The Magazine of Elon, Spring 2012

M A G A Z I N E

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Commencement cover 2012.zip

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THE MEANING of MENTORSHIP

Contents

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I AM ELON

‘CAN’T’ IS A FOURLETTER WORD

Senior Gina Maini is nothing if not a straight shooter.

“I’m very comfortable being whatever I want to be. I’m very extroverted. I never shut up, and I can make people laugh,” she says. “Short, weird people like me have to be funny. It’s just a prerequisite.”

Her four years in Elon’s music theater program did far more than simply train her to be her best on stage. Encouraged by professors such as Richard Gang, Gina explores interests outside of the theater: writing

BY JOHN ROBINSON

Monique Johnson L’12 wasn’t expected to survive childhood. Now 25, she’s about to conquer law school.

Cover Story

 THE MEANING OF MENTORSHIP

BY ERIC TOWNSEND, KEREN RIVAS ’04, KATIE DEGRAFF & KRISTIN M. SIMONETTI ’05

Faculty, students and alumni illustrate the importance of this quintessentially Elon experience.

 ARE YOU READY FOR SOME NOONBALL?

BY KRISTIN M. SIMONETTI ’05

A peek into the thrice-weekly pickup game that pits students against faculty and staff on the hardwood of Jordan Gym.

 A DEEPROOTED TRADITION

BY KRISTIN M. SIMONETTI ’05

Ever wonder why or when Elon started giving out oak saplings at Commencement? Or what happens to those trees after alumni leave campus? We have answers.

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Under the Oaks Phoenix Sports Alumni Action Class Notes Making a Difference

poetry, painting portraits and studying feminism. A Spanish minor, she spent a semester in Seville and lives in Elon’s La Casa de Español living-learning community. These varied experiences, she says, makes her a better actor.

After she graduates in May, Gina plans to move to New York City with three fellow alumni.

“I can’t wait. It’s going to be hectic and stressful and totally wonderful. I’m prepared for it because I got through Elon,” she says.

GINA IS ELON. Visit elon.edu/magazine to see more of Gina’s story, part of our “I am Elon” multimedia series featuring Elon students in their own words.

UNDER THE OAKS ▶ From the President’s Office

KINDLING THE INTELLECTUAL LIGHT { Paul Fromson & President Leo M. Lambert }

musical theatre. He studied the content of his production – the psychological issue of dissociative identity – as well as the process of how a production is put together.

LL: Why are faculty members invested in mentoring a Lumen Prize winner, and what benefits do they gain?

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aul Fromson, professor of psychology, steps down this spring after serving five years as founding director of the Lumen Prize Program. The Lumen Prize, established in 2007, is the university’s premier award that comes with a $15,000 scholarship to support and celebrate students’ academic research and creative activity. Fromson spoke with President Leo M. Lambert about the progress of the program and his hopes for its future.

LL: What do you see as the major benefits of the Lumen Prize for Elon’s intellectual climate?

PF: The most obvious benefit is for that small group of winners who get significant financial and mentoring support. Beyond that, there are a bunch of interesting ripples. For those students who applied but didn’t emerge as winners, they have made significant jumpstarts on their scholarly work. The Lumen Prize is becoming a benchmark for what’s possible in undergraduate research at the university. I’ve heard from some of the prize applicants that it was part of their decision to come to Elon.

LL: The Office of International Fellowships began at the same time as the Lumen Prize. How do the programs connect?

PF: Janet (Myers, associate professor of English and director of national and international fellowships) and I have been very intentional about coordinating what

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we do. We attend meetings with first-year students in Elon’s Honors Fellows program, encouraging them to think about all four years of their education and how the different pieces can fit together. For example, we ask them to think about problems they were interested in when they came to Elon, or those they discover in courses they take during their first year, and how those can become targets for independent scholarship.

Our Lumen Prize winners receive additional resources that allow them to elevate their work so when they apply for major external awards – Goldwater and Fulbright scholarships, for example – they can be competitive with students at any institution in the country.

LL: Which Lumen projects would you cite as being remarkable or illustrating the range of student interests?

PF: Lauren Taylor ’09 worked in a number of different countries studying women’s health and maternal transmission of HIV. Much of her research data came from her work in South Africa, where she studied the attitudes of health care providers toward women who were HIV-infected. Junior Kelsey Van Dalfsen, who just received a Goldwater Scholarship (see p. 8) is looking at the biomechanisms involved in cell death. In particular, she’s studying why people who have diabetes are far more prone to have heart disease than others. Christopher Staskel ’09 used his Lumen Prize to develop an original piece of

PF: Even faculty who feel that their plates are very full, when they get one of these students in their office and they talk about their vision and their enthusiasm, you just succumb.

You want to be a part of it. Nurturing and developing that spark over the course of a project is very stimulating. From the beginning of the Lumen Prize, we saw that it wasn’t a “two years and over” kind of notion.

We capture these students at a particular point in their journey, but it’s a journey they started before they came to Elon and it’s one we very much want to see continue after they leave. These are students faculty will have an ongoing relationship with, and that’s very attractive.

LL: We are so grateful to you for your leadership in founding this program.

What are your thoughts on the Lumen Prize’s future as you pass the torch to Professor of Philosophy Ann Cahill?

PF: First, I’d like to bring in more applicants but also do a better job recruiting firstgeneration university students. We need to do more outreach to let them know about the process. Second, we need to make sure we develop a network of Lumen alumni who will become mentors for current Elon students. That fits with the idea that the Lumen Prize is not just a two-year experience.

Finally, I’d like to focus on faculty mentoring.

Many faculty have been shy about taking on a Lumen student because they’re not sure what’s involved in it. I think Elon has great potential to become a leader in exploring and identifying best practices about how to mentor students in this kind of work.

facebook.com/leomlambert twitter.com/headphoenix

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Gortney to lead U.S. Fleet Forces

LOVE SCHOOL RISES IN NATIONAL RANKINGS

Vice Adm. William E. Gortney ’77 has been nominated by President Barack Obama to become the next commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces.

Gortney, a three-star admiral, previously was appointed by the president to serve as director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, a position he has held since July 2010. If approved by the U.S. Senate, Gortney will replace Adm. John Harvey, who is retiring, this summer at the headquarters of Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. Last May, Gortney visited campus to deliver the keynote speech at the 121st Commencement Exercises.

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business has received its first top-50 ranking in the annual Bloomberg Businessweek rating of undergraduate business programs.

This year’s #43 ranking is up 17 spots from the 2011 edition, when Elon debuted at #60.

Bloomberg Businessweek rates the nation’s top undergraduate business programs based on nine measures of student satisfaction, post-graduation outcomes and academic quality.

Elon earned the #1 spot in this year’s employer survey.

“That is especially gratifying because it demonstrates the confidence business leaders have in the mentoring and training our graduates receive as they begin their careers,” said Steven House, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Elon ranked 45th overall in academic quality and earned an “A+” for facilities and services. The only other North Carolina business schools ranked in the top 50 were the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#10) and Wake Forest University (#19).

The Love School’s undergraduate ranking follows November’s #1 ranking by Bloomberg Businessweek for Elon’s part-time MBA program.

You will have money-making businesses – that’s the means – then you use the money to solve problems through social business – that’s the ends. Once we accept that, all the problems of the world can be resolved.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus speaking April 3 about the virtues of social business at Elon’s annual Convocation for Honors. During his visit, Yunus received the 2012 Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership from the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and met with students. View video and more photos at elon.edu/magazine.

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The Magazine of Elon spring 2012 | vol. 74, no. 2 The Magazine of Elon is published quarterly for alumni, parents and friends by the Office of University Communications.

EDITOR

Kristin M. Simonetti ’05 DESIGNER

Christopher Eyl PHOTOGRAPHER

Kim Walker

ALUMNUS GOES VIRAL WITH ‘TEXTS FROM HILLARY’ Adam Smith ’05 created the popular but shortlived blog “Texts from Hillary” in April with his friend, Stacy Lamb. The website, based on an image of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who appears to be sending a text while riding on a military transport plane, earned the duo headlines in national media and an invitation to meet Clinton herself. Smith, communications director for the nonprofit organization Public Campaign and a graduate of Elon’s School of Communications, shares his thoughts on his brush with fame.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Holley Berry Keren Rivas ’04 Eric Townsend STUDENT WRITERS

Natalie Allison ’13 Caitlin O’Donnell ’13 Sam Parker ’13

How did this all start?

(Stacy and I) were just catching up and having drinks after work and I said, “Hey, have you seen the photo making the rounds of Hillary Clinton texting?” and he said “I think we should make a meme out of it.”

VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Daniel J. Anderson

EDITORIAL OFFICES

The Magazine of Elon 2030 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244-2020 (336) 278-7415 elon.edu/magazine

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CHAIR

Mark T. Mahaffey p’97 p’01 St. Petersburg, Fla. ELON ALUMNI BOARD, PRESIDENT

John Hill ’76 Severna Park, Md.

Tell us about the meeting with Secretary Clinton. How did that come about?

We got an email from one of her people saying, “Hey, we’ve been watching the Tumblr. We love it, here’s a submission from Hillary. She loves the site and would love for y’all to stop by and say hello.” We couldn’t believe it, so we looked the guy up to make sure he was real. He was, so we said, “Absolutely, we’ll come by!”

The next day, we got to the State Department and her people came down to take us up to her office. She came out and was very friendly, very nice. She told us how much she liked the site and how funny she thought it was. It was really brief,

because she’s the Secretary of State – she can’t spend lots of time talking to two guys from the Internet. The picture of us outside her office (see below), where we’re texting with her, that was actually her idea. I wanted to ask her, but I was afraid to, so I was glad she suggested it.

You and Stacy have decided to stop adding new memes to the site. Why? There were a few things. One, when you meet the subject of your meme, it’s hard to top that.

She submitted her own post, how can it ever get better than that? And we had reached a peak – a lot of these things get run into the ground and months later people say, “Remember how good it was when it started?” We wanted to say we did this, we reached our goal and we’re moving on.

It also got very stressful and took a lot of time.

Do you two have any new meme projects we should keep an eye out for?

You can’t really force a meme, that’s the thing. A lot of it is luck – you have to watch the news and make sure you know what’s happening and see if you can break through.

I would love to do something just as popular as “Texts from Hillary” about campaign finance reform for Public Campaign, but that’s a little bit harder to make funny.

View the memes at textsfromhillaryclinton.tumblr.com.

YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL, PRESIDENT

Britten Ginsburg Pund ’06 Columbia, Md. PARENTS COUNCIL, COPRESIDENTS

Kelly & Meredith Graves p’12 p’13 Charlotte, N.C. BOARD OF VISITORS, CHAIR

Russell R. Wilson p’86 Burlington, N.C. SCHOOL OF LAW ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIR

David Gergen Cambridge, Mass.

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIR

Brian Williams p’13 New Canaan, Conn.

LOVE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIR

William S. Creekmuir p’09 p’10 Atlanta, Ga. PHOENIX CLUB ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIR

Mike Cross Burlington, N.C.

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{ Stacy Lamb (l) & Adam Smith ’05 (r) had the chance in April to meet the muse of their memes, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “Hillz” also gave Smith an autographed print. }

UNDER THE OAKS

{ Senior Ashley Jobe met one of her scholarship donors, Kerrii Anderson ’79, in February. }

LONG LIVE ELON

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

ASHLEY’S ‘AHA’ MOMENT

BY JALEH HAGIGH

Senior Ashley Jobe will never forget meeting Kerrii Anderson ’79, one of the scholarship donors who have helped make her Elon education possible. After that meeting in February, Jobe realized that many other donors also have made her education a reality. It was a powerful moment for Jobe, who has a new appreciation for annual scholarship gifts to the university.

The Lexington, N.C., native talked about meeting Anderson and what Elon has meant to her.

Jobe has made her mark as a journalism major, columnist for The Pendulum, a member of the women’s rugby club team and a Periclean Scholar.

On meeting Kerrii Anderson ’79: It was great to show Kerrii that I was taking full advantage of my Elon education. I got to see her face light up when I told her I’m going to do Teach for America after I graduate. I felt a sense of pride leaving that meeting and thought, “Here is a successful woman I hope to be like some day.”

On overcoming adversity: I was diagnosed with cancer when I was in high school. After that happened and I got through it, I was accepted to Elon. I knew I had a new lease on life, and I was determined to make the next four years memorable.

On her Elon experience: You’re not just a number or a person wandering about campus going after your own pursuits. You are part of a family, and everyone has a role to play. You’re leaving imprints on other people’s lives and they on you. I’ve

THANK YOU! Elon is grateful to the following donors for their generous gifts to support university priorities. To read more about these gifts, please visit elon.edu/giving.

always felt embraced and supported here. If I couldn’t do something on my own, there was someone I could go to for help. The faculty are great, too. They make Elon the warm place it is.

On playing rugby: Rugby is so challenging, but it is such a family builder. You bleed and sweat together on the pitch, and there’s a spot on the team for everyone, big or small, fast or not. The women on my team and in the organizations I’ve been part of at Elon have inspired me so much.

On paying it forward: I participated in the IGNITE Challenge this year, and I’m going to continue to give back to Elon when I graduate. It’s awesome to help another student discover the joys of journalism or rugby that can only happen here at Elon. I wear my four years at Elon proudly. I’m so grateful for each day I’ve had here.

Elon trustee Vicky Hunt and her husband, Sam, made a second 500,000 gift to support Hunt Softball Park.

The couple have given a total of 1 million to the project.

Young alumni set new giving records during Elon’s third and final IGNITE Challenge. During March, 1,422 alumni and 231 seniors made gifts of $20 or more and had them matched 5-to-1 by Elon trustee Kerrii Anderson ’79.

Anderson launched the first of three Challenges in March 2010 to increase annual giving among graduates of the past decade. In a series of video messages during March, Anderson encouraged young alumni to “Kerrii on” the tradition of giving that they’ve started.

“Young alumni have made the IGNITE Challenge one of Elon’s most successful fundraising efforts,” Anderson said. “Elon is our university and needs our support every year to be recognized as one of the nation’s great universities.”

Now look what you’ve done!

IGNITE Challenge results: March 2012 Total young alumni gifts: 1,422 Total senior gifts: 231 Total donors: 1,653 Total dollars: $492,316 March 2011 Total young alumni gifts: 1,394 Total senior gifts: 135 Total donors: 1,529 Total dollars: $480,939 March 2010 Total young alumni gifts: 628 Total dollars: $205,028

Edna Truitt Noiles ’44 and her husband, Doug, contributed an additional 400,000 to the Elon Academy, the university’s collegeaccess program for high school students with significant financial need. The Noileses have given more than 1.5 million to the program.

Elon parents Charles and Casey Berg made a 100,000 commitment to endow the Berg Family Scholarship to assist students with financial need.

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FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT { Dalton L. McMichael Sr.’s relatives plant a tree March 13 in front of the Elon science center bearing his name. }

Art Cassill, the Wesley R. Elingburg Professor of Accounting, was named the 2012 Outstanding Educator of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. The award recognizes a member’s innovative teaching, scholarly accomplishments, contributions to the field and the community, and commitment to student advising and mentoring.

