Thirteen students participated in AI Play, held June 15-19 in Lindner Hall on 榴莲app官方网站入 campus, where they learned about artificial intelligence while improving their AI literacy.

“The camp provides a way for students to get interested in this technology in an unplugged way,鈥� said Alexis Goslen, an assistant professor or computer science. 鈥淲e used a lot of 鈥榰nplugged鈥� activities that do not involve computers like 鈥楪uess Whose Face,鈥� a game where the students act as the facial recognition system and we introduce the concepts by connecting it to unlocking your phone.鈥�

Students participated in several hands-on learning activities that introduced concepts about pathfinding, perception and machine learning, speech recognition and more.

鈥淲e did an activity about facial recognition and that was really cool to see how AI uses facial recognition in our everyday devices and how a few viewpoints can map out entire facial features,鈥� said Trisha Anna, a seventh grader at Durham Academy in Durham, North Carolina.

The camp focused every day on a 鈥渂ig idea鈥� of an artificial intelligence concept. Students learned about concepts and worked in groups to apply the concept before ending with a group discussion on ethics.

鈥淭he ethics discussions were my favorite part of camp,鈥� Goslen said. 鈥淭he students seemed excited to talk about different scenarios using AI and they had really interesting perspectives. The discussions showed how the camp was challenging their thinking and I loved seeing students鈥� engagement in that.鈥�

The activities throughout the week gave students the opportunity to problem solve, learn the basics of artificial intelligence, coding and ethics.

鈥淚 wanted to attend AI Play because I really wanted to learn AI and how to use it without doing anything bad and I also thought it would be a fun experience to try something new and meet new friends,鈥� said Caitlyn Stephens, a seventh grader at Blessed Sacrament School in Burlington, North Carolina.

Throughout the week, Goslen noticed the students’ learning and growing.

鈥淲e held a workshop where students got to see the Elon robot dog and the campers were amazed by it,鈥� Goslen said. 鈥淭hey had so many questions and their questions were often based on material we had covered in the camp. It was nice to hear their questions because it demonstrated the knowledge they gained from the camp.鈥�

As technology and artificial intelligence grow more prevalent in everyday life, it is important for education about these technologies to be introduced earlier, Goslen said.

Goslen said she hopes the camp sparked students’ interest in technology, computer science and engineering and remember the concepts when they interact with technology and choose how to use it.

The campers agreed.

鈥淪ome of the new skills I learned at the camp were the proper way to use AI and how it has such a big impact on our everyday lives,鈥� Anna said. 鈥淲ith AI changing so rapidly it is important for all middle schoolers to have somewhat of a grasp on it.”

For more information about AI Play and information about future camps, contact Alexis Goslen, assistant professor of computer science, at agoslen2@elon.edu.

How the course works

The capstone experience spans two courses. In the winter term, GAM 4100, cross-disciplinary teams form and move through pre-production 鈥� developing concepts, building early prototypes and laying out a project plan. In GAM 4200 during the spring semester, those same teams advance through the full production pipeline: pre-alpha, alpha, pre-beta, beta, gold master and release.

Throughout both semesters, teams follow the Scrum framework 鈥� holding sprints, daily standups and milestone reviews like a professional studio would. Students take on defined roles in the development process, including programmer, level designer, environment designer, and narrative designer, and are accountable for delivering at each stage.

“I think the ultimate skills gained from the capstone experience are working under constraints and collaboration,” said Pratheep Paranthaman, associate professor of computer science and coordinator of the game design minor. “We don’t always know what technical complexities we’ll run into, or what might slow the development process. But that’s where the real learning happens 鈥� solving the unknown, working through an ambiguous development landscape.”

The games

鈥� Angry Sea Studios

鈥淵our Friend, Sam鈥� is a mystery adventure and puzzle game, where players return as the childhood friend of a boy who vanished a decade ago. Collecting clues, solving puzzles, and fighting off corrupted creatures, players work to piece together what happened. The game launched on April 29.

For Aidan Spoerndle ’27, who served as a gameplay programmer on the project, seeing it go live was the payoff for months of sustained work.

“It feels really exciting to have a project that I tirelessly worked months creating actually be published for everyone to play,” Spoerndle said.

Keeping the technical scope in check, he said, was what made it achievable.

“There’s no such thing as a small game,鈥� Spoerndle said. 鈥淭he reason we were able to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time was that we kept the technical aspects enclosed in a smaller scope and allowed our narrative and art elements to exist in a larger scope.”

