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A Donning of the Kente Ceremony at 福利亚洲国产精品 celebrated the African heritage, achievements and resilience of Black graduates in the university鈥檚 Class of 2026 during an evening filled with expressions of cultural tradition, reflection and joy.

Held on the eve of Commencement ceremonies, the annual event honored graduating students with handmade Kente stoles woven in Ghana, a symbol of heritage, wisdom and shared responsibility to be worn at graduation.

Family members and the wider university community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 21, 2026, to recognize the graduates鈥� accomplishments and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

鈥淭onight, we do more than congratulate our graduates,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. 鈥淭onight, we bear witness to them. Tonight, we affirm them.鈥�

The 10th annual ceremony highlighted the importance mentorship in the graduates鈥� success. In his remarks to graduates, Williams recognized the 鈥渧illage鈥� of parents, grandparents, mentors, faculty and staff, and friends who supported the graduates throughout their university studies.

Alex Bohannon 鈥�17, president of the Elon Black Alumni Network, encouraged graduates to remain engaged with the university and support future generations of students.

鈥淎s you look ahead, carry this charge: build community, mentor intentionally and stay engaged. Elon鈥檚 strength is its people showing up for one another, again and again,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ngagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

鈥淭he next generation鈥檚 experience will be shaped by what you choose to do from this point forward.鈥�

Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the Elon Black Alumni Network

Bohannon also highlighted the role of the Elon Black Alumni Network in mentoring students and supporting initiatives such as the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. He noted that the ceremony鈥檚 continued growth reflects a vision established a decade ago and sustained through alumni engagement and philanthropy.

During the donning ceremony, each graduate was joined on stage by a person who played a meaningful role in their Elon experience. Supporters presented the stoles while tributes celebrating each graduate鈥檚 accomplishments and future aspirations were read aloud.

Graduates were praised for perseverance, leadership and cultural pride as families, mentors and faculty members reflected on the challenges many students overcame to earn their degrees. Presentations highlighted stories of first-generation college graduates, international students, and campus leaders who balanced academics with research, athletics and service while supporting others along the way.

Another popular feature of the evening program: A rhythmic dance of celebration performed by served to open and conclude the ceremony.

福利亚洲国产精品’s event is made possible by the Kelli E. Palmer 鈥�98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment supports the program, including the purchase of the kente stoles.

In her own remarks to graduates, La’ Tonya Wiley 鈥�97, 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 assistant director of affinity alumni engagement, described the evening as a way to not only honor accomplishments, but to honor who celebrants have become.

鈥淵ou are scholars, changemakers, leaders and living examples for those who will follow behind you,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ay you always remember that your excellence is not defined solely by titles or degrees, but by how you uplift others, how you remain rooted in purpose and how you continue building community wherever your path leads.鈥�

As they prepare to leave Elon, many members of the Class of 2026 gathered in Lakeside Meeting Rooms on May 21 for a celebration centered not only on achievement, but also on the people and communities that helped them get there.

Celebremos! Graduates Take Flight brought together 37 seniors and their families, mentors and friends to honor their journeys for an afternoon of reflection, gratitude and celebration. Throughout the program, students shared personal tributes recognizing the sacrifices, encouragement and support systems that shaped their Elon experiences.

President Connie Ledoux Book reminded the soon-to-be graduates that the stole they were about to receive was not only a recognition of their academic accomplishments, but also a testament to their pride, culture and identity.

鈥淭he Elon community is proud of your achievements, your stories and the richness that you have added to Elon鈥檚 history during your time here,鈥� she said, adding that this is just the beginning. She asked them to take Elon with them in all endeavors and to stay connected to their alma mater. 鈥淚 do hope that you鈥檒l continue to reach back to Elon and the community here to share your story, to share your Elon experience and to root for the next generation of Elon grads.鈥�

Each graduate had the opportunity to write a message of gratitude for their village in the language of their choice. Many of them took the opportunity to publicly thank parents and loved ones whose sacrifices made college possible.

鈥淎s a first-generation Hispanic college student, there were many moments where I felt like I was figuring things out as I went,鈥� wrote Isabella Iba帽ez, whose family heritage is from Argentina. 鈥淢y parents immigrated here and worked hard to create opportunities for me and my siblings, even when they did not always have a roadmap themselves.鈥�

Others reflected on the emotional complexity of reaching graduation after years of uncertainty, growth and perseverance.

