For the second consecutive year, the university was is the only North Carolina private school featured by the magazine in its list of “25 Best Drama Schools in the World.” The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also made the list.

The publication said it consulted with educators and industry insiders to determine the best schools for an acting degree. It also weighed overall training, cost, facilities, alumni success, industry connections and more.

The 16 students accepted to the undergraduate musical theater program go through a rigorous training process, which begins with classes in acting, voice and dance, and then allows students to explore individualized paths, including taking part in student-driven cabaret performances. Seniors also take part in a two-semester course on professional readiness and artistic identity, which includes bringing in casting directors and talent representation, with many students gaining representation or jobs out of this process. To that point, Campy Rodriguez, a current student in the senior class, is on Broadway in聽Aladdin, in addition to such alum as Taylor Trensch, who recently led the off-Broadway production of聽Bat Boy. Tuition and fees are close to $51,000.

福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 Department of Performing Arts聽offers seven degree programs: Acting, Arts Administration,聽Dance Performance & Choreography,聽Dance Science, Drama and Theatre Studies,聽Music Theatre聽and聽Theatrical Design and Technology. Four programs require an audition or interview.

福利亚洲国产精品 福利亚洲国产精品

福利亚洲国产精品 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. Elon is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

Elon鈥檚 academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

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.

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聽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.聽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聽as聽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.

Elon has been repeatedly recognized for the number of its alumni who participate in the Fulbright Program as teachers, graduate students, and researchers and has been named a top-producer of Fulbright students in six separate years. Students and alumni interested in the Fulbright Program or other nationally competitive fellowships are invited to contact the National and International Fellowships Office. The deadline to notify the office of your intent to apply for Fulbright in this upcoming cycle is June 1, 2026. Rising seniors are required to work with the National and International Fellowships Office to apply for Fulbright, and alumni are highly encouraged to do so.

Those who received awards this year are:

Azul Bellot 鈥�26

Azul Bellot, a double major in psychology and sociolinguistics with a minor in TESOL, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. She is The Elon Commitment scholar in the Odyssey Program and a student scholar with The Center for Engaged Learning.

Bellot has been preparing for an experience like Fulbright long before she arrived at Elon. Reflecting on her early years, she says, 鈥淕rowing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I was my family鈥檚 translator from a young age. I navigated formal systems, adult conversations, and bureaucratic spaces in both English and Spanish long before I had the language to describe what that experience was doing to me. It gave me a deep understanding of what it means for language to be a gateway, and what it costs when that gateway is closed.鈥�

These formative years laid the groundwork for her time at Elon, where she developed her own independent sociolinguistics major, volunteered as an English tutor for children and adults, and conducted research on meaningful mentoring relationships. To Bellot, a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain is 鈥渢he most honest intersection of everything [she鈥檚] been working towards:聽language, identity, education, and community.鈥�

After Fulbright, Bellot plans to pursue more international fellowships before returning to academia to earn her PhD in Applied Linguistics. Her Elon mentors include Archie Crowley, assistant professor of English; Nina Namaste, professor of Spanish; and Sylvia Mu帽oz, assistant dean of students and director for the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.

Anya Brati膰 鈥�26

Anya Brati膰, a double major in international & global Studies and public policy with a minor in public health, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Vietnam. She is an Elon College Fellow, a Periclean Scholar, and the Student Government Association Student Body President.

To Brati膰, Fulbright represents the intersection of her two greatest passions: global engagement and teaching. She found ways to blend these passions during her time at Elon. As a Periclean Scholar, she had the opportunity to study abroad in India to understand what mutually beneficial relationships look like in practice, not just in theory. As a student consultant with the Center for Design Thinking, she developed a love for teaching and facilitation, specifically the challenge of guiding others through the structured process of finding meaningful solutions to 鈥渨icked鈥� problems. Serving as an English teaching assistant will allow her to refine her intercultural and teaching skills while strengthening diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.

After Fulbright, Brati膰 is interested in pursuing a career in diplomacy or global social impact. 鈥淪imply put, I want to work at the intersection of people, policy and purpose,鈥� she says. Brati膰鈥檚 constellation of Elon mentors includes Amanda Tapler, associate teaching professor of public health studies; Safia Swimelar, professor of political science and public policy; Sean McMahon, professor of entrepreneurship; and Danielle Lake, director of design thinking and associate professor of human service studies.

Molly Moylan 鈥�26

Biochemistry major Molly Moylan has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain.

At Elon, Moylan took every opportunity to foster and blend her passions for STEM research, teaching and service. As a researcher, Moylan worked with chemistry professor Dan Wright to study trace metals within medicinal herbs and spices. She refined her teaching skills by serving with America Reads, the Village Project, the CityGate Dream Center, and more. Most notably, Moylan found a way to combine her passions by co-founding Imagine Science, a program designed to address declining student engagement in science education by bringing hands-on experiments and activities to local after-school programs.

