Philanthropy Posts | Today at Elon | ��޹��Ʒ

Join us for an Evening for Elon in Washington, D.C.

Grace Miller — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:00:12 +0000

Alumni, parents and friends of Elon are invited to come together for an Evening for Elon in Washington, DC. Connect with fellow members of the Elon community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the National Portrait Gallery. Join us at 7 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 8 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book. Following the remarks, current alumni donors are invited to the Cheers to Elon celebration, featuring additional food and drinks, lively music and the opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Elon community. to the designation of your choice to join the fun.

Evening for Elon in Washington, DC with President Connie L. Book
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
7 p.m. Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
8 p.m. Program with remarks by President Book
8:30 -10 p.m. Cheers to Elon celebration for alumni donors

National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Call it a trend: Elon Law sets fundraising records for third year running

Michael Abernethy — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:42:30 +0000

A record number of gifts and supporters helped Elon Law achieve its third consecutive year of record-setting philanthropic engagement and fundraising.

A total of 347 alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends made gifts to Elon Law during the 2025-26 academic year, a 23% increase over the previous year and the highest donor total in school history.

The law school also recorded a school-record Elon Society-level donors — pledging $1,500 or more annually — reflecting growing investment in Elon Law’s students, programs and future.

Highlights from the year include:

Some of the monogram E’s decorated by Elon Law student organizations for Elon Day 2026.

The highest annual fundraising total in seven years and a 20% increase year over year.
11% alumni participation, a school record.
24% growth in Elon Day fundraising.
67% growth in the 3L class gift campaign.
A new endowed scholarship established to support student bar examination preparation.

“This kind of support doesn’t happen by accident,” Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer said. “There’s excitement about where Elon Law is going. We’ve seen record bar exam results, record applications and approval to expand our full-time program to Charlotte. Big things are happening at Elon Law, and our alumni and friends are making them possible.”

The results continue a multi-year trend of increasing engagement among Elon Law alumni and supporters, who contribute to scholarships, student programming, professional development opportunities and other initiatives that strengthen the law school’s mission.

Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Scott Leighty said the record-setting year reflects the growing community of alumni and friends who believe in Elon Law’s students and mission.

“We like to say that big things are happening at Elon Law. Indeed, they are,” Leighty said. “Philanthropy reflects our community’s shared belief in our students.”

Among the year’s accomplishments was the establishment of a new endowed scholarship dedicated to helping students prepare for the bar examination, expanding support for graduates as they take the final step toward entering the legal profession. That growing support paid dividends this year, as the Class of 2025 set school records for state and national bar passage.

The latest fundraising and engagement results build on continued momentum across Elon Law as the law school expands its impact in Greensboro, Charlotte and throughout North Carolina.

‘My mom was Wonder Woman’

Jaleh Hagigh — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:57:23 +0000

Aidan Steinbach ’23 with his mother, Michelle Mayer.

Losing a parent changes everything. How you see the world. How you build relationships. How you understand risk, love and time.

Aidan Steinbach ’23 knows this all too well. He was just seven years old when his mother died. A respected scholar and professor of public health, Michelle Mayer dedicated her life to bringing quality healthcare to communities in need before her life was cut short by a rare autoimmune disease that she battled for more than 12 years. She was 39 years old.

To honor her memory, Steinbach made a $2 million estate gift to create the Michelle Mayer Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will assist students who have experienced the death of a parent or guardian, with first preference given to entrepreneurship majors in Elon’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, where Steinbach earned his degree in management in 2023.

Endowing the scholarship is Steinbach’s way of paying tribute to his mother—who helped fund his Elon education—and helping future generations of students grappling with the same kind of loss he experienced.

“My Mom was Wonder Woman,” Steinbach said. “That’s who your mom is when you’re seven years old. She’s the person who protects you, clothes and feeds you, and teaches you right from wrong. I miss her every day.”

Mayer was also someone who valued education and ensured Steinbach and his older sister Amelia had the chance to go to college.

