Eric Sklut P鈥�14, an entrepreneur and longtime community leader in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Amy Muntner P鈥�24, a retail and strategy executive based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will bring extensive experience in business, innovation and civic engagement to the university鈥檚 governing body.

The 福利亚洲国产精品 Board of Trustees has ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the institution, providing oversight of its mission, strategic direction and long-term sustainability.

Sklut is the founder of Perfection Automotive, a Charlotte-based company known for producing custom trim components for high-end vehicles. His development of the BumperPlugs product line grew from an entrepreneurial solution to a gap in the luxury automotive market and has since become a widely used product among car enthusiasts.

In addition to his business success, Sklut has demonstrated decades of philanthropic leadership across the Charlotte region. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including and the , and has led major fundraising campaigns supporting community initiatives.

His efforts have helped generate more than $70 million for charitable organizations, including a recent campaign exceeding $23 million for a regional hunger relief initiative.

Sklut previously served on Elon鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023 and has maintained a deep and sustained commitment to the university. He and his wife, Lori, have been transformative supporters of Jewish life and Jewish Studies at Elon, including naming the Sklut Hillel Center and establishing endowed faculty and scholarship support.

Their son, Mason, is a 2014 graduate of 福利亚洲国产精品.

Muntner brings a global perspective shaped by a career in consulting, consumer products and retail strategy. She began her career with Andersen Consulting before joining , where she advised major international corporations. Her additional leadership positions have included Executive roles with Toys 鈥淩鈥� Us and , where she led brand and business strategy initiatives.

Her work has spanned multiple international markets, including Asia and Europe, and has focused on strategic growth, partnerships and product development. At Sesame Workshop, she played a key role in cross-functional efforts to expand the organization鈥檚 reach and impact through new character development and brand initiatives, including the introduction of the popular

Muntner鈥檚 connection to Elon grew through her daughter Lucy鈥檚 enrollment as a member of the Class of 2024. She and her husband, Kevin, are members of the university鈥檚 1889 Society and have supported scholarships, Hillel and university priorities through philanthropic giving.

Their broader civic engagement includes support for international relief organizations, and education and community well-being in Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States.

福利亚洲国产精品 福利亚洲国产精品

福利亚洲国产精品 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. Elon is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

Elon鈥檚 academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

For the second consecutive year, the university was is the only North Carolina private school featured by the magazine in its list of “25 Best Drama Schools in the World.” The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also made the list.

The publication said it consulted with educators and industry insiders to determine the best schools for an acting degree. It also weighed overall training, cost, facilities, alumni success, industry connections and more.

The 16 students accepted to the undergraduate musical theater program go through a rigorous training process, which begins with classes in acting, voice and dance, and then allows students to explore individualized paths, including taking part in student-driven cabaret performances. Seniors also take part in a two-semester course on professional readiness and artistic identity, which includes bringing in casting directors and talent representation, with many students gaining representation or jobs out of this process. To that point, Campy Rodriguez, a current student in the senior class, is on Broadway in听Aladdin, in addition to such alum as Taylor Trensch, who recently led the off-Broadway production of听Bat Boy. Tuition and fees are close to $51,000.

福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Department of Performing Arts听offers seven degree programs: Acting, Arts Administration,听Dance Performance & Choreography,听Dance Science, Drama and Theatre Studies,听Music Theatre听and听Theatrical Design and Technology. Four programs require an audition or interview.

福利亚洲国产精品 福利亚洲国产精品

福利亚洲国产精品 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. Elon is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

Elon鈥檚 academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

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• 鈥楨lon will never leave you鈥� | Class of 2026 embrace relationships and connection during Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate
• As they leave Elon, graduating international students plant physical roots on campus

A Donning of the Kente Ceremony at 福利亚洲国产精品 celebrated the African heritage, achievements and resilience of Black graduates in the university鈥檚 Class of 2026 during an evening filled with expressions of cultural tradition, reflection and joy.

Held on the eve of Commencement ceremonies, the annual event honored graduating students with handmade Kente stoles woven in Ghana, a symbol of heritage, wisdom and shared responsibility to be worn at graduation.

Family members and the wider university community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 21, 2026, to recognize the graduates鈥� accomplishments and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

鈥淭onight, we do more than congratulate our graduates,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. 鈥淭onight, we bear witness to them. Tonight, we affirm them.鈥�

The 10th annual ceremony highlighted the importance mentorship in the graduates鈥� success. In his remarks to graduates, Williams recognized the 鈥渧illage鈥� of parents, grandparents, mentors, faculty and staff, and friends who supported the graduates throughout their university studies.

