The Magazine of Elon Spring 2015 by University Communications

SPRING 2015

I AM ELON BY KIM WALKER

Kathleen Hupfeld does not like to be idle. In addition to her rigorous coursework and research, the junior from Maryland has been volunteering continually since junior high school. The list is long: stroke rehabilitation, Special Olympics, Best Buddies, tutoring and therapeutic horseback riding, to name a few. “I really enjoy being busy and using all my time as effectively as I can,” she says. “These are all things I really enjoy, so it’s never like work.”

Kathleen, an exercise science major with minors in neuroscience and psychology, is well acquainted with hard work. She is the Kenan Scholar in her Honors Fellows class, which qualifies her for a fulltuition scholarship. The opportunities to engage with faculty to do in-depth research played a large role in her choosing to attend Elon, and she is conducting neuroscience research in brain stimulation with her mentor, Associate Professor of Exercise Science Caroline Ketcham.

Watch the full story at

elon.edu/magazine She plans to use her Elon education as preparation to study physical therapy, a topic that has fascinated her since she was a young teen. “I was in physical therapy for a soccer injury in middle school,” she says. “After my therapy, I began volunteering locally in rehabilitation, and that eventually led me to an exercise science major.” Her friends would call her “crazy busy,” but she maintains she just likes to use her abilities to help others. And volunteering has a positive effect on her as well, particularly her involvement with Elon’s Best Buddies program. “I’ve learned a lot from Harrison Hill, my buddy, as well as the others. He is one of the happiest people I’ve ever met. He thoroughly enjoys his life, and he’s completely unafraid to be himself.” Kathleen is Elon. Visit elon.edu/magazine to see more of her story, part of our “I Am Elon” multimedia series featuring Elon students in their own words.

CONTENTS T M of E |  

APPETITE FOR SUCCESS BY KYRA GEMBERLING ’14

A seasoned traveler and dedicated environmentalist, Colby Halligan ’15 has overcome personal loss to challenge world hunger.

THE FRUIT OF HIS LABOR BY STEPHANIE BUTZER ’14

Dominic Barrett ’06 is growing more than food at Shalom Farms in Virginia: He’s tackling hunger from the ground up.

THE SPANISH INFLUENZA BY ERIC TOWNSEND

One of the most devastating epidemics in modern history swept across the United States during 1918-19, leaving a half million people dead, including three Elon students.

22 COVER STORY

THE ROAD TO MODERN ADMISSIONS BY KATIE DEGRAFF & KEREN RIVAS ’04

It takes more than a brochure to attract today’s prospective students, and colleges and universities across the country, including Elon, are taking note.

DIGGING FOR ANSWERS BY ROSELEE PAPANDREA

For almost 20 years, Elon archaeologist Rissa Trachman has been investigating a Maya site in Belize, debunking Hollywood stereotypes along the way.

IN THE SEARCHLIGHT BY KEREN RIVAS ’04

After seven years doing publicity work for Fox Searchlight Pictures, Michelle Matalon Delgado ’07 is comfortable taking the spotlight on her own terms.

2 Under the Oaks 11 Long Live Elon 13 Phoenix Sports

15 Point of View 31 Alumni Action 35 Class Notes

Cover illustration: Garry Graham, Carmenvgri | Dreamstime.com

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▶ from the PRESIDENT

Gerry Francis: a great leader and friend

I facebook.com/leomlambert twitter.com/headphoenix

want to devote my column this issue to pay tribute to Gerald L. Francis, who is retiring from full-time work at Elon this spring after 41 years of service. During that time, he’s served as executive vice president, provost, vice president and dean of academic affairs, associate dean of academic affairs, and professor of mathematics and computing sciences. Gerry came to Elon in 1974 as an assistant professor of mathematics. As a faculty member, he was a winner of the Daniels-Danieley Award for Excellence in Teaching and also a recipient of the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics outstanding leadership award. Gerry has been nothing short of a transformational figure in Elon’s history. When we dedicated the Gerald L. Francis Center in his honor in 2012, I reflected on his special qualities that were instrumental both to his personal success and to Elon’s success. I have modified my remarks below to share them with you: I believe Gerry’s most outstanding leadership quality is his trustworthiness. I learned early on that one of Gerry’s most oft-repeated expressions in concluding a meeting is, “Gotcha covered.” You can take that word to the bank. He keeps

his promises, is unfailingly diligent in following through and treats every person with respect and fairness. The fact is, Gerry built up so much trust over so many years with so many people that, we, the people of Elon, gained confidence to take smart and calculated risks, to dream to be great and to believe that we would be successful. Second, Gerry possesses managerial brilliance. Moving athletics to NCAA Division I. Beginning a law school. Pursuing the highest professional accreditation for each professional school. Beginning a new graduate program in physical therapy. Building more than a hundred new buildings. Do you have any idea how complicated any one of these projects is? In any given year, Gerry was balancing five or six. Gerry thrives on thinking through the intricacies of these ventures with deans and directors, faculty, staff and trustees. His collaboration with Gerald Whittington, who is, in my estimation, one of the finest chief financial officers in all of higher education, has been a rare and special partnership to behold. And it should never be forgotten that Gerry did all of these things informed by the experience of being a great teacher and professor at Elon. Third, Gerry has a remarkable gift to bring people with competing points of view together for the overall good of the institution. Gerry is that metaphorical drop of oil that unsticks our institutional machinery on occasion. Through a combination of charm and humor, and appeals to our better natures, Gerry brings us together to accomplish great things. The polarized world we live in today would be a much more constructive and productive place if there were more people like Gerry Francis around. In sum, he is as good of a man as you will find anywhere, and it has been one of my life’s great privileges to serve Elon alongside him.

{ Gerry Francis at Elon’s 1986 Commencement ceremony }

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Fortunately, Gerry will remain closely involved in Elon. He and his wife, Laine, will continue to reside in Burlington, and Gerry has agreed to take on a special

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Zac Walker ’ elected Elon life trustee

he Elon University Board of Trustees has elected longtime board member Zachary “Zac” Walker III ’60 to serve as a life trustee. He has been an Elon trustee since 1991 and has served as board chair, vice chair and founding chair of the athletics policy committee. The Walker Room and Terrace in Alumni Field House, the Walker-Chandler Lounge at Rhodes Stadium and Zac Walker Drive at the North Athletics Complex have all been named in recognition of his generosity. Zac and his wife, Dot, have been devoted and passionate advocates for the university, carrying on the legacy of Elon pride established by Zac’s father, Zachary Walker Jr. ’30, a standout athlete, and Zac’s uncle, D.C. “Peahead” Walker, one of Elon’s all-time great coaches. The couple have endowed several scholarships at the university and generously supported many important university initiatives, including construction of the Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center, Rhodes Stadium, Alumni Field House and Hunt Softball Park. In recognition of their support, Zac and Dot have been awarded Elon Medallions, the university’s highest honor for meritorious service by individuals. They have also been awarded the Alumni Distinguished Service to Elon Award and the Southern Conference Distinguished Service Award. Walker is the seventh board member elected life trustee. Previously elected life trustees include Barbara Bass ’61, James Maynard, Wallace Chandler ’49, Dr. James Powell, Warren “Dusty” Rhodes and the late Robert LaRose ’66.

part-time assignment for Elon consulting with the AlamanceBurlington School System to assist with strategic planning, a project in which the university has a great stake, because the success of public schools is key to the health of our broader community and nation. This spring when we were paying tribute to his career at the Board of Trustees meeting, Gerry commented that it is a great privilege in life when your colleagues are also your friends. I could not agree more. When you see or talk to Gerry next, please take a moment to thank him for dedicating his career to Elon and for being such a good friend to so many of us. Leo M. Lambert President

{ Zachary “Zac” Walker III ’ & his wife, Dot. }

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UNDER THE OAKS The Magazine of Elon   | . , .  The Magazine of Elon is published quarterly for alumni, parents and friends by the Office of University Communications. © , Elon University ED I TO R

Keren Rivas ’ D E SI G N ER S

Garry Graham Bryan Huffman PH OTO G R A PH Y

Kim Walker ED I TO R I A L S TA FF

Holley Berry Katie DeGraff Roselee Papandrea Eric Townsend CO N T R I B U TO R S

Belk Library Archives and Special Collections Kaitlin Dunn ’ Sarah Mulnick ’ V I C E PR E SI D EN T, U N I V ER SI T Y CO M M U N I C AT I O NS

Daniel J. Anderson ED I TO R I A L O FFI C E S

The Magazine of Elon  Campus Box Elon, NC - () - elon.edu/magazine

SUPPORTING STUDENTATHLETES Elon’s eighth annual The Night of the Phoenix event in February raised a record $164,300 for student-athletes.

rganized by the Phoenix Club Advisory Board and Elon’s Department of Athletics, the evening event featured a silent auction, remarks by senior women’s basketball player Zora Stephenson and an appearance by Elon student-athletes who filled the room to thank those in attendance for their support. “It was outstanding to see so many people from the Elon community enjoying friendship while coming together to support the education and experiences of our student-athletes,” Dave Blank, director of Elon athletics, said. The event also featured entertainment by improvisational Paintjam performer Dan Dunn, who has made appearances on the Super Bowl pregame show and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Dunn’s paintings included a portrait of Elon President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 waving his signature towel at a basketball game. In the past eight years, the event has raised more than $900,000 in annual scholarship support for the Phoenix Club.

B OA R D O F T R US T EE S, C H A I R

Dr. William N.P. Herbert ’

Charlottesville, Va.

ELO N A LU M N I B OA R D, PR E SI D EN T

Shannon Moody ’

Richmond, Va.

YO U N G A LU M N I CO U N C I L , PR E SI D EN T

Scott Leighty ’

Charlotte, N.C.

PA R EN T S CO U N C I L , CO  PR E SI D EN T S

Owen & Beth Dugan ’ ’

Wellesley, Mass.

SCHO OL OF L AW ADV ISORY BOARD, CHAIR

David Gergen

Cambridge, Mass.

S C H O O L O F CO M M U N I C AT I O NS A D V IS O RY B OA R D, N AT I O N A L C H A I R

Brian Williams ’

New Canaan, Conn.

S C H O O L O F CO M M U N I C AT I O NS A D V IS O RY B OA R D, C H A I R

Michael Radutzky ’ ’ Summit, N.J.

M A R T H A A N D SPEN C ER LO V E S C H O O L O F B USI N E SS A D V IS O RY B OA R D, C H A I R

William S. Creekmuir ’ ’

Atlanta, Ga.

PH O EN I X C LU B A D V IS O RY B OA R D, C H A I R

Mike Cross

Burlington, N.C.

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lon’s nationally ranked part-time MBA program will offer students the option to complete their degree on Elon’s campus, in Research Triangle Park or a combination of both locations. Beginning this fall, courses and electives will be offered at The Solution Center, a corporate meeting facility in Research Triangle Park. Classes will be offered in a face-to-face classroom setting by the same Elon faculty who teach on campus. The emphasis remains on small class sizes, engaged learning and a focus on the transfer of course content to practical application.

MBA PROGRAM EXPANDS TO RTP

“Elon’s presence in RTP provides professionals in the Triangle all of the benefits of our nationally ranked part-time MBA program with the added convenience of completing their degree in the same area where they live and work,” said Raghu Tadepalli, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. The cost is the same as on-campus courses and a shared application for admission is accepted for both locations. Classes will meet one night per week and students can move through the program at their own pace.

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SOLAR POWER A

15-acre solar farm has been constructed on the Loy Farm area of campus. Located along South Oak Avenue just east of Magnolia Cemetery, the system, which includes 9,900 photovoltaic panels, will generate about 4,500 megawa hours of electricity annually that will be sold to Duke Energy and benefit the region’s power grid. Loy Farm includes the Elon Environmental Center, a research facility for the university’s academic programs that features a greenhouse, agricultural plots, a responsible architecture studio and a composting facility. At the solar farm, students will have the opportunity to study the equipment, operation and its economic model. This clean energy source will provide enough electricity to power about 415 homes, and represents more than 10 percent of the university’s electrical consumption on an annual basis. The use of solar energy will avoid creation of carbon dioxide emissions totaling more than 2,100 metric tons annually, the equivalent of pollution produced by about 450 cars. The project is being funded by Loy Farm Solar llc, which is leasing the property from Elon University for 20 years, and is part of a growing national effort to develop clean energy sources.

SPORTS HALL OF FAME HONORS

Elon women’s basketball head coach and former University of North Carolina women’s basketball standout Charlotte Smith has been selected as one of  members of the  class of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Perhaps best known for her buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave UNC the national crown in the  NCAA Championship game, Smith is the most decorated player in North Carolina history and one of only two UNC women’s basketball players to have had her jersey retired. Smith is in her fourth season as the head coach of the Phoenix program. She coached the maroon and gold to a - record this year, including an - record during its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association, and took the team to its first appearance in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament and third overall post-season appearance at the Division I level. The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, which inducted its first class in , celebrates excellence and extraordinary achievement in athletics.

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“The world’s oceans aren’t an endless source of food. As our population grows, we place more and more pressure on limited resources. Many species, especially the ones I interact with, are certainly very overfished and overexploited. And we know so little about them … Without knowledge, you can’t have sustainable management.” —Marine wildlife artist and conservation activist Guy Harvey on Feb.  accepting the Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

HISTORIC CLASS

hirty-seven candidates in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program received degrees during a March ceremony in Whitley Auditorium, becoming the first class in the new graduate program to join the alumni ranks. The graduation ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the charter class and marked the realization of a dream several years in the making, Provost Steven House told the family and friends who came to support the graduates. “In 2008 Dean Elizabeth Rogers and I dreamed of creating a PA program,” he said. It took years of work by a lot of people but it eventually became a reality. As part of the ceremony, Assistant Professor Melissa Murfin recognized the partnership between the class and the Open Door Clinic, a free medical facility that offers health care and medications to qualified patients living in Alamance County, N.C. The clinic relies heavily on volunteer assistance from community practitioners, and the charter class of the Elon PA Student Society chose it as its designated philanthropic organization, an example followed by the second and third PA classes. In his charge, President Leo M. Lambert acknowledged the significance of what the class has already accomplished, describing it as the result of what can happen when engaged learning and compassionate care come together. “Elon is justly proud of the PA program and this historic charter class,” he said. “As a charter class, you’ve forged vital new ground for Elon.”

“School should train you to be curious, so that when you graduate, and you have that curiosity, you’ll continue to learn for the rest of your life. That’s what education should be.” —Astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson on April  during Elon’s Spring Convocation.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Senior Al Drago was named student photographer of the year by the White House News Photographers Association as part of its  “Eyes of History” student still photography contest. Drago, the chief photographer for “Elon Local News” and former photo editor for The Pendulum, was invited to the association’s annual “Eyes of History” gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.

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Students Bennett Driscoll, Giles Roll, Jensen Roll and Matthew Snow are among the newest cohort of American college students named to the Epicenter University Innovation Fellows program, managed by the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation at Stanford University. The program empowers students to become agents of change at their schools.

