Alumni Events | Today at Elon | 福利亚洲国产精品 /u/news Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:50:48 -0400 en-US hourly 1 DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O鈥橬eal) to perform at Elon’s Rock the Block /u/news/2026/09/14/dj-diesel-to-perform-at-elons-rock-the-block/ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:19:06 +0000 /u/news/?p=1056068 The Office of Alumni聽Engagement听补苍诲听the聽Student Union Board have collaborated once again to聽host聽the Homecoming concert!聽Don’t聽miss this year’s performance聽on Friday, Oct. 9, as聽DJ Diesel (Shaquille O鈥橬eal)聽hits the stage at Rock the Block on聽Young Commons.

Plain White T’s聽headlined last year聽with over聽2,000聽alumni, students and friends聽in attendance!聽As a fan-favorite Homecoming event,聽Rock the Block will once again transform into a full music festival experience featuring a variety of food trucks, a bar, activities and an end-of-night fireworks show.

O鈥橬eal聽will聽perform聽from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Rock the Block and the Homecoming聽Concert are open to all members of the Elon community for free, so register for today!

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Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2026 Registration is LIVE /u/news/2026/09/02/homecoming-reunion-weekend-2026-registration-is-live/ Wed, 02 Sep 2026 13:06:51 +0000 /u/news/?p=1055057 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend is聽almost here聽and with聽, the Elon community is excited to welcome alumni back to campus on聽Friday,聽Oct.聽9听补苍诲听Saturday,聽Oct. 10.

The full schedule of events and activities can be found on the聽2026 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend webpage.

The weekend kicks off with Rock the Block on Friday night featuring a聽Homecoming Concert you聽won鈥檛聽want to miss!聽Food trucks and a bar will聽surround聽Young Commons,聽adding to the聽music festival experience, and the night will end with a fireworks show.

Students cheer for Plain White T鈥檚 during Rock the Block on Oct. 10, 2025.
Students cheer for Plain White T鈥檚 during Rock the Block on Oct. 10, 2025.

On Saturday,聽wake up聽to breakfast pastries and a commemorative coffee mug at聽Welcome Home College Coffee before joining friends at the All Alumni Tailgate! Taking place at the Schar Center,聽this year鈥檚 All Alumni Tailgate will include beer,聽new food stations, a DJ, and plenty聽of reserved tent space for聽reuniting with your Affinity, Class, Cohort and Greek reunions.

After the tailgate, find your seats to watch聽Elon football take on Wofford at 2 p.m.

With so much more in store, including聽celebrations for our聽affinity networks, and class聽and Greek reunions聽(some聽listed below),聽we聽can鈥檛聽wait to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2026聽next month.

  • Elon Black Alumni Network (EBAN)
  • Elon LGBTQIA Network
  • Elon Latin/Hispanic Alumni Network (ELHAN)
  • Alpha聽Chi Omega鈥檚 25th聽Anniversary
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.鈥檚 35th聽Anniversary
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.鈥檚 45th聽Anniversary
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.鈥檚 40th聽Anniversary
  • 碍补辫辫补听顿别濒迟补鈥檚听15迟丑听础苍苍颈惫别谤蝉补谤测
  • Phi Mu鈥檚 55th聽Anniversary
  • Zeta Tau聽Alpha鈥檚聽55th聽Anniversary

Learn more about the聽weekend鈥檚 full schedule of events听补苍诲听.

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Elon Los Angeles area alumnae to premiere award-winning short films at inaugural Elon Los Angeles film festival July 22 /u/news/2026/06/10/elon-los-angeles-area-alumna-to-premiere-award-winning-short-films-at-inaugural-elon-los-angeles-film-festival-july-22/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:57:15 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049798
Elon alumna Bex Evans, Julia Boyd and Mirai will have the world premieres of their Elon Los Angeles grant-funded short films at the first 福利亚洲国产精品 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival.

Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural 福利亚洲国产精品 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival on Wednesday evening, July 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the historic Sony Pictures Studios lot, in Culver City, California.

The festival will feature the world premieres of short films from three Elon Los Angeles area alumna who were recipients of last fall鈥檚 福利亚洲国产精品 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Grant Competition funds.

Julia Boyd 鈥15, Bex Evans 鈥16 and Mirai 鈥07 each received grants of $3,000 for the production of their original short films. Their projects were selected for funding from among numerous submissions received. A selection committee comprised of industry professionals and Elon alumni reviewed, ranked and voted on all of the submissions received; Boyd, Evans and Mirai鈥檚 projects were the three top selections from this process.

