Alamance County soil and water conservation district supervisor, believes it needs to be torn down. Originally constructed in 1927 as a synthetic fabrics factory, the 22-building site has a checkered past and present.

LIFESTYLE 11/14/24 10:40am

Native American Student Association promotes change, community

By Julia Donaghy

A primary goal for the Native American Student Association has been to develop more of a long-term relationship between Elon and the Occaneechi Band. However, the first step of this is to educate and unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous students across Elon, which begins with the organization’s meetings. NASA held “Crafting in the Commons” on Nov. 4 in Global Commons, which was one of three planned events to celebrate the month of November as Native American Heritage Month. The organization will host “Soil to Soul: Indigenous Planting” on Nov. 15 from noon to 2 p.m. in Moseley 221.

LIFESTYLE 10/22/24 9:40am

Elon English faculty host discussion on ‘Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder’

By Julia Donaghy

In honor of the annual awareness campaign Banned Books Week, promoted by the American Library Association, English professors Dan Burns and Dinidu Karunanayake decided to co-lead a reading and discussion of Salman Rushdie’s memoir “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.” While not technically a banned book, “Knife” describes the aftermath of the assassination attempt on the controversial author in 2022. Burns hosted the second meeting covering the memoir on Oct. 21 in Carlton 224. The third and final meeting will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in Carlton 224.

LIFESTYLE 10/7/24 8:38pm

Elon University displays works by Israeli artists 1 year after Hamas attacks

By Julia Donaghy

In remembrance of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Elon’s Jewish Life team organized an art exhibit to provide a meaningful way to mark the war’s one-year anniversary, according to Director of Jewish Life Betsy Polk. Hebrew professor and Jewish educator Boaz Avraham-Katz, along with his colleagues, wanted to offer Elon students a different perspective into life in Israel during a time of war through the showcased art. The capsule exhibition, “October Seventh,” included paintings, drawings, photographs and music. Artwork will be displayed until 8 p.m. Oct. 8 in the McBride Gathering Space in the Numen Lumen Pavilion.

LIFESTYLE 10/1/24 5:18pm

Elon University to perform ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’

By Julia Donaghy

In preparation for the fall play, costume designer and junior Brooke Gustafson has been pulling pieces from Elon’s costume shop, Amazon and thrift stores. Elon’s performance of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” draws inspiration from the play’s themes of absurdism by featuring costumes with both Elizabethan and contemporary styles. Showings will run from Oct. 4, 5, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., as well as two matinees on Oct. 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. in Scott Studios. Tickets are available for $15 or free with an Elon ID.

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LIFESTYLE 12/04/2025 10:53pm
Elon University’s campus glows as Festival of Lights and Luminaries expands cultural celebration

Elon University’s Festival of Lights and Luminaries took place on Dec. 4 and was hosted by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Luminaries lit up Elon’s campus as students walked around and enjoyed the night. The festival started incorporating themes in 2020 with each year being a new theme. This year it was, “Many Lights on One Night.” “This year the festival is bigger than ever, so the theme represents how all the small lights that each of us bring create one larger light on campus,” Hillary Zaken, the director of multifaith programming and engagement for the Truitt Center said. 

SPORTS 12/04/2025 12:09am
Strong start not enough in Elon University men’s basketball loss to Furman University

The energy in Schar Center was palpable as the Phoenix built an early 18 point lead. However, the Phoenix couldn’t sustain momentum as Furman University surged in the second half to hand Elon a home defeat on Dec. 3. Head coach Billy Taylor said the Phoenix simply didn’t respond well when Furman started to take control. While there were encouraging moments during the game, Taylor stressed the importance of maintaining that level. “When they punched back, we didn’t respond the right way,” Taylor said. “We need more of those moments strung together over the course of 40 minutes.”

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