In Spain, Moylan will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Galicia, a region that is especially interested in promoting students鈥� scientific thinking skills. This Fulbright year will serve as crucial preparation for Moylan as she applies to medical school. The language and cultural skills she will gain in Spain will allow her to better serve Spanish-speaking patients in the future.

Moylan鈥檚 most influential Elon mentor has been Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dan Wright. 鈥淒r. Dan Wright has been instrumental in my success at Elon,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hrough his continued support, my confidence in both my personal and professional capacities has grown immensely, and I am extremely grateful to have had him as a mentor.鈥�

Madison Powers 鈥�25

Madison Powers, who graduated in 2025 with a degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. At Elon, Powers was a communications fellow and a 2023 Pulitzer reporting fellow. Since graduating, she has served as an editorial intern at Garden & Gun Magazine in Charleston, South Carolina.

Powers has long had her sights set on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Spain. During her undergraduate years, she spent a semester in Sevilla and fostered her dual passions for cross-cultural exchange and global education. Eager to return, she applied for Fulbright in last year鈥檚 application cycle and was named a semifinalist. She remained so committed to the value of a Fulbright experience that she chose to reapply this year, and her hard work and persistence paid off.

Powers will serve as an English teaching assistant in Madrid. She is excited to live and work in a large, diverse city while improving her Spanish language skills and forming connections with her community. Serving in Madrid will also allow her to work closely with students on Global Classrooms/Model UN projects, which are important to the development of their critical thinking and cross-cultural skills.

This Fulbright year will serve as a bridge between Powers鈥� current and future journalistic work. Upon returning to the U.S, she plans to work as a journalist reporting on and working in Spanish-speaking communities. Her Elon mentors include Kelly Furnas, associate teaching professor of journalism; Jan Register, administrative assistant for the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life; and Pablo Celis-Castillo, associate professor of Spanish.

Aryanna Vindas 鈥�25

Aryanna Vindas, a graduate of the class of 2025, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in South Korea. She graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a minor in Asian studies.

Serving as an English teaching assistant in South Korea is a natural extension of the work Vindas began at Elon. She completed a two-year undergraduate research project about Korean Buddhist mindfulness, studied abroad for a semester in South Korea, and undertook a rigorous course of Korean language study. Simultaneously, she developed her teaching skills by serving as a volunteer English teacher, tutoring Spanish, and leading and assisting dance classes.

Because her grant does not begin until January 2027, Vindas has chosen to go above and beyond to prepare. She will spend this summer in South Korea completing intensive language study at Yonsei University in Seoul, which will help her integrate more successfully into her future host community and build more meaningful relationships with her students.

After Fulbright, Vindas plans to enroll in graduate school to continue the research on Buddhist mindfulness she began at Elon. Vindas鈥� Elon mentors include Renay Aumiller, associate professor of dance; the 鈥渨onderful鈥� dance staff; and Pamela Winfield, professor of religious studies and associate director of international & global studies.

In addition to these students, one senior has been named an alternate. Alternates are still in the competition and have the chance to be promoted to finalists (recipients of the grant) up until the official start of the grant period. We will update this story as we continue to hear news of their progress.

Rebecca Lovasco 鈥�26

Rebecca Lovasco, a psychology major with minors in women鈥檚, gender, and sexuality studies and neuroscience, has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright study/research grant in Taiwan to earn a master鈥檚 degree in Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at Taipei Medical University.

Lovasco is an Elon College Fellow who went on to win the Lumen Prize. Her research, which integrates cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, and philosophy of mind, explores how anxiety and depression affect reinforcement learning and conscious visual perception. Outside of her research, Lovasco is proud to have served as a law enforcement crisis counselor with the Campus Alamance program.

Lovasco鈥檚 Elon mentors include Kristina Krasich, assistant professor of psychology; William Schreiber, associate professor of psychology; Kim Epting, professor of psychology; Alexa Darby, professor of psychology; and Jill McSweeney,聽assistant director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning聽and assistant professor of wellness.

Elon faculty and staff members gathered in Alumni Gym for the event, which also included recognition of employees for years-of-service milestones and special recognitions of faculty and staff members who are retiring this academic year. Thirty-one employees who were recognized for 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service have served a collective 2,810 years at Elon.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book opened the ceremony with highlights and successes from the 2025-26 academic year and encouraged the audience to pause and take pride in their work.

鈥淭hank you for the work you’ve done to strengthen our community and our mission and thank you for all you do to ensure that students succeed when they choose Elon,鈥� said Book.