The short film festival will also feature a conversation with Elon alumni Lindsey Emerson, vice president of streaming, global strategy & operations at Paramount Skydance and Alex Stevenson, account lead at Creative Artists Agency, about the current state of the entertainment industry and the impact these shifts are having on students transitioning from college to the professional world, as well as how current working professionals might navigate the new landscape for new opportunities.

A reception will follow the festival presentation with the opportunity for current Elon Los Angeles summer students to connect with Elon alumni and other industry professionals.

Limited availability tickets for the film festival are $25 each, with 100% of all ticket revenue designated to support next year鈥檚 grant competition.

For information and ticket purchases, and for contributions to the grant competition fund, please visit the .

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Elon alumni reflect on mentorship during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend /u/news/2025/10/15/elon-alumni-reflect-on-mentorship-during-homecoming-reunion-weekend/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:55:17 +0000 /u/news/?p=1030729

福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 2025 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff onto campus for a dynamic slate of weekend events.

From open houses and an evening step show through a Saturday football game against Villanova University, highlights included the return of the Rock the Block Homecoming concert featuring “The Plain White Ts”, the Golden Alumni Luncheon, campus and academic department receptions, oral history booths, affinity group award celebrations, leadership and networking conversations across schools, themed tailgates, tours, and wellness events.

Against that backdrop, alumni were asked to share stories of mentorship from their Elon years. Voices reflected how encouraging guidance 鈥 from professors, staff or fellow students 鈥 helped launch careers, build confidence and shape leadership styles.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025 included the return of the Homecoming concert, featuring “The Plain White Ts” on Oct. 10.

What follows is a curated series of reflections that capture those moments.

鈥淢elissa Jordan was an incredible mentor. My first year here, I had a difficult class and she helped me process my emotions, think through solutions, and gave me the confidence to approach my professor. Now that I work in higher education, I try to give my students that same support and encouragement that she gave me.鈥
鈥 Alicia Carter 鈥15, Strategic Communications

鈥淢ary Kate Brogan in the Class of 2014 mentored me through The Pendulum. She showed me what it means to be there for others coming up behind you. I was introverted and hesitant to reach out, but she pulled me out of my shell and taught me the importance of being that person for someone else 鈥 giving them the little push that can change their life.鈥
鈥 Kaitlin Dunn 鈥16, Journalism

鈥淭om Nelson taught me that it鈥檚 important to be yourself and to find environments where you can thrive. You spend 40 hours a week with the people you work with 鈥 you have to be happy being yourself around them. Learning to understand who you are helps you build those environments where everyone can be authentic and successful.鈥
鈥 Mary Kate Brogan 鈥14, Journalism

鈥淎t Elon, I learned from professors like Jeffrey Carpenter and Bernard Curry that education is about being comfortable in all sorts of environments. I try to teach my high school students that same lesson: you can be academic, creative, athletic, and belong to many different communities. Learning to be comfortable in different settings helps us live together as a society.鈥
鈥 Will Frauenfelder 鈥15, History and Education

From left to right: Alicia Carter 鈥15, Mary Kate Brogan ’14, Will Frauenfelder 鈥15 and Kaitlin Dunn 鈥16

鈥淓van Small in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning was always motivating me to do things outside my comfort zone, whether that was a service trip or an adventure class like the ropes course. That encouragement to try new things stuck with me. I started out teaching, moved into human resources, and I鈥檓 still pushing myself to keep life exciting.鈥
Rachel Gilman Yahyapoor 鈥15, Education

鈥淒r. Gronowski in the psychology department was an outstanding professor 鈥 very engaged and always keeping students involved in the learning process. As I went on to earn my Ph.D. and teach at the university level, I鈥檝e seen how involving students actively in their education really improves their experience.鈥
Jack LoCicero 鈥81, Psychology

鈥淲hen I was an RA, my supervisor Sylvia Wade noticed I was struggling in the winter and introduced me to sunlamps. I still use one today when I鈥檓 feeling low 鈥 it helps so much. I never would have known to do that without her.鈥
鈥 Aileen Bell 鈥20, Political Science

鈥淢y mock trial coach, Kristen Delforge, told me, 鈥楧on鈥檛 do something just to do it 鈥 do it because you love it.鈥 I think about that all the time. Life鈥檚 too short to spend it doing things you don鈥檛 enjoy.鈥
鈥 Jacob Hayward 鈥20, Sociology and Policy Studies

