These universities are two of many institutions that collaborate and represent FDHE, an international organization that specializes in human-centered design thinking in higher education. The organizers of the FDHE convention are committed to building a community built on exchanging new ideas about design thinking and interdisciplinary work programs.

The concluding day鈥檚 activities will be held at 福利亚洲国产精品 and hosted by Elon鈥檚 Center for Design Thinking and Maker Hub. These activities will include presentations on the long-term values of design thinking, integrating artificial intelligence into the design thinking process and a closing celebration.

In preparation for this three-day-long conference, the Center has been hosting small virtual sessions every third Friday of the month since January called Forging Fridays. These sessions are hosted by various design thinking leaders who focus on emerging strategies, methods and ideas. Participants leave these workshops with strategies that make a significant impact, but are practical implementations in their professional, personal, and civic lives.

There have been four of these sessions so far, This session will feature , who specializes in integrating mechanical engineering with industrial design processes at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Li鈥檚 focus within this Forging Friday session will focus on how to identify when and what mindsets will be the most meaningful and transformative to an individual within their design thinking process.

Previous speakers for the Forging Fridays series include , , 听补苍诲 .

The lead-up to the FDHE convention with these Forging Fridays sessions is replacing the Center鈥檚 typical Design Forge convention. These meetings are the Center鈥檚 project on gathering design thinking educators, practitioners, and thought leaders to address a topic of interest in higher education, collaboration within the design thinking community, and establishing new opportunities for enhanced student learning.

For more information on past Design Forge topics, a full archive of the conventions since 2018 can be accessed here.

Supported by a grant from Alamance Arts, CREATE (Cultivating Rhythm, Expression, Art, Theatre and Engagement) launched its pilot program this spring with weekly sessions hosted on 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 campus. Over the course of nine weeks, students in second through fifth grade rotated through three artistic disciplines: theatre arts, dance and visual arts. Each discipline was led by experienced instructors who developed an engaging curriculum designed to encourage creativity, collaboration and self-expression.

Briston Whitt 鈥�23 led theatre arts instruction throughout the semester. Whitt, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in acting from Elon, introduced students to physical expression, improvisation and scene work. By the end of the semester, students could perform short scenes that showcased the skills and confidence they developed throughout the program.

“I absolutely enjoyed working with CREATE as聽a聽drama instructor this spring. My favorite part was watching students step聽further and further聽out of their comfort zones each week and truly begin to see themselves as actors and performers.聽Each week聽they committed to stepping into the imaginary world 补苍诲听embodying the courage to try new things no matter how聽new and silly they felt.聽It was also really cool to see how involved the volunteers became throughout the process.聽They聽fully聽committed聽to the activities聽as well 补苍诲听modeled the same courage听补苍诲 energy聽we were looking for in聽the students,” said Whitt.

“Seeing how immersed everyone became in the experience was such a reminder of the timelessness and magic of theatre,” Whitt said. “It reaches people of every age and has a unique way of bringing us聽all聽together. For the students, it created a space to be creative, build confidence, and step outside the box. For the volunteers 补苍诲听myself, it was a reminder of the power of play聽even in seasons of life that can feel聽more serious.”

Kate Gunter, an art teacher at Woodlawn Middle School, led visual arts instruction for the program. Through lessons inspired by artists including Frank Stella, Claude Monet and Minnie Evans, students explored a variety of artistic concepts and mediums. Activities focused on geometry, symmetry and watercolor painting left students with an improved understanding of how they can advance their artistic skillset.

鈥淪tudents loved learning about different artists and how they were inspired to create. These insights encouraged our young artists to discover their own inspirations as they emulated the techniques and styles of established artists,” said Gunther.

Furthermore, the program has been able to provide a mentorship experience for 福利亚洲国产精品 students. With the opportunity to volunteer with one of the disciplines across nine weeks of programming, volunteers fostered connections with the students and worked alongside them at each session.