{ l-r, Eric Sklut P’14, Geoffrey Claussen, Lori Sklut P’14 & Barbara Sklut GP’14 }

Geoffrey Claussen, an assistant professor of religious studies, was formally introduced as the first Lori and Eric Sklut Emerging Scholar in Jewish Studies at Elon’s Convocation for Honors on April 3. Claussen came to Elon in the fall and teaches courses about the Jewish tradition, from the Hebrew Bible to contemporary Judaism. The Sklut Emerging Scholar is supported by Eric and Lori Sklut P’14 of Charlotte, N.C., who made a major gift last year to expand and enrich Elon’s Jewish studies program.

STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER OPENS IN MOSELEY CENTER

McMichael honored on Founders Day

E

lon honored the late Dalton L. McMichael Sr., a North Carolina textile magnate whose generosity benefited generations of Elon students, at its 2012 Founders Day celebrations.

Members of his family, including his daughter, Gail M. Lane, and son, Dalton L. “Mac” McMichael Jr. – both Elon trustees – attended a tree planting in his honor on March 13.

“When you encountered Dalton McMichael, you knew you were meeting one of the best, most genuine and golden people you’d ever have the privilege of meeting in your lifetime,” President Leo M. Lambert said.

Dalton McMichael Sr. founded, often in partnership, a number of North Carolina-based

development,” said Tom Brinkley, executive director of the Student Professional Development Center.

“That may be for graduate school, or The Student Professional it may be for a job.”

Development Center, a 5,000-squareThe center features an open lobby, foot showcase resource for Elon six interview rooms of which two Career Services and employer allow remote video conversations, relations, has opened on the first a lounge for corporate recruiters floor of Moseley Center. The facility stocked with refreshments and houses a comprehensive program computer terminals, a classroom that of career development that spans all can accommodate up to 40 people, four years of a student’s education and offices for career counselors. and a strong employer relations The centerpiece of the facility is the program featuring partnerships with elegant Wes and Cathy Elingburg many of the nation’s top companies.

Room, which includes entrances to “One of the most important parts Moseley Center’s patio and provides of what we’re trying to do is prepare space for recruiters and students students once they come into Elon as well as a variety of university and engage them early with career functions.

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textile companies during his 60-year career in the industry, transforming man-made yarn preparation. He supported many universities, colleges and public schools throughout the state, including Elon. His contributions include major gifts to support the construction of Dalton S. McMichael Sr. Science Center and Rhodes Stadium, along with support for the Frank S. Holt Jr. Professorship and the Kresge Endowed Science Fund.

Continuing McMichael’s rich philanthropic tradition at Elon following his death in 2001, the McMichael Family Foundation has made major gifts to support scholarships at Elon University School of Law.

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SYLLABUZZ

BY ERIC TOWNSEND

{ EDU : Math & Science for the Early Childhood Educator }

F

or parents of young children, as well as daycare providers and preschool teachers, singing the ABCs is second nature as toddlers begin to show an active interest in books.

What isn’t heavily emphasized, however, are the 123s or learning how to understand the wonders of the world around them. Emerging research confirms the negative effects on young children of underexposure to math and science concepts – poor performance in school and, for some, a lifelong anxiety of numbers. Heidi Hollingsworth, assistant professor of education, is one of several Elon faculty at the forefront of guiding future educators to avoid such pitfalls.

Hollingsworth teaches Math & Science for the Early Childhood Educator, which focuses on teaching students techniques for effectively developing early numeracy and critical thinking skills in boys and girls under age 5.

“Science is asking questions, figuring out how you might answer them, then trying to find those answers,” Hollingsworth says. “It starts with having questions and generating hypotheses with an approach that follows children’s interests. And kids are going to have their own areas of interest without your prompting.”

Hollingsworth’s students work in groups to design math and science enrichment activities for children. They write narrative reviews that explore their own experiences with math and science concepts and how it influenced their educational goals. Sociocultural influences on math and science knowledge also receive attention.

Hollingsworth has a special interest in fostering love of math and science in young girls. For generations, there was the impression that women wouldn’t, or couldn’t, enroll in upper-level math courses or enter science-related fields.

As primary caregivers in the home, and as an overwhelming percentage of early childhood educators, women’s traditional lack of science and math engagement manifests itself in some teachers who have anxiety about and struggle to teach those subjects.

That’s part of the reason the School of Education added an early childhood education major last fall.

“It’s a period in which there is so much development happening so rapidly, laying the foundation for trajectories throughout life,” she says. “Research confirms that high-quality learning experiences in the early years are critical for improving outcomes for children.”

{ Heidi Hollingsworth }

ABOUT THE PROFESSOR An adjunct instructor at Elon since 2007, Hollingsworth joined the full-time faculty last fall as an assistant professor and program coordinator for early childhood education. She taught in elementary schools in North Carolina and Virginia for a decade before earning her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006.

RECOMMENDED READINGS National Association for the Education of Young Children, naeyc.org Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, zerotothree.org From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development, National Research Council and Institute of Medicine

Elon to add women’s lacrosse for 2013–14 The Elon athletics program will expand for the 2013–14 academic year, introducing women’s lacrosse as its 17th varsity team.

“Women’s lacrosse is becoming increasingly popular at all intercollegiate levels, and we feel the sport is a strong fit for our athletic program,” Director of Athletics Dave Blank said.

A national search has begun to identify a head coach for the team, which becomes the 10th women’s athletic program at Elon. The 2012–13 season will be used to schedule opponents and recruit and develop players for the 28-athlete roster.

Elon becomes the sixth school in North Carolina to house a varsity women’s lacrosse program. In the Southern Conference, Davidson has fielded a team since 1994, and Furman has announced the addition of the sport in 2014–15.

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{ Kelsey Van Dalfsen & Julie Ronecker }

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT In March, junior biochemistry major Kelsey Van Dalfsen became the second Elon student to receive a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, which supports top American college students with career aspirations in mathematics, science or engineering. Fellow junior Julie Ronecker, who also is studying biochemistry, received honorable mention in the Goldwater program. Previous Elon students recognized by the program were Geoffrey Lynn ’06, who received the Goldwater Scholarship in 2005, and Amanda Clark ’11, who received honorable mention in 2009 and 2010.

Junior Jack Blanchflower was one of 7,000 people who participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March, a 26.2-mile trek through New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range. The annual event honors soldiers who were forced to march 80 miles through the Philippine jungle as Japanese prisoners of war during World War II, many of whom died en route or were killed by their captors. Blanchflower and Maj. Andrew Anderson, assistant professor of military science, represented Elon Army ROTC at the event.

Campus Compact has named Elon junior Will Brummett one of 162 national recipients of the Newman Civic Fellows Award, which recognizes inspiring college student leaders who work to create lasting change in their communities. Campus Compact specifically mentioned Brummett’s work with youth activists in communities in the southern Appalachian region when selecting him for the award.

For the sixth year in a row, Elon earned a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for service efforts to America’s communities. Elon was one of four colleges in North Carolina that were named to the Honor Roll “with distinction.” Launched in 2006 by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can receive for its commitment to service learning and civic engagement.

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Construction begins on Numen Lumen Pavilion Work crews broke ground earlier this year on the Numen Lumen Pavilion in the Academic Village, which upon completion in January 2013 will house the university’s future multi-faith center and be home to the Vera Richardson Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

The Numen Lumen Pavilion will be a place for prayer, meditation and reflection in the heart of campus, and it will encourage campus dialogue and promote interfaith collaboration. The final building in Elon’s Academic Village, it will take the spot on the west side of the quad next to the Gray Pavilion and Phi Beta Kappa Plaza.

ONLINE ALUMNI DIRECTORY LAUNCHED The Elon Alumni Association’s new comprehensive online directory is available, providing a substantial resource for personal and professional networking among the university’s graduates. The database will be password-protected and offer basic and advanced search options to help alumni reconnect. The service also allows alumni to quickly update their contact information with the Office of Alumni Engagement.

Alumni should have received via email or U.S. mail information regarding registration for the service. If you have not yet received your email or letter, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@elon.edu or (877) 784-3566 for assistance.

Student, alumna inducted into African-American Wall of Fame Jasmine Spencer ’11 and sophomore Janelle Bennett were inducted into the Multicultural Center’s AfricanAmerican Wall of Fame at a February ceremony.

Spencer was an anchor of the “Phoenix14News” team that won Elon’s first collegiate Emmy award for news in 2011. Bennett is the first recipient of the Black Alumni Scholarship. They are the latest to be honored { Jasmine Spencer ’11 } { Janelle Bennett } in the Wall of Fame, established in 1997 by L’Tanya Richmond ’87, a former director of the Multicultural Center. It celebrates individuals and organizations whose achievements have advanced the black community at Elon.

“To know that I’ll be on the same wall with them, I’m excited. It’s truly an honor,” said Spencer, who is a reporter for WCTI News 12, an NBC affiliate in Greenville, N.C. Bennett, a sophomore studying psychology, Spanish and African & African-American studies at Elon, was equally thrilled by the recognition.

“These people have shown how black students and faculty on this campus have made a difference,” she said. “I’m really speechless.”

CAMPUS UNCOMMONS

BY NATALIE ALLISON ’13

For many college and university academic advisers, working with students on academic suspension or facing other roadblocks to graduation might be considered a necessary but trying aspect of the job.

Not Jim Donathan. The associate director of academic advising says helping those students find ways to overcome challenges and get back on track to earn their degrees is his favorite thing to do.

“Some students reach a point early on in their academic careers when they’re asked to take a semester off,” says Donathan, who’s called Elon home since coming from Appalachian State University in 1994. “When they come back and do well, I hope I’m their biggest supporter. If they realize ‘What I need is to go back to Elon and finish my degree,’ it’s really rewarding.”

Donathan shares that dedication with all students with whom he works, including Elon’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Order, which he guided for several years. He says the fruits of his labor extend for years after Commencement, when he gets to see his students as professionals and parents with children of their own.

“I really don’t know anything else I could do,” Donathan says. “It’s like finding a glove or coat that fits. It just fits me.”

What faculty or staff member do you think is uncommon?

Send a suggestion to themagazineofelon@gmail.com.

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PHOENIX SPORTS ▶ elonphoenix.com

DRIVING FORCE ON OR OFF THE FIELD, NIKO FRASER IS ALWAYS IN HIGH GEAR

BY JALEH HAGIGH

N

iko Fraser ’13 competes for his grades scholarship is a responsibility for me to fulfill. I the same way he plays baseball – hard. want the Carufes to be proud of me.”

A quick look at Fraser’s statistics in his first “I’m proud to say I’m a student and an athlete,” he says. “I think my favorite two seasons at Elon might be enough to stir feeltime of the year is in the fall when we ings of pride in the Carufes; it’s certainly the case announce all the athletes who have a 3.0 GPA or for Fraser’s coach, Mike Kennedy ’91. higher and there are a couple hundred names “He very well could be the best centerfielder there. That makes me proud.”

I’ve had here,” Kennedy says of Fraser, whose The Georgia native was one of nearly 200 .291 batting average and 31 steals entering the Elon athletes named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll for 2010-11. Being a student-athlete has taught Fraser plenty.

“Playing baseball at Elon has probably been the best preparation for the rest of my life,” he says. “I see being on a Division I team like being in a workplace. You have to deal with many different personalities, and you have to bring the best out of everyone to accomplish a common goal. As much as I love baseball, I know I’m not 2012 season have been invaluable contributions going to play it for the rest of my life, and that’s to the Phoenix. “Most freshmen who come in where being a student comes in.” having done very well in high school but strugFraser is grateful to former Elon parents gle once they get to college, they start to think, Damion and Sherri Carufe for endowing a schol- ‘I’m not cut out for this.’ But Niko is very driven, arship to help members of the baseball team. and he turned it around pretty quickly.”

“Without the Carufe Scholarship, my fam“My Elon experience has been the biggest ily couldn’t afford Elon,” he says. “Having this transformation of my life,” Fraser says. “I’m a

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lot more grounded and open-minded now. I’m no longer focused on Niko’s stats but on how the team does. I also became a Christian at Elon. I have found something to stand for that I can take into the classroom and onto the field and let that be my driving force.”

Fraser leads the baseball team’s Bible study sessions and is a leader with Campus Outreach, one of Elon’s religious and spiritual life organizations. He embraces his role as team captain and is known for being a bit of a nerd during practice.

“I like coming out to the field and talking about classroom topics like philosophy or religion,” he says. “I think it’s fun.”

The journalism major is quick to thank his professors for inspiring him to learn.

“All the communications faculty take a strong interest in their students, and they push you when you need to be pushed,” he says. “During my sophomore year, I did a video project that was really challenging. I got the same butterflies when I presented my video in class that I get when I’m up at bat.”

When asked what grade he received, Fraser smiled. “I got an A.”

PHOENIX SPORTS

Photo by Al Drago ’15

DOUBLES TROUBLE Sophomores Frida Jansaker and Jordan Johnston made headlines in February, becoming the first doubles team in Elon women’s tennis history to achieve a national ranking by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Jansaker and Johnson appeared at No. 43 on the strength of their first few matches, which included a season-opening upset over the top doubles team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the fourth-ranked women’s tennis team in the country at the time.

Making the accomplishment even more impressive? The duo didn’t even start playing together until three months earlier.

“Jordan and I play so well together because we’re very honest and comfortable with each other,” Jansaker says. “We’re not afraid to speak up and get in each others’ faces, and that’s what makes our chemistry so good.”

The Phoenix women’s tennis team finished the regular season 15-8 overall - just one win shy of matching the program record. Not surprisingly, Jansaker and Johnston, who finished 19-2 overall and third among Southern Conference doubles teams, earned first-team, all-conference honors for their achievements.

“It’s awesome being able to compete and have success with one of my best friends right next to me,” Johnston says.

{ The secret to success for Jordan Johnston (l) & Frida Jansaker (r)? “We always seem to play our best when it really matters,” Jansaker says. }

Elon soccer’s James Carroll earns prestigious NCAA award enior Phoenix midfielder James Carroll has parlayed his excellence in the classroom and on the soccer field into the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, a significant grant that’s awarded to fewer than 60 student-athletes nationwide.

“Right now, I’m working in Raleigh (N.C.) for a software engineering company called Prometheus Group, but eventually I want to get a Ph.D. in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence,” says Carroll, who completed coursework toward his degree in computer science and physics in December.

“The scholarship will definitely be helpful.”

Before he helped lead the Phoenix to the 2011 Southern Conference Tournament championship last fall, Carroll completed a summer research experience at Auburn University where he worked with drones on projects that have applications for search-and-rescue and military operations.

“I really enjoyed that experience working with robotics – not the typical robot you

S

think about when someone says ‘robot,’ but robotic-type applications, like unmanned aerial vehicles and cars that can drive themselves,” he says.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is just the latest recognition of Carroll’s academic achievements. He was one of 25 SoCon student-athletes to receive the Coleman Lew Leadership Award and was included on the COSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District 3 second team. He and John Tumbleston ’06, an alumnus of the men’s cross country team, are the only Elon athletes to be selected for the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

“I’ve talked to my friends who played sports at other schools, and none have the relationships like I’ve had with my professors, teammates and coaches at Elon,” Carroll says.

“My experiences with professors in computer science and physics were great, and I think a lot of that has made an impact on where I am today and what my goals are.”

spring 2012 11

BY JOHN ROBINSON

‘CAN’T’ IS A FOURLETTER WORD When you’re only two feet tall, you can’t drive a car. You can’t prepare your own meal. You have trouble dressing.

Wait.

That’s not the right way to start this article.