“My Mom wasn’t wealthy. She didn’t leave behind real estate or investments or anything you’d call an estate,” Steinbach said. “What she left was a life insurance policy that helped pay for my Elon education. I got to go to school debt-free because my mother died. I’ve sat with that fact for most of my life. It’s not something you ever fully resolve. You just learn to carry it.”

Aidan Steinbach ’23

Michelle Lynn Mayer died October 11, 2008, at the Duke Hospice Inpatient Care Facility in Durham, North Carolina, after battling scleroderma, part of a group of chronic autoimmune disorders marked by hardening and tightening of the skin. Scleroderma can also damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, digestive track, muscles and joints, and other internal organs.

It was a struggle Mayer chronicled in her blog, “Diary of a Dying Mom,” where she wrote essays on parenting, living and dying to help families facing the challenges of terminal illnesses.

“I deal with the topic of death head-on in an unflinching way,” Mayer wrote in one entry. “I believe that, as a culture, we shy away from anything surrounding death and, consequently, deprive ourselves of all the lessons inherent in the dying and grieving process. We ignore the reality that death is as much a part of life as birth.”

A Philadelphia native, Mayer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania (1990) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minor in economics from the Wharton School of Business, before earning her master’s degree in public health education (1992) and a doctorate in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997). During her doctoral program, Mayer also served as a health economics consultant for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and in Nairobi, Kenya.

Aidan Steinbach and his father, Dr. William J. Steinbach, at Elon’s 2023 Commencement.

In 1997, Mayer married Dr. William J. Steinbach after the two met as graduate students at UNC.

The couple (and later their young children) briefly lived in California during Dr. Steinbach’s medical residency. During this time, Mayer worked as a clinical research associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University and as research director of the Children’s Health Initiative at the Lucile S. Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California. The family then moved back to the Triangle in 2001, and Mayer served as a research fellow at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and a research assistant professor in the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, until stepping down in 2007 due to her illness.

In the family’s Durham neighborhood, Mayer started a group for families with young children, which was a vital source of support for her family during her illness. Mayer also regularly volunteered at her children’s school, even after the disease had curtailed many of her daily activities. Throughout her ordeal, Mayer remained passionate about improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities, supporting women and families, and promoting awareness of scleroderma.

Steinbach is grateful to his mother for giving him the gift of education. He is equally grateful to Elon for providing him with an outstanding experience, including participation in the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program and Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which prepared him for success. Steinbach, who lives in San Francisco, is a banker at Erebor and also runs his own consulting firm, working with companies backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and others.

Steinbach hopes the scholarship will encourage students to follow their dreams, knowing someone is willing to invest in their success.

“My mother inspired me to be a better person. I hope this scholarship inspires others to be better as well, and, in turn, to own that obligation as they go out into the world,” he said. “Elon gave me a chance during a stretch of my life when the odds weren’t obviously in my favor. The scholarship is my attempt to extend that same chance to someone else who didn’t ask for what happened to them, but is still here trying to figure out what comes next.”

“Aidan’s desire to honor his mother’s legacy while creating opportunity for others is a wonderful example of the power of philanthropy to change lives,” said Leanna Giles ’02, associate director of planned giving. “He didn’t just want to honor her memory—he wanted to transform something painful into possibility for someone else. For that, the Elon community is grateful.”

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at Elon through your estate, contact Leanna Giles ’02, associate director of planned giving, at (336) 278-5798 or lgiles@elon.edu.

Classical music to take center stage at Elon

Jaleh Hagigh — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:31:35 +0000

Earnings from the Fred and Phyllis Young Classical Music Program Endowment will support signature performances during the fall and spring semesters each year, enhancing the university’s existing lineup of premier music offerings.

The program’s inaugural performance will feature the North Carolina Symphony on September 30, 2026, in Alumni Gym. Details about this concert, including tickets, will be shared with the Elon community this summer.

“This gift is to express gratitude to the Elon community for 25 wonderful years together and to provide enhanced opportunities for all of us to experience great music at Elon,” said Fred Young, who served as the university’s seventh president from 1973-1998, leading historic growth and progress at the institution.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book thanked the Youngs for their generosity and dedicated service to the university.

