The recognizes mid-career individuals who are significantly contributing to the advancement of sustainability in higher education. Durr is one of ten individuals chosen to receive this award in its second year. Selection was based on the impact recipients are making in the field of higher education sustainability through one or more of the following: programs and projects; products, presentations and publications; service and mentorship.

“I am truly honored to receive the AASHE Fellows Award,â€� said Durr. “Impactful sustainability work is not done in isolation. I am grateful for the collaboration, support and involvement of many ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë staff, students and faculty, as well as colleagues at other institutions, and for the support and opportunities provided by AASHE.â€�

Durr has been at ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë since 2008, when she was hired as the university’s first full-time sustainability professional. Since her arrival, ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë sustainability program has advanced significantly and received local and national recognition.

“Since joining Elon, Elaine has approached this work with passion, creativity and a deep commitment to cultivating sustainability within all aspects of the Elon community,� said Brad Moore, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Chief Facilities Officer. “This is a tremendous honor for her to be recognized as one of the top 10 leaders doing this work. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful for the lasting difference she continues to make at Elon.�

The AASHE Fellows Award is one of four annual awards given by AASHE.

“The 2026 AASHE Sustainability Award recipients reflect the momentum and innovation driving change across higher education. Among their community, these individuals are true changemakers—turning bold ideas into action and setting a powerful example of leadership and impact for the field,� said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser.

To learn more about AASHE’s Sustainability Awards programs, please visit .

ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë students’ presentations spanned both the ages and the globe, with presentations ranging in focus from ancient Maya society to generative AI’s role in online public relations discourse, and spanning both the experiences of Syrian refugees and the indigenous politics of Peru.

The setting in Richmond offered a unique opportunity for mentor/mentee pair Amanda Kleintop, assistant professor of history, and Athena Vizuete ’26, a history major from Carrboro, North Carolina, who study Civil War history. In addition to presenting, they built in time to tour local historical sites that inform their research projects.

“It was amazing to see the quality of ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë undergraduate research in our students’ presentations,” said Kleintop. “I was very proud of Athena, who presented on her research on Reconstruction in North Carolina that was threeyears in the making! Plus, there nothing like visiting Richmond as a Civil War and Reconstruction scholar!”

“NCUR is a wonderful opportunity,” Vizuete said. “I am so happy I got to present my research on a national scale and attend so many fascinating presentations by my fellow students.”

Senior Professional Writing and Rhetoric major Caden Halberg is mentored by Travis Maynard and presented his work entitled, “The Whey Forward: Successfully Advocating for the Galactosemia Community.�

“Presenting at NCUR allowed me to raise awareness about rare disease advocacy while connecting with students across disciplines, many of whom had never encountered this topic befor,” said Halberg.

Several students presented their work from the School of Communications. Senior strategic communications and public policy major Teresa Cao is mentored by Shanetta Pendleton, and presented her project entitled, “Sorry, Not Sorry: Exploring Communication Patterns and Perceived Authenticity of Influencer Apologies on Social Media.�

“NCUR was great because I loved being able to see the range of students and how the chose to pursue their interests,” said Cao. “It reinforced to me how there’s always something to learn or dig deeper into, and in my case, that was influencer apology videos. Pop culture is often a mirror to what’s happening in society on a broader scale, so I loved being able to share my insights on something that’s seemingly very superficial. It was also really encouraging to be around students from other disciplines since I got to hear their perspectives on my research, what they admired, and advice on how they’d do things differently.”

Students were accompanied by faculty members Eric Hall, Justin Clar, CJ Fleming, Jen Hamel, Amanda Kleintop and Judy Folmar. Folmar presented two mentor-led sessions accompanied by her research students in which they shared their research process with other student-mentor pairs.

