As 福利亚洲国产精品 honored its first-generation graduates during the annual stole ceremony on May 20 in McKinnon Hall, Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services Kenneth Brown Jr. 鈥�19 turned to the words of American poet Lucille Clifton to capture the significance of the moment.

鈥溾�榃on鈥檛 you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model,鈥欌�� Brown recited from Clifton鈥檚 poem, 鈥淲on鈥檛 you celebrate with me,鈥� using the passage to reflect on the journeys of the 70 students 鈥撀爄ncluding 10 graduate students 鈥撀爎ecognized during this year鈥檚 ceremony.

In his welcome, Brown explained to the soon-to-be graduates that the university was honoring not only their academic accomplishments, but also their spirit, commitment and resiliency.

鈥淭oday, we celebrate the paths each of these students has created 鈥撀燼 path that took shape as they walked on it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e celebrate the legacy they are leaving on this campus as remarkable leaders and scholars, a beacon of light in a dark world. We celebrate all they have given to Elon and how they have made us a stronger, more inclusive institution.鈥�

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, the ceremony marked the largest group recognized since the stole ceremony was established in 2020. The milestone served as a point of pride for participants, their families and the university.

Brown thanked gathered faculty, staff, mentors, family members and friends for supporting the students throughout their Elon journeys, emphasizing that the celebration reflected a shared commitment to first-generation student success.

Following Brown鈥檚 introduction, the ceremony transitioned to reflections from student keynote speaker Asia Green 鈥�26, a presentation of the first-generation stoles, a charge from Luis H. Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, and the announcement of this year鈥檚 1891 Awards recipients.

Finding the perseverance

During her keynote remarks, Green reminded fellow first-generation graduates that every student鈥檚 route to Commencement looked different 鈥� and that those differences deserved to be celebrated.

鈥淓very person in this room has a different story, a different struggle, and a different journey that brought them to this moment,鈥� said the exercise science major. 鈥淪ome of us barely made it through certain courses. Well, we鈥檙e here today! No matter what your journey looked like, you made it here, and that alone is something to be proud of.鈥�

The La Crosse, Virginia, native spoke candidly about overcoming fear and uncertainty throughout her college experience, urging students to move forward with confidence even when the future feels intimidating.

鈥淭o be a first-generation student means more to me than I can fully explain because it’s more than receiving a degree 鈥� it’s about traveling without a road map,鈥� she said.

Despite moments of self-doubt, Green flourished at Elon, carving her own way. She built an impressive record of academic achievement and campus involvement while pursuing undergraduate research opportunities, leadership roles, and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. Following graduation, Green said she will continue her education after being accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program in Florida.

鈥淪uccess does not always require knowing all the answers or having everything planned,鈥� Green said. 鈥淔or me, it often meant intentionally choosing to stay despite significant challenges. Many of us have experienced times of uncertainty when giving up felt easier than continuing. However, by persevering through these difficult moments, we find new opportunities and directions that redefine our paths.鈥�

鈥淢y time at Elon taught me that where you come from does not define where you are going.鈥�

After Green鈥檚 keynote, graduates crossed the stage to receive their first-generation stoles from mentors, family members and supporters who shaped their Elon experiences.

Fittingly, the stole was designed by first-generation student Daisy Martinez-Jimenez 鈥�26, and 鈥渟ymbolizes the unique and complex journey that you all have taken to be in this moment,鈥� Brown said.

Along with the stole, students received an Elon lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the Elon alumni family.

Pay it forward

The event continued with an inspirational charge from Garay, drawing from their own experiences as a first-generation college student and current doctoral student.

Garay reflected on the significance of the moment not only for the students being recognized, but also for the families and communities who supported them along the way.

鈥淢y cultural roots are in the ranchos of Zacatecas, Mexico,鈥� Garay said. 鈥淢y family, like many immigrants, came to this country for the opportunity and a better life for their kids. So, my college graduation was not only mine but my parents’ and my family鈥檚 graduation, too. Maybe this is something some of you relate to as well.鈥�

Garay structured their remarks around three invitations for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their lives: honoring mentors, sharing knowledge, and paying it forward.