Alex Bohannon 鈥�17, president of the Elon Black Alumni Network, encouraged graduates to remain engaged with the university and support future generations of students.

鈥淎s you look ahead, carry this charge: build community, mentor intentionally and stay engaged. Elon鈥檚 strength is its people showing up for one another, again and again,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ngagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

鈥淭he next generation鈥檚 experience will be shaped by what you choose to do from this point forward.鈥�

Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the Elon Black Alumni Network

Bohannon also highlighted the role of the Elon Black Alumni Network in mentoring students and supporting initiatives such as the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. He noted that the ceremony鈥檚 continued growth reflects a vision established a decade ago and sustained through alumni engagement and philanthropy.

During the donning ceremony, each graduate was joined on stage by a person who played a meaningful role in their Elon experience. Supporters presented the stoles while tributes celebrating each graduate鈥檚 accomplishments and future aspirations were read aloud.

Graduates were praised for perseverance, leadership and cultural pride as families, mentors and faculty members reflected on the challenges many students overcame to earn their degrees. Presentations highlighted stories of first-generation college graduates, international students, and campus leaders who balanced academics with research, athletics and service while supporting others along the way.

Another popular feature of the evening program: A rhythmic dance of celebration performed by served to open and conclude the ceremony.

福利亚洲国产精品’s event is made possible by the Kelli E. Palmer 鈥�98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment supports the program, including the purchase of the kente stoles.

In her own remarks to graduates, La’ Tonya Wiley 鈥�97, 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 assistant director of affinity alumni engagement, described the evening as a way to not only honor accomplishments, but to honor who celebrants have become.

鈥淵ou are scholars, changemakers, leaders and living examples for those who will follow behind you,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ay you always remember that your excellence is not defined solely by titles or degrees, but by how you uplift others, how you remain rooted in purpose and how you continue building community wherever your path leads.鈥�

This work represents an important step forward in the planned merger, which is awaiting a vote from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. That accreditation approval is the first step in a two-step federal approval process before Elon assumes operational oversight of Queens.

As the approval process continues, Elon and Queens are planning to align a number of administrative and operational functions through shared services, beginning June 30. The goal of the shared services model is to strengthen the financial and operational foundation of the future combined institution while ensuring that students continue to receive strong support throughout the transition.

鈥淭his next stage is about building the foundation for a stronger future,鈥� said Jeff Stein, chief integration officer and executive vice president. 鈥淟eaders from both institutions are working collaboratively and deliberately, and drawing on the strengths, talents and traditions of Elon and Queens to design shared functions that serve students well and position the combined institution for long-term success.鈥�

The shared services model will bring together teams in areas such as admissions and financial aid, advancement, career services, communications and marketing, finance, human resources, information technology, academic advising, facilities, library services, study abroad and other key administrative functions. These areas support the daily operations of both campuses and play an important role in the student experience. Leaders have emphasized that the design process is not simply about combining existing structures, but about creating stronger teams and practices that reflect the best of both institutions.

The merger also builds on Elon鈥檚 growing presence in Charlotte, including the expansion of Elon Law and future graduate programs. Queens鈥� deep roots in the city, distinctive undergraduate experience, Division I athletics program and legacy of civic engagement will remain important parts of the combined institution鈥檚 future. Athletics programs at Elon and Queens will continue to operate as distinct and separate Division I programs.

For employees, the transition will include direct communication, HR support and detailed information about next steps. Queens employees whose roles are part of the shared services areas will transition to 福利亚洲国产精品 employment at the end of June and continue in similar roles. Queens employees who transition will move to Elon鈥檚 benefits program.

A small number of positions will not continue as part of the shared services structure. Employees in those roles are receiving direct support, including information about open positions at Elon in which they are eligible to apply and career transition resources.

The transition plan also includes onboarding, professional development and culture-building opportunities designed to help newly integrated teams build relationships and establish shared practices. Planned supports include department retreats, leadership workshops, employee resources, buddy programs and ongoing opportunities for feedback and questions.

Throughout the process, Queens will continue to have dedicated leadership guiding campus operations, helping ensure continuity for students, employees and the Charlotte community while federal approvals are pending.

For Elon and Queens, this stage of the work is both practical and forward-looking. It is about aligning systems and teams, but also about shaping a shared future grounded in student success, institutional strength and a commitment to Charlotte.

