Among the honorees were聽reporters,聽entrepreneurs,聽researchers聽and more,聽whose journeys reflect the values聽that define the Elon experience.

Morgan聽Bodenarain聽鈥�18 – Policy Director and Counsel, Congressional Black聽Caucus聽| Washington, D.C.

As policy director and counsel for the Congressional Black Caucus in the 119th聽United States Congress, Morgan Bodenarain leads policy development and advocacy efforts on behalf of its聽61 members, previously holding the same role in聽the 118th聽Congress.聽Bodenarain鈥檚聽work has earned national recognition,听补苍诲听she has been honored with the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Award and the National Bar Association鈥檚 Nation鈥檚 Best Advocates Award.

At Elon,聽Bodenarain聽was active in the聽Student Government Association, Phi Alpha Delta professional pre-law fraternity, the North Carolina State Legislature听补苍诲听much聽more. After graduation, she received her聽juris doctorate from The George Washington University, where she served as president of the Black Law Students Association and deputy vice president of student affairs in the Student Bar Association.

In her聽remarks, Bodenarain shared that her four years at Elon contributed heavily to who she is as a person, noting, 鈥淓lon is truly unlike any other place. Thank you, Elon, for recognizing my success.”

Colby Marvin Bracy 鈥�16 –聽Director of Human Resources & Philanthropy, The聽Nonantum聽Resort, and Owner, Hello Humans Consulting | Portland, Maine

Colby Marvin Bracy聽led the efforts聽to transform聽her family鈥檚聽historic hospitality business,聽The聽Nonantum聽Resort,聽into a certified Recovery Family Workplace. Having joined the resort in 2018,聽Marvin Bracy聽is now the director of human resources and philanthropy, holding operational聽responsibilities聽and championing initiatives to hire individuals reentering the workforce after incarceration.

In addition to her聽role聽at The聽Nonantum,聽Marvin Bracy聽is the founder of Hello Humans Consulting, a firm that helps organizations develop聽thoughtful聽human聽resources strategies and聽people-centered workplaces.聽She聽remains聽active in her local community聽with聽the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce and chairs its Diversity,聽Equity聽and Inclusion Committee. Her honors include the Rising Star Award from the聽local聽Chamber of Commerce, the Innovator of the Year award from New England Inns & Resorts and the North Star Award from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Marvin Bracy shared that Elon鈥檚 sense of 鈥渂ELONing鈥� was something that stuck with her since her first聽year. 鈥淎s a student聽here,聽I always wanted to belong and help others feel like they had a place they belonged.鈥� She explained that as聽she聽moved into a career in HR, 鈥渢hat desire only became more pronounced,鈥� and she wants聽Nonantum鈥檚聽employees 鈥渢o聽have a sense of belonging at work, especially those who may have never had that feeling before.鈥�

Michaela Fogarty 鈥�19 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist, Upstream USA | Verona, New Jersey

Michaela Fogarty聽supports the research聽and program evaluation efforts that inform national reproductive health initiatives聽through her role as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist at Upstream USA.

After graduation,聽Fogarty聽began her career with聽Planned聽Parenthood Federation of America as a data analysis and visualization specialist, later earning her聽Master of Health Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Forging a聽research-driven trajectory at Elon and beyond, Fogarty鈥檚聽work has progressed聽from undergraduate research presentations at the聽Eastern Economics Conference and Undergraduate Research Forum, to聽authorship of several聽academic publications, including research on youth vaping behaviors published in the Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology.聽Before her current role at Upstream USA, she worked as a data manager in the Division of Global Women鈥檚 Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Fogarty聽chronologized the milestones of her Elon experience聽from joining many clubs to changing her major.聽By her senior year, she noted that she knew how to use her business skills聽to make the world a little bit聽better, but聽wasn鈥檛聽sure how.

鈥淲ith the support of the聽people聽I met at Elon, and my parents,鈥� she said, 鈥淚 figured it out.鈥�

Michael Goldstein 鈥�17 – Vice President, Guggenheim Partners聽| New聽York, New York

In 2015, Michael Goldstein transferred to Elon,聽graduating with聽degrees聽in accounting and finance聽in 2017.聽In 2021, he was inspired to give back听补苍诲听established聽the聽Goldstein Family Transfer聽Engagement聽Scholarship, providing聽financial聽assistance聽to transfer students entering聽the聽Love School of Business聽just as he did.

A聽certified public accountant聽turned vice president, Goldstein鈥檚 work at聽Guggenheim Partners in New York聽focuses on medical device and health care technology transactions,聽and he has helped support聽advisory engagements totaling more than聽$5 billion.

Goldstein聽doesn鈥檛聽shy away聽from education and philanthropy. Beyond serving on the Love School of Business Advisory Board and hosting聽福利亚洲国产精品聽business fellows in New York,聽Goldstein聽has聽been recognized as the聽top U.S. fundraiser for the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, which brings聽together Palestinian,聽Arab聽and Jewish students to collaborate on environmental research and conflict resolution.

For Goldstein,聽his聽remarks were filled with deep gratitude,聽sharing, 鈥淭his award would not be possible without the mentorship聽I鈥檝e聽had along the way.鈥�

Gary Grumbach 鈥�16 – Legal Affairs Reporter, NBC聽News聽| Washington, D.C.