Carter Puckett ’26, also a gameplay programmer on the team, says the minor’s coursework prepared the team for what production actually demands.

“The minor helped me understand the full process of making a game 鈥� game design principles that make games fun, playable, and achievable,鈥� Puckett said “In game development, you will always run into things that you are unfamiliar with or don’t know how to do. 鈥淜nowing how to do research and use online resources is essential to improving your skills.”

鈥� InDecision Studio

鈥淥nslaught鈥� is an action-adventure game set in Betham, a decaying western mining town suspended above a sea of clouds. Players take on fighting toward Sanctuary, climbing and battling through vertical environments in third-person combat while managing resources against escalating enemies. It was released on May 14.

Owen Crider ’26, who served as a level designer, says the production process that never quite ran smoothly 鈥� and a team that worked through it anyway.

“We encountered a lot of bugs, and even though it seemed like every week there was something new to deal with, we always sorted it out,” Crider said. “I also learned how important it is to always be talking to your team.”

Beyond the technical work, Crider said, the program offered something harder to quantify.

“The game design program for me is really a community,鈥� Crider said. 鈥淚’ve built lots of friendships with people who are funny and helpful. Since everyone knows the problems and how tough it is to make a game, everyone is encouraging of one another.”

Noah Gartenberg ’27 says game development also comes with intense demands.

鈥淭here are so many different parts and finding ways to conserve energy and momentum becomes extremely important despite any and all setbacks,” Gartenberg said. “You need to rely on and trust whoever you are working with, because that is the only way to make any sizable game in any decent amount of time without burnout.”

鈥淏ack In my Day,鈥� is a strategy-puzzle game built around an unusual mechanic: time only moves when the player moves. Players guide a grandma home from work through levels that mix puzzle logic and projectile-based encounters. The game was

released on May 5.

What students take away

Several students pointed to the game design minor’s coursework 鈥� and its faculty 鈥� as what made the capstone possible.

“All of the knowledge and expertise from Dr. Paranthaman and Professor Hollingsworth helped me think through various problems in ways I never would have without the courses,” Spoerndle said.

Puckett encourages other students to add game design as a minor.

“Every class in the game design minor was the class I most looked forward to that day,鈥� Puckett said. 鈥淚 hope that if any 榴莲app官方网站入 student has any interest in making games, they try out the game design minor because it is a great opportunity.”

Noah Gartenberg says the class left him ready for more.

“In the minor, we learned various aspects of working in modern game engines, and we learned the fundamentals of game design, in addition to how to work with others who may not come from the same disciplines as we do,鈥� Gartenberg said.聽 鈥淢any of the classes left me with a whetted appetite for more game development, more creativity, more discussion with like-minded individuals. The program succeeds at teaching how to make games 鈥� in spades.”

That breadth of games is intentional, and the program’s aim is never purely technical.

“Our goal is to make not only game developers, but also project managers 鈥� people with leadership skills in decision-making and problem solving,鈥� Paranthaman said. 鈥淭he central core of what we do is student learning, community, and creative ownership: giving students the space to build something real, together, and see it through to the end.”

Looking ahead, Paranthaman says the program will continue to grow its library of published titles and deepen the studio simulation experience 鈥� building transferable skills in project management, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and problem solving that students can carry into adjacent industries, from software development and UX design to film production and beyond.

“Publishing twelve games on Steam is a milestone worth noting,” Paranthaman said. “But what it really represents is twelve teams of students who learned that they could start something hard and finish it. That’s the skill we’re building.”

All 12 games published by Elon game design minor students are free to play on Steam.

Polly Cornelius, associate teaching professor of music, who teaches the Summer Opera Workshop in Florence will debut the Italian premiere of the Tony-Award winning musical by composer Adam Guettel. Produced by Cornelius, the play will take place in the historic Medici Palace in Florence on June 11-12, through a collaboration between 榴莲app官方网站入 and AEF, 榴莲app官方网站入 study abroad partner institution.

“For years, I have dreamed of producing 鈥淭he Light in the Piazza鈥� in Florence because the story is about a mother and daughter from Winston Salem, North Carolina who travel to Florence, Italy,鈥� said Cornelius. 鈥淚t has never been performed in Florence. We are the first. It could have been any university or organization, but it鈥檚 Elon who has the honor do this international, site-specific premiere.鈥�

Based on the 1960 novel by Elizabeth Spencer, 鈥淭he Light in the Piazza鈥� follows Margaret Johnson, a mother from Winston Salem, who travels through Florence with her daughter Clara, who falls in love with an Italian man named Fabrizio. The musical won six Tony Awards including Best Original Score in 2005 and is known for its romantic story and score.