鈥淭he promise of this merger is not only that two institutions will come together,鈥� Stein said. 鈥淚t is that, together, we can create something stronger 鈥� an institution with deeper resources, broader opportunities and an enduring commitment to the students and communities we serve.鈥�

The new publication, 鈥淗uman Wisdom for the Age of AI: A Field Guide to Cultivating Essential Skills,鈥� helps students cultivate the human skills they need to thrive in a digital world, whether working with AI technologies or learning independently of those tools. The guide includes engaging and fun exercises on curiosity, critical and deep thinking, creativity, ethical perspectives, communication and relational skills, among others.

Like the 2024 and 2025 editions, this year鈥檚 guide is provided to students and institutions free of charge and is available for download at: .

The guide draws on 10 voices across centuries and cultures 鈥� from Aristotle, Cicero and Descartes to Mencius and Ptahhotep 鈥� whose enduring insights into human judgment, creativity, ethics and wisdom take on new urgency as AI reshapes how we learn and work.

鈥淲e are excited to share this hands-on field guide with teachers and learners around the world,鈥� said 福利亚洲国产精品 President Connie Book. 鈥淲e must not lose sight of the enduring principles that have always driven human progress. This publication bridges the gap between rapidly expanding algorithmic power and the timeless wisdom of the liberal arts. It empowers students to harness AI technologies where appropriate without sacrificing the empathy, judgment and creative autonomy that only a human mind can provide.鈥�

鈥淎s artificial intelligence reshapes how we learn, work and create, the essential skills students need are not disappearing鈥攖hey are evolving,鈥� said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella. 鈥淐apacities such as critical inquiry, ethical reasoning, creativity and communication are more important than ever because they enable students to engage AI thoughtfully, question its outputs and apply knowledge with judgment and purpose. This guide underscores a central truth: in an age of increasingly powerful machines, the learning outcomes of a liberal education are the foundation for meaningful and responsible innovation.鈥�

鈥淭hrough our research at The Princeton Review, we consistently see that students are both excited by AI and uncertain about how to use it well,鈥� said Editor-in-Chief Rob Franek. 鈥淲hat they鈥檙e really looking for is guidance. This field guide meets that moment by translating big ideas鈥攍ike critical thinking, creativity and ethical decision-making鈥攊nto practical habits students can use every day.鈥�

In response to requests from faculty and staff, the new publication includes:

• A set of downloadable with group exercises, worksheets and discussion questions
• An online that allows students to reflect on how they are using AI in their studies and their level of reliance on AI tools.

Students, faculty and staff at more than 4,000 colleges, universities, schools and organizations around the world have accessed the publications. The guide鈥檚 has provided information to more than 87,000 users in 170 countries.

The guide is authored by three 福利亚洲国产精品 leaders and researchers: Daniel J. Anderson, special assistant to the president and former vice president for communications; Lee Rainie, director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center; and Janna Anderson, professor of communications and co-founder and senior researcher for the Imagining the Digital Future Center. They worked in partnership with 24 consulting scholars from 10 countries.

鈥淗uman Wisdom for the Age of AI鈥� is endorsed by:

• American Library Association
• CAA Academic Alliance
• EDUCAUSE
• Gardner Institute
• NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
• Online Learning Consortium
• RTI International

All materials in the guide are provided free and licensed under a Creative Commons License Attribution that allows educators to use and adapt the work for noncommercial applications.

As with the previous publications, colleges and universities may request a version of Human Wisdom for the Age of AI field guide that incorporates their institution鈥檚 logo on the cover, providing a custom edition for distribution within their campus community. For details on obtaining a customized PDF of the publication, send a request along with a high resolution logo file to imagine@elon.edu.

The Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence is an initiative of听福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚听Imagining the Digital Future Center. The publication series grew out of a听2023 global collaboration听that established a听statement of principles听to guide development of AI policies and practices in higher education.

福利亚洲国产精品 the publishers of the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence

听is the nationally recognized leader in experiential learning, preparing graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical global citizens. For five consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Elon #1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching excellence and the leader in programs that promote student success. Elon enrolls more than 7,000 students at its main campus in Elon, North Carolina, and national campus locations in Greensboro, Charlotte, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.