“Fred and Phyllis Young’s contributions to ��޹��Ʒ over many decades are vast and many—from doubling our enrollment and expanding our campus to enriching academic programs and supporting generations of students,” Book said. “Their dedication has helped shape the Elon we know today. With this remarkable gift, they now add the joy of classical music to that legacy, ensuring our community will experience exceptional performances for years to come.”

In addition to full orchestra concerts, it is envisioned that the Youngs’ endowment will fund other signature performances on campus, including seasonal concerts and a chamber music concert, as well as engagement opportunities with music students, including career development seminars and master classes. Performances by the ��޹��Ʒ Orchestra and Elon Wind Ensemble may also be included.

As the endowment grows, additional opportunities for students may include new music-themed Winter Term courses and global engagement experiences, as well as opera performances on campus.

Elon Wind Ensemble performs at Carnegie Hall on March 11, 2026.

The Fred and Phyllis Young Classical Music Program Endowment will complement performances by Elon’s current ensembles, including:

Bands (The Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band & Phoenix Pep Band)
Choral Activities & Voice (University Chorale, Camerata, élan & Opera Workshop.)
��޹��Ʒ Orchestra
��޹��Ʒ Wind Ensemble & Elon Concert Band
Elon Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos
Elon Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
Commercial and Pop Music (Elon Electric Ensemble, Techtronica)

��޹��Ʒ President Emeritus James Fred Young

J. Fred Young was one of the longest-serving presidents in Elon history whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for Elon’s remarkable rise to national distinction. Young led an era of historic growth and transformation as Elon became one of the premier undergraduate institutions on the Eastern seaboard.

During Young’s 25-year tenure, Elon’s enrollment more than doubled to 3,685 students and the campus grew from about 145 acres to more than 500 acres. New academic offerings were added, including master’s programs in business administration, education and physical therapy; a new general studies program (now Elon Core Curriculum); and new majors, including communications, computer systems, sports medicine and leisure/sport management. The Elon Experiences engaged learning programs also grew under Young’s leadership.

Facilities construction and renovation included additions to the Center for the Arts, Koury Center for athletics, Moseley Center for campus activities and the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. In addition, construction began on the Carol Grotnes Belk Library, while Young also began planning and fundraising for Rhodes Stadium. Young was named President Emeritus by the Elon Board of Trustees.

Fred and Phyllis Young are among Elon’s most dedicated donors, making gifts to Elon’s Greatest Needs, including scholarships, and the Phoenix Club. Young Commons, the expansive lawn in front of Moseley Center, was dedicated on October 10, 2000, in honor of the Youngs and their decades of leadership and service to the university. Fred and Phyllis are the grandparents of Elon sophomore Myla Young ’28.

Chandler family makes generous gift to Slattery Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:45:26 +0000

A recent gift from Bob and Amy Chandler continues a nearly 60-year tradition of the Chandler family’s philanthropic support of Elon.

The Chandlers remain impressed by Elon’s commitment to sound strategic planning and doing what’s best for students. It’s what inspired the couple’s gift to Slattery Center, the university’s new hub for health and wellness that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to succeed on campus and throughout their lives.

Scheduled to open later this year, Slattery Center is located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs. The center is part of the university’s broader HealthEU initiative to serve students, faculty and staff.

“It adds value and is beneficial when you can provide a place where students can go to be in community, exercise, receive counseling and focus on their well-being,” said Bob Chandler, former executive vice president of Chandler Concrete Co. “This facility shows that the university is aware of the challenges students face and how to help them in all aspects of their health.”

Slattery Center is scheduled to open later this year.

The HealthEU initiative focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story Slattery Center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

The couple’s gift will also endow the Chandler Family Global Experience Fund, strengthening Elon’s commitment to provide each of the university’s 17 varsity teams with a global experience every four years.

“Global experiences are a cornerstone of an Elon education, and thanks to Bob and Amy Chandler, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the world while sharing their sport across cultures,” said Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics. “Bob and Amy are truly special people who value the holistic development of our student-athletes and their generosity will be felt for generations. I am deeply grateful for their many years of dedication to this university and for the profound difference they make in the lives of our student-athletes.”