During the ceremony, Book also announced the appointment of Katy Rouse, professor of economics, as the trustee chair for excellence in undergraduate teaching for 2026-2029. This three-year chair was developed by the Board of Trustees in 2023 to honor a faculty member who exemplifies Elon’s teacher-scholar-mentor model and contributes to the broader scholarship of teaching and learning. Rouse was praised for her impact on student learning and mentoring both in and beyond the classroom and for advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning through publications in leading economics education journals.

The ceremony concluded with a celebration of faculty and staff who were honored with awards from the university this year: Associate Professor and Chair of English Scott Proudfit, Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy Ryan Johnson, Associate Professor of Geography Sandy Marshall and Associate Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Sandra Reid.

Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award

Associate Professor and Chair of English Scott Proudfit

Described as a mentor and teacher who 鈥減ersuades his students to be incisive and critical thinkers,鈥� Scott Proudfit, associate professor and chair of English, is the 54th recipient of the Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award. The award was established by President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley 鈥�46 and his wife, Verona Daniels Danieley, in honor of their parents.

Megan Isaac, professor of English, and Rosemary Haskell, professor of English, said in their joint nomination, 鈥淥ur decision to elect Scott to the position of chair two years ago was not rooted in his organizational skills, kindness, or vision (although he has all of those qualities), but because he models and supports our central mission-teaching.鈥�

Dinidu Karunanayake, assistant professor of English, praised the 鈥淪cott-standard,鈥� which he says undoubtedly enriches and emboldens Elon core values. 鈥淪cott is an exemplary embodiment of the teacher-scholar-mentor model,鈥� said Karunanayake in his nomination letter. 鈥淗is ability to effortlessly (and synchronously) straddle many paths as a tireless and gifted teacher, top-notch researcher, big-hearted mentor, daring advisor, generous colleague and above all, a truly remarkable human being puts him at the height of the teaching profession.”

In addition to teaching core English courses, Proudfit redeveloped the drama curriculum through courses exploring dramatic styles, literary theory and contemporary social themes. The courses are now core components of the English major and the drama & theatre studies major and are routine choices for students in acting, arts administration and theatrical design & technology majors.

The award was presented by Book, who, in her prepared speech, said, 鈥淭his combination of rigor and care is a hallmark of an Elon education 鈥� rooted in relationships shaped by intellectual curiosity, and leaving a legacy long after graduation. And boy, does [Proudfit] have it!鈥�

鈥淪cott’s energy and love for the literature that he teaches is apparent in every second of his lessons, and it rubs off on his students. The discussions that he leads are student-centered, each one opening with one or two students bringing in prepared questions to kick off the day. 鈥�

鈥撀燗nnaliese Jaffe 鈥�18, high school English teacher and former student

Upon receiving the award, Proudfit told the crowd that he worries those who distrust higher education may have never had a good relationship with a teacher.

鈥淚t鈥檚 too bad,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause for me, the relationship between a teacher and a student is one of the most central relationships for a good life.鈥�

And, he noted, 鈥淚 have been lucky enough to have these kinds of relationships with students over and over again at Elon.”

Proudfit ended his speech by naming former students who shaped his Elon experience.

Proudfit earned a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University in 2008, where his major field of study was drama in English. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and theater, cum laude, from Columbia University in 1993 and joined 福利亚洲国产精品 in 2010. Before completing his doctorate, Proudfit worked with theater groups in Los Angeles and New York, covered theater scenes in both cities as an editor for Back Stage and Back Stage West and worked as an assistant editor for a division of Marvel Comics. He has served as associate editor and co-editor on multiple publications and published multiple essays. Proudfit is the recipient of the Inspirational Ally Award (2017) and the Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (2019).

Distinguished Scholar Award

Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy Ryan Johnson

Described as an 鈥渦nstoppable force when it comes to research publications,鈥� Ryan Johnson produces the equivalent of 5.4 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters per year 鈥撀爋ver three times the amount of scholarship expected by a philosopher at an R1 institution. Johnson, associate professor and chair of philosophy, is the 27th recipient of the of the Distinguished Scholar Award, Elon鈥檚 top faculty research award, which recognizes a faculty member whose research has earned peer commendation and respect and who has made significant contributions to his or her field of study.

When Johnson arrived at Elon in 2015, his research brought together 20th-century French philosophy and ancient Hellenistic thought, of which he has several publications. Soon after, he grappled with what it meant to be a white man in the American South and began seeing his subject position and scholarship through new eyes.

鈥淎ll of this traced back to lessons I learned from my former teacher, George Yancy,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淪oon I realized how canonical European philosophers, especially Hegel and Nietzsche, must reckon with challenges posed by thinkers such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Audre Lorde.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 research focuses on continental philosophy, African American philosophy and the history of philosophy, with particular attention to questions of race, liberation, democracy and the relationship between philosophy and everyday life. His scholarship explores thinkers including Hegel, Deleuze and the Stoics while examining how philosophical ideas shape contemporary political, cultural and ethical questions.

