Kyra O'Connor

Kyra O'Connor '23 is studying journalism and creative writing at Elon University. O'Connor serves as executive director at Elon News Network. As a multimedia reporter, O'Connor focuses on local politics and the stories of the Elon and Gibsonville communities. When she is not reporting, O'Connor enjoys reading, hiking and exploring North Carolina.  See O'Connor's best work on her online portfolio here. 

Recent Articles

NEWS 5/18/23 4:42pm

Town of Elon council member announces bid for reelection

By Kyra O'Connor

Town of Elon council member Quinn Ray announces bid for and is one of three council members up for reelection in the fall. Ray is the first to announce his candidacy and was first elected to Elon Town Council in 2019. He is a native of Alamance County and said his main goals if elected are to make Elon an example of what a successful college town can be for both students and residents. 

NEWS 5/1/23 9:07pm

Elon junior remembered as 'happy-go-lucky' by family, friends, teammates

By Kyra O'Connor and Miranda Ferrante

Jackson Yelle’s father, Scott, remembers his son’s caring and warm demeanor; he said it was easy for him to build friendships, and he had a strong love for his family. Jackson, an Elon University junior from North Eastham, Massachusetts, died at the age of 21. He was in Myrtle Beach on a weekend trip when he was killed in a hit-and-run on April 30. An arrest was made May 1. 

NEWS 3/28/23 3:29pm

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent to speak at Elon University

By Kyra O'Connor

Gupta, a multiple Emmy-Award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN, will deliver the 2023 Baird Lecture on Tuesday March 28 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym. The lecture is a part of Elon University’s Speaker Series, presented by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio, “Living Well in a Changing World.”  

NEWS 2/1/23 10:14am

Vice President addresses importance of small businesses, community lenders

By Kyra O'Connor

Community lending initiatives are grassroots movements to connect communities to economic opportunities, according to Senior Vice President of the Latino Community Credit Union Vicky Garcia — but for places like Alamance County, they are few and far between. The LCCU is a community development financial institution with a primary mission to provide local communities with ethical financial products and education to “empower and ensure” economic opportunity for all, according to its mission statement. The first branch opened in 2000 and in 2020 exceeded $594 million in assets. 

NEWS 11/10/22 2:14pm

Experts, young adults reflect on pursuing a GED

By Kyra O'Connor

Students in North Carolina can drop out of high school at age 16, when most students are in 10th grade. In the 2020-21 academic school year, nearly two students in every 100 dropped out of school — a 27.1% increase from 2019-20, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Male students accounted for 63.3% of all dropouts. 

More Articles by Kyra O'Connor »

Recent Media

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Latest

NEWS 04/19/2024 6:21pm
Elon Board of Trustee member honored with Elon Medallion, renaming of Colonnades E in his honor

Noel Allen, after serving 40 years on the board of trustees, was honored with an Elon Medallion on April 19, the highest honor given by the university. Allen grew up in the town of Elon and then was a student at Elon where he served as the student body president.  Allen has witnessed Elon’s growth as an institution, joining the board when enrollment was under 3,000 students. Allen has been a part of every long range strategic plan, since he was a student member of President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley’s first planning committee in 1966, University President Connie Book said. Allen also served as board chair from 2001 to 2003, when Elon transitioned from a college to a university and adopted the Phoenix as its mascot, Book said.

NEWS 04/19/2024 4:12pm
Elon University expansions leave off-campus residents scrambling

Her first night at Elon, junior Kelsey Eshleman was invited by members of Elon Young Life to a bonfire event at an off-campus house, affectionately nicknamed Full House. That night, Eshleman said she remembered thinking how cool it would be to live there with her newfound friends. Now, Eshleman is still close with many students she met her first night and is one of five people living in Full House. But after living in the house for this past year and signing her lease renewal for next academic year, Eshleman and her roommates received a message from their landlord in February — the house that had been a pass down in Elon’s Christian community for 15 years was no longer available to rent. 

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