This isn’t about you or me. This is about Monique Johnson L’12, and she doesn’t approach the world in terms of “can’t” or “unable” or “only.”

Let’s try again.

12 the magazine of elon

You’re two feet tall. Big deal. You can still graduate from law school. You can create beautiful art that people want to buy. You can help members of your church get their financial houses in order. You can change lives for the better.

Johnson makes people adjust their vocabulary. “Can’t?” Don’t even bring it up. Where you see an obstacle, Johnson sees a challenge. When you weren’t expected to live past age 6 and you’re now 25, every day is a blessing. Who has time for “can’t?”

Johnson graduates from Elon University School of Law this year and is studying for the Bar exam in July. She plans to specialize in criminal and disability law. Maybe a judgeship later on. Her success at Elon Law is a living example of what she recently told the students at Kirkman Park Elementary School in High Point, N.C.: “You can dream big. It doesn’t matter what you look like. You can overcome any obstacle.”

Johnson was born with diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, and scoliosis of her spine. Doctors feared that her spine might curve into her lungs or damage her heart, a common cause of death for infants with this condition.

To be exact, Johnson is 2 feet 5 inches lying down, which is when she is her tallest. But who’s counting? In addition to scoliosis, she suffers from hitchhiker’s thumb, which prevents her from gripping objects. Even though her feet curve inward at the ankle, she walks, but not far and not for long periods. She speaks with pride of modifying her treadmill – she’s too short for the standard rails – so she can exercise.

Remember: “You can overcome any obstacle.”

Obstacles, there are. An aide comes in a few hours a day to help her get ready for the day, which she spends mostly in an electric wheelchair. Much of the time, she relies on the kindness of her mother, Angela Matthews, and her sister, Melissa, an N.C. A&T State University student who is her roommate, chauffeur and friend. (When asked if Monique ever gets on her nerves, Melissa laughed and said, “We’re sisters.”

Everyone who has a sibling knows exactly what that means.)

Johnson embraces her condition with its ups and downs.

“My joy in life definitely comes from my disability,” she says. “Just being able to live my life with the challenges I have and be a visual example of hard work and determination. It’s rewarding to be able to surpass people’s expectations of me and encourage them.

“My greatest frustration is when I have to depend on people for 99 percent of my life,” she adds. “I can’t go to many meetings or activities on campus because my schedule has to correlate with a ride so my potential is limited. I haven’t been able to do an internship because I need someone with me. But I definitely try to take lemons and make lemonade.”

When she’s not studying, she’s doing what “normal” people do. She shops. She visits museums. She paints. She attends church. Ordinary, everyday things. Of course, her experience isn’t always ordinary.

Because of the way Johnson sits in the wheelchair, it appears as if she doesn’t have any legs. When people see her, they generally react to her in one of two ways. They see and then quickly look away so as not to appear rude. Or they’re curious.

“A lot of people stop and ask me about it, and I like that because we both go away from the conversation enlightened. I want them to forget I have a disability. Hey, I’m different, but we’re all the same in some aspect. And I hope that when they encounter someone else with a disability, they may not be so quick to judge.”

It’s natural that stories about Johnson focus on her height. It’s unfair, too, because that approach takes attention away from her mind and spirit, both of which she has in spades. They are reflected in her decision to attend Elon Law after graduating with honors from A&T. “I chose to study law because it is a profession where I could voice my opinion,” she says.

“I may not be able to get around easily, but I have a big mouth and it works. I can utilize my analytical skills and use my argumentative skills to advocate on someone’s behalf.

“Coming here at the open house, I knew immediately it was home. I love the fact that Elon creates such an experience for every student to be a leader, to be knowledgeable of the law, and to be ethical in their personal lives and in the legal profession.”

Sharon Gaskin, associate dean of admissions at Elon Law, remembers the discussion about Johnson’s application.

“When we spoke with people about her, everyone talked about the impact on their lives after having had contact with her,” Gaskin says. “I was thinking about how we would need to help her with her disability when I was the one needing her to help me see the world in a different way.”

Her friend and classmate, Kathy Stewart, met Johnson on the first day of law school, and they became good friends and created a study group.

“In the classroom, Monique is reserved and mostly quiet,” Stewart says, “but when she does speak, her comments are insightful, wellthought-out and intriguing.”

The fact is, once you talk with Johnson, you quickly forget that she’s shorter than your typical two-year-old. You are captivated by her 1,000-watt smile and charmed by her open, optimistic personality. She’s clearly comfortable in her own skin.

“I try to be inviting,” she says.

Associate Professor Catherine Wasson puts a finer point on it.

“What sets Monique apart? It’s not the fact that she is a person with obvious physical disabilities who is doing an exceptional thing: going to law school. Any person with a good

mind and a good work ethic can probably get through law school,” Wasson says.

“What matters about Monique is how she goes about it: she lives life with grace. She works hard, she is compassionate, she maintains balance in her life. She is a good advocate for herself – firm, but not aggressive: Monique doesn’t push herself forward, but she won’t let herself be pushed aside. In the law school hothouse, Monique shows others how to focus on

what matters as they navigate the world.”

In addition to advocating for herself and others, Johnson expresses herself through art. (visit lifewithmonique.wordpress.com to see her work) She writes, “At the start of every piece, I anticipate the moment when a blank sheet will capture a life of its own. Art is not simply a hobby for me but it is a tool to help me fulfill my purpose in life. This gift that God has blessed me with enables me to utilize my creative vision to inspire others. Therefore, it is important that each of my pieces are full of creativity, enthusiasm and positivity. ...

“I’ve decided to embrace life and its many possibilities with an open heart, an open mind and an enthusiastic, indomitable spirit. I know that I am living proof that physical limitations neither measure nor predict one’s success in life.

Rather it is awareness, perseverance, courage and faith combined with an ever-present sense of gratitude.”

With that spirit, her size doesn’t matter; Monique Johnson stands tall.

spring 2012 13

The meaning

of mentorship

BY ERIC TOWNSEND, KEREN RIVAS ’04, KATIE DEGRAFF & KRISTIN M. SIMONETTI ’05

14 the magazine of elon

IT’S A WELLWORN CHINESE PROVERB …

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Take the phrase out of the water and into the context of the Elon classroom, and you might have a pretty sound definition of mentorship.

“It’s an academic role that goes beyond teaching,” explains Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, professor of psychology and the 2011 recipient of Elon’s Ward Family Award for Excellence in Mentoring. “You’re cultivating the student’s interest in your field, giving them the knowledge to make good decisions and helping them understand what opportunities are available to them.

“What better way to equip our students for the real world than to let them know they have the skills to make it there?”

Mentoring at Elon happens most visibly in the Honors Program, which Vandermaas-Peeler directs, and in the context of Elon’s rapidly growing Undergraduate Research Program. But it happens informally, too, says Barbara Miller, assistant professor in the School of Communications.

“A student might come to me outside of class and ask if I can apply my expertise or help give some direction in regard to what they’re pursuing,” she says, using as an example a student she recently mentored. The young woman hoped to go on to a career in public relations and asked Miller to coach her to improve her writing.

“Neat things happen in these one-on-one relationships,” Miller says. “You realize how you can contribute to a student’s future.”

Unlike teaching and research, however, mentorship isn’t something faculty learn in their graduate studies – at least not officially. Maurice Levesque, professor of psychology and associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, remains a mentor to several students in addition to his administrative duties. He says he picked up many of his skills by observation, emulating the best his own mentors had to offer.

“It has a lot to do with history. If you’ve benefitted from great mentors, you want to share it with others,” he says, “and if you had an unpleasant experience, you want to make sure you provide a better one for your students.”

Great mentoring relationships involve a number of factors, among them enthusiasm, flexibility, trust on the part of the student and the mentor, and time to bring a project or career path from concept to reality. And while all mentoring relationships are as unique as the individuals involved, they seem to follow a similar trajectory. An initial meeting happens in a student’s first or second year at Elon. The mentor and student decide to pursue a research project together or begin plotting a curriculum of experiential study that prepares the student for a specific career. As Commencement nears, they finalize their work and make preparations for the student’s next step in academia or the professional world. And, for many, while the mentoring relationship changes after graduation, the connection between the faculty member and student endures.

“You see the ownership and pride that happens when students realize they’re contributing to their field. There’s a great energy in that,” Miller says.

In the next several pages, faculty, students and alumni at different points on the mentorship lifecycle offer a glimpse into the mechanics of this quintessential Elon experience.

SOPHOMORE GLORIA SO & KEN HASSELL They met for the first time during an entrance interview for Elon’s Periclean Scholars program: then-freshman Gloria So, a world traveler thanks to an extensive list of mission trips she’d undertaken, and Ken Hassell, a longtime professor with a history of giving voice to the disenfranchised.

As they spoke, what caught Hassell’s attention was So’s inability to articulate her plans to declare a major.

International studies? Maybe. Communications? Perhaps.

Art? Anthropology? Human service studies?

“Then he looks at me and asks, ‘what do you really want to do?’ So recalls. “I told him I had this really silly idea.”

That silly idea, honed by the conversation and several thereafter, was an independent major called human rights and social justice activism. It combines So’s passion for service with an interest in visual communications. Her program includes courses in human service studies, political science and anthropology. So and Hassell call it a “perfect fit” for their burgeoning mentoring relationship.

The story of how So and Hassell started their work (“Serendipity,” Hassell explains) isn’t all that uncommon.

Spontaneous interactions between students and professors give rise to research questions and service opportunities almost daily. But it also helps when students and professors share common interests and experiences.

Growing up the daughter of a deacon in a Maryland church, So has traveled to Brazil, Panama, South Korea and the Dominican Republic on mission trips, seeing for herself the poverty, poor health and illiteracy that plagues parts of the developing world. Hassell was a political and social activist in the 1960s after he barely graduated from high school. He worked as a low-wage physical laborer and had first-hand experiences with transient housing, homelessness and America’s class system.

For his part, Hassell hopes So does more than just raise awareness of what she’s experienced. Social justice, he explains, “is about supporting people’s voices, choices and representation so there isn’t that kind of tremendous inequality.”

So’s interview was impressive enough to land her a spot in the Periclean Scholars program, in which she’ll join

spring 2012 15

Hassell and several of her Class of 2014 peers on Frazier credits Anderson for encouraging her to relationship when the course is finished. “Sam a project of social change close to home, in the take that leap. is one of those students.”

“Janna’s faith in me pushed me and allowed Poulson became Upton’s academic adviser mountains of Appalachia. So, an Honors fellow, and Hassell also will work together over the next me to be more confident in myself,” Frazier says. and helped him plan experiences that would two years on her final Honors project.

“I had to see what she saw in me.” prepare him for his professional goals. When he “This is not only going to be a long-term menIn Anderson’s view, that’s the joy – and obli- secured a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers, toring relationship, but it’s going to be a deep gation – of mentoring. he returned to Poulson to propose an indeone,” Hassell says as he looks forward to working “That’s exactly why I’m here – for that trans- pendent study. He wanted to examine ethical with So. “For the rest of her time at Elon, we’ll get formative moment when you can see that the behavior in external auditors illuminated by the to know each other very well, and we’ll mentor person is engaged and ready to take on the Enron scandal and others that followed. each other. This will have a profound effect on future,” she says. “To know that you helped “I shared with her that I’ve considered comher for the rest of her life.” somebody recognize their talent, there is noth- pleting a Ph.D. program someday to become ing better than that.” a college professor,” he says. “She suggested The past year has taught Frazier that her that undergraduate research would be an JUNIOR JANAE FRAZIER dream of being a TV reporter is within her reach. excellent way to understand the kind of work & JANNA ANDERSON So what’s her goal now? professors perform.”

Janae Frazier discovered her career path when Upton delved into a literature review of “I want to be the next me. I want to be Janae she was in middle school. That’s when her Frazier,” she says, and hopes to someday work for Enron’s collapse and the ensuing financial meltmother pointed out that she’d make a good TV a national network like CNN or NBC. Meantime, down. He learned about the tension auditors reporter because she liked to be the center of she plans to nurture the relationship she has must balance between responsibility to clients attention. But it wasn’t until last summer – when with Anderson. and information they disclose to the public about she interned at the NBC affiliate in West Hartford, “I can’t continue without her,” Frazier says. corporations’ financial solvency. Throughout the Conn. – that she discovered just what it means “She’s so willing to help and to listen, and she project, Upton and Poulson spoke at least twice a loves it. It’s not a chore for her. It’s her passion week to talk through readings and discuss topics to be a journalist.

“It’s about the people you serve, not about to help students.” he planned to address in his paper. being glamorous on camera,” says Frazier, who “Because of this project, Sam will be much more aware of the ethical decisions he must just finished her junior year at Elon.

SENIOR SAM UPTON Frazier decided to enroll in Associate face on the job and the impact those decisions & LINDA POULSON Professor Janna Anderson’s Reporting for the have on investors, creditors and the public,” Public Good course as one of her electives Sam Upton has fit more into his four years at Poulson says. when she returned to Elon last fall. She heard Elon than many people manage to accomUpton is grateful for the role Poulson has Anderson was tough, and at first, Frazier recalls plish before turning 30. He took first place in played in his development, and she says she’s being nervous – particularly after receiving “the a national finance and accounting competi- proud of the person he’s become. Both are conscary email” Anderson sends to the class outlin- tion, served as president and vice president fident their relationship will thrive long after the ing her expectations. But the nervousness didn’t of two business honor societies and coordi- final bars of “Pomp and Circumstance” fade. last long. nated a scholarship for students taking the CPA “Each time I would visit her office, she would “She was so much friendlier than I thought she exam. Upton even secured a full-time position drop everything else and work with me,” Upton would be,” Frazier says, adding that she started at PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Charlotte office says. “She is always willing to talk about whatever stopping by Anderson’s office and exchanging last fall. is on my mind.” emails with her regularly to get feedback on her But it wasn’t always like this. As a first-year student, Upton struggled to identify a major. work and discuss career goals.

ASHLEY DAVIS ’ “I wanted to be the next Katie Couric,” He considered economics. Then he thought & RICH D’AMATO Frazier says. about biology. But what really inspired him?

Under Anderson’s mentorship, Frazier He wasn’t sure.

“We met nine years ago this weekend, actually,” While mulling his options, he enrolled in an Ashley Davis ’08 says, smiling across a small blossomed, building a comprehensive multimedia portfolio and getting involved with accounting class to pick up some business skills. round table at Rich D’Amato, senior faculty felThe Pendulum.

That’s how he met Linda Poulson, associate low of engineering.

“She went from being a passive student to professor and chair of the accounting departThe pair sits in D’Amato’s office on the third being active in framing her future by taking ment in the Martha and Spencer Love School floor of McMichael Science Center late on a responsibility and doing things that were offered of Business.

Saturday afternoon in early March. It’s Elon’s to her,” Anderson says.

“The material wasn’t easy, but I found annual Fellows Weekend, and D’Amato has Shortly before Thanksgiving, Anderson I really enjoyed it,” Upton says. “That was invited Davis, one of his star pupils, back to camsent Frazier an email encouraging her to pur- the beginning of what has become a great pus to speak with prospective students interested sue internship openings at “Nightly News with mentoring relationship.” in Elon’s 3-2 engineering program.

Brian Williams” and “60 Minutes.”

Upton soon declared his accounting major “It was pretty obvious to us that she was better “‘Me?’” Frazier recalls asking herself in disbe- and Poulson provided the guidance and practi- than the pack,” D’Amato says, recalling their first cal advice he’d come to count on for the next conversations in Davis’ 2003 Fellows interview. lief. “‘I can do well at that?’”