NCUR was first held at the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 1987 and ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë students have been attending the conference since 1993. Elon typically has more than 40 students present at NCUR each year. Next year’s conference will be held April 12-14, 2027 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

As Elon community members converged on the area, Bollywood music played, colorful kites leaned against the brick wall of PBK commons, and hundreds of cups of colored powder lined a white tarp stained with splotches of pink and blue color.

The event opened with an educational presentation, reflections and stories shared by students, and a performance by Surtal, ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë Bollywood dance team. After a collective countdown, attendees tossed handfuls of brightly colored powder into the air, marking the official start of the celebration.

This year marked the 14th anniversary of Holi at Elon, a tradition led by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. The center’s mission is to support and engage the Elon community with the wisdom of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, and hosting celebrations like Holi is one way the Truitt Center creates opportunities for celebration, learning, connection, and shared experience.

Students from across backgrounds and identities participated, coming together through music, movement and the shared ritual of color throwing.

Multifaith interns Addison Anderson and Taylor Polonsky played a central role in shaping the program. In preparation, they spent time studying the history of Holi, its cultural and religious significance, and the symbolism of the colors used in the celebration.

“Planning our campus’s Holi celebration was a wonderful challenge for us,â€� shared Anderson. “Holi is incredibly different than many of the other celebrations we do, and it was important to us to make it the perfect welcome for Spring. Through our time learning and planning the event, my co-coordinator and I learned about the importance of the holiday for over a billion people around the world.â€�

This year, the celebration began well before the official color toss. Guests arrived early to enjoy Bollywood music, sample Indian appetizers, savor traditional sweets, and participate in hands-on activities such as coloring mandalas, creating rangoli, and applying mehndi (henna). The early energy carried through the afternoon, with dancing starting organically as the crowd gathered.

For members of the campus South Asian community, festivals like Holi and Diwali create a sense of belonging, community, and visibility.

Second year Multifaith intern Ahron Frankel, who helped plan Holi in 2025, and introduced kite-flying to the campus Holi celebration, shared their journey as a South Asian student on campus.

“When I first came to Elon, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the lack of desi students,” said Frankel. “It was very hard to find people that I could connect with on this part of my identity, and there were never any set spaces for the few of us that were here. However, I soon found out that Holi is one of our biggest campus events, which made all the difference. For the past 3 years, I have had the joy of bringing my friends to this celebration while listening to Bollywood tunes and celebrating the coming of spring.â€�

The Truitt Center’s festival series invited the campus community to experience cultures, traditions, and holidays other than their own, in intentionally shaped spaces that are both educational and celebratory. Members of the cohort of Multifaith Interns plan the festivals alongside Hillary Zaken, director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement.

The exploration of diverse worldviews is an essential part of an Elon education and helps prepare students to respectfully engage in dialogue across difference.  While the celebration of holidays like Holi are reflective of an authentic experience, they are also crafted as a means to teach about the values and practices of the Hindu community.

“Before you celebrate today, I want y’all to remember that this isn’t just about paint throwing,� explained Frankel to the crowd. “It holds deep cultural and religious significance for people across South Asia. In the diaspora, it’s a way to connect back home and ground ourselves in the culture we may rarely get to celebrate visibly.�

By the end of the event, participants left Speaker’s Corner covered in vibrant color, having engaged both the festive and educational dimensions of the holiday, and carrying that energy into the weekend ahead.

As Taylor Polonsky shared: “Holi is a reminder for everyone to take a moment and add some color and joy on your life during hard times, including impending exams or graduation.�

On April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre, the Elon Orchestra, conducted by Stephen A. Futrell, will bring this powerful element of storytelling to life. Performing selections from one of the most iconic film score series — “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” —the orchestra will highlight how music alone can capture character, tension and emotion in ways that transcend the screen.

