鈥淕rievous Entanglement鈥� explores the most common way that people in the Atlantic world came to understand their personal connection to, and complicity with, slavery in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries: consumption. It exemplifies the interdisciplinary approach of American Studies by examining听a wide variety of media, including poetry, political cartoons, blackface minstrelsy, slave narratives, and novels produced from the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries.

According to the prize committee,听鈥淕rievous Entanglement鈥澨�“brings new insights to well-trodden topics 鈥� from abolitionism to blackface minstrelsy. The new insights may well shape the way that we teach this period of history…”听 The committee praised the book’s “rigorous research, creation of a new methodological approach, and the connections it draws between multiple different fields of study” as well as its “clear and engaging prose.”

Pearson is grateful for the many ways Elon has made this work possible, including financial support from the Department of English, Faculty Research & Development, and the Dean’s Office in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.

Circles of varying shades of red creep up the box鈥檚 side, while daubs of deep blues, bright greens and icy whites give passersby something new to notice every time they see it. Has Burlington commissioned a new piece of modern art for its downtown? No, this colorful beauty is entirely practical; it鈥檚 a traffic control signal box. The first in this collaboration.

A traffic control signal box may not be most people鈥檚 first thought for an art installation, but downtown Burlington has chosen it to be the new medium to host a collaboration with 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Department of Art. Samantha DiRosa, professor of art and environmental studies and chair of the art department, acted as their liaison, choosing student work to be shown to a committee, from which they selected the finalists.

鈥淚t鈥檚 energizing to see this partnership between Elon鈥檚 Art Department and downtown Burlington,鈥� DiRosa said. 鈥淧ublic art has the potential to spark dialogue, invite curiosity and strengthen community identity. We鈥檙e excited about the possibilities for more students to participate and to see their work enliven the streets of Burlington.鈥�

The signal box initiative is the latest of downtown Burlington鈥檚 efforts to incorporate local art into public spaces, with previous installations including Hervey Garcia鈥檚 mural 鈥淏etween Us,鈥� Beechwood Metalworks鈥� 鈥淗eart of Downtown鈥� and Gina Elizabeth Franco鈥檚 鈥淒ance It Out.鈥�

鈥淲e value local art and we wanted the downtown to have locally generated art and reflect the community,鈥� said Adam Shull, economic development director for the City of Burlington. 鈥淭he signal boxes were chosen as a canvas since they are in plain sight, because once you see them, you notice them everywhere. We wanted to bring more whimsy in everyday life.鈥�

The first box to be installed is the work of Jolie Patten 鈥�25, an art major and expressive art minor. Patten鈥檚 work emphasizes finding wonder in the mundane, a concept she brings to fruition through this project. Chosen for its 鈥榲ibrant color and abstract qualities鈥� Patten鈥檚 design was printed onto vinyl, which was then installed onto the signal box. This combination of durability and vibrancy ensures that the artwork will remain available to the Burlington community for years to come.

Patten鈥檚 box was the first of nine signal boxes designed by Elon students and alumni. Art major Sarah Allan Straight鈥檚 鈥�26 artwork is also on display.

鈥淪ome work I did in class happened to be a good fit for the signal boxes, Straight said. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy the piece was a good fit, and it got to have a life outside of being just classwork. It鈥檚 exciting that I get to have my work displayed in Burlington. I鈥檓 happy to be able to contribute.鈥�

DiRosa views the opportunity for civic partnership as an extension of the Department of Art鈥檚 mission.

鈥淎t Elon, we empower students to reach their potential as makers, thinkers and global citizens,鈥� DiRosa said. 鈥淚t reflects our emphasis on curiosity, material exploration and community engagement 鈥� showing students that their art has the power to shape public spaces and spark creative transformation beyond the classroom.鈥�

The city of Burlington has received positive feedback on the artistic signal boxes.

鈥淏usinesses and residents really like the signal boxes, and it gives Burlington a nice and cultural feeling that adds to the downtown,鈥� said Maggie Hogan, City of Burlington downtown manager. 鈥淎s a student, seeing your art on something public is really exciting. We hope to continue to build that relationship with Elon.鈥�

福利亚洲国产精品 and the City of Burlington both see this collaboration continuing to display student artwork.

鈥淲e see this as a growing collaboration,鈥� DiRosa said. 鈥淢ore students and alumni will be able to showcase their work in highly visible, community-centered ways, whether through additional signal boxes or other downtown art initiatives. It鈥檚 an opportunity not only for professional exposure but also for students to see their art making a tangible difference in the place where they live, work and study.鈥�

Roberts, a biology major from Charlotte, North Carolina, studies how a cancer, fibrosarcoma, can be stopped by a virus, the reovirus. His project explores how genetic editing can be used to decrease the cancer cells鈥� immune responses, and in turn increase the virus鈥檚 infection rate and decrease the cancer cells鈥� viability.

鈥淐ancer cells have altered immune responses which can be exploited by viruses to infect and replicate in those cells,鈥澨齊oberts said.

By studying these pathways, his work aims to better understand how to improve the anti-cancer properties of oncolytic viruses.

The NCICU funding will support the purchase of key reagents needed to study the role of protein kinase R (PKR), a cellular protein, which cells use to fight viral infections and whether Roberts and Rivera-Serrano can enhance the cancer-killing properties of viruses by disrupting PKR.

Roberts’s mentor is Efrain Rivera-Serrano, assistant professor of biology.