福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 is an interdisciplinary research center focused on the impact of accelerating digital change and the challenges that lie ahead. The center鈥檚 mission is to discover and broadly share a diverse range of opinions, ideas and original research about the likely evolution of digital change, informing important conversations and policy formation. The center was established in 2000 as Imagining the Internet and renamed Imagining the Digital Future with an expanded research agenda in 2024.

is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy, and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. In addition to accredited public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and state higher education systems and agencies throughout the United States, our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions around the world as well as other organizations and individuals.

is a leading tutoring, test prep and college admission services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through online and in person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors, online resources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House. The company is not affiliated with Princeton University.

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It was the most joyous of celebrations of love, pride, identity and academic achievement.

Members of the LGBTQIA community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 8 for an awards and recognition ceremony honoring soon-to-be graduates from 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Class of 2026.

Hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, the 14th annual Lavender Celebration recognized excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university鈥檚 LGBTQIA community. As they crossed the stage to be recognized, honorees were applauded by family, friends and mentors who filled the floor of a gymnasium ringed by flags that represented the identities of student participants.

Celebrants each received a rainbow stole symbolizing their commitment to inclusion, queer and trans joy, and the legacy of LGBTQIA communities at Elon and beyond.

鈥淭his moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful,鈥� John Moses-Brownson, 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 associate director of career advising for pre-professional health, said in welcoming remarks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something we build together, in community, in small acts of courage that add up over time. And getting to witness the results of your courage today is such a gift.

鈥淢oments like this don鈥檛 just happen. They鈥檙e built by the people in this room, so thank all of you for building together for others and for yourselves.鈥�

This moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful.

–听John Moses-Brownson, 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 associate director of career advising for pre-professional health

Elon鈥檚 program traces its origins to efforts in 2012 by Jess Huynh 鈥�12 and Raafe Purnsley 鈥�12, alongside Professor Kirstin Ringelberg and other community members, to organize the first celebration. In 2022, a complementary program was launched to recognize December graduates from the School of Law and the School of Health Sciences.

The latest ceremony included an awards presentation that recognized notable student and employee accomplishments and commitments to inclusion on campus.

Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate (Natalie Hudson 鈥�26): This award is for a graduate who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics during their time at 福利亚洲国产精品.

Employee Champion for LGBTQIA Inclusion (Abby Igoe, Assistant Director of Multimedia Projects and Turner Theatre Manager): A faculty, administrator, or staff member who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific during their time at 福利亚洲国产精品. This individual could be part of the LGBTQIA communities or an ally.

Event of the Year (鈥淒ragstravaganza鈥� hosted by the Events Team from the Gender and LGBTQIA Center): An event or initiative that has contributed to improving dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific to the 2025-2026 academic year.

Alumni Recognition and Encouragement

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Jonathan R. Monti 鈥�08, a student affairs professional at Rollins College in Florida who serves as president of the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network, presented Elon alum David Carter 鈥�92 with an honorary graduate stole in recognition of Carter鈥檚 work to create space, visibility, and belonging in the Alamance County community.

Monti also offered a message of hope and support for the students seated before him.

鈥淔or us as LGBTQIA individuals, community has never been optional.鈥㊣t has been life giving,鈥� Monti said. 鈥淚t is how we survive, how we celebrate, and how we build futures that once felt impossible. As you begin this next phase of your journey, know that you already have all that you need: your values, your voice, and your community. Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

鈥淭oday, we gather in the community to celebrate you, your resilience, your brilliance, your joy. 鈥℡our successes in achievements are immeasurable. Your stories matter, and you belong. Now and always.鈥�

Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

– Jonathan R. Monti ’08, president of the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network

Beginning this fall, Queens will align its undergraduate academic calendar with Elon’s undergraduate calendar. The most notable change will be the reintroduction of Winter Term at Queens, a short, intensive session in January that allows students to focus on a single course or study abroad experience.

鈥淛-Term gave Queens students something rare 鈥� three weeks each January alongside our closest friends to discover who we were through service, career exploration, and international travel,鈥� said Queens alumna Staci McBride 鈥�92. 鈥淲e forged lifelong memories while living our motto, 鈥楴ot to be served, but to serve.鈥� I am thrilled that this transformative tradition will now be part of the student experience again, and I can鈥檛 wait to see the lasting bonds and impact it will have on their lives.鈥�

A highlight for many students is the intentional opportunity to study abroad in January. Both institutions have thriving study abroad programs, from Elon鈥檚 nationally ranked participation rate to .