鈥淚 loved working with the students in CREATE,鈥� said Kennedy Williams, a finance and business analytics major and The Susan scholarship recipient in the Odyssey Program who volunteered with the theatre arts program. 鈥淚t was so rewarding to watch them grow artistically and open up more as the weeks progressed.鈥�

Additionally, several Elon student organizations partnered with CREATE throughout the semester by leading activities connected to their organization鈥檚 mission and artistic focus. Participating groups included Divine Embers, Muses Show Choir, Dance Lab, Alpha Xi Delta, Colonnades Literary and Art Journal, WSOE 89.3 FM, NewWorks and the Yarn Arts Club. Student organizations introduced students to a variety of artistic experiences, from crochet lessons to choreography workshops, and built upon the foundations of the curriculum.

Natalie Dixon 鈥�26, a senior double majoring in dance science and dance

performance and choreography, had the opportunity to lead dance instruction through her involvement with Dance Lab, a student organization focused on integrating dance and STEM disciplines. Through a collaboration with CREATE, Dixon applied her undergraduate research during the session to assist students with understanding different ways they can move.

鈥淚 really enjoyed working with the kids through the CREATE program,鈥� Dixon said. 鈥淭hey were all very enthusiastic and open to learning new things, which made the experience especially rewarding. You could tell that the program created a very positive and encouraging environment for them, and it was great to see everyone engaged and excited to participate.鈥�

The CREATE program reflects the Village Project鈥檚 mission of strengthening connections between Alamance-Burlington families and 福利亚洲国产精品 through collaborative learning experiences. The initiative will continue expanding in the coming academic year through a $5,000 Community Grant from the Alamance Community Foundation, which will support future CREATE programming and continue to broaden access to arts education for local students.

Interested in joining the impact? Help support future Village programming .

In Alamance County, the class raised funds for the Al-Aqsa Clinic鈥檚 emergency fund, hosted by the Burlington Masjid. Throughout the semester, the scholars organized several restaurant profit-sharing events and other fundraising efforts, generating more than $1,000 in donations. These funds will help the clinic purchase food and personal care items for its Halal food pantry.

The scholars have also continued their partnership with Sarvodaya 鈥� Sri Lanka鈥檚 largest and oldest non-governmental organization 鈥� to promote sustainable and equitable development in rural communities. Working alongside Sarvodaya staff, the students are helping expand consumer markets for locally produced trade goods. Later this summer, a group of scholars will travel to Sri Lanka to continue this work in the country鈥檚 south and east, focusing on creating new market opportunities for producers in areas frequently visited by foreign tourists.

The Periclean Scholars Program is a three-year, cohort-based learning experience centered on building mutually beneficial partnerships both locally and globally. As the centerpiece of Project Pericles, the program is dedicated to advancing civic engagement and social responsibility across the university community while also fostering close, supportive relationships among cohort members and faculty mentors.

Undergraduate students may apply to the program during their first year at Elon. Selected students complete a sequence of academic courses during their sophomore, junior, and senior years, totaling 18 semester hours. The experience culminates in the development of a social justice-focused partnership designed and implemented by the student cohort under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Past and current partnerships have included supporting equitable and sustainable community tourism initiatives in Sri Lanka, producing a documentary focused on lived experiences in Cuba, collaborating with leaders on the Pine Ridge Reservation to strengthen communication and advertising efforts, and partnering with a local organization in Ghana to promote youth leadership and development.

To learn more about the Al-Aqsa clinic and Sarvodaya, visit:聽 补苍诲听

During the next three years, the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029 will work with faculty mentor Vanessa Drew-Branch, associate professor in the Department of Human Service Studies.

During an event on April 30 in Sato Commons, Drew-Branch, welcomed the Class of 2029 by introducing the cohort鈥檚 theme of food sovereignty at 福利亚洲国产精品 and in St. Kitts and Nevis. Drawing connections between local and global food systems, Drew-Branch encouraged Scholars to think critically about issues of food insecurity, food apartheid, justice, dignity and sustainability. She highlighted how colonial legacies, climate change and inequitable systems continue to shape access to healthy and culturally appropriate food while emphasizing the importance of community-centered, sustainable agricultural practices. Through her remarks, students were challenged to approach this work with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to building authentic partnerships rooted in reciprocity and social justice.