鈥淲hile being awarded the grant reflects the scientific merit of my project, it is also a recognition of the help Dr. Serrano has given me in mentoring and designing my project,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淗e has been an amazing help with his depth of scientific knowledge, and I love that I have the opportunity to work in his lab.鈥�

As part of the NCICU Undergraduate Research Program, Roberts will present his work at the 2026 State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium for Fall 2026.

He also received funding from the American Society for Virology (ASV) through a competitive Undergraduate Student Award to attend and present his research at the ASV annual meeting in July, marking the first time an Elon student will attend this national meeting.

Roberts will participate in Elon鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and was recently awarded a J. Nathan Grant Endowed Grant to support his research.

鈥淭o have one of my students receive this grant is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes the quality of undergraduate research at Elon and the strong potential of our students to contribute to meaningful scientific questions, particularly in the biomedical sciences,鈥� said Rivera-Serrano. 鈥淭hese awards are competitive across NCICU institutions, so Alex鈥檚 selection highlights both the strength of his proposed work and the level of research training that Elon students receive. This opportunity also gives students important experience communicating their work beyond campus, networking with peers and faculty from across the state and developing the confidence to see themselves as scientists.鈥�

Despite the wet weather, families, friends, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate graduates who were encouraged not only to pursue success, but also to embrace failure as an essential part of growth.

Patricia Walsh Chadwick P鈥�16, an Elon trustee and accomplished Wall Street strategist, delivered the Commencement address, reminding graduates that quitting is the 鈥渙nly true definition of failure鈥� and urging them not to let fear guide their decisions.

鈥淧undits have a way of forecasting disaster every spring just as college graduates step into the world. My advice is simple: ignore them,鈥� she said. 鈥淭echnology will not be the ruin of us all; it opens far more doors than it closes. You are the future of the workforce, and that should excite you.鈥�

The paths to success

Chadwick reflected on her own unconventional path, emphasizing that there is no 鈥渕agic potion鈥� for success. She shared how she grew up in a religious sect, which she later described as a cult, and was forced out at 17 years old.

鈥淔earful of the world, and in my na茂vet茅, I turned to a single phrase for guidance: 鈥楩ailure is not an option,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淲hat I hadn鈥檛 realized is that no one is immune from mistakes or failures. Those two words, dreaded by so many, are part of the learning process.鈥�

Technology will not be the ruin of us all; it opens far more doors than it closes. You are the future of the workforce, and that should excite you.

Patricia Walsh Chadwick P鈥�16

She also spoke about her son, Elon alumnus Jim Chadwick 鈥�16, who had planned to launch a gaming company after graduation. After spending a year pursuing that dream, he realized it was not the future he had envisioned and eventually transitioned into private finance.

鈥淩emember to take something of value from every employment experience before moving on to the next one,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 like to think of a career path as a circular stairway, where each success leads to a new challenge winding slowly upward toward your dreams.鈥�

Elon celebrated graduates in two ceremonies 鈥� the morning event for the School of Communications and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, and the afternoon event for Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences.

The Rev. Kirstin Boswell, 福利亚洲国产精品’s chaplain and dean of mulfifaith engagement, opened each ceremony with the invocation.

鈥淎s these graduates step into what comes next, grant them wisdom beyond knowledge, courage beyond fear and compassion deep enough to serve a world that is in need,鈥� Boswell said. 鈥淢ay they use their gifts not only for personal success, but for healing, for justice, for truth and for the flourishing of others.鈥�

Corinne Wilson 鈥�26 performed the Star-Spangled Banner, and led the singing of the alma mater, while Mindy Monroe 鈥�26 and Malia Horst 鈥�26 gave a special musical performance of 鈥淔or Good,鈥� from the musical 鈥淲icked.鈥�

The Elon magic

Graduates reflected on the experiences that shaped their time at Elon, including the university鈥檚 commitment to undergraduate teaching. In 2025, for the fifth year in a row, Elon topped a 鈥淏est Undergraduate Teaching鈥� list published by U.S. News & World Report.

“Professors can actually invest in you because of the class sizes being so small,” said Robbie Simpson 鈥�26, an Elon native who earned a degree in exercise science. “I really appreciate that because professors get to take their time to understand you, get to know you and invest because they have a personal connection to you, so it makes them it more valuable to them.”

The strong relationships with faculty were an important part of Honors Fellow Diego Hernandez’s 鈥�26 Elon experience.

“The time that the professors have taken out of their day and their lives to support us as students, that’s one of the best things I got from Elon,” said Hernandez, who earned a degree in engineering. “That’s something that I’m going to take with me.”

The myriad of involvement opportunities was also essential for graduates.

Autumn Goyette 鈥�26, who earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in听accounting through the Love School of Business Accelerated 3+1 Dual Degree Program, says her time working for Residence Life and in the Love School of Business Dean鈥檚 Office has made an impact on her time at Elon. She will soon be moving to Virginia to work for Ernst & Young.

鈥淚’m just so grateful for everything that Elon gave me and brought to me,鈥� said Goyette, who is from Pittsburg, North Carolina. 鈥淭his place is my home and has been my home for four years.鈥�

Decked out in various graduation cords, Ella Allen 鈥�26, a Teaching Fellow who earned a mathematics degree with teacher licensure from Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, was heavily involved on campus, including as an orientation leader and a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Next, Allen will be pursuing her Master’s of Higher Education at Elon. She noted that the people and support she received at Elon were invaluable.