Composed by Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore, the music of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” is widely recognized for its complexity and emotional depth. Film scoring, Futrell explains, has long been closely tied to classical music traditions, using recurring themes and motifs to represent characters, settings and emotional shifts. These musical elements heighten tension, signal resolution and guide the audience’s emotional experience throughout a story. While film is often considered a form of popular entertainment, its scores are often just as thoughtfully constructed and artistically rich as traditional symphonies. For the student musicians of the Elon Orchestra, performing this repertoire offers a unique opportunity to explore that connection and engage with music that bridges the classical and popular worlds.

While the orchestra explores cinematic storytelling through sound, élan will take a different approach—bringing audiences back to the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Performing on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Elon Community Church, the ensemble will present a dynamic and nostalgic program featuring some of the most recognizable hits of the era.

The concert will include a wide range of artists and styles, from a powerful vocal arrangement of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’� to a Beatles medley featuring classics like “Let It Be,� “Hey Jude� and “The Long and Winding Road.� The program also highlights Motown with a Stevie Wonder medley, alongside music from artists such as the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Ashford & Simpson. In addition, audiences will hear selections from Paul Simon, including “Loves Me Like a Rock,� “Mother & Child Reunion� and a gospel-inspired arrangement of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.�

Together, these performances highlight the versatility and artistry of ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë student musicians, showcasing music’s ability to tell stories across genres and generations. From the sweeping, cinematic scores of Middle-earth to the timeless hits that defined an era, both concerts offer audiences a chance to experience the power of music in different but equally compelling ways. Whether drawn by nostalgia, storytelling, or a love of live performance, attendees can expect engaging and memorable evenings that celebrate both tradition and creativity within ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë music community.

It’s a question often asked himself in the early days of his ongoing fight against cancer. It wasn’t until initial treatment proved futile that Chakrabarty, who delivered keynote remarks on April 17, 2026, at a Phi Beta Kappa induction ceremony for dozens of top ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë students, better understood the praise.

Bravery, simply put, can also be persistence. “When people tell someone battling an illness that they are brave, it’s because they’re continuing to fight – despite the odds, and despite the pain and suffering,â€� Chakrabarty said.

Drawing on lessons from his career, Chakrabarty emphasized for his audience in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms that both professional and personal success is often shaped by more than intellect. Habits, perspective, relationships – and, yes, courage – can lead to a wondrous and fulfilling life. He offered five strategies for students to consider:

• Act with efficiency: Address small tasks immediately to avoid unnecessary stress.
• Remain open to place and possibility: Career paths are often unpredictable and shaped by unexpected opportunities.
• Prioritize energy over time: Success depends less on hours available and more on how energy is directed.
• Redefine wealth and contentment: Financial pursuit alone does not lead to fulfillment.
• Invest in relationships: Simple gestures can strengthen meaningful connections.

Chakrabarty concluded his remarks with a charge for inductees to use their knowledge and their courage to improve the human condition.

“Find a way to be brave, fight evil, and injustice, and fight your own demons, whether they be cancer or mental health struggles,â€� he said. “Stand up for nature or for a cause, or for anything that you care about. Stand up for those who can’t. Stand up for yourself, and remember, not only to be smart, but to be also brave.â€�

Chakrabarty is the E.K. Hunter Chair for Communication in Science Research, professor and curator of fishes at the Museum of Natural Science and Department of Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University. He studies the natural history of fishes to better understand Earth history and evolution and has traveled to more than 30 countries to conduct that research.

Chakrabarty is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a national fellow of the Explorers Club, a fellow of the Linnean Society and a TED senior fellow. He is past president of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and is on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Science Education and the American Institute of Biological Sciences.

Sixty ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë students were candidates for induction, and many attended the program accompanied by family members.

Phi Beta Kappa has established chapters at nearly 300 colleges and universities in the United States, representing only 10% of the nation’s institutions of higher learning. Each year, the top 10% of arts and sciences graduates at these institutions are selected for membership. ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë Eta Chapter of North Carolina was installed on April 13, 2010.

