Hurricane Florence Coverage

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LIFESTYLE 6/4/24 5:36pm

Artist finishes third mural in downtown Elon plaza

By Avery Sloan

Muralist Mary Ryan has been working on completing an outdoor painting on the plaza in Elon’s downtown for less than a week. But the plaza itself, from conception to construction, took much longer than that. Beginning with the town staff announcing plans for an outdoor plaza in downtown Elon in December 2021 and completing construction in December 2023. Ryan said as she finishes painting this mural, she has been touching up her other murals at the same time. With outdoor seating around the mural itself, Ryan said she hopes this mural will avoid as much direct foot traffic as possible.

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NEWS 6/3/24 8:18pm

New Dunkin Donuts under construction 7 minutes away from Elon University

By Elon News Network

Construction is underway for a new Dunkin Donuts on the 3000 block of South Church St. — which is just under three miles away from campus and roughly a seven-minute drive. The site plan for the construction was approved Feb. 29. The permit did not list expected completion or opening dates. According to the permit, the space will be 1,600 square feet. 

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SPORTS 6/3/24 12:48pm

Elon athletics feels impact of historic $2.8 billion NCAA settlement

By Miles Hayford

The NCAA and the Power Five conferences have agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit by former college athletes. The NCAA and its conferences within Division I will pay $2.8 billion in damages over 10 years to both former and current athletes. They also agreed to a revenue-sharing plan, which allows each Power Five school to share up to roughly $20 million per year with its athletes. This means schools can pay athletes directly for the first time in the NCAA’s 120-year history. The settlement will impact Elon athletics significantly by creating strains on their budget and recruitment opportunities.

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NEWS 5/31/24 1:49pm

Elon University, on-campus summer schedule

By Elon News Network

Elon University changes its services and operations for the summer season, including for counseling and health services, Belk Library and the Moseley Center. Other than TimelyCare virtual care, all Elon operations will be closed for Independence Day on July 4 and 5. Starting Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, August 17, the Moseley Center will be open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The building will be closed on Sundays throughout the summer. Mail Services is open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on weekends.

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NEWS 5/29/24 10:21am

Elon, local community prepares for commencement

By Sarah T. Moore and Miles Hayford

From getting ready for an influx of guests at hotels to gardening crews making sure the flowers look as beautiful as can be, Elon University — along with the surrounding area — has been preparing for the commencement ceremony. The Facilities Management department has had multiple teams getting the campus ready for commencement, Senior Director for Facilities Management Raymond Fletcher, said.  There are 240 workers divided into multiple teams, including grounds and landscaping, moving and setups and environmental service. The team has completed over 50 work orders related to commencement activities this year, Fletcher said.

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NEWS 5/27/24 2:55pm

Family remembers Elon community service officer as full of love, ‘one of a kind’

By Ryan Kupperman

Monte Markley — an Elon community service officer — died of a stroke on May 18 at 43 years old after roughly nine years working at Elon University. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. June 1 at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington. Markley is preceded in death by her son James Markley, who was a sophomore at Elon when he died in 2020. Monte's sister Amanda Kilcrease said she wants Elon to know how much Monte loved the community. “I just want people to know that when she loves, she loves hard. She loved her job at Elon.”

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NEWS 5/24/24 10:31am

Elon University class of 2024 triumphs at 134th commencement ceremony

By Avery Sloan and Ryan Kupperman

Elon University’s class of 2024 took flight as phoenix officially joined the ranks of alumni at the 134th commencement ceremony on May 24 in Schar Center. Two ceremonies were held throughout the day, with the first kicking off at 9 a.m. and the second starting at 2:30 p.m. Senior Grace Ackermann, the first-ever nominated student commencement speaker, began the ceremony by remarking that it was the class of 2024’s first real graduation — since this year’s seniors graduated high school in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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NEWS 5/23/24 9:25pm

Elon University’s eighth annual Donning of the Kente ceremony celebrates graduates, African heritage

By Avery Sloan

At Elon’s eighth annual Donning of the Kente cloth on May 23, faculty readers read statements written by the person selected by the graduate. The ceremony recognized two masters students and a number of graduating seniors, who are encouraged to wear their stoles to their commencement ceremony tomorrow. Graduates had their stoles — made from the kente cloth — presented by a family member, friend or mentor. The cloth symbolizes prestige in many African societies and the stoles presented at the ceremony were handmade from Ghana, Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence, said.

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NEWS 5/23/24 8:53pm

Legacy scholars embrace Elon community during transition to alumni

By Mackenzie Giattino

Brian Feeley ’03, assistant vice president for University Advancement, welcomed students and their families to the 2024 Legacy Reception on May 23 in McKinnon Hall. As the class of 2024 piled into the reception with their families, Feeley thanked them for taking time out of their day to celebrate their identity as Elon University Legacy students. Legacy students are students who have a family member, or family members, who graduated from Elon. 

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NEWS 5/23/24 7:34pm

Photo Gallery: Class of 2024 school receptions

By Elon News Network

Elon University hosted receptions across campus on May 23 for class of 2024 graduates and their guests as an opportunity for friends and family to spend time with faculty and staff within their schools of education. Receptions were held for the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at LaRose Student Commons; the Elon College, College of Arts and Sciences at Lindner Patio; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business at the Chandler Fountain; and the School of Communications in the Snow Family Atrium.

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NEWS 5/23/24 4:03pm

¡Celebremos! charges Latinx/Hispanic graduates to take flight

By Ryan Kupperman

Class of 2024 graduates within Elon University’s Latinx and Hispanic communities took flight — embodying the Monarch Butterfly — at the ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight on May 23 in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms. The ceremony is an annual tradition to honor Latinx, Hispanic students that are graduating with bachelor's or master's degrees. The Monarch Butterfly was also adopted within the last couple of years as a symbol of spreading one’s wings and moving onto the next stage of life. Senior Manny Sanchez attended the ceremony, and said he was proud to be a part of and give back to the Latinx and Hispanic communities. 