Lilly Ikle 鈥�26 of Baltimore, Maryland, earned a听cinema & television arts听degree from the School of Communications. She says the time has flown by and she feels like she was 鈥渄ropped off yesterday.鈥� Ikle initially came to Elon for its nationally recognized musical theatre program and for Elon鈥檚 ability to work with students with learning disabilities.

鈥淢y major really helped me get that creative outlet that I wanted in musical theater, but it also gave me the practical side of work I wanted to do in the future,鈥� said Ikle, who plans to move to Nashville after graduation to pursue music. 鈥淢y major gave me a creative outlet, let me get kind of that artsy side out of me, but also taught me things that I can bring into the real world.鈥�

The Class of 2026 includes many stand-out stories:

• After a trip to Ecuador, Bernardo Vargas-Lopez 鈥�26, who earned a degree in听sport management, and Juan Daniel Chiriboga 鈥�26, who earned a degree in听entrepreneurship & innovation, built听YAPA, a plant-based energy drink shaped by friendship, curiosity and mentorship.
• Kaitlyn Lewis 鈥�26, who earned a degree in听elementary education, came to Elon through three of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education鈥檚 primary scholarship programs: Alamance Scholars, NC Teaching Fellows and, post-graduation, Teach for Alamance.
• Jonathan Weaver 鈥�26 originally intended to go into finance, but through exploration and faculty mentorship, switched his major to biology, and is now going to dental school at The Ohio State University.
• Being waitlisted for one program allowed Allie Schult 鈥�26 to realize her true passion for nursing.听She now has a post-graduate position at Children鈥檚 Healthcare of Atlanta.
• Rony Dahdal 鈥�26, a Goldwater Scholar and Lumen Scholar, earned a degree in听computer science, mathematics and philosophy听and did three different undergraduate research projects while at Elon. The first was helping to create a mathematical model of complex equations that predict how the human immune system responds to COVID-19; another was developing an autonomous robotic arm to monitor and tend to crops by training the 3D machine-learning model to understand plant anatomy, and a third was developing a method to gather medical vital signs.

All of these students were helped by what student commencement speaker Ruby Radis 鈥�26听of Chicago called the 鈥淓lon magic.鈥� Radis, who earned a degree in听human service studies,听delivered the 鈥淢essage of Appreciation鈥� on Friday.

鈥淔rom the moment I stepped onto this beautiful brick-covered campus, one truth became clear: there is magic here,” Radis said. “That Elon magic builds a community where students know their neighbors, teachers and coworkers.听Rather
than a quick hello, connections are founded on respect.”

Radis emphasized that Elon helped “emphasize the value of human difference,” and her fellow graduates should take that forward with them.

“Using those lessons, we can work together to uplift each other, amplify voices often left unheard and sprinkle a little of our very own Elon magic on everyone we meet,” Radis said.

That Elon magic builds a community where students know their neighbors, teachers and coworkers.听Rather听than a quick hello, connections are founded on respect.

Ruby Radis 鈥�26

Be possible-ists

In her charge to the graduates, Elon President Connie Ledoux Book asked the Class of 2026 to look back on their New Student Convocation in 2022,听1,371 days prior.

“That morning, we placed an acorn in your hand, and I asked you to do something simple, and yet profound: To grow deep roots, and to reach high. Today, I look out at you, and I see what’s grown,” Book said.

During their first year, the Class of 2026 all read the Common Reading book听鈥淔actfulness鈥� by Hans Rosling. In his book, Rosling described the word 鈥減ossible-ist:鈥� someone who looks honestly at the world鈥檚 problems and still believes, based on evidence, that things can get better, and that they are getting better.

鈥淐lass of 2026, through your Elon journey,听you have grown into听these听possible-ists,鈥� she said.听鈥淵ou have learned to hold complexity without losing hope, to see what’s broken without losing your willingness to build, to zoom out and recognize progress, and to keep moving forward.听That is the Elon way, and the world needs听more of听it.鈥�

View the full undergraduate commencement program online.

Rua, a Colombian-American artist, is known for blending his street-style dance background with contemporary musical theatre movement. Before beginning his Broadway career, he trained extensively in hip-hop and freestyle forms, later integrating those influences into his work as both a performer and choreographer. His movement vocabulary often incorporates rhythmic footwork, sharp isolations and groove-based foundations drawn from the roots of street styles.

As a performer, Rua has appeared in Broadway productions including “Hamilton,” “In the Heights,” “Hands on a Hardbody” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” His recent choreography credits include the 2025 Broadway revival of “Floyd Collins” and serving as assistant choreographer to Jerry Mitchell on “BOOP! The Musical.” In addition to his Broadway work, Rua has contributed choreography to regional theatres, workshops, and developmental labs, further establishing himself as a multifaceted creative artist.

During the masterclass, Rua taught his own choreography from the Tony-nominated revival of “Floyd Collins,” offering students insight into the movement and staging process behind the production. He also participated in a Q&A session, discussing his experiences in the industry, his navigation of being a working performer and choreographer, and the ways his street dance foundation informs his creative approach.

Patrick Murphy G鈥�01

Assistant vice president for financial aid

Patrick Murphy joined Elon at the beginning of 1994 as bursar for Elon College to find a career that would, as he put it, add positivity to his day. Retiring at the end of the month, Murphy has served in a myriad of roles at Elon, including director of financial aid, senior associate dean and director of financial aid and assistant vice president for financial aid.

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Greg Zaiser, vice president for enrollment, credited Murphy with quietly and deliberately supporting Elon鈥檚 growth from a regional college to national and international distinction.

鈥淲hat I know now is because of Pat鈥檚 patience, accessibility and strong desire for success,鈥� added Zaiser.