Seniors Wilson Hester and Peter Walpole led a team of Elon students and alumni to create a commercial for Everlast that the company promoted and praised on social media. The one-minute video, which mirrors Everlast’s “Greatness is Within” marketing campaign, gained more than , views in its first  hours on the company’s Facebook page.

Senior Ashley Edwards, a student ambassador for the Office of the Registrar, has been awarded the first Southern Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Student Pre-Professional Scholarship. The , scholarship was established to assist undergraduate students in attending the association’s annual conference.

CAMPUS

UNCOMMONS

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BY KEREN RIVAS ’04

Growing up in a landlocked Midwestern town, Lee Bush yearned to live near the ocean. So when the opportunity came  years ago to join Elon’s faculty and move to the East Coast, the associate professor of communications didn’t think twice. Before she found her home near campus, she bought a small house in Wilmington, N.C. So began her love affair with surfing. It didn’t take long for her hobby to turn into her scholarship, either. When she signed up for an adult surfing summer camp (“adult,” she discovered, meant  years and older), she was the only adult female in the group. When she begun surfing on her own, she

started noticing some aggressive behaviors from younger male surfers—getting cut off and fighting for waves—and being treated with indifference at surf shops. Intrigued, she conducted an ethnographic study. As it turns out, she wasn’t the only female surfer out there—she was just surfing at the wrong time and place—nor the only one having to fight for the waves. Part of the indifference at shops, she discovered, was because she was a “kook,” surfer lingo for newbie. The actions in the water, however, had more to do with the different surfing styles of men and women, and a need from younger surfers to perform or demonstrate their abilities. When Bush started surfing with other women, she found her comfort zone, and a different approach to making the best out of her time in the water. She might not be an excellent surfer, but that doesn’t really matter. She surfs because it brings her joy. It’s easy to see that in her eyes when she talks about it. “Surfing is  percent paddling and waiting, and  percent riding the waves,” she says. “That’s a pretty good metaphor for life. You paddle and you wait and if you’re lucky, you get to ride a wave for  seconds. Then you go out and try it again.” What faculty or staff member do you think is uncommon? Send a suggestion to themagazineofelon@gmail.com.   7

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In the shadows of history

FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Earlier this year, Associate Professor Kenn Gaither found himself standing in a South Carolina courtroom. He was there to become part of a pivotal chapter in the American Civil Rights Movement his father had fostered  years earlier.

Associate Professor of History Michael Matthews is the inaugural recipient of Elon’s Stella S. and John C. O’Briant Developing Professorship in History. The award, which supports ongoing scholarly projects that shape the way professors teach and inspire their students, will assist Matthews with two book projects: a history of the working-class and opposition press in Porfirian Mexico—the period between -—and a cultural history of love and courtship during the same era. Elon faculty members Amy L. Allocco and Patrick Harman have received Fulbright awards. Allocco, the university’s distinguished emerging scholar in religious studies, will conduct ethnographic fieldwork to achieve a better understanding of Hindu practices in modern India. Harman, an adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science and Policy Studies, will travel to the United Kingdom next year to research how the British invest in community improvement projects compared to American renewal efforts. Four professors in the arts and sciences have published books. Associate Professor Shawn Tucker in the Department of Art and Art History had an anthology published by Cascade Press. The Virtues and Vices in the Arts: A Sourcebook features images from medieval manuscripts and cathedrals, as well as works by artists like Mantegna and Paul Cadmus. Assistant Professor of French Sarah L. Glasco’s Parody and Palimpsest: Intertextuality, Language, and the Ludic in the Novels of Jean-Philippe Toussaint was published by Peter Lang. The book, Glasco’s first, explores how the popular Belgian author references literature and film in his novels to expose readers to other cultures. Associate Professor Sharon Spray and Professor Laura Roselle in the Department of Political Science and Policy Studies authored Research & Writing in Comparative Politics. The book covers topics including European, Russian, Latin American, Chinese, Asian, Middle Eastern and African politics, as well politics in the developing world. 8   of 

COURTESY OF NBC NEWS

hen field secretary for the Congress of Racial Equality, Thomas Gaither helped organize a group of young black men to sit and request service at a whites-only lunch counter in Rock Hill, S.C. It was Jan. 30, 1961, and their actions were to commemorate a Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in one year earlier in Greensboro, N.C. The group was quickly arrested and all but one refused to pay a $100 fine, opting instead to perform hard labor for a month. The men, who became

SYLLABUZZ

{ Below, Kenn Gaither & Friendship Nine member James Wells, also featured here (bottom left) with Thomas Gaither (far right). } known as the Friendship Nine, drew national attention with their “jail, no bail” strategy, which spread across the South, eventually placing incredible strains on local jails and providing another tool for nonviolent direct action protesters battling Jim Crow laws and institutional racism. On Jan. 28, the South Carolina courts formally vacated the men’s trespassing charges and offered an apology to the group amid a packed courtroom. All but one remain alive. The elder Gaither, a retired college professor now living in Pittsburgh, was unable to attend in person and asked his son and nephew to represent him. While the event was proclaimed as a clear sign of progress in the racial divide, Gaither pointed out there is still more to be done. “The story of the Friendship Nine is not finished; their actions are timeless, celebrating the triumph of human spirit over hate, bigotry and oppression,” Gaither later reflected on the experience. “The struggle for justice continues today so we can all have a seat at the lunch counter.”

BY ERIC TOWNSEND

GST  - France Today: Multiculturalism and the French-American Experience P OP QUIZ: Name the nation with the fifth largest economy on the planet. (Hint: It’s about the size of Texas.) Answer: France. Really? Oui. With an annual gross domestic product just shy of  trillion, France trails only the United States, China, Japan and Germany in global economic might. It ranks near the top of all major quality of life indices, notably health care and education. It’s also in a period of great social flux as African and Arab immigrants are changing France’s national identity. “France Today: Multiculturalism and the French-American Experience,” a spring semester course led by Assistant Professor Sarah Glasco, looks at the politics, culture, economics and religion of modern France, and there’s been no shortage of

current events that demonstrate the nation’s enduring cultural and political might. Take the January attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Terrorists killed  people and the incident sparked an international conversation on the rights of free speech and considerations of cultural sensitivity. Or consider the development of France’s universal health care system more than a decade ago and its influence on today’s health care debates in the United States. The class examines, and tries to decipher, the reasons for the stereotypes Americans and French have of each other—no, not all French people eat

ELON LAW RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCOLADES

wo national publications praised the Elon University School of Law for its innovative curriculum and approach to legal education. In a March article about law school innovations that are responsive to changing dynamics in law and legal education, U.S News & World Report described the school’s groundbreaking curriculum, which launches in the fall, as “one of the most radical reforms” this year. “The program will shift to trimesters so students graduate in two and a half years and can prep for the February bar exam and enter the job market in the spring,” the article explained. “The new curriculum is much more intentionally sequenced; shadowing a litigator leads to participation in moot court and then to a residency with a trial and appellate practice firm, for example.” The school was also highlighted on The National Jurist’s 2015 honor roll of best law schools for practical training. Schools were rated by the number of full-time students who take simulation courses, externships and clinics, or who participate in interschool skills competitions. Elon Law offers students an array of practical experiences, including externships, nationally competitive moot court and mock trial teams, a preceptor program providing an attorney mentor for each student, a leadership program and five clinics. As part of the redesigned curriculum, Elon Law will become the first law school to provide all students with full-time, course-connected residencies in practice.

cheese and smoke, and not all Americans are “stupid” and “fat”—by reading satirical vignettes and watching film clips. Students also explore the diversity of French culture and the complexity of Franco–American relations, both current and historical; colonization and immigration; the interconnectedness of socio-political, economic and educational systems; and globalization. Glasco intends for her course to teach students how to effectively express themselves on controversial topics, explore French points of view on issues of relevance to Americans, and make connections between the study of French culture and other academic disciplines, among other goals. “Unlike the U.S., where many Americans favor small government and individualism rules supreme, the thing that makes France work is centralization,” Glasco said. “And that’s a cultural thing. It is in their blood to do things for the common good.”

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR Sarah Glasco joined the Elon faculty in  and teaches courses on French language, literature and culture, and current events in the French and Francophone world. Her scholarly interests include immigration policy in France, intertextuality and global culture in the novels of Belgian author Jean-Philippe Toussaint.

RECOMMENDED READING • Stuff Parisians Like by Olivier Magny

Undergraduate

RESEARCH Participation in undergraduate research is growing throughout higher education. At Elon, students representing every undergraduate department engage in research or creative scholarship. It’s not surprising that the National Council on Undergraduate Research ranks the university among the nation’s top 57 colleges and universities “leading the way” in student participation. Below are figures from the past four years.

526

The number of students who have presented research and creative projects at national or international professional conferences, including 176 students who presented at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research.

$92,000

Money given to students in the form of grant-in-aid for research and creative scholarship.

186

The number of students who have participated in Elon’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.

The number of students who were awarded an endowed undergraduate research grant/scholarship, totaling $97,000.

• Shantytown Kid by Azouz Begag • Soccer Empire: The World Cup and the Future of France by Laurent Dubois • France on the Brink: A Great Civilization in the New Century (Second Edition) by Jonathan Fenby

775

The number of students who have participated in the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, Elon’s annual event recognizing faculty and undergraduate research.

kSource: Elon’s Undergraduate Research Program

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CAMPUS HAPPENINGS

calendar

PREVIEW

For a complete list of events, check the E-net calendar at elon.edu/e-net/calendar. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Senior Class Picnic with Faculty and Staff

A farewell picnic for all graduating seniors and Elon faculty and staff hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement. FRIDAY, MAY 22

Baccalaureate Message by the Rev. Luke A. Powery, dean of Duke Chapel at Duke University. FRIDAY, MAY 22

Legacy Reception for Graduates and their Alumni Parents, Grandparents and Siblings

{ The campus community gathered at a special College Coffee March 10. }

#ELONDAY reflects belief in Elon

onors around the world showed they “believe in Elon” on March 10, making the #ElonDay celebration the greatest day of giving in the university’s history. In all, donors contributed more than $702,000. The celebration in honor of Elon’s birthday received momentum early in the day from Elon Trustee Chris Martin ’78 P’13 and son Nick ’13, who made a $25,000 challenge gift to encourage strong alumni support. Kerrii Brown Anderson ’79, vice chair of the Elon University Board of Trustees, offered her own matching gift starting at a special livestreamed College Coffee, doubling all gifts to the university up to $100,000. The

early success prompted an additional challenge from Elon Parents Council members Cindy and Rob Citrone P’17, who pledged a $250,000 matching gift if 2,500 gifts were made by midnight. The 2,500th gift was made just after 11 p.m. by an anonymous donor. Other Elon Day events included an on-campus senior toast and birthday party, as well as Elon Law events and birthday parties hosted by Elon’s regional alumni chapters and clubs. On social media, #ElonDay received more than 4,000 mentions across all channels. See some of the photos shared that day on the inside back cover.

Alumni who are parents, grandparents or siblings of 2015 graduates are invited to this reception hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement.

2,703 $702,428 total gifts

total raised

SATURDAY, MAY 23

Commencement Under the Oaks Political commentator Charlie Cook P’15 will deliver Elon’s 125th Commencement address.

For more information about Commencement events, visit elon.edu/commencement. 10   of 

TOP 6 trending topic nationwide on Twitter

4,000+

#ElonDay mentions across all social media platforms

LONG LIVE ELON

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN UPDATE

{ A rendering of the new Communications quad framing Under the Oaks }

{ Karen Petersen Mehra and Sanjeev Mehra }

BY JALEH HAGIGH

he generosity of Elon parents continues to fuel the success of the campaign to expand facilities for the School of Communications. So far this spring, parents have contributed nearly $2.5 million in gifts, bringing the campaign total to $14.1 million toward the $15 million goal. Launched in October 2014, the campaign includes two new facilities and significant renovations to McEwen and Long buildings, creating an attractive communications quadrangle and entryway to campus. Paul Parsons, dean of the School of Communications, encouraged all alumni and parents connected to the school to participate in the campaign and help Elon reach the goal by May 31. “This expansion will benefit our students in dramatic ways by adding new teaching spaces, media labs, a two-story movie theater and an internship and career center, and by bringing all student media organizations together under one roof for the first time,” he said. “The support we have received so far has been incredible, but we’re not finished. We need more alumni and parents to participate to make this campaign a success.” Among the recent commitments is a $1.5 million gift from parents who wish to remain anonymous at this time. A prominent space within the new communications quadrangle will be named at a later date in recognition of this gift. Elon is grateful for this generous gift and the commitments from the following new donors to the campaign:

Ed and Jill Moriarty

(Far Hills, N.J.), whose gift will name a lab in honor of Ed’s mother, Virginia Hyde Moriarty, on the second floor of the new School of Communications building. The couple’s daughter, Meaghan, is an Elon senior and their son, Cole, is a first-year student. Ed Moriarty serves as an Elon trustee and is a former member of the President’s Advisory Council. “I’m a big believer in the importance of strong communication and writing skills,” Ed Moriarty said. “Being able to communicate with clarity, conciseness and accuracy is an important lifelong skill that is critical to success in any business. I’m also a big believer in Elon. Elon is surrounded by people who care about the institution and each other and success, and you see that in everything the university does.”

Sanjeev Mehra and Karen Petersen Mehra

(Greenwich, Conn.), whose gift was made through Goldman Sachs Gives. Their son, Devin, is an Elon junior. “We believe the School of Communications is a beacon of excellence, one of the many strengths at Elon,” the couple said. “The world of higher education is becoming more competitive and students are picking schools based on centers of excellence. Elon has identified the

School of Communications as one of those centers of excellence, and we felt this was a project that deserved our support.” The couple also made a gift to endow the Mehra Family Scholarship to assist Elon students from India, with preference given to students from The Doon School in Dehradun, India.

Mike and Meg Bruno (Armonk, N.Y.), whose commitment will name the dean’s suite in the new facility. The couple are members of Elon’s Parents Council. Their daughter, Price, is a junior. Michael McGee and Olga Castellanos (San Marino, Calif.), whose gift will name the first-floor conference room in the new facility. Their daughter, Kristen, is a sophomore. The couple are members of the Parents Council. Brian and Debbie Domeck (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), whose daughter, Jane, is a junior.

Steven and Francine Kyriakos (New Canaan, Conn.), who are parents of Anjelique, an Elon senior, and Elena, a first-year student. Anne Stark Locher and Kurt Locher (Larchmont, N.Y.), who are parents of Will Stark, an Elon junior.