A family sits on a picnic blanket wearing 福利亚洲国产精品 gear
福利亚洲国产精品 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

鈥淢y orientation leader told me not to spread myself too thin 鈥 to go all in on a few things that matter most. That advice helped me focus my energy on entrepreneurship and innovation. I helped found the AI Club and became lead intern at the Doherty Center. Even now in my QA job and running my own business, I focus on doing a few things well and serving our core clients with excellence.鈥
鈥 Joshua Mason 鈥25, Financial Technology

鈥淔rom Dan Reis in the Maker Hub, I learned that failure is part of learning. You shouldn鈥檛 give up when something doesn鈥檛 work. You should learn from it. Now, as an elementary school teacher, I tell my students every day that struggling is part of the process and makes you a better learner.鈥
鈥 Joshua Donald 鈥19, Human Service Studies

鈥淎 former student body president once told me, 鈥榊ou can be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don鈥檛 like peaches.鈥 That advice reminds me you can鈥檛 please everyone 鈥 and that鈥檚 okay. As long as you鈥檙e doing your best, that鈥檚 what matters. I carry that with me as a teacher and as a leader.鈥
鈥 Britt Mobley 鈥24, Strategic Communications and Outdoor Leadership & Education

鈥淒r. Mary Knight-McKenna encouraged us to believe we could rise beyond the acorn and become the Phoenix, to meet every challenge. She taught me to keep a positive, inspiring spirit that motivates not just myself but everyone I encounter, because you never know what lesson will encourage someone else to go even farther.鈥
鈥 Corey Waters G鈥23, Master of Education (Innovation in Education)

鈥淎 professor once told me, 鈥極nce you get into business, it鈥檚 just as important to sell yourself as it is to sell your product.鈥 That stuck with me throughout my 33-year career at Unilever. People buy from people they trust, and that鈥檚 advice I still share with younger professionals today.鈥
鈥 Barry Baucom 鈥75, Business

福利亚洲国产精品 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

鈥淢y advisor, Robert Baxter, taught us the 鈥榮even Ps鈥 鈥 鈥榩rior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance.鈥 I still use that every day as a procurement officer. If you鈥檙e prepared and plan ahead, you鈥檒l prevail.鈥
鈥 Kathy (Berger) Frame 鈥90, Business Management

鈥淒r. John Sullivan in the philosophy department convinced me to major in philosophy even though I was headed for business. He said philosophy teaches you to think and reason 鈥 skills that prepare you for anything. He was right. Those lessons have guided me throughout my career.鈥
鈥 Nick Whiting 鈥90, Philosophy

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Elon’s Homecoming concert is back with Plain White T’s /u/news/2025/08/13/the-homecoming-concert-is-back-with-plain-white-ts/ Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:22:34 +0000 /u/news/?p=1024064 The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Student Union Board have collaborated to bring back the Homecoming concert! This year, on Friday, Oct. 10, Plain White T鈥檚 will perform at Rock the Block on Haggard Avenue and Young Commons.

The last Homecoming Concert was hosted three years ago by the Student Union Board in 2022, when Tai Verdes performed.

Rock the Block is a fan-favorite Homecoming event featuring food trucks, a bar, yard games, inflatables and an end-of-night fireworks show. Traditionally hosted on the Friday of Homecoming to kick off the weekend of festivities, we are now bringing a headlining artist to the Rock the Block stage. Plain White T’s is set to perform from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening.

Rock the Block and the Homecoming Concert are open to all members of the Elon community for free! Registration for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend will open on Sep. 3 for all alumni.

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An Evening for Elon: NYC celebrates the bold innovations of the university /u/news/2025/05/06/an-evening-with-elon-nyc-celebrates-the-bold-innovations-of-the-university/ Tue, 06 May 2025 17:01:35 +0000 /u/news/?p=1015061 More than 600 guests gathered on April 30 at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City, to hear updates on Elon鈥檚 campus and celebrate their shared connection to the Elon community.

A warmly lit, ornate auditorium displays two illuminated 鈥湼@侵薰封 logos on the stone walls, with a large screen showing a colorful campus image on the right
The inside of the Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City.

The guests started the night mingling to the tune of smooth jazz at an event reception before being ushered to their seats to watch a video showcasing the connections alumni continue to foster with their alma mater. Kelsey McCabe 鈥16, New York City alumni chapter president took the stage to share her love for the university as well as congratulate the New York chapter on the community they鈥檝e built.