After retirement, Murphy looks forward to spending more time with his wife and his five grandchildren, who are all under the age of six. He says his favorite memory at Elon was picking up astronaut and former senator John Glenn and his wife from the airport and guiding them across campus to multiple events.

鈥淚 will miss the people I work with,鈥� he said. 鈥淓lon has been the only place I worked where my friends are also people I work with.鈥�

Beth McCain

Assistant teaching professor of accounting

Beth McCain joined Elon in 2016 teaching part-time as an adjunct after teaching at a community college. She was hired permanently in 2021 as a lecturer and also served as the director of the Master of Science accounting program. She retired on December 31, 2025.

While at Elon, McCain led January Term study abroad courses to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and was the inaugural faculty member for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business study abroad program in Singapore.

At the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Catherine Chiang, professor of accounting and chair of the department of accounting, described McCain as one of the most dedicated and student-centered educators she had the privilege of knowing. 鈥淵our decade of service has shaped careers, strengthened our programs and raised the standards for what it means to be an Elon educator,鈥� said Chiang.

McCain returned the compliments to her department chair and gave a shoutout to Linda Poulson, who gave McCain 鈥渁 chance鈥� and also to her husband, who was in attendance.

Now retired, McCain is volunteering for Guilford County Animal Services in Greensboro and taking a French course at Elon in preparation for a three-month trip to France in the fall. Reflecting on her time at Elon, McCain said, 鈥淚 will greatly miss the amazing faculty and staff that I worked with as well as relationships that I developed with my students over the years.鈥�

Linda Niedziela

Associate professor of biology and chair of the Department of Biology

Linda Niedziela joined Elon in 2001 excited to teach courses in genetics and biotechnology. She was attracted to the university鈥檚 strengths in undergraduate education and undergraduate research. She will retire at the end of May after serving in a myriad of roles, including biology department chair, assistant professor, associate professor, director of the science branch of Elon College Fellows and the Japheth E. Rawls chair for undergraduate research in science.

Niedziela said she will miss what she calls the 鈥渄aily therapy sessions.鈥� She shared that every day during the semester, whoever is able will meet for lunch on the first floor of McMichael and discuss wide-ranging topics, including teaching tips, research reports, personal stories about families and pets and anything else that is on the mind of lunch attendees.

She said, 鈥淚 will miss the wonderful faculty and staff colleagues in the biology department who have become like family to me.鈥�

After retirement, Niedziela and her husband, Carl, an adjunct assistant professor of biology at Elon, who will also be retiring, will travel with their dogs in an airstream travel trailer and spend time in their woodworking shop. She will also be devoting more time training and competing with her Shetland sheepdog in performance dog sports.

Anthony Hatcher

Professor of journalism and chair of the Journalism Department

Anthony Hatcher joined Elon in 2002 and has served as associate professor of journalism, full professor of journalism and the inaugural chair of the Department of Journalism.

Hatcher said he did not have a passport until he joined Elon in his early 40鈥檚. 鈥淪ince 2004, I have taken students to Hong Kong, South Africa and multiple European countries,鈥� he reflected. Hatcher also created a religion and media course in his first year, which he taught every year since.

One of those colleagues, Harlen Makemson, professor of communication design, praised Hatcher at the Faculty/Staff Luncheon for Hatcher鈥檚 empathy and humanity during what he described as a time of upheaval in the media world, brought on by new technologies. 鈥淎nd while it’s true that Anthony Hatcher serves on virtually every major standing committee at Elon, it’s his humanity, his warmth and his care, that is his most impactful service to his university.鈥�

鈥淚 will miss being with students, and I will miss seeing my colleagues 鈥撎齧y friends 鈥撎齞aily or weekly,鈥� said Hatcher. During the ceremony, he added, 鈥淚 hope in addition to teaching all those wonderful students I鈥檝e had over the past nearly quarter century, I hope in some small way, I made their lives a little better because God knows they helped me be better.

After retirement, Hatcher looks forward to biking, hiking, travel and spending time with his granddaughter. 鈥淲riting will be part of retirement as well, since I can鈥檛 sing or paint,鈥� he added.

Robert Moorman

Frank S. Holt, Jr. professor of business leadership and professor of organizational behavior

Robert Moorman joined Elon as the Frank Holt Jr professor of business leadership in 2011, a title he held throughout his time at Elon. Retiring in May, Moorman has also served as the department chair for the Department of Management, Entrepreneurship and International Business.

During the Faculty, Staff Awards Luncheon, Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and professor of management information systems, shared that Moorman has a gift few others do 鈥撎齮he ability to ask the types of questions that 鈥渕ake you stop walking, look around at where you actually are and suddenly see it鈥 question that stays with you for the rest of your life.鈥� Ajjan offered Moorman a golf club afterwards in the spirit of his retirement.

During the ceremony, Moorman shared that education is so much more than reading books and looking at stats. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really about the relationships we have,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s the relationships with our students and the utter joy of seeing people cycle through during this really important time of their lives, you know, touching you and stepping in and stepping out and then seeing them grow as they go.鈥�

Moorman said his favorite memories are those involving friendships with colleagues and partnerships with students. 鈥淚 have fond memories of a few colleagues congregating in my office talking about the joys and frustrations of the day,鈥� he said.听 鈥淚 also have fond memories of holding classes that just seemed to 鈥榳ork鈥� that day and then talking with students afterward about how they continued thinking about our discussions.鈥�

After retiring at the end of this month, Moorman looks forward to what he calls unstructured adventure. 鈥淚 am looking forward to a time of boredom that then grows into something new, unplanned and adventurous. What fun!鈥�

Charity Johansson

Professor of physical therapy education and chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Department.