To learn more about the campaign and make a gift, go to elon.edu/communicationscampaign.   11

LONG LIVE ELON

making a difference

‘It’s the personal touch’

{ Left: Demus Thompson ’64, who has established a scholarship at Elon in honor of his wife. Above: A photo of Thompson with U.S. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson during his visit to campus in 1962 that President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 has kept in his office. }

BY MEGAN MCCLURE

emus Thompson ’64 admits five decades is plenty of time for a memory to fade. After all, a lot of life has unfolded since Thompson embarked on his collegiate days at Elon in the early 1960s. But there is one Elon memory in particular that still brings excitement to Thompson’s voice. Consider for a moment the jitters and the excitement that accompany a typical student’s first days on a college campus. Add to that the apprehension of being older than the average first-year student (Thompson enrolled at Elon after serving four years in the United States Air Force). Now imagine your professor, who also happens to be president of the college, singling you out on the first day of class for a verbal pop quiz in front of your peers. While Thompson can’t recall the exact details of the professor’s question, you can still hear the relief in his voice today as he reports being able to answer it correctly. More importantly, you get a sense of the fondness he has for that professor, President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46. The two still exchange Christmas cards some 55 years later.

12   of 

Those kinds of Elon relationships have figured prominently in a life lived well. Though years have passed since Thompson traded his native Alamance County for ocean views in Morehead City, N.C., where he owned Sound ’n Sea Real Estate for 35 years and is serving a fifth term as town councilman, Elon is never far from his heart or mind. He still returns to Homecoming most years to congregate with a group of 20 or so Sigma Phi Beta (now Sigma Phi Epsilon) brothers in a familiar parking spot behind Rhodes Stadium. Elon also played matchmaker for Thompson and his late wife, Ellen Burke Thompson ’63, who passed away in 2013. In the months that followed, Thompson could think of no better way to honor their shared history at Elon than by establishing a scholarship in Ellen’s name. The decision “demonstrates our feelings about Elon,” Thompson says. “That’s where we met and we were both from Alamance County. I felt like the best way to honor her would be a scholarship for an Alamance County person who deserved it and needed the help.” Thompson himself is no stranger to the difficulties many students face when paying for college.

As an undergrad, he worked constantly to keep up with costs, first selling shoes at a store on Main Street in Burlington and later working for the city’s recreation department. Eventually, he found a job at the local KayserRoth plant, where he worked every day from 1 p.m. “until the last trucks were loaded.” At one point, he had to sell his car to stay afloat, relying on Ellen for rides to and from campus and his job. He recalls several professors who came back to campus in the evenings to let him finish labs and other schoolwork. “It’s the personal touch that Elon has to this day that is almost beyond measure,” Thompson says. “I would say this is probably one of the reasons Elon is successful. It’s the friends we met on campus and the relationships we developed with professors that keep us all coming back and keep Elon foremost in our minds.” Learn more about how you can make a difference at Elon with a planned gift by contacting Carolyn DeFrancesco, director of planned giving, at (336) 278-7454 or cdefrancesco@elon.edu or by visiting elon.plannedgiving.org.

PHOENIX SPORTS

▶ elonphoenix.com

THE VALUE OF

{ Seniors Danielle and Chanelle Smith }

TWO BY SARAH MULNICK ’17

Seniors Chanelle and Danielle Smith have done a lot together over the four years they’ve been at Elon, from visiting Italy to playing on the same volleyball court. And while they’ve found their own paths, the twin sisters have remained close to each other—and they plan to keep it that way.

“

e would definitely call each other our best friend,” Danielle says. “We get along well and if we do fight, it’s just little things, where we’ll storm off into our room and two minutes later we’ll be like, ‘Hey girl, how are you?’” They came to Elon from Fayetteville, Ga., to play volleyball. The small, cohesive team at Elon appealed to them, as did the connections and support that was promised. Though their interests are very different outside of volleyball, they have maintained a steady presence in each other’s lives. “We have the same values,” Chanelle says. “That makes it easy to get along.” The camaraderie that the sisters share is apparent both off and on the court, where they just finished their final year. “It’s funny,” Chanelle says, “because we’re each other’s hardest critics, but we know what we mean to say, too. We don’t have a problem pointing out what went wrong but we can turn around and praise the good things right afterwards, too.” They balance each other out. Danielle admits she’s sort of the comedian on the team. “I’m very blunt,” she says. As for Chanelle, she tends to play the role of mediator. “She’ll jump in like, ‘This is what Danielle really meant to say,’” Danielle says with a laugh. The seniors have faced their share of struggles over the years, from family members passing away to coaching changes. Danielle and Chanelle persevered, they say, by relying on each other and the supportive team around them. “Our teammates are super understanding,” Chanelle says. “Our team does a good job of knowing when you’re upset— they just know something’s wrong.” Last fall was especially difficult when Danielle’s shin stress fracture prevented her from playing most of the season. “My first day of ever playing without Danielle was against Wake Forest this year,” Chanelle says. “Our coach pulled me aside to make sure I was OK. It was different, obviously. It’s { Danielle Smith ’ } doable, but I don’t like it.”

For all the negative moments, though, there have been some amazing ones. “We had a conference match at Davidson,” Chanelle says, tearing up. “And our younger brother, who’s at West Point, showed up and surprised us before the game.” Another memorable night came when Danielle was granted permission to play for Senior Night. “I didn’t get released to play until then, so being able to put my volleyball jersey on after two months of not playing was just so exciting,” she says. The sisters have forged their own lives at Elon, finding the passions that motivate them and allow them to pursue their dreams. Danielle majored in sport and event management with a minor in information sciences, and is pursuing coaching opportunities. Along with her sister, Danielle spent the last few years coaching for girls’ teams in Burlington and Greensboro. Chanelle worked at The Pendulum and Live Oak Communications and interned with SaraAnn Photography. She majored in strategic communications and minored in digital art, and while she’s received multiple job offers, she hasn’t decided which to accept. Whatever the future holds, they know at least one thing will stay the same: they’ve roomed together for the past four years, and plan to do so next year as well. For other pairs of twins already at Elon or considering the school, they have some advice: “Don’t look at the two of you as a pair,” Chanelle says. “You want people to know you for who each of you are individually.” Danielle cannot agree more. “Make yourself memorable. Get out there and do your own thing—that’s really easy to do while you’re at Elon.” { Chanelle Smith ’ }

  13

PHOENIX SPORTS

▶ elonphoenix.com

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEFAN FORTMANN BY KEREN RIVAS ’04

seasoned tennis player, senior Stefan Fortmann has proven he has what it takes to master the tennis court. The 2015 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, the South Africa native was also named first-team All-CAA in singles and first-team All-CAA in doubles this spring. During his first year with the Phoenix, he went 17-8 in singles action and began his sophomore season nationally ranked in singles. He’s been in the national rankings in both singles and doubles numerous times in his career and was ranked 33rd in the nation in doubles when he and Cameron Silverman ’14 earned a bid to the 2013 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championship. But there is much more to Fortmann than his accomplishments on the court. The media arts and entertainment major and psychology minor sat down with The Magazine of Elon to share five things about himself.

Tennis was not his first sport of choice. Having a golfer as a father, golf was the first sport he ever played. He played many other sports growing up but tennis is something he picked up by chance one year when he and his brother were looking for something to do during the holidays. Eleven years later, he found himself playing with the same coach, enjoying the game and getting better at it. From that point on, “I kind of just ran with that.”

14   of 

He came to Elon on a gut feeling. He knew he wanted to attend college and play tennis in the United States, but exactly where, he wasn’t sure. He had never before been to America, so he had to rely on what others told him. He worked with an international agency that provided a list of schools, which included Elon. He liked what he saw on the website and after talking to Head Men’s Tennis Coach Mike Leonard, the rest, as they say, was history. “Something about Elon just felt right,” he says. It still does.

He grew a mullet for three and a half years. Why, you may ask? “When I was a junior and senior in high school, there was a trend in South Africa for men to have mullets,” he says. Since his school didn’t allow male students to grow their hair long, he waited until he graduated to grow his. His plan was to have the longest mullet, but after going through a slump on the court, he decided to make some changes and on an impulse, he cut it off last year. His tennis eventually improved after the hair was gone. Coincidence?

He is a huge rugby fan. When he is not rooting for the Phoenix, Fortmann can be seen wearing a Springboks jersey. It’s one of the things that remind him of home, so he tries to catch as many games as he can, which can be challenging due to the different time zones. The one match he always watches? The Springboks against the New Zealand All Blacks. For the big games, he gets together in Raleigh with a group of expats he found on Facebook. “It’s one thing to watch a sport, it’s another to watch it with friends,” he says.

Photography is his passion and the outlet he wants to use to change the world. While he started pursuing photography in high school, his interest goes way back. In elementary school he was asked, “If you could be an object, what object would you be?” His answer was clear: A camera to capture all the beautiful moments in life. He takes that as a sign as he plans to pursue a career in wildlife or documentary photography to highlight some of the conservation issues confronting his homeland. “I could stay here and be very happy,” he says, “but that would be like running from the problems” back home. “I want to try to make a difference. … It’s something I’ll probably do for the rest of my life.”

When religion becomes a liability BY SHEREEN ELGAMAL

As a newcomer to the United States back in 1993, I was most comfortable and proud of my religious identity, which was clearly demonstrated in my Islamic attire. Having lived all my life in a Muslim-majority country, I was not sure what to expect with regards to religious perceptions and interactions.

he Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., presented me with my first interfaith involvement through a weekly gathering for international students and/or interested family members. For three years, I presented and answered questions on Islam while learning about various faith traditions. The overarching sense of mutual respect and appreciation made me look forward to the experience, publicize it among my social circle and recall it years later as a favorite memory. Little did I know, enjoying religious pluralism in such a peaceful and productive way would only last for a few short years before the narrative of my experience and my role as a Muslim in America would undergo major transformations. The effect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on American society quickly found its way to the simple and peaceful existence I had been enjoying within my communities. The framing of my interfaith involvements had to shift from one of sharing personal experiences of faith and spirituality to a focus on painful realities and popular claims. Reflections and exchanges on the value of work, education and self-discipline across faith traditions were replaced by discussions on concepts such as revenge or judgment in Islam. I found myself having to spend much more time explaining what Islam is not, rather than what it actually is, and it became necessary to read up on misconceptions just because such hearsay became the subject of frequently asked questions. This change came with a deep sense of loss as I missed the objective lens through which I was keen to present my religion, and the positive disposition and constructive approach that my involvements made possible for me. I had an urge to constantly remind those around me that I was the same person who had worked next to them in a Habitat build or walked with them in a Crop Walk not long ago. The issue of representation has also become problematic over the past 15 years or so. After 9/11, all Muslims were

suddenly lump-summed as one group and assumptions were made indiscriminately. Suspicious stares took the place of simple curious looks at my unfamiliar attire, and rude comments replaced polite inquiries. A casual hello from a passerby occasionally turned into shouts of “go home,” despite the fact that “home,” for me, was only two blocks away. Current events became a regular component of interfaith discussions and no matter how thoughtful my fellow participants are, they always seem to find the nature of some events and the religious background of the assailants somehow relatable to me. My thoughts and feelings on recent crises have become of high importance and only a few people seem to understand that no one person can represent a faith tradition or take responsibility for everything that is committed in its name. It has become inevitable that I always preface my contribution to a discussion by addressing the elephant in every room that witnesses a presentation or a dialogue of a religious nature. As I reflect on how things are and how they used to be, I recall a quote by Malcolm X that offers an eloquent representation of what fosters healthy and productive individuals and societies. “I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” The same sentiment is clearly expressed in verse 13 of Chapter 49 in the Qur’an: “O mankind, verily We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” I uphold tremendous value for a humanitarian bond that marginalizes national and religious affiliations and other differences. I believe it was meant for humans to live in varied geographic locations in diverse communities with different lifestyles, and that it is necessary they get to know one another. I am convinced that honor and status directly relate to what resides in one’s heart and that no individual can assess or judge others. That is a task for the Creator, who is all-knowing and all-aware. A Muslim born in Egypt who spent 28 years in that country, Shereen Elgamal is a lecturer of Arabic in Elon's Department of World Languages and Cultures.   15

APPETITE FOR SUCCESS A seasoned traveler and dedicated environmentalist, Colby Halligan ’ has overcome personal loss to challenge world hunger. BY KYRA GEMBERLING ’14

olby Halligan’s hands are dirty, and she’s completely fine with it. She didn’t used to be, though. Halligan, a senior environmental studies and public health studies major, spent most of her childhood working on farms in her hometown of Manchester Village, Vt., a small, rural town made up of a bustling organic farming community. She doesn’t like using gloves—she prefers to “really feel” the soil—so years of outdoor work has left traces of dirt permanently etched in her hands. During her first two years at Elon, she scrubbed them raw, embarrassed to shake the hand of a classmate or professor. Now, her seasoned hands are her greatest source of pride. Halligan’s passion for sustainable food production has taken her around the world in her time at Elon. She sampled the local cuisine and explored the diverse landscape of Vietnam. She lived and worked in a Maasai village for six months in Kenya. She spent last summer in Italy interning at a program that gives hands-on experience in organic farming—and her adventures are just getting started. “If I can travel the world and every grain in my hand can symbolize one person who is less hungry, what does that mean?” Halligan says. “If I can have all the soils of the world as grains in my hand, by the time I’m 80, a lot more people will be sated.”

Dealing with heartbreak The origins of her food fervor are characterized by both joy and heartache. Her mother, Whitney, was an executive chef in Boston and Cape Cod, Mass., before she and her husband, David, settled down in Manchester Village and had five children, of which Halligan is the third. Whitney maintained a sizable vegetable garden and was always making nutritious meals for her children, instilling in her daughter an appreciation for where her food came from and how it was prepared. Her father believes her love of food comes from 16   of 

her love for her mom. It also didn’t hurt that one of the family friends, Scout Proft, is an organic farmer with whom Halligan spent time growing up. “Colby became an everyday part of our family when she was in high school,” Proft says. Her son, Luen, is one of Halligan’s best friends. “She would come help out at the farm when she needed quiet from the intensity of her siblings.” Whitney was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, when Halligan was 16. She was given only three months to live, but fought for four years before passing away in January 2013. Colby, then an Elon sophomore, was on her Winter Term study abroad course in Vietnam when she died. “Deciding to go on the trip was a celebration of the connection I had with my mother,” she says. “We had a saying: ‘Point your finger in the direction that scares you the most and sprint towards it.’ I wanted to honor her resilience by doing just that, and at that time in my life, it was leaving the country for the first time and traveling to Vietnam. I knew she would be proud of me because so few people leave our little town.” When her parents dropped her off at the airport, she knew she wouldn’t see her mother again. “There was something beautiful about being able to say goodbye to her as I was embarking on my first international trip,” she says. “I think both of us knew it wouldn’t be my last.”