As part of their remarks, Garay encouraged graduates to recognize the mentors who helped them reach Commencement. Garay recalled a former supervisor who encouraged them early in their career and challenged graduates to think about the people whose support and encouragement sustained them throughout college. Garay even paused their remarks to invite graduates to send a text message thanking a mentor, family member or friend who helped guide them to graduation day.

鈥淢y last invitation to you all … take the knowledge you have gained and pay it forward,鈥� Garay said. 鈥淏y paying it forward, I mean using your knowledge, skills, expertise, social connections, or financial means to shift the reality for someone. As you go and leave Elon and enter your careers, I want to encourage you to find ways to give back to those who are coming after you.鈥�

Recognizing this year’s 1891 Awards recipients

Following the stole presentations, organizers recognized the recipients of the 2026 1891 Awards, honoring individuals who have advanced first-generation student success at 福利亚洲国产精品.

Named in honor of Elon鈥檚 first graduating class in 1891, the awards celebrate members of the campus community who embody the values of First-Generation Initiatives: empowerment, celebration, community, passion and authenticity.

This year鈥檚 recipients included:

• 1891 Award of Community: Emily Menjivar 鈥�26
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life/dean of student health and well-being, and Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education
• 1891 Award of Passion: Selma Mari膰 鈥�26
• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Daniella Alonzo Lopez 鈥�28
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Jo-Rae Jennings G鈥�26, associate director of communications for Student Professional Development Center

Closing the ceremony, Cici Salazar 鈥�23, G鈥�26, encouraged graduates to reflect on the resilience and determination that carried them throughout their time at Elon. The graduate apprentice for First-Generation Initiatives reminded students that the challenges they faced throughout college had already prepared them for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

鈥淭ake a moment to reflect on how far you鈥檝e come,鈥� Salazar said. 鈥淓ach challenge, setback and moment of uncertainty has shaped the strength and resilience that you brought to the stage today.鈥�

Salazar emphasized that graduates鈥� journeys at Elon were marked not only by personal achievement, but also by resilience, community and the responsibility to support future generations.

鈥淎s first-generation students, we have already proven that we can do hard things,鈥� Salazar said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e broken barriers, created opportunities, and paved the paths for ourselves and those who will follow after us. More now than ever, we must continue showing up for one another with compassion, strength and authenticity.鈥�

Opening the celebration with remarks, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life, reflected on the division鈥檚 role in supporting and transforming students throughout their Elon journeys.

鈥淲e educate students and we transform lives,鈥� Dooley said.

Throughout his remarks, Dooley emphasized the importance of relationships and the meaningful impact Student Life professionals have on students both inside and outside the classroom. 鈥淭he relationships we build with students 鈥� and with each other 鈥� are our greatest assets,鈥� Dooley said

The celebration highlighted milestones from across the division and university, including launching the division鈥檚 new five-year plan, signing the Okanagan Charter, re-energizing the Hazing Prevention Coalition, expanding resources and communications for graduate students and being named one of the most promising places to work in student affairs for the sixth consecutive year.

The event also celebrated staff service milestones, departmental accomplishments, graduate apprentices, upcoming retirees and the professional achievements of colleagues across the division.

Special guests in attendance included Provost Rebecca Kohn and Vice President Emeritus Smith Jackson.

As the academic year comes to a close, the event served as a reflection on the collective care, collaboration and commitment that continue to shape the student experience at Elon.

Division of Student Life Award Recipients

Academic Partnership Award

The Academic Partnership Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional and department that worked closely with academic partners to design a program or service that purposefully integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences or connects social and intellectual activities in an intentional manner.

Professional: Boaz Avraham-Katz, Truitt Center

Department: Counseling Services

Administrative Professional Award

The Administrative Professional is presented annually to a Student Life administrative professional (hourly staff member) who exhibits exceptional ability, commitment, and excellence in supporting student success and departmental/divisional priorities and projects.