Inductees also heard from Associate Professor Anthony Rizzuto, president of ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; Associate Librarian Shannon Tennant, the Eta Chapter’s historian, who shared the history, origins and traditions of Phi Beta Kappa; and Hilton Kelly, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of sociology.

“Tonight is a celebration of excellence, a recognition of your remarkable achievements, and a testament to your dedication to academic pursuits,� Rizzuto said. “This induction is not merely a reflection of your intellect, but also your unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and understanding.

“Phi Beta Kappa is not merely a recognition of past achievements, it is a charge to continue striving for excellence, to embrace intellectual curiosity, and to use your knowledge for the better manner of society. Indeed, as members of Phi Beta Kappa, you are not only scholars but also stewards of knowledge entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future. In a world filled with complex challenges, your intellect, dedication, and perhaps, most importantly, creativity will be indispensable.�

Indeed, as members of Phi Beta Kappa, you are not only scholars but also stewards of knowledge entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future.

– Associate Professor Anthony Rizzuto

Kelly’s closing remarks underscored Rizzuto’s points.

“Your induction affirms not only your academic achievements, but also your commitment to engaging in the breadth and depth of learning that can transform worlds, asking hard questions, engaging diverse perspectives, pursuing truth, or multiple truths, and applying what you learn to real world problems,” he said. “In laboratories, in libraries, studios, and stages, classrooms, and communities, you have demonstrated what it means to think critically and to engage deeply in the liberal arts and sciences.

“It is your responsibility to continue embracing complexity through problem posing, and problem solving, to remain lifelong, disciplinary, and interdisciplinary learners, and to use your education not only for personal success, but for the common good.�

2026 Inductees into the Eta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society

Leah Alberga ’26
Psychology

Ella Allen ’26
Mathematics

Faith Almond ’26
English

Nicolas Alvarez ’27
Engineering and Mathematics

Lauren Bedell ’26
Political Science and Policy Studies

Kiersten Bergman ’26
Strategic Communications

Jo Bogart ’26
English and Classical Studies

Mary Boyd ’26
English

Anya Bratic ’26
International & Global Studies and Public Policy

Rebecca Bravman ’26
Psychology

Julia Bromfeld ’26
Human Service Studies

Nick Brown ’26
Psychology

Emma Call ’26
Exercise Science

Conter Cornwell ’26
Biochemistry

Margaret Crawford ’26
Human Service Studies

Maggie Dion ’26
Engineering

Maya Duarte Cherry ’26
Political Science and Philosophy

Emily Ecker ’26
Public Health Studies and International & Global Studies

Katherine Evans ’26
Biology

Reese Garrity ’26
Biochemistry

Nicole Genzink ’26
Biology

Jinelle Gonzalez ’27
International & Global Studies and Policy Studies

Izzy Greenstein ’26
Human Service Studies and Spanish

Olivia Guarino ’26
Psychology

Marykate Hart ’26
Environmental & Sustainability Studies

Ava Hellner ’26
Psychology

Diego Hernandez ’26
Engineering

Madeline Hewgley ’26
Music Theatre and Political Science

Fiona Hodge ’26
Psychology

Katie Hull ’26
Political Science and International & Global Studies

Brady Jackson ’26
Policy Studies and Political Science

Haley Johnson ’26
Psychology

Emma Kenney ’26
Environmental and Ecological Science

Ella Kinman ’26
English and Political Science

Maddie Kippe ’26
Exercise Science

Sam Kupka ’26
International & Global Studies and Religious Studies

Tori Layton ’26
History and German Studies

Murilo Lopes ’27
Computer Science

Annika Lotsch’26
Psychology

Abigail Manning ’26
Environmental and Ecological Science

Archie Meskhidze ’26
Philosophy and International & Global Studies

Gavin Michaud ’26
Psychology and Sociology

Molly Moylan ’26
Biochemistry

Pagnapech Ngoun ’26
Engineering

Anna Orlando ’26
Psychology

Allyson Parent ’26
Psychology

Mackenzie Perry ’26
Political Science

Braetan Peters ’26
Biology

Erin Pitman ’26
Biochemistry

Ruby Radis ’26
Human Service Studies

Caroline Reich ’26
Exercise Science

Zoe Richardson ’26
International & Global Studies and Philosophy

Matthew Rostan ’26
Political Science and History

Kailey Stark ’26
Public Health Studies and Psychology

Fayrah Stylianopoulos ’26
Psychology

Rahv Tupac-Yupanqui ’26
Engineering and Physics

Noelle Vaught ’26
History

Athena Vizuete ’26
History

Mia Webdell ’26
Biochemistry

Lawson Wheeler ’26
Exercise Science

Six judges, comprising two panels, heard oral arguments in two cases inside the law school’s Robert E. Long Courtroom on Wed., April 15. Following recess, they held an extended Q&A session with students in the courtroom where they shared lessons drawn from decades of experience on and off the bench.

Among their advice to young lawyers:

• Be willing to concede a point — then quickly move on to explain why your client still prevails.
• It’s OK to say, “I don’t know,â€� rather than risk your credibility. Return to your argument about why your client should win the case.
• Structure legal briefs as clear roadmaps of your argument for the Court.
• Be concise in your writing. Make your point, support it with the law and move forward.
• Use caution with AI: Verify facts and citations before submitting any work to the court. Large language models often hallucinate legal matters.

Judges hearing arguments and interacting with students were:

• The Hon. Chris Dillon, Chief Judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals
• The Hon. John Arrowood
• The Hon. Jefferson Griffin
• The Hon. Toby Hampson
• The Hon. Donna Stroud
• The Hon. John Tyson

Judges heard arguments in two very different cases.

The first, , centers on whether certain residential units should be classified as townhomes or duplexes under local building codes, a distinction with significant regulatory consequences — and now potential financial consequences for individual property owners.

The second case, , out of Forsyth County, involves the state’s appeal of a trial court’s decision to dismiss charges after testimony referenced a prior case, raising questions about prejudice and appropriate remedies.

“It was an incredible experience for our students to observe six judges from the North Carolina Court of Appeals and four highly skilled appellate advocates in action, particularly as our first-year students prepare to present their own appellate arguments in their required Legal Method & Communication course in a few weeks,� said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and professor of law. “Several of the judges visiting today consistently welcome Elon Law students to their chambers for their Residencies-in-Practice, summer internships, or full-time clerkships after graduation. It was great to have several current Residency students accompany their judges to the oral arguments.�

Elon Law students’ takeaways

Law students listened intently to judges’ lines of questioning, but also to the ways appellant litigators structured their arguments, responded to jurists’ questions and addressed the court.

“I was paying attention to everything. I could understand why this is such a complicated case — codes changing, proposals changing, multiple parties — and I appreciated the judges asking why it got to this point and where responsibility lies,� said Lamarie Austin-Stripling LF ’29. A student in Elon Law’s part-time Charlotte Flex Program, Austin-Stripling drove from her home in Concord, North Carolina, to hear arguments before returning to the Queen City for classes that night.

Greensboro law students were just as engaged.

• “What struck me most is how much of what I’ve already been doing — in the classroom, in residency, and in internships — showed up in these arguments. It reinforced that I’m learning the skills I’ll need to be in that position one day.â€� – Tyler Sesker L’26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Hollins University and the University of Virginia.

•  “I was surprised by how collaborative the process is — judges discussing cases with each other and their clerks before and after arguments. It was valuable to see how the pros do it and what approaches seemed to resonate.â€� – Tom Desch L’27, of Cornelius, North Carolina, who earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina

• “One of the most impactful takeaways was hearing from the judges that if an attorney doesn’t know an answer, it is okay to say, ‘I don’t know.’ Being honest about the limits of your knowledge is much better than risking your credibility.â€� – Paulina Escobar L’27, of Ecuador, who holds a law degree from the University of the Americas in Quito, Ecuador.