Becoming a globe-trotter They predicted correctly—Vietnam was just the beginning. She went on to spend fall semester of her junior year in Kenya and Tanzania studying wildlife management through the nonprofit School for Field Studies. She lived in a traditional Maasai boma, a village that typically consists of several mud huts surrounded by a fence. A sister wife and her family live in each hut, and one husband is married to each of the wives. All of the wives pitch in to feed and care for one another’s children. “It took some getting used to, but there was a very strong sense of sisterhood in my boma,”

Halligan says. “It really redefined what community means to me.” The physical demands of her stay were truly life altering. In addition to developing an intimate relationship with her home-stay family, she spent her days collecting basic necessities to survive. “It was incredibly intense to go from Elon and having everything you need at your fingertips to suddenly being like, ‘How am I going to carry all the water I need for a day on my back? How am I going to get enough calories to be able to sustain myself?’” she recalls. Upon her return to campus, Halligan added a huge success to her growing list of academic accomplishments. She was named a recipient of the 2014 Udall Scholarship, a national award that provided $5,000 in funding toward her studies and a four-day orientation in Tucson, Ariz., to hear from environmental public policy experts and elected officials. Halligan is the third Elon student to secure the Udall. But her success didn’t stop there. She was also named a recipient of the summer 2014 Spannocchia Internship, which gives young adults the chance to gain hands-on experience promoting sustainable agriculture on an 1,100-acre estate in northern Tuscany. More than 250 people from around the world applied for the seven available spots. The average age of interns is 25, making Halligan one of the youngest interns ever chosen. During the program, she performed more than 30 hours of manual labor each week while studying Italian and participating in educational presentations and field trips. “I was farming acres of a beautiful, three-terraced 18th century garden by myself for days at a time, all while under the supervision of a woman born and raised in northern Tuscany who didn’t speak any English,” Halligan says. “It was physically and mentally intensive, but for me, I really found out what I want to do and what type of woman I want to be.”

Looking to the future But the biggest challenge Halligan will face comes this summer after she graduates. She plans on moving to northern California to work as a research assistant to Ecology Action’s John Jeavons, who many consider to be the father of modern sustainable agriculture. His Grow Biointensive Sustainable Mini-Farming method is used in more than 140 countries, enabling small farmers to increase yields, build fertile soil up to 60 times faster than nature and use 66 percent less water per pound of food, compared with commercial practices. “Colby’s entire college career has been preparing her for this opportunity, and I couldn’t think of anyone more qualified for the job,” says senior Catherine Palmer, Halligan’s best friend at Elon. “Her passion for the earth and good food will fuel her work, and her eagerness to learn will make her an invaluable member of the team. This is the perfect launching pad for her career.” Halligan will work with Jeavons to create a new plot design aimed at satiating women during their pregnancies and lactation periods. She then hopes to compose a thesis based on her work to take to Stanford University and obtain a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in maternal nutrition and sustainable agriculture. “My biggest accomplishment will be to work with malnourished women and children to provide them the sustenance they need to live healthy and productive lives,” she says. “If we want to sustain life, we have to start with mothers.” As one could guess, this pursuit stems from Halligan’s intimate connection with her own mother, as well as her desire to be a mother someday. “Colby has a huge amount of empathy for others, and the loss of her mother was the most difficult thing she has had to face in her life,” her father says. “To her credit, Colby has used the experience to her advantage and has dedicated herself to travel and other pursuits, which her mother strongly encouraged her to do.” For Halligan, a future combating world hunger is her way of devoting her life to her mother’s memory. After all, to her, food is love, and working with food will always remind her of her mother’s unending compassion. “My papa says all the time, ‘You’re a Halligan, you don’t give up,’” she says. “My mother’s maiden name is Williams, so we also say, ‘You’re a Williams; you’re a warrior.’ I think I’m both—I’m a fighter and a warrior, and if I want to love as intensely as I can, I have to keep fighting. “You can’t witness my mother’s fight and not be inspired to live as wholeheartedly as you can.”   17

3,331

The number of young people who participated in education and volunteer experiences at Shalom Farms

8,468 The number of volunteer hours invested at the farm

THE FRUIT OF HIS LABOR BY STEPHANIE BUTZER ’14

Dominic Barre ’06 is growing more than food at Shalom Farms in Virginia: He’s tackling hunger from the ground up.

83%

8,202

The amount of fresh, local produce distributed free of charge across the Prescription Produce Plan sites *Based on  figures provided by Shalom Farms

The percentage of people who reported feeling healthier a er participating in the Prescription Produce Plan

ominic Barrett ’06 might not be an expert farmer, but that hasn’t deterred him from growing food—and growing lots of it. That food ends up in thousands of homes, but it all comes from one place: Shalom Farms, where Barrett is the executive director. The sustainable farm sits on six acres in Goochland, Va., and serves a momentous purpose in its surrounding communities. “We focus on increasing access to healthy food in lowincome communities in Richmond, as well as increasing the support to make that access useful and meaningful,” Barrett says. The farm was founded in 2008 and Barrett, who graduated from Elon in 2006 with degrees in broadcast journalism and nonviolence studies, joined the team two years later as its program director. A self-proclaimed “desk farmer,” his job allows him to move between various roles and observe the company’s mission from different angles. Among many duties, he leads programs that teach countless people about agriculture and organizes thousands of volunteers and visitors. The goal is to offer all who visit the farm hands-on education and experience in sustainable food production so they are active participants in bettering the area’s food system. In addition, he works with community leaders on hunger issues and in the communities Shalom Farms serves. “It’s important to me to be able to work on the ground in the community, looking at grassroots solutions, overcoming barriers and working with residents who are committed every day to finding a way to overcome these challenges and barriers, but also to get to work on the policy end of stuff, too,” he says. The farm grows potatoes and vegetables and raises chickens destined for Richmond’s food deserts. Barrett tries to steer clear of that term because he believes it has a negative connotation that adds stigma to the neighborhoods that are often already marginalized. Healthy food gaps, as he prefers to call them, are low-income areas that provide little access to healthy and fresh food. Barrett credits his staff, including farm manager Steve Miles, who oversees farm operations, for their success so far. Last year, the farm grew and distributed 95,000 pounds of food—roughly 250,000 servings—to those areas with the help of volunteer groups. The food is split up into roughly three parts, with a third going to FeedMore, one of the largest food banks in the mid-Atlantic; a third going to Shalom Farms’ partners in the community; and the remaining third distributed in the farm’s programs. Those programs include the Youth-Run Farm Stand, which allows kids to

20   of 

THE FRUIT OF HIS LABOR

“It’s important to me to be able to

work on the ground in the community ... but also to get to work on the policy end of stuff, too.”

provide direct food access in their neighborhoods, and the Prescription Produce Plan, which includes weekly deliveries of fresh produce from the farm and education about overcoming preventable illnesses associated with unhealthy diets. 

Even before joining Shalom Farms, Barrett has focused on enhancing the community and those around him. After graduating from Elon with a broadcast communications degree, he did a year in the AmeriCorps working in Washington, D.C., with Ashoka, one of the largest global social entrepreneurship organizations. Fascinated by the concept of social entrepreneurship, Barrett decided to learn as much as he could about the hybrid models that take the best of nonprofit work and ethics and the best of full-profit business models and strategy to create enterprises for social good. Not long after that, he took up a position with the Palmetto Project in Charleston, S.C., where he ran four programs, chaired South Carolina’s only immunization coalition and helped get uniquely designed laptops to elementary schools in rural and impoverished parts of the state. He left that job with a wide set of skills he was able to perfect at Shalom Farms. While Barrett works mostly behind the scenes, his work has not gone unnoticed. He was named one of Bread of the World’s 75 Hunger Justice Leaders Under 30 in 2010 and one of Elon’s Top 10 Under 10 Alumni in 2012. Rob Kiser, one of Barrett’s close friends and fellow Class of 2006 alumnus, says Barrett has always been an outgoing, bold and altruistic

person. “It’s very clear that if he thinks you have the means, you should be doing what you can to help other people,” Kiser says. “It’s difficult to be around someone like that and not be more confident in yourself.” It’s an unintended effect from a man whose main purpose is to help those around him. Besides his work at the farm, Barrett is also active in the Richmond community. He volunteers monthly with the YWCA’s domestic violence and sexual assault response program and is a Big Brother in the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He has also provided leadership on several local and regional food access initiatives, including being a director of the Virginia Food System Council. He says his involvement in food policy has been a learning experience and he finds joy in it. “It provides an opportunity for me to be a voice for the marginalized communities that really need to be heard at those tables,” he says. Looking forward, Barrett has his eyes set on the future of Shalom Farms. The organization is aiming to expand farming operations in the coming years, which involves another farm space, and finding ways to make sure its programs are more competent and accessible for more people. His motivation to continue bettering Shalom Farms comes from recognizing that his neighborhood, family and community will be stronger and more enjoyable if all of its parts are healthy. “Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are all part of this moving, breathing, living thing we have going on here,” he says. “I’m going to be better off if the other parts of me, so to speak, are well off.”

From the ARCHIVES

THE SPANISH INFLUENZA

One of the most devastating epidemics in modern history swept across the United States during -, leaving a half million people dead, including three Elon students. BY ERIC TOWNSEND

ven as the country emerges this spring from a virulent flu season, it was the Spanish influenza of nearly a century ago that crippled schools and universities in devastating fashion. Elon was no exception. Several forces had combined by 1918 to make possible the national pandemic. Military camps and installations were among the earliest locations to see widespread illness as the thousands of men drafted for World War I reported for training in close quarters. In urban centers, crowded conditions in mass transit also helped the disease to flourish. At the same time, a growing middle class afforded Americans more leisure time in such facilities as movie theaters, bowling alleys and skating rinks, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which maintains a website dedicated to the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19. A rapidly growing population in a nation where people were gathering in larger numbers than ever before turned the United States into a petri dish. Elon’s semester schedule set it apart in its battle against the flu. Because the college was among the first in the state to open that fall, more medical attention was available from local physicians when the illness arrived in force. Administrators converted campus facilities into makeshift infirmaries, sending the sickest students to live with President William A. Harper, who remarked at the time: “We did not know what it was, until we were all sick.” The gym located in North Dorm was filled with cots for men, and the women used the Lincoln Infirmary located on the third floor of West Dormitory and the beds in the West and Ladies Hall dormitories. There wasn’t enough professional assistance available and students who didn’t catch the flu had to serve as temporary nurses. Worth Bacon, a student at the time, would later write in the WinstonSalem Journal about his experience that autumn helping others who had fallen ill. “The influenza epidemic struck Elon College a heavy blow,” he recalled. “Those of us fortunate enough to escape the flu (and there were very few who did

not contract the disease) were assigned to hospital duty. We nursed the sick for two hours and then we were off for four hours. This was an aroundthe-clock schedule. “I do not remember the number of deaths during the epidemic at Elon, but it must have been at least a dozen students died.” Worth was incorrect. College records show three students—Modesto Lopez, Clarence Sechriest and Annie Floyd, whose scrapbook is housed in the university’s archives—who died from the flu. In his book Elon College: Its History and Traditions, the late Elon professor Durward T. Stokes concludes that “possibly, the scourge took the lives of one or two other victims,” but those were the only three he could identify. Little is known about the students. Lopez was one of Elon’s earliest international students, having arrived on campus from Spain via Cuba. He spoke no English at the time of his death. The 35-year-old was a relative unknown, according to his obituary in The Christian Sun, “but his ambition and efforts were worthy and commendable and his death sorely felt.” The Spanish Consul requested that Modesto be buried in the Elon College cemetery, today known as Magnolia Cemetery, next to the railroad tracks on South Campus. Sechriest was a sophomore who, like Modesto, died in the home of President Harper. Little else is known about him, as many college records were destroyed less than five years later in the fire that burned down the Main Administration Building. Floyd died just off campus in the home of her sister, Thyra Swint, who was matron of the Young Men’s Club near where Alumni Gym now sits. The Alabama native, described as “a beautiful Christian character with high ideals and worthy ambitions” in her Christian Sun obituary, had been an Elon student for three years. It took two weeks before college operations resembled anything close to normal. Though classes were never officially canceled, for decades to come, college leaders would know the Spanish flu episode as “the sorest affliction we have ever sustained.”

{ Annie Floyd, left, was one of three Elon students to succumb to the Spanish flu during an epidemic nearly a century ago. }

  21

COVER STORY

THE ROAD TO MODERN ADMISSIONS In a time when prospective students are visiting and applying to more schools than ever before, it takes more than a brochure to attract them, and colleges and universities across the country, including Elon, are taking note. BY KATIE DEGRAFF AND KEREN RIVAS ’04

22   of 

{The Inman Admissions Welcome Center opened in January as the headquarters for campus visits and the Office of Admissions and Financial Planning. }

TOP FIVE ATTRIBUTES

families consider when choosing a school p Availability of major p Jobs a er college p Academic program reputation p Faculty interactions p Internships * Based on responses to a 2013 survey of prospective Elon students.

3 2 1

mma Sharer’s college search started with a nine-hour drive on a Sunday morning over spring break. By the time she and her parents, Robin and Donn Sharer, returned to their New Jersey home the following Friday night, they had visited at least six schools from their list of prospects, plus a handful of other campuses they discovered along the way. And that’s only the beginning. The family is planning a trip out West to visit more colleges over the summer, before Emma starts her senior year in high school. “We just want her to see what’s out there,” Robin said as she toured Elon’s campus earlier this spring, adding that students nowadays are expected to visit as many schools as possible, particularly over spring break. “She’d feel like she would have missed out to go back to school without visiting any colleges. It’s the nature of the beast.” So far the process has not been overwhelming, Emma said, though she expects that will change later this year once she actually starts applying to her top choices. In a time when students are visiting and applying to more schools than ever before—and have more information at their fingertips than in previous years—the Sharers are the norm when it comes to the college selection process. Gone are the days when students relied only on publications they received in the mail or proximity to a school when choosing a college. “The admissions landscape is ultra competitive,” says Jeff Bennett ’98, a senior marketing consultant with the Charlotte, N.C.-based higher education marketing firm TWG Plus. “There are a lot of tools at people’s disposal and new technologies that seems to be advancing at a rapid pace. The Common Application makes it easier to apply to more schools, and students who fear they cannot get into the right school put in a lot more applications.” Colleges and universities across the country are taking note, and Elon is no exception. Earlier this year, the university opened the Inman Admissions Welcome Center, a new two-story building adjacent to Moseley Center that houses staff members working in undergraduate and graduate admissions and financial planning, as well as the welcome center. The new building and other efforts to enroll today’s students are a continuation of a long process that began more than 30 years ago as Elon looked for a competitive advantage over its peers.   23

TOP THREE REASONS

for choosing Elon p Major p Location p Physical campus

* Based on responses to a 2013 survey of prospective Elon students.

3 2

{ Above: Emma Sharer, center, and her parents, Robin and Donn Sharer, during a recent tour of campus. }

“We needed every student to have a shot at admission here, and for the good of the institution, we needed to enroll the very best students who would help shape Elon’s future.”

