Campus

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NEWS 3/13/24 5:03pm

Elon University webinar highlights AI’s effect on academia, future of thought

By Tucker Price

Elon University President Connie Book and Elon’s Imagining the Digital Future Center hosted a webinar titled “AI in Academia: Transforming Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era” to discuss issues involving artificial intelligence in higher education. Panelists included Lee Rainie, the director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center; Ethan Mollick, a faculty scholar at the University of Pennsylvania; Udo Sglavo, the Vice President of Applied AI and Modeling R&D at the SAS Institute; and Hoda Mostafa, the director of the Center for learning and teaching at American University in Cairo, Egypt.

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SPORTS 3/13/24 10:58am

An analysis of Elon University's athletic budget

By Miles Hayford

As a private institution, specifics about Elon University’s athletic budget aren’t public; However, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act — passed in 1994 — requires universities and colleges to make gender equity information about their athletic programs available. This is to give prospective students a chance to judge a school’s ability to have equitable opportunities for both its male and female student-athletes. As a result of this, it is possible to analyze Elon’s athletic budget from a broad perspective. According to Elon professor of sport management Alex Traugutt, Elon’s athletic budget is in a good place right now due to their spending and return on investment.

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NEWS 3/12/24 11:27pm

Elon Town Council deliberates solutions for student concerns regarding noise citations

By Lauren Winslow

Elon Town Council discussed alternatives to criminal noise ordinance citations on March 12 following Elon University students raising concerns about the harsh penalties. Currently, issuing citations following a noise complaint is left to the discretion of the Town of Elon Police Department officer responding to the noise complaint. If a citation is issued, Elon considers this a criminal violation, not a civil one. In response to students voicing their concerns over receiving a criminal noise citation, Elon Police Chief Kelly Blackwelder compiled research on alternatives to issuing criminal citations. 

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NEWS 3/12/24 8:09pm

Elon students walk in solidarity for victims of oppression

By Monika Jurevicius

Members of the Elon University community gathered on campus March 12 to walk in solidarity with and for victims of oppression. The march was organized by Students for Peace and Justice roughly one week after the International Day of Action, during which protestors gathered worldwide to demand an immediate ceasefire of the Israel-Hamas War. Participants at Elon met together with signs and traditional Middle Eastern shemagh scarves. They marched twice on the designated route through Global and Loy neighborhoods. During the event, demonstrators started yelling “stop killing women, stop killing children” upon the second time of walking the route.

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NEWS 3/12/24 6:51pm

No students initially applied for student body president, application extended

By Avery Sloan

Despite Elon’s Student Government Association working to recruit members to run in elections, no student applied to run for student body president. The application closed at 5 p.m. March 11. The organization met for a special meeting March 12 to amend the bylaws and extended applications for all SGA positions until 10 a.m. March 13. SGA initially extended the deadline to 10 a.m. March 12, but according to SGA election bylaws, the organization was not technically allowed to extend it without an election amendment approved by the senate, and no applications were accepted by the second deadline. 

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NEWS 3/12/24 4:13pm

Friends of Alamance County Public Libraries hosts spring book sale

By Naomi Washington

Books are spilling off the shelves and into the bags and baskets of avid readers at this year’s spring book sale. The event is hosted in the basement of May Memorial Library in Downtown Burlington from March 8 through March 17. The Friends of Alamance County Public Libraries is a nonprofit organization that hosts a book sale every fall and spring with the help of more than 50 volunteers. Board member Debbie Mann said the money from book sales funds all children and adult programs across all Alamance County Public Libraries.

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NEWS 3/12/24 11:05am

East Haggard, North Oak Avenue closed due to gas leak

By Ryan Kupperman

East Haggard was briefly closed from North Oak Avenue to Lawrence Street due to a gas leak, according to an E-Alert. This is the third gas leak near or on Elon University’s campus in three months. According to Dante Howell, construction personnel on scene, one of the construction workers hit an active, main gas line on Haggard Avenue. Following protocol, they called the fire department and closed off the area. As of 11:30 a.m. Howell said the road had been reopened for about an hour — though Howell is managing the flow of one-lane traffic just past Sheridan Place.

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LIFESTYLE 3/12/24 9:06am

Elon women’s track, cross country proud to be female athletes

By Keely Garcia

Sophomore track and field sprinter Mya Joy Lee has run track and field since she was in fourth grade and said always knew she always knew that she wanted to be a college athlete. While she has faced some setbacks, including an injury her freshman year, she is grateful to have had the support of her teammates along the way. Elon’s award-winning track and field team is made up of 59 female athletes, while the cross country team — that holds two conference titles — has 28 female members.

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NEWS 3/12/24 12:15am

Elon University Liberal Arts Forum hosts Olympic athlete, filmmaker, writer

By Nia Bedard

Elon University hosted a liberal arts forum March 11 where Olympic athlete, filmmaker and writer Alexi Pappas talked about her experiences as an Olympic athlete. According to Pappas, one of the first things she learned after her games is that a lot of Olympic athletes fall into depression after they finish competing. Pappas said she believes that this depression was an aftermath of her mindset at the time; she had reached her peak athletic ability by breaking a national record in the 10k for Greece and was questioned constantly about what would be next for her.

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NEWS 3/11/24 3:24pm

Elon senior delves into black holes: Journey of code, curiosity, cosmic phenomena

By Liya Rike

Elon University senior Jordan Wels is uncovering the mysteries of black holes, fueled by a Lumen Prize scholarship and guided by his mentor: Elon professor of astrophysics Chris Richardson. Wels' research explores the evolution of these celestial objects and their potential impact on the Milky Way galaxy and beyond. Wels said Elon has played a crucial role in supporting his research. Richardson said he and Wels found a new connection between how big a black hole can get and the kinds of elements found in the galaxy that the black hole is located.