鈥淚’ve聽been聽asked聽a聽lot聽recently聽about聽how聽I聽feel聽about聽graduating,鈥� drama and theatre studies major Samantha Az煤a wrote. 鈥淲ithout聽so聽much聽as a second thought, I鈥檓 quick to respond聽with聽鈥榚xistential.鈥欌�� In her tribute, Az煤a thanked her parents for the sacrifices they made in moving to the United States and for teaching her to take advantage of every opportunity and to 鈥渢rabajar duro y nunca rendirme, incluso cuando las cosas se ponen muy dif铆ciles.鈥�

For fellow graduating senior Libia Zulema Velasquez, hearing younger students reflect on the sacrifices their parents made for them was particularly meaningful. A mother herself who uprooted her family from Culiac谩n in northwestern Mexico to pursue a Master of Education in Innovation at Elon, she understood all too well the significance of those words. 鈥淚 kept looking at my children,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 can identify with that sacrifice.鈥�

As part of her reflection, she had these words for Liam and Leo: 鈥淎 mis hijos quiero decirles que: todo es posible. Todo se puede alcanzar. Solo hace falta pensarlo, decidirlo 鈥� y actuar.鈥�

The stories shared throughout the event reflected a wide range of experiences, but common themes emerged repeatedly: family, belonging, mentorship and resilience.

For Daniela 脕vila, graduating meant carrying her hometown in Honduras with her into the future.

鈥淗oy, al celebrar mi graduaci贸n, llevo a mi pueblo conmigo en cada paso que doy,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淢e siento profundamente orgullosa de mis ra铆ces y de representar a una comunidad llena de personas trabajadoras, artesanos y luchadores que inspiran con su ejemplo.鈥�

Several graduates specifically highlighted the communities they found at Elon: spaces and people that helped transform the university into a second home. Others recognized the role programs such as Odyssey and Elon Academy played in helping them navigate college and pursue opportunities they once thought impossible.

鈥淥dyssey聽no solo me brind贸 apoyo acad茅mico, sino tambi茅n un sentido de pertenencia y una red de personas que realmente creen en mi potencial,鈥� wrote Jes煤s Santoyo Rosales, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering. 鈥淓ste logro no es solo m铆o, es de todos nosotros鈥澛犫�� a reminder that 鈥渢his achievement is not only mine; it belongs to all of us.鈥�

鈥淵our story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.鈥�
鈥� Sylvia Mu帽oz, director of the CREDE

The event also highlighted the deeply personal nature of students鈥� journeys. Some graduates thanked siblings who inspired them, grandparents who sacrificed for future generations, professors who saw potential in them and friends who became family.

鈥淕rowth does not happen alone,鈥� Iba帽ez wrote. 鈥淚t comes from the people who support you, challenge you, and remind you that you are capable even when you doubt yourself.鈥�

For many students, graduation represented more than earning a degree; it symbolized the culmination of years of sacrifice that stretched far beyond themselves.

鈥淐omo hija mayor y primera generaci贸n en graduarme de la escuela secundaria y ahora de la universidad, llevo este logro con orgullo, pero tambi茅n con responsabilidad,鈥� wrote Carolina Vasquez. 鈥淪iempre he querido ser un buen ejemplo para mis hermanos, demostrarles que s铆 se puede, que nuestros sue帽os no tienen l铆mites.鈥�

In her charge to the students, Diana Jimenez Carreno challenged graduates to be present in the moment and proud of what they have accomplished. Above all, she encouraged them to never forget their roots or the strong voices they carry within them.

鈥淒o not let stereotypes, stigma or negativity in the world silence that voice,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd believe me, it鈥檚 easier said than done. But you鈥檙e not alone. And when life feels overwhelming, lean on your village.鈥�

Sylvia Mu帽oz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, echoed that sentiment in her closing remarks. 鈥淎s you begin this next chapter, remember your voice matters,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.鈥�

As the celebration concluded, students embraced family members, posed for photos and reflected on the communities that carried them through their Elon journeys.

鈥淚 just feel so thankful and so blessed,鈥� Velasquez said, reflecting on the event. There is one message, she added, that she plans to carry with her moving forward: 鈥淒isfruta el momento.鈥�

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�

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Her remarks reflected the evening鈥檚 themes of belonging, connection and growth as students, faculty and staff gathered to honor graduating seniors who have engaged in or identify with Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions.