Rebecca E. Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs and professor of biology, who presented the award, described Johnson as a model of sustained intellectual engagement whose work 鈥渉as defined major segments of the discussions in current literature,鈥� noting that聽research is not insulated from teaching 鈥撀爄t is deeply integrated with it.

Addressing the crowd, Johnson expressed gratitude to his wife and colleagues. He alluded to the uniqueness of his research and said Elon is the only place he can imagine himself doing this work.

In a nomination letter, Thomas Nail, professor and chair of philosophy at Denver University, said that he continues to be impressed by Johnson鈥檚 work due to his originality and enthusiasm for new and experimental directions in research and teaching.

鈥淚 can honestly say with no hesitation that I do not know anyone else in our field who is as adventurous and forward looking as Ryan.鈥�

鈥撀燭homas Nail, professor and chair of philosophy at Denver University聽

Johnson has published nine books, with three others in various states of completion. He has also contributed 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, 15 book chapters and edited a special issue of a professional journal, in addition to 58 conference presentations. Johnson is the author or co-author of several books, including Phenomenology of Black Spirit (2022), Deleuze, A Stoic (2020) and The Deleuze-Lucretius Encounter (2017), and has edited multiple scholarly collections in philosophy.

Stephen Bloch-Schulman, professor of philosophy at Elon, said about Johnson, 鈥淗e recognizes and deepens the ways that scholarship, university service and teaching are necessarily interwoven practices that, for him, are united by the twin ethical demands of living life as a philosopher and creating community and connections around fighting racism.鈥�

Praising Johnson for his ongoing engagement to learn more about the African American philosophical tradition and the ways he inspires his students to think intensively and critically to the history of philosophy, Stephen C. Ferguson, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies at North Carolina State University said, “By combining a creative impulse with a historically grounded approach to intellectual thought, Ryan鈥檚 work provides a window into what it means to be a great interdisciplinary scholar and thinker.鈥�

Johnson earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Duquesne University in 2014 and joined 福利亚洲国产精品 in 2015. He served as an associate professor and chair of philosophy at Elon. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Scholarship Award (2020), four Faculty Research and Development Summer Research Fellowships and external awards including a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend and the John William Miller Fellowship.

Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award

Associate Professor of Geography Sandy Marshall

Sandy Marshall, associate professor of geography, has built a career at Elon defined by a sustained commitment to student mentoring, undergraduate research and community-engaged learning. Since joining the university in 2017, he has mentored students across disciplines and guided research exploring global regions, migration and lived experiences, helping students connect academic work with complex social and cultural contexts.

Marshall received the Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award, which was endowed in 2020 by Provost Emeritus Steven House and Patricia House to honor faculty and staff who excel in student mentoring and reflect Elon鈥檚 national recognition as a leader in engaged, experiential learning.

Marshall鈥檚 mentorship has shaped students who have gone on to careers in public service, law and global development, including a public defense attorney, a Harvard- and Yale-trained criminal justice attorney and a global development consultant who has worked with the United Nations and USAID. His mentees have also earned competitive achievements such as Fulbright fellowships, Critical Language Scholarships and publication in academic journals.

Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of English Deandra Little presented the award, saying about Marshall, 鈥淪tudent and alumni representatives consistently describe this awardee as a strong mentor whose guidance has shaped their academic path and broadened their understanding of what meaningful mentorship can look like, and whose mentoring persists long after graduation.”

Marshall encouraged the audience to surround themselves with people who see potential in them beyond what they themselves can see. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檝e tried to do for my students, and that鈥檚 what so many of you have done for me,鈥� he shared.

Amy Allocco, professor of religious studies, and Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society and professor of religious studies, praised Marshall鈥檚 mentoring approach, writing that 鈥渉is patience, kindness and generosity with his time has helped several students find success and feel proud of the work that they had completed by graduation.鈥� They noted that his mentorship is 鈥渄eep, context-sensitive, and enduring,鈥� often continuing long after students graduate.

Students echoed that impact in their nomination letters.聽Nicole Plante 鈥�20, now a JD candidate at Yale Law School, wrote that 鈥渇rom the very beginning of our work together, Dr. Marshall served as an amazing resource who gave me a lot of autonomy and encouraged me to take the lead of my project.鈥�

“Dr. Marshall pushed me to go further and put myself in situations that not only stretched my intellectual capacity, but also my moral convictions and future aspirations.鈥�
鈥撀燭aylor Garner 鈥�20, global development strategist

Kylee Marie Smith 鈥�21, assistant public defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, described the lasting influence of that mentorship, writing, 鈥淚n my almost five years since graduating from Elon, I have continuously realized that my road always leads back to Dr. Marshall and the foundations, skills and knowledge that he taught me.鈥�

Marshall鈥檚 commitment to students extends beyond the classroom and across the globe. Alyssa Carney 鈥�26, who is double-majoring in international & global studies and history, noted that during her semester abroad, 鈥淒r. Marshall went so far as to travel from North Carolina to Sevilla during his own spring break to meet with me, check in on my research progress and provide guidance while I was in the field.” She added that his mentorship is defined by 鈥渉is belief in his students鈥� potential鈥� and his ability to create a space where 鈥渃uriosity, critical thinking, and genuine exchange thrive.鈥�

In addition to mentoring undergraduate researchers, Marshall has served as interim director of the Multifaith Scholars program and as faculty director in the Global Neighborhood, where he fosters student development through advising, programming and community-building. In 2020, he co-founded the Power and Place Collaborative, partnering with local nonprofits and municipal entities to engage students in oral history and storytelling projects that connect academic inquiry with community experience.

Across these roles, Marshall鈥檚 mentorship emphasizes long-term growth, global engagement and meaningful relationships.

Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Associate Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Sandra Reid 鈥�85

Sandra Reid 鈥�85, senior lecturer in human service studies, is the 24th recipient of the Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, which recognizes a member of Elon鈥檚 faculty or staff whose service to the broader community exemplifies the ideals of Project Pericles, a national initiative that advocates for preparing students for socially responsible citizenship.

Through decades of work in juvenile justice, social work and higher education, Reid has built a career defined by civic engagement, community leadership and social responsibility. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping students become engaged citizens and leaders in their communities.

At Elon, Reid teaches courses including Juvenile Justice and The Black Family, helping students examine systemic inequalities through civic engagement and social justice frameworks. She also teaches interdisciplinary programs including Poverty and Social Justice and African and African American Studies.

Reid also leads 鈥淒isarming Justice,鈥� a Winter Term study away program in Alabama where students visit historic Civil Rights Movement sites and engage in conversations about systemic inequities that persist today.

Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence and professor of cinema and television arts, presented the award. She described Periclean awardees as 鈥渟mart service-minded leaders鈥� who use their experiences to leave the world better than they found it.

鈥淧ericlean awardees empower others to be engaged citizens and leaders in their communities 鈥� the personification of that ideal is Sandra Reid.鈥�

鈥� Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence and professor of cinema and television arts

Reid expressed surprise and gratitude for the recognition, telling the audience, 鈥淚 never imagined that I’d be back here teaching after being in juvenile justice, but it’s been one of the best things that I’ve done.鈥�

Faculty members in the Department of Human Service Studies praised Reid鈥檚 鈥済ift for facilitating what she calls 鈥榗ourageous conversations鈥� about justice, equity and difference鈥� in their nomination letter. They wrote that Reid encourages students to engage difficult topics thoughtfully and recognize that 鈥渓earning 鈥� and social justice work 鈥� is an ongoing process.鈥�

Beyond the classroom, Reid mentors students through programs including the Elon Academy, Renaissance Scholars and the Elon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her community leadership includes chairing the Alamance County Community Services Agency, training law enforcement in cultural competency and community engagement, and serving on the Alamance County Coalition of Remembrance, helping memorialize local lynching victims.

Reid鈥檚 work in juvenile justice, education and community leadership has shaped generations of students pursuing careers in public service, advocacy and social change.

All are invited to the Sacred Space in Numen Lumen at 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 8, for a Gathering of Friends in Fred’s memory as we mourn the loss of someone who was a colleague, mentor, and friend.

Fred joined the Elon faculty in 1988 and served as chair of the Department of Performing Arts twice鈥攆irst from 2006 to 2018, and again from 2022 until his passing. In that role, he skillfully guided one of the largest departments at Elon, serving multiple majors and minors all focused on excellent performance experiences that challenge, entertain, and teach. He was instrumental in building the foundation of our performing arts programs, supervising the renovations of the Center for the Arts and the construction of Scott Studios, which includes the Roberts Studio Theatre, rehearsal hall, dressing rooms, and shop and storage facilities.

Fred’s creative legacy is extraordinary. At Elon, he directed more than 50 productions, beginning with “Tintypes” in 1988 and including “South Pacific,” “The Shadow Box,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “Antigone,” “Arcadia,” and “Instant Laughter,” among many others. As a playwright, Fred composed 10 original works, performed in more than 40 productions and served as an educator and champion of the performing arts for close to four decades. His scholarship extended well beyond our campus, with summer directing engagements at regional theatres across the country for productions including “A Christmas Carol,” “Evita,” “The Sound of Music,” “Damn Yankees,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Hair.”

Generations of Elon students benefited from Fred’s teaching, which spanned nearly every aspect of the performing arts curriculum鈥攑erformance, directing, playwriting, theory, production, ensemble, travel courses, and general education. Beyond his department, Fred was a citizen of the entire university, serving on practically every committee that supports our work, from Academic Council and Curriculum Committee to countless search committees and more. His contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, the Semester Sabbatical Award, the Exemplary Service Award for Advising College Freshmen, a Summer Fellowship in Playwriting, and a Faculty Research Grant for the study of movement training for the actor.