Professional: Catherine Little, administrative assistant for campus life/New Student Programs

Collaboration Award

The Collaboration Award is presented to an individual and department that has excelled in forming partnerships within and/or outside the Division of Student Life to enhance the student experience by advancing the division鈥檚 and/or the university鈥檚 priorities.

Professional: Sam Lopez, Student Involvement

Department: Campus Recreation

Inclusive Excellence Award

The Inclusive Excellence Award is presented to a professional and department that has demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive campus climate and community through advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Professional: Emily Krechel, New Student Programs

Department: Student Care & Outreach

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award is presented to a professional and department that has developed new, unique programs, services, or ways of working to support our divisional mission and goals.

Professional: AK Krauss, Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Department: Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Mentoring Award

The Mentoring Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional who is an exceptional mentor to students and engages with them in purposeful student development activities.

Professional: Destiny Payne, New Student Programs

New Professional Award

The New Professional Award is presented to an individual serving in their first or second year at Elon聽who exhibits exceptional ability and commitment to work as a Student Life professional.

Professional: Ivie Shelton, Campus Recreation

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the student affairs profession.

Professional: Jana Lynn Patterson

Professional Development Scholarship

The Professional Development Scholarship Award is designed to extend beyond those opportunities to provide employees with support for continued professional growth through participation in selected professional experiences. Participants are expected to develop a creative strategy for sharing insights and lessons learned with colleagues on campus.

Recipient: Callie Kelly, Health Promotion

Years of Service

5 Years聽

• Kirstin Boswell
• Meredith Harrison
• AK Krauss
• Cara Plasencia
• Tumi Shadreck
• Christina Wittstein

10 Years

• Shane Atkinson
• Callie Kelly
• Peter Tremblay

15 Years聽

• Jan Register
• Marilyn Slade

20 Years

• Susan Lindley
• Chris Troxler

40 Years

• Jana Lynn Patterson

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It was the most joyous of celebrations of love, pride, identity and academic achievement.

Members of the LGBTQIA community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 8 for an awards and recognition ceremony honoring soon-to-be graduates from 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Class of 2026.

Hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, the 14th annual Lavender Celebration recognized excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university鈥檚 LGBTQIA community. As they crossed the stage to be recognized, honorees were applauded by family, friends and mentors who filled the floor of a gymnasium ringed by flags that represented the identities of student participants.

Celebrants each received a rainbow stole symbolizing their commitment to inclusion, queer and trans joy, and the legacy of LGBTQIA communities at Elon and beyond.

鈥淭his moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful,鈥� John Moses-Brownson, 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 associate director of career advising for pre-professional health, said in welcoming remarks. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something we build together, in community, in small acts of courage that add up over time. And getting to witness the results of your courage today is such a gift.

鈥淢oments like this don鈥檛 just happen. They鈥檙e built by the people in this room, so thank all of you for building together for others and for yourselves.鈥�

This moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful.

–聽John Moses-Brownson, 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 associate director of career advising for pre-professional health

Elon鈥檚 program traces its origins to efforts in 2012 by Jess Huynh 鈥�12 and Raafe Purnsley 鈥�12, alongside Professor Kirstin Ringelberg and other community members, to organize the first celebration. In 2022, a complementary program was launched to recognize December graduates from the School of Law and the School of Health Sciences.

The latest ceremony included an awards presentation that recognized notable student and employee accomplishments and commitments to inclusion on campus.

Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate (Natalie Hudson 鈥�26): This award is for a graduate who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics during their time at 福利亚洲国产精品.

Employee Champion for LGBTQIA Inclusion (Abby Igoe, Assistant Director of Multimedia Projects and Turner Theatre Manager): A faculty, administrator, or staff member who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific during their time at 福利亚洲国产精品. This individual could be part of the LGBTQIA communities or an ally.