鈥淭his year we鈥檝e thrown some of our classic happy hours, amped up Women of Elon activities even more, including the Central Park Walk scheduled for May 17, and have increased our social media presence,鈥 said McCabe.

After thanking the guests for their generosity towards the current students, she introduced President Connie Ledoux Book to the stage.

President Book began her university update by thanking Joan and Trustee Ed Doherty P’07 as it was their generosity that helped Elon plant the roots of this gathering in New York years ago.

President Connie Ledoux Book speaks at a podium
President Connie Ledoux Book gives her remarks to the audience.

鈥淭hese evenings have a certain rhythm to them,” said Book. “The energy is warm and the conversations easy. There鈥檚 always this sense that we already know each other because at some point in our lives, we were shaped by the same place. That place on the bricks, in the classrooms, in the late nights and early mornings of our own becoming.鈥

Book pivoted to speak on Boldly Elon the university’s strategic plan for 2030. She noted that the plan has already driven significant improvements, resulting in Elon being ranked #1 nationally for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

鈥淭he nation鈥檚 best faculty are at Elon鈥攁head of Brown, Princeton, and others. That distinction speaks to the core of who we are: a university that puts students first鈥攁nd backs that promise up every day, in every classroom, in every interaction,鈥 said Book.

Two well-dressed men smile and raise glasses of wine at a formal event, surrounded by other attendees in an elegant venue.
Two guests pose together at the Evening for Elon in New York event.

Her remarks also covered the improvement across campus. Elon鈥檚 Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, which was ranked #38 overall and in the top 25 among private colleges and universities in the nation by Poets&Quants’, is welcoming Haya Ajjan as the new dean of the school in June.

In the School of Communications, Elon has added a new major in digital content management. Finally, in the arts, Elon is one of the top 10 most-represented colleges on Broadway. That kind of recognition Book reflects is not just by talent but brought on by a community where artists are deeply supported鈥攁nd prepared to perform.

Attendees also learned that the Eco-Village is thriving as a living-learning community developed with a sustainable design and a leader in the university鈥檚 sustainability efforts. On the heels of the Eco-Village, Elon launched a new Sustainability Master Plan, doubling down on efforts to be carbon neutral by 2037 leaving the community a cleaner, healthier place for all.

Book wrapped up by touching on HealthEU the second largest capital project in Elon鈥檚 history, a campus-wide center for wellness before introducing Stephanie Ainsworth 鈥21 and Reagan Ogle 鈥18 to the stage.

Stephanie Ainsworth 鈥21 and Reagan Ogle 鈥18 performed their rendition of 鈥淕et Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again鈥 originally sung by Barbra Streisand and featuring Judy Garland.

Two people sing on a stage with microphones
Stephanie Ainsworth 鈥21 and Reagan Ogle 鈥18 performed their rendition of 鈥淕et Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again.鈥

Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, provided closing remarks, focusing on growing stronger together, ending the night with the well-known song, 鈥淣ew York, New York.”

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福利亚洲国产精品 announces dates for Family Weekend and Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025 /u/news/2025/01/21/elon-university-announces-dates-for-family-weekend-and-homecoming-reunion-weekend-2025/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:15:13 +0000 /u/news/?p=1004353 福利亚洲国产精品 has announced the dates for Family Weekend and Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025.

Family Weekend 2025 will take place from Friday, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Sept, 28. The Phoenix football team will take on Hampton University on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Rhodes Stadium.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend will be Friday, Oct. 10, through Saturday, Oct 11, with the Phoenix hosting Villanova on Saturday.

A group of people sit on grass and smile
福利亚洲国产精品 Family Weekend 2024

Stay tuned this summer for additional information, including full schedules and registration information.

Visit and for more information.

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Evening for Elon brings updates and community connections to Tampa /u/news/2024/11/20/evening-for-elon-brings-updates-and-community-connections-to-tampa/ Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:28:11 +0000 /u/news/?p=1001919 Alumni, parents and friends gathered to celebrate an 鈥淓vening for Elon in Tampa” on Thursday, Nov 14. Guests met at Armature Works in the heart of the city鈥檚 urban district to mingle, reminisce and learn about current news on campus and plans for the future.

The night started with a reception followed by an introductory video highlighting the new projects and initiatives at Elon.

Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs, James B. Piatt, Jr., introduced President Connie Ledoux Book and moderator Kailey Tracy 鈥17, an alumnus of Elon鈥檚 School of Communications and multimedia journalist at Fox13 Tampa Bay.