“Our family has been sports fans for as long as I can remember. We love the energy and excitement athletics brings to campus and the opportunities it provides to students,” Bob Chandler said.

“Elon is a national leader in global study, and we are thrilled to help provide this experience for student-athletes,” he added. “It’s essential that students have the opportunity to witness other cultures and encounter the differences and similarities of the people there. It provides tremendous growth for a person and a deeper understanding of the world.”

The Chandler family is among Elon’s most generous and devoted donors, helping to shape one of the finest learning environments in the nation through their gifts to Belk Library, Rhodes Stadium, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center, Gerald L. Francis Center, Alumni Field House, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Schar Center, The Inn at Elon and Innovation Quad.

Bob Chandler’s parents, Tom and Lynn Chandler, also endowed the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Tom Chandler was the chairman and former CEO of Chandler Concrete, which he founded in 1973, and he served on Elon’s Board of Trustees for more than two decades before being elected Life Trustee in 2021. In 2023, Tom Chandler received the Elon Medallion, the university’s highest honor.

“Elon’s trajectory shows remarkable advancement,” Bob Chandler said. “Elon has a vision of what’s to come and how to keep the university moving forward. It is a vibrant and thriving university that is gratifying for the students, faculty and community.”

The university’s influence extends far beyond the campus.

“The impact that Elon has on Alamance County and the region is significant, and we feel it’s important for our family to support the university,” Bob said. “It’s a community that we are proud to be part of.”

Elon’s hands-on learning drew Hyemin Im ’27 to campus, a scholarship helped her stay

Katelyn Snyder — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:50:52 +0000

A friend’s offhand recommendation led to a campus tour at Elon that changed Hyemin Im’s plans. The tour had nearly ended when the guide stopped in front of the gear room. For Im, that moment was enough. She had found her school.

“The tour guide explained that from the first day of freshman year, you can have hands-on experience,” Im recalled. “Many other schools I toured said that the first couple of years were mainly theory-based classes and less hands-on experience. I find a lot of value in having access to the resources all four years.”

That promise of hands-on experience was kept. Within her first week as a freshman, Im was already behind a Sony 4K camera through Elon’s Fresh TV program. Now a junior majoring in cinema and television arts with minors in leadership studies and psychology, she recalled, “The CTA program was the biggest reason I loved Elon.”

Im grew up in South Korea, where her father still lives, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her mother and siblings for high school. She said that her transition from high school to Elon was comfortable, and that compared to her previous experience, she had more opportunities for interaction with her peers.

“When I came to Elon, I had more of a chance to share my culture and interact with people who have different backgrounds,” she recalled. “It made my perspective change in general. I learned more about how other people from different cultures think and see the world.”

Much of her growth in her freshman year happened in her International Living-Learning Community residence hall. She remembered connecting with the people living in her residence hall who spoke different languages and carried distinct cultural perspectives that they shared freely — sometimes in unconventional ways.

“We taught each other how to swear in our languages,” Im laughed. “That was one of my core memories, and still, I hear my friends cursing in Korean once in a while. I think it’s very funny; the freshman dorm experience was so much fun.”

Hyemin Im ’27 (second row, left) with her women’s club Rugby group.

Her energy to share and inspire carried forward. Im is very involved on campus through being an Orientation Leader, Residence Assistant, a Leadership Fellow and a member of Women’s Club Rugby.

She recalled two examples that solidified what it meant to her to be a positive mentor at Elon. Feeling proud of the work she is involved with, Im shared the personal meaning behind her drive to improve Elon’s campus.

“When I get respect, I feel that I am doing well,” she said. During Fellows Weekend, a student walked up to her, “He said, ‘I don’t think you remember me, but you gave me a tour two years ago, and that tour made me excited to come to Elon.’”

Not long after, in her sophomore summer, she was recognized for being an engaging leader again by a former orientation student who had become an RA, just like her. He sought her out to thank her for being an engaging leader. For Im, the pattern was clear.