鈥淭his community met me where I was, and I have you all to thank for helping me find my way into it,” said Wible.

Throughout the evening, the celebration included award recognitions, a stole ceremony and concluded with student performances. Awards presented during the celebration included the Beacon Award, Asian Studies Awards, Academic Excellence Awards, Illumination Award, Radiance Award, Outstanding Senior Award and student-voted superlatives recognizing members of the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

The stole ceremony served as one of the ceremony鈥檚 most symbolic moments, symbolizing connection to heritage, identity and community. Along with their stole, students received a booklet of cards from prominent individuals who helped light their way during their Elon journey.

Co-designed by Tiffany Huang 鈥�23 and Alana Evora 鈥�24, the stole featured flower petals as a motif representing the diversity and individuality within the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

The design also aligned with the 2026 Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme, 鈥淒istinctly in Bloom, Growing Together,鈥� which resonated throughout the evening in the celebration鈥檚 remarks and intentional decor. Each table centerpiece highlighted a different flower representing various aspects of the Asian and Pacific Islander community. It also included mall booklet containing cards from people who have lit the way for their journey at Elon.

鈥淓ach flower represents the individuality and the uniqueness within our communities, whilst also reminding us of what ties all of us together,鈥� said George Dou, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.

Dou also spoke about the importance of community and shared growth.

鈥淓ach senior participating in our ceremony tonight has traced a unique path in the way that they have bloomed during their time here at Elon,鈥� Dou said. 鈥淕rowth, in many ways, cannot happen without a community.鈥�

As the evening concluded, Wible reminded students that the spirit of community does not end with the night’s celebration, encouraging them to continue supporting and empowering each other beyond Elon.

鈥淭he light doesn鈥檛 go out when tonight ends 鈥� it goes with us into every room, every community and every person that needs to find their way in,鈥� Wible said.

2026 Award Recipients

Beacon Award聽

The Beacon Awards are given to two faculty or staff members who have gone above and beyond to be a beacon of support to the API community at 福利亚洲国产精品.

Beacon Award Recipients: Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement and Raj Ghoshal, associate professor of sociology

Illumination Award

The Illumination Award recognizes a student whose scholarship has shed light on the understanding of APISA identities, cultures, history or heritage.

Illumination Award Recipient: Emma Hash 鈥�26

Radiance Award

The Radiance Award recognizes a sophomore or junior student who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around API identities or topics at Elon. This individual has gone above and beyond to create a more inclusive and representative campus for Elon as a whole.

Radiance Award Recipient: Emily Wright 鈥�27

Brilliance Award

Formerly the Outstanding Senior Award, the Brilliance Award recognizes the leadership, dedication and the impact a graduating senior has made on the Asian and Pacific Islander community throughout their journey at Elon.

Brilliance Award Recipient: Reagan Wible 鈥�26

Student Superlatives聽

• Most Likely To Be In The API Room: Pagnapech Ngoun 鈥�26
• Most Likely To Be On A Reality TV Show: Olivia Mohil 鈥�27
• Most Likely To Brighten Your Day: Seleyna Bautista 鈥�26
• Busiest Bee: Lillian Chen 鈥�26

Grounded in a legacy of honoring Black excellence, the program reflects its enduring impact at Elon through resilience, achievement and a deep commitment to advancing equity, belonging and community both on campus and beyond.

The program included opening remarks from Abdul-Malik Harrison, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, followed by an invocation from the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement. Remarks were given by President Connie Ledoux Book, and a special video tribute was presented in honor of Janice Ratliff, who passed away earlier this year.

鈥淚n recognition of a remarkable legacy, we honor Janice Ratliff, who devoted more than 35 years of service to 福利亚洲国产精品, shaping generations of students through her work in Student Life,鈥� said Maleah Proctor 鈥�26, Black Student Union president, during the awards ceremony. 鈥淗er legacy lives through the many students she mentored and uplifted, and through the historic recognition of being the first Black staff member to have a campus building named in her honor.鈥�

New to this year鈥檚 ceremony were the Legacy and Community Impact awards, recognizing undergraduate students, faculty, staff, organizations and departments whose leadership, advocacy, creativity and innovation have strengthened Black communities and advanced inclusion at Elon.

The new honors include the Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award, the Eugene Perry Legacy Award, the Community Impact Awards (Agendas of Change and Innovator in Empowerment) and the Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award.