鈥淛-Term gives students the opportunity to engage deeply in a single course, often in a global context, and to complement their learning in ways that are not possible during a traditional semester,鈥� said Nick Gozik, dean of global education at Elon. 鈥淓xpanding this approach to Queens creates a meaningful opportunity as the two institutions come together.鈥�

For LMA Alexander, executive director of the Pulliam Center for International Education at Queens, this new term brings fresh possibilities for JBIP. 鈥淭he John Belk International Program is a cornerstone of the Queens undergraduate experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淨ueens has a long tradition of dynamic, multi-disciplinary faculty-led programs, and the addition of J-term will create new opportunities for innovative programming in collaboration with our Elon colleagues.鈥�

In another integration move designed to expand opportunity for students, the two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a priority-admission pathway for Queens undergraduates to Elon鈥檚 School of Law. Both teams are actively working to share more details with students in the coming weeks.

J-Term gives students the opportunity to engage deeply in a single course, often in a global context, and to complement their learning in ways that are not possible during a traditional semester. Expanding this approach to Queens creates a meaningful opportunity as the two institutions come together.

– Nick Gozik, dean of global education at 福利亚洲国产精品

Evidenced through the service and experiential learning emphasized on both campuses, Queens and Elon share a commitment to civic engagement. This core belief will come to life through the Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), which recently invited both schools to join its inaugural cohort.

鈥淭he DCN highlights some norms or expectations that surround effective dialogues,鈥� said Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence at Elon. 鈥淎ctive listening, empathic and ethical discourse, and evidence-based argumentation are essential elements that are at the heart of a liberal arts education.”

Margaret Commins, chair of the political science, international studies and sociology department, shared, 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the opportunity to work with a national cohort to learn best practices for integrating deliberation into the curriculum and co-curriculum, and for working with our Elon colleagues to develop creative campus and cross-campus programming in this area.鈥�

The DCN program will bring together two faculty members, one staff member, and 10 students from each participating school. The program will teach best practices and innovative ideas that can be woven into and beyond the classroom. 鈥淪tudents who can demonstrate these skills will be better learners and leaders in their post-graduation lives,鈥� Clark added.

The Elon team will be led by Dillan Bono-Lunn, assistant professor of political science and public policy and faculty fellow for civic engagement; Bob Frigo, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life; and Andrew Moffa, assistant director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life.

The DCN participants won鈥檛 be the only ones working together this summer. With an expected June vote on the merger by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, many administrative departments at Queens are preparing to integrate effective July 1, 2026, officially becoming employees of Elon.

The first phase of integration brings new employee benefits 鈥� along with understandable questions from staff. To help ease the transition, Jeff Stein and Pamela Davies, co-chairs of the integration team, are holding coffee chats 鈥� open hours where any Queens employee can sign up to learn more about the process and ask their questions. The plan is to extend these coffee chats to Elon employees as well.

鈥淢ergers are hard work,鈥� Stein said. 鈥淵et it’s been exciting to see how collaborations across Queens and Elon have already produced new opportunities and pathways for students 鈥� an early signal of what becomes possible when we work together to build what students need next.鈥�

Visiting 福利亚洲国产精品 in the next academic year:

• David Brooks, bestselling author, staff writer for The Atlantic and longtime New York Times columnist – Sept. 25, 2026
• Hanif Abdurraqib, author and cultural critic (Common Reading Lecture) – Sept. 29, 2026
• Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient and author – Nov. 11, 2026
• Danielle Coke Balfour, artist, author and social justice advocate – Jan. 13, 2027
• Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and philanthropist – March 9, 2027
• Heather Cox Richardson, historian and bestselling author – April 6, 2027

All programs are free to 福利亚洲国产精品 students, faculty and staff with ID. Venues will be announced closer to the dates of the programs. Tickets for the public for Fall Convocation go on sale starting in August.听Admission: $15 via听.

福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Cultural Calendar听for Fall 2026 will be available later this year with additional speakers and a wide range of musical, theatrical, artistic and other intellectual and creative events.

福利亚洲国产精品 the 2026-2027 Speakers at 福利亚洲国产精品

David Brooks

Sept. 25, 2026

Fall Convocation

3:30 p.m.

A bestselling author and longtime New York Times columnist, Brooks is a leading observer of American culture, politics and civic life. He serves as a staff writer at The Atlantic, a commentator on PBS NewsHour and a senior fellow at Yale University鈥檚 Jackson School of Global Affairs. Over decades in journalism, his columns have become some of the most widely read in the nation, offering insight into political dynamics, social trends and the challenges facing modern democracy.

