The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges to Elon’s campus and the university community during the past academic year, but it also brought with it a host of lessons — opportunities to learn on the personal, professional and academic levels.

As this academic year comes to a close, a selection of Elon students, faculty and staff were asked to briefly detail a main lesson they learned as they adapted and endured during this global health crisis. They responded with stories about how the pandemic brought personal foundations into clearer focus, how they learned the ability to respond in ways they had not thought possible, and the realization of the power and preciousness of a hug.

Click on the photos above to hear these valuable and personal lessons.