Additional honors recognized academic achievement, including students named to the dean鈥檚 list (3.5 GPA) and the President鈥檚 Award, which recognizes students earning no lower than an A-, the Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship and the Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award.

Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Award

The Elon Black Alumni Network (EBAN) strives to unite and represent the interests of 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚聽 Black alumni and students by fostering empowerment, connection and celebration within Elon鈥檚 Black community. In 2007, EBAN established a scholarship fund to help make an Elon education accessible to Black students. This fund reached a significant milestone in 2023, achieving a $1 million endowment, further strengthening its ability to support future generations.

Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Recipient:聽Laila Cottman 鈥�28 and Kavalon Mills 鈥�27

Elon Experiences Awards

The Elon Experiences Awards honor students who exemplify the university鈥檚 commitment to engaged learning through transformative action, global perspective, and meaningful impact. These awards recognize students whose leadership, service, research, global engagement and internship experiences have significantly advanced and enriched Black communities.

Global Engagement Award

The Global Engagement Award celebrates students who have excelled in study abroad or global learning, deepening intercultural understanding and awareness. This award recognizes students who have engaged in global experiences that have enhanced their understanding of Black diasporic cultures and fostered cross-cultural solidarity.

Global Engagement Award Recipient:聽Kendall Lytle 鈥�26

Internship Award

The Internship Award recognizes students whose professional internships demonstrate exceptional performance, impact and the ability to connect classroom learning with workplace success. This award celebrates students whose internships have involved work that supports or advocates for Black communities, promoting diversity and inclusion in professional settings.

Internship Award Recipient:聽Andrea Camo Conde 鈥�26

Leadership Award

The Leadership Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in organizations, initiatives, or campus life, inspiring others through their vision and service. This award honors students whose leadership has advanced racial equity, fostered an inclusive campus environment and empowered Black communities.

Leadership Award Recipients:聽Will Lankford 鈥�26 and Maleah Proctor 鈥�26

Service & Civic Engagement Award

The Service & Civic Engagement Award honors students whose sustained commitment strengthens Black communities through service efforts that foster community empowerment, address systemic challenges and/or promote social justice and equity.

Service & Civic Engagement Award Recipient:聽Kristina 鈥淜rissy鈥� Randolph 鈥�26

Undergraduate Research Award

The Undergraduate Research Award honors students who contribute to the creation of new knowledge through research or creative activity. This award recognizes students whose research has advanced the understanding of issues affecting Black communities, contributing to academic discourse and social change.

Undergraduate Research Award Recipient:聽Haleigh Cephus 鈥�26 and Niara Legette 鈥�26

Legacy Awards

The Legacy Awards are the highest honors of the Phillips-Perry Excellence Awards. Named after Glenda Phillips-Hightower and Eugene Perry, these awards honor the courage, resilience and determination that redefined what was possible at Elon and laid out the foundation for greater equity and inclusion.

Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award

Recipients of this award honor Glenda Phillips-Hightower鈥檚 trailblazing spirit by demonstrating perseverance, uplifting others through mentorship and advocacy, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging within the Elon community.

Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award Recipient:聽Jordyne Lewis 鈥�27

Eugene Perry Legacy Award

Recipients of this award honor Eugene Perry鈥檚 legacy by breaking barriers, excelling in their pursuits, and creating opportunities for others, fostering inclusion through mentorship, advocacy or innovation.

Eugene Perry Legacy Award Recipient:聽Mackenzie Perry 鈥�26

Community Impact Awards

The Community Impact Awards celebrate students, organizations or departments who make meaningful contributions to the Black experience at Elon and communities beyond the campus. These awards honor leadership, creativity and innovation in advancing equity, inclusion, wellness, and cultural expression. Recipients are recognized for their efforts to uplift Black voices, foster community and create a positive, lasting impact.

Agents of Change Award

The Agents of Change Award recognizes a student, campus organization or university department that has led initiatives resulting in meaningful community impact. It celebrates leadership, empowerment and a commitment to inclusion and equity by honoring those who elevate underrepresented voices and foster environments of belonging, connection and opportunity that strengthen Black communities at Elon and beyond.

Agents of Change Award Recipient:聽Nailah Ware 鈥�26

Innovator in Empowerment Award

The Innovator in Empowerment Award honors students who demonstrate creativity and innovation in advancing wellness, equity and success within Black communities. Recipients are recognized for developing ideas, initiatives, or approaches that positively impact individuals, promote inclusion and opportunity and strengthen community. Honorees exemplify originality, problem-solving and the ability to create meaningful change that supports the well-being, advancement, and visibility of Black communities on campus and beyond.