Brooks is the author of multiple bestselling books, including 鈥淗ow to Know a Person,鈥� 鈥淭he Second Mountain,鈥� 鈥淭he Road to Character鈥� and 鈥淭he Social Animal,鈥� which explore moral development, human connection and the search for meaning. His work emphasizes the importance of community, empathy and the cultivation of both inner character and outward relationships as essential to a flourishing society.

Hanif Abdurraqib

Sept. 29, 2026

Common Reading Lecture

7:30 p.m.

An acclaimed essayist, poet and cultural critic, Abdurraqib is widely recognized for his lyrical and deeply personal writing that explores music, identity and the intersections of culture and lived experience. His work blends criticism with memoir, offering readers a nuanced perspective on art, belonging and the forces that shape contemporary life.

Abdurraqib is the author of several award-winning books and is known for his ability to connect cultural analysis with broader questions about race, community and memory. 鈥淭here鈥檚 Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension鈥� was selected as Elon鈥檚 Common Reading for 2026-27.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter

Nov. 11, 2026

Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship

11 a.m.

A United States Marine and the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, Carpenter is recognized for extraordinary heroism during his service in Afghanistan. In 2010, he sustained life-threatening injuries after throwing himself on a grenade to protect a fellow Marine, an act of valor that led to years of recovery and more than 40 surgeries.

Following his recovery, Carpenter set and achieved ambitious personal goals, including completing a college degree, running a marathon and traveling internationally. He is the author of the memoir 鈥淵ou Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For,鈥� which chronicles his journey of resilience and purpose. Today, he speaks widely about leadership, perseverance and finding meaning in adversity, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue lives of impact.

Danielle Coke Balfour

Jan. 13, 2027

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address

12 p.m.

An artist, entrepreneur and author, Balfour is the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses visual storytelling to make complex ideas about racial justice and advocacy accessible to broad audiences. Through her work, she has built a community of hundreds of thousands who engage with her content on social media and beyond.

Her creative approach to 鈥渁rtivism鈥� combines design, storytelling and education to inspire individuals to take meaningful action in their own communities. She is the author of 鈥淎 Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well鈥� and a companion workbook that encourages reflection and everyday advocacy. Through partnerships with major brands and speaking engagements across the country, she promotes a message of hope, empathy and sustained engagement in social change.

Tim Tebow

March 9, 2027

Baird Lecture

7 p.m.

A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion, Tebow gained national prominence as a quarterback at the University of Florida before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He later played professional baseball and has become a prominent sports analyst, author and motivational speaker.

Tebow is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, an organization that serves vulnerable populations in more than 70 countries through initiatives focused on faith, health and human dignity. Through his speaking and philanthropic efforts, Tebow encourages audiences to pursue their passions, lead with integrity and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Heather Cox Richardson

April 6, 2027

James P. Elder Lecture

6:30 p.m.

A professor of history at Boston College, Richardson is a leading scholar of American political history with expertise in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the evolution of the Republican Party. Her work examines the intersections of politics, economics and social change, helping audiences better understand the forces shaping the nation鈥檚 past and present.

She is the author of several award-winning books, including the bestselling 鈥淒emocracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America,鈥� which explores the nation鈥檚 ongoing struggle to uphold its own ideals. Richardson also writes 鈥淟etters from an American,鈥� a nightly newsletter that reaches millions of readers with analysis of current events in historical context. She hosts two video series,听鈥淛ourney to American Democracy鈥� and听鈥淎merican Conversations,鈥澨齜oth of which are available on YouTube and Facebook. Her听articles and reviews have been published in the听Washington Post, the听New York听Times, and听The Guardian, among others.

The afternoon ceremony on April 30, 2026, in the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center closely followed a similar Peace Corps tradition where volunteers ring bells as they conclude two years of service in their assigned countries.

The Peace Corps Prep Program equips students with critical competencies across four essential areas: sector-specific training, foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence, and professional leadership development.

Skills align with all six Peace Corps service sectors: Agriculture, Community Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Youth in Development.

The program is directed at 福利亚洲国产精品 by Jennifer Eidum, an associate professor of English who previously taught English in Ukraine as a Peace Corps volunteer. More than 70 students have completed the requirements of the Peace Corps Prep Program at Elon since its inception over a decade ago.

Eidum said the moment connects students to a global community committed to making the world better.