The newly inducted members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029:

• Melanie Alarcon
• Katherine Banker
• Autumn Boyce
• Kimara delRosario
• Willow Evans
• Travis Greene
• Simone Lewis-Abdeen
• Mason Marks
• Tia Nelson
• Jazline Rogel Sanchez
• Ally Rotenberg
• Kylie Rukavina
• Gabriella Shew
• Hazel Silverstein
• Shukri Siraji
• Caleb Slosberg

The Periclean Scholars Program provides students with a distinctive three-year educational experience focused on global engagement, interdisciplinary learning and ethical community partnership. Each cohort studies a specific country or region, collaborating with local and global partners to gain a deeper understanding of complex social challenges and develop sustainable, justice-centered initiatives.

Throughout the program, acholars complete 18 semester hours of coursework during their sophomore, junior, and senior years under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Through these courses and experiential learning opportunities, students explore best practices in community engagement, examine the critical distinction between charity and partnership, and learn to approach social change through collaboration, reciprocity, and long-term relationship building.

As the Periclean Scholars Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the induction of the Class of 2029 reflects the continued legacy of student leadership, ethical partnership, and community-engaged global learning that defines the program.

The 29 students were divided into teams and paired with faculty advisors who guided them throughout the yearlong process.

鈥淭hese students got this project in August in the form of a two- or three-page document and an email address to contact, and they took it from there,鈥� said Will Pluer, assistant professor of engineering. 鈥淭hey broke down their projects into subsystems and tasks, we had weekly scrum meetings where it felt like only little things were being achieved and eventually those little things turned into mockups in the fall and full prototypes this spring.鈥�

One team partnered with Gilbarco Veeder-Root to improve security measures for gas station pumps that had experienced break-ins. The group added a sensor to the bottom of the machine to alert owners to unauthorized access, reinforced the bottom latch and installed an electrical component designed to preserve data during power outages.

Rahv Tupac-Yupanqui 鈥�26, a mechanical engineering major from Virginia Beach, Virginia, said the project was a thorough culmination of years of coursework.

鈥淲e take classes where you do specific projects here and there, and eventually, down the line, it turns out that a skill, or many skills, that you learned on a specific project will help you do larger projects,鈥� Tupac-Yupanqui said.

While students had worked with clients in previous engineering courses, Tupac-Yupanqui said the scale of the project and the level of communication with the company made this experience different.

鈥淚t feels like a huge privilege to be able to communicate with a company at such an intensive rate,鈥� Tupac-Yupanqui said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really glad I got to do it because it gives me a really good perspective on what an engineering company does. Even though no engineering company works the same way, there is always a level of understanding that happens between engineers.鈥�

Another team partnered with Driver Rehabilitation Services to redesign a Sure Grip vehicle driving system for people with physical impairments.

The original system had a “jerking” and rotational movement when pulled to accelerate the vehicle. Students redesigned the mechanism, so it moved back and forth along a single plane.

鈥淲henever you pulled it back for acceleration, instead of moving in a straight line forward and back, it would rotate a little bit toward the center of your chest,鈥� said Wiley Falter 鈥�26, a mechanical engineering major from Fayetteville, North Carolina. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fine for a driver that has full arm strength, but quadriplegic drivers only have strength coming from their shoulder, and so everyone would push in. It made it really awkward to push it back out, get it back into idle and brake.鈥�

Like Tupac-Yupanqui, Falter said working with a real client was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.