In 1999, Charity Johnsson joined what would become the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as one of its first faculty. She retired in December 2025 after decades of service in which she held positions of associate professor, full professor, faculty administrative fellow, interim associate department chair, interim department chair and program director, department chair and program director and university parliamentarian.

Johansson said she is already missing the 鈥渄aily exchanges with colleagues whose brilliant minds and genuinely kind hearts鈥� have shaped her over nearly three decades. Likewise, she will miss the students, and their 鈥渋nfectious enthusiasm, their compassion and the joy of watching them transform in ways they hadn鈥檛 even imagined possible.鈥�

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Crystal Ramsey praised Johansson as a 鈥渃ornerstone of the Elon academic community, whose legacy is defined not just by the position she has held, but by the enduring way she has nurtured the hearts, minds and professional identities of future healthcare providers.鈥� Ramsey is an associate professor of physical therapy education and a former student of Johansson鈥檚.

At the ceremony, Johansson reflected on the retirement of Gerry Francis, who served as professor emeritus of mathematics and provost emeritus.

鈥淕erry Francis told me he doesn鈥檛 miss the work, but he really misses the people 鈥� and I get that,” she said.

She also said it was a privilege working with so many in the Elon community who have encouraged her, challenged her and made her laugh to help her be a better a human. 鈥�Fred Rubeck, you鈥檙e among those,鈥� Johansson added, honoring the late professor of performing arts and chair of the Department of Performing Arts.

Now retired, Johansson said she is enjoying time outdoors with family and close friends, planning travel and trying new ventures, including fiction writing.

Marcia Dodson

Program assistant for the Station at Mill Point Neighborhood

Marcia Dodson joined Elon in 2015 and is the proud mother of three sons who graduated from Elon. She will be retiring at the end of May and has served as a service desk analyst for facilities management, program assistant in the Danieley Neighborhood and Station at Mill Point.

A favorite memory of Dodson鈥檚 while at Elon is joining the London Experience for staff, where she built relationships with colleagues she had not yet had the opportunity to meet while working at Elon. 鈥淲hat an awesome experience!鈥� she reflected.

After retirement, Dodson looks forward to being a traveling grandparent with her husband.

Rosemary Haskell

Professor of English

Rosemary Haskell joined Elon in 1985 and will be retiring in August. She has held the roles of temporary instructor and assistant, associate and later, full professor of English.

Haskell said she will most miss her kind and interesting colleagues, as well as the 鈥渆nergizing power of the new class of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first-years each August.鈥�

One of Haskell鈥檚 favorite memories at Elon is during the transition of the Fighting Christians to the Phoenix. She enjoyed the papier-mache birds and eggs in trees around campus that offered a clue to the new mascot.

After retirement, Haskell said she plans to spend time with her family and do some home improvement work.

Cheryl Riley

Custodian

Cheryl Riley joined Elon in 2013 as a custodian and will retire at the end of May. 鈥淚 will miss the people I work with,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I look forward to spending time with my grandkids.鈥�

Linda Dunn

Adjunct assistant professor of Peace and Conflict Studies

Linda Dunn joined Elon in 1998 as the director of the Alamance County Dispute Settlement Center, where she trained a group of students and returned to train several faculty members in mediation skills, who later became volunteer mediators for the center. Dunn鈥檚 official start date on record is 2001, when she taught a two-credit mediation and conflict resolution skills course as part of a new minor called Nonviolent Studies. She retired at the end of December, 2025.

Federico Pous spoke on behalf of Dunn during the Faculty/Staff Awards luncheon, praising Dunn鈥檚 ability to teach hands-on peaceful conflict resolution skills and strategies across different social backgrounds.

鈥淟inda’s way of teaching and interacting with students, staff and professors, makes you feel that you are equal to her in the same community space,鈥� he shared.

鈥淚 will miss the students and their passion the things I teach,鈥� said Dunn. Two of her students attended the luncheon.

After retirement, she plans to attend cultural events on campus and potentially assist in future facilitated discussions on campus. She will also continue to volunteer as a mediator at the Alamance County District court, continue restorative circle skills and mediation and training skills with Restorative Justice Durham and the Orange County District County District court.

鈥淚 will continue to be an activist for restorative justice and peacemaking organizations as we navigate the chaos and violence in our world,鈥� she added.

Elizabeth Bailey

Assistant teaching professor of exercise science

Elizabeth Bailey began her career at Elon in 2004 and, enjoying the vibe of the community, wanted to be 鈥減art of it all.鈥� She started as a lecturer for the required wellness course, lectured for the School of Education before joining Exercise Science.

Retiring at the end of Spring semester, Bailey said she will most miss her colleagues and all the 鈥渇riends among the faculty and staff鈥� she has made while at Elon.

鈥淚 will also miss the opportunities to continue to learn that are available at Elon, whether it be through taking classes or participating in workshops or going abroad,鈥� she added. She said, while at Elon, he has learned a lot.

Bailey said her retirement plans continue to evolve, and she still intends to exercise classes and do some research on the side.

Kim Giles, 鈥�11 G鈥�16

Associate director of communications for the Student Professional Development Center

Since her first role in 1995, Kim Giles has served in various roles at the university, including data entry in admissions and accounting, budget clerk in the physical plant, program assistant for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics, and assistant director of communications in the Student Professional Development Center.