Cornelius, who has taught at AEF since 2018 through a summer opera workshop course, has dreamed of producing the musical to be an authentic international artistic experience for students.

Two years ago, Cornelius met with Guettel about producing the play in Florence which includes 14 榴莲app官方网站入 students, one Elon alumni, faculty, and professional Italian and American singers and performers. Elon alumni Gianni Palmarini 鈥�22 returns to play the role of Fabrizio, while Cornelius will perform as Signora Naccarelli, the Italian mother.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been crazy but manageable to produce and perform a role, but I’m happy to be performing this particular role,鈥� Corenlius said. 鈥淚’m excited for the everyone involved and to bring this famous musical to the city of Florence.鈥�

The creative team includes Chris Rayis, assistant professor of performing arts as music director and conductor and Jacob Brent, assistant professor of music theatre, as stage director.

鈥淭his has become a huge collaboration between Elon, AEF, and the city of Florence鈥� Cornelius said. 鈥淥ur colleagues in Florence are so excited and have been working very hard too.鈥�

The experience offers students a rare opportunity to rehearse and perform internationally while collaborating with professionals. Students in Cornelius鈥� course, 鈥淥pera in Italy: The Global Citizen Artist,鈥� also take an Italian language course.

鈥淭his first opera was performed in Florence, Italy, so it鈥檚 especially meaningful to perform and study there,鈥� Cornelius said. 鈥淪tudents are meeting Italian artists, performing alongside them, and learning about the Florentine culture.鈥�

In addition to 榴莲app官方网站入 students performing in the ensemble, music theatre majors Addyson Reese 鈥�28 will play Clara Johnson and Mackenzie Tammara 鈥�28 will play Franca Naccarelli.

For Reese and Tammara having a role in this musical is a dream come true.

“To perform this piece in Florence alongside incredible professionals is an absolute dream come true, and I am so grateful to be part of this project,鈥� Reese said. 鈥淭his show has been one of my all-time favorites since I first listened to the cast album at age 14. Clara has been one of my dream roles since high school and playing her in Florence is especially meaningful to me.鈥�

The rehearsal process has been unique and included in person rehearsals with cast members in North Carolina and many virtual sessions with cast members from across the northeastern United States and Italy. The entire cast will have the opportunity to rehearse together in the days leading up to the performance in Florence.

鈥淭his show is bringing together people from all different parts of the world and allowing them to share universal themes of love and acceptance,鈥� Tammara said. 鈥淭he entire show is special to perform.鈥�

For Tammara, her part comes with a learning curve, performing her lines in Italian. Many of her lines are in Italian and involve speaking with an Italian accent when she does speak in English. This is a challenge she has gladly taken on.

鈥淚 have spent a lot of time working on my lines since they aren鈥檛 in my native language,鈥� Tammara said. 鈥淭his is definitely the hardest score I have ever sung. It has tested my musicianship, vocal technique, and artistry. I have grown immensely.鈥�

In May, the local cast members spent several days participating in a 鈥榖ootcamp鈥� to rehearse and stage the show.

鈥淢y favorite part of this experience so far has been getting to work with the professional artists in the show during the bootcamp,鈥� Reese said. 鈥淛ill Gardner, who plays my mom, Margaret Johnson, and Gianni are both incredible people and performers, and I have had the best time working on this material with them. I am learning so much from them and I can’t wait to keep learning once we start rehearsals in Italy.鈥�

Gardner performed the opera house debut of this show with Piedmont Opera Company and is thrilled to reprise the role of Margaret in Florence.

Reese and Tammara are both honored to represent 榴莲app官方网站入 in this international production.

鈥淓lon has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in a world very different from my own, adding so much truth and variety to my craft,鈥� Tammara said. 鈥淭his is a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful to be living out my dream.鈥�

For Cornelius, one of the most rewarding parts of the project has been watching 榴莲app官方网站入 students engage in a global artistic experience with a dream cast.