鈥淚t was cool to communicate with the engineers who work there,鈥� Falter said. 鈥淲e all really enjoyed that part the most because it gave you a view into the real world of engineering and not just the bubble of being in college. It was super fun to get really constructive criticism on everything that we did.鈥�

Pluer said the hands-on, client-based experience is what makes the course unique.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important for us to give our students real problems to tackle,鈥� Pluer said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e moving out of the classroom into careers, so we give them projects from clients that push them and make them realize that engineering is truly a service industry, serving others through design.鈥�

The School of Communications celebrated its annual awards ceremony on May 7 in Turner Theatre, recognizing outstanding student achievement from the 2025鈥�26 academic year with a program that was equal parts heartfelt, humorous and reflective. Faculty and staff presenters shared stories of once wide-eyed first-year students growing into confident young professionals, sprinkled in playful anecdotes and even delivered an unexpected lesson about rabbit eyelids 鈥� moments that reflected the close-knit spirit of the school community.

From a pool of nearly 1,100, more than 35 exceptional students were honored for their academic excellence, leadership in campus media and student organizations, and impressive performance in competitive internships. Additionally, the school presented its second Excellence in Community Engagement Award, recognizing a student who has thoughtfully engaged with the local community.

鈥淭his ceremony is one of the highlights of the year because we turn the spotlight on our students 鈥� the very lifeblood of our school,鈥� said Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications, during his opening remarks. 鈥淭oday is really about our students 鈥� students who will become alumni tomorrow and join the many before them achieving great success in their chosen careers.鈥�

Ceremony photos are available on the school鈥檚

Outstanding Senior Award recipients

These six awards recognize graduating seniors who have gone above and beyond 鈥� demonstrating exceptional talent, deep expertise in their fields, and a lasting impact on both the School of Communications and their areas of study through personal and professional achievements.

• , Cinema and Television Arts Award. Presented by Bryan Baker.
• , Communication Design Award. Presented by Ben Hannam.
• , Journalism Award. Presented by Anthony Hatcher.
• , Media Analytics Award. Presented by Alex Traugutt.
• , Sport Management Award. Presented by Shaina Dabbs.
• , Strategic Communications Award. Presented by Shanetta Pendleton.

Student Scholarships

The scholarships and honorees are listed as they were presented at the May 7 ceremony.

Times-News Publishing Co., Inc. Scholarship
Marissa Fluno ’28

Awarded to one journalism student in the School of Communications who is planning on a career in print journalism and has demonstrated leadership, scholarship, service to the community, and exemplary character traits. Presented by Shanetta Pendleton.

Anthony & Olga Duke Communications Scholarship
Sara Kershow ’29

Awarded to students pursuing majors in the School of Communications on the basis of merit. Presented by Keith Barber.

A.J. Fletcher Award
Katharyn MacDonald ’27 and Taylor Radney ’28

This award honors outstanding students majoring in strategic or broadcast communications who demonstrate a wide-ranging interest in the field, service to the community, and leadership on campus or in their lives. Presented by Sydney Nicolla and Jessalynn Strauss.

Excellence in Community Engagement Award
Mackie Motley ’26

Awarded to one student in the School of Communications who has engaged deeply and consistently with the local community throughout their time at Elon. Presented by Kyle Anderson.

James Wesley Willard II Memorial Scholarship
Kira Hancuff ’28

Awarded to one student enrolled in the School of Communications on the basis of merit. Presented by David Bockino.

William S. E. Neff Elon Experiences Scholarship
Skylar Cook ’28

Awarded to students with outstanding merit within the School of Communications to complete an Elon experience through study abroad, internship, leadership, service or undergraduate research. Presented by David Bockino.

Stanley Albright Cook and Grace Lillian Lane Cook Endowed Scholarship
Lyda Cosgrove ’27

Awarded to students majoring in journalism who demonstrate outstanding scholarly work. Presented by Amanda Sturgill.

Don Bolden School of Communications Dean鈥檚 Scholarship Fund
Camila Montoya ’27

This award was created to fund experiences for Elon students to understand the links between learning in the classroom and applying that knowledge to explore and report on the world around them. Presented by Karen Lindsey.

James Michael Elzar Foreman Endowment
Francess (Finn) Wilkinson ’27

This award honors the most promising rising senior focusing on television production to be used to fund an Elon Experience related to the student鈥檚 major. Presented by Karen Lindsey.