Giles retired during the summer of 2025. She said she cherishes the opportunity to earn an MBA at Elon along with her daughter. She said about the experience, 鈥渨hat an unforgettable experience that was in crossing the stage along with my daughter to get our MBA鈥檚 together 鈥撎齣t was quite surreal.鈥�

Giles also reflected on traveling with peers and faculty to Vietnam and Singapore, the many evolutions of Staff Appreciation Day, and being honored as the staff member of the year 鈥撎齛n experience she said she will cherish forever.

Since retiring, Giles has taken nine cruises and has done kayaking, camping and gardening. She looks forward to continuing to spend time with family.

Sharon Moss LaRocco

University accompanist and instructor in music

Sharon Moss LaRocco was recognized at the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon by Hallie Hogan, associate professor of music. LaRocco joined the Elon Music Department in 1988 as a pianist for musical theater productions, music ensembles and student recitals.

Hogan shared, 鈥淎lthough she kept a very low profile, there was never any doubt about this, because she never missed a beat, much less a note, and maintained high quality for every performance she gave,” Hogan said.

She shared that students developed a strong admiration for LaRocco鈥檚 talent and a deep love for her kind and understanding nature.

Beyond Elon, Sharon has devoted herself to advocating for people with autism, through her work as a leader in the Office of Society of North Carolina, notably promoting autism awareness for the Native American communities of Western North Carolina.

At the awards ceremony, LaRocco shared that one of her favorite memories was the construction of Rhodes Stadium, which signaled to her the emergence of a marching band.

鈥淲ho doesn鈥檛 love a marching band?鈥� asked LaRocco to the audience. 鈥淎nd the spirit and the energy it creates walking through the campus, en route to the games.鈥�

Jana Lynn Patterson

Associate vice president for Student Life/dean of student health & well-being/assistant professor

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life and associate professor of education, described Patterson as someone who is consistent in how she shows up for others, patient when a young leader makes a mistake, honest with students and colleagues even when it is hard and someone who not only believes in others, and one who helps others believe in themselves.

鈥淪he supported students in college through tragedy, advised student organizations, and celebrated their success,鈥� said Dooley. 鈥淪he has created spaces of welcome and belonging, and met the students in their darkest hours, helping them piece together on plans to move forward.鈥�

Patterson was also recognized for her 40 years of service and held back tears while addressing the audience. A first-generation student from Hope Mills, North Carolina, Patterson said her parents could have never dreamed where she is today.

鈥淭o my staff and colleagues, you are the A-Team,鈥� she shared. “But to everyone in this community, I want you to know that every day has been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this community and to have worked with you.鈥�

Also retiring

Retiring staff members will be recognized on May 29 as part of Staff Appreciation Day.

• Joan Barnatt
• Mona DeVries
• Chris Dockrill, head women’s golf coach
• Sharon Hodge
• John Chinnici, community service officer
• David “DD” Donohue, painter
• Kelly Elliston
• Gloria Graves, custodian
• William “Tom” Hall, telecommunications technician
• Rhonda Kosusko, associate director of career services, education and Elon
• Katherine Rodriguez, assistant director for application processing
• Michelle Stephens, custodian
• Ed Williams, service desk analyst
• Donna Wood , electronic services/ acquisitions librarian

Helena Padial 鈥�26, a music theatre major and Honors Fellow, received the honor during the annual awards ceremony in New York City. The Broadway鈥檚 Next Triple Threat award supports the next generation of artists who excel in dance, voice and acting.

Presented through the Chita Rivera Awards and produced by the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation, the award is designed to support emerging performers as they transition into the professional theatre industry. In addition to national recognition, the recipient receives the Chita Rivera Training Grant, providing $10,000 of听financial support to live, study and train plus, one year of free dance classes at New York City鈥檚 Steps On Broadway.

Padial learned about the award through her high school voice teacher, Celeste Simone, who coached Rivera. Although she was hesitant to apply at first.

鈥淚 initially was tentative about applying because it was a competition and I didn鈥檛 want to get caught up in too much self-comparison, but ultimately I decided that the feedback from industry names that I have looked up to for years would be worth it, even if I didn鈥檛 make it to the next round,鈥� Padial said.

The initial application process included video submissions and written responses, including two songs and a dance solo. Adjudicators chose 15 semifinalists to advance to the next round. The second round included a video integrating song and dance where Padial choreographed a solo of 鈥淪parkling Diamond鈥� and 鈥淒iamonds are Forever,鈥� which earned her a spot as one of the five finalists.听The finalists participated in an immersive weekend of mentorship and training which culminated in a live performance at the Chita Rivera Awards.

The weekend consisted of intense sessions of classes, mock auditions, singing and 17 hours of dance in three days where the finalists were constantly being filmed and pulled into video interviews.

鈥淢y body has never felt so tired, but I knew I had to bring my A-game and keep challenging myself to show up as the best version of myself,鈥� Padial said.

Padial did not know how the weekend would go听as听she was surrounded by other talented finalists. The finalists performed a number to 鈥淭oo Darn Hot,鈥� which they only had six hours to learn and ran through the number four times before performing it at the awards show.

鈥淚t was the fastest I have ever learned choreography and music and it took a ridiculous amount of stamina to perform, but it ended up being the most rewarding experience of my life,鈥� Padial said.

That night she proved to herself what she was capable of.