~Susan Klopman, former vice president of admissions and financial planning

24   of 

The starting point

hen Joanne Soliday and Nan Perkins led the admissions office in the 1980s and 1990s, the outlook wasn’t particularly positive for colleges in the state. In North Carolina and Virginia, the traditional recruiting markets for Elon then, the number of high school graduates was dropping dramatically and if population trends were to be trusted, the market was projected to bottom out by 1994 due to low birth rates. “It was a tense time in admissions,” Perkins recalls. “The wisest college presidents were paying attention” to these changes, and adjusting accordingly. Administrators at Elon decided to broaden their geographic reach to attract students along the Eastern Seaboard by raising the school’s profile in those areas with publications that highlighted its programs. The campus infrastructure was improved and entrance requirements were gradually enhanced to attract students with higher SATs. More emphasis was also put on bringing prospective students and their families to visit the campus. The efforts paid off as applications and the SAT average for incoming students rose. Elon emerged on the national scene, greatly expanding student recruitment and serving as a national model for effective communication with prospective students and families. But the work was far from over. “It’s a myth that if you get to a certain level, it’s easier to recruit students,” Perkins says. “You are just competing with different schools.” Online communication revolutionized the way the university engaged with prospective students in the mid-2000s. Traditional letters and brochures were supplemented with targeted email campaigns and website content tailored to users’ preferences. The old model was simple—the university controlled the manner and the timing of communication to prospective students. But mainstream adaptation of electronic communication created a two-way conversation as students and their parents got in touch via email, social media and college rankings websites. Students retain that control until and beyond the enrollment deposit deadline of May 1. They submit deposits at multiple universities, which makes the picture of the incoming class very uncertain. And at an institution

| such as Elon, where student tuition funds most of the operating budget, an uncertain picture of the incoming class impacts the extent to which the university can plan for the year ahead, says Susan Klopman, who retired in 2012 after 27 years of service to Elon, including six years as vice president of admissions and financial planning. Her tenure included the addition of several distinctive features that are hallmarks of Elon’s modern profile: the six Fellows Programs, expanded international recruitment, a growing focus on graduate education and the addition of an essay to the undergraduate application. By the mid-2000s, the Admissions Office consistently received 5,000 applicants for each incoming class. Because all qualified applicants were admitted, the first-year class was full by early December. And even though quality applications continued to roll in, students were not admitted because there was no more room. The situation prompted Klopman to introduce a deadline-driven application process to ensure space remained for outstanding applicants who applied later in the year. “We needed every student to have a shot at admission here, and for the good of the institution, we needed to enroll the very best students who would help shape Elon’s future,” she says.

Finding success in a competitive market As much as the means and the method of recruiting students has evolved in the past 30 years, to get the best of the best, Perkins, Klopman and Greg Zaiser ’90 G’95, the current vice president of admissions and financial

THE ROAD TO MODERN ADMISSIONS

“It’s a myth

that if you get to a certain level, it’s easier to recruit students. You are just competing with different schools.”

~Nan Perkins, former dean of admissions and financial planning and vice president for enrollment management

{ The Clohan Theater is one of 38 meeting spaces inside the Inman Admissions Welcome Center. The number of prospective students visiting campus has gone from 2,857 in 2000 to 12,305 in 2014. }   25

DID YOU KNOW? p Elon applicants in the 1910s were asked to detail their training in several subdisciplines—including Virgil, Greek Xenophon and agriculture. p When Nan Perkins first started Orientation Weekend for accepted students, the university paid the parents’ hotel bills for Friday night. { As trends changed, traditional letters and brochures were supplemented with targeted email campaigns and website content tailored to users’ preferences. }

ADMISSIONS BY THE NUMBERS Year

Applicants

Accepted

Enrolled

1990-91

3,426

2,335

718

2000-01

5,611

3,437

1,141

2010-11

9,771

4,740

1,362

2014-15

10,242

5,382

1,497

{ After the number of applicants consistently hit 5,000 in the mid-2000s, Elon introduced a deadline-driven application process. } 26   of 

planning, all agree the fundamentals remain the same—visiting campus and connecting with the Elon community are the main predictors in converting prospective students to enrolled students. ccording to 2012 figures from the National Association for College Admission Counseling, between 64 and 78 percent of colleges reported receiving more applications every year for the previous 15 years. At the same time, the percentage of students applying to seven or more schools also increased, going from 25 percent in 2010 to 29 percent in 2011. The campus tour is also becoming one of the most important elements in students’ application and enrollment decisions. According to a 2013 survey of prospective Elon students, campus visits are the first tool families rely on during the decision process, followed by interactions with admissions staff and college websites. That’s why campus appearance cannot be understated, Bennett says. He considers admissions to be the front porch of an institution. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The expectations of what a modern campus provides are also high. Campus tour guides highlight the strength of Elon’s academic programs and facilities, such as the Koury Business Center, while also referencing the benefits the campus offers, such as the fitness center or the international food options available at Lakeside Dining Hall. It’s a delicate balance that takes strategic planning. Above all, Zaiser says, Elon’s campus development reflects the school’s academic priorities. The Global Neighborhood—which blends residence life and academic programs—and the upcoming expansion of the School of Communications both incorporate intentional spaces for interaction with faculty and academic discussions. The students and families who visit Elon aren’t just looking for a pretty face, he says, they want a university designed to fully immerse students in their college experience. “When students visit campus, they really get a sense of the full Elon experience,” Zaiser says. “Students say, ‘I just had this good feeling about Elon,’ but that feeling is the result of an entire community invested in their well-being and personal growth.”

THE ROAD TO MODERN ADMISSIONS

“When students visit campus, they really

{ The Nugent Atrium inside the welcome center is one of the first stops for visitors. }

That personal growth experience, punctuated by demanding academics and relationships with faculty mentors, keeps Elon competitive in a challenging marketplace. Dual pressures of an increasing need for scholarship money and national conversations about the value of a college education are foremost on the minds of prospective students and parents, Zaiser says. As Elon’s academic profile grows, so, too, have the number of ways the institution can shape the incoming class. That growth is guided by Elon’s strategic priorities such as a commitment to diversity and global engagement, and launching innovative graduate programs. The university has also expanded the scope of its recruitment plan to include growth areas on the West Coast, and has added two full-time staff members devoted to international students. “People think that because Elon is a hot school, success is automatic,” Zaiser says. “The reality is we have to recruit now more than ever. And it’s not just about filling seats; we’re very intentional about the ways in which we want to grow.” The new admissions welcome center fits into that strategic thinking. The campus visit experience has witnessed exponential growth over the past two decades—going from 2,857 prospective students visiting campus in 2000 to 12,305 in 2014. And with strong growth in the number of incoming students from Illinois, Texas and California, plus well-established recruitment territories in the Northeast, a welcome center larger than the previous facilities in the Moseley Center became a top priority for the university. The fact that Elon chose to make the investment now, Bennett says, shows it is ahead of the pack. “What I like is that Elon makes smart decisions that are sound decisions. All decisions seem to be made for the long-haul,” he says. “This is the perfect building for their enrollment. I have a feeling everyone will have one of those in the future.”

So what’s next? Zaiser says his wish list includes further engaging alumni in the admissions process, potentially via alumni interviews of prospective students. He sees tremendous value in creating conversations between prospective students and alumni who can speak directly to the Elon experience. “For

get a sense of the full Elon experience. Students say, ‘I just had this good feeling about Elon,’ but that feeling is the result of an entire community invested in their well-being and personal growth.”

~Greg Zaiser ’ G’, vice president of admissions and financial planning

most prospective students and families, it’s a given that Elon provides a quality education,” Zaiser says. “They want to hear about how Elon supports them after graduation, what the Elon name means in the world. Our alumni are in the best position to tell that story.” Expanded opportunities for families to meet faculty are key as parents show more interest in knowing professors’ credentials and research interests. Programs like Explore Elon, which takes place on campus, and An Evening with Elon, which takes place in cities across the country, allow for such interactions to happen seamlessly. Zaiser says prospective parents ask economics professors about national labor reports, a sign they are interested in the faculty’s expertise as well as the kinds of conversations that will happen in the classroom. “They want to make sure students will learn both theory and application within their major,” he says. Having programs in place to show the institution’s commitment to development beyond graduation is also among the most important factors families consider. Respondents to the 2013 Elon survey chose job placement and internships among the top five attributes influencing college selection. The Office of Admissions is very intentional, both in marketing materials and personal conversations, to share information about programs offered by Elon’s Student Professional Development Center. Programs such as bridges and “Destination …” are designed to help students transition from college into specific cities and regions. Further support is offered through the Office of Alumni Engagement, which last year hosted welcome events in 24 cities for recent graduates. Demonstrating that connection and support to prospective families is critical, Zaiser says. Personal success stories are what resonate the most with prospective students—the knowledge that each student is valued and will be pushed by the Elon community to achieve great things. Time and again, Zaiser says, families tell him that Elon was the first university to return their email or phone call, to make extra time for detailed questions after a tour or to offer a warm welcome when they visit for a campus event. “This place, this university is a huge operation but we don’t treat it that way,” he says. “In admissions, our job is to get these students to campus and to select the candidates. But the entire community is invested in this work. I feel it every day.”   27

DIGGING FOR

ANSWERS

For almost  years, Elon archaeologist Rissa Trachman has been investigating a Maya site in Belize, debunking Hollywood stereotypes about the profession along the way. BY ROSELEE PAPANDREA

{ Rissa Trachman digging at the Dos Hombres site in Belize. Inset photo, right: Trachman conducting field work in Alamance County. }

28   of 

issa Trachman’s head was down as she meticulously removed samples of the ceramic vessels and the soil surrounding them. Careful not to disturb more than necessary of the structure in the ancient Maya site of Dos Hombres in northwestern Belize, the associate professor of anthropology was focused on the evidence in front of her. The ceiling had collapsed and the vessels that appeared to have once sat on a wooden shelf looked as if they had just broken in place. There also was a strange layer of ash running through the rock and soil. It was situated on an angle as if it had spilled out of the vessels. That’s when Trachman’s mind clicked. She had stumbled upon possible cremation urns, a rare find—the kind of discovery an archaeologist patiently waits, sometimes years, to uncover. “I’m fascinated with the deposits we are finding right now, absolutely fascinated,” says Trachman, who has been excavating the ancient Central America site and its hinterlands since 1999. That most recent find—what she thinks may be cremation urns once displayed on shelves in a room viewable from both sides of a building—happened last summer. Chemical analysis of the soil, ash and vessels will help confirm her hypothesis, but she is still far from fully understanding this one piece of the archaeological puzzle and its relationship to her research. For a decade, she had been investigating Maya households in the periphery of Dos Hombres. Since 2009 she and the Elon students she takes to Belize every summer have been excavating in the civic-ceremonial center in an area so vast and untouched that it is ripe with surprises. As a child, Trachman thought she would one day pursue geology as a career. But as she got older, an interest in people and how they think gained importance. It was after a course in cultural anthropology that she was able to hone in on a path that combined all of her interests. “At the core of me, I am an anthropologist,” she says. “The way I express

“

When we get to the archaeology site, the structure is so tall and so steep, it looks like a mound in the forest. It doesn’t look like a temple you can walk in. It’s definitely not like something you’d see in a movie.

myself anthropologically is through archaeology, and in that sense and in terms of the archaeology itself, I am absolutely a field archaeologist. It’s in me. It’s what I live and breathe.” But it wasn’t until her first visit to an ancient Maya site—a little-known place in Cozumel called San Gervasio—that her fate was sealed. “It was standing on that site that I actually was able to make all of the leaps in my mind,” she says. She was an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at the time with one field experience under her belt, and she was hooked. “I never looked back.” She’s returned to northwestern Belize nearly every year since, never tiring of its lure. For six to eight weeks every summer, she and a team of Elon students make the trek to a place most only dare learn about via a National Geographic documentary. It’s a remote 250,000-acre conservation and management area that is mostly primary rainforest. There are no roads in sight. Every day she and her team have to hike two miles in and two miles out of a plush rainforest that shades their digging ground and is equally as awe-inspiring as it is dangerous. “The rainforest is sometimes absolutely gorgeous and sometimes inhospitable,” she says. It’s why yearly trips are made during the dry season. “There is this sort of dichotomy; there is this sense of adventure and beauty all around us and a little bit of danger at the same time. There are trees growing all around us that have thorns coming out of their trunks. We have to take care of ourselves at all times and think about safety.” Conditions are harsh, even at the semi-permanent camp where temperatures and humidity levels soar into the high 90s. Although welldeveloped and in place since 1993, there is only electricity for a couple of hours in the morning and evening for food preparation. Showers are quick. There isn’t any hot water. The latrine is 50 yards from the campsite, and tents are set up under zinc-roofed sheds because of the rain and debris that fall from the trees. Trachman’s profession is not for the weary. The tedious field work, the meticulous excavation methods, which usually happen using tools that resemble spoons rather than shovels, as well as the number of years it often takes to find

”

enough definitive evidence to support a hypothesis, often separate the serious archaeologists from the Indiana Jones wannabes. As a result, Trachman usually spends her introductory archaeology class debunking the stereotypes created by Hollywood in the series of movies made in the 1980s about Jones, a fictional archaeologist who travels the world recovering ancient evidence. “When we get to the archaeology site, the structure is so tall and so steep, it looks like a mound in the forest,” she says. “It doesn’t look like a temple you can walk in. It’s definitely not like something you’d see in a movie. The romance gets removed once students realize how difficult and painstaking the work is.” Trachman expects to spend the bulk of her career finding the answers to her overarching research questions about the everyday life of the inhabitants of Dos Hombres, including the

political, economic and social organization of the ancient city as well as the ritual, religion and ideology of the Classic Period Maya. Like most archaeologists, she is publishing reports in peerreviewed journals as she goes, and expects in the future to write a book detailing the culmination of her research. She enjoys that the answers don’t come easy and that she must dig for them bit by bit like a detective uncovering clues at a crime scene. In fact, it is archaeologists who often teach law enforcement how to document a crime that’s taken place in the woods. The idea that she might have some of the first documented cremation urns of the Maya is appealing. It sustains her as she waits for what’s to come. “The fun of getting to think about this individually as I am building this bigger picture is incredible to me,” she says. “I get to think

about a lot of different things, which I think is perfect for me. ... It’s indescribable fulfillment.” As different as life living in a rainforest is, Trachman gets a sense of peace while there. “I’m at home,” she says. “It’s a second home to me.” And even though the comforts of her first home—hot water, cell phone reception, Internet connection, just to name a few—are missing, she quickly adjusts to living without. “I realize how simple life could really be and yet how complicated at the same time, because it is intellectually nurturing.” She and the many students who have accompanied her to Belize always leave a little different. “It is a life-changing experience.” When she is not in the field conducting research, Trachman takes the field to her Elon classroom and the community, where she engages in public archaeology with her students. “I love, love, love teaching. I also love being in the field,” she says. “I get to combine the two.” She and students have worked on statefunded archaeology projects, including one at the Alamance Battleground in Burlington, N.C. “People could participate in a systematic archaeological project,” she says. “It was wonderful way to communicate with the public about the value of archaeological remains.” Even when excavating, Trachman is careful to only remove samples, typically only 25 percent. She does it out of respect for the ancestors connected to the remains and for future researchers. For her, cultural resources are finite, in the ground resources, and should be conserved the same way we conserve natural resources. Learning about the past and uncovering details about another way of life buried deep in the earth won’t necessarily prevent future generations from repeating the same mistakes, she says, but it can change how we view the world. “I think it’s critical for us as human beings, in knowing where we are going, to know from where we came,” she says. “I think it’s absolutely critical to know, and, in that sense, we can learn from the past and it is through that lens we can avoid repeating mistakes and have a more enriched eye toward the future.”   29