鈥淪eeing the excitement from the students, creative team, and colleagues in Florence makes me so excited,鈥� Cornelius said. “So many people have supported this project, and after working on it for two years, it is incredible to finally see if come to life.鈥�

鈥淕rievous Entanglement鈥� explores the most common way that people in the Atlantic world came to understand their personal connection to, and complicity with, slavery in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries: consumption. It exemplifies the interdisciplinary approach of American Studies by examining聽a wide variety of media, including poetry, political cartoons, blackface minstrelsy, slave narratives, and novels produced from the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries.

According to the prize committee,聽鈥淕rievous Entanglement鈥澛�“brings new insights to well-trodden topics 鈥� from abolitionism to blackface minstrelsy. The new insights may well shape the way that we teach this period of history…”聽 The committee praised the book’s “rigorous research, creation of a new methodological approach, and the connections it draws between multiple different fields of study” as well as its “clear and engaging prose.”

Pearson is grateful for the many ways Elon has made this work possible, including financial support from the Department of English, Faculty Research & Development, and the Dean’s Office in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.

Circles of varying shades of red creep up the box鈥檚 side, while daubs of deep blues, bright greens and icy whites give passersby something new to notice every time they see it. Has Burlington commissioned a new piece of modern art for its downtown? No, this colorful beauty is entirely practical; it鈥檚 a traffic control signal box. The first in this collaboration.

A traffic control signal box may not be most people鈥檚 first thought for an art installation, but downtown Burlington has chosen it to be the new medium to host a collaboration with 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 Department of Art. Samantha DiRosa, professor of art and environmental studies and chair of the art department, acted as their liaison, choosing student work to be shown to a committee, from which they selected the finalists.

鈥淚t鈥檚 energizing to see this partnership between 榴莲app官方网站入 Art Department and downtown Burlington,鈥� DiRosa said. 鈥淧ublic art has the potential to spark dialogue, invite curiosity and strengthen community identity. We鈥檙e excited about the possibilities for more students to participate and to see their work enliven the streets of Burlington.鈥�

The signal box initiative is the latest of downtown Burlington鈥檚 efforts to incorporate local art into public spaces, with previous installations including Hervey Garcia鈥檚 mural 鈥淏etween Us,鈥� Beechwood Metalworks鈥� 鈥淗eart of Downtown鈥� and Gina Elizabeth Franco鈥檚 鈥淒ance It Out.鈥�

鈥淲e value local art and we wanted the downtown to have locally generated art and reflect the community,鈥� said Adam Shull, economic development director for the City of Burlington. 鈥淭he signal boxes were chosen as a canvas since they are in plain sight, because once you see them, you notice them everywhere. We wanted to bring more whimsy in everyday life.鈥�

The first box to be installed is the work of Jolie Patten 鈥�25, an art major and expressive art minor. Patten鈥檚 work emphasizes finding wonder in the mundane, a concept she brings to fruition through this project. Chosen for its 鈥榲ibrant color and abstract qualities鈥� Patten鈥檚 design was printed onto vinyl, which was then installed onto the signal box. This combination of durability and vibrancy ensures that the artwork will remain available to the Burlington community for years to come.

Patten鈥檚 box was the first of nine signal boxes designed by 榴莲app官方网站入 students and alumni. Art major Sarah Allan Straight鈥檚 鈥�26 artwork is also on display.

鈥淪ome work I did in class happened to be a good fit for the signal boxes, Straight said. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy the piece was a good fit, and it got to have a life outside of being just classwork. It鈥檚 exciting that I get to have my work displayed in Burlington. I鈥檓 happy to be able to contribute.鈥�

DiRosa views the opportunity for civic partnership as an extension of the Department of Art鈥檚 mission.

鈥淎t Elon, we empower students to reach their potential as makers, thinkers and global citizens,鈥� DiRosa said. 鈥淚t reflects our emphasis on curiosity, material exploration and community engagement 鈥� showing students that their art has the power to shape public spaces and spark creative transformation beyond the classroom.鈥�

The city of Burlington has received positive feedback on the artistic signal boxes.

鈥淏usinesses and residents really like the signal boxes, and it gives Burlington a nice and cultural feeling that adds to the downtown,鈥� said Maggie Hogan, City of Burlington downtown manager. 鈥淎s a student, seeing your art on something public is really exciting. We hope to continue to build that relationship with Elon.鈥�

榴莲app官方网站入 and the City of Burlington both see this collaboration continuing to display student artwork.