鈥淭he experience was absolutely insane, it is still so surreal to me,鈥� Padial said. 鈥淲hen I heard my name called that I won the award I immediately started shaking and freaking out because it was such a shock. 10 of my family members were at the awards to support me and hearing them cheer was so special.鈥�

Throughout the weekend Padial had the opportunity to meet people in the industry she looked up to including Bebe Neuwirth, Jessica Lee Golden, Charlotte d鈥橝mboise and Anne Margret.

鈥淚 feel so beyond lucky to have been awarded this grant, as it will definitely ease the financial stress as I move to New York and navigate this next period of my life,鈥� Padial said. 鈥淚t is also very validating and reassuring to know that my hard work is recognized and that I am capable of having a career in this very difficult industry.鈥�

The weekend marked a full circle moment for Padial because Rivera surprised the cast of her seventh grade production of 鈥淏ye Bye Birdie,鈥� and 10 years later she received the award in her name, in front of Anne Margret who starred in 鈥淏ye Bye Birdie.鈥�

For Polly Cornelius, associate teaching professor of music, the recognition is a testament to Padial鈥檚 years of dedication.

鈥淚t is my honor to have been Helena鈥檚 voice professor for four years,鈥� said Cornelius. 鈥淪he has always been super focused and hardworking, but most importantly compassionate and kind.鈥�

Cornelius praised Padial鈥檚 vocal ability throughout her time at Elon.

鈥淗er voice is gorgeous, strong and versatile, meaning she is able to sing well in many styles from contemporary belt to soprano,鈥� Cornelius said. 鈥淚 am thrilled but not surprised at all that she won this prestigious award. I have always believed in Helena鈥檚 potential and look forward to following and supporting her on her career journey.鈥�

After graduation, Padial will move home to Palisades, New York and commute into New York City for classes and auditions while also teaching musical theatre at Coup茅, where she trained growing up.

In July, she starts rehearsals for 鈥淎ntigone: 1989,鈥� a new musical headed to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she will be performing in August.

Ryu co-organized the two-week workshop (with听Adrianne Jenner, senior lecturer, equivalent to assistant professor, at Queensland University of Technology) entitled “Collaborative Workshop for Under-Represented Genders Advancing Mathematical Biology” at 听This workshop focuses on collaborative research, in small groups of underrepresented genders, including female-identifying researchers, each group working on an open problem in a particular area of mathematical biology guided by a senior group leader.

During her visit, she participated in a collaborative project entitled “Models for cell dynamics in developing atherosclerotic plaques,” led by Mary Myerscough, professor of applied mathematics at the University of Sydney.听The primary goal is to develop and analyze mathematical models of macrophage behavior in atherosclerotic plaque development, with a focus on understanding how lipid trafficking, LDL cholesterol and HDL activity influence plaque progression and reduction. Building on existing spatial models, the project will simplify these models into systems of ordinary differential equations to perform bifurcation analyses and investigate whether incorporating mid-stage plaque processes preserves predictions about the effectiveness of increasing HDL action and reducing LDL levels.

Upon the MATRIX workshop, Ryu also delivered a math biology seminar talk at the University of Melbourne, titled 鈥淚mmune Dysregulation in COVID-19: What Can Mathematical Modeling Tell Us?鈥� based on听her recently published work听supported by the National Science Foundation. In the talk, she addressed why some individuals experience mild COVID-19 while others develop severe disease, presenting a mathematical framework that captures interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system. Through computational simulations and sensitivity analysis, she demonstrated how variations in immune responses can lead to divergent disease trajectories and highlighted key mechanisms that influence disease progression.

Following her time in Melbourne, Ryu briefly visited Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane to continue working with Jenner on their collaborative project. In addition, she delivered a seminar talk there titled “Bistable Dynamics Arising from Macrophage-Tumor Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment” based on her recently published paper.

These visits, supported by the National Science Foundation and 福利亚洲国产精品 College of Arts and Sciences, provided valuable opportunities to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthen international research connections in mathematical biology.

Students across two courses (ENS 1100: Humans and Nature (Spring 2025)听and WHE 2850: Perspectives in Personal and Global Health听(Spring 2025)) completed eight outdoor sit spots over the course of a month as part of a course assignment. Students were asked to spend time in an outdoor space on campus, and quietly observe their surroundings, noting a range of sensory experiences, and reflect on the changes in that space over time. Using a pre- and post-test model, they found statistically significant improvements in mindfulness, positive affect, and nature connectedness in students across the two courses.

The newly published article, “,” is authored by Elon faculty, Kelsey Bitting and Jill McSweeney, Elon alum Elyssa Kaufman 鈥�25 (Environmental Sciences), and graduating senior, Kira Campagna 鈥�26, an elementary education major, with a minor in environmental education). The work builds on growing research connecting nature exposure and contemplative practices with improved student wellness and academic outcomes.

Student researchers, Kaufman and Campagna, played a central role throughout the project and have at several undergraduate research and pedagogical conferences. Their project work specifically examined how outdoor mindfulness practices influenced mood, mindful awareness, and students鈥� relationship with nature. Their presentations highlighted significant increases in positive affect, nature connectedness and mindfulness among students who completed the sit spot assignment.

In collaboration with Evan Small, additional research this past academic year recruited over 80 students across four courses (i.e., ENS 1100: Humans and Nature (Fall 2025), WHE 1150: Stress and Wellness (Fall 2025), HEU 1719: Foraging and Wild Foods (Fall 2025), and COR 3555: Foraging Wild Food and Medicine (Spring 鈥�26)). Using data from these four courses, graduating senior, Abigail Manning (Environmental Sciences) recently explored how sit spots affect students鈥� mindfulness and nature connectivity across different majors and disciplines. Her research found that students in nature-focused majors often experienced even stronger gains in mindfulness and nature connectedness through the sit spot practice.