“I’m happy that I’m doing well in mentorship and getting appreciated in many different ways, but also I’m proud that my mentees are doing well on campus. And that brings me joy in many different ways,” she added.

Hyemin Im ’27 (right) with Gabriel Almario 28’ working a tour guide shift.

In the classroom and production studio, Im has been equally determined to succeed. She is currently the producer for Elon After Hours, the student-run late-night talk show under Elon Student Television. As a freshman, she earned the program’s Rookie of the Year award, recognition she said she hadn’t seen coming.

“I did not know that the upperclassmen were appreciating my help until I got that award, and that’s when I realized they think I’m doing my job well,” she said.

Im also received the highest academic achievement award from CREDE, the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, though she is quick to express what achievement means to her. “Getting a good grade is important, but what I do and what I learn is more important than just getting a grade.”

This semester, her focus is on an advanced documentary class where her group is producing a live-broadcast game show, complete with original graphics. Her group plans to produce a live broadcast of the game show when it is being filmed, and the final cut will be a highlight reel of the show’s best moments. “I’m so excited for that,” she added.

Even though Im received awards and worked well with her mentees, she was conflicted between staying at Elon, and carrying the financial weight of tuition, or leaving.

“I was considering dropping out of college or transferring, even though I value and appreciate the education I get at Elon, because financial troubles are inevitable,” she expressed.

Through her Reverend Dr. William J. Andes ’35 Endowed Scholarship changed that. The scholarship was not just supportive financially, but also supported what her values as a student meant to the Elon community. To her, it felt like someone had seen what she was doing and decided it mattered. It proved to her that her talents are worth investing in.

With the scholarship, Im was able to expand her reach beyond Elon’s campus and enroll in the Study USA New York City program.

“If I were not enrolled with Elon, and supported through a scholarship, I would not have had the experience to meet alumni and connect with people based on our interests in New York City,” said Im.

Im is now one year from finishing her degree and acknowledged how close she came to never reaching this point.

“Thank you so much. I cannot explain how much of an impact they made on my life and my family’s lives,” Im said of her scholarship donors.” The fact that I can tell my family that I received money as recognition of my skills is a huge help. I have the opportunity to make this campus a better space, and the fact that I have that privilege –I’m so thankful for that. Sincerely, the scholarship changed my life, and now I can contribute to the community.”

Slattery Center courtyard to honor President Connie Ledoux Book

Jaleh Hagigh — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:14:46 +0000

Slattery Center, Elon’s future health and wellness hub, is scheduled to open in fall 2026.

The gift from alumna and Trustee Kerrii Brown Anderson ’79 will name the Connie Ledoux Book Courtyard at Slattery Center, which will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center is located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

Anderson praised Book for her commitment to Slattery Center, which is a key component of Elon’s broader HealthEU initiative.

“President Book is so committed to student success, both emotionally, physically and academically,” Anderson said. “This garden represents a serene place where students can gather and enjoy spending time together. I could not think of a better idea than to call this ‘Connie’s Courtyard.’”

Rendering of the Connie Ledoux Book Courtyard at Slattery Center.

The courtyard will be located on the west side of Slattery Center, facing Innovation Quad and Richard W. Sankey Hall. The space will include tables and chairs for students, faculty and staff to gather and a lush garden featuring a variety of flowering trees and shrubs.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to Kerrii Anderson for this generous and thoughtful gift and for her many years of distinguished service on the Board of Trustees,” Book said. “Kerrii’s steadfast support of key institutional priorities like HealthEU and Slattery Center has strengthened Elon’s national reputation for engaged, student-centered learning.”

Trustee Kerrii Brown Anderson ’79

“HealthEU demonstrates our commitment as a university in doing what’s right and in the best interest of our students to be successful long term,” Anderson said. “To Connie’s credit, she recognizes that the total success for students includes a great foundation, both mentally, physically and academically.”

Anderson noted Book’s record of leadership at Elon, including her 16-year tenure as a faculty member and administrative leader, helping to build the university’s national reputation for excellence in engaged teaching and learning. In 2015, Book was named the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, before returning to Elon in 2018 to serve as the university’s ninth president.