It is hard to imagine Elon without Fred’s joyful and dashing presence. His warmth, his craft, and his deep kindness for students and colleagues alike shaped this community in ways we will never forget.

Resources are available to students, faculty, and staff to discuss feelings of loss or concern for others. Students can always access the 24/7 resources from the crisis counselor on-call at 336-278-2222, TalkNow from TimelyCare, or the Student Life administrator on-call through Campus Safety and Police at 336-278-5555. On weekdays, university resources include university chaplains in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life at 336-278-7729, staff with the Office of Student Care and Outreach at 336-278-7104, or counselors from Counseling Services at 336-278-7280. Faculty and staff may also utilize Elon Work-Life Resources for support. Assistance is also available from Elon’s Employee Assistance Program through MYgroup, which offers free confidential counseling and other resources to employees and their families. Access MYgroup resources by calling (800) 633-3353 and ask to connect with counseling resources.

Please join me in sending prayers of thanks for the personal and professional contributions Fred made to this university and this community, and keep Fred’s colleagues, family and friends in your thoughts. May they find peace and consolation during this very difficult time.

Related Articles

• The Month in Photos: January 2026
• The Months in Photos: February 2026
• The Month in Photos: March 2026

As the spring semester at 福利亚洲国产精品 draws to a close, the campus remained vibrant and full of energy throughout April. The 2025鈥�26 Elon Speaker Series wrapped up with a visit from bestselling author Frank Bruni, while nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors. Progress also continued on the new Roberts Academy, and Elon hosted its largest-ever Spring Undergraduate Research Forum.

Take a look back at April through the lens of the University Communications team.

A new life for Holland House

University leaders and student-athletes celebrated a new era for Elon鈥檚 Holland House on South Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that debuted a preeminent home for the Phoenix men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf programs. Before the latest renovation, the building was home to two Elon presidents and administrative offices 鈥� and even moved across campus.

The Montagues in McCrary

福利亚洲国产精品 Performing Arts brought history’s most famous love story to McCrary Theatre with “Romeo and Juliet.” The Shakespearean tragedy tells the tale of Romeo, from the House of Montague, and Juliet, from the House of Capulet, who secretly fall in love and get married, despite their families disapproval.

Stargazing for mental health

Students were encouraged to engage with nature in support of their mental wellness through the Star Gazing for Mental Health event at Lake Verona. The Astronomy Club, Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Office of Sustainability sponsored the event.

Trollinger’s new look

Renovations have started on Trollinger House, which was once a small residence hall but will soon serve as the temporary location for Roberts Academy at 福利亚洲国产精品, an all-day private school for children with dyslexia that opens in August.

Established in 2025 through a gift from philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida, the Roberts Academy at 福利亚洲国产精品 will be the fourth in a series of successful university-based private elementary schools the couple also supported at Vanderbilt University, Mercer University and Florida Southern College.

A Holi Celebration

On April 10, a warm and sunny spring afternoon, nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff gathered on the lawn of the Lambert Academic Village to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.聽This year marked the 14th anniversary of Holi at Elon, a tradition led by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

Escaping the ‘age of grievance’

Journalist and bestselling author Frank Bruni delivered a sold-out Frank P. Elder Lecture in Whitley Auditorium on April 9. He explored how Americans are聽living in what he calls an 鈥渁ge of grievance,鈥� a time where more people believe they are losing because someone else is winning. The Elder Lecture marks the final event of the 2025-26 福利亚洲国产精品 Speaker Series.

A record-breaking SURF

福利亚洲国产精品 held its largest-ever Spring Undergraduate Research Forum on April 28, featuring 384 presentations, including 229 poster presentations, 155 oral presentations, and performances.

SURF Day is an annual event at the university, during which other campus activities are suspended to celebrate the academically centered creative endeavors and research efforts of Elon students.

Double CAA Champs

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams took home CAA titles in April.聽The conference title was the , when the Phoenix also took down UNCW. This was Elon’s fifth straight CAA championship match, all of which were against the Seahawks. With the victory, Elon secures an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship.

The women have , with both championship match victories coming against William & Mary.聽With the win, Elon secured the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship.

Go baby go!

For the first time, Elon students brought the Go Baby Go initiative to campus, adapting ride-on toy cars for children with mobility challenges.

The collaborative effort between the Elon Engineering Club, Phoenix Racing and the Department of Physical Therapy brought the Go Baby Go Initiative to Elon鈥檚 campus for the first time. Founded in 2012 at the University of Delaware, Go Baby Go is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges.