Event of the Year (鈥淒ragstravaganza鈥� hosted by the Events Team from the Gender and LGBTQIA Center): An event or initiative that has contributed to improving dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific to the 2025-2026 academic year.

Alumni Recognition and Encouragement

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Jonathan R. Monti 鈥�08, a student affairs professional at Rollins College in Florida who serves as president of the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network, presented Elon alum David Carter 鈥�92 with an honorary graduate stole in recognition of Carter鈥檚 work to create space, visibility, and belonging in the Alamance County community.

Monti also offered a message of hope and support for the students seated before him.

鈥淔or us as LGBTQIA individuals, community has never been optional.鈥㊣t has been life giving,鈥� Monti said. 鈥淚t is how we survive, how we celebrate, and how we build futures that once felt impossible. As you begin this next phase of your journey, know that you already have all that you need: your values, your voice, and your community. Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

鈥淭oday, we gather in the community to celebrate you, your resilience, your brilliance, your joy. 鈥℡our successes in achievements are immeasurable. Your stories matter, and you belong. Now and always.鈥�

Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

– Jonathan R. Monti ’08, president of the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network

This year鈥檚 celebration featured a 鈥淒iamond Dust鈥� theme, encouraging sparkling outfits to match ballroom glamour. The event was hosted by local drag performers Honey Z and Giselle Cassidy Carter, who gave energetic and interactive performances, encouraging students to participate in the ball鈥檚 various competition categories.

The Kiki Ball is an annual event organized by the GLC to celebrate the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) community on campus and introduce students to the history and traditions of ballroom culture. Rooted in black and LGBTQIA communities, ballroom culture has played a significant role in shaping drag performances and overarching LGBTQIA expression.

Kate Campbell, the GLC鈥檚 graduate apprentice, said that the purpose of the evening is to both celebrate and educate the campus community about ballroom culture and the communities that shaped it.

The event also included educational components that allowed attendees to learn about ballroom history. The RISE team, which oversees the GLC鈥檚 QTPOC initiative, hosted a table that featured photocards highlighting influential drag performers and important figures in ballroom history. These helped provide context for students who may not have attended the program before or were unfamiliar with ballroom culture.

Beyond the educational focus of the Kiki Ball, students were encouraged to take part in performances and walk the runway. Attendees donned themed outfits and competed in various performance categories in order to show off their flair. Hosts and audience members all cheered as students stepped onto the runway.

Organizers say one of the most important pieces of the night is creating a welcoming environment where students can comfortably express themselves. Maverick Powell, a GLC student employee who helped plan and work the event, said the supportive atmosphere helped participants feel motivated to walk the runway.

鈥淓veryone was just really happy to be there and encouraging of each other,鈥� Powell said.

For many students, this program provides a rare opportunity on Elon鈥檚 campus to experiment with their identities in a supportive setting. Janeeta Smith, manager of RISE, said the event allows students to explore performing in a way that encourages creativity and accessibility.

鈥淚 view Kiki Ball as a way students can express themselves through their outfits and performances,鈥� Smith said.

Although attendance was slightly smaller this year than in previous years, the evening maintained a lively, upbeat atmosphere. By combining educational aspects with opportunities for self-expression, the Kiki Ball created a space where students can both learn from and actively participate in a culture rooted in exploration, identity, creativity and community.

Elon Cares has been an annual tradition for almost two decades, celebrating queer art and supporting Broadway Equity Fights Aids, one of the nation鈥檚 leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. The event is hosted by students in the Department of Performing Arts, in partnership with Elon鈥檚 Gender & LGBTQIACenter. Each year, event organizers aim to raise more than $2000 and typically exceed that amount.