Gary Grumbach聽has held various positions throughout聽the聽NBC聽Newsroom.聽From desk assistant to researcher, and later campaign embed, Grumbach is now the legal affairs reporter聽covering the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts across broadcast and digital platforms.

Grumbach鈥檚 Elon experience included聽leading Elon Local News as director聽and ELN Radio as executive producer.聽He was also聽president聽of the Society of Professional Journalists.聽Having reported on聽various聽presidential campaigns听补苍诲听trials,聽Grumbach鈥檚 work has聽earned national recognition, three聽NBC GEM聽Awards and team聽honors for聽coverage of national elections and major federal court proceedings.聽In聽November聽2025, he was featured in President聽Book鈥檚 podcast series, 鈥淓lon Beyond the Bricks.鈥�

Grumbach shared that Elon taught him teamwork. Connecting the聽skill to his current career and mentorship, he emphasized,聽鈥淵ou聽don鈥檛聽get far without teamwork. Fellow Elon graduates at NBC are always cheering each other on.鈥�

Emmanuel Morgan 鈥�19 – Sports聽and Culture聽Reporter, The New York Times聽| Los Angeles, California

Emmanuel Morgan has聽delivered stories聽as聽a trusted聽reporter聽since high school,聽where his work was featured in outlets such as ESPN鈥檚 鈥淭he Undefeated鈥� and The Charlotte Observer.聽At Elon, Morgan joined The Pendulum as a first-year reporter before rising to editor-in-chief and later聽serving as executive director聽of Elon News Network. He also聽represented聽Elon in the prestigious Carnegie-Knight News21 fellowship, where he聽collaborated on the national reporting project 鈥淗ate in America.鈥�

Since graduation, Morgan聽has reported for the聽Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the聽Los Angeles Times, now covering聽sports and culture for The New York Times.聽Morgan鈥檚聽coverage of聽multiple Super Bowls听补苍诲听the 2024 Olympics in Paris,聽as well as his聽interviews with leading athletes and cultural figures has been featured in national coverage, and in 2023,聽he received the National Association of Black Journalists鈥� Salute to Excellence Award for his feature on identity and expression among聽NFL聽players.

Morgan thanked the Elon School of Communications staff and faculty for always聽having an聽open-door聽policy and for being there for him.聽Thanks to their聽鈥渢ough love,鈥� Morgan聽said聽he felt prepared聽for his role聽today, and聽can聽鈥渢ake constructive feedback well and apply it.鈥�

Daniela Pereyra 鈥�16 – Real Estate Broker, Dalton Wade Real Estate Group, and Founder, Dare to Jump聽| Charlotte, North Carolina

Daniela聽Pereyra聽is making homeownership accessible one聽client聽at a time.聽As a real聽estate broker licensed in North Carolina and Delaware,聽Pereyra聽currently works with Dalton Wade Real Estate Group, where she聽represents聽home buyers and sellers and supports clients through residential transactions and relocations nationwide.聽During the COVID-19 pandemic,聽she聽assisted聽military families with relocations聽and was recognized聽early in her career as a top-performing agent.

Pereyra is聽also the founder of Date to聽Jump, a聽professional development platform offering workshops and coaching focused on productivity, resilience and overcoming self-sabotage in business. Through this venture, she leads seminars for individuals and groups and has presented programming for students,聽entrepreneurs,聽and young professionals. Her leadership聽also聽extends to managing a Charlotte community group,聽where she聽not only offers guidance on聽HOA affairs and home values,聽but also brings the group together聽for social聽outings.

Pereyra emphasized Elon鈥檚 鈥渓ifelong impact鈥� on her, sharing that 鈥渋t鈥檚 stories like mine that prove that Elon is above standard.鈥澛燬he feels grateful that Elon entrusts聽her to聽represent聽the award.

Jensen Roll 鈥�16 – President, Roll Construction, and founder, The Alamance Mill聽| Graham, North Carolina

What started as an independent major in social entrepreneurship has culminated in a custom homebuilding and remodeling company, Roll Construction,聽based in Graham,聽North聽Carolina.聽Since launching the company in 2018 with his wife,聽Mtende聽Roll, Jensen Roll has built a residential and commercial real estate portfolio of more than 20 properties聽with Roll聽Construction聽earning various聽accolades.

An聽entrepreneur聽by nature,聽Roll聽delved into聽undergraduate research聽on micro house design, the sociology of social聽enterprise聽and solutions to hunger,聽leading to the founding of聽Helping Other People Eat聽(H.O.P.E.),聽a聽nonprofit initiative that partnered with local restaurants to combat food聽insecurity.聽Today,聽Roll鈥檚聽community spirit has led to the founding of聽The Alamance Mill, a collaborative聽co-working space that supports local startups and small businesses.聽He also聽currently serves聽as secretary of the Board of Directors for the Alamance-Caswell Home Builders Association.

Elon鈥檚 impact聽contributes to Roll鈥檚聽everyday work, as he聽stated, 鈥淓lon taught me how to build not just homes, but character and community.鈥� He聽reflected on striving to continue to聽represent聽the spirit of the institution.