The research team plans to continue building on these findings over the summer. Kiley Sherlock 鈥�27, an environmental sciences major, will conduct qualitative analysis on student reflections for her Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, exploring how students define nature and further exploring how the sit spot practice impacts student stress across the semester. The team also plans on additional publications exploring the impact of student demographics, and focus on a practice-oriented piece on how to support colleagues to bring contemplative pedagogies which incorporate nature into their classrooms to support the wellbeing of students and themselves.

Together, the project reflects Elon鈥檚 commitment to engaged learning and undergraduate research, while also contributing meaningful scholarship to conversations around student wellness, mindfulness, and environmental connection.

Layton recently earned a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) grant. Also known as German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD is a Germany-based international funding organization for exchange students, researchers and academics. Layton, a German studies and history major with minors in museum studies and public history and international and global studies, plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in intercultural communication and European studies at Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

Layton discovered the DAAD grant via a tip from her German professors, Kristin Lange, associate professor of German, and Scott Windham, associate professor of German. She received strategic support from Nicole Galante, assistant director of national and international fellowships, and Ann Cahill, professor of philosophy, distinguished university professor and director of the National and International Fellowships Office (NIFO).

鈥淭he guidance I received from faculty was instrumental in helping me achieve this milestone,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淣icole Galante and Dr. Cahill at NIFO assisted me in writing a statement of purpose and making clear that I am an ideal candidate for DAAD. I am also thankful for my German professors Dr. Scott Windham and Dr. Kristin Lange for encouraging me to pursue studies abroad and to challenge myself.鈥�

Layton also discussed how the DAAD grant will help her achieve her dream of earning a master鈥檚 degree abroad.

鈥淭he value of studying outside of your home country is something that I don’t think many Americans grasp, and I am excited to gain new academic perspectives by engaging with a culture that is not my own,鈥� Layton said.

Layton鈥檚 inspiration for pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Germany stems from her semester abroad in Heidelberg during fall 2024 after immersing herself in the city and culture, she longed to return to Germany.

鈥淚 took all of my coursework in German and wrote a semester paper in German, so my language skills and ability to engage with German texts in my field of study expanded drastically,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淚 felt one with Heidelberg and like I belonged there. This showed me that I am capable of pursuing further education in the country.鈥�

Layton鈥檚 strong interest in German studies began when she was 13 years old. She started completing German coursework at this age and was fascinated to learn about a language and culture that was different from her own. Layton continued her studies in high school, which ultimately carried over to her time at Elon.

鈥淚t was at Elon that I really thrived in German, developing advanced proficiency and connecting German to my career goals,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淢y advisor Dr. Windham taught me in my first semester in German my freshman fall, and he saw my potential and encouraged me to continue pursuing language education.”

Because Layton knew she wanted to take a German course each semester to maintain her language proficiency, creating a German studies major seemed like the logical next step. She also noted how courses in German studies, history, museum studies and international and global studies intersect.

鈥淒r. Windham introduced me to the idea of being a German major, and he was clear that he would support the process of designing the major, so I wasn’t too overwhelmed by the idea,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淎s an ambitious student, I was more excited to start something new than I was nervous.鈥�

Designing this new major involved curating a list of required courses and proposing a capstone thesis project. Windham, Evan Gatti, professor of art history, and Amanda Laury Kleintop, assistant professor of history, helped Layton make sure that the German studies curriculum coincided with her other degree programs.

鈥淒esigning the major took two semesters of meetings and collaboration with committees to prove I could undertake an entirely new major, a demanding process that strengthened my ambition and clarified my academic and career goals,鈥� Layton said.

DAAD is one of the world鈥檚 largest grant institutions. It funds research and study for over 100,000 people in Germany and across the world.

鈥淩eceiving the DAAD grant is significant because it鈥檚 proof that Tori is among the top young researchers in the United States and it鈥檚 a testament to her academic achievements and intellectual ambition,鈥� Windham said. 鈥淲e are ridiculously proud of Tori. The grant shows how well Elon supports undergraduate research, international grant and fellowship applications, and cross-disciplinary studies. It also shows that Elon鈥檚 language programs are among the best in the country. Tori鈥檚 DAAD grant wouldn鈥檛 be possible without her extraordinary abilities in German.鈥�

This year, Layton worked with Windham and Gatti to complete her German studies capstone project investigating how the extremist far-right political party in Germany, Die Alternative f眉r Deutschland (The Alternative for Germany, AfD), uses propaganda infused with historical visual rhetoric. She explained how this propaganda suggests that the party is helping restore Germany鈥檚 former glory.

鈥淭he research has consisted of considerable close reading of propaganda posters, culminating in a map that visually connects each image,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淭his is to exhibit how there is a global shift towards far-right extremism that is being influenced by internet-based propaganda today.鈥�

Layton met with Windham and Gatti weekly to discuss the work she completed and to receive feedback. She really valued this mentorship because of Windham鈥檚 position as a professor of German studies and Gatti鈥檚 background in German medievalism.

鈥淒r. Windham and Dr. Gatti guided me while I determined how this project would look in the end,鈥� Layton said. 鈥淚 am eternally grateful for their endless support, insight and encouragement.鈥�

Looking ahead to her future studies in Fulda, Germany, Layton anticipates continuing the research she started at Elon as she contemplates a topic for her master鈥檚 thesis.