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NEWS 5/23/24 3:31pm

New Title IX regulations coming to Elon University in fall 2024

By Avery Sloan

New Title IX regulations are coming to Elon, effective Aug. 1, according to an email from Megan Karbley, director of compliance and Title IX coordinator. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, according to the United States Department of Education’s website. Some key points of the new regulations are enhanced protection for pregnancy, mandatory reporting of sex and gender-based harassment and expansion of response options, Karbley wrote.

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NEWS 5/22/24 11:49pm

Senior Celebration lights up graduating class

By Mackenzie Giattino

The class of 2024 gathered at Rhodes Stadium on May 22 to celebrate their successes ahead of  graduation on May 24. Friends and family gathered to celebrate the graduating class — sharing food and laughter and ending the night with fireworks and dancing. Senior Dezirae Zaman said she is grateful that Elon gave her the opportunities to build long-lasting relationships throughout her time as a student. “The most rewarding part about Elon is all the people that I’ve met,” Zaman said. “I’m excited to just celebrate senior year with everybody here in one place. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

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NEWS 5/22/24 9:33pm

Elon University encourages graduate students to continue lifelong learning

By Avery Sloan

If a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle progressed at the rate of technology today, the car could drive a million miles per hour, Andre Valcour, the graduate commencement address speaker, said. Valcour said because of how quickly technology is progressing, the only way to keep up is to continue aspiring to learn. Held on May 22, the commencement ceremony recognized graduates of Elon’s six graduate programs — masters of science in accounting and in business analytics, master of business administration, masters of arts in interactive media and higher education and master of education.

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NEWS 5/22/24 3:56pm

Elon University celebrates success of first-generation seniors, people who supported their growth

By Avery Sloan

When Gisselle Garcia-Jose was a freshman in high school, she did not believe she would be able to attend college. Now, as a first-generation, graduating senior and student keynote speaker at the first-generation stole ceremony, she said she is filled with gratitude for those who supported her and hopes to inspire others to achieve their dreams. During the ceremony on May 22, 36 first-generation, graduating seniors were recognized and presented with stoles by Elon mentors or friends. This event recognized students who are the first in their family to obtain a higher degree.

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NEWS 5/21/24 11:41pm

Class of 2024 Baccalaureate ceremony emphasizes diversity in community

By Ruth Cruz

The class of 2024 gathered Under The Oaks to celebrate their Elon University achievements at the 2024 Numen Lumen Baccalaureate ceremony on May 21. It was there where seniors participated in the annual tradition of lighting candles and receiving oaks saplings. Senior Jillian Shor shared a powerful sentiment from the Jewish community during the event — a prayer known as the Shehechiyanu. This is a Jewish tradition that explores blessings and gratitude. Shor said this was a great way to show her appreciation for the Elon community, which has helped her to build new friendships, embrace her identity in the Jewish community and become the best version of herself.

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LIFESTYLE 5/21/24 9:07pm

Limelight Records hosts first ‘Limeys’ to celebrate student artists at Elon University

By Sarah T. Moore

Heels clicked against the pavement as students entered the College Taphouse. As attendees entered the building, they were greeted with a red carpet and signage for the “Limeys” — Limelight Records first formal award ceremony. Senior Juliana Kuhno, who is Limelight’s vice president of promotions, said the label wanted to create a “Grammy-esque” event highlighting the work of student artists. In between announcing the awards, the event included performances from Limelight artists North Towards Home, Ali and Andi, Meenali Dream, Wisteria, Thistle Ridge Band, prettylarceny, Yards Davis Band and a closing set from The Germaniacs.

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NEWS 5/20/24 2:28pm

Elon community service officer dies at 43 years old

By Ryan Kupperman

Elon Community Service Officer Monte Markley died on May 18 at 43 years old, according to an email sent out to the Elon community by University President Connie Book. Markley is survived by her mother Lynn Cobb, her father Harold Prince, her husband Wade and her sister Amanda Kilcrease. Markley was also preceded in death by her son James Lee Yancey Markley. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 1 at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington. People may also show their support by purchasing and planting a memorial tree in Markley’s honor.

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NEWS 5/20/24 11:56am

Barry ‘Mr. Elon’ Bradberry retires after 48-year legacy

By Aidan Powley

Barry Bradberry’s journey to Elon dates back to his high school years when his principal Jeff Davis — class of 1950 Elon graduate — encouraged him to apply. Bradberry joined Elon’s Office of Admissions officially as a counselor soon after his Elon graduation with the class of 1975 and ends his 48-year career at Elon as associate dean of admissions. When Bradberry first joined admissions staff, total university enrollment had just passed 2,000 students with a graduating class of 400 students. As of the 2023-24 registrar's report, Elon’s total enrollment numbers have surpassed 7,200 and the graduating class amounts to over 1,500 students.

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NEWS 5/19/24 5:44pm

Eggs thrown at pro-Palestinian, Elon apartment in Mill Point

By Fiona McAllister

Elon senior Lauren Hill woke up the morning of May 14 to discover broken egg shells and egg yolk all over her Mill Point front porch. Being a part of the Students for Peace and Justice, Hill had hung up many posters with slogans such as “Stand with Palestine. End the occupation now,” “Lead with love. Eyes on Rafah” and “Liberation for all requires resistance from all.” Hill and the SPJ had created these posters for their peaceful walk on May 7. Following the incident, Hill filed a report to campus police — who later discovered it was one individual who will remain unnamed.

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