鈥淓lon’s students are always so engaged, and they’re so active, and they do so many things on campus,鈥� Eidum said. 鈥淚t’s really nice for them to have an opportunity to be recognized for the work they鈥檝e done. Having the sound of a bell, that very physical experience, makes it a moment to remember and celebrate.鈥�

Students Who Recently Completed the Peace Corps Prep Program

• Azul Bellot 鈥�26 (Education)
• MacKenzie Brown 鈥�27 (Youth in Development)
• Virginia Campbell 鈥�27 (Environment)
• Gia Coleman 鈥�26 (Education)
• Emily Ecker 鈥�26 (Health)
• Rose Fyffe 鈥�27 (Youth in Development)
• Caden Halberg 鈥�26 (Environment)
• Maya Katz 鈥�27 (Youth in Development)
• Olivia Levy 鈥�26 (Environment)
• Eliza Menser 鈥�26 (Environment)
• Nivea Millner 鈥�26 (Environment)
• Sam Montgomery 鈥�27 (Environment)
• Mia O鈥橞rien 鈥�27 (Youth in Development)
• Corinne Pavel 鈥�26 (Environment)
• Kate Rutledge 鈥�27 (Youth in Development)
• Jenna Toms 鈥�26 (Health)

Reflections and Advice from Participants

• 鈥淒o more than what fits your sector. Many sectors overlap in many ways and so I think it鈥檚 important to understand each one and how they work together. It also is important to make sure to not focus on only one sector’s issues 鈥� it’s best to get exposure to as many as you can through classes and service.鈥� – Nivea Millner 鈥�26
• 鈥淭ake opportunities that come your way! If they see an interesting volunteer or work position that allows you to engage with different communities, this might be a chance to build soft skills that are transferable to the Peace Corps. Engaging deeply in one activity or form of service may also be more valuable than contributing in small ways to a lot of organizations 鈥� follow your passion and stick with it!鈥� – Eliza Menser 鈥�26
• 鈥淚 would encourage future students interested in this program to study abroad. During my junior year J-Term trip to Italy, I met so many kind people, both from 福利亚洲国产精品 and through the experience abroad. Studying in Italy also helped me realize that after graduation, I could pursue opportunities beyond the United States and even consider working internationally.鈥� – Caden Halberg 鈥�26
• 鈥淒o the program even if you are unsure if you want to apply post-grad. Many of the classes I took already qualified for the program and I appreciated connecting with some advising mentors who shared my similar interests.鈥� – Kate Rutledge 鈥�27
• 鈥淪tep outside your comfort zone and explore every opportunity Elon has to offer. As a freshman, I was often overwhelmed and unsure about a lot of the amazing opportunities Elon and the broader community of Alamance have to offer. It’s important to remember you don’t need to do everything sent your way but instead take the time to really understand and weigh your options, ultimately choosing what seems best for you. More importantly, learn to be ok with uncertainty, as I’ve learned that when I have grown the most. 鈥� – Mia O鈥橞rien 鈥�27
• 鈥淚f I could give advice to future Peace Corps Prep students, it would be to take advantage of any opportunities you have available to you, whether that be volunteer opportunities, work experience, networking, and more.鈥� – Virginia Campbell 鈥�27

Visit the 福利亚洲国产精品 Peace Corps Prep Program website or contact Associate Professor Jennifer Eidum (jeidum@elon.edu) for more information about the program.

The introductory meeting, to be held via Zoom on April 24, will focus on relationship-building and information sharing between the two student government associations. Conversations will include a discussion of how both associations are structured, how often they meet, and how they鈥痳epresent鈥痵tudent interests on their campuses.

Leaders鈥痺ill also鈥痚xchange perspectives on campus traditions, highlighting the events and experiences that define student life at each university. The discussion is expected to听begin the process of听identifying鈥痮pportunities for honoring and sharing those traditions across both communities.

The meeting听is听serves听as an early step in aligning student leadership efforts.
Michael Swartz鈥��27, president of 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Student Government Association, and鈥疛essica Paredes鈥��27, president of Queens University鈥檚 Student Government Association, answered questions this week in the lead-up to their first meeting.

The duo described their expectations ahead of the conversation and the role of student leadership in shaping what comes next for students on both campuses as the merger progresses.

Describe the role you envision for your Student Government Association as both universities begin to merge operations over the next several months.鈥�

Michael Swartz:鈥�I see SGA as being鈥痑n important鈥痓ridge between the decisions happening at the highest levels of the university and Elon students. Students sometimes feel a little听uninformed,听and at both institutions,听SGA can be a part of that solution, as well as sharing with administrators and faculty what students think.

Jessica Paredes:鈥�The role I envision for Queens University’s Student Government Association is to reflect our motto of “Not to be served, but to serve.”鈥疘 want to help lay the foundation of service so that when we progress in our relationship with Elon, it goes beyond our campuses into our cities.