Elon Law alumnus argues in his home court

For one attorney arguing before the court, the visit marked a return to where his legal career began.

Reginaldo Williams L’11, now an attorney with the North Carolina Department of Justice, presented arguments in State v. Cuadra. His path to appellate advocacy, however, was far from certain.

“I was that person wondering, ‘Why did I do this?’� Williams said following hearings, recalling his time as a law student. “I didn’t feel like I fit as a prosecutor or a public defender. But when I did my first oral argument, I knew — this is it.�

Williams credits guidance from Professor of Law Catherine Ross Dunham with helping him stay the course at a moment when he considered leaving law school altogether. That decision ultimately led him to appellate practice, where he now represents the state in criminal appeals.

“There are a lot of students who may not feel like they’ve found their place yet,� he said. “But you will. And when you do, it makes all the difference.�

The event began with an introduction from the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Maha Lund.

“Your accomplishments reflect not only your individual commitment, but also the high standards and shared purposes that guide you and all of us here at the School of Health Sciences,� said Lund. “So even if you don’t receive an award today, you are all winners in my mind.�

Grateful Award: Monica Isbell, director of academic accommodations and accessibility

This award recognizes any person who is not a full-time member of the School of Health Sciences who has an established pattern of support and who provides services to the greater School of Health Sciences community. It was presented by Janet Cope, professor of physical therapy education.

“With more than seventeen years of experience in disability services, Monica has strengthened systems that expand access and opportunity for all learners. She has worked closely with SHS faculty to ensure accommodations are not only timely and appropriate but also integrated thoughtfully into the learning environment,� said Cope. “What sets Monica apart is the genuine care she brings to her work. She consistently reminds us that accessibility is not just about policy—it is about belonging, dignity and ensuring every student can fully participate in our academic community. Through her leadership, advocacy and compassion, Monica has made a lasting impact on the School of Health Sciences and beyond.�

Excellence in Scholarship Award: Jack Magil, assistant professor of physical therapy education

This award is designed to recognize a full-time faculty member who exemplifies excellence in scholarship that advances the knowledge of one’s discipline or supports one’s teaching as the hallmark of the Elon Teacher-Scholar model. Scholarship is broadly defined to include scholarship of teaching and learning, interprofessional work, and community-based scholarship, as well as peer-reviewed traditional disciplinary work. The award was presented by Srikant Vallabhajosula, professor of physical therapy education.

“Since joining ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë in 2021, he has quickly established himself as a productive and influential scholar in sports and orthopedic physical therapy, with research focusing on pediatric and athletic performance, return-to-sport testing and clinical decision-making. His growing body of work includes multiple peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine and 20+ published abstracts that advance evidence-based practice in injury epidemiology, rehabilitation outcomes and functional performance norms,â€� said Vallabhajosula.

His research also extends to teaching and learning, investigating the predictors of the national licensure examination to improve educational outcomes in the health-care field. Additionally, his commitment to student mentorship is evident through his participation in the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, guiding students through data collection, analysis and presentations.

Excellence in Service, Leadership and Collaboration: Melissa Scales, associate professor of physical therapy education

This award is designed to recognize a full time School of Health Sciences community member who has served through service, leadership and/or collaboration. The award was presented by Bethany Fearnow, stimulation coordinator for the Interprofessional Stimulation Center.

“Scales has demonstrated strong leadership at the university level through her service on the Academic Council, where she represents the School of Health Sciences and will begin serving as chair-elect in August 2025. She also serves as co-chair of the Academic Council’s Service Working Group, helping develop university-wide guidelines and rubrics for faculty service. Her university service further includes work on the Committee on Committees, the Residential Campus Advisory Committee, and the Health Professions Advisory Committee, where she has mentored undergraduate students interested in health careers since 2017,â€� Fearnow said. “Her breadth of service, from university-wide leadership and policy development to mentorship and student engagement, exemplifies the spirit of service, leadership, and collaboration that strengthens the School of Health Sciences and ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë.”