Nikki Sanz 鈥�18 – Founder & CEO, GIGGS聽| Nashville, Tennessee

After working with major artists and organizations including Eric Church, Weezer,聽and Live Nation, and contributing to聽high-profile events such as the Super Bowl and CMA Awards,聽Nikki聽Sanz聽founded GIGGS,聽a professional career platform designed specifically for the live events and touring industry.聽The platform connects freelancers, touring聽professionals聽and production teams through a centralized marketplace聽and has grown to include 40,000 vetted professionals and 2,000 companies across multiple continents.

To start the venture, Sanz raised an impressive聽$1.2 million from 35 investors and landed a deal with Netflix鈥檚 co-founder Marc Randolph聽during an episode of Entrepreneur鈥檚聽鈥淓levator Pitch.鈥澛營n 2025,聽she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the music category.

Sanz聽is grateful for Elon鈥檚聽experiential聽learning,聽stating, 鈥淚t鈥檚 no wonder Elon grads go on to make a difference in the world!鈥� She looks forward to seeing what all the honorees聽accomplish聽in the next 10 years.

Christian Seitz 鈥�16 – Postdoctoral researcher for epidemic vaccine development, University of Chicago聽| San Diego, California

As a recipient of 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚聽Lumen Prize, Christian Seitz conducted advanced computational chemistry research resulting in a first-author publication. Following graduation,聽Seitz continued to pursue聽research听补苍诲听was聽awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship while earning his聽Ph.D. in biochemistry and biophysics from the University of California San Diego.

His聽doctoral research produced multiple first-author publications and contributed to understanding infectious diseases and molecular biology, a聽subject聽he continues to study as聽a聽postdoctoral聽researcher at聽the聽University of Chicago working on vaccine development and pandemic preparedness.

Today, Seitz鈥檚 work focuses on applying聽artificial intelligence and computational modeling聽to better understand viruses听补苍诲听accelerate the design of vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. He is a trusted collaborator with the聽Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and has received research funding from Argonne National Laboratory.

In his remarks, Seitz asked the audience to reflect聽on聽鈥淲hat would happen if you encouraged someone to pursue a聽talent?鈥�, encouraging all of them to do so. 鈥淢aybe in聽10 years聽they鈥檒l聽be up聽on this stage,鈥� he said.

After recognizing the shared themes of 鈥済ratitude, love, and the people who have made a difference in your life鈥� in the honorees鈥� remarks, President Connie Ledoux Book congratulated the alumni.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 wait to see what you do in the next 10 years, and we are so proud of where you got your start,” Book said.

Since 1941, Elon has celebrated alumni whose achievements, leadership and service bring honor to the university. At the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, five more names were added to that list:聽Kent聽Strosnider聽鈥�91 P鈥�25; Joyel Crawford 鈥�97; David Rich 鈥�87 and Sue Hoggard Rich 鈥�85; and聽Stephen M.聽Ross 鈥�73.

President聽Connie Ledoux聽Book聽was delighted to celebrate the alumni and their families,聽saying, 鈥淗ow grateful are we that you all are out there聽representing聽Elon. You have聽done聽us a privilege by letting us celebrate and honor you.鈥�

Kent Strosnider 鈥�91 P鈥�25聽鈥� Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Kent Strosnider has had a successful career in helping people define and meet their financial goals. With more than聽30聽years of investment management experience,聽the bulk of Strosnider鈥檚 work has been with Morgan Stanley since聽1994.

Now聽serving as the聽Managing Director of The Strosnider Dudderar Wealth Management Group, Strosnider wears many hats聽through聽directing and聽advising聽various聽spheres of the organization, including聽alternative investments, family wealth, global sports and entertainment, and聽equity compensation.

Strosnider and his family have supported聽Elon聽through the naming of the聽Strosnider Family Meeting Room within the Golf Training Facility on South Campus, and the naming of a room聽at聽The Inn at Elon.聽He has聽also continued his involvement through the聽Elon Alumni Board and Parents Council.聽One of Strosnider鈥檚 daughters, Sophie 鈥�25, is an Elon alum. He is also a proud parent to daughter Brinkley, and two stepsons, Chris and Brandon.

Though the聽Strosniders聽are one of many families creating an Elon Legacy,聽during his remarks聽Strosnider noted, 鈥淓lon really took a chance on聽me,聽and I am super proud to be a part of the Elon family. Elon keeps聽winning,聽and it is exciting to be alongside the school while it wins.鈥�

Joyel Crawford 鈥�97聽鈥� Distinguished Alumna of the Year

After graduating cum laude from Elon聽in聽1997, Joyel Crawford went on to earn an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2004. Currently the聽founder and聽CEO of聽the聽consulting firm,聽Crawford Leadership Strategies,聽Crawford聽works to help others聽reach their full potential in their careers听补苍诲听lives.聽Her聽clients聽have ranged聽from the U.S. Senate and NASA聽to聽The New York Times听补苍诲听ESPN, and she continues to connect as the聽host of聽the聽hit podcast聽鈥淐areer View Mirror,鈥澛燼nd as an Amazon聽bestselling author of 鈥淪how Your聽Ask!鈥�

Crawford鈥檚聽insight聽and advice聽have聽been聽cherished at聽Elon聽and beyond. She was a guest on 鈥淕ood Morning America,鈥� and聽in 2025, she聽joined聽President聽Book聽on聽the 鈥淓lon Beyond the Bricks鈥� podcast.聽Crawford鈥檚聽previous聽engagements with the university include聽serving as a guest lecturer,聽promoting the university聽and its聽initiatives as a social media ambassador,聽as well as serving as an聽Elon Alumni Board member, Philadelphia Alumni Board member and聽Elon Black Alumni Network聽(EBAN)聽mentor.聽In 2022, she received the Elon Black Alumni Gail Fonville Parker Distinguished Alumna Award.