鈥淲e see this as a growing collaboration,鈥� DiRosa said. 鈥淢ore students and alumni will be able to showcase their work in highly visible, community-centered ways, whether through additional signal boxes or other downtown art initiatives. It鈥檚 an opportunity not only for professional exposure but also for students to see their art making a tangible difference in the place where they live, work and study.鈥�

Roberts, a biology major from Charlotte, North Carolina, studies how a cancer, fibrosarcoma, can be stopped by a virus, the reovirus. His project explores how genetic editing can be used to decrease the cancer cells鈥� immune responses, and in turn increase the virus鈥檚 infection rate and decrease the cancer cells鈥� viability.

鈥淐ancer cells have altered immune responses which can be exploited by viruses to infect and replicate in those cells,鈥澛燫oberts said.

By studying these pathways, his work aims to better understand how to improve the anti-cancer properties of oncolytic viruses.

The NCICU funding will support the purchase of key reagents needed to study the role of protein kinase R (PKR), a cellular protein, which cells use to fight viral infections and whether Roberts and Rivera-Serrano can enhance the cancer-killing properties of viruses by disrupting PKR.

Roberts’s mentor is Efrain Rivera-Serrano, assistant professor of biology.

鈥淲hile being awarded the grant reflects the scientific merit of my project, it is also a recognition of the help Dr. Serrano has given me in mentoring and designing my project,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淗e has been an amazing help with his depth of scientific knowledge, and I love that I have the opportunity to work in his lab.鈥�

As part of the NCICU Undergraduate Research Program, Roberts will present his work at the 2026 State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium for Fall 2026.

He also received funding from the American Society for Virology (ASV) through a competitive Undergraduate Student Award to attend and present his research at the ASV annual meeting in July, marking the first time an 榴莲app官方网站入 student will attend this national meeting.

Roberts will participate in 榴莲app官方网站入 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and was recently awarded a J. Nathan Grant Endowed Grant to support his research.

鈥淭o have one of my students receive this grant is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes the quality of undergraduate research at Elon and the strong potential of our students to contribute to meaningful scientific questions, particularly in the biomedical sciences,鈥� said Rivera-Serrano. 鈥淭hese awards are competitive across NCICU institutions, so Alex鈥檚 selection highlights both the strength of his proposed work and the level of research training that 榴莲app官方网站入 students receive. This opportunity also gives students important experience communicating their work beyond campus, networking with peers and faculty from across the state and developing the confidence to see themselves as scientists.鈥�

Helena Padial 鈥�26, a music theatre major and Honors Fellow, received the honor during the annual awards ceremony in New York City. The Broadway鈥檚 Next Triple Threat award supports the next generation of artists who excel in dance, voice and acting.

Presented through the Chita Rivera Awards and produced by the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation, the award is designed to support emerging performers as they transition into the professional theatre industry. In addition to national recognition, the recipient receives the Chita Rivera Training Grant, providing $10,000 of聽financial support to live, study and train plus, one year of free dance classes at New York City鈥檚 Steps On Broadway.

Padial learned about the award through her high school voice teacher, Celeste Simone, who coached Rivera. Although she was hesitant to apply at first.

鈥淚 initially was tentative about applying because it was a competition and I didn鈥檛 want to get caught up in too much self-comparison, but ultimately I decided that the feedback from industry names that I have looked up to for years would be worth it, even if I didn鈥檛 make it to the next round,鈥� Padial said.

The initial application process included video submissions and written responses, including two songs and a dance solo. Adjudicators chose 15 semifinalists to advance to the next round. The second round included a video integrating song and dance where Padial choreographed a solo of 鈥淪parkling Diamond鈥� and 鈥淒iamonds are Forever,鈥� which earned her a spot as one of the five finalists.聽The finalists participated in an immersive weekend of mentorship and training which culminated in a live performance at the Chita Rivera Awards.

The weekend consisted of intense sessions of classes, mock auditions, singing and 17 hours of dance in three days where the finalists were constantly being filmed and pulled into video interviews.

鈥淢y body has never felt so tired, but I knew I had to bring my A-game and keep challenging myself to show up as the best version of myself,鈥� Padial said.

Padial did not know how the weekend would go聽as聽she was surrounded by other talented finalists. The finalists performed a number to 鈥淭oo Darn Hot,鈥� which they only had six hours to learn and ran through the number four times before performing it at the awards show.

鈥淚t was the fastest I have ever learned choreography and music and it took a ridiculous amount of stamina to perform, but it ended up being the most rewarding experience of my life,鈥� Padial said.

That night she proved to herself what she was capable of.