Tracy facilitated a Q&A with President Book about the latest news on campus. Their conversation included an update on how Boldly Elon, the university鈥檚 current strategic plan, has created high-impact spaces that foster Elon鈥檚 mission to respond to society鈥檚 needs. One example of this was establishing the Gerald L. Francis Center that houses the Department of Nursing. This new building enables nursing students to learn at a higher caliber, which will help combat the nursing shortage in America. President Book also shared that Elon鈥檚 faculty were named best in the nation for undergraduate teaching for the fourth year in a row. She also noted the plan for new majors that will serve a purpose in our community, such as financial technology and cybersecurity.

Tracy also asked President Book about how Elon was responding to, leveraging and managing expectations concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, in the classroom. President Book said Elon has taken a proactive response by developing an AI research team and working alongside numerous other higher education institutions to develop core guiding principles. Elon is expanding the knowledge and use of AI into every major.

President Book highlighted , a new way to connect alumni with students to build engagement in the community. The platform allows students to ask questions about many topics, including career advice, and they are matched by AI with alumni who can best answer those questions. Alumni are also connecting with their alma mater through Elon NEXT, the continuing education program specifically designed for their professional development journey.

Tracy concluded the fireside chat with a discussion about the new Elon Flex Law Program and internships for undergraduates in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of Elon鈥檚 National Campus Programs. Clay Thompson 鈥20, the Tampa alumni chapter president, offered closing remarks, ending with 鈥淟ong Live Elon,鈥 before the night concluded with a dessert reception.

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鈥業t鈥檚 about the people:鈥 Elon alumni return for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 /u/news/2024/11/04/its-about-the-people-elon-alumni-return-for-homecoming-reunion-weekend-2024/ Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:42:47 +0000 /u/news/?p=1000177

With music blasting and plenty of food and fellowship to go around at Schar Center on Saturday 鈥 Ken Davis 鈥70 was taking it all in. The 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend marked the first time Davis had returned to campus since graduating more than 50 years ago.

Couple has caricature drawn
Ken Davis ’70 has his caricature drawn at the All Alumni Tailgate Village at Schar Center on Nov. 2.

鈥淭his is fantastic,鈥 said Davis. 鈥淚 really enjoyed the entire atmosphere of the campus and how they鈥檝e gone out of their way to treat us. It鈥檚 really exciting to see the growth of Elon.鈥

The Class of 1970 was invited to celebrate alongside the Class of 1974 to honor their 50th reunion after their celebration planned for 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 1974 was officially welcomed into the Golden Alumni Family over the weekend.

鈥淚鈥檝e got a chance to connect with some of the 鈥74 alums and some others,鈥 said Davis. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been real nice.鈥

The happiest place on earth

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 held Nov. 1-2 was all about connection and celebration, starting with the annual Rock the Block Community Block Party on Young Commons on Friday. On Saturday morning, alumni were welcomed home with the familiar Elon tradition: College Coffee. Then it was time for the alumni tailgate outside of Schar Center, preparing to cheer on the Phoenix before they defeated Campbell University 50-27.聽Rush Lacoste ’25 and Drew Fetterolf ’25 were crowned Homecoming royalty.

Jenn Riemer 鈥10 and Clark Riemer 鈥11 try to return to campus for every home football game, but Homecoming is special. The couple grilled out with their family, sharing the Elon spirit with others.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always just great to be back in the happiest place on Earth,鈥 said Jen Riemer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to bring our kids back and let them see what we grew up with and what they have to look forward to.鈥

Family poses for photo
Jen Riemer ’10 and Clark Riemer ’11 with their family at the All Alumni Tailgate Village during Elon Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 on Nov. 2.

Fellowship in a community

The weekend also included celebrations for the many Elon affinity networks, including the LGBTQIA Alumni Network and the Elon Black Alumni Network (EBAN). EBAN has helped Lynne Daniels 鈥94 stay connected with Elon since her graduation and now she鈥檚 celebrating her 30th reunion.

Two people take a selfie
Lynne Daniels 鈥94, right, takes a selfie in the All Alumni Tailgate Village during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024.

鈥淚 love Elon, I love to come back to Elon, I love to volunteer with the Elon Black Alumni Network and I love to give to Elon,鈥 said Daniels. 鈥淭he importance of having an Elon Black Alumni Network is to make sure our presence is here and for people to understand how much we love Elon and that we contribute to Elon.鈥

EBAN serves to unite and represent the interests of Black alumni and strives to empower, connect, and celebrate Elon鈥檚 Black community.