IN THE SEARCHLIGHT

After seven years doing publicity work for Fox Searchlight Pictures, Michelle Matalon Delgado ’07 is comfortable taking the spotlight on her own terms. BY KEREN RIVAS ’04

itting Under the Oaks on a May morning eight years ago, Michelle Matalon Delgado found herself empowered by Kerrii Anderson ’79, the Commencement speaker that year. As the former Wendy’s president and chief executive officer talked about the road from driving a school bus to becoming a CEO and the lessons she learned along the way, Delgado could not stop thinking about the journey she was about to start. Just three days later, she was heading to Los Angeles to start a temporary job at 20th Century Fox—where she had interned the previous summer—which she hoped would become a permanent position. Like Anderson, the business administration graduate was ready to leave her comfort zone, take a risk and embrace new opportunities. And while that position did not turn into what she expected, it gave her a chance to continue developing connections that eventually opened the door for a publicity job at Fox Searchlight Pictures in New York the following spring. (That also gave her a chance to reconnect with her Elon roommate, who became her new roommate in the Big Apple.) {Clockwise: Michelle Matalon Seven years later, Delgado has Delgado ’ worked on a movie risen through the ranks and gone workshop hosted by First Lady from being coordinator of publicity Michelle Obama; Delgado and promotions for 12 main mar- holding an Oscar; promoting The kets in the eastern region to director Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel of that department, accumulating a in London; Delgado with her lifetime of experiences along the way, mentor and former th Century including rubbing elbows with Oscar Fox boss, Michelle Cardona, at winners. “There are moments when the Oscar after-party. } you are doing things and you can’t believe this is your job,” she says. While a lot of her work happens away from the limelight— fielding media inquiries, developing campaigns, overseeing radio promotions and setting up film screenings—her job often gives

30   of 

her a rare insight into the world of celebrities. She has worked on the campaigns for numerous movies including Slumdog Millionaire, The Grand Budapest Hotel, 12 Years a Slave, Wild and Birdman, which won four Oscars in February, including best picture. Delgado happened to be at the company’s after-party in Los Angeles when the latter was announced. “It was absolutely crazy,” she says of the moment. “The whole place erupted in pandemonium. Soon people started walking in with their Oscars.” She even managed to snap a photo holding one of the statues. Two years ago she also had the chance to work on a Beasts of the Southern Wild movie workshop for middle school and high school students hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. Besides working with actors from the film, she developed the materials for the students and received a private tour of the White House. “It was an amazing opportunity,” she says. Her work might not be glamorous all of the time, but for Delgado, moments like that are an affirmation of her work. “I had certain goals for myself when I started this journey in my career, and I am very proud and lucky to say that I have been able to meet each milestone,” she says. “I am fortunate enough to work with some of the best people in show business who have supported my career and encouraged my professional growth. I am definitely here to stay and feel comfortable in my role.” Not that she is not thirsty for more. She is determined to continue learning from those around her. That’s another trait she and her Commencement speaker have in common. “Continuous learning has been the single most important factor in my professional career and in my personal life,” Anderson said in her 2007 speech. “Now is the opportunity to build on what you have learned, and what you may not even know you have learned. Elon has given us a great foundation, but it is up to us to continue learning.” Delgado certainly has.

ALUMNI ACTION

Be a catalyst for Elon’s future Dear Elon alumni,

n my past four columns, I’ve had the chance to celebrate a number of our alma mater’s milestones: Elon’s 125th birthday, its entry into the Colonial Athletic Association and being ranked as the #1 master’s-level university in the South by U.S. News & World Report for a third consecutive year. As I conclude my term as your Elon Alumni Board president, I want to also celebrate the men and women who have shaped Elon and its alumni to be who they are today, specifically those who have significantly shaped my experience. The faculty, who challenge us and shape our intellectual development. I’d like to express a special “thank you” to Chalmers Brumbaugh, John Burbridge, Susan Manring, Betty Morgan, Sharon Spray and the late Bob Guffey. The staff, who shape our emotional intelligence and provide learning laboratories outside the classroom. I would like to celebrate Barb Carlton, Smith Jackson, Scott Nelson, Yvette Ross, Jana Lynn Patterson and Janice Ratliff. I know each of our alumni has a similar list, and I encourage you to reach out, thank them for what they’ve done for you and consider making your next gift to Elon in their honor. This is particularly important if you haven’t already supported Elon this fiscal year (June 1 – May 31), as our

alumni participation rate stands at 17 percent. I believe deeply that our alumni are committed to helping our alma mater grow stronger every year. Alumni gifts of any size will help us reach 23 percent participation this fiscal year and surpass last year’s giving rate, demonstrating the lifelong commitment we all have to Elon. As Elon continues to evolve, our list of partners, advocates and investors must expand beyond the faculty, staff, volunteers and alumni already enlisted in our work. We need all alumni to remember what makes this place special and recommit to being that change-maker for a current or future Elon student or a fellow alumnus (yes, our alumni network needs support, too). Shannon Moody ’94 will guide our work in the coming year. Through Elon, she’s become a trusted friend and champion in my personal life. I am confident that alongside the alumni staff she will continue to guide our alumni experience to new heights. Our future is bright because of our faculty and staff, our volunteer leadership and, most importantly, you. You are the catalyst for Elon’s future success. I hope that you’ll choose to recharge your commitment and join us on this journey. Long Live Elon! Christian Wiggins ’03 Elon Alumni Board President

JOIN

ooking for a way to plug in professionally with more than 18,000 Elon connections? Take advantage of The Elon Network of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends on LinkedIn. Job postings, internship opportunities and professional development tools and resources are shared daily. To join and start networking, sign into LinkedIn and search for “The Elon Network.” You can also access the Elon Career Mentor Program, a joint initiative of the Student Professional Development Center and the Office of Alumni Engagement that provides alumni and students the opportunity to connect one-on-one with Elon career mentors for professional development. There are more than 600 Elon career mentors ready to support the professional development of alumni and students by:

Discussing career paths and recommending job openings and internships Conducting informational interviews and reviewing résumés Serving as a contact for networking events on and off campus Assisting faculty in the classrooms as guest lecturers or panelists.

For more information about The Elon Network and how to connect with an Elon career mentor or volunteer for the program, contact Tricia Teter ’13, alumni engagement officer, at pteter@elon.edu.   31

Celebrating #ELONDAY around the world A Global College Coffee celebration

united the Elon family worldwide on the morning of March 10, and alumni in 18 chapters and clubs gathered in the evening for #ElonDay parties in honor of Elon’s birthday. { New York City } { Washington, D.C. }

GL B AL

on the town

ALUMNI ACTION

EC LLEG OFFEE CO

310 1 15

FORGING PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS

n April , Elon’s alumni chapters, clubs and markets wrapped up the largest National Networking Event Series to date. Hundreds of alumni gathered in  cities nationwide and internationally in London to create connections with each other, get tapped into the Elon Career Mentor program and hear from their peers on topics such as the ins and outs of recruiting and networking effectively.

2015

Visit elon.edu/alumninetworking to learn more about this impactful series.

32   of 

{ Boston }

ALUMNI ACTION

UP CO MING E V ENT S Here’s a look at chapter summer events. MAY  • Boston Chapter Golf Tournament • Washington, D.C. In Your Neighborhood Social: Bowl America Falls Church { Atlanta }

JUNE 

• Washington, D.C. Summer Intern & Alumni Networking Social

COMMITTED TO RISE UP & SERVE

JUNE 

lumni chapters have been hard at work providing service opportunities for alumni to give back to their communities. Alumni in Philadelphia helped package more than  boxes of food in November through , a local food program. Atlanta alumni spent a Saturday in January sorting a total of , pounds of food, providing , meals through the Food Bank. Chapters will send more information about upcoming service opportunities soon, and ask you to share how you have served your community this year. For updates about opportunities in your area, visit elon.edu/riseupandserve.

• Washington, D.C. th Annual Golf Tournament Check your alumni chapter Facebook and Web page for updates or visit elon.edu/alumni. TO FIND A CHAPTER NEAR YOU, GO TO elon.edu/alumni.

{ Orlando }

{ Triangle }

  33

ALUMNI ACTION

{ Back row from left: Christine Winans ’10, Mark Horsburgh ’07, Amanda Taylor ’06 & Mark Schwartz ’06. Front row from left: Erica Ayala ’08, Andrew Wilen ’08, President Leo M. Lambert & Carolyn Klasnick ’09. }

Celebrating the success of young alumni Call for Volunteers: Ten distinguished young alumni were recognized April 18 at the annual Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Awards Banquet. President Leo M. Lambert joined family and friends to recognize the professional achievements and personal journeys of the 10 award recipients. In its fifth year, the Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Awards program highlights and celebrates alumni who have graduated within the past decade and are distinguished in their professions and invested in the future of Elon and its community.

✪ Erica Ayala ’08, youth leadership development

associate with the Children’s Defense Fund (New York) ✪ Shea Coakley ’07, co-founder and chief executive

director of LeanBox (Boston) ✪ Phil Collins ’08, associate account director for

Imagination (Hong Kong) ✪ Mark Horsburgh ’07, manager for live events at

Turner Sports (New York) ✪ Carolyn Klasnick ’09, co-owner and executive

producer of Post Script Productions, LLC (Pittsburgh)

✪ Mark Schwartz ’06,

president of The Richmond Group USA (Richmond, Va.)

✪ Amanda Taylor ’06, founder and chief executive

officer of DanceOn (Los Angeles) ✪ Lace Varn ’07, vice president of brand

partnerships for DanceOn (Los Angeles) ✪ Andrew Wilen ’08, owner of Chef Alyssa’s

Kitchen (Charlotte, N.C.) ✪ Christine Winans ’10, senior sourcing associate

and co-op manager for Bristol-Myers Squibb (Lawrenceville, N.J.)

For more information about the recipients and the Young Alumni Council, contact Jordan Bacharach ’09, coordinator of young alumni engagement, at jbacharach@elon.edu. 34   of 

Social Media Ambassadors!

he Office of Alumni Engagement successfully completed the first year of the social media ambassadors program with more than 120 alumni participating. If you are active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platforms and are searching for a way to stay plugged into Elon news and updates, then being a social media ambassador is a great volunteer opportunity. The mission of this volunteer group is to promote Elon University through social media platforms. It’s a low-time-commitment, high-impact volunteer opportunity; it simply requires a minimum of one social media post per month. For more information on this role or to get started, contact Jill Hollis ’13, alumni engagement officer, at jhollis@elon.edu.

CLASS NOTES

CLASS 55| NOTES

Frances Danieley Wood is

enjoying her retirement from Carolina Biological Supply Company. She lives in Elon and still enjoys all things related to her alma mater. She would love to hear from friends from the classes of 1954 and 1955.

62|

Kappa Psi Nu fraternity brothers Mike York and Aubrey Utz ’ recently met up and reconnected at Waypoint Seafood and Grill after Elon’s football game against William & Mary.

70|

R. Lee Farmer was awarded

the North Carolina State Bar John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award at a dinner held Dec. 4. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to the legal profession. Lee had a long and distinguished career in public service before launching his own practice, the Law Offices of R. Lee Farmer, in 2004. Among numerous other accolades, Lee was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 1984 by Governor James B. Hunt. He lives in Yanceyville.

73|

Perry Crouch was recently

honored by Thalia Lynn Baptist Church in Virginia Beach for his 25 years of ministry there. After serving for 16 years as youth minister, he has continued his work as minister of Christian education. Perry and wife Emily live in Virginia Beach. ALUMNI ALBUM

Aubrey Utz ’66 & Mike York ’62

l-r: Maggie Petty Carson ’95, Bria Turner ’16, Adrian Williams ’17 & Nancy Crutchﬁeld McCleary ’81

Heather Sewell Blanken ’98, Jon Blanken & twin daughters Vivienne Rose & Victoria Grace

73|

Nick Angelone would like

to get in touch with all Iota Tau Kappa brothers. He urges brothers to contact him on Facebook or through Elon. Nick lives in Linden, N.C., with wife Debbie ’.

81|

A chance encounter brought Nancy Crutchﬁeld McCleary together with alumna Maggie Petty Carson ’9 and students Bria Turner ’ and Adrian Williams ’. The four were attending a boot camp workout at the DSDQ gym in Fayetteville N.C., where Nancy lives.

89|

Mark Harris received his floral design certification from the North Carolina State Association of Florists at its annual convention in August. He is in his seventh year as director of convention services at the Sheraton Greensboro/Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, and continues to serve as director of music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington, where he lives. • Monica Mancuso and Gary Murdock were married 9/20/14, in their backyard on the shores of Lake Norman in Troutman, N.C. Alumna Michele Cybulski L’9 attended. Monica is a training program manager for Leadership Foundry, a division of TSM Corporation.

90|

Tara Dosier Carter and

Marsha Iwata Tolbert were married 11/21/14. Tara is an executive sales specialist with Teva Pharmaceuticals. They live in Moseley, Va. • Holly Laine Saunders graduated in December with a master’s degree in secondary education from Old Dominion University. She serves as a teacher librarian for Hampton City Schools. She and her husband, William G. Saunders IV ’9, live in Windsor, Va.

93|

Last year Stacy Saucier Beardslee started a new business, Callie Baby, a line of children’s clothing using vintage fabrics and heirloom designs. She was recently featured in The Charlotte (N.C) Observer’s blog, momscharlotte.com. Check out her collection at calliebaby.com and Facebook (Callie Baby). She lives in Charlotte with her husband, William Beardslee, and their children. • Michael Dixon graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in December with a doctorate in educational leadership. He is the director of federal programs for Greene

86|

Chris Olsen was featured in his hometown newspaper, The Sunday Post-Journal, out of Jamestown, N.Y., for producing two pre-game events in the week leading up to Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. Olsen, a long-time NFL and Super Bowl fan, produced the opening night entertainment kickoff at the Verizon Super Bowl Center in downtown Phoenix and the Friars Club Super Bowl Roast. The honoree of the evening was Pittsburgh Steelers’ legend Terry Bradshaw, a childhood hero of Olsen. The pair had met previously in 1972 when 7-year-old Olsen attended the Temple Hesed Abraham Sports Dinner in Jamestown. Olsen lives with his wife, Trish, and their four children in Southern California.

County Schools in Snow Hill, N.C. • Thomas Phelps taught a special course for Elon’s Winter Term 2015, Professional Sports Management. Alumni guest lecturers included Mike Mooney and Mike Pinckney ’9. Thomas and wife Lea Ziobro Phelps live in Annapolis, Md.

95|

Erick Gill was recently

selected to serve as the president elect of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. The organization also presented Erick with the 2014 Community Service Award for his years of serving as the group communications chair (2009-13). Erick works as the public information manager for the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners and lives with wife Colleen Batt Gill and their two children in Fort Pierce, Fla.