Staff Excellence Award: Bethany Fearnow, stimulation coordinator from the Interprofessional Stimulation Center

This award recognizes a full-time staff member of the School of Health Sciences who significantly advances the work of the school and their department. This award was presented by Gytis Balilionis, laboratory and donor coordinator.

“Bethany joined ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë in 2022 and quickly became an inseparable part of the IPSC team, contributing her talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit from the very first day,” said Balilonis. “Bethany consistently goes beyond the expectations of her role, and her evidence‑based approach, commitment to continuous learning, and dedication to quality improvement have directly enhanced the effectiveness, consistency, and overall impact of simulation‑based learning across the School of Health Sciences. Bethany creates a welcoming, inclusive environment where students and colleagues feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow. Her calm presence, clear communication, and genuine care help others stay supported and confident, even in high‑stress situations.”

Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring: Jeanmarie Koonts, assistant professor of nursing

This award highlights a full-time community member who exemplifies excellence in teaching and mentoring. It was presented by Rob Slaughter, assistant professor of nursing.

“Over the past several years, Jeanmarie Koonts has consistently demonstrated what it means to be an exceptional teacher, mentor, and colleague. Her impact reaches far beyond the classroom, shaping not only knowledgeable nursing students but confident, compassionate future professionals,� said Slaughter. “Those who know Jeanmarie also recognize the energy and presence she brings to her work every day. She approaches her teaching and mentoring with optimism, warmth, and a genuine enthusiasm that is truly contagious. She always has a smile, always brings positivity, and always makes time for others.�

Koonts serves as a faculty advisor for both the Student Nurses Association and Club Nursing. Additionally, her commitment to experiential learning has been demonstrated through leading a study abroad course for student in Puerto Rico, immersing them in real-world practice of nursing to develop cultural competence.

Nominations for faculty and staff awards remain active year-round. Read more about the School of Health Sciences.

The series is a multi-volume set that surveys the social and cultural construction of specific subjects across six historical periods, from Antiquity to the Modern Age. Otieno’s chapter, titled “Poverty and Gender: A Cultural History,� appears in Volume 6 of the Anthology, “A Cultural History of Poverty,� edited by Steven Beaudoin and Richard Axtell, which covers the Modern Age.

The chapter thoughtfully applies insights from Womanist and African feminist thinkers to examine poverty and gender as central global ethical issues. It discusses how Nnobi women in Igboland, Nigeria, historically challenged gender and patriarchal norms by leveraging religio-cultural categories to gain wealth and influence. Highlighting the persistence of the gender pay gap, it notes that labor and wages are largely male-centered and thus discriminate against non-male agents.

By explaining how women and LGBTQ individuals navigate these constraints, Otieno argues that women and other genders tend to produce unusual labor market outcomes, which are still measured using male statistics and language, thereby greatly undermining their effort, productivity and value.

The chapter also advocates viewing poverty as a collective moral issue rooted in communities rather than in individual agents, emphasizing how labor markets continue to erode traditional religio-cultural practices across Africa and Asia, such as the selection of trokosi shrine guardians in Ghana and the exploitation of widows and their inheritance in various African contexts.

Covering broad global issues faced by women, the chapter underscores how systemic poverty affects women worldwide. It calls for just treatment and community-focused socioethical interventions to address the disproportionate impact of capitalist systems on non-male laborers and their labor.

A Virginia resident majoring in communication design, Wu grew up in the DaXing area near the capital city until age 12 and has closely followed efforts to clean up the LiangShui (Cold Water) River.

Judges for the Pulitzer Fellowship, a competitive international travel grant awarded to an ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë student journalist each year, noted that Wu’s proposal stood out for its background research and on-the-ground context.