鈥淭he experience was absolutely insane, it is still so surreal to me,鈥� Padial said. 鈥淲hen I heard my name called that I won the award I immediately started shaking and freaking out because it was such a shock. 10 of my family members were at the awards to support me and hearing them cheer was so special.鈥�

Throughout the weekend Padial had the opportunity to meet people in the industry she looked up to including Bebe Neuwirth, Jessica Lee Golden, Charlotte d鈥橝mboise and Anne Margret.

鈥淚 feel so beyond lucky to have been awarded this grant, as it will definitely ease the financial stress as I move to New York and navigate this next period of my life,鈥� Padial said. 鈥淚t is also very validating and reassuring to know that my hard work is recognized and that I am capable of having a career in this very difficult industry.鈥�

The weekend marked a full circle moment for Padial because Rivera surprised the cast of her seventh grade production of 鈥淏ye Bye Birdie,鈥� and 10 years later she received the award in her name, in front of Anne Margret who starred in 鈥淏ye Bye Birdie.鈥�

For Polly Cornelius, associate teaching professor of music, the recognition is a testament to Padial鈥檚 years of dedication.

鈥淚t is my honor to have been Helena鈥檚 voice professor for four years,鈥� said Cornelius. 鈥淪he has always been super focused and hardworking, but most importantly compassionate and kind.鈥�

Cornelius praised Padial鈥檚 vocal ability throughout her time at Elon.

鈥淗er voice is gorgeous, strong and versatile, meaning she is able to sing well in many styles from contemporary belt to soprano,鈥� Cornelius said. 鈥淚 am thrilled but not surprised at all that she won this prestigious award. I have always believed in Helena鈥檚 potential and look forward to following and supporting her on her career journey.鈥�

After graduation, Padial will move home to Palisades, New York and commute into New York City for classes and auditions while also teaching musical theatre at Coup茅, where she trained growing up.

In July, she starts rehearsals for 鈥淎ntigone: 1989,鈥� a new musical headed to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she will be performing in August.

Layton recently earned a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) grant. Also known as German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD is a Germany-based international funding organization for exchange students, researchers and academics. Layton, a German studies and history major with minors in museum studies and public history and international and global studies, plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in intercultural communication and European studies at Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

Layton discovered the DAAD grant via a tip from her German professors, Kristin Lange, associate professor of German, and Scott Windham, associate professor of German. She received strategic support from Nicole Galante, assistant director of national and international fellowships, and Ann Cahill, professor of philosophy, distinguished university professor and director of the National and International Fellowships Office (NIFO).

鈥淭he guidance I received from faculty was instrumental in helping me achieve this milestone,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淣icole Galante and Dr. Cahill at NIFO assisted me in writing a statement of purpose and making clear that I am an ideal candidate for DAAD. I am also thankful for my German professors Dr. Scott Windham and Dr. Kristin Lange for encouraging me to pursue studies abroad and to challenge myself.鈥�

Layton also discussed how the DAAD grant will help her achieve her dream of earning a master鈥檚 degree abroad.

鈥淭he value of studying outside of your home country is something that I don’t think many Americans grasp, and I am excited to gain new academic perspectives by engaging with a culture that is not my own,鈥� Layton said.

Layton鈥檚 inspiration for pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Germany stems from her semester abroad in Heidelberg during fall 2024 after immersing herself in the city and culture, she longed to return to Germany.

鈥淚 took all of my coursework in German and wrote a semester paper in German, so my language skills and ability to engage with German texts in my field of study expanded drastically,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淚 felt one with Heidelberg and like I belonged there. This showed me that I am capable of pursuing further education in the country.鈥�

Layton鈥檚 strong interest in German studies began when she was 13 years old. She started completing German coursework at this age and was fascinated to learn about a language and culture that was different from her own. Layton continued her studies in high school, which ultimately carried over to her time at Elon.

鈥淚t was at Elon that I really thrived in German, developing advanced proficiency and connecting German to my career goals,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淢y advisor Dr. Windham taught me in my first semester in German my freshman fall, and he saw my potential and encouraged me to continue pursuing language education.”

Because Layton knew she wanted to take a German course each semester to maintain her language proficiency, creating a German studies major seemed like the logical next step. She also noted how courses in German studies, history, museum studies and international and global studies intersect.

鈥淒r. Windham introduced me to the idea of being a German major, and he was clear that he would support the process of designing the major, so I wasn’t too overwhelmed by the idea,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淎s an ambitious student, I was more excited to start something new than I was nervous.鈥�

Designing this new major involved curating a list of required courses and proposing a capstone thesis project. Windham, Evan Gatti, professor of art history, and Amanda Laury Kleintop, assistant professor of history, helped Layton make sure that the German studies curriculum coincided with her other degree programs.