During her remarks,聽Crawford offered聽some of the insights she聽shared with President Book on the 鈥淓lon Beyond the Bricks鈥� podcast, sharing that as a聽Leadership Fellow聽she got 鈥渁 scholarship to be a leader鈥澛燼nd Elon was her 鈥渓eadership聽lab.鈥澛犫�淚 will continue to聽do聽you proud, Elon,鈥� she said.

David Rich 鈥�87 and Sue Hoggard Rich 鈥�85聽鈥� Distinguished Service to Elon

David and Sue Hoggard Rich have been present聽for some of Elon鈥檚聽biggest traditions and moments.聽Committed to聽Elon Athletics, David has served as a Phoenix Club Advisory Board member and created the 鈥淓lon 7 a.m. Tailgate鈥澛爓ith friends,聽a tradition聽hosted before every home football game.聽Sue led the procession at聽President聽Book鈥檚聽inauguration聽as a member of the 鈥淟ong Maroon Line鈥� of alumni.

In 2022, David retired as global director 鈥� workplace technology support at Atos, a global European IT services and consulting firm, and in 2023, Sue retired as vice president of human resources at Glen Raven. The couple lives聽in聽Burlington,聽where聽they聽continue to support various local聽organizations, including Alamance County Meals on Wheels, Alamance Community College Foundation, Piedmont Health Coalition and more.

During their聽remarks, the couple went back and forth, listing the things that Elon gave them.

鈥淓lon gave me the perspective of a world so much broader than I had ever known,鈥� shared Sue, while聽David emphasized that 鈥淓lon gave me the understanding that I am part of something bigger and the knowledge to know what to do with that understanding.鈥�

On behalf of them both, Sue emphasized, 鈥淒avid and I are both humbled and delighted with this honor.鈥�

Stephen M.聽Ross 鈥�73 鈥� Distinguished Alumni Service Award

The Honorable聽Stephen M. Ross聽has helped create opportunities in his local community and throughout the state of North Carolina.聽He previously served as聽city mayor for two聽terms and on the city council for four terms in his hometown of Burlington, North Carolina.聽Currently in his聽sixth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives,聽Ross聽chairs both the Commerce and Economic Development Committee and聽the聽Finance Committee.

Ross鈥檚聽volunteerism聽to his alma mater and the Piedmont Triad聽remains聽vast聽with聽previous聽roles as a member on 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Board of Visitors and Alumni Board, as well as聽chairman聽of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council of Governments, president of the Alamance Division of the American Heart Association,聽among others.聽The Triangle Business Journal聽also聽recognized Ross as one聽of the Triad鈥檚 鈥淢ost Influential People.鈥�

During his remarks,聽Ross encouraged attendees to 鈥済o out and build a better community,鈥� noting that it 鈥渁ll starts right here at Elon.鈥澛燣ike many Elon聽acorn-to-sapling stories, Ross聽noted,聽鈥淭hank you,聽Elon,聽for taking that seed and turning it into something I can look back on and say 鈥榃ow鈥�!鈥�

She Built This City鈥檚 mission is to provide industry-disruptive programming that sparks interest and builds pathways to lucrative careers in the skilled trades for youth, women and marginalized communities.聽In her role, Faustin聽has launched key initiatives聽for the聽organization,聽including Adult Workforce Development, and expanded youth programming through partnerships with local government and community organizations.

Faustin聽received undergraduate聽degrees in聽corporate聽communications and Spanish from 福利亚洲国产精品,聽before getting her聽master鈥檚 in business administration from聽the university聽in 2010.聽In 2016,聽she received her master鈥檚 in聽educational leadership and administration from Queens University, as well as a certification in聽nonprofit/public/organizational management from Duke University聽in 2022, and a聽certification in Diversity,聽Equity聽and Inclusion 鈥� Building a Diverse Workplace from Cornell University聽in 2023.

In 2023,聽Faustin聽was recognized聽with the Charlotte Business Journal鈥檚 Power 100聽award,聽and 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni Service Award.聽In 2024, she聽received聽Atrium Health鈥檚 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Growing the Dream Award.
Faustin is also聽president-elect for the 福利亚洲国产精品 Alumni Board, and founder and managing聽director of聽Stay Ready Consulting Solutions.

Her聽impact will be featured in the Most Admired CEO Special聽Section published in the June 19 issue of the Charlotte Business Journal.

In her role,聽McKay oversees聽academic support, development,聽health care聽administration, inclusion and belonging and leadership for student-athletes.聽She champions community service by organizing聽student-athlete programs during聽the ACC鈥檚 Unity Tours.