Dubois Legacy Scholarship
Ellie Agulnek ’27

Awarded to rising juniors or seniors in the School of Communications who demonstrate a consistent commitment to their course of study and who show great promise through their participation in study abroad programs and internships. Presented by Phillip Motley.

Priestley Journalism Endowed Scholarship
Megan Walsh ’28

Awarded to one female journalism major preparing for a writing career in public circulation newspapers and/or magazines. Presented by Colin Donohue.

Brad Hamm International Communications Scholarship
Ethan Wu ’27

Awarded to one rising junior or senior student enrolled in the School of Communications, who is either an international student or has demonstrated strong international interest. Presented by Ben Hannam.

The James F. Hurley Legacy Scholarship
Rylan Ammerman ’28

Awarded to high achieving students enrolled in the School of Communications with preference to journalism majors. Presented by Tom Nelson.

D鈥橝ngelo Family Scholarship in Memory of Bill and Kappy Leonard
Abigail Hines ’27

Awarded to one outstanding rising senior majoring in journalism and preparing to enter the field of broadcast journalism. Presented by Kelly Furnas.

Sport Management Endowed Scholarship
Isaiah Scott ’27 and Kaylin Wong ’28

Awarded to declared sport management majors who have a record of contributions to the department and exhibit significant potential for professional success. Presented by Lindsay Pieper and Alex Traugutt.

Chris Edwards 鈥�18 Award for Sports Journalism
Philip Doherty ’26

This award recognizes the work of a graduating senior who has established a record of academic success, demonstrated mastery within sports journalism, and made significant contributions to their major. It will honor quality sports journalism in Chris鈥� name, serving as an annual reminder to students and alumni of his contributions to the School of Communications. Presented by Max Negin.

School of Communications Founding Dean Scholarship Endowment
Molly Lorden ’27 and Miles Hayford ’27

Awarded to rising seniors with strong academic records in one of the majors offered by the School of Communications who are emerging as leaders in student media or student organizations in the school. Presented by Jane O’Boyle and Lorraine Ahearn.

Special recognitions

To kick off the ceremony, Gaither recognized the school鈥檚 fifth class of Kappa Tau Alpha, the college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

This year鈥檚 honorees include: Maddie Bauman ’26, Emmy Beauvais ’26, Emma Corbett ’26, Evelyn Ealey ’26, Halli Harwood ’26, Hannah Jordan ’26, Angelina Mancuso ’26, Jenna Mangan ’26, Amanda McGee ’26, Anabella Parisi ’26, Annie Thyfault ’26 and Elizabeth Walker ’26. Members must rank in the top 10 percent of their class and hold at least a 3.0 GPA.

Kappa Tau Alpha, or KTA, is the seventh-oldest honor society in the nation and one of a few that specifically recognizes the achievements and academic performance of our nation鈥檚 burgeoning journalists.

The initiative was one of several activities throughout the year to commemorate 15 years of engagement and community connection. Susan Patton, a LIFE@Elon member, said the idea of having a food drive started in the fall semester, but the group decided the springtime would be a great time to support the local community. Many food pantries have challenges after the major gift-giving holidays in the winter are over, but the need is abundant year-round.

The group gathered 1,192 food items and an additional $1,880 in donations to support SAFE Alamance Food Pantry. While the original goal was to donate 1,500 food items, the financial contributions from members far surpassed this goal and offered even further support to families in need than had been imagined.

鈥淒iscovering the numerous ways that SAFE, Inc. assists families across our county only made me appreciate more that LIFE@Elon was able to contribute toward this worthwhile program,鈥� said LIFE@Elon member Billy Rintz.

“What a wonderful way to celebrate 15 years of educational nourishment through LIFE@Elon by supporting true food insufficiency in Alamance County through a canned goods drive for SAFE. It was wonderful to get to deliver three carloads of food in person!” said Susan Klopman, LIFE@Elon member and vice president emerita.