鈥淒esigning the major took two semesters of meetings and collaboration with committees to prove I could undertake an entirely new major, a demanding process that strengthened my ambition and clarified my academic and career goals,鈥� Layton said.

DAAD is one of the world鈥檚 largest grant institutions. It funds research and study for over 100,000 people in Germany and across the world.

鈥淩eceiving the DAAD grant is significant because it鈥檚 proof that Tori is among the top young researchers in the United States and it鈥檚 a testament to her academic achievements and intellectual ambition,鈥� Windham said. 鈥淲e are ridiculously proud of Tori. The grant shows how well 榴莲app官方网站入 supports undergraduate research, international grant and fellowship applications, and cross-disciplinary studies. It also shows that 榴莲app官方网站入 language programs are among the best in the country. Tori鈥檚 DAAD grant wouldn鈥檛 be possible without her extraordinary abilities in German.鈥�

This year, Layton worked with Windham and Gatti to complete her German studies capstone project investigating how the extremist far-right political party in Germany, Die Alternative f眉r Deutschland (The Alternative for Germany, AfD), uses propaganda infused with historical visual rhetoric. She explained how this propaganda suggests that the party is helping restore Germany鈥檚 former glory.

鈥淭he research has consisted of considerable close reading of propaganda posters, culminating in a map that visually connects each image,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淭his is to exhibit how there is a global shift towards far-right extremism that is being influenced by internet-based propaganda today.鈥�

Layton met with Windham and Gatti weekly to discuss the work she completed and to receive feedback. She really valued this mentorship because of Windham鈥檚 position as a professor of German studies and Gatti鈥檚 background in German medievalism.

鈥淒r. Windham and Dr. Gatti guided me while I determined how this project would look in the end,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淚 am eternally grateful for their endless support, insight and encouragement.鈥�

Looking ahead to her future studies in Fulda, Germany, Layton anticipates continuing the research she started at Elon as she contemplates a topic for her master鈥檚 thesis.

Originally, Hart wanted to do her own thing and not attend Elon, but once she was accepted, she became more excited about Elon than any of her other schools.

Her decision was shaped by the path forged by her sisters, Kathleen 鈥�19, Maggie 鈥�21 and Emily 鈥�23. For one year, MaryKate even shared campus with Emily, making the transition to college easier.

鈥淲e saw each other every day,鈥� MaryKate said. 鈥淚 would go with her after class to hang out with her friends and we became close to each other’s friends. My sisters and I have an unbreakable bond.鈥�

MaryKate, an environmental studies major, followed in her sister’s footsteps. Three of the four Hart sisters were environmental studies majors. Although for the Hart sisters, environmental studies was not just an academic interest, it was part of their upbringing.

鈥淥ur whole family has been involved in environmental issues our entire lives,鈥� Hart said. 鈥淢y dad worked in politics on the Clean Water Act in Boston, and we would spend weekends going to events related to that.鈥�

When MaryKate started college, she was not sure if she wanted to major in environmental studies, but a first-year environmental science lab changed everything.

鈥淚 loved every part of that class,鈥� MaryKate said. 鈥淭here was just so much to learn, and the professors were so hands on.鈥�

She became involved, serving as a teaching assistant for the course, taking on hands-on learning opportunities and gaining experience outside of the classroom.

A defining experience in her college career was her work at Loy Farm, where she joined the core team leading construction to help build a tiny home from the ground up.

鈥淚 never thought I would build a house,鈥� MaryKate said. 鈥淎t first, it was a daunting task. I didn鈥檛 know how to use some of the tools, but I quickly realized construction was something I wanted to pursue. It was so exciting to go to work every day because we were learning new things and it was such a different experience being outside of the classroom.鈥�

Robert Charest, associate professor of environmental studies, served as a mentor teaching MaryKate and the students how to use tools and construct the house. Everything from start to finish in the home was built by MaryKate and the other students.