鈥淲e are always singing and dancing, but now there is a reason that we are doing it. It’s something we are fighting for and a message we are sending too,鈥� said Laird Sterns 鈥�28, an art administration and music theatre double major, who is one of the co-directors of this year鈥檚 performance. He participated in the benefit cabaret during his first year and saw it as a future opportunity to further his interest in art administration as well as be a leader in 鈥渟omething greater.鈥�

The cabaret brings together those interested in performing arts, regardless of major, and allows many leadership opportunities within the creative team. This year鈥檚 performance will feature some selections from queer artists and Broadway hits like 鈥淒eath Becomes Her鈥� and 鈥淐abaret.鈥� The event will host tables from the GLC and the Triad Health Project, an organization that encourages sexual health and justice through radical care, love, and equity while working to fight against HIV. There will also be a canned food drive.

鈥淚t’s a great opportunity to come together as a community in the new year and it brings joy to people who may not have looked into the arts before at Elon. We all get to learn and grow with each other as performers and overall people in a safe space,鈥� Sterns said.

Malia Horst 鈥�26, the primary director for the event, recognizes the charity production as a safe environment to let students within the performing arts department 鈥渄o what they love with no stress and for a great cause.鈥�

鈥淔or me, it’s a super important space to let people create with queerness in mind,鈥� Horst said, 鈥淭his is not a show where you just come and sit and applaud nicely. This is a hooting and hollering celebration.鈥�

The event takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, with two shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall, in the Center for the Arts. For more information about the event, visit鈥�. Each donation comes with an entry into a raffle for various prizes. Prizes from previous years can also be viewed on the same website as event information.

Donations by cash or check will be collected at the performances. Online donations can be made by viewing the event homepage. Visit for more information about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Here are this week鈥檚 鈥淧hoenix Five鈥� recommendations for the week ahead:

福利亚洲国产精品 Year of Service Fellows Program

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Virtual

Join SPDC to learn about the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, a partnership between 福利亚洲国产精品 and several community organizations in Alamance County. The program offers May 2026 Elon graduates the opportunity to engage in meaningful service work to improve health, education and economic development for residents in Alamance County. Visit 聽for more information and to join the event.

Elon Cares 2026 鈥� a cabaret to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aid

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., Yeager Recital Hall, Center for the Arts

Join the Elon Cares for a night of performances and support. The event is a benefit cabaret for the national organization . At each performance, audience members can donate to the national organization to help Elon Cares reach its $2,000 goal. Each donation also enters you into a raffle for various prizes. Raffle prizes include, but aren鈥檛 limited to, signed playbills and posters from Broadway companies, private industry sessions via Zoom, a headshot session, and even a PR merchandise box from various films. Each item was donated by an alumnus from the Department of Performing Arts. Visit the 聽for more information.

SUB Cinema: Mamma Mia! (2008)

Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m., Turner Theater

Join SUB Cinema for Mamma Mia! Donna, an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile, Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She invites three men from her mother’s past in the hope of meeting her real father. Visit 聽for more information.

LNE: Silly Debates with the International Relations Club

Friday, Jan. 16, 10:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall

The International Relations Club is bringing their silly debates to Late Night Elon! Join us for an opportunity to talk through some amusing controversial topics ever. Visit 聽for more information.

Don鈥檛 forget to switch to eduroam 鈥� Elonu-secure is retired

As you settle in for Winter Term, here鈥檚 a quick reminder that eduroam is Elon鈥檚 secure Wi-Fi network for laptops, phones, and tablets. Another reminder: Both eduroam and the retired elonu-secure used the same campus network. Wi-Fi disruptions in the fall were tied to external factors and our regional internet provider, not the eduroam sign-in system.

Here鈥檚 how to login to eduroam:

• Open your device鈥檚 Wi-Fi settings
• Select eduroam
• Log in with your full Elon email (e.g., jsmith@elon.edu)
• Enter your Elon password

If you鈥檙e setting up other devices, like gaming consoles, smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku and Fire TV), and smart speakers, use elonu-connect. If you need help, review step-by-step instructions online at , contact the Technology Service Desk at (336) 278-5200, or .

Here are your Phoenix Five for the upcoming week:

Elevate with the SPDC

The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) is here to help you prepare for internships, career fairs, job opportunities and more. Take advantage of several opportunities this week to build your professional connections.