“I owe Connie such a debt of gratitude for participating in the presidential search process and for the last eight years of leadership as president,” Anderson said.

Rendering of Slattery Center

Together with her husband Doug, Kerrii Anderson is among Elon’s most generous donors, making gifts to The Inn at Elon, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center and Numen Lumen Pavilion. In 2017, Anderson made a generous gift to endow the Kerrii Brown Anderson Odyssey Scholarship to assist talented students with significant financial need. Her gift to Slattery Center will also deepen funding for her Odyssey Scholarship.

Anderson has been a member of Elon’s Board of Trustees since 2008 and previously served as board chair. She received the university’s Alumna of the Year award in 2000 and currently serves on the Women of Elon Advisory Council. Anderson has also been a devoted donor to Elon Day, the university’s largest day of giving.

Liam and Julien Dupas ’26 accelerate their passion for production through Elon’s Communications Fellows and Odyssey Program

Katelyn Snyder — Tue, 05 May 2026 14:10:53 +0000

When the short film ‘Sour Note’ began to play on the big screen and the laughs started rolling in, Liam and Julien Dupas felt something they hadn’t expected.

“It’s the best when you hear the laughs and see the smiles,” Liam said. “To see that piece come to life was really special.”

For two brothers who had started filmmaking with a DSLR camera and the guidance of a high school teacher, it was a milestone in their careers worth remembering.

Liam and Julien Dupas, identical twins born and raised in Atlanta, had a passion for filmmaking long before they discovered ��޹��Ʒ. In high school, their broadcast teacher owned a production company outside of his teaching, where he would produce music videos for popular Atlanta artists.

“We started to build a close relationship with him,” Julien said. “Because he saw our passion, he hired us for some of his own projects, showing us a side of filmmaking we had never seen before.”

“I was saving up for my first-ever camera at the time. I worked a few side jobs to save up, and we both invested in a camera and started shooting a bunch of videos. It was a DSLR camera, the Lumix G85,” Liam said.

As both Liam and Julien were in the early stages of exploring their passion for film, they knew they wanted to continue pursuing it professionally. After touring Elon’s School of Communications and learning what the program had to offer from day one of enrollment, they decided to apply for scholarships.

Both Liam and Julien were accepted into the Communications Fellows scholarship program, and Julien was also accepted into the Odyssey Program. They expressed their love for Elon’s School of Communications and pointed out that with the help of their scholarships, they made the final decision to enroll.

Freshman year, they began their Elon journey with FreshTV, a 15-week accelerated program that introduced first-year students to camera operation and video editing. The program, led by Bryan Baker, director of technology, operations and multimedia projects, was one of the biggest factors in their decision.

“It gave me the feeling that I know where I’m at, and I need to be here,” Liam said. “Bryan Baker has been more than a professor to me. Since the beginning, he’s been a friend and a mentor. It’s been such a professional relationship that he’s been able to pour into us. I am truly blessed with the opportunity to work with Bryan Baker inside the classroom and outside the classroom.”

Julien added, “Liam and I had some experience filming coming into college, so we knew Elon had access to cinema-level cameras like the C70. I remember talking to Bryan and expressing our interest in shooting with the C70. Sure enough, he gave us access as freshmen to that camera, which shows how willing he is to help if he sees your passion.”

Liam Dupas ’26 interviewing a subject for a short documentary titled CityGate Dream Center

In their sophomore year, Liam and Julien collaborated with friends they met through FreshTV and Cinelon Productions, each with varying interests in film production, to create their own production company.

“One of our buddies is really interested in producing logistics, and our other friend was really good at directing and screenwriting. I was pretty skilled at shooting, so we all had different interests, and we came together over multiple meetings. We decided to start a production company,” Julien said.

Seismic Studios was born. Under the Seismic Studios name, their team created 30 to 40 videos.

“We did everything from weddings to music videos to corporate stuff and some film for our religious organization we are a part of, and some commercials, short films and short documentaries,” Julien said.

Sour Note Movie Poster

Sour Note was one of their award-winning short films that went on to be shown in a theater with an audience.