The Hart family has created a sense of legacy within the Department of Environmental Studies.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always exciting when one of my professors has had one of my sisters,鈥� MaryKate said. 鈥淚鈥檒l hear about projects they worked on, and then realize the same projects are going on today. I鈥檒l talk to my sisters about something I鈥檓 working on, and they鈥檒l say, 鈥極h, I worked on that too,鈥�. It鈥檚 really cool to see how projects continue and grow. When I have a question I go to my sisters because there鈥檚 a good chance they had experience with it on campus.鈥�

Michael Strickland, assistant teaching professor of environmental studies and English,聽 taught MaryKate in her senior seminar class and recalls his familiarity with the family. When Strickland met MaryKate, he showed her a photo of Kathleen dressed up as Strickland for a skit she did in her first year class.

鈥淚 especially knew MK鈥檚 oldest sister, Kathleen, and she was in several classes with me,鈥� Strickland said. 鈥淭hey have all been great students, focused, engaged and enthusiastic. Each one is different, but they have all made a strong impression on campus. MaryKate has a confidence level that you don鈥檛 necessarily learn in college. She is passionate about the field but is also realistic and grounded. She is easy going but takes charge when needed. I like to think some of that comes from the influence of her older sisters and their experiences at Elon.鈥�

Hart credits her growth to the mentorship she received from faculty, particularly those who encouraged her to take on responsibility early.

Closing a chapter

As graduation approaches, MaryKate reflects on what it means to be the last in her family to attend Elon.

鈥淓lon has been a part of not only my sister’s lives, but my parent’s lives, for 11 years,鈥� MaryKate said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting that we have all made it through and pursued what we wanted, but it鈥檚 also a little heartbreaking to leave.鈥�

This will be felt during commencement, when the entire Hart family returns to campus one final time.

鈥淚t will be a big last hurrah for my family and a chance to say goodbye to a place that鈥檚 meant so much to all of us,鈥� MaryKate said.

After graduation, MaryKate will work as a project engineer at Suffolk Construction, where her sister, Maggie, works as a superintendent.

Ahead of 榴莲app官方网站入鈥檚 136th Commencement on May 22, 2026, Today at 榴莲app官方网站入 is highlighting several graduating seniors who have made the most of their Elon experience.

This spring semester, Rax King, a cultural critic and essayist, visited campus on April 13-15 to judge the nonfiction writing contest on April 14 at the Oak House.

During the event King read from her recent collection 鈥淪loppy,鈥� interacted with students and selected the contest winners.

鈥淭he submissions were truly all such a pleasure to read, and I had such a hard time narrowing them down,鈥� King said.

Catherine Smith 鈥�26 placed first for her piece 鈥渁 meditation with my hands in my bra.鈥� Madelyn Fourie 鈥�28 placed second for her piece 鈥淐ohabitating With A Stink Bug.鈥� Finn Wilkinson, 鈥�26 placed third for their piece 鈥淚brahim-ya 鈥楿ber鈥� Driver.鈥�

Smith, a journalism major, wrote a lyric essay that explores girlhood, bodily self-consciousness, inherited femininity and the complicated relationship some women have with their bodies. The piece moves through fragmented memories to allow the reader to move through memory and sensation with the speaker.

鈥淚 wrote this piece because I was interested in how femininity is learned long before we fully understand our bodies,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淪o many of the feeling’s girls have toward themselves 鈥斅爏hame, fascination, desire, insecurity and tenderness 鈥斅燽egin very early and are shaped by family, the media, beauty rituals and observation. I wanted to inspire women to make peace with their embodiment of femininity and younger selves. We don’t have to be embarrassed about who we are becoming.鈥�

The piece marks one of the more emotional and honest pieces she has written.

鈥淚 think this essay became about ownership 鈥� about moving from viewing the body as something to critique or perform, to something that鈥檚 fully your own,鈥� Smith said. “Writing about that helped me find more tenderness in a way I view myself.鈥�

Smith never dreamed she would publish a piece like this. King and Smith’s professor, Negesti Kaudo 鈥�15, assistant professor of English, made her feel confident to trust her voice.

Kaudo organized King鈥檚 visit and contest submissions.

鈥淩ax King was on campus for three days and constantly raved about how wonderful and engaged 榴莲app官方网站入 students were, and she even took the time to enjoy a lowkey meal with students at McEwen on her last day, a moment enjoyed by all,鈥� Kaudo said.

Each award recipient received a monetary prize funded through the William Maness Fund. William Maness 鈥�38, an English major, started the fund to honor his friend, alumni Frederick Hartman, also an English major.

This fall, Jared Lemus, a fiction writer, judged the fiction creative writing contest and Brittany Rogers, a poetry writer, judged the poetry writing contest, while also sharing their work.