鈥淚 love coming back and really getting to connect and network with folks and really just fellowship in a community,鈥 said Brianna Nobles 鈥21, who serves on the EBAN leadership board. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice to come home and feel loved by people who have known me for a really long time.鈥

Two people hug
Brianna Nobles ’21 and Mariatu Okonofua 鈥19 hug in the All Alumni Tailgate Village at Schar Center during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024.

At the EBAN alumni tailgate area, it was all hugs and smiles for Nobles and Mariatu Okonofua 鈥19. The two are members of the Omicron Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

鈥淥micron Iota is a big part of me coming back,鈥 said Okonofua, who is also part of the Young Alumni Council. 鈥淚鈥檓 really close with my sisters to this day. I wanted to have the opportunity to fellowship and see folks I haven鈥檛 seen in forever.鈥

Elon is home

Connie Book talks with three people
President Connie Ledoux Book speaks with Peal Sullivan ’21 and Jonathan Stettler ’21 during the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Pearl Sullivan 鈥21 and Jonathan Stettler 鈥21 had the opportunity to connect with President Connie Ledoux Book while they were enjoying the student tailgate area by Rhodes Stadium. Stettler worked in the President鈥檚 Office as a student assistant and is the former executive vice president of the Student Government Association.

鈥淲e were talking with President Book about how student government was doing a big outdoor initiatives project while I was on campus and I was helping lead it, so the outdoor fitness court and a lot of new seating was from projects I was working on,鈥 said Stettler. 鈥淭hey popped up on campus the summer after I left so it鈥檚 nice to see students using them still.鈥

Three people pose at Elon Homecoming
Left to right: Matt Lardie ’06, Melissa Von der Heide 鈥04 and Kim Van Acker 鈥04 at the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Melissa Von der Heide 鈥04 reconnected with her classmate Kim Van Acker 鈥04 and friend Matt Lardie 鈥06. Von der Heide and Van Acker were celebrating their 20th reunion; the two met while doing undergraduate research in psychology.

鈥淓lon is home, that鈥檚 what it comes down to,鈥 said Von der Heide, who hasn鈥檛 returned to campus in more than a decade. 鈥淥ne of the nice things is I can go anywhere in the United States and find somebody from Elon.鈥

Van Acker, who was a track and field student-athlete while at Elon, returned for her 10th reunion and felt she was ready to come back again after another decade.

鈥淪o much has changed in my life and Elon鈥檚 life since then,鈥 said Acker. 鈥淪o it was a good time to come.鈥

Elon football team runs
The Phoenix defeated Campbell University 50-27 during Elon’s 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

Lardie, Von der Heide and Van Acker all agree: Elon is about the people.

鈥淥ver any individual experience, study abroad or group I was part of. It鈥檚 the fact that I have people like Melissa and other friends who are now my family and have been in my life for decades through all the ups and downs and more so than my four years here,鈥 said Lardie. 鈥淲e鈥檝e all grown together based on that singular Elon experience.鈥

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Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 registration is live /u/news/2024/09/18/homecoming-reunion-weekend-2024-registration-is-live/ Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:09:08 +0000 /u/news/?p=994989 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend is almost here and with , the Elon community is excited to welcome alumni back to campus on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2.

The full schedule of events and activities can be found on the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion webpage.

Group of people watch fireworks with Elon mascot
Attendees watch the fireworks at Rock the Block during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2023.

The weekend kicks off with Rock the Block on Friday night, featuring food trucks, lawn games, live music, inflatables and fireworks. This is a festive family-friendly block party for the whole Elon community. 锟

Saturday morning, share coffee and breakfast pastries at Welcome Home College Coffee, where the first 100 guests will receive a free commemorative mug. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to reconnect with alumni.

The All-Alumni Tailgate Village has been moved to the Schar Center this year, for an all-encompassing tailgate experience! Grab some food and get hyped before Elon football takes on Campbell at Rhodes Stadium at 2 p.m. After the game, head back to Schar Center for the PostGame Zone to gather with friends, family and classmates one last time. Reminisce about your college days, reconnect and close out Homecoming weekend together.

With so much more in store, including celebrations for our Class, Cohort and Greek Reunions, Affinity Networks and Golden Alumni, we can鈥檛 wait to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 in November.

Learn more about the weekend鈥檚 events and

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