The聽Unity Tour聽is a聽conference-wide,聽immersive learning experience聽focused on聽unity, social聽responsibility,聽and civic engagement.聽McKay and her team have introduced over聽300聽student-athletes,聽coaches聽and administrators to聽different聽Unity Tour聽experiences in Washington, D.C., Charleston, South Carolina, and Selma, Alabama.

McKay graduated with a degree in sport and event management from Elon聽University聽before getting her master鈥檚聽in higher education/student affairs听补苍诲听doctorate in higher education/higher education administration from聽The George聽Washington University.

In 2019, she gave the keynote address at the聽Department of Sport Management senior banquet and awards ceremony, and has served as聽an Elon Career Mentor,聽mentor to Elon鈥檚聽Women Influencers in Sport program and as a member of the Women of Elon Advisory Council.

Distinguished Alumni Awards聽

福利亚洲国产精品 will recognize聽five聽alumni聽for their leadership,聽accomplishments聽and service during this year鈥檚聽Distinguished Alumni Awards聽ceremony on May聽1聽at聽Snow聽Family Grand聽Atrium. Award recipients聽include:

Kent Strosnider聽鈥�91 P鈥�25聽
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award

This award is presented to聽an alumnus聽who has distinguished himself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to Elon.

A聽corporate聽communications major, Kent Strosnider聽is聽the managing director of聽The Strosnider Dudderar Wealth Management Group at Morgan聽Stanley,聽where聽he聽provides聽strategies聽and potential solutions to clients as they prepare聽for their financial聽objectives.聽One of Kent鈥檚 daughters,聽Sophie, also graduated from the university with a degree in strategic communications聽in聽2025.聽Kent was a former Parents Council member聽from 2022-2025, and a member of the Elon Alumni Board from 2012-2015.

Joyel Crawford 鈥�97聽Distinguished Alumna of the Year聽Award

Awarded to聽an alumna聽who has distinguished herself in a profession and in the community and brought honor to Elon.

A聽psychology聽major, theater arts minor, and Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow, Joyel Crawford聽is currently the CEO, Founder,聽Career Coach and聽Motivational Speaker at Crawford Leadership Strategies, LLC.聽She holds 20+ years of leadership development experience with clients including the U.S. Senate, NASA, The New York Times, ESPN, and Aramark. She is聽a consistent contributor to Elon programming as a speaker,聽webinar聽host聽and guest, and has served as an聽Elon Black Alumni Network Mentor since 2018.

From聽2016-2019, Joyel was a member of the聽Philadelphia Alumni Board and was a member of the聽Elon Alumni Board from 2018-2021. In 2022, Joyel was the recipient of the Elon Black Alumni Gail Fonville Parker Distinguished Alumna Award, and in fall 2025, she聽joined President Connie Ledoux Book on the 鈥淓lon Beyond the Bricks鈥� podcast.

David Rich 鈥�87 and Sue Hoggard Rich 鈥�85聽
Distinguished Service to Elon Award

Awarded to an organization, business, foundation or individual聽who has聽demonstrated聽outstanding service that promotes the advancement of Elon.

Alumni couple,聽David Rich and Sue Hoggard Rich,聽have聽shared聽many of the university鈥檚 moments and traditions.聽Sue, an English -journalism major, retired聽as the vice president of human resources at Glen Raven in 2023. David, a sociology major, retired聽as the global director – workplace etchnology support at Atos in 2022.聽Sue聽was a member of the Elon alumni Long Maroon Line at President Book鈥檚聽inauguration听补苍诲听David聽served on the Elon Alumni Board from 2001-2007. David聽and his friends created the聽鈥淓lon 7聽a.m.聽Tailgate鈥澛爐hat is hosted prior to every home football game.聽Together, the couple are members of the 1889 society and聽give generously to the university in their time and unwavering spirit.

Hon. Stephen M. Ross ’73
Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Awarded to聽an alumnus聽or聽alumna聽who has given extraordinary service to his or her community.

A聽political science聽major,聽Steve聽Ross聽has held聽a long career聽in public service.聽A Burlington native, Steve聽served as the city鈥檚 mayor for two terms and on city council for four terms. He is currently serving his sixth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives, chairing both the Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the Finance Committee.聽Steve has聽held聽various volunteer聽positions听补苍诲听has been聽named聽one of Triad鈥檚 Most Influential People by the Triangle Business Journal.

Top 10 Under 10

The Office of Alumni Engagement and聽the聽Young Alumni Council聽have announced the 2026聽Top 10 Under 10聽award recipients, who will be celebrated during a May聽2聽ceremony聽in聽Snow聽Family Grand Atrium.

These 10 accomplished alumni from the past decade have achieved professional success, continuously work to better their communities and serve as loyal alumni role models.

惭辞谤驳补苍听叠辞诲别苍补谤补颈苍听鈥�18听
Policy Director and Counsel, Congressional Black Caucus聽

Morgan聽Bodenarain聽graduated聽with聽degrees in聽policy studies and political science聽at Elon聽before completing聽law school at George Washington University in 2021.聽Morgan聽now聽serves聽as聽the聽Policy Director and Counsel for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in the 119th U.S. Congress, leading policy聽priorities聽and advocacy efforts for all 61 members.聽She was honored with聽the聽National Black Lawyers鈥� Top 40 Under 40 Award聽and the National Bar Association鈥檚 Nation鈥檚 Best Advocates Award in 2025.

