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“You may be leaving Elon, but Elon will never leave you,” said Jana Lynn Patterson, as a reminder to the Class of 2026 and herself as they all prepare to close their chapters at 福利亚洲国产精品. Patterson, associate vice-president for student life, dean of student health & well-being, and assistant professor, is retiring this summer after 40 years with the university.

“Elon is not just a place, it is a network of relationships that travels with you,” said Patterson, as she addressed the soon-to-be graduates during Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection on May 19, Under the Oaks.

Since 2022, Elon has hosted the Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection during Commencement Week as a reimagining of the traditional baccalaureate ceremony. Patterson was introduced Tuesday night by Kendall Lytle ’26, who was one of Patterson’s students in Elon 1010, the introductory course required for all first-year students. Lytle spoke of the impact Patterson had on her Elon career, calling her the one of the “many superwomen” of Elon.

“My heart hurts for a future Elon without her tireless leadership. But, I am beyond excited to see what life after Elon brings her, and I am especially honored that she gets to make her grand exit alongside the rest of us,” Lytle said.

In her remarks, Patterson spoke of how she is having many of the same feelings as the outgoing class: nervousness, anticipation and even sadness. But that it’s also an “extraordinary privilege” to be with one another, connect and be part of one another’s journeys. She reminded them that Elon has always been a community “defined by care,” where relationships are built in the small moments.

“罢丑别蝉别 moments do not come with applause. But they matter. They say to another person: You matter. You belong. You are seen,” said Patterson. “Carry your moments with you. The big ones—and the quiet ones. They will guide you. They will ground you.”

Elon is not just a place, it is a network of relationships that travels with you.

Jana Lynn Patterson,?associate vice-president for student life, dean of student health & well-being

Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection is a celebration of community, light and achievement that provides an opportunity for reflection on the light students will take into the world. The ceremony’s name echoes Elon’s motto, “numen lumen” which means “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.”

At the beginning of their Elon career, during New Student Convocation, students receive an acorn, and at the end of Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection, they each receive an oak sapling. This year, in addition to the sapling, students also received a copy of?“Breaking Glass: Tales from the Witch of Wall Street,” by Patricia Walsh Chadwick P’16, who will deliver the commencement address on Friday, May 22.

“Elon is Hebrew for oak, and it’s because of that, on that first day, we get that acorn. And that acorn, as well as the sapling, are both a representation and a reflection of ourselves, and that journey over four years,” said Nic Fillippa ’26, senior class president, who welcomed the Class of 2026 to the event. “We all started here as acorns, and this week, we will leave as young trees – ready to go and grow in the world.”

Anne Ghosen ’26, a cinema & television arts and communication design double major, described receiving her sapling as a satisfying experience.

“It’s very full circle. When we first did Convocation, I had no idea what to expect when we got that little acorn,” said Ghosen, who is from Allendale, New Jersey. “This was a time to reflect and look back at how much I’ve done and how much I’ve grown since that first Convocation. It’s also a really cool feeling to see a physical representation of our time at Elon.”

Following the “Greeting of the Drums,” by Bashir Shakur, Forrest Matthews and Lamar Lewis and Fillipa’s welcome, Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, offered words of reflection to the class, reminding them of what they have conquered during their time at Elon.

“You kept becoming. You studied. You engaged. You served. You created. You cared for one another, and you kept on showing up,” Boswell said. “罢丑别蝉别 were not easy years. But they shaped you into a generation that is not only informed, but is discerning. Not only challenged, but compassionate. Not only aware of suffering, but determined to make meaning within it.”

Boswell also acknowledged Jason Titunik, a member of the Class of 2026, who died in July 2023.

“Even in celebration, we acknowledge sorrow,” said Boswell. “It is a sacred grief when one who began the journey with us is not here to share the milestone with us.”

The ceremony included musical reflections from students and faculty. Malia Horst ’26, Lucas Velasco-Shen ’26 and University Accompanist Tyson Hankins performed a rendition of “The Climb,” made famous by singer Miley Cyrus. Andrea Baca ’26 and Velasco-Shen ’26 also performed a rendition of “Milagro de Amor,” by Athenas.

A tradition of the program, “The Meaning We Make,”? allows students to give selected readings from religious texts, poetry, nonfiction and other writings and reflect on how those choices represent their time at Elon. Grace Frances Stetler ’26 read Matthew 7:24-25, Simon Mendelsohn ’26 read a quote from “Pirkei Avot,” Huria Tahiry read the poem “The Guest House,” by Mawalna Jaladin Muhammad Balkhi, Diana Jimenez-Carreno ’26 read a quote from Javier Zamora’s memoir “Salito,” Fatmata Binta Bah ’26 read “A Missive to Youth,” by Amadou Hamp?té B?, and Ahron Jay Frankel ’26 read an excerpt from “Rahiya Tu Ruk Na” (Traveler, Do Not Stop) by Deepak Jatoi.

Rocco Albano ’26 read an excerpt from a 1990 Kenyon