Anderson thought so, and Frazier applied four years.

“And we were right.” for the “Nightly News” position. Sure enough, “I see Sam almost every day,” says Poulson, Early in Davis’ three years at Elon, D’Amato she got the job and spent the winter and spring who adds that she makes an effort to get to know recognized her exceptional mathematics acusemester working for the show in New York City. her students personally, and some continue the men and guided her toward a concentration in

16 the magazine of elon

{ Janna Anderson & Janae Frazier }

“When students feel empowered because you’ve given them the opportunity to build their confidence and competence, it’s experiential learning. They see what they can do, and they understand they have the capability to be successful.”  JANNA ANDERSON

{ Gloria So & Ken Hassell }

{ Sam Upton & Linda Poulson }

industrial engineering. He also encouraged her Leckenbusch says. “He didn’t let me fail, but he to breach her comfort zone – and the university’s let me work through problems on my own. By – by becoming the first Elon engineering student the time I left Elon, I had such a great resume, I to complete her studies at Washington University didn’t have any trouble finding a job.” in St. Louis. There, Davis flourished, earning “You can spot talent early on, and he was a one of just two prestigious Brown Engineering great, engaging kid,” Webb says. “I always felt Scholarships awarded each year by the school. confident in him, not just during shows, but on Their mentoring relationship didn’t end when a day-to-day basis.”

Davis left Elon’s campus in 2006. D’Amato kept Leckenbusch has followed in his mentor’s in contact with Davis and visited her in St. Louis. footsteps as a technical director at Clemson She recalls the visit came at an opportune time. University, and the two make a point to speak rocking chair,” Midgette recalls. “If she wanted “I was trying to figure out whether to go to about once a month. to share something with me, that was fine. If she graduate school and what to go to graduate “It’s good to have someone to talk to and ask, didn’t, that was fine, too.” school for,” Davis says. “I could have talked to my ‘How did you deal with this? What steps did you They met over Winter Term 1993, when professors at Wash U, but I was excited to have take to resolve the problem?’” Leckenbusch says. DiLorenzo, a freshman Teaching Fellow, took Rich there to talk to because he knew me so well.” “Because I work in education, like Bill, he’s a great part in the required American Heritage Tour, “Not all students should go for a Ph.D., but resource for me.” which Midgette led. some absolutely should, and Ashley was one of Sometimes the conversations stretch beyond “She was kind of intimidating. She knew those students,” D’Amato says. advice to more practical matters – such as everything about everything,” DiLorenzo says. “I was an English major who had no interest in hisWith support from D’Amato’s recommenda- borrowed props. tions and advice, Davis enrolled in Northwestern “He called me one day and said, ‘Do you still tory. But after that trip, I immediately went to the University’s doctoral program in industrial engi- have that chair from ‘Sweeney Todd?’” Webb registrar’s office and had my schedule changed so neering, from which she’s on track to graduate in says. “I said yes, and he asked if he could bor- I could take a class with her that spring.”

December. She’s still using skills she gained from row it. I was happy to do it.”

DiLorenzo took four courses with Midgette D’Amato, not only as an engineering graduate As their relationship has evolved over time, at Elon and they traveled together on a few more student but also as a teacher of 80 undergradu- Webb has begun to see Leckenbusch more as an history-related trips. ates in an Introduction to Engineering course. equal, not a former student.

“From the start, there was a depth to Heather’s “Other teachers here go right to the projec“It’s a real friendship, and we’ve had it for questions that was unusual,” Midgette says. tor and give a presentation, but I go right to the more than 10 years,” Webb says. “At some point, “There’s a difference between a student who’s white board,” Davis says. “I call on students by it becomes an exchange of ideas as peers rather working hard to get a good grade and a stuname, like Rich did. I’m trying to bring a little than a relationship of paternal guidance.” dent who is intellectually curious and always bit of Elon to Northwestern.”

It’s also become increasingly personal. asking questions.”

D’Amato can’t suppress a proud smile at Leckenbusch invited Webb and his wife, “I was fascinated by the historical background Davis’ words.

Deborah, to his wedding. He and his wife, of the literature I was studying. I wanted to pick “I think there’s lots more that I can give to Katie, often stop to visit the Webb family when her brain about what she knew about authors students than just the skills to solve an equation. passing through Burlington, N.C., on their way and time periods,” DiLorenzo adds. “It really This is my form of service,” he says. “Someone from South Carolina to Leckenbusch’s par- deepened my literary studies.” like Ashley makes me feel like I’ve accomplished ents’ home near Philadelphia. Webb notes that, DiLorenzo puts that context to use today as a something. It’s one of those things you aspire to while Leckenbusch is a prime example, these ninth-grade English teacher at Eastern Guilford when you’re a teacher.” kinds of relationships are far from rare in Elon’s High School in Gibsonville, N.C. While she can’t take solace in that trusty rocking chair as easDepartment of Performing Arts.

“There are a lot of hugs, a lot of love, and that ily as she could before, she continues to seek MATT LECKENBUSCH ’ manifests in how we work with our students,” Midgette’s guidance as often as possible. & BILL WEBB Webb says.

“Our relationship has evolved from quesAs an Elon freshman, Matt Leckenbusch ’03 had tions like ‘Should I take this class?’ to ‘Should a healthy interest in theater but wasn’t sure it was I accept this job?’ or ‘Should I buy this house?’”

HEATHER DILORENZO ’ the right career for him. Then he walked into Bill DiLorenzo says. “She is one of the first people I & NANCY MIDGETTE Webb’s Introduction to Technical Theatre course. share news with, seek advice from and talk to “He wasn’t exactly what you’d think a profes- A few years ago, when Heather DiLorenzo ’96 about the big things going on in my life. That sor would look like. He was wearing a T-shirt, worked as Elon’s director of educational outreach, was true nearly 20 years ago, and it’s only become shorts and sneakers,” Leckenbusch recalls, “but she found herself drawn to a favorite part of cam- more so with the passage of time.” pus: a familiar old rocking chair in Professor Midgette, too, is grateful that DiLorenzo has he spoke so passionately about theater.”

That passion quickly found root in Nancy Midgette’s office. stayed close long after graduation, as it’s allowed “I was there at least once a week just talking the two to grow as friends. It’s also offered Leckenbusch. Webb enlisted him as a crew member and assistant technical director on with her about life, work and where I wanted to Midgette a chance to be an “unofficial grandmore than 20 shows staged by the Department be,” DiLorenzo says. mother” to DiLorenzo’s daughter, Mia. of Performing Arts and numerous univer“As Heather’s life has evolved, I feel like I’ve Rewind about a dozen years, to DiLorenzo’s sity cultural events during Leckenbusch’s undergraduate experience at Elon, and you’d been a part of it – sometimes more, sometimes undergraduate years. probably find her in the same place. less,” Midgette says. “I always want to be there for “If I wanted to try something, like light“I can remember any number of days when her if she needs anything at all. And I don’t have ing or set design, anything – Bill let me try it,” she would stop by the office, plop down in my that relationship with a whole lot of students.”

18 the magazine of elon

{ Nancy Midgette & Heather DiLorenzo, then (l) and now (r) }

“(Mentoring) isn’t something that’s the product of the last strategic plan, or the past 15 years. ... This culture has always been part of Elon in my experience.

You get to know the people you teach.”  NANCY MIDGETTE

{ Rich D’Amato & Ashley Davis }

{ Bill Webb & Matt Leckenbusch }

BY K R IS

T IN M . S

IM O N E T

ARE YOU R EADY FOR S OME

T I ’05

NOONBALL ?

T

he rhythmic sound of a bouncing ball is hardly foreign to Jack Wooten, an assistant coach for the Phoenix men’s basketball team.

But when he and his fellow coaches Monty Sanders ’09, Will Roberson and Tim Sweeney heard the sound emanating from Jordan Gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 p.m., they were intrigued.

“We wondered, ‘well, what is this all about?’” Wooten recalls.

When they walked across the

20 the magazine of elon

Koury Center Atrium, they stumbled upon a little-known Elon tradition: Noonball, a lunchtime pickup game that brings faculty, staff and students together for friendly competition three days a week. So the coaches decided to join in.

“They were very welcoming, the professors and the students,” Wooten says, “and we’ve been hooked ever since.”

The exact origins of Noonball aren’t clear, but Joel Karty, associate professor of chemistry, says it predates his arrival at Elon more than 10 years ago.

“I hear stories of yore about Gerry Francis coming out here and showing some students a lesson or two on the court,” Karty says, noting the tradition had waned in the years before he came to Elon.

He and Joel Hollingsworth, senior lecturer of computing sciences, “were basketball players in a previous life” and worked to resuscitate the game.

At the beginning of each academic year, Karty sends an email to faculty and staff inviting them to join in the fun. The recruiting process for students is more informal, happening mainly through word-of-mouth.

Sophomore Tony Woods, a basketball player since age 3 who hopes to make the Elon varsity basketball team next year, heard about Noonball from a friend who works at Campus Recreation and decided to give it a try.

“It’s a little weird,” Woods says of playing against professors and other staff, “but it’s fun. You’ll talk about assignments, then you’ll

get into a little trash talk on the court. It’s a good experience.”

Noonball starts when 10 people arrive at Jordan Gym to field two teams, but the crowd typically swells to 20 players or more. The first and last games are played to 21 points; games in between go to 17 points to allow as many people on the court as possible in the 1½ hours Noonball lasts. Players call their own fouls, and the team that wins gets to stay on the court.

“If you lose, you don’t get to play for 30 minutes sometimes,” Roberson says. “That’s when it gets really competitive.”

It’s exactly that quality that attracts so many students to Noonball. The opportunity to play against former collegiate basketball players doesn’t hurt either: Sanders played for Elon, Wooten for the University of North Carolina and Sweeney for the University of Rochester.

“They let us relive our glory days out here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Sanders quips.

“It’s really cool to play with people of that caliber,” says

senior Paul Riuli, who’s been a regular Noonball player for more than three years. “They’re very competitive, and you have to really give it your all.”

Like College Coffee on Tuesdays or Chapel on Thursdays, the beauty of Noonball is its ability to bring people from different parts of campus together. And that’s what keeps faculty, staff and students coming back for more, year after year.

“I’m in the sciences,” Karty says, “and when you have someone from art and history and sociology, and everyone comes out and plays together, those are people that I’d never get to know if I didn’t come out here. The same goes for the students.”

Scan the your mobil QR code with elon.edu/n e device or visit game up cl oonball to see the ose and pe rs a video pro onal in duced by Interactive Media Dev elo Brian Mey per er ’10.

A DEEPROOTED TRADITION

BY KRISTIN M. SIMONETTI ’05

“I think the most memorable thing about graduation speakers is that they’re not memorable, so I wanted to try something different,” Furman C. Moseley ’56 says, reflecting on his keynote address at Elon’s 102nd Commencement Exercises in 1991.

Moseley’s Seattle-based company, Simpson Investment, type of tree he orders is called a Nuttall oak, which Flood was involved in the timber and paper industry, so he had red- says is a highly adaptable species. wood saplings sent from the company’s California nurseries “They’ll live anywhere except the southern tips of Florida to Elon, where he gave one to each graduate. In his address, and Texas and close to some of the northern edges of the Moseley encouraged the Class of 1991 to plant their tree in country,” he says. “Vermont or Maine might be a struggle, their corner of the world, to take time to sit, read and think and they don’t like the Dakotas much, but they cover a fairly under it, and to share it with their children and grandchildren. large range.”

How’d his speech go over?

A few days before Commencement, Flood travels to “They didn’t give me a standing ovation,” Moseley recalls, Southside Nursery in Alton, Va., about 1½ hours from Elon, to pick up approximately 1,500 saplings. Back on campus, “but they didn’t boo me off stage, either.”

If the past 20 Elon Commencements are any indication, Flood and his crew cull the struggling saplings from the Moseley’s gesture truly resonated with students, faculty, staff pack, bag and tag the strong ones and send them to the Elon and alumni. Tree saplings have been given to graduates each Alumni Association’s table at Fonville Fountain for distribuyear since Moseley’s address, and the practice has become tion after Commencement. one of Elon’s most beloved traditions.

Flood says while the trees are fairly easy to raise, the big“To me, it symbolizes these young people – these ‘saplings’ gest threat to the saplings often is the car ride home from Elon. we are sending to be planted in the world,” President Emeritus “Some graduates or parents will leave the tree in the car a J. Fred Young says. “The way their careers and lives will grow bit too long,” he says. “It’ll get a little crispy.” is the same way the oak trees will grow. It symbolizes how the If your sapling survived the road trip, but not much longer, Elon graduate will be of great value to society.” fear not: President Young’s sapling suffered a similar fate. He Young, who served as Elon president from 1973 to 1999, and his wife, Phyllis, tried to raise one at their home in the encouraged the administration to continue the sapling gift North Carolina mountains. at Commencement in 1992. He requested a slight tweak: the “One day, a year after we planted it, I went out to give it redwood saplings should be replaced with oak saplings. The a look,” Young recalls. “It looked like someone had cut the former did not thrive in the East Coast climate, and the latter trunk in two. A deer had snipped the top right off.” spoke more to Elon’s history – for as all good Elon alumni Yet for thousands of Elon alumni of the past two decades, will tell you without hesitation, “Elon” is the Hebrew word their oak trees have flourished wherever they’ve been planted. for “oak.”

After she received her sapling at Commencement in May Tom Flood, director of landscaping and grounds, is 2004, Alison Miller planted her oak in the front yard of 609 responsible for the procurement of saplings each year. The East College Avenue – the house she’d lived in during her

22 the magazine of elon

The oak is a symbol of strength. Plant your tree and let it serve as a reminder that you have been prepared by your education to be a strong force for good in the world.

President Leo M. Lambert in his charge to the graduating class

spring 2012

23

undergraduate years. Whenever she returns to her alma mater, she makes a point to visit her oak.

“I will always remember where my roots are firmly planted – like this tree, at Elon,” Miller says. “As we grow together, we’ll continue to branch out and embrace the Elon family for years to come.”

Miller is just one of several Elon alumni who shared stories and photos of their oak saplings for this issue of The Magazine of Elon. Several appear in the next pages and more are featured online at elon.edu/magazine.

Eric Chaiken ’03 My sapling lives in my parents’ yard in Hendersonville, N.C., where it has survived bone-chilling cold, piles of snow and fierce winds. Yet its biggest challenge came not from the weather, but by a gigantic longhorned bull. My parents’ house is in a valley, and it’s surrounded by cattle. One day, a bull escaped from its pasture and found its way into my parents’ yard. I received a call from my mom, who was half-laughing, saying a bull had eaten my sapling. All that was left was a depressing stick protruding from the ground. Its Elon Phoenix spirit flourished, though, and it got its second wind. The sapling is now covered in green leaves and healthy.

{ l-r, Alison Miller ’04 and her oak, planted in front of the house she lived in at Elon; Dani Howell ’10 and her sapling, which survived Hurricane Irene in August 2011; the resilient tree planted by Eric Chaiken ’03 that lived through an attack from a neighboring bull. }

Mick Marlier ’02

The Elon oak sapling Scientific name: Quercus nuttallii Common name: Nuttall oak What to expect: Grows 60 to 80 feet, with foliage spanning 30 to 50 feet. In most cases, early-season leaves are burgundy, which turns to bright green in summer and bright red in fall.