Innovator in Empowerment Award Recipient:聽Nailah Ware 鈥�26

Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award

The Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award honors students who demonstrate leadership and excellence in artistic expression, such as music, dance, visual arts, spoken word or other creative forms. Recipients are recognized for their vision, creativity and initiative in amplifying Black cultural expression and fostering community on campus. The award celebrates students whose artistic contributions inspire, uplift, and engage others, building spaces of pride, connection, and visibility for Black communities.

Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award Recipient:聽Madison McCrainey 鈥�26

The Wilhelmina Boyd African & African American Studies at Elon (AAASE) Award

The Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award was created in the Spring of 2008 to honor the work and contributions of Professor Wilhelmina Boyd鈥檚 18 years of service to 福利亚洲国产精品 and African & African-American Studies. The award recipient must be a graduating senior with an African & African-American Studies minor, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA in the minor of 3.2. In addition, the recipient must demonstrate a commitment to African & African-American Studies as demonstrated through coursework, citizenship/community engagement, scholarship and student activities/leadership.

Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award Recipient:聽Kendall Lytle 鈥�26

鈥淚f you’re Asian American or from the motherland [Thailand] or from down south or up north, I feel something in common with you,鈥� he said.

Sartyoungkul鈥檚 experiences shape how he cooks and how he leads. As executive chef for Elon Dining, he focuses on creating meals that people recognize, enjoy and feel comfortable choosing.

鈥淚 love seeing people enjoy my food,鈥� he said.

Noppanit 鈥淢eena鈥� Monaghan shares the same excitement for creating an enjoyable meal. As chef de partie, she prepares meals at the international station in Lakeside Dining Hall. She is also Sartyoungkul鈥檚 mother and, together, they focus on getting the details right, from how a dish is prepared to how it lands with the people eating it.

鈥淚 work with students every day who are trying to make Elon a home away from home,鈥� Monaghan said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important I try everything that goes out to make sure it is 100 percent right.鈥�

That attention to detail often means learning dishes that are new to them. Sartyoungkul said they spend time researching recipes, studying techniques and planning menus to authentically reflect the food where students come from.

For Monaghan, that care shows up in small, specific moments.

鈥淚 made arepas for a student from Colombia and she loved it,鈥� she said.

For Sartyoungkul, those moments explain why the work matters. A single meal can help one student feel familiar while introducing others to something new.

鈥淢any international students miss the food from home,鈥� he said. 鈥淧roviding familiar tastes helps students feel seen, valued and more at ease in their campus environment.鈥�

That belief carries into how he works with student groups across campus. During Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Sartyoungkul partnered with the Asian Pacific Student Association to plan dining hall takeovers featuring Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. Students identified the cuisines and worked with him to shape the menus.

For him, the process is as important as the food itself. It ensures the meals reflect what students want to see and what they want to share with others.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want anyone to feel left out,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e vegan, from another country, have dietary preferences or religious needs or an allergy, we want to make sure there are options for everybody.鈥�

That sense of care is rooted in family. Sartyoungkul describes himself as a third-generation chef who learned alongside his mother in the kitchen.

鈥淢om beats me at Asian foods, especially with her great stir fries and Thai noodle dishes,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, I am trained on European cuisine and steaks, so I have her beat there.鈥�

Still, there are moments when their strengths meet in the middle. Those moments often bring people together.

At Elon鈥檚 annual holiday party for employees, Monaghan manages a shrimp and grits station that regularly draws long lines of guests waiting for a plate. The dish reflects both comfort and confidence, with attention paid to technique as well as familiarity.

For Monaghan, the setting may change. The standards do not.

At work, their relationship is grounded in respect. They understand their roles and trust each other鈥檚 strengths.

鈥淢y mother and I are very close,鈥� Sartyoungkul said. 鈥淲hile she is my mother, I am also her campus executive chef, and we both clearly understand and respect those roles.鈥�

For Monaghan, the work always comes back to the people she serves each day.

鈥淚 work to make students smile,鈥� she said.

Together, Sartyoungkul and Monaghan prepare food that reflects a wide range of cultures. Their work is guided by care, connection and a desire to help others feel at home, one plate at a time.