Colby Bracy 鈥�16聽
Director of Human Resources & Philanthropy, The聽Nonantum聽Resort and Owner, Hello Humans Consulting

Colby Bracy graduated with a degree in聽accounting.聽Currently working聽at her family鈥檚 business,聽The聽Nonantum聽Resort,聽Colby聽has led the resort鈥檚聽efforts聽to聽become聽a certified Recovery Friendly Workplace, championing the聽business鈥櫬爀fforts to hire individuals reentering the community following incarceration.聽Colby聽is聽also聽the owner of her own human resources consulting firm, Hello Humans Consulting, and holds many roles in local boards and committees.聽In 2024, she was honored with the North Star Award from the American Hotels and Lodging Association.

Michaela Fogarty 鈥�19聽
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist; Upstream USA聽聽

Michaela Fogarty graduated with a degree in聽international聽economics聽and began her professional career聽at聽Planned Parenthood Federation of America as a data analysis and visualization specialist聽before completing a Master of Health Science from Johns Hopkins University.聽After graduating from Johns Hopkins,聽Michaela worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a data manager in the division of global women鈥檚 health, and is now the monitoring, evaluation and learning specialist at Upstream USA, a nonprofit working to expand contraceptive access for all.

Michael Goldstein 鈥�17聽
Vice President, Guggenheim Partners

Michael Goldstein graduated with聽degrees聽in聽finance and accounting. Recently promoted聽from聽Investment聽Banking Associate聽to聽Vice President聽at Guggenheim Partners,聽Michael聽focuses on medical devices and聽technology and聽has helped聽advise on transactions exceeding聽$5 billion.聽In support of Elon students, Michael led the creation of the first annual award for an outstanding senior transfer student, as well as a new Goldstein Family Endowed Scholarship for transfer students in the Love聽School of Business.

Gary Grumbach 鈥�16聽
Legal Affairs Reporter, NBC News聽聽

Gary Grumbach graduated with a degree in journalism.聽As聽the聽Legal Affairs Reporter for NBC News, Gary聽covers the Supreme Court and federal courts on-air and in聽print.聽His reporting has been recognized with three NBC GEM Awards, and team honors for coverage of the Trump trial and 2020 and 2024 elections. In 2025, Gary joined聽President Connie Ledoux Book on the 鈥淓lon Beyond the Bricks鈥� podcast.

Emmanuel Morgan 鈥�19聽
Sports Reporter, The New York Times

Emmanuel Morgan graduated with a degree in journalism.聽Having previously served as a Los Angeles Times sports reporter with a focus on聽the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, Emmanuel is now聽a聽New York Times culture reporter, covering the NFL and combat sports nationally.聽In 2023, Emmanuel was awarded the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Salute to Excellence Award聽鈥撀燦ational聽Sports Coverage for his New York Times feature, 鈥淔or Dreadlocked N.F.L. Players, Hair Is a Point of Pride鈥�.

Daniela Pereyra 鈥�16聽
Real Estate Broker, Dalton Wade Real Estate Group and Founder, Dare to Jump

Daniela聽Pereyra graduated with a degree in cinema听补苍诲听television arts. Currently a real estate broker licensed in North Carolina and Delaware, Daniela聽is ranked as a Top Producer within her firm. Daniela is also the Founder of Dare to Jump, a hybrid series of seminars and coaching sessions for individuals and groups, focused on cultivating a growth mindset to elevate productivity and sustainable efforts.

Jensen Roll 鈥�16聽
President, Roll Construction

Jensen Roll graduated聽with聽a degree in聽social entrepreneurship聽and was an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow.聽He聽is the聽President聽of Roll Construction聽in Graham, North Carolina, a custom homebuilding and remodeling company serving Alamance, Guilford, and Orange counties.聽Since Roll Construction鈥檚 launch in 2018, Jensen has completed projects ranging from tiny homes to breweries and built a real estate portfolio of more than聽20 properties by age 30. Jensen聽also聽founded The Alamance Mill coworking space and聽has聽been involved in the聽Alamance County Chamber of Commerce.

Nikki Sanz 鈥�18聽
Founder聽&聽CEO, GIGGS

Nikki Sanz graduated with a degree in聽sport and event management.聽After聽moving聽to Nashville聽with the goal of working on the road in the touring industry,聽Nikki聽secured diverse gigs聽from Eric Church to Super Bowl LVII.聽Nikki聽publicly launched聽GIGGS, a聽professional career platform for the live event industry in 2024, and the site has drawn聽20,000 users聽seeking roles in touring and live events across 1,000 companies.聽In 2025,聽Nikki聽was named聽a Forbes聽30 Under 30 in the music category.

Christian Seitz 鈥�16
Postdoctoral Researcher for epidemic vaccine development, University of Chicago

Christian Seitz graduated with a degree in聽chemistry聽from Elon聽before聽completing a聽doctorate in聽biochemistry and biophysics with聽a specialization in multi-scale biology at UC San Diego in 2022.聽His accolades at graduation included four first聽author聽and nine total publications focusing on global diseases and molecular recognition in influenza.聽Currently聽a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago,聽Christian聽is working with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiative, designing vaccines to prepare the globe for the next pandemic through artificial intelligence in viruses and vaccine development.