98|

Heather Sewell Blanken

and husband Jon welcomed twin daughters Vivienne Rose and Victoria Grace on 8/10/14. The family lives in Raleigh, N.C. spring 2015 3

CLASS NOTES

99|

Dana Disborough and Mike Strotman were married 10/18/14 in Annapolis, Md. Casey Wood Olsen participated in the wedding. Other alumni in attendance included Matthew Cartwright, Kelly Woody and Elizabeth Eskow Bortz ’. Dana is marketing coordinator for the City of Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department. They live in Edgewater. • Jeﬀ Myers is now a project analyst for Bank of America Merchant Services. He lives in Charlotte, N.C., with wife Jennifer Dew Myers ’3 and son Colten. • Erica Preusse and Andrew Mackenzie were married 11/2/14. They live in Cary, N.C., where Erica is a client sales ALUMNI ALBUM

executive with Allscripts Healthcare Solutions. • Michelle Cater Rash was recently promoted to vice president of financial and professional services brands for RLF Communications. In her new position she will continue to lead business-to-business accounts and develop targeted communication strategies to meet her client’s business objectives. She will also serve as a member of RLF’s management team. She lives in Gibsonville, N.C., with husband, Christopher. • Sean Owens was recently recognized by the Charlotte (N.C.) Business Journal as a 2015 “Forty Under 40” recipient. He serves as director of ticket sales and hospitality for the Charlotte Knights Baseball Club. The team finished the 2014 season with the highest attendance in all of minor league baseball. He lives in Charlotte.

00|

Erica Preusse Mackenzie ’99 & Andrew Mackenzie

Dana Disborough Strotman ’99 & Mike Strotman

has been named senior manager product marketing, global consumer goto-market at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. She is responsible for driving global consumer strategy and marketing programs for the computing and graphics business unit. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, David. • Lauren Smith is excited to report that more than 25 years after her third open heart surgery at Children’s National Medical Center, she is now employed in the center’s Department of Cardiology, making the magic happen as a senior administrative assistant. She lives in Alexandria, Va.

01| Courtney Wells Fusco ’01, John Fusco & friends

Lauren Cooper McDevitt ’02, Nick McDevitt & son Cooper Lee 3 THE MAgAZinE of ELOn

Melissa Dodge Nelson ’02, Jon Nelson ’03 & twins Owen Stephen & Mara Rae

Megan Girard Annen

Steven Harrell, a U.S. Navy

supply corps officer, is in Afghanistan serving as commander, logistics task force, supporting special operations. When he returns from deployment he will be assuming a new civilian position as branch chief, supply and services for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. His wife, SunSarae, and daughter, Pyper, live in Pembroke. • Devon McCaﬀrey Scanlon was one of 27,000 applicants awarded a ChickFil-A franchise in 2014. Her franchise opening at Brookfield, Conn., was one of the biggest for the corporation last year. Because of her success, she was voted one of the most interesting people in the Danbury, Conn., area. She lives in Brookfield. • Courtney Wells and John Fusco were married 11/1/14 in Leesburg, Va. Alumni participating in the wedding included Jenny Brown Flaherty ’3 and Sara

05|

Darris Means earned his

doctorate in educational research and policy analysis from North Carolina State University in 2014. He recently received the 2015 Jon C. Dalton Institute on College Student Values dissertation of the year award for his dissertation, “Demonized No More: The Spiritual Journeys and Spaces of Black Gay Male College Students and Predominantly White Institutions.” He has also been selected by the Multicultural/Multiethnic Education Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association as the recipient of the Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for emerging scholarship. Darris is an assistant professor in the department of counseling and human development services at the University of Georgia. He lives in Athens.

Beaty ’3. Alumni in attendance were Jane Omohundro ’99, Kelley Kruse Bronson, Meredith Wood Davis, Kara Renner Gammon, Emily MacDonnell Grdic, Patrick Kennedy, Erin WitmerYuska, Christine Glatsky Archer ’, Amy Grzeskiewicz Barcliﬀ ’, Ryan Hall McCormack ’, Kathleen Zalos Shumake ’, Rory McAlister ’3, Staﬀord Lewis Kim ’3, Anne Grosvenor Neumann ’3, Mike Trainor ’3 and Leah Baker ’.

Courtney works as a digital adviser for Burberry. The couple live in Washington, D.C.

02|

Bo Hamrick and wife Leslie Gwaltney Hamrick ’ welcomed son Carter Charles on 1/20/15. The family lives in Carrollton, Va. • Lauren Cooper McDevitt and husband Nick welcomed son Cooper Lee on 6/23/14. The family lives in Asheville, N.C., where Lauren works as marketing manager for Biltmore Farms Hotels and Nick serves as head men’s basketball coach for the University of North Carolina at Asheville. • Melissa Dodge Nelson and husband Jon Nelson ’3 welcomed

CLASS NOTES

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES CAN PROVIDE INCOME FOR LIFE a charitable gift annuity of $10,000 or more to Elon will guarantee a fixed income for the rest of your life. With market interest rates near historic lows, a gift annuity is an attractive way to increase your income and make a gift to Elon at the same time. You will receive immediate tax benefits and can defer capital gains. The payment rate of a charitable gift annuity depends on your age at the time of the gift—the older you are, the higher the rate.

rates as of january 1, 2012

Natural Look BY KAITLIN DUNN ’16

randon Kline ’03 wants to help save the world—and look good doing it. That’s why he recently launched Natural Border, an upscale shirt manufacturer based in Richmond, Va., that uses all natural bamboo fibers, which he says is one of the fastest-growing options for clothing manufacturers. “It simply produces the most advantages,” he says. “It’s antimicrobial and doesn’t use water supply or chemicals as a plant, and it’s soft and quick-drying as a fabric, which overlaps well with beachwear.” Almost everything associated with the shirts is made in the United States. The shirts are manufactured at a factory in Wilmington, N.C., a decision Kline made based in part on his experiences at Elon, where he majored in philosophy and actively participated in community service. “I felt as if I had some roots in North Carolina because of Elon, and I wanted to give back to that industry which had mostly gone dormant,” Kline says. Inspired in part by the popularity of pearl snapped western cowboy shirts, and designed to be worn near the water, Kline’s apparel line fastens with snaps, making it easier to put the shirts on and take them off. Snaps are also more durable than buttons: there is no chance the snaps will fall off since they are secured using copper and brass instead of thread. Making sure the entire process was environmentally sound was important for Kline. The hangtags on the shirts are actually bookmarks or coasters made from biodegradable, recycled paper collected from local oﬃces and schools. Not satisfied with stopping there, the company added parsley and basil seeds to them, so the coasters and bookmarks can be planted and eaten. The packing materials used are also eco-friendly. Instead of traditional tree paper, Natural Border uses a custom waterproof envelope derived from crushed stone. The final step in sustainability during the manufacturing process is the elimination of a sewn-in label. The company label is printed directly on the inside back of the shirt. Even the available shirt colors—grass, water and white sand—were selected to echo colors found in nature. But saving water by using bamboo in the shirt production wasn’t enough for Kline. He donates a portion of the profits to a 100 percent volunteer-based international nonprofit that provides clean drinking water to people who do not have access to it (the equivalent of -10 years of water per shirt). “Being able to support a community in need of water is a way to come full circle,” Kline says. “This is the last impact, giving water directly to those in need through nonprofit partnership.” For more information about the company, visit naturalborder.com.

ONE BENEFICIARY

T WO BENEFICIARIE S

AG E

ANNUIT Y R ATE

AG E

ANNUIT Y R ATE

60 65 70

4.4% 4.7% 5.1%

60/65 67/67 71/73

4.0% 4.4% 4.7%

Annuity rates are subject to change. The annuity rate remains fixed once your gift is made.

To calculate a gift annuity for you, your spouse or a family member, visit elon.plannedgiving.org.

Talk with us today about how you may benefit from a life income gift to Elon and other gift planning opportunities. please contact: Carolyn DeFrancesco, Director of Planned Giving (336) 278-7454 ■ cdefrancesco@elon.edu ■ elon.plannedgiving.org

{ The typical route on Commencement day during the 1940s & 1950s. }

spring 2015 3

CLASS NOTES

04|

12|

Caroline York, Lindsay Collins ’, Sara Dennin ’ and Tessa Conte ’ graduated

from Elon’s inaugural Physician Assistant Studies class on 3/8/15. They even managed to snap a photo with President Leo M. Lambert after the ceremony.

twins Owen Stephen and Mara Rae on 6/30/14. Melissa is a marketing and communications consultant and Jon is director of operations for Immedion, LLC. The family lives in Charleston, S.C. • Joshua Phoebus recently started a new position as development manager for the American Academy of Nursing in Washington, D.C. He will be in charge of all development-related activities for the 2,300-member national organization. He lives in Bethesda, Md.

03|

Trisha Romano Salvia

and husband Ralph Salvia welcomed daughter Mallory on 12/19/14. The family lives in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Blake DiFrancesco and

Callie Thompson were married 10/25/14. Alumni in attendance included Todd Harra and Chris Glen ’. The couple lives in Houston, where Blake is employed as a distribution associate with Lennox Industries. • Brandy KoontzStockert was selected as one of the “40 Leaders Under 40” by the Triad (N.C.) Business Journal. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Charlotte School of Law and was named a partner in the law firm Vogler Koontz-Stockert in 2014. • Mike Linn and wife Megan welcomed twins Harrison and Kennedy on 8/20/14. They join proud big sister Madison. • Katie Sherman and husband Will Hughes welcomed daughter Penelope Ann on 11/8/14. Katie is a freelance writer. The family lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

05|

Amy Jo Jenkins recently

moved from Bahrain to Djibouti, Africa. As director of morale, welfare and recreation at Camp Lemonnier, she provides recreation, fitness and morale-boosting programs for more than 5,000 active duty troops and Department of Defense civilians. • Meredith Downen Preloh recently began a new job as government affairs manager with Lowe’s Cos.

Inc., after spending five years as legislative assistant in the office of N.C. Rep. Howard Coble. Meredith lives in Charlotte with husband John. • Alexandra Razgha and husband Nigel welcomed son Chael Blaze on 4/19/14. The family lives in Orlando. • Matthew Crews is vice president and relationship manager on the national markets team for Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement and Trust. Matthew remains close to Elon and has participated in career services and School of Communications events. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and children Sam and Charlotte, in Charlotte, N.C. • Kristen Shirley Farley and husband John Farley welcomed daughter Madelyn on 6/11/14. She joins big brother, Jack. The family lives in Plymouth, Mass. • Courtney Harris Jackson and husband Adam Jackson welcomed son Bennett London on 5/2/14. He joins older brother Braylon Keller. The family lives in Chester Springs, Pa.

06|

Karen Baum and Ryan

Smith were married 10/18/14. Alumni in attendance included bridesmaid Katherine Pesce Mangum and guests William Mangum ’, Samantha Blume, Emily Koerner Christopher, Ashley Engel, Jennifer Pautz, ALUMNI ALBUM

Trisha Romano Salvia ’03, Ralph Salvia & daughter Mallory

Mike Linn ’04, Megan Linn & children Harrison & Kennedy

Courtny Harris Jackson ’05, Adam Jackson & children Bennett London & Braylon Keller 3 THE MAgAZinE of ELOn

Karen Baum Smith ’06 & friends

Matthew Crews ’05, Elizabeth Crews & children Sam & Charlotte

Kristen Shirley Farley ’05, John Farley & children Madelyn & Jack

Leigh Virtue Stallings ’06 & Graham Stallings

CLASS NOTES

{ Clockwise: Alex Pepper ’11 before the start of Super Bowl XLIX; Pepper with the crew who worked on the ad; Pepper and actress Elizabeth Banks. }

SUPER BOWL FUN BY SARAH MULNICK ’17

HAT CAN $80 BUY YOU? For Elon alumnus Alex Pepper ’11, that’s the cost of an experience of a lifetime. With just that amount, he created a Super Bowl ad that made it possible for him to attend the big event in style. Earlier this year, Pepper was selected as a finalist in the 2015 Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest for an ad he produced with Sarah Linn Reedy ’10, Mark St. Cyr ’10 and Kristen Sandler ’13. The ad was available for public voting in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. It features Pepper, St. Cyr and dancer Morgana Phlaum, and culminates in a rehearsal on a rooftop before Pepper’s character slips on an empty Doritos bag and throws Phlaum—or the dummy meant to represent her—off the roof. Titled “What Could Go Wrong?,” Pepper says the ad was inspired by a common fear among male dancers: dropping your partner. The team agreed to do the project expecting that very few people would see the final result. It now has more than 550,000 views and climbing. And while it did not win the grand prize—30 seconds of coveted airtime during this year’s Super Bowl, $1 million and a chance to work as a contractor for a full year onsite at Universal Pictures in Hollywood—it did win Pepper and Reedy VIP treatment during the game. Pepper says the experience was amazing, despite his nerves throughout it. “Talking to actress Elizabeth Banks at a party for five minutes was very surreal,” Pepper says. “It was also incredible to meet the CEO for Pepsi and Frito Lay and other people responsible for billions of dollars worth of business, and they complimented my $80 commercial.” Most of the week, he says, did not feel real. “I met so many incredible

people from around the world including many celebrities,” he says. “I also spoke to film producers from all over the world and got tips from professionals. The outpouring of support from everyone, including my Elon family, was incredible and I have never felt so loved.” Pepper says he learned a great deal about marketing and film production during the project, something that gave him a deeper understanding for what goes on behind the camera. Working with Elon alumni is another aspect of the project he has an appreciation for. “I love my Elon family and that is why the majority of people who I worked with were from Elon,” he says. In the future, he hopes to continue producing his own projects. “I love film and TV production,” he says. “I have a much better understanding of writing and producing commercials so that is also on my mind. I love comedy and I hope to continue with that as well.”

spring 2015 39

CLASS NOTES

TURN YOURSELF IN! ONLINE AT …

elon.edu/classnotes

Help us keep you in touch with your classmates at Elon.

Jennifer Heilman ’ and Meghan Toomey ’. Karen works as a project

manager with the U.S. Census Bureau. They live in Alexandria, Va. • Canden Schwantes and Manny Arciniega were married 9/20/14. They live in Washington, D.C., where Canden works as a historian. • Leigh Virtue and Graham Stallings were married 10/11/14 on Bald Head Island, N.C. Lindsay Depree and Jill Pniewski served as bridesmaids and Day Palmer served as matron of honor. The couple live in Raleigh, N.C.

07|

Brad Austin and wife Lauren Summers Austin

welcomed son Caden Stephen on 2/5/14. The family lives in Charlotte, N.C. • Gregg Davis and Brittany Inlow were married 8/2/14.

They live in Baton Rouge, La., where Gregg is an assistant professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. • Melissa Steinbach Dubé and husband Alex Dubé welcomed daughter Olivia Sarah on 11/20/14. The family lives in Alexandria, Va.• Rachel Eresman and Jameson Rupe were married 12/18/14. Rachel is a graduate student and instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. They live in Kernersville. • Sarah Robinson and Aaron Barbera were married 10/11/14 in Linville, N.C. Alumni in attendance included Tina Brown DeLoache and Nolan Wildﬁre ’. Biology professor Matthew Clark also attended. Sarah works as the head emergency department physician

assistant for Betsy Johnson Hospital & Central Harnett Hospital. Aaron works as a certified public accountant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. They live in Durham, N.C. • Donna Vanhook earned her master’s degree in nonprofit management at High Point University in December. She lives in Burlington, N.C. • William Warihay and Kate Hopkins ’ were married 9/20/14. Alumni in attendance included Gregg Davis, Patrick Elliott, Daniel Mott, Daniel Ragna, Josh Donde ’, Melanie Johnson ’, Elizabeth Molloy ’ and Laura Smith ’. Kate is an associate attorney for Troutman Sanders and William is an associate attorney for Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele. They live in Atlanta.