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LIFESTYLE 3/11/24 10:37am

Women beyond borders: Students navigate experiences abroad

By Cassie Weymouth

Elon has been ranked first in undergraduate students who participate in study abroad for the 18th time. Many of these students are women with varying experiences, often dependent on the culture within the country of their choice. Allegra Laing, executive director of the Global Education Center, encourages all female-identifying students to study abroad. She advises them to engage with other female-identifying students from the country they are staying in to learn how to safely navigate that specific culture. Laing also takes into consideration that other identities, such as race, religion, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation, can also play into a student’s experience abroad.

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NEWS 3/10/24 1:56pm

Burlington Animal Services invites community to Hike with Hounds

By Naomi Washington

Hikes with Hounds started in spring 2015. The group meets every month at different park trails across Alamance County, which allows community members to not only meet one another, but also dogs from the shelter. The hikes happen with a group of no more than 12 volunteers and between two and five dogs. Beyond the hikes, the Dog Day Out Program is another chance for dogs to get outside for a few hours. Program Manager for Burlington Animal Services Sydney Herron said Elon University students are primarily the ones who participate.

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NEWS 3/10/24 1:52pm

Photo Gallery: Elon Day 2024

By Elon News Network

Elon University received more than $2.6 million in donations and roughly 6,126 gifts for the 11th annual Elon Day on March 7. Throughout the day, four new endowments were created and donors gave to approximately 224 different campus funds. These donations put the total amount of money given to Elon at just under $20 million over the last 11 years — all provided by alumni, parents and grandparents, faculty and staff, friends or students.

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LIFESTYLE 3/10/24 1:29pm

Elon University’s first fashion club promotes education, awareness, inclusivity

By Nia Bedard

Phoenix Fashion is Elon University’s first fashion club whose mission is to educate others about the fashion industry, promote sustainability, create clothing pieces and showcase garments. Sophomore Brooke Gustafson established Phoenix Fashion to create an organization that could educate others on fashion and sustainability, but still be a place where people can look and feel good regardless of their skill set, knowledge of fashion or gender. Though Gustafson is studying abroad and was unavailable for comment, Interim President of Phoenix Fashion Tia Wohl and the club’s artistic director, Elise Whitaker, said the club is still upholding Gustafson’s vision for the organization.

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NEWS 3/9/24 3:52pm

Elon’s International Women’s Day panelists encourage inclusion, support

By Charlotte Pfabe

Hosted by the Elon Gender and LGBTQIA Center, Elon students, faculty and Alamance County residents came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with a panel discussion focused on inclusion. The three panelists, Crystal Cavalier-Keck, Ashlie Thomas and Kristen Powers, discussed the importance of creating safe spaces for other people within their communities March 7 in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day was “Inspiring Inclusion.” Elon University President Connie Book also attended the event and said it is important for women to be outspoken about their accomplishments.

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SPORTS 3/9/24 2:44pm

Elon University’s sport management LLC fosters lasting relationships

By Mollie Lund

When Senior Max Casey applied to live in Elon’s sport management living learning community during his freshman year, he thought it would be a good way to meet like-minded individuals. He didn’t think much of the decision, and he didn’t expect to forge relationships that would define the rest of his time at Elon. Max lived in the LLC in 2020 when pandemic restrictions prevented his hall from participating in many of the LLC’s activities and opportunities. Despite this, Casey said he was grateful for the connections he was able to make through the LLC.

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LIFESTYLE 3/9/24 1:10pm

Elon Performing Arts explores complexities of identity

By Ruth Cruz

Elon Performing Arts students explored the beauty of the spring season with their Spring Dance Concert in McCrary Theatre on March 8. The performance focused on family and diversity within the constructs of society. The concert also allowed students to create a unique style and explore their passion for dance. Senior Isabella Sessa said she began her dancing career at a young age when her mother signed her up for dance classes. Sessa said she fell in love with the beauty and creativity that exemplifies the art of dance.

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LIFESTYLE 3/9/24 11:02am

Vital Signs a cappella concert raises over $10,000 for Make-A-Wish

By Abby Gravely

Elon’s Vital Signs a cappella group hosted its 11th annual Make-A-Wish benefit concert and raised over $10,000 for local kids. The concert welcomed over 300 audience members, and was founded by Vital Signs alum Nick Cook ’15 to honor his sister Bella. Bella is a Leukemia survivor who was granted a wish by the foundation. All proceeds from this event went directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation of Central and Western North Carolina, which was able to grant a record-breaking 430 wishes in 2023.

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NEWS 3/8/24 3:43pm

Former NC Supreme Court chief justice earns first Justice Sandra Day O’Connor professorship at Elon Law

By Aidan Powley

The Hon. Cheri Beasley has joined the Elon University School of Law faculty as the university’s first recipient of the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor endowed professorship. Beasley, who in 2019 became the first African-American woman to serve as chief justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, will teach courses on appellate practice at Elon Law for one year beginning in fall 2024. The Justice Sandra Day O’Connor professorship was established to bring distinguished legal figures to Elon University, whose contributions to society reflect the values of the first woman who served on the Supreme Court of the United States. 

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NEWS 3/8/24 11:39am

Rocket Phoenix provides rocketry education for students

By Ruth Cruz

When Freshman Murilo Ferreira Lopes founded Rocket Phoenix in February, his goal was to educate students about rocket building. Lopes said rocketry has always been one of his interests at Elon. He sought a place to explore his fascination with rockets. Lopes is the president of Rocket Phoenix — an organization that allows students to build, design and launch rockets. He said that he collaborated with his physics professor to jumpstart the program. The organization plans to launch its rockets March 21. To contact members of Rocket Phoenix, visit their page on PhoenixConnect.

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