Ben Donahue

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NEWS 10/26/12 10:40am

Seniors prepare for life after graduation with transitional courses

By Ben Donahue

Elon University seniors and freshmen have one thing in common: classes designed to prepare students for the next chapter of their lives. Elon has long emphasized transitions in and out of collegiate life, according to Pam Brumbaugh, director of experiential education. Brumbaugh, who has maintained her role at Elon since 1987, said courses that assist students in adjusting — whether coming or leaving — have been around since she started working at the university.

NEWS 9/27/12 5:08pm

Post 9-11 documentary seeks to lessen stereotyping

By Ben Donahue

In the wake of a tragic event, the dominant population often determines the face of the enemy. A documentary titled Divided we Fall: Americans in the Aftermath, which was screened at Elon University Monday, addresses how Americans identify those affiliated with terrorism and how such stereotypes perpetuate violence in the nation. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, people in the United States began to associate turban-wearing Americans with religious extremism.

NEWS 9/21/12 5:29pm

‘Living on One’ highlights hardships of poverty

By Ben Donahue

Inside the brightly painted old school bus that rolled onto Elon University’s campus Sept. 17, there was a four-person team ready to deliver their documentary, “Living on One.” Elon is the first stop in a screening tour of twenty other schools across the United States. To better understand the reality of stark poverty, Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci, students from Claremont McKenna College, led a team to the rural Guatemalan village of Pena Blanca in 2010. “We were economics majors and had heard of these issues but decided to experience it firsthand,” Temple said. Temple and Ingrasci enlisted the help of their friends, Sean Leonard and Ryan Christoffersen, in the project.

NEWS 9/11/12 11:53am

Students, faculty adjust to Moodle’s new features

By Ben Donahue

This year’s course management system—the tool used by professors and students for classwork and announcements—has changed from Blackboard to Moodle. Faculty members began familiarizing themselves with the new platform as early as fall 2011. “Overall, the experience has been positive,” said Chris Fulkerson, assistant vice president for technology.

NEWS 8/31/12 11:46am

Construction provokes changes to dining schedule, facilities

By Ben Donahue

As a result of the demolition of Harden Dining Hall, formerly located in North Area, some changes have been made to accommodate students’ dining needs during the fall semester. A new dining hall, Lakeside, is currently under construction. Lakeside Dining Hall will be attached to Moseley Center adjacent to Lake Mary Nell.

NEWS 5/7/12 9:10pm

Burlington's Relay for Life looks for increased awareness from Elon students

By Ben Donahue

In 1985, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon ran all day and night to raise money to fight cancer. The run spawned the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Currently, there are relays across the United States, all with the goal to procure funds for cancer treatment and research. This year’s local relay will be held at the Burlington City Recreation and Park May 18.

NEWS 3/6/12 5:56pm

Bringing the farm home: Agricultural campaign produces local partnership

By Ben Donahue

Local farmers have a hand in Dining Services. Elon University adopted the 10 Percent Campaign, a state-wide initiative establishes trade agreements between local farmers and businesses. Businesses involved in the program pledge to purchase a minimum of 10 percent of all food locally, which largely determines from where and from whom the university purchases produce. Fresh produce is an important aspect of Elon Dining Service’s involvement in the 10 Percent movement, according to Kate Nelson, marketing manager for Elon Dining Services. “You not only get a closer relationship with those growing your food, but you get to know about how that food is produced and the values that the farmer lives by,” said Michelle Ferrier, associate professor of communications and the creator of locallygrownnews.com, a site devoted to sharing and promoting local food experiences. The relationships between local farmers and the university produce environmental benefits as well, according to Ferrier.

NEWS 3/6/12 4:04pm

Distinguished visiting professor champions passion as life’s guide

By Ben Donahue

Judith Jamison, dancer and choreographer, addressed a fully-seated auditorium with an informal speaking style, advising the primarily student-based audience to live passionately. Passion has been her guideline to success as a leader, she said. “The people that make a difference are not always visionaries, but people that passionately and vehemently believe in what they are doing,” Jamison said. Too often people are fixed on goals they are not truly passionate about, she said. “I know it looks good on paper, but how does it really feel?” she asked.

NEWS 2/28/12 8:14pm

Guest speaker shares journey to self-acceptance

By Ben Donahue

Roger Sneed described himself as a very angry undergraduate. “I kept encountering these sometimes catastrophic collisions with race and religion and sexuality,” he said in regards to multiple life experiences, especially those during his years in college. Sneed, who teaches religion at Furman University, spoke in Belk Library Feb.

NEWS 2/27/12 12:14pm

Exploring an Organization

By Ben Donahue

One of my stories of this week led me to attend my first SPECTRUM event. SPECTRUM, Elon's gay-straight alliance, is one of those clubs I overzealously subscribed to in the midst of the sensory overload of my first Elon organizational fair.

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NEWS 11/25/2024 4:41pm
North Carolina Student Legislature empowers students to shape state politics

The North Carolina Student Legislature is a nonprofit organization that gives students firsthand experience of the legislative process at Elon University. Through debates, students enhance their public speaking skills and work on real-world policy ideas. Junior Eva Farmer, who serves as the vice president of Elon’s NCSL, explained that members bring resolutions to meetings — written proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones — sparking debates among the group.  Every Monday, NCSL holds meetings where members propose resolutions on various topics, ranging from education to abortion and other pressing issues. 

SPORTS 11/24/2024 7:17pm
Women’s basketball player looks to build off successful freshman campaign

Within team environments, there has to be a leader to step up to the task. Sophomore Maraja Pass said she hopes to step up to the role this season. Pass, coming off of an extremely strong freshman season, found herself on the Coastal Athletic Association All-Rookie team. She also earned three CAA Rookie of the Week honors. The 5-foot-4 guard averaged 8.6 points per game, along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists across 30 games played. She led all CAA freshmen in assists. She found her career high in points in a game against Marshall last December where she notched 21 points for the Phoenix.

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