, and , are among 40 professionals recognized this year for leadership, achievement, and community impact across the Piedmont Triad before the age of 40. They were recognized at a reception Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Presented annually, the Triad Business Journal鈥檚 40 Under 40 awards recognize emerging leaders helping shape the region鈥檚 economic, civic, and professional future. Honorees span industries but share a common distinction: meaningful contributions to their organizations alongside a commitment to strengthening the Triad as a place to live and work.

For Leighty and McClanahan, both Elon alumni whose careers remain rooted in Greensboro, the recognition reflects careers defined not simply by professional success, but by sustained investment in people, opportunity, and community.

Scott Leighty 鈥�09: Building opportunity through connection

Scott Leighty is guided by a desire to build something lasting: expanding opportunity, creating momentum, and strengthening institutions that shape communities.

An 福利亚洲国产精品 graduate with a B.A. in political science who later earned a master鈥檚 degree in higher education administration from North Carolina State University, Leighty built his career in nonprofit and community engagement before returning to his alma mater. Today, as assistant dean for development and alumni relations at Elon Law, he leads efforts connecting alumni, donors, and community partners to the law school鈥檚 mission and students.

At heart is his belief that Elon Law and Greensboro grow stronger together. He views the law school as an active contributor to downtown vitality and regional talent development, preparing graduates who often build careers and bolster communities across the Triad.

That philosophy has guided two consecutive record-breaking years of philanthropic support for Elon Law 鈥� with his sights set on a third. Expanded alumni engagement and partnerships have generated new scholarships, strengthened experiential learning opportunities, and supported innovative programming that enhances students鈥� professional preparation.

Jonathan Miller, senior director of development at 福利亚洲国产精品, said Leighty has found alignment between personal passion and professional purpose.

鈥淪cott鈥檚 love for Elon and for this community truly drives his work,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淗e has immersed himself in understanding Elon Law and finding ways to move it forward. His dedication and enthusiasm elevate everyone around him. We are proud to serve with him every day.鈥�

Leighty oversees engagement with Elon Law鈥檚 national alumni network while managing relationships with the school鈥檚 Advisory Board, connecting experienced leaders with students and institutional priorities. Those relationships translate into mentorship, career pathways, and expanded opportunities for future lawyers.

鈥淪cott brings care and energy to Elon Law,鈥� said Dean Zak Kramer. 鈥淗e keeps our alumni engaged in ways that create opportunity for our students and help power the programs and innovation that define the Elon Law experience.鈥�

For Leighty, the recognition affirms the impact created when people invest in institutions and communities.

鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about creating meaning and making an impact,鈥� Leighty said, 鈥渉elping build something that makes both Elon Law and the Triad communities stronger.鈥�

Blaire McClanahan L鈥�14: Advocating for families when it matters most

Much of Blaire McClanahan鈥檚 legal work begins at moments of uncertainty: Families navigating illness, loss, aging, or major life transitions. Her role is to bring clarity and reassurance when clients need it most.

A graduate of North Carolina State University and Elon Law鈥檚 Class of 2014, McClanahan is managing partner at the Law Offices of Cheryl David in Greensboro, where she focuses on estate planning, elder law, probate administration, and asset protection. Her work centers on helping families plan for the future and protect stability during difficult moments.

Since becoming a licensed attorney in North Carolina in 2015, McClanahan has built a reputation as both a skilled attorney and trusted counselor. She co-authored a guide on protecting family assets from long-term care costs and regularly educates North Carolina residents through seminars and webinars on estate planning and elder law.

Justin Plummer, her colleague and law partner of nearly a decade, credits McClanahan鈥檚 success to relentless dedication to clients and continuous professional growth.

鈥淚f a client has a problem, Blaire will not rest until that situation is solved,鈥� Plummer said. 鈥淗er care for clients, often during their most difficult healthcare events or family losses, truly sets her apart.鈥�

That commitment extends beyond legal representation. McClanahan previously taught graduate-level elder law courses at UNC Greensboro and mentors emerging attorneys, including Elon Law students interested in estate planning practice. Her leadership within professional organizations and community groups reflects the same service-oriented approach that defines her work.

Colleagues note that McClanahan has helped grow and modernize the family-founded firm while maintaining its mission of compassionate service. Her efforts have earned statewide and national recognition, including selection as an American Bar Association 鈥淥n the Rise 鈥� Top 40 Young Lawyers鈥� honoree.

Outside the office, she remains deeply engaged in the Greensboro community through volunteer initiatives and civic leadership, reinforcing her belief that legal practice carries responsibilities beyond the courtroom.

The event will take place on聽Thursday, April 16, at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi.聽A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,聽followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.聽A dessert reception will聽conclude聽the evening.

6:30听辫.尘.聽聽Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听辫.尘.聽聽Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8 p.m.聽聽Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
Vertigo Room
10400 NE聽4th聽St.聽Suite 3100
叠别濒濒别惫耻别,听奥础听98004

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at聽 or contact聽advancement@elon.edu.

Elon Day will also feature exciting matches, challenges and 鈥淏onus Bucks鈥� to help further donor impact throughout the day. Be sure to keep an eye on the聽聽to view the latest information.

Those who want to get involved with Elon Day and contribute in another meaningful way can sign up聽as聽an聽聽to聽rally聽their聽friends and family聽to聽make聽their Elon Day gifts.