Tom Flood’s tips for sapling success: As soon as possible, preferably the day after Commencement, put some water in the sapling’s bag to keep the roots fed for the ride home from Elon.

When you’re ready to put down roots, “the old adage is to dig a 10 hole for a 5 tree,” Flood says. In short – when you plant your sapling, take your time. Loosen the soil, and keep it watered frequently for its first couple of years.

Then, you can let Mother Nature take the reins.

24 the magazine of elon

Kimberly Adkins Keaton ’92 “This picture was taken in the fall and reminds me of a beautiful fall football day at Elon!”

If you asked me after graduation day in May 2002 where my oak sapling would be in 10 years, I’d probably have told you, “Long dead.” I intended to plant it but didn’t expect it to survive.

My wife, Jenny Maxa Marlier ’03, and I opted to plant our saplings in my parents’ yard because they didn’t seem to have any plans to move.

Today, my oak stands more than 20 feet tall, with a trunk thicker than my wrist and a robust canopy of branches. Jenny’s oak stands a couple of yards away and is catching up in size to mine.

Both trees survived neglect in their adolescence on our shady apartment porches, as we interrupted their roots with three transplants to different homes around Charlotte.

I’m glad we kept them. Our son loves to climb trees, and I can picture him and his baby sister growing up around our oaks and playing amid the branches for years to come. The oaks, much like life itself, never fail to inspire awe and appreciation in me over how something so small and delicate as an acorn – much like our memories, our children, our love and our dreams – grow mighty and powerful when nurtured and tended with devotion and care.

{ Mick Marlier ’02 }

{ Laura Kinney Wright ’92 }

Matt Jenkins ’09 Matt submitted a great short story, “The Mystery of Otto Oak,” about the life – and demise – of his sapling. You can read the full version at elon.edu/magazine.

Patrick Kepley ’09 “I planted mine along with several other more well-established trees in a small memorial to one of the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting spree who grew up near me.”

Joyel Crawford ’97 I was so happy when my sapling made it back to New Jersey in one piece after graduation.

Immediately after returning home, I got out of the car and planted the tree in a spot where there was plenty of sunlight. My father told me to post stakes around the tree so that our landscapers wouldn’t mow it down.

The tree thrived in that spot for three years, surviving the landscapers’ mowers, hurricanes, deer and several rough winters.

Eventually, my dad took over the yard work from the landscapers. The same man who advised me to protect the symbol of my thriving future mowed that symbol down in a matter of seconds! He claims he didn’t see the stakes that he HELPED me put down three years earlier!

Sadly, there is no proud Elon oak towering in my parents’ yard 15 years later. I still go to the spot where it stood to see if any remnant may have sprouted but, sadly, there’s nothing left. Sniff!

Laura Kinney Wright ’92 The combination of small hand shovel, bag of I was jealous when my husband, Matthew soil, unkinked hose and pair of loving hands Wright ’91, walked away from his Elon gradu- successfully teamed up to firmly plant Otto in ation ceremony with a sapling in 1991. He was the welcoming Earth. Assisted by sincere words so lucky to be in the first class to get a tree! But of encouragement, a wooden stake and a bendy when I graduated in 1992, I was even happier rubber frog to affix it to the stake (see picture), about my gift than Matt’s. I was in the first grad- Otto was prepared for the wicked summer and uating class to get an OAK sapling! brutal winter.

I knew I was going to live in an apartment in Almost a year later to the day, I was trekking Graham, N.C., while teaching in Mebane, so I to Massachusetts again when I received a call. gave my sapling to my parents. They kept it in a “Bro,” said my brother on the other end, carbucket at their home in Winston-Salem, N.C. I rying an unfortunate, you-won’t-believe-this kept hoping that, one day, we’d get to let it stretch tone. “Bad news. Otto.” its roots in real ground.

My heart instantly skipped a beat.

Finally, by Christmas Day 1996, Matt and I “I went out to water him this morning but decided to relocate to Lexington, N.C., to make … he’s gone.” our permanent home. My dad always loves a “Gone?” I asked. How could a tree, however “project” for the holidays, so planting our Elon twig-like it may look, simply disappear? oak was that year’s project. As mom and dad “The wooden stake’s just lying there, but that picked up the bucket to bring the tree to our bendy frog is gone, too,” he explained. new home, they discovered the taproot had gone Despite a lengthy search of the area, we through the drainage hole in the bucket, straight were left only with the idea that Otto and his into the soil in their flower bed. Mom was con- trusty bendy-frog sidekick packed their bags cerned that breaking the taproot would kill the and headed to a more desirable patch of dirt.

Or, as the family prefers to believe, their bags tree, but we took the chance.

As you can see by the photo, it has made it all were packed for them. these years. We love the shade and the beautiful A careless gardener, unknowing animal color it gives each summer, and our husky, Hank, or malicious neighbor were all suspects but wouldn’t make it through the heat of summer unfortunately were thorough enough to leave without it. I hope as the years go by, I can con- no evidence behind. To this day, almost two tinue to tell my Elon oak story. I want to always years since the “tree-napping,” Otto Oak and have it close to remind me of my happy years his friend the bendy frog remain at large. I can at Elon. only hope they send a postcard.

spring 2012 25

ALUMNI ACTION

Photo by Scott Muthersbaugh ’06

AGENTS OF CHANGE

C

elebrating Changemakers has been this year’s theme for College Chapel. Speakers have shared their thoughts on historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. or a more personal role model such as a parent. In February, I heard Darris Means ’05, the Elon Academy’s associate director, reflect on his mother.

Darris’ mom died at age 34, yet her story of hope, courage and perseverance has tremendously impacted the man he has become.

Kindness, the importance of community and dreaming big were key values she taught him. If you have had the honor of knowing Darris, you know his mom would be very proud of the young man she helped shape. Darris’ speech came at a challenging time for me. In earlier columns, I’ve spoken about my mother and the relationship we shared. She { Sallie Hutton ’92 } was undoubtedly the most significant changemaker in my life, and her death earlier this year prompted me to more deeply reflect on the impact she made.

She did all the things most mothers do – packed lunch each morning for school, shuttled us to and from sports practices and more. She worked very hard to make a good life for her family but having dropped out of high school a few months shy of graduation, so many opportunities were off-limits to her. To make ends meet, she became a paper carrier, a grueling position that took its toll on her with the early-morning hours. She had to work 364 days a year. Mom’s choices and the circumstances they derived drove her to ensure that nothing stood in the way of my opportunities for education.

There was no sacrifice she wouldn’t make if it meant I could have a better life than she led. When it came time for college, Elon was my one and only choice. She accepted that even though it meant financial hardship for her. Her salary was nearly equal to what Elon cost at that time, so she sold her beloved home so that I would have the means to finish my education. I’ll forever be grateful to her for that large, selfless act that has made all the difference in my life.

Mom’s passing has also reminded me of several of her important life lessons. Life is short, and we don’t know when our or our loved ones’ last days on Earth will be. Always let your friends and family know you love them. Live life with no regrets in a way you and your loved ones will be proud of. Imagine how different our world would be if we actively lived these lessons on a daily basis?

I hope you’ll take time to reflect on the changemakers in your life and let them know how they have impacted your life. I also invite you to share stories about your changemaker with me at shutton2@elon.edu. I’d love to hear how others have helped shape who you are.

Wishing you lasting health and happiness, Sallie

26 the magazine of elon

Elon recognizes its Top 10 Under 10 Ten outstanding graduates of the past decade were recognized in March at the second-annual Top 10 Under 10 Awards.

“We are here to recognize a group of people who are making sure that Elon is known for producing excellent leaders with servant hearts,” said Sallie Hutton ’92, Elon’s director of alumni engagement.

The alumni were presented by faculty and staff who played an integral role in their undergraduate years and received their awards from President Leo M. Lambert.

The graduates honored were (pictured above, l-r): _ Maria Teresa Interiano ’07, reporter and producer, Telefutura/Univision Network _ Stephen Charles ’03, director of clinical education, University of Kansas School of Medicine _ Erin Lawless ’03, senior partnerships director, Atlas Service Corps _ Jamie Sclater ’02, lead petty officer, hospital corpsman and sniper, U.S. Navy _ Melissa Will Banta ’04 G’06, inpatient therapy manager, Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital _ Dominic Barrett ’06, executive director, Shalom Farms _ Elizabeth Schrauder-Ermis ’03, instructional technologist, High Point University _ Jay Perry ’03, owner, Seal Pros, Inc. and Pothole Pros, Inc. _ Summur Shaikh ’03, producer, ABC’s “The View” Honored in absentia was James Black ’09, a psychological operations specialist in the U.S. Army.

Learn more about these impressive young alumni by visiting elon.edu/magazine.

ALUMNI ACTION

Schools honor distinguished alumni Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communications selected the inaugural recipients of each school’s distinguished alumni awards this spring.

Three Elon College Distinguished Alumni Awards were given in May to represent the school’s three divisions: _ Mathematical & natural sciences: Niclas Steirnholm ’89, chief executive officer of Trillium Therapueutics

LGBTQIA Alumni Affinity Network established at March summit

_ Humanities & the arts: Letitia Lee ’99, professional artist and muralist at LeeMee Art & Design _ Social & behavioral sciences: Britten Ginsburg Pund ’06, manager of health care access, National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors.

In April, the School of Communications welcomed to campus its two Distinguished Alumni Award recipients – Jo Craven McGinty ’85, Pulitzer Prize winner and projects editor at The New York Times, and Doug Finberg ’94, executive vice president of marketing for MGM Studios – for ceremonies in their honor.

Learn more about these accomplished Elon alumni at elon.edu/magazine.

We’re pleased to announce the founding of the LGBTQIA Alumni Affinity Network, which will support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and ally populations among Elon graduates. The group also will support Elon’s new LGBTQ Office, which offers programming and resources for current Elon students.

“I want us to encourage our alums to provide feedback on their experience at Elon, let us know what we can do better and ensure that all alumni feel like they have a place at this university,” Matt Lardie ’06 said.

The more than 40 alumni, students, faculty and staff attending the summit put forth several programs and areas of emphasis they look forward to establishing.

For more information, please contact Durice White ’09 at dwhite15@elon.edu or (877) 784-3566.

{ Tal Fish ’09 (l) & John Pickett ’03 (r) take time for a laugh during one of the LGBTQIA Summit’s breakout discussions. }

JOIN US OCT. 1921 FOR HOMECOMING 2012!

Visit elon.edu/homecoming for the latest information.

CELEBRATING A REUNION? If you’re a graduate of one of the following groups, you are!

Visit the Homecoming website for details about your event. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Classes of 1962, ’67, ’72, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, 2002 & ’07 Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Omicron Pi Elon Black Alumni Network Kappa Alpha Lambda Chi Alpha Sigma Chi Sigma Phi Epsilon Sigma Pi

NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING ELON GRAD

Here’s to dear old Elon…

Visit the Homecoming website for Alumni Association Awards nomination forms. Submissions are due June 1.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS Please contact Durice White ’09 at dwhite15@elon.edu or (877) 784-3566.

spring 2012 27

CELEBRAT

SPRING E SUMME & R W IT H E L ON !

28 the magazine of elon

Alumni gathered at Gin Mill for a networking social.

More than 20 attendees enjoyed remarks by John Hill ’76, who shared best practices for networking in today’s professional climate.

See what u p your local c coming events hapter or clu planned for b has families at e alumni and their lon.edu/alu mni

Charleston

Despite a last-minute venue change, says Charleston Chapter President Morgan Zech ’07, “our event had a great turnout!”

Elon alumni from several eras working in varied professions were in attendance.

New York City

Graduates, parents and friends in cities around the country gathered Jan. 25 to participate in Elon’s first National Networking Day. In several areas, special guest speakers – from within and outside the Elon family – offered words of wisdom for effective networking and tips for success in different industries.

Here are some of the highlights. »

“Our national networking day was a great success!” says Meghan Cronen ’09, Boston Alumni Chapter president. The Boston event was hosted by Elon parent and trustee Dave Porter p’11 at the John Hancock Tower. More than 50 people attended, including special Elon guest John Barnhill ’92, assistant vice president for university advancement.

Baltimore

ALUMNI ON THE TOWN

Boston

ALUMNI ACTION

Attendees enjoyed a panel discussion with three distinguished alumni – Chris Martin ’78 P’13, Ny Whitaker ’93 and Michelle Matalon ’07 – at Thomson Reuters Headquarters in Times Square. Chapter leaders report more than 50 alumni attended the event. “It was empowering to hear what the panel had to say about their success in their industries, as well as their thoughts on the strong work ethic of Elon graduates,” Dylan Ketcham ’11 says.

Miami

More than 60 Elon alumni and friends took part in the Triangle Alumni Chapter’s National Networking Day event. Keynote speaker Tim Moore ’78, owner of Dancing Elephants, Inc., focused on the importance of diversifying professional networks to achieve maximum success. Chapter CoPresident Jeff Hendrick ’02 says, “This event gave us the chance to connect alumni of all ages representing many different industries. It was a great success!”

Elon’s growing alumni club in South Florida hosted its National Networking Day event at Fado Irish Pub in Miami. Alums of several eras took advantage of the chance to mingle with fellow Elon graduates.

“Having just moved to South Florida, it was great to be able to network with other Elon alums in the area,” Randy Gyllenhall ’10 says. “It’s nice to be able to leave campus after graduation, yet still feel very close to the Elon community.”

Charlotte

Triangle

ALUMNI ACTION

Eleven Elon graduates shared expertise from their specific industries for Charlotte’s networking event at Andrew Blair’s. Rick Snyder ’91, Mike Mooney ’93, Becky Farmer Crawford ’98, Jeff Bennett ’97, Al Riddick ’91, Tim Pacitto ’92, Rich Saner ’97, Rob Speir ’95, Vince Sumner ’96, Mark Turner ’92 and Lee Thomas ’91 led small-group discussions for attendees about communications, education, finance and banking, hospitality, real estate, and sales and marketing. Tom Brinkley, Elon’s director of employer and foundation relations, attended to meet alumni and talk about new opportunities in career services at Elon.

NEW ALUMNI GROUP

HUNDREDS OF ELON ALUMNI TOOK PART in our inaugural Nationwide Alumni Month of Service in April.

Whether you participated in a chapter-sponsored event or took part in a service project of your own, the Alumni Association thanks you so much for sharing this special Elon value with your communities.

Minneapolis The Alumni Association hosted its first event in the Twin Cities in February, welcoming several Elon graduates for a happy hour at Crave. “It was great meeting everyone,” says Mike Linn ’04, who organized the event. “We all agreed that we need to keep this going in the future for happy hours, Twins games or just a jog.” If you’re in Minneapolis, visit elon.edu/alumni for upcoming events.

The Atlanta Service Day event on April 14 featured the Knock Out Cancer 5K Run in Marietta, Ga. Alissa Wilke ’09 finished first of all the female racers with a time of 18:33! Back row, l-r: Zach Morris ’06, Brian McElroy ’07 & Parker Ward ’09.

Center row, l-r: Durice White ’09, Wilke, Mary Newman ’06, Janell Martin ’07, Tiger White & V.J. Galloway ’09.