Free Business Cards

Monday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. 鈥� 5 p.m., SPDC, Moseley Center 104

Professional networking just got easier! Come to the SPDC to get personalized Elon business cards to impress at conferences, career fairs and interviews.

Free Resume Printing

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. 鈥� 5 p.m., SPDC, Moseley Center 104

Bring your polished resume, and SPDC will handle printing at no cost. Stop by the SPDC to print resume copies on quality paper, and grab an Elon-branded folder and thank-you cards to make a standout impression at your next career event.

Pathways to Justice

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m., McKinnon Hall

Join the SPDC for a night of networking with 11 extraordinary law schools. Explore the law school application process and talk to admission representatives from schools including Duke, Washington and Lee, UNC, North Carolina Central, Campbell and more. This event is RSVP only. Space is limited to 60 students. Secure your spot on today.

Visit the for information on these upcoming opportunities and future events.

Department of Music Concerts this Week

Elon Orchestra presents 鈥楢n Evening in Bridgerton鈥�

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., Whitley Auditorium

The Elon Orchestra will perform string arrangements from the hit Netflix series in a concert that will also feature the modern melodies of Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, and Queen.

Elon Chorale Fall Concert

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., Whitley Auditorium

The Elon Chorale will present a concert featuring a variety of secular and sacred pieces, and a special guest appearance by Que the Music Performing Arts Academy.

Visit the for more information.

Alumni Author Celebration: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 6-7:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall

Join the Gender & LGBTQIA Center and the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network as they celebrate Jeffrey Williamson-Rose 鈥�13 G鈥�14 and his spouse, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, authors of “We Love You ForAva.” This heartfelt event showcases LGBTQIA+ families and the power of inclusive storytelling, featuring voices from the Carolina Adoption Center and beyond. to be part of this inspiring celebration of love, family and community.

SUBFest

Friday, Nov. 7, 4-7:30 p.m., Young Commons

Join SUB for an afternoon of live music and entertainment from student performing groups. Come grab some food, giveaways, or enjoy a craft in collaboration with WSOE. You don’t want to miss it. Visit for more information.

Football Tailgate: Elon v. Rhode Island (CAMO OUT)

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Global Basketball Courts

Get ready to bring the energy as Elon Football faces off against Rhode Island! Don’t miss out on the best way to stir up spirit with your fellow Phoenix fans. Be there, be loud, and let鈥檚 show our Elon pride! The theme for this tailgate is CAMO OUT. Visit for more information.

All programs in the series 鈥淎bolition as Presence in Higher Education and Beyond鈥� are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

A 鈥�snack-and-learn鈥� on mandated reporting will feature investigator and strategist Margaux Lander of at 12:30 p.m. in Lindner Hall 206. The discussion aims to understand the current models of mandated reporting with Emancipate NC, an organization that supports people as they free themselves from mass incarceration and structural discrimination. Lander will share strategies to navigate the mandated reporting system while reducing harm and supporting families.

Wednesday, Nov. 12

The series concludes with the annual Reynolds Lecture on Political Theologies of Criminalization, Political Spiritualities of Abolition at 6:30 p.m. in the McBride Gathering Space featuring a conversation with author Andrew Krinks on the religion of criminalization and the religion of abolition from his book 鈥淲hite Property, Black Trespass.鈥�

Assistant Professor Maria Mejia, who is currently teaching a philosophy senior seminar on abolition, helped organize the 2025 series with Assistant Professor Archie Crowley in the Department of English and Assistant Professor Amanda Kleintop in the Department of History and Geography.

鈥淎bolition does not just mean getting rid of harmful systems. It also means building lifegiving practices, structures, and communities that help us flourish while reducing and transforming harm,鈥� Mejia said. 鈥淲e hope this series will nourish connections between the Elon community and abolitionist organizers through which we can redefine safety and foster well-bring for all.鈥�

The series is sponsored by the Elon Fund for Excellence, Turner Theatre, the Division of Inclusive Excellence, Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Dean鈥檚 Office, the Title IX Office, and the departments of English, philosophy, and public health, as well as the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies and American Studies programs, the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture & Society, and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center.