A fluent Mandarin speaker with his own photography business, Wu noted that while air pollution in China receives much attention, less coverage has been given to water quality and to the impact of factory effluent, agricultural runoff, and untreated waste on the region’s rivers, lakes and groundwater. Wu believes much has changed since the conditions he observed in his childhood, when waterways were filled with algae blooms and litter.

“This is an example of when a community and its officials reach an agreement to improve a crucial resource to their well-being and actually work out a beneficial solution,� he said. “However, there are so many towns, especially rural ones, that lack the power, voice or physical ability to improve something as important as a shared waterway.�

ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë is a long-standing member of the , a network of colleges and universities that support the center’s mission to promote journalism on critical global issues. The organization pairs students with mentors and advises student journalists through the reporting and publication phases. Students from the 39 participating campuses travel to Washington, D.C., to present their projects, and campus partners also benefit from professional journalist grantees who visit partner campuses.

Among his professors and collaborators at Elon News Network, Wu has earned a reputation for being open to a variety of assignments and for his technical dexterity, said Randy Piland, associate teaching professor in Communication Design.

“Ethan’s always willing to take on any photo assignment,� Piland said. “He has a sense for quality. He’s taken it to another level.�

Lorraine Ahearn, assistant professor of journalism, serves as ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë liaison to the Pulitzer Center.

Chris Guider’s research, which will be presented at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum on April 28, will be more than just a poster session; it will offer insights for a real-world client.

A business analytics and economics double major from Holly Springs, North Carolina, Guider’s project examines the effectiveness of new NFL kickoff rules introduced in 2024. The changes, designed to improve player safety, created multiple “touchback� scenarios, situations where the ball is placed at different yard lines depending on how a kickoff ends.

“We’re looking at the expected outcome based on whether you start at one yard line versus the other,� Guider said. Specifically, Guider is comparing drives that begin at the 20 and 35-yard lines, analyzing how starting position affects offensive success.

The project originated when his mentor, Assistant Professor of Statistics Andre Waschka, approached Guider with an opportunity tied to NFL kicker Joshua Karty, a kicker for the Arizona Cardinals and son of Joel Karty, ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of Chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry.

For Guider, who is also involved in ÁñÁ«app¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾Èë Sport Management Living Learning Community, the topic was a natural fit: “I like talking sports,â€� he said, “and I like working with data.â€�

Using statistical programming tools such as R, along with methods like TMLE and Super Learner, Guider and his team are analyzing thousands of plays across the NFL season. They are measuring variables such as number of plays per drive, total yards gained and scoring outcomes, including touchdowns, field goals and turnovers.

Although the dataset is still being finalized, early findings suggest that field position may not be as influential as expected.

“We’re actually finding there’s not as much of a difference as we thought there would be,� Guider said. “So, 15 yards isn’t really as much of a difference when it comes down to score.�

The research process has been both challenging and rewarding, particularly for a first-year student.

“Actual data collection is mind-numbing,� Guider said with a laugh, describing the hours spent manually inputting thousands of lines of data. “I’ve been working through about 2,000 lines… you’re sitting there for hours at a time doing this.�

Despite the tedious work, Guider emphasized the value of the experience.

“It’s rewarding because there are a lot of skills I’m learning, like coding in R or being able to interpret data,� he said. “It’s just reinforcing that I chose the right school because of the relationship I have with the professors I’ve been able to work with here.�

During SURF Day, all other campus activities are suspended so the Elon community can come together around students’ creative endeavors and research efforts. Undergraduate research is also one of the five Elon Experiences, which provides a natural extension of the work students do in the classroom and ensures that Elon graduates are prepared for both graduate school and careers.

Following SURF, Guider and his team plan to expand their findings into a formal research paper that could be published and shared directly with their NFL collaborator.

“It’s something that’s actually going to be used,� he said. “That to me is the most rewarding thing, being able to see that be implemented.