“I remember vividly we went to a screening in Raleigh and saw Sour Note on a big screen with an actual audience full of people I’ve never met, and hearing their reactions was a thrilling experience. It’s the best when you hear the laughs and see the smiles. To see that piece come to life was really special,” Liam recalled.

Their work was also shown at the Cinelon Productions Film Festival in Turner Theatre. Complete with a mini red carpet, the team’s family, friends and loved ones got the opportunity to gather for a celebration of the hard work that went into creating the short film.

“Watching our work on the big screen, with everyone around you, brings the film to life,” Julien said.

Their scholarships have launched their Elon careers and set them up for success in their industry post-graduation.

“I always like to give thanks to the donors first and foremost for the opportunity to be a part of these scholarships. For both Odyssey and Communications Fellows, we’ve taken multiple trips to cities where the communications industries are thriving. We got to meet with professionals, do Q&As with them, pick their brains and it’s led to my understanding of the film industry in a whole new light,” Julien explained.

“This scholarship has given me a stepping stone into the industry,” said Liam of the Communications Fellows. “During the Fellows’ first-year January term Florida trip, we got to tour agencies and production companies. I secured a prestigious internship a year and a half later at Diamond Gear, where I was an editor. It was truly one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had.”

“I got to work with real professionals who were working on commercials with Publix, Red Bull, Amazon, WWE, and it was mind-blowing,” Liam added. “I attribute it all to the Communications Fellows because, had I not gone on that trip, I wouldn’t have been able to meet such incredible people and get that opportunity.”

Liam and Julien are so grateful for the donors who have made their Elon experience possible.

“These projects and doing contracting work, starting a production company, working with professors in and outside of the classroom. That’s all because of the Communication Fellows program,” explained Liam.

“I’d like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart because without the scholarships I’ve received, I wouldn’t be here or have taken the classes that I have gotten to take, and I wouldn’t be as far in my career as I am,” Julien said. “I’m so grateful for the donors who generously give their money to students like me to have these opportunities and, as cliché as it sounds, make my dreams a reality.”

Scholarship honors the memory of beloved Elon educator and mentor

Jaleh Hagigh — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:17:37 +0000

Allison Keill with husband Chad Esposito and her children (l-r) Danny Bryan, Mary Elizabeth Bryan and Eddie Bryan.

Those who knew Allison Keill remember her passion for education and mentoring and how she touched the lives of every student she encountered in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

That legacy will live on in the Allison E. Keill Memorial Global Engagement Endowed Scholarship that has been established by Keill’s husband, Chad Esposito, of Burlington, North Carolina, along with gifts from dozens of friends and family members who have come together to honor her memory.

Keill, 50, served as director of the Curriculum Resources Center and associate librarian in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education before passing away March 25, 2026.

“Allison brought light and love to all in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education,” said Dean Ann Bullock. “Her genuine, welcoming spirit and boundless sense of adventure make this scholarship a fitting tribute to an educator who impacted lives far beyond the classroom.”

The scholarship will assist students with financial need in the Watts Williams School of Education who are pursuing study abroad or Study USA opportunities.

Esposito remembers his wife as a woman of extraordinary grace, strength and heart who loved her family deeply.

“Allison was selfless and giving in every sense of the word—always putting others before herself and offering love, comfort and kindness so freely to everyone fortunate enough to know her,” he said. “She had a way of making people feel seen, cared for and important, and her beautiful smile could light up even the darkest room. Allison will be remembered for her positivity, intelligence, resilience and unwavering spirit.”

Keill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2024 yet refused to let the disease define her, Esposito said.

“Even in the face of unimaginable hardship, Allison remained inspiring, strong, thoughtful and full of love,” he said. “She met life’s challenges with courage and dignity, and she taught those around her what it truly means to live with purpose, gratitude and grace. Her family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. She also understood deeply that nothing in this life is guaranteed, and because of that, she embraced each moment with love, laughter and intention.”

Esposito hopes the scholarship will inspire students to embrace education and global exploration.