Front row, l-r: Ashley Feibish ’07 & friend Beth Stedman.

spring 2012 29

CLASS NOTES

Elon ties were on display as Jacob R. Parks marked his 102nd birthday. He received a visit from his great-nephew, Jacob Smallwood-Garcia, a current Elon freshman who was named after him, and the men took a photo while sitting beneath a childhood portrait of Elizabeth Fisher Goad ’95, who is Jacob Parks’ granddaughter.





Janice Frazier holds her Elon



Max C. Littlejohn says the



Jacqueline Lee Gaskins trea-

days dear, especially because it was there she met her husband, George Hardy III ’54, during her senior year. She remembers that on one of their first dates, they went to a movie in Burlington and hitched a ride back to campus with then-Elon president L.E. Smith and his wife. Janice hopes that the faculty continue to be as good and caring as they were in her day. She lives in Wilmington, N.C.

Jacob Smallwood-Garcia ’15 & Jacob R. Parks ’32

Paul H. Amundsen ’69

Kathy Harper ’72

beauty of Elon’s campus and growth of its educational programs have far exceeded his expectations.

He recalls a friendly atmosphere among the student body and its instructors and hopes that Elon students take that quality with them into the real world. “Whatever your profession,” Max says, “conscientiously and diligently perform your responsibilities and treat your fellow employees with respect.” sures all the days she spent on Elon’s beautiful campus and is thrilled to know that the university has kept the architectural style of its buildings intact. She hopes that Elon students enjoy the campus, too, but also look forward to life after Elon.

After graduating from Elon, David F. Ingram Jr. spent more than 30 years in public education, retiring as the principal of his high school alma mater. A strong believer in the ability of education to empower individuals to do great things, David is pleased that two of his children, Angie Ingram Hodnett ’74 and Kent Ingram ’78 chose to attend Elon, and that two of his grandchildren, Holly Dalton Reese ’90 and Yancy DeWare Moran ’01 also graduated from Elon.

 Barry Bradberry ’75, Martha Bradberry & Maggie Bass

Tracey Tavolacci ’94 & Douglas Hecht

Chad Jenkins ’92 & Amy Halstead Jenkins

Becky Witmer Lane ’95 & Jamie Lane

30 the magazine of elon



Rachel Cook Garrison is

especially grateful for the mentorship provided to her by

SINGLE HAND, WHOLE HEART

BY CAITLIN O’DONNELL ’13

After suffering a massive stroke in 1999 at age 55 that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body, David Layton ’66 and his wife, Charlotte ’68, grappled with the recovery process on their own. Since leaving the hospital he has dedicated much of his life to supporting and inspiring stroke survivors and their caregivers.

“I can identify with patients suffering the worst-case scenarios because my own stroke { David Layton ’66, front and left, with was so massive,” Layton says. fellow stroke survivors and caregivers } “I spent three weeks in a coma, and they didn’t know if I was going to live. I had a 4 percent chance of survival, and I’m very blessed to be here.”

In 2002, Layton began speaking with the Greensboro, N.C., branch of the American Heart Association, through which he shares information about stroke prevention and awareness. He estimates that he’s reached more than a million people through presentations at churches, hospitals and in televised specials.

He’s published 11 articles in Stroke Connection magazine and keeps a website, singlehandedliving.com, that offers advice to stroke survivors.

“What I try to do is show how I’ve been able to live an enjoyable life and, hopefully, give some suggestions that would make a little difference in their lives,” he says.

Layton leads by example: The lifelong sailor recently returned from a boating trip with friends in the Chesapeake Bay. In preparation for a Caribbean cruise, he practiced swimming using one side of his body for three months, eventually swimming a mile a day on just one arm. The longtime guitarist channeled his love for music into playing the hammer dulcimer.

“We are never too old to learn and accept new challenges,” Layton wrote in his most recent Stroke Connection article. “Just when you think one door has been closed in your life, God opens another one.”

legendary professor A.L. Hook during her Elon years and fondly recalls professor John W. Barney, another Elon legend, who “taught me that halfway would not do.”

She appreciates Elon’s excellence in everything and is proud that her granddaughter is a student at Elon University School of Law. Rachel lives in Burlington, N.C. ■ Ernie Gero is proud to have graduated a “Fightin’ Christian” and advises current students to enjoy their time and study hard. He lives in Aurora, Colo. ■ John G. Truitt Jr. shares this special Elon memory

with us: “Dolores Hagan (Truitt) was a coed at Elon College; and before God, and Dr. Leon Edgar Smith, I kissed Dolores in the Alamance Building. Only Dr. Smith complained.” John hopes all alumni and current students keep Elon close to their hearts like he does! He and Dolores live in Elon.



Phillip Loman beams with

pride in his alma mater whenever he hears someone saying something great about Elon.

He hopes his fellow alumni share in his pride and continue to share Elon’s story with others.

CLASS NOTES



Eddie Hughes continues

to be impressed with the beautiful campus – “yes, all of it!” he writes. He also fondly recalls his graduation day and remembers wondering for a long time if it would ever come. He recommends that current students keep addresses and phone numbers of their Elon faculty and friends – as that’s the best way to keep Elon in your life.



James L. Bennett Jr. says the

best course he ever took at Elon was philosophy with Professor William Blackstone. He fondly recalls roundtable discussions as well as tennis practices with Blackstone, who served as Elon’s coach. James is proud that Elon still values the traditions of its past and promotes fellowship among alumni, faculty and current students. ■ When asked to talk about her favorite Elon memory, Clara S. Phillips doesn’t hesitate: “Practice house, in the home economics major, with Mrs. Elizabeth Butler. She was simply great – more like a mother to us girls. I can remember when she found a package of cookies in the closet hidden there by my husband who came to visit on weekends. She lowered my grade because I should have had more influence over him!” Clara lives in St. Augustine, Fla.



Paul H. Amundsen has

joined Lewis, Longman & Walker P.A. as of counsel in the firm’s Tallahassee, Fla., office. He will represent clients before government agencies.

An AV-rated attorney, Paul was among the first lawyers in Florida to be board certified in federal government and administrative practice. ■ Kenneth P. Scott is a registered investment advisor for Eagle Strategies, LLC, a subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company, in Richmond, Va. In 2010, he was recognized as the Richmond general office’s Agent of the Year and for more than 10 years has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table of the Premier Association of Financial Professionals. Ken served as the founding president of the Richmond Elon Alumni Chapter and stepped down after two years in the role last spring. He lives in Richmond with his wife, Jackie.



Anna Katherine “Kathy” Harper retired in 2005, but



Kevin B. Holland has been



Kyle D. Wills owns a pretty

says “retirement doesn’t just mean you sit around and play golf. It is a time you can do what you always wanted to do, but couldn’t because of other pressures and issues.” In that spirit, she returned to school and recently became ordained in the Episcopal Church. Since December, Kathy has served at St. Mary’s Church in Belleview, Fla.

appointed director of music and worship arts at the Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C. He will oversee seven choral ensembles, three handbell choirs, three liturgical dance ensembles and various instrumental groups. Kevin and his wife, Karen Dehart Holland ’86, are the parents of two Elon students: Ashley Holland ’12 and Sarah Holland ’14. The family lives in Raleigh. impressive streak: the senior associate athletics director for Elon, he’s attended every Elon home football game since 1970.

That’s more than 200 games! Kyle has worked at Elon since graduation, and he and his wife, Linda Lloyd Wills ’82, live in Elon.



Joel W. Huffstetler con-

tributed an afterword to the 2011 book Prayer by Michael Mayne, who served as dean of Westminster Abbey in London from 1986 to 1996. Huffstetler is a rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Tenn., where he lives with his wife, Debbie.



Greg Johnston invites all

Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni and sweethearts/little sisters to attend Homecoming, Oct. 19–22, 2012. Many great activities are planned and they would love to have a big group attend. Contact the collegiate chapter at sigepncmu.com for information.



Michelle Shreve-Thomas

appeared in an episode of “Designing Spaces” on the Lifetime Network in February.

Michelle also serves as a designer for the home décor retailer Kirkland’s and owns ShreveThomas Interiors, a full-service design studio. For more information, visit shrevethomas.com.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES CAN PROVIDE INCOME FOR LIFE a charitable gift annuity of $10,000 or more to Elon will guarantee you a fixed income for the rest of your life. With market interest rates near historic lows, a gift annuity is an attractive way for you 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 ,  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: Brian Baker, Executive Director of Major & Planned Giving (877) 784-3566 • bbaker7@elon.edu • elon.plannedgiving.org

spring 2012 31

CLASS NOTES

{ Joshua Carswell ’11 }

RAISING HIS VOICE

BY ERIC TOWNSEND

I

n the world of American standards music, Joshua Carswell ’11 may now be considered the equivalent of recent American Idol champ Scotty McCreery.

In January, Carswell tied for first place among 57 competitors in the 2012 American Traditions Competition for Singers in Savannah, Ga., considered by many to be the “American Idol” of classically trained vocalists. By winning the contest, Carswell earned a cash prize and three days of studio time.

“It’s really a unique competition. I can’t think of any others that are just for American music.

It spans the whole gamut,” says Carswell, who sang nine different songs in the event that features up-and-coming vocalists performing and celebrating the diversity of American song, from classical and jazz to country-western, gospel and more.

Carswell grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and early in life developed a passion for music, which brought him to Elon. One of his mentors in the Department of Music, Senior Lecturer Polly Butler Cornelius, said Carswell grew into “one of the most gifted tenors around” during his time at Elon.

The American Traditions competition came up during a break in Carswell’s performing schedule. Since last fall, he has been working with the Nashville-based Annie Moses Band, a family of recording artists and musicians gaining popularity in the Christian music genre. In addition to performing with the band, Carswell teaches in the Annie Moses Conservatory.

Before the American Traditions event,

32 the magazine of elon

Carswell and the Annie Moses Band performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where Carswell performed a piece written by one of the band’s members. The experience was a dream-come-true for Carswell, who remains in awe from singing on “a stage where many great performers have stood before.

“I’ve been singing forever. My father’s a minister, so I grew up singing in Sunday-night services, and I did theater in middle and high school,” he says. “I took voice in high school, and then I went to Elon and it expanded from there.”

Cornelius described Carswell as one of the best students she’s ever coached, and that his passion is evident in his performances.

Another of his strengths is that his talent isn’t limited to one style of music.

“That’s why I think he’s going to be famous,” Cornelius says of Carswell, who recently accepted an invitation to be a guest soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic in October.

“He can sing everything, and it sounds like he’s singing with one voice,” Cornelius says. “It’s really amazing that he’s on his way this quickly.

It’s great for the music department – and it’s great for the university.”

Michelle lives in Reidsville, N.C.



Jonathan Hoover has re-

located to Raleigh, N.C., and works for Wells Fargo as a consumer loan underwriter in the home preservation department. Last fall, he served as the head linesman for the Virginia Division II Private School State Championship in football at Christchurch School in Middlesex, Va. He lives with his wife, Tracy, and their daughters, Kayla and Lindsey, in Danville, Va. ■ Chadwick W. Jenkins and Amy Denise Halstead were married on 8/20/11 in Lynchburg, Va., where they live. Chad is an employee of Lynchburg Computer Systems. ■ Maj. Matthew Smith has graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. He also earned a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University.

Matthew has relocated to Brentwood, Tenn. ■ Stacey Riley Walters says she’s grateful to Elon for teaching her the determination to persevere in a tough economy after being laid off. She has opened her own general practice law office in Mebane, N.C., where she focuses on litigation and personal injury (for more information, visit swalterslaw.com). Stacey lives in Efland, N.C., with her husband, Roland, on a chemical-free farm where they raise grass-fed livestock, poultry and produce (more at waltersunlimited.com).

■ Malissa Zimmerman is pleased to announce she completed the Louisville Ironman Triathlon in August 2011. While it marked her first Ironman, Malissa is no stranger to endurance competition, having run 17 marathons, including six times in the Boston Marathon. She’s grateful to her Phi Mu sorority sisters and her Elon roommate, Elizabeth Janes ’93, who have supported her in all of her athletic pursuits. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she works as a compliance manager for DDC Advocacy.

Loren Burlando and Russell Adams welcomed a daughter, Leah Rose, on 9/15/11. Loren is an associate producer for NBC Universal. The family lives in New York City. ■ Paula Livingston Nguyen is a realtor with Keller Williams Ballantyne Area, Richard



CLASS NOTES

Tocado Group. She is licensed in North and South Carolina, serving the Charlotte and Upstate areas.

Paula lives in Charlotte.



Tripp and Crystal ’96 Bass

brought their daughter, Maggie, to cheer on the Phoenix as the men’s basketball team took on the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in December. Decked out in her maroon and gold best, Maggie took some time off from cheerleading to pose for a photo with her godparents, Barry Bradberry ’75, Elon’s associate dean of admissions, and his wife, Martha.

Maggie, projected to join Elon’s Class of 2029, has even deeper ties to the university – her grandparents are Tom ’67 and Sandy ’67 Bass, and her great-grandparents are Tom ’41 and Kitty ’43 Bass. ■ Tracey L. Tavolacci and Douglas A. Hecht were married on 9/16/11.

Tracey is a relationship manager for ADP, and the couple live in Cumming, Ga.



Jeremy F. Aldridge was pro-

moted to vice president of Urban Pace, an urban residential sales and marketing firm and is tasked with helping the president in growing the company. He lives with his partner, Michael Yarnell, in Washington, D.C. ■ Heather Berube Drury ran the 2012 Boston Marathon in honor of her daughter, who was born blind because of a rare, currently incurable genetic disorder. Heather raised money and awareness for the Perkins School for the Blind and to show her daughter that we all can accomplish what we might think impossible if we try hard and ask for help when necessary. Heather and her husband, Chris, live in Glastonbury, Conn. ■ Terry Y. Fletcher works at The Academy at Smith, where she chairs the English department and teaches several courses. She lives in Greensboro, N.C. ■ Becky Witmer and Jamie B. Lane were married on 10/1/11. Becky is a vice president with the mortgage department of Bank of America, and the couple live in Charlotte, N.C.



Jennifer Collinge Stephenson has been named

the 2011–12 teacher of the year at Sun Valley Elementary School in Monroe, N.C. Jennifer teaches third grade and is a National

Board Certified teacher. She lives in Indian Trail, N.C., with her husband, Brian, and their sons, Dallas and Collin.

Shawn Keefe and Andrea Keefe welcomed a son, Brady Charles, on 12/1/11. He joins older siblings Dylan, Brandon and Alexa. The family lives in Atlanta.

■ Sarah Smith was named to the annual list of the Piedmont Triad’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40 by The Business Journal. Smith serves as director of marketing and communications for the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, N.C. ■ Dezi Jim Zevin helped develop an adjustable portion control plate called the BariBowl, which is designed to help dieters, diabetics, athletes and others keep track of their nutritional intake. She entered the product in Walmart’s “Get on the Shelf ” contest in March, and if it wins, the product will win a contract to be sold at Walmart stores nationwide. You can learn more about BariBowl at bariware.com. Dezi is a physician assistant in St. Petersburg, Fla.





Andresen K. Moller and

Mikala Moller welcomed a son, Renier Andresen, on 2/13/11.