Various events will celebrate聽philanthropy and school spirit聽with聽Elon Day-themed聽treats,聽swag聽and activities.聽From聽regional聽events聽across the world, to聽on-campus events聽bringing together faculty,聽staff聽and students,聽聽to聽join in on the fun聽from wherever you are.

For those聽celebrating the聽special day on聽campus, check out the full schedule of events below:

• College Coffee聽in聽Alumni Gym聽(9:40聽鈥撀�10:20 a.m.)聽聽
  Wear your best maroon and gold and join us for聽coffee聽with聽special聽Elon Day聽treats.聽Plus,聽it鈥檚聽your first chance to聽collect聽swag聽when you聽make your gift!
• Pop-Up Student Lounge聽at聽Young Commons (11 a.m.聽鈥撀�2 p.m.)聽聽
  Lounge on blow-up furniture聽and enjoy聽outdoor games, Pelican鈥檚聽SnoBalls,聽a聽photo booth and more聽at this collaboration with Elon鈥檚 Student Union Board (SUB).
• Taco 鈥橞out Philanthropy at聽the聽Moseley聽Flower Bed聽(11:30 a.m.聽鈥撀�1:30 p.m.)聽聽
  Students can spin聽the wheel and test聽their聽Elon philanthropy knowledge for a FREE taco and swag.
• Faculty and聽Staff Lounge聽in聽Moseley Center聽(3聽鈥撀�4聽p.m.)聽聽
  Connect聽and chill with colleagues by making your own soda float! All donors will be entered to win giveaways including a free vacation day!
• GEC’s International Coffee Hour in the First Floor Lobby of The Great Hall, Sato Commons (4:15聽鈥� 5:15 p.m.)
  The Global Education Center is celebrating International Coffee Hour:聽Elon聽Day聽style! Stop by for coffee, dough nuts, conversation, and a performance. Come be a part of our international community and meet old friends or make new friends from all around the world.
• Senior Toast聽at聽The Great Hall, Sato Commons (7聽鈥撀�7:45 p.m.)聽聽
  Toast to Elon and the Class of 2026! All聽senior聽donors will receive a commemorative Elon champagne flute聽at the end of the event.
• Spring Comedian:聽Leslie Jones at聽Alumni Gym聽(8:30聽鈥撀�9:30 p.m.)聽聽
  The Elon Student Union Board presents the spring聽comedian,聽Leslie Jones.聽Follow SUB on Instagram: @elonsub,聽or Facebook: @elonstudentunionboard,聽for ticket聽information聽and other announcements.
• SUB Late Night Bingo in聽Alumni Gym聽(10:30 p.m.聽鈥撀�11:30 p.m.)聽
  Win cool prizes聽at聽Elon Student Union Board鈥檚 (SUB) late-night bingo!聽Be聽sure to聽wear your Elon gear to double your chances with an extra board.聽This event is聽for students only.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at the Denver Art Museum.聽A reception including a hosted bar and hors d鈥檕euvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,聽followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.聽A dessert reception will聽conclude聽the evening.

6:30听辫.尘.聽聽Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
7:30听辫.尘.聽聽Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8:00听辫.尘.听听Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Denver Art Museum聽Museum
Martin Building, Sturm Grand Pavilion
101 West 14th聽Ave. Parkway
顿别苍惫别谤,听颁翱听80204

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at聽 or contact聽advancement@elon.edu.

On聽Friday,聽March 13, and Saturday, March 14, Women of Elon (WE) will host聽奥贰别办别苍诲听2026聽with programming centered on the six dimensions聽of well-being聽within聽HealthEU聽鈥斅爄ncluding a聽keynote luncheon with nationally recognized nutrition expert聽Joy Bauer聽of the TODAY show.

Friday鈥檚 programming will open with a WE Meet聽guided聽networking session in McKinnon Hall focused on building new connections ahead of the welcome reception聽in the lobby of Moseley Center.

Later, an official welcome dinner and kick-off will be held in Lakeside with a discussion led by President Connie Ledoux Book and聽Elon faculty member聽Alexis Franzese P鈥�29聽on being the authentic you.

After a聽continental breakfast, Saturday includes two rounds of聽breakout sessions聽on a variety of topics that attendees can select from.

The middle of the day includes聽a聽panel discussion on聽women鈥檚 wellness聽in Turner Theatre聽with聽Dr. Kelly H. Leggett (OBGYN),聽Kardie聽Tobb (cardiology) and Elizabeth Bailey, assistant teaching professor of exercise science. The panel is followed by聽lunch and聽the feature event of the conference 鈥� a聽fireside chat聽with President Connie Ledoux Book and聽keynote speaker, nutrition expert and聽14-time聽#1聽New York Times聽bestselling author,聽Joy Bauer.

The afternoon breakout sessions will also include another round of guided networking and the opportunity to take a complimentary LinkedIn headshot.聽The聽WEekend聽will wrap up聽with a celebratory reception in Founders Hall.

All Women of Elon, including alumni, parents, and friends of the university,聽interested in attending聽the聽WEekend聽can check out聽the聽full schedule听补苍诲听聽with the discount code聽WEEARLYBIRD for $100 off until Feb. 6.