Previous activities in the fall series included a 鈥渟nack-and-learn鈥� led by Assistant Professor Amanda Kleintop; a session titled 鈥淭hinking Like an Abolitionist to End Sexual Violence in Higher Education鈥� by visiting scholars Chris Linder and Nadeeka Karunaratne; and a documentary screening of 鈥淥ne Million Experiments鈥� followed by a panel discussion with directors Daniel Kisslinger and Damon Williams of Respair Production & Media, along with local organizers Mona Evans of Benevolence Farms, Amanda Wallace of Operation Stop CPS, and Associate Professor Stephanie Baker.

This special program honors Jeffrey Williamson-Rose 鈥�13 G鈥�14 and his spouse Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, co-authors of the moving children鈥檚 book “We Love You ForAva.” Through their story, the couple highlights the joy, love and challenges of LGBTQIA family-building, centering their own experiences as adoptive parents. The event will feature a moderated discussion, readings, and reflections on inclusive storytelling and representation in children鈥檚 literature.

Serving as moderator for the evening will be Annette Orbert 鈥�90, a proud Elon alumna and advocate for inclusion. Orbert will guide a conversation that explores how stories like “We Love You ForAva” not only affirm diverse families but also expand understanding of what it means to build community, belonging and love beyond traditional narratives.

The event will also feature insights from the Carolina Adoption Center, which works to create more equitable pathways for adoption. Attendees will learn about the ongoing need for supportive, loving adoptive families鈥攅specially within the LGBTQIA community鈥攁nd the ways that storytelling can inspire visibility and change.

鈥淭his event is more than a book celebration, it鈥檚 a celebration of love and family,鈥� said Luis Garay, director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to highlight Jeffrey and Corddarryl鈥檚 work and to bring attention to the power of inclusive narratives that reflect the lives of so many in our community.鈥�

The evening promises to be both inspiring and educational, offering opportunities for dialogue, connection and celebration. Whether you are an alum, student, faculty member, or community friend, you are invited to join this affirming space honoring the stories that bring us together.

Event Details

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025
• 6 to 7 p.m. EST
• McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 福利亚洲国产精品
• Featuring: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose 鈥�13 G鈥�14, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose and moderator Annette Orbert 鈥�90
• Partners: Gender & LGBTQIA Center, the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network, the Carolina Adoption Center, Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Elon Campus Bookstore

聽For questions or accommodations, please contact Luis Garay (lgaray@elon.edu) or La’Tonya Wiley (lwiley2@elon.edu).

Come celebrate the power of love, family, and storytelling alongside incredible alumni who remind us that every family鈥檚 story deserves to be told.

At CAA, Ringelberg presented on trans in-visibility for the session “Visibility and Visuality after ‘the Transgender Tipping Point”‘ and on the urgency of reckoning directly and honestly with the climate emergency in “No Art History on a Dead Planet” for the “Art History and the Apocalypse” session.

In Chicago,聽a symposium was held by the Wrightwood 659 as part of their opening of the groundbreaking exhibition聽, curated by Jonathan D. Katz and Johnny Willis. Fifteen art history scholars and curators each addressed a distinct geographic region’s visual and material culture as it represented understanding of gender and sexual identities during that time. Ringelberg was invited to cover the case for queer and trans art and artists in France.

And in June, Ringelberg traveled to Dijon, France, to discuss the work of nineteenth-century French artist Madeleine Lemaire as a botanical illustrator, showing how their floral paintings meld art and science in a way that offers an opportunity to recognize the failure of binary, hierarchical taxonomies to represent the true diversity of plants and humans. Some of Ringelberg’s discussion of plant biology developed from conversations with and materials generously supplied by Carl Niedziela of the Elon Biology Department.

These presentations were made possible through a research residency at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in spring 2024, and the Elon College, College of Arts and Sciences faculty travel funding.