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 福利亚洲国产精品 is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month, Elon is also recognizing API Heritage Month through a series of events and programming.

Sudibyo, an assistant teaching professor of Spanish who joined Elon in 2023, brings a global perspective shaped by her Indonesian roots and academic journey. Through her teaching, research and campus involvement, she is creating spaces where students feel a sense of belonging, something she says first drew her to Elon.

鈥淚 really enjoyed the company of my colleagues, and they were such wonderful people,鈥� Sudibyo said of her first visit to Elon. 鈥淭hen the students, during my teaching demo, were all engaged, and it just felt like a great place.鈥�

Being from Indonesia, Sudibyo describes her academic path as somewhat 鈥渞andom.鈥�

鈥淲e don鈥檛 speak Spanish in Indonesia, it鈥檚 not our national language and we don鈥檛 have a lot of connections to the Spanish-speaking world in that way,鈥� said Sudibyo, who decided to major in Spanish.

Now, as a professor, Sudibyo focuses on bridging those connections, encouraging students to think beyond traditional cultural boundaries, particularly through her research studying the intersections of the Asian and the Spanish-speaking world. Her scholarship highlights stories that, she says, are often overlooked, including the history of the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule and the presence of Asian voices within Hispanic culture.

鈥淪omething I鈥檝e discovered that is not talked about a lot are the Hispanic Philippines,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are a lot of cultural productions, all in Spanish, and it was never taught to me as a graduate student. It became very personal.鈥�

By bringing these perspectives into her courses, including 鈥淲omen鈥檚 Writing in the Hispanic World,鈥� Sudibyo is broadening how students understand language, culture and identity, while also increasing visibility for Asian narratives in traditionally Eurocentric spaces.

Outside the classroom, Sudibyo continues that work as a faculty-in-residence in the Danieley Neighborhood, where she connects with students on a more personal level.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a very rewarding experience because you get to interact with students outside of class,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey get to see me as a human being.鈥�

She also serves as an advisor to the Polyglot Living Learning Community, helped launch the Spanish Club in Fall 2025, and channels her passion for event planning into creating inclusive, community-building experiences.

For Sudibyo, mentorship is one of the most meaningful aspects of her role, and central to creating spaces of belonging.

鈥淪eeing the students鈥� growth and seeing them reaching the goals that they鈥檝e said they wanted to do鈥擨 think that鈥檚 the most rewarding part,鈥� she said.

That impact is also felt by her students.

鈥淒r. Sudibyo has impacted me at Elon by being a mentor for me as a student but also as a person,鈥� said Hailey Landers 鈥�28, president of the Spanish Club and a dance science major from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. 鈥淗er guidance and genuine support have made a lasting difference in both my personal and academic journey.鈥�

During API Heritage Month, Sudibyo鈥檚 presence on campus also carries deeper significance. As one of the coordinators of Elon鈥檚 API Employee Resource Group, she is intentional about increasing visibility and challenging narrow perceptions of what it means to be Asian.

鈥淲hen we say 鈥楢sian,鈥� a lot of us think of East Asia,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 important to show up because it shows Asia is a diverse continent with so many cultures and so many languages.鈥�

Through her teaching, mentorship and advocacy, Sudibyo is helping ensure that diversity is not just acknowledged at Elon but actively understood, represented and celebrated.

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 福利亚洲国产精品 is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month, Elon is also recognizing API Heritage Month through a series of events and programming.

As part of their Social Studies Methods and Materials course, students are encouraged to critically examine their understanding of U.S. history, with particular attention to voices and perspectives that have been historically marginalized or omitted.

The museum visit extended this work in meaningful ways. Located at the original site of the 1960 Woolworth sit-ins, the museum offers an immersive opportunity to engage with the lived experiences of the Civil Rights Movement. Being in the space where history unfolded allows students to move beyond texts and develop a deeper, more personal understanding of the courage, resistance and collective action that shaped this pivotal moment.

Throughout the semester, students also participate in a weekly book club featuring texts that center historically marginalized perspectives. These discussions foster critical reflection, dialogue, and a deeper awareness of how history is constructed and taught.

Together, these experiences support principles of responsive and inclusive teaching while aligning with state and national social studies standards. In this way, teacher candidates begin to see teaching as a relational and reflective practice, one that calls them to honor diverse histories, foster meaningful connections, and create learning spaces rooted in equity and belonging.