The family lives in Greenville, S.C. ■ Rachel McPhillips Plucker and Jay Plucker welcomed a son, Julius “Jude” VI, on 11/7/11. Jude joins older sister Laurel. Rachel is a middle school math teacher for Randolph County Schools in Alabama, where the family lives in Huntsville. ■ Michelle Cater Rash was promoted to senior account executive with RLF Communications, a Greensboro, N.C.-based public relations and advertising firm. She lives in Gibsonville, N.C., with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Ainsley. ■ Molly Cottrell Tuttle and Jamie Tuttle welcomed a daughter, Logan Eileen, on 6/26/11.

Molly is a second-grade teacher for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and the family lives in Pfafftown, N.C.



HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ZACK PUND ’05

When the 2012 Top 10 Under 10 Award recipients were announced, emails immediately started going back and forth among many alumni of Elon’s Lambda Chi Alpha chapter. One of their own, Jamie Sclater ’02, was being recognized.

Jamie doesn’t return to campus often, as his commitments as a lead petty officer, hospital corpsman and sniper in the U.S. Navy – including four deployments since 2006 – keep him from coming back. But he came back on March 31 to receive his award with the support of the Elon community, family, friends and fellow alumni.

Pictured above are (back row, l-r): Zack Pund ’05, Chris Gaylor ’03, Ryan Garland ’02, Croy Schroeder ’02, Melissa Dodge Nelson ’02, Ryan Fairchild ’04, Dave Dziok ’05 and Jon Nelson ’03; (front row, l-r): John Gardner ’01, Craig Whitham ’05, Dave Stern ’97, Sclater, Patrick Lexa ’04, Marianne Smith Stern ’01 and Dan Hanson ’05.

Jennifer Collinge Stephenson ’96, Brian Stephenson, & sons Dallas & Collin

Andresen Moller ’99, Mikala Moller & son Renier

Rachel McPhillips Plucker ’99, Jay Plucker, & children Laurel & Jude

Molly Cottrell Tuttle ’99, Jamie Tuttle & daughter Logan

Todd Gardner and Kristin Hartley Gardner welcomed

a daughter, Molly Kathleen, on 3/16/11. She joins big brother Reece, and the family lives in Harrisonburg, Va. ■ Shaun P. Landers and Lisa Landers welcomed a son, Brayden Patrick,

Shaun Landers ’00, Lisa Landers & son Brayden

Jamesia Hale Green ’02 & family

Mary Kate Shupe French ’02, Peter French & son Colin

spring 2012

33

CLASS NOTES

on 11/29/11. Shaun is a director of employee relations with Resources Global Professionals.

The family lives in Maplewood, N.J. ■ Corbie Meadows Latham and Christopher Latham welcomed a son, Parker Paschall, on 12/16/11.

The family lives in Winter Park, Fla. ■ Mike Lunney and Angelica Lunney welcomed a son, Victor David, on 11/11/11. Mike is a director of assessment scoring operations for The College Board, and the family lives in Leesburg, Va. ■ Tom P. Mullen has been promoted to director of digital marketing at Sony Music Entertainment, where he will handle the Sony Legacy imprint. He lives in New York City.

■ Courtney Daubert Verdelli and Greg Verdelli ’01 welcomed a son, Colton Matthew, on 5/6/11. The family lives in Hummelstown, Pa.



Heather E. Ball was voted

by parents, coworkers and friends as one of the top 10 teachers in Hampton Roads, Va. She was featured in the February 2012 issue of Hampton Roads Magazine.

Heather teaches in Chesapeake (Va.) Public Schools, where she lives. ■ Mary Scot McAllister Boyce and Matt Boyce welcomed a daughter, Emory Sue, on 9/20/11.

The family lives in Charlotte, N.C. ■ Mary Kate Shupe French and

Carley Olsen Hill ’03 & Sean Hill ’03

Katie Beaver Parsley ’03 with daughters Lena & Clara

Lindsay Van Cleave Severn ’03, William Severn & friends

Peter French welcomed a son, Colin John, on 5/30/11. The family lives in Riverview, Fla. ■ Jamesia Hale Green earned a master’s degree in management and public relations from the University of Maryland, University College, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society in spring 2011. She lives in Upper Marlboro, Md. ■ Elizabeth Burris Matthews is a Delaware native but decided to stay in North Carolina after graduation. She attended culinary school, and her experience opened her eyes to the downward spiral of our food system – and she wanted to make a difference.

She joined the Company Shops Market, a local food co-op in downtown Burlington, N.C., first as a volunteer fundraiser and now as its prepared foods and specialty department manager. Elizabeth lives in Burlington with her son, Nicholas.



William Duffy completed his

doctorate in rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and now serves as an assistant professor of English at Francis Marion University. He and his wife, Vicki Kintner-Duffy, live in Florence, S.C. ■ Carl LaPan completed his Master of Arts in Teaching degree in December from Mercer University. He lives in Atlanta. ■ Carley Olsen and Sean Hill were married on 5/7/11 in Jamaica. Alumni in attendance were Shaler Black Cooper and Kelly Kirby ’02. The couple celebrated with a reception in Arlington, Va., which was attended by Katy Wilson McCombs, Jamie McGovern Sheggrud, Emily Kolakowski, Megan Mondy Carroll, Maureen Hass Murano ’01 and Katie Sullivan Corrigan ’02. Carley is an agent for STA Travel, and the couple live in San Francisco.

■ Katie Beaver Parsley and Brad Parsley welcomed a daughter, Clara Madelyn, on 3/28/11. Clara joins big sister Lena. The family lives in Mocksville, N.C. ■ Lindsay Constance Van Cleave

Melissa Will Banta ’04, Robert Banta III ’05 & daughter Adeline

Jared Rudolph ’04, Catherine Cameron Rudolph ’04, & children Cameron & Joseph

34 the magazine of elon

Krysten Bailey ’05 & friends

and William C. Severn were married on 10/7/11 in Baltimore, Md. Alumni participating in the wedding were Allison Bystry, Bethany Zimms Walton, Brett Jochim Schmidt and Justin Van Cleave ’07. Alumni in attendance were Heather Trant, Peter Walton and Iman Williams Brady.

Lindsay owns a jewelry company, LCVintage, and works in advertising. The couple live in New York City.



Melissa Will Banta and Robert Banta III ’05 wel-

comed a daughter, Adeline Virginia, on 5/15/11. Melissa is a physical therapist and manager of inpatient therapy for Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Center and Robert is an attorney.

The family lives in Richmond, Va. ■ Lillian F. Ciany finished the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in February alongside fellow Elon cross-country alumnae Jackie Sgambati ’98, Erin Wallace McQueen and Clara Urquhart. The friends have started a tradition of running a race together every year.

When she’s not running, Lillian is a high school physics teacher in Charleston, S.C. She lives with her daughter, Lennon, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. ■ Greg (Halstead) Halzen received the National Association for Bilingual Education’s Teacher of the Year award at its 2012 conference in Dallas. Greg is a dual-language (English/Spanish) middle school social studies teacher for the New York City Department of Education. He lives with his wife, Jolene, in Brooklyn, N.Y. ■ Jonathan P. Lindberg has been promoted to strategic account manager at PRA International, and is responsible for all business development for a top-five client. He and his wife, Sarah P. Lindberg ’02, live in Raleigh, N.C. ■ Lauren Miller graduated with a degree in energy and environmental analysis from Boston University in September 2011. She now works as an environmental consultant focused on climate change services at CDM Smith in Cambridge, Mass., where she lives. ■ Jared Rudolph and Catherine Cameron Rudolph welcomed their second child, Joseph, on 11/24/11. Joseph joins older sister Cameron. Jared works in sales at Rudolph Brothers & Co., and Catherine is chief executive officer of Rudolph Management Company. The family lives in Westerville, Ohio. ■ Joey White and Jennifer White welcomed a son, Cameron, on 3/9/12. The family lives in Knoxville, Tenn.

Krysten Bailey and Matthew DeMott-Anthony were married on 9/10/11 in Asbury Park,



CLASS NOTES

Photo by Scott Muthersbaugh ’06

ENJOYING ‘THE VIEW’

BY KRISTIN M. SIMONETTI ’05

{ Summur Shaikh ’03 }

I

n fewer than 10 years, Summur Shaikh ’03 has achieved what takes many broadcast professionals decades to accomplish: she’s a producer on a hit network television show.

Since April 2011, Shaikh has worked as a segment producer for ABC’s daytime staple, “The View.” While her ascension has been relatively fast in broadcast-industry time, it’s a bit of a longer road if you consider the fact she’s been aiming for a career in TV since childhood.

“My parents told me I had to work in TV because I loved it so much,” Shaikh recalls. “The idea of going in to work and talking about what you watched the day or night before, I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Shaikh started at “The View” as a student intern in January of her senior year at Elon. After graduation, she joined the show as a temporary receptionist, then rose from tape coordinator to associate producer to, finally, segment producer.

Shaikh, who received one of Elon’s Top 10 Under 10 Awards for young alumni in March, points to Associate Professor Janna Anderson’s media writing course for helping lay the groundwork for her achievements. And Anderson counts Shaikh among her most accomplished former students.

“I tell my students they should always practice a combination of gumption and areté. They need to arrive early, stay late, be the person who always gets called upon because they can get the job done with excellence,” Anderson says.

“Summur is one of those people who epitomize gumption and areté.”

Tell us a little bit about a day in the life of a producer at “The View.”

My hours vary depending on what type of segment I have. I’m one of five segment producers, and each of us is assigned several segments each week. Sometimes it’s a celebrity who’s coming on to promote a TV show or movie, a politician or a human interest story that has been in the headlines.

What does producing a segment entail?

I get a packet from our research department that lists some of the most interesting things about the person I’m

producing and sometimes I’ll pre-interview them to ensure they’re OK with the topics we’ll cover. Then I make sure we have all the video clips or photos to go along with the segment. The morning of the show, it’s my job to brief the hosts on the interview from start to finish so nothing is a surprise.

Speaking of the hosts (Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Sherri Shepherd and Barbara Walters), what are they like?

They’re all really down-to-earth, nice people. I’ve learned something from each of them. Barbara (Walters) has taught me so much. I’ve learned how to write

really good scripts with her, to make sure my questions are phrased right.

She always knows exactly what to say.

Aside from the hosts, who’s the biggest celebrity you’ve met through the show?

The last time Tom Cruise was here, it was amazing. He made sure to meet everyone in the building and shook their hands. Since I’ve been a producer, I’ve worked on segments with Beyoncé and Hugh Jackman, and that’s been really exciting, too.

What’s the best part about working on “The View?”

What we do on the show really means a lot.

We did a segment a few weeks ago with a family whose child was missing. Fifteen minutes after the show aired, someone called the police with a tip and the child was found. It was unbelievable to be a part of that. That’s the power of television.

What’s next for you?

At the moment, I’m very content where I am because I still have a lot to learn, and this is a great place to learn. I’m really happy here.

What advice would you give to Elon students interested in a broadcasting career?

I would say, listen, learn, be patient, be good at multitasking, be a team player, and most of all treat people how you want to be treated. Also, be passionate about what you’re doing. People will notice and ultimately it will lead to the next step.

spring 2012

35

CLASS NOTES

Amber King Camp ’06, Matt Camp ’06 & son Benjamin

Christy James Hale ’06 & Brandon Hale ’06

Victoria Olszewski Bollenback ’06 & Justin Bollenback ’06

James Brewer III ’07 & Amanda Lipari ’07 Diana Thompson-Brewer

Catherine Mason Espey ’07, Eric Espey & friends

Tonya Albert Creamer ’08 & Daniel Creamer

In Memoriam Mary Harrington Steele ’37, Due West, S.C. 2/10/12.

Mary Lou Martin Smith ’42, McLeansville, N.C. 12/23/11.

Bernard M. Askin ’43, Charles Town, W.Va. 12/31/11.

Margaret B. Hunt ’45, Henderson, N.C. 11/19/11.

Sarah L.W. Mundy ’47, Durham, N.C. 10/30/11.

Claude V. Comer ’48, Graham, N.C. 1/6/12.

Curtis W. Brown, Jr. ’49 p’76, Charlotte, N.C. 12/21/11.

Vance E. Cox ’49, Mt. Airy, N.C. 2/13/12.

Frederick T. B. Claytor ’50, Hillsborough, N.C. 2/9/12.

W.O. “Bill” Johnston ’51, Wilkesboro, N.C. 12/30/11.

Robert Reavis ’53, Burlington, N.C. 8/18/11.

Nancy Vaughn Gee ’55, Richardson, Texas. 1/18/12.

William H. “Bill” Dixon Jr. ’56, Durham, N.C. 1/8/12.

Elmer L. Chaney Jr. ’57, Concord, N.C. 3/4/12.

Robert A. “Bob” Bullis ’58, Graham, N.C. 2/12/12.

Gaye Howard Johnson ’59, High Point, N.C. 12/15/11.

Sharyn Elizabeth Olsen Soderlund ’82, Dana Point, Calif. 2/17/12.

John F. Schneider ’89 {MBA}, McLeansville, N.C. 12/25/11.

friends Jim Pickens, professor emeritus of psychology, died on Feb. 3, 2012. Pickens, a beloved Elon faculty member for more than 20 years, helped develop Elon’s Department of Psychology and the nonviolence studies minor. He retired in 2007.

Evelyn Campbell, Burlington, N.C., 4/9/12. She served for 15 years as executive secreary to President Emeritus J. Fred Young and received the Elon Medallion for her contributions to the university.

36 the magazine of elon

N.J. Alumni in attendance were Abbey Castleman, Jaclyn Novgorodoff, Victoria Hall, Emily McCarthy and Kara McGee. ■ Steven G. Bell and Kathryn Bell welcomed a son, Simon Rupert, on 12/30/11. Steven has opened his own law practice focusing on estate planning and lives in Hillsboro, Ore. ■ Michael A. Dixon has been named the director of student life at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Atlanta campus. He previously worked in the offices of residence life, housing and student involvement on SCAD’s main campus in Savannah, Ga. ■ Samantha Cantrell “Sam” McDaniel and James R. Citty were married on 5/21/11 in Reidsville, N.C. Candice Riddle ’13 served as maid of honor. Adjunct faculty member Billy Summers served as organist.

Alumni and current Elon students in attendance were Rusty Citty ’80, Brenda Vinson Citty ’81 and Meredith Citty ’13. Sam is a project manager for Liberty University’s admissions consultant department.

The couple live in Forest, Va. ■ Steven J. Sposato is a senior life and annuity specialist with Liberty Mutual Group in Dover, N.H. He lives in Somersworth, N.H.



Andrew Barnes earned the

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation, a joint program of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Andrew is a strategic sales consultant for TIAA-CREF. His wife, Lindsey Paquette Barnes, is an event planner for Bank of America.

The couple live in Charlotte, N.C. ■ Amber King Camp and J. Matthew Camp welcomed a son, Joseph Benjamin, on 8/4/11. The family lives in Randleman, N.C. ■ Cameron B. Davis has accepted a rotational position in MetLife’s leadership development program in Bridgewater, N.J. The program prepares future business leaders by exposing them to different areas of MetLife’s business. ■ Christy M. James and Brandon J. Hale were married on 9/10/11 in Chicago.

Drew Contessa served as the officiant, and more than 40 Elon alumni attended the ceremony.

Christy is a writer for Giuliana Rancic and Drew is a business development specialist. They live

in Chicago. ■ Alex Kreitman {IMEDIA ’10} was promoted to media research director for WCSC-TV, the Raycom Media/CBS affiliate in Charleston, S.C. He will lead the station’s research and interactive media departments and lives in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. ■ Victoria Olszewski and Justin Bollenback were married on 9/24/11 in St. Pete Beach, Fla. Alumni in attendance were Ray Beadnell, Lauren Bollenback, Bridget Burckell, Jameson Dion, Laura Gaither, Drew Hensley, Kristen Hensley, Kristy Mills and Luke Olszewski ’11.