More than 50 students and several teachers from ABSS CTEC Burlington joined Elon鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Department of Exercise Science and Performing Arts to celebrate National Biomechanics Day, an annual global event held since 2016. All of the CTEC students were on the health science track, making the experience an opportunity to connect their academic interests with potential future pathways.

Students rotated through six stations focused on different aspects of biomechanics, each designed to highlight both fundamental concepts and practical applications.

At the static balance station, participants completed variations of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), testing their ability to maintain stability in double-leg, single-leg and tandem stances on both firm and foam surfaces. The neuromotor station focused on coordination and motor learning through activities like mirror tracing, maze completion and target-based drawing tasks. At the strength station, students measured grip strength using handheld dynamometers and observed muscle activation through electromyography (EMG).

Movement was further explored at the tandem gait station, where students walked heel-to-toe along a straight line. As they progressed from forward to backwards walking and added cognitive challenges like counting or spelling backwards, the tasks became increasingly difficult. At the jump station, participants measured their vertical and horizontal jumping ability, learning how lower-body power is assessed in sports and exercise settings. The final station challenged students to think like engineers. Using simple materials, groups built functional models of an elbow joint, aiming to replicate natural movement. The activity highlighted the relationship between biomechanics and design, with connections to prosthetics and rehabilitation technology.

Faculty from exercise science, performing arts and physical therapy, along with student volunteers, led the stations and guided discussions throughout the day. Their involvement created a collaborative environment where participants could ask questions, test ideas and explore new interests.

By the end of the event, students were left with a deeper understanding of how biomechanics applies to everyday movement, health, and performance; as well as a clearer picture of how those interests could shape their future.

Lumen Scholars will work closely with their mentors during the next two years to pursue and complete their projects. Efforts traditionally include coursework, study abroad, research both on and off campus, internships locally and overseas, program development, and creative productions and performances.

“It was another very competitive year, and the Lumen Advisory Board saw many good applications,” said Michael Carignan, director of the Lumen Prize and professor of history. “These 15 represent truly special talent and engagement. We look forward to watching the projects unfold over the next two years.”

The name for the Lumen Prize comes from Elon鈥檚 historic motto, 鈥淣umen Lumen,鈥� which are Latin words meaning 鈥渟piritual light鈥� and 鈥渋ntellectual light.鈥� The words, which are found on the 福利亚洲国产精品 seal, signify the highest purposes of an Elon education.

2026 Lumen Prize Winners

Tajallah Amirkhil
Mentor: Molly Green
Major: Public Health & Biochemistry
Project: Barriers and Resilience: Exploring Mental Health among Afghan Refugee Women in North Carolina

Emma Brice帽o
Mentors: Dan Burns & Tita Ramirez
Major: English (Creative Writing)
Project: The Desert Lighthouse, a Novel: an Exploration of Queerness and Safety through Body Horror, Immortality, and Genre Reinvention

Kelley Calvillo
Mentor: Renay Aumiller
Major: Dance Performance and Choreography
Project: The Body Knows: Developing a Feminist Framework for Distributed Choreographic Authorship

Chloe Cone
Mentors: Eryn Bernardy & Ahlam Armaly
Major: Biochemistry
Project: Solutions in the Soil: Unearthing Novel Antibacterial Compounds from Soil Microbes to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Sanai Crosby
Mentors: Lauren Kearns & Matt Wittstein
Major: Exercise Science & Dance Science
Project: Dance and Neural Activity: Examining Neural Activity Across the Choreographic Process and Performance Environments

Fleur Helmantel
Mentor: Scott Wolter
Major: Biomedical Engineering & Chinese Studies
Project: Development of Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Anna Keller
Mentor: Scott Morrison
Project: Perceptions and Practices of Outdoor Literacy: a Two-Part Mixed-Methods Study

Nevaeh Kimmie
Mentor: Katrina Jongman-Sereno
Major: Psychology & Economics
Project: To Code-Switch or Not to Code-Switch: Authenticity, Psychological Outcomes, and Social Judgement of Black College Students in Predominantly White Academic Spaces

Lisa Kranec
Mentors: Hwayeon Ryu & Efrain Rivera-Serrano
Major: Biomedical Engineering & Applied Mathematics
Project: Mathematical Modeling of Excessive Collagen Production in Cardiac Fibrosis

Jordyne Lewis
Mentor: Steve DeLoach
Major: Economic Consulting & Data Analytics
Refugees, Emotional Wellbeing, and Financial Inclusion in Uganda

Kendall Lewis
Mentor: Jen Uno
Major: Biochemistry & Mathematics
Project: Can the Microbiome Heal the Brain?Evaluating Butyrate鈥檚 Efficiency in Reducing Stroke Severity within the Context of Obesity

Ja鈥橫ir Parham
Mentor: Zack Hutchens
Major: Astrophysics
Project: RESOLVE, ECO, and eRASS: Probing Galaxy Growth through Cold and Hot Gas