“Endowing this scholarship ensures that Allison’s legacy continues in a way that reflects who she was—a compassionate educator, an inspiring mentor and someone who saw the world as a classroom without borders,” he said. “Allison had a genuine love of learning, not only through books and teaching, but through experiencing the world firsthand. She believed that understanding different cultures and perspectives made people better educators, better thinkers and better human beings.”

Born in Summit, New Jersey, Keill grew up in Westport, Connecticut, and Brunswick County, North Carolina. After graduating high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, she earned her bachelor’s degree from UNC-Greensboro, and a master’s degree in library science from East Carolina University.

Make a Gift

Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship may contact Brian Baker, associate vice president of university advancement, at (336) 278-7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

Elon’s future health and wellness hub named Slattery Center

Jaleh Hagigh — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:03:04 +0000

The Slattery Center, named following a gift from Bill and Tish Slattery P’24 P’28, is scheduled to open in the fall.

A generous gift from Elon Trustee Bill Slattery and his wife Tish Slattery P’24 P’28 will name the university’s new center for health and wellness and also create 14 additional scholarships in the Odyssey Program to assist talented students with significant financial need.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book and the Board of Trustees announced the Slatterys’ gift at the board’s spring meeting April 10-11. Book thanked the Slattery family for their generosity and leadership in supporting a center that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

“The Elon community is deeply honored to name the HealthEU Center in recognition of the Slattery family,” Book said. “This extraordinary investment from Bill and Tish Slattery will help Elon meet its mission to transform the mind, body and spirit of every student, and prepare healthy graduates ready to share their gifts with the world.”

The ability to address the health and well-being of students early in their lives inspired the Slatterys to make their gift.

“My career at the intersection of science and investment often requires decades to witness the outcomes of success,” Bill Slattery said. “HealthEU is an opportunity to intervene with our students at an early age and engage in these activities in a more structured, thoughtful way, and hopefully reduce some of their adversities in life.”

“I believe social media has impacted students greatly, and institutions like Elon that provide centers like HealthEU will be at an advantage going forward,” Tish Slattery said. “Health and wellness encompass so much more than just the physical aspect. I’m incredibly grateful that we’re able to impact Elon with this gift.”

Slattery Center is a central component to the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly Elon strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center will be located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

Slattery Center rendering

The Slatterys’ gift will also endow the William and Tish Slattery Odyssey Program Scholarship, funding 14 new scholarships in the program that gives bright, passionate students with high financial need and/or no family history of college attendance access to Elon’s nationally recognized engaged learning programs.

These new investments bring the total number of Odyssey Program scholarships to nearly 300, more than halfway to the university’s goal of having a total of 400 Odyssey Scholarships, or 100 scholars per class, as called for in the Boldly Elon strategic plan. Housed in Elon’s Center for Access and Success, the Odyssey Program is nationally recognized as a model for need- and merit-based initiatives, with a nearly 100% first-to-second-year student retention rate and an 87% graduation rate, well above the national average.

The Slatterys have been impressed by the educational experience Elon delivers to students. Their daughter Madelyn graduated in 2024, and their son James is an Elon sophomore.

“I’ve been very happy to see the school excel at its academic responsibility in education while equally addressing students’ needs as people at the social level,” Bill said. “It’s a pleasant, inviting and warm place that cares for its students.”

“From the moment you step foot on Elon’s campus, you feel a great sense of community,” Tish said. “The close relationships that students have with their professors makes Elon stand out among its peers.”

Bill Slattery is a partner at Deerfield Management Company, Therapeutics. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2000, Slattery served as a senior healthcare analyst for 10 years at Amerindo Investment Advisors in New York, where he oversaw biotechnology investments. He has also held various positions in research, including those at National Medical Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson, and HMSS. He is the former chair of Red Door Community, which supports those impacted by cancer and their families.

Bill was elected to Elon’s Board of Trustees in 2024. Tish is a member of the Slattery Family Foundation and served in administration at Amerindo Investment Advisors. Recently, Tish was named chair of the Miss Hall’s School Arts Advisory Council. The couple reside in Rye, New York.

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