The couple live in St. Petersburg, Fla. ■ Canden M. Schwantes is a partner in Free Tours by Foot, a company based in Washington, D.C. Her area of responsibility includes programs in New York, Washington and Boston, as well as administrative support for programs in other cities, including New Orleans and Philadelphia.

She invites fellow Elon alumni and current students to consider the company as a career opportunity and visit freetoursbyfoot.com.

James Brewer III married Diana Thompson-Brewer on 7/30/12. Alumni participating in the wedding were Jamar Whitfield, Cameron Davis ’06 and Tracy Corpening ’08. James is the director of bands at Walter Williams High School in Burlington, N.C., where the couple live. ■ Sarah Margaret Hetherington married Thomas “T.J.” Kenny on 7/23/11 in Charlotte, N.C. Alumni participating in the wedding were Amanda Davis, Elizabeth VanDerwerker, James Hetherington ’03 and



Katherine Baggott Hetherington ’03. Sarah and T.J. live in St. Robert,

Mo., where she owns Sarah Kenny Photography. ■ Donna M. Vanhook was ordained in the Elon First Baptist Church of Morgan Place, where she serves as associate minister, in August.

She lives in Burlington, N.C. ■ Kristen Laramie graduated from Delaware Technical Community College in December with a nursing degree. She joined the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children as a pediatric blood and bone marrow transplant nurse in February.

Kristen lives in Wilmington, Del. ■ Amanda Lipari graduated from Rutgers University with a Master’s of Social Work. She also passed the LSW exam. Amanda lives in

CLASS NOTES

KINDRED SPIRITS IN SERVICE

BY SAM PARKER ’13

D

anielle Gilbert ’08 G’11 and Andrea Attorri ’08 G’11 share many things: class years, graduate degrees and passions for humanitarian work that led them to apply their skills through service to those in need in foreign nations. Gilbert chose to complete an advanced clinical practice course at St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Migori, Kenya, in spring 2011. Attorri completed a three-month experience with the National Council on Aging program in Belize.

In Gilbert’s final year of study in Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, she decided to pursue an independent study through which she could volunteer abroad. Jane Freund, an associate professor of physical therapy education, advised Gilbert’s voyage to a small town in Western Kenya called Migori, where Gilbert volunteered with the Medics to Africa program.

“I was very impressed with Danielle’s motivation and organization in researching and preparing for the experience, as well as her desire to learn through volunteer service,” Freund says.

Gilbert’s mornings typically included checking on patients with traction devices used to heal fractures, redressing burn wounds from gasoline accidents and recasting limbs. Mandatory tea breaks at midday allowed Gilbert to get to know patients and other villagers in a more personal way.

“Everyone is friendly and welcoming,” she says. “The Swahili language barrier was a challenge at times, but as the days progressed, I learned the necessary phrases to communicate.”

Afternoons were spent at St. Joseph’s Hospital outpatient center, treating patients who often traveled many hours to be seen. The level of treatment offered to patients varied by what they were able to pay, so Gilbert needed to be creative with her resources.

“We provided traction to the spine using the weight of heavy rocks or buckets of water, plaster casting to heal fractures or realign deformations, sponges and ACE bandages for electrical stimulation and paraffin oil for tissue mobilization,” she says, describing some of the conditions she encountered.

For Attorri, attending a Christian leadership conference in Atlanta last year motivated her to apply her skills through volunteer service.

“There are a lot of people that live a lot of years but don’t do a lot of living,” Attorri says. “I wanted to do something that counted.”

As she neared the completion of the DPT program, she decided to pursue a volunteer opportunity with Belize’s National Council on Aging, based in the capital, Belmopan.

{ Andrea Attorri ’08 G’11 (l) & Danielle Gilbert ’08 G’11 (r) }

“There’s such an incredible need there, and I didn’t want to go somewhere and just do blood pressure readings,” she says.

Bill Andrews, associate professor of physical therapy education, says he was at first surprised at Attorri’s decision to volunteer abroad, but quickly realized there was no better fit for her.

“She wanted to ‘strike while the fire is hot’ in regard to her serving others,” he says. “She saw a need and used her skills and passion to meet the need.”

Attorri focused primarily on educating Belize’s physical therapists and caring for underserved patients.

“I’ve seen the kind of conditions they’re living in and, on occasion, I’ve seen how family members are mistreating their parents and grandparents. It’s heartbreaking,” she says.

Though there are some adequate facilities in Belize, Attorri says, she often was forced to think outside the box when treating patients.

“It’s not a perfect world, and you’re going to have to do without sometimes,” she says. “You just learn to throw your hands up a lot and say there’s no use in worrying over it.”

Gilbert and Attorri graduated from Elon’s DPT program last December. Gilbert is living and working in Greenville, S.C., as a physical therapist in outpatient rehab at Proaxis Therapy. Attorri works in acute care physical therapy at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. As they begin their professional careers, they look forward to sharing what they’ve learned from their international volunteer experiences and recommend that fellow students take advantage of similar opportunities.

“Your prayers change, your priorities shift and your perspective is vastly different,” Attorri says.

spring 2012 37

CLASS NOTES

West Caldwell, N.J. ■ Catherine L. Mason and Eric S. Espey were married on 7/16/11 after dating for 10 years. Alumni in attendance included Dan Mott, Tina Brown, Loren Taylor, Kristin Tremoulis, Andrea French Wofford, Garrett Wofford, Caroline Thompson, Karen Simmons, Kristi Garton Hollins ’05, Annie McQuaid ’06 and Annie Binning ’08. Catherine is a pharmacist for Ingles Markets and the couple live in Gastonia, N.C.



Tonya Jean Albert and

Daniel E. Creamer were married on 1/7/12. They dated throughout college while Tonya attended Elon and Daniel attended Wake Forest University.

Hilary Sheets Bowers ’09 served as a bridemaid. Alumni in attendance included Lily Cameron, Canden Schwantes ’06 and Taylor Barrett ’09. The couple live in St. Augustine, Fla. ■ Hillary Waugh Bruce and Kate McFarland Bruce were united on 10/15/11 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Alumni participating in the wedding were Brittany Werts ’09, Chelsea Peabody ’09 and Liesl Klotzbach ’09. Alumni in attendance were Kate McCarthy Peters, Christine Floyd ’09, Maureen Grewe ’09, Brian Smith ’09, Amanda Cairns ’10 and Kelsey McEvoy ’10. The couple honeymooned in Vermont and live in Carrboro, N.C. ■ J. Karl Sherrill Jr. {MBA} was named to the annual list of the Piedmont Triad’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40 by The Business Journal. Sherrill leads the manufacturing specialty group of Senn Dunn Insurance’s Greensboro, N.C., office and was recognized as the 2011 Agent of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. ■ Kerri N. Speers has joined the City of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Fire Rescue Department as a firefighter and EMT. She lives in Homestead, Fla. ■ Meggan E. Thompson finished her joint master’s degree in public administration and American government, with a certificate in law and public policy, from Regent University’s Robertson School of Government. She works for Congressman Scott Rigell in his Virginia Beach District Office.

Meggan lives in Virginia Beach.



Matthew Masten and Steven Baker have formed a firm,

Bennu Productions, that will

38 the magazine of elon

NO STONE UNTURNED

BY CAITLIN O’DONNELL ’13

M

ichael Faas ’98 recalls entering the hospital as a 13-year-old with a severe case of the chicken pox and leaving with a diagnosis that would change his life. An X-ray of his stomach revealed that Faas had kidney stones. Later, doctors diagnosed his illness as Cystinuria – a rare and incurable genetic defect that blocks the absorption of the amino acid cystine in the kidneys, causing chronic kidney stones.

That’s why Faas doesn’t consider it strange that he knows more about the lives of his nurses and kidney doctors than he does about his closest friends. In his 35 years, Faas has undergone more than 100 medical procedures for more than 450 kidney stones.

Yet he thinks he’s one of the lucky ones.

“I know what pain feels like and I have a much greater pain tolerance than the average person because of my Cystinuria,” he says. “I The second-annual have a great job and Cystinuria 5K/2.5-mile a family who has Walk, Run, Bike Ride supported me. Many will take place in several people with this locations nationwide on disease don’t have June 16, 2012. If you are that luxury.” interested in participating or As an Elon senior, donating to the International he found a support Cystinuria Foundation, group for individuals please visit Cystinuria.org suff ering from and and click on the “You Can doctors studying Help!” link in the upper Cystinuria, which right corner of the page. affects about 1 in every 10,000–15,000 people.

“A lot of patients who have the disease have doctors who have never heard of Cystinuria or are doing research just like they are,” he says. “The doctor doesn’t know how to treat them or what to recommend. It can be a challenge.”

Faas was one of a team of patients and scientists who founded the International Cystinuria Foundation in 2005 to disseminate information and raise funds for the study of the disease. The patient-run foundation, which Faas says is the only foundation he’s

{ Michael Faas ’98 }

aware of dedicated to Cystinuria, now boasts about 1,200 members.

Projects the organization has undertaken include last June’s inaugural 5K/2.5-mile Walk, Run, Bike Ride in five locations nationwide to raise money for research and projects. ICF also has created “The Stone Owner’s Guide,” compiled by members of the foundation and written in layman’s terms. The volume serves as manual for those who receive a Cystinuria diagnosis.

“People don’t have to go through the same difficulty we had initially (as patients),” Faas says. “Twenty years ago, there was no place to go, no outlet for information.”

Faas also volunteers his time talking to fellow Cystinuria sufferers through difficult times.

“They often are almost at kidney shutdown, living in towns that don’t have doctors who know about the disease,” he says. “Just being there for these folks has helped a lot of people.”

A broadcast communications major who worked as a music director for WSOE, Faas had plans to enter the radio business after graduation. Because most entry-level radio jobs he found didn’t offer health insurance, he took a job with a pharmaceutical company and today serves as manager of learning innovation for Bristol Myers Squibb.

He says his experience with Cystinuria has impacted his approach to his job.

“I empathize with a lot of our patients.

It’s one of the reasons I’ve been with this company for so long,” Faas says. “You hear about their problems and how the medications we produce help them in their day-to-day life, and I’ve felt the same way sometimes.”

CLASS NOTES

stage upcoming productions on Broadway and in London’s West End. The company made its Broadway debut in March when it staged Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man,” featuring an all-star cast that includes James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen and several other stars. Follow Matthew and Steven’s company on Twitter: @bennuprods.



Brent Gilmore wrote a guest

blog post on the website Under30CEO.com addressing the

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

If you have moved, send us your new address and telephone number.

early days of his startup while he was an Elon student. He and fellow Elon graduate Katie Pietrowski began FitCampus. com, a fitness website directed toward college students. Brent lives in Raleigh, N.C. ■ Alexa Milan, a reporter for the Sanford (N.C.) Herald, won five awards from the North Carolina Press Association. She won three firstplace awards for her coverage of the April 2011 tornado that hit Sanford and potential budget cuts in Lee County Schools, and for

a multimedia project about the Lee Regional Fair. Alexa received second- and third-place awards for other projects. ■ Matthew Miller attended StyleCaster’s Inaugural State of Style Summit in February. He works for fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and is a junior team member for StyleCaster. He lives in New York City. ■ Christina Peterson earned a Master of Arts in crosscultural and sustainable business management from the American University of Paris in France. She

received the graduate student award, which is bestowed on one master’s-level student each year recognizing his or her leadership, service and academic achievement at the university.



Ian J. Dember has been ap-

pointed to the Lawrence Township (N.J.) Planning Board and recently was elected director of the Lawrence Township Democrats Club. He lives in Lawrenceville, N.J.

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spring 2012 39

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A GOOD GAME PLAN

BY JALEH HAGIGH

Photo by Mark Olencki

{ Jim Buie ’63 }

LEARN MORE

A

s an Elon football player, Jim Buie ’63 learned how to push through obstacles. The former halfback never let sore muscles or a sprained ankle keep him off the field.

Buie brought the same tenacity to his studies and later to his nearly 40-year career in education. He credits Elon with much of his success.

“Elon made me think a whole lot deeper than I ever had in my life,” Buie says. “The wonderful faculty challenged and pushed you every day and then you pushed yourself.”

After graduating from Elon, Buie continued to do just that. He earned a master’s degree at Western Carolina University and a doctorate at Duke University, both in education administration. He served as a teacher, high school principal and district superintendent in North Carolina and South Carolina public schools. Recently, Buie decided to give back to Elon by endowing a scholarship to assist student-athletes majoring in education.

He funded the scholarship with IRA assets that are tax-free.

“Without my football scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to attend Elon,” Buie says. “I’m happy to give to Elon and help students the way others helped me.”

As an educator, Buie focused on developing the whole student, a lesson he learned from Elon, which is committed to supporting the growth of the mind, body and spirit of each student.

“I loved working with kids,” Buie says. “The last five years of my career I spent as a high school principal, and I think those were some of the most rewarding years because I was able to help students.”

Buie is still helping students and his alma mater.

“Elon helped me grow, prepared me for a career and made me a better person,” he says. “We need more people to support the university and help Elon become even stronger. I’m proud to be an Elon graduate and doubly proud that Elon is getting better and better.”

about how you can make a difference at Elon with a planned gift by contacting: Brian Baker, Executive Director of Major & Planned Giving ■ (877) 784-3566 ■ bbaker7@elon.edu

40 the magazine of elon

■

elon.plannedgiving.org

{ David Gergen (r), former presidential adviser & chair of the Elon University School of Law Advisory Board, moderated a panel and delivered one of the conference’s two keynote addresses. }

{ The Hon. Sandra Day O’Connor, making her third visit to Elon Law, gave the conference’s other keynote speech. She shared insights about the challenges she faced as the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. }

Elon University School of Law partnered with the Center for Creative Leadership to host April’s Conference on Law and Leadership in Greensboro, N.C. Representatives of the law, legal education and business fields gathered for two days of sessions addressing the role of lawyers as leaders in their professions and communities.

“We have to believe that the leaders of this country put the country first,” said David Gergen, former presidential adviser and chair of the Elon University School of Law Advisory Board. “In so many ways, the people I looked up to were lawyers. For so many of my generation, the majesty of the law is what we believed in.”

Attendees, which included Elon Law faculty, staff, students and alumni, took part in panel discussions and reflection periods, and had the opportunity to hear keynote addresses from Gergen and The Hon. Sandra Day O’Connor, who made her third visit to Elon Law. “It’s fun to be back and to see how well the law school is doing,” she said. “I’m impressed with the law school, in what it is achieving and its focus on leadership.”

For more information about the conference proceedings, visit elon.edu/lawleadership.

Office of Alumni Engagement PO Box 398 Elon, NC 27244 Toll Free: (877) 784-3566 elon.edu/alumni

Throngs of Elon students took part in a dazzling display of color March 27 to celebrate Holi, a Hindu holiday that heralds the arrival of spring. Students of all faith backgrounds tossed colored powder at one another to the sound of contemporary Indian music. “This is a holiday that for years has been a big part of my heart,” said senior Raj Rawal, a Hindu student who helped plan the event. “We preach diversity, so I thought, why not do this here?”