Can you share some of the ideas鈥痽ou鈥檝e鈥痟eard from classmates when鈥痶hey鈥檝e鈥痶alked about the merger that鈥痚xcite鈥痽ou as a student leader?鈥�

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�One of the things that I’ve heard from my peers that really excited me is the possibility of being able to take classes on either campus.鈥疘 think this鈥痠s an awesome idea that can allow for even more networking,鈥痗areer鈥痑nd friendship opportunities for both Queens and Elon鈥痵tudents. Another idea that is exciting is being able to cheer for Elon’s football team! Through organized field trips to Elon’s campus, Queens students can support a team they have close ties to!

Michael:鈥疶here’s鈥痑 lot of curiosity I hear from friends and peers.鈥疶hey鈥檙e鈥痶hinking about locations and spaces and potentially taking classes at a different location or pursuing their degree in a place that might make more sense, whether that be in Charlotte for Elon students, or for Queens students in Charlotte to come to Elon.鈥疕aving options, I think, is a鈥痭ew,鈥痸aluable asset.

What opportunities for collaboration between the SGAs do you already see that you want to explore first?鈥�

Michael:鈥疘t makes sense to not plan any huge steps this first year.鈥疻e鈥檒l鈥痺ant to start a little smaller and think about how we can interact via Zoom, like鈥痺e’re鈥痙oing Friday, and really meet the people that are spearheading the change on our campuses. Going from there, hosting retreats together and getting connected in person as soon as possible is a great idea.

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�Between Queens University’s SGA and Elon’s SGA, I foresee collaborative opportunities such as creating new traditions, whether that is taking regularly scheduled trips to each other’s institutions, hosting joint listening sessions for all students鈥痑nd inviting each other to participate in select board of trustee meetings so that they are hearing from both student populations.

What are the most important qualities or traits of your campus culture that may be important for the other SGA to understand when you work together?

惭颈肠丑补别濒:鈥�A lot of things at Elon are听relationship-driven.鈥疘鈥檓鈥痶hinking about our small class sizes.鈥疶hat’s鈥痯robably not鈥痷nique to Elon, but鈥痠t’s鈥痵omething that is so defining about the student experience here, having those connections. Understanding how鈥痠nvolved students are鈥痠n a lot of different things is also important. Many students鈥痙on鈥檛鈥痟ave one passion or place where they spend all their time.鈥疶hey鈥檙e鈥痠nvolved in many activities and in diverse parts of campus.

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�Queens is unique in the connections it has with its community and throughout the鈥痗ity鈥痮f Charlotte.鈥疘 think it’s very crucial to understand that Queens is career readiness听driven.鈥疧ur SGAs can discuss what our jobs are when it comes to connecting Elon students to Charlotte, and Charlotte to Elon.

Define 鈥榮uccess鈥� in the context of collaboration. Where do you want your SGAs to be a year from now?鈥�

Michael:鈥疐or me, success means things feeling more normal than they do now, and this merger鈥痭ot being鈥痵omething鈥痶hat’s鈥痟appening to students, but something that鈥痶hey’re鈥痑 part of. I think that collaboration a year from now will also feel more natural.

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�Success to me looks like being on the same鈥痯age,鈥痑nd everyone feels their ideas have been heard or even acted on! I want Queens University’s SGA to be in a space where our student body feels鈥痗onfidence鈥痑nd pride in being a part of our mission. I hope the same thing goes for Elon.

A fun question to end the interview: What might surprise your SGA counterpart to learn about you?鈥�

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�I am鈥痑 very open鈥痓ook and have built connections with most of the people in our SGA. However, I think a surprising thing about me is that I am always learning from them. The President title bears a lot of weight, but if听it鈥痺eren鈥檛鈥痜or the Senate showing up and giving new perspectives, my job would be鈥痺ay less鈥痜un.

惭颈肠丑补别濒:鈥�I’ve鈥痓een on the Queens campus more times than I can count because my mom went there as a鈥痵tudent鈥痑nd she currently works there in their advancement department. I spent my childhood traveling from Davidson, North Carolina, to Charlotte, hanging out around Queens and seeing it grow in its own way before I had any idea at all I was going to end up at Elon. I used to say that I鈥痙idn’t鈥痺ant to go to鈥痑 school鈥痺here my mom works.鈥疘t鈥檚鈥痜unny that, one way or another, that happened.