In the past year, SAFE has served 8,000 families between 3 distribution sites across Alamance County. To learn more about LIFE@Elon, please view their website.聽To learn more about SAFE or make a donation, please visit their

Whether someone is picking up a paddle for the first time or already brings a competitive edge, the courts have become a hub for community, stress relief and healthy activity.

LIFE@Elon鈥檚 mission is to provide lifelong learning for adults 50 years and older through an educational community that offers enriching experiences through unique programs and ongoing engagement with 福利亚洲国产精品.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity to bring you full circle with activities, education, new friends, and new opportunities such as travel,” said Mary Anne Butler, who has attended LIFE@Elon for about three years.

Butler, who is an avid pickleball player, has been a member of LIFE@Elon for around 3 years. She says LIFE@Elon has helped her stay active within the Elon community, and that pickleball 鈥渂rought friends together.鈥� These same friends, she says, go out to eat together and play pickleball almost every day.

This pickleball group averages about 14 players each week. Some of the members branch out beyond physical involvement and delve into everything else the community has to offer, such as special guest lectures at 福利亚洲国产精品.

If you, your family members, or friends are looking for more information about LIFE@Elon, you can contact Kathryn Bennett, director of LIFE@Elon, at kbennett9@elon.edu or 336-278-7431.

After Elon first-year Nikki Guevara was recognized for performing life-saving CPR on fellow student Lucy Sharp in September, program director Kathryn Bennett realized the importance of emergency preparedness. In a program that serves older individuals, the risk of medical emergencies such as falls or heart attacks is significant. Bennett decided that the student workers needed to be trained in CPR and first aid to help LIFE@Elon members if an emergency ever occurred.

Student workers Andrew Glas, Izzy Bennett, Natalie Gazjuk, Jeliannie Vidal and Terrence Pittman gathered in the spring at Johnston Hall to receive an Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Red Cross training from Zach Gentz, assistant director of campus recreation for facilities and aquatics. The students practiced how to perform CPR, how to help someone who is choking, and how to provide first aid in a variety of medical emergencies, like head injuries or diabetic attacks. Gentz emphasized the importance of students continuing to educate themselves and practice these skills after the training.

鈥淚f somebody needs help, I know exactly what steps to follow,鈥� said Vidal. 鈥淚t makes me feel great that LIFE@Elon wants to create a聽safe space for its members.鈥�

As a program that serves seniors, Bennett understands the special needs of their members and strives to create a welcoming, engaging and safe environment to enrich this lifelong learning community.

• Exploring Factors Affecting Reaction Time (mentored by Robert Djonovic 鈥�27 鈥� Engineering and Applied Math major)
• Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in Academia (mentored by Ella Negley 鈥�28 鈥� Statistics and Data Analytics major)
• The Influence of Weather Conditions on Marathon Performance in Major U.S. Races (mentored by Zach Diamond 鈥�26 鈥� Statistics and Environmental Science major)
• Investigating Associations Between Expenditures and Farm Characteristics Across North Carolina Regions and Counties (mentored by Jordyne Lewis 鈥�28 鈥� Economic Consulting and Data Analytics major)
• Impact of Funding on Academic Outcomes in North Carolina High Schools (mentored by Bunny Ingram 鈥�26 鈥� Data Analytics major)

In addition to the five student mentors, Mira Fitch 鈥�26, a political Science and statistics major, served as a supervising mentor. She helped VanKrevelen and Cantwell design research topics, plan meetings, give groups feedback throughout the research progress and more. This was her third year serving as a mentor in the program.

Both high school students and Elon mentors have found value in the partnership.

“Working with my group of high schoolers through WE RISE and watching them grow and learn was such a rewarding experience,” said Jordyne Lewis, a first-time mentor. “As a mentor, I was able to bond, create memories, and get connected with the local community around Elon in such a special way.”

The WE RISE program has grown from four participants in its first year to 24 students this year (year six). Since the program鈥檚 start, over 80 high school students have participated, with more than 20 participating in multiple years. The students have presented 22 SURF posters in that span.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Data Nexus both helped fund this year鈥檚 program.