Rooted in the OAKS BY SARAH MULNICK ’17

From boyhood, Ryan Vet ’13 has been creating and implementing new businesses. Whether it’s lemonade stands or neighborhood newspapers, he’s given it a shot. As a freshman at Elon, he even began a coffee company out of his dorm room, complete with Facebook page and menu.

t all led up to his biggest venture to date: opening The Oak House in downtown Elon last fall. “I’m a serial entrepreneur,” Vet says. “Starting new ventures is a part of my DNA.” The business sprung from a chance meeting at an Elon basketball game, when Vet ran into Phil Smith, former assistant chaplain at Elon, during halftime. They had known each other while Vet was an undergraduate business student and took the opportunity to catch up on the other’s life. The conversation continued at Pandora’s Pies, where Smith laid out his plan for what would become The Oak House—one that played directly into Vet’s entrepreneurial spirit. “We quickly realized that our visions were aligned for a place that fostered an intellectual climate in the Elon community,” Vet says. “We ran into one another again in Asheville several weeks later. It was there the final pieces fell into place to make the dream of The Oak House transform into a reality.” The Oak House is located on North Williamson Avenue across from the School of Communications, and offers gourmet coffees, craft beer and artisan pastries and snacks. The location gives Smith and Vet the chance to cater not just to students but also to the community at large, which Vet says was a goal

 THE MAgAZinE of ELOn

{ Phil Smith and Ryan Vet ’ 13 at The Oak House } from the beginning. “It is so fun to see students and staff, alumni and families, prospective students and the surrounding community come under one roof and have a place to just talk, laugh, study and relax,” Vet says. “We have had tremendous support from everyone.” Vet had always wanted to open a coffee shop and The Oak House has given him the opportunity to fulfill that vision in a place that is important to him. “We get to create an environment right downtown that will add to the Elon community and allow others to feel like they belong,” he says, adding that he hopes it will build the sort of connections, friendships and relationships that last a lifetime. His partnership with Smith is an example of those connections and what he calls “the epitome of the Elon experience.” “We had the unique opportunity to carry on [our] friendship past graduation day and transform it into a successful business in the heart of downtown Elon,” he says.

For more information on the business, visit elonoakhouse.com.

CLASS NOTES

08|

Kaley Chenot and Michael Cahill were

married 10/24/14. Alumni in attendance included Kevin Stecklein ’9, Khara Conlon Bauer ’, Krista Bulow, Katie Duﬀy, Mac Griﬃn, Angela Miceli Ruiz, Brandon Ruiz, Margo Smith, Ariel White and Andrew Feldman ’9. Kaley is an accounting manager for MGP Retail Consulting and Michael is a property manager for Lincoln Property Company. They live in Arlington, Va. • Caitlin Domenech and Bill Schilkie were married 11/16/14. Elon alumni in attendance included Marissa Heitshusen ’, Karen Clark Holmes, Katie Bent Kaminsky, Elizabeth Richey Lask, Morgan Davis Peckels, Becky Brackett Shade, Kyle Shade and Matt Lask ’. Caitlin works in sales at The Breakers Palm Beach. The couple live in Hypoluxo, Fla. • Corey Jahner recently started a new job as in-house attorney for the Central States Funds in Chicago. He lives in Illinois. • Megan Long and Nick Leffner were married 11/1/14. Alumni in attendance included Melissa Askew, Crystal Grandison, Leah Matthews, Megan’s former suitemate who served as photographer, Maggie McHarris, Maggie Paulin, Laura Heisch Smith, Kristen Templin, Cara DiSisto Verwholt and Rachel Whidden. Megan and Nick live in Baltimore.

09|

ALUMNI ALBUM

Lauren Summers Austin ’07, Brad Melissa Steinbach Dubé ’07, Alex Dubé Sarah Robinson ’07 & Austin ’07 & son Caden Stephen & daughter Olivia Sarah Aaron Barbera

William Warihay ’ 07 & Kate Hopkins Warihay ’10

Rachel Eresman Rupe ’07 & Jameson Rupe

Caitlin Domenech Schilkie ’08 & Bill Schilkie

Megan Long Leﬀner ’08 & friends

Dianna Biancardi and Justin Grich were married

4/19/14 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The two met their first year at Elon and have been together ever since. Alumni in attendance included David Clark, Harvey Clark, Joseph DeNenno, Sara Rickert and Craig Orsi ’. Dianna is a first-grade teacher and Justin works for Grease Cycle. They live in Wilmington, N.C. • Liesl Klotzbach and Taylor Baxter were married 6/14/14. Alumni in attendance included Hillary Waugh Bruce ’, Ashley Pearson ’, Alexandra Fippinger Scovel ’, Maureen Grewe, Alison Billings Lambert, Chelsea Peabody, Brittany Werts Slaughter, Abbe Golding ’, Jennifer Oseroﬀ ’, Anne Wood ’ and Lindsey Wolson ’. Liesl received a master’s degree in international hospitality and tourism management from the University of South Carolina in May 2014. The couple live

Kaley Chenot Cahill ’08 & friends in Charleston, S.C. • Shanon Sobota and Jacob Brenenstuhl were married 1/17/15. Shanon is an intervention specialist for Summit Academy. They live in Cleveland, Ohio. • The year 2014 was a big year for Sam Slaughter, who received his master’s degree in English from Stetson University and was voted Best of There Will Be Words, the largest literary event in Orlando, Fla. As a result, he was picked-up by a publisher, and his first book, When You Cross That Line, is due out in May. Sam is a copywriter for The LIMU Company and serves as a contributing editor for the literary magazine Entropy and book review editor for the literary journal Atticus Review. He lives in Bloomfield, N.J.

Liesl Klotzbach Baxter ’09 & friends

10|

Caroline J. Fox recently

opened her own law firm in Richmond, Va., where she specializes in a niche area of intellectual property, media and arts law. She graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2013 with a certificate of intellectual property “with distinction,” and received the Auzville Jackson Jr. Award for Excellence in Intellectual Property. • Shana Simpson, together with Caroline Denning, Danaka Walker, Lyllian Wimberly and Shante’ Barnwell ’, traveled to Rural Hall, N.C., for a Christmas concert to support classmate Alisha Richardson. • Jessica Milam and Jared Stephenson were married 11/22/14. Jessica is a certified public accountant with Brimmer, Burek & Keelan. They live

Shanon Sobota Brenenstuhl ’09 & Jacob Brenenstuhl in Clearwater, Fla. • Alex Walton and wife Angie welcomed daughter Noelle Joy on 12/11/14. The family lives in Johns Creek, Ga.

12|

Kristi Lee Jacobsen and Mark Brodd were married 9/26/14 in Raleigh, N.C. Elon alumni in attendance included Jenny Austin, Ericka Bentson, Lexi DeRosa, Stuart Jones, who served as the wedding photographer, Angela Muntean, Sarah Oldham, Elena Pipino, Jackie Serany, Tori Spearman and Alexis Spearman ’. • Lamar Lee and Shakinah Simeona were married 5/31/14. Lamar is a park supervisor for the City of High Point, Oak Hollow Lake, and Shakinah is an assistant coordinator for residence life at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. They live in Greensboro. • Matt Williamson spring 2015 

CLASS NOTES and Meghan Whitaker were married 7/26/14 at Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Alumni in attendance included parents of the groom, Gayle Edwards Williamson ’ and Frank Williamson ’, as well as Cathy Riddle ’9, Jimmy Riddle ’, John Rubertone ’, Scott Riddle ’, Craig Wood ’ and Logan Hardin. Matt is a project manager for Phoenix Coastal Properties, LLC. The couple live in Shallotte.

13|

Joseph Adams and Nicole Tower were married 11/22/14.

Nicole is an elementary teacher for Onslow County (N.C.) Schools and Joseph is a property manager at his family rental

business. • David Campbell and Rachel Southmayd were married

10/25/14. There were 23 Elon alumni in attendance. They live in Charlotte, N.C. • Jacob “Alex” Canterbury and

Anne-Elizabeth “Betsy” Carroll ’

were married 7/19/14. Elon alumni in attendance included Phil Anderson, Cody Benoit, Christian Binder, David Campbell, Rachel Southmayd Campbell, Melanie Catts, Gretchen Cundiff, Sean Dolan, Kenny Grecco, Sarah Kowalkowski, Sarah Beacham ’, Savannah Chaisson ’, Jordan Duffey ’, Jeffrey Flitter ’, Samantha Italiano ’, Leah Jennings ’, Elissa Krapf ’, Lindsey Langdon ’, Nicole Manning ’, Sara McLaughlin ’, Greg Zitelli ’,

Christine Fortner ’ and Ridge Stalnaker ’. Betsy is a teacher for

Bryan Independent School District and Alex is a graduate student at Texas A&M. They live in Bryan, Texas. • Genevieve D’Cruz recently moved to Washington, D.C., where she began working at the new Lee Montessori Public Charter School. As an alumna who is a Montessorian, Genevieve hopes to spread what Montessori is to other Elon alumni interested in education, and publicize a non-conventional method of learning that fosters independence, building character, good work habits and high executive functioning. ALUMNI ALBUM

Dianna Biancardi Grich ’09, Justin Grich ’09 & friends

Jessica Milam Stephenson ’10, Jared Stephenson & friends

l-r: Shana Simpson ’10, Danaka Walker ’10, Alisha Richardson ’10, Caroline Kristi L. Jacobsen Brodd ’12, Mark Brodd & friends Denning ’10, Lyllian Wimberly ’10 & Shante’ Barnwell ’11

Nicole Tower Adams ’13 & Joseph Adams ’13  THE MAgAZinE of ELOn

David Campbell ’13, Rachel Southmayd Campbell ’13 & friends

Alex Walton ’10, Angie Walton ’10 & daughter Noelle Joy

Matt Williamson ’12, Meghan Whitaker Williamson & friends

Alex Canterbury ’13, Betsy Carroll Canterbury ’14 & friends

CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

George Davis ’,

New Bern, N.C. 12/24/14.

Max C. Little John ’,

Danville, Va., 11/24/14. The Rev. William T. Scott Jr. ’, Atlanta,

Ga., 3/19/15. Scott’s family has been connected to Elon for decades and include parents William T. Scott Sr. ’ and Della Cotton Scott ’, sister Lois Scott Luke ’, nieces Jodie Luke ’9 and Della Luke Hemphill ’, and nephew Jay Luke ’.

Billie Amick ’,

Burlington, N.C. 2/17/15.

Eldred Cherry ’,

Eden, N.C. 3/7/15.

Norman J. Rinaldi ’,

Raleigh, N.C. 2/16/15.

William Douglas Edwards ’,

Kingston, Mass. 12/3/14.

BY KATIE DEGRAFF

Doris W. Lindsay ’,

Greensboro, N.C. 1/21/15.

Every time Lauren Oldham ’ watches a little kid flash a smile while playing a simple game of catch, it reinforces the love she feels for her job.

he former Elon softball player has worked at USA Baseball in Durham, N.C., since graduation and is focused on increasing youth participation in the sport. Between 2008 and 2012, youth involvement in baseball declined by .2 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal study. As the assistant director for amateur development, she’s working to awaken a love of softball and baseball in young players. As part of the push for more youth involvement, Oldham is involved with several campaigns rolling out in 2015 that promote a healthier and more engaging experience for all participants. The first initiative, Pitch Smart (pitchsmart.org), provides guidelines, tips and information to help protect the arms of baseball pitchers, especially youth. Oldham and her team not only want to increase youth participation, but do so in a way that helps players better understand the sport and how to keep their bodies healthy for a lifetime of play. Though she’s not even a year into the job, Oldham has already rubbed elbows with several of the sport’s luminaries, including Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred. She also had the opportunity to watch her younger brother, Matt, compete in the 15U National Team trials. He was selected for the trials before she was hired and

Oldham says it was a nice perk to spend part of her workday watching him play at USA Baseball’s National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. On a staff of 23, Oldham is one of three full-time staff members who are Elon alumni. Oldham, who majored in sport and event management, credits her experience as a student-athlete with giving her a firm grasp on time management and discipline, and with helping her develop a work ethic that turned what started as an internship into her full-time position. She had such a great college experience that her younger sister also decided to attend Elon. Oldham played middle infield and outfield throughout her four-year career with the Phoenix softball team, and was also involved with several honors and leadership organizations. She worked with Tony Weaver, associate professor of sport and event management, on undergraduate research and points to that opportunity as a way that she was able to differentiate herself from other job applicants. “I’ve always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by helping get baseball back to a healthy place so that millions of youth can have the opportunity for the same positive experiences that I’ve had with baseball and softball,” she says.

Anthony J. “Tony” DeMatteo ’,

Hixson, Tenn. 3/11/15.

Paul Ray Heath ’,

Burlington, N.C. 1/21/15. Cecil Harris Isley Jr. ’, Burlington, N.C. 1/11/15. Charlie Green “C.G.” Hall Jr. ’,

Butler, Tenn. 12/12/14.

James Griﬃn McClure Jr. ’,

Graham, N.C. 2/6/15.

Suzanne Jeanne Bluteau Hooper ’9,

Burlington, N.C. 1/31/15.

Richard W. “Skip” Loy Jr. ’ ,

Haw River, N.C. 11/3/14.

Carl Monroe Allen Jr. ’, Gibsonville, N.C. 12/18/14. Keith Anthony Kirby ’,

Prospect Hill, N.C. 12/22/14.

Brandon Middleton ’o,

Raleigh, N.C. 12/23/14.

friends Lucile Stone Andes, professor emerita of

education, died March 23. Andes taught in the School of Education from 1968 to 1981 and served as the official university decorator until 2007, when she retired. She received the Elon Medallion in 1998 for her distinguished service to the school.

Whitney “Whit” Paul Mullen, associate

professor emeritus of science education, died March 13. Mullen joined Elon’s departments of science and education in 1970 and retired in 1985. spring 2015 3

#ELONDAY

3 10 15

CELEBRATING ELON’S BIRTHDAY WITH A GLOBAL COLLEGE COFFEE

Alumni, parentss and students showed they believe in Elon by celebrating the university’s birthday on campus and around the world on March . Here are some of the ElonDay images they shared with us on social media.

Office of Alumni Engagement PO Box 398 Elon, NC 27244

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Durham, NC Permit # 104

Toll Free: (877) 784-3566 elon.edu/alumni Change Service Requested

{ Students dance the night away during ElonTHON , a -hour dance marathon that raised more than , for the Children’s Miracle Network and Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center. }