As graduation approaches, Wible now looks back on the encounters and experiences that helped her better understand herself and shaped the impact she hopes to leave as she crosses the stage in May.

鈥淏efore Elon, I didn鈥檛 really have any attachment to my heritage,鈥� Wible said. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned so much about myself since being here.鈥�

To fully understand Wible鈥檚 journey, you must begin at the start. The daughter of two adoptees 鈥� one from Korea and the other a white American 鈥� she did not grow up in her small Pennsylvania hometown with a strong connection to her Korean heritage.

鈥淚 never had a clear sense of this part of me, since both of my parents are adoptees,鈥� Wible said. 鈥淐oming from a predominantly white school and community, there were times when I felt that my Korean heritage was something to be ashamed of.鈥�

Wible said that changed when she was admitted to Elon. She recognized college as an opportunity. 鈥淚 knew I would have better resources and outlets to put myself out there and learn more about Pan-Asian cultures,鈥� she said.

Looking for those opportunities, Wible first explored her identity through the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education鈥檚 SMART Mentor Program. She remembers it as a leap outside her comfort zone, but one she knew could open new doors.

That one decision changed the trajectory of her Elon experience. Through the SMART Mentor Program, Wible met Anna Marchesseault 鈥�24.

鈥淪he introduced me to all of her friends, and they helped me attend more events and find community early on,鈥� Wible said.

Wible鈥檚 exploration of her identity has also taken shape in an unexpected place 鈥� her home.

Living with two other Elon students of Asian heritage, she found a space to explore her culture through everyday behaviors.

鈥淚t was my roommates decorating for Lunar New Year and teaching me traditions, like cleaning the house before the Lunar New Year holiday,鈥� Wible said. 鈥淚 just never realized those were things that happened.”

What may have seemed like small moments became meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.

Finding community through connection

With the encouragement of her new friends, Wible began exploring her heritage by attending events, such as Food for Thought and previous API Heritage Month programs

These steps would eventually lead her to deeper campus involvement, including membership in Elon鈥檚 Associate Chapter of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, a sorority open to anyone interested in Pan-Asian cultures.

鈥淲e aim to promote an inclusive sisterhood while giving back to the community and celebrating culture, especially in a space where there aren鈥檛 many of us,鈥� Wible said.

This mission is reflected in the sorority鈥檚 guiding pillars of service, academic excellence and cultural awareness across university campuses and communities. As the current president of the Associate Chapter at Elon, Wible serves as the organization鈥檚 on-campus face and primary contact, as well as a member of the sorority鈥檚 national marketing staff.

Beyond her responsibilities as president, she has served as a mentor and demonstrated strong leadership within the sorority.

George Dou, assistant director of the CREDE and advisor to the sorority, praises Wible鈥檚 presence and contributions to the university campus.

鈥淩eagan is someone who鈥檚 passionate about what she does,鈥� Dou said. 鈥淢any student leaders are, but Reagan has always expressed a desire to improve upon what she鈥檚 given and to excel rather than being content with simply being satisfactory.鈥�

As Wible has invested in the organization, the sorority has also become a space where she has further discovered herself, explored her identity and developed her leadership.

鈥淚 want to build relationships across organizations and show that even if we come from different backgrounds, there are still ways we can connect and learn from each other,鈥� said Wible, who also serves on the executive board of the Multicultural Greek Council.

That vision has taken shape through her efforts to strengthen relationships across chapters.

鈥淩eagan doesn鈥檛 just support Elon KPL members, but supports our (members) all over the country,鈥� said Bella Pelini 鈥�27, a member of the Associate Chapter of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, who considers Wible a mentor. 鈥淪he is always the first to ask Elon (memberS) if we want to join her at other North Carolina school cultural events or reveals. She has helped us strengthen our sisterhood throughout all of North Carolina and beyond.鈥�

These actions reflect the legacy Wible hopes to leave on campus and bring her journey full circle, from the moment her mentor invested in her upon arriving at Elon. As she looks ahead, Wible is considering graduate school and pursuing a career on a college campus.

She hopes to leave a lasting impact on the community she has built at Elon by encouraging others to pursue new opportunities. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to go out of your comfort zone,鈥� Wible said. 鈥淚t might be scary, but it can change your life in a really positive way.鈥�

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 福利亚洲国产精品 is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month, Elon is also recognizing API Heritage Month through a series of events and programming.