Danny Stern
Mentor: Karl Sienerth
Major: Chemistry
Project: From Backlog to Breakthrough: Use of Fluorescence Quenching for the Development of an Explosive Identification Database

Ainsley Thompson
Mentor: Yuko Miyamoto
Major: Biochemistry
Project: Decreasing Platinum Chemotherapy Resistance by Downregulating STAT3 and Upregulating PTEN in the SKOV3 Cell Line

Scout Winter
Mentor: Bill Evans
Major: Exercise Science
Project: Effects of a Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet on Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Maddie Hewgley 鈥�26 is using her undergraduate research to explore a complex and timely question: Why are states continuing to pass Second Amendment Preservation Act laws even after courts have ruled them unconstitutional?

When Hewgley, a political science and music theatre major, Lumen Scholar and Elon College Fellow, began researching legislation from her home state of Missouri, she did not expect it to open the door to a much broader national conversation about federalism, state power and policy diffusion. She will present her findings during the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) on April 28.

Her research project, 鈥淏ullets & Bills,鈥� explores how and why the Second Amendment Preservation Act continues to be adopted at the state level, despite the federal court deeming it unconstitutional.

The Second Amendment Preservation Act aims to prevent states from enforcing federal gun laws that are not mirrored at the state level.

鈥淭hese are laws that states are passing that attempt to nullify federal gun laws if there is not a state equivalent,鈥欌�� Hewgley said. 鈥淲hat surprised me most is that states continue to pass them even after federal courts ruled they violate the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution. Civilians can even sue law enforcement for enforcing this federal policy.鈥�

Missouri became the first state to pass this law in 2021, sparking similar legislation in 14 additional states. Hewgley鈥檚 research focuses on understanding what is driving these laws.

鈥淢y main question is not just what these laws are, it鈥檚 how and why they are continuing to proliferate despite legal challenges,鈥� Hewgley said.

For Hewgley, this topic is not just academic, it鈥檚 personal.

鈥淚 lost loved ones to gun violence when I was younger,鈥� Hewgley said. 鈥淚 felt really helpless. This research feels like a way to take initiative on something that is much larger than myself.鈥�

That experience led her to participate in gun violence activism and motivated her to conduct this research. She emphasizes that her research is not intended to advocate for one side of the debate, but to understand the mechanisms behind these laws.

Her findings show how states have adapted their strategies over time. Missouri鈥檚 original law included aggressive enforcement mechanisms and was struck down; states like South Carolina have passed revised versions with softer language or attached them to broader legislation to avoid legal scrutiny.

鈥淪tates want to send a message or align themselves politically, but they are learning from earlier failures and adjusting their approach,鈥� Hewgley said.

To analyze this trend, Hewgley has studied the theory of policy diffusion, which examines how and why policies spread between states. Her work explores whether states are motivated by emulation, learning, competition or coercion.

鈥淚 think states influence each other,鈥� Hewgley said. 鈥淢issouri isn鈥檛 usually a policy innovator, so the fact that they were the first to pass this and others are following is really interesting.鈥�

Her research also examines external influences, such as advocacy groups and political shifts at the national level, and how they drive some of this legislation.

Hewgley has studied documents, legislation and conducted a content analysis to build her research. One of her surprising findings was that many residents in Missouri were unaware this law existed, despite its significant implications.

鈥淭hat finding made me question whether these laws are really meant to have an impact or if they are more symbolic,鈥� Hewgley said.

Ultimately, Hewgley hopes her research encourages people to look beyond this law and consider larger questions about the balance of federalism in the United States.

鈥淭his is not just about gun rights; it鈥檚 about how states and the federal government interact and how that applies to so many other issues, from abortion to marijuana laws,鈥� Hewgley said.

Hewgley鈥檚 research was mentored by Dillan Bono-Lunn, assistant professor of political science and public policy.

鈥淲hen I met with Dr. Bono-Lunn, I knew before I left her office that she was who I wanted to be by mentor because I came to her with two research ideas, one that was pretty fleshed out and the other was a headline about Missouri鈥檚 Second Amendment Preservation Act, which I was exceptionally interested in pursuing, but I did not have a research question,鈥� Hewgley said. 鈥淪he encouraged me to pursue a research idea that I was excited about, and now three years later I am pursuing that research. She allows me to follow whatever thread I find and has taught me that a good researcher stays curious and flexible at every stage of the process.鈥�

As she prepares to present her research, Hewgley reflected on how far she鈥檚 come.

鈥淚f you had told me as a first-year student that I鈥檇 be researching something this complex, I wouldn鈥檛 have believed you,鈥� said. 鈥淣ow, I feel like I can really contribute to the conversation and it鈥檚 made me feel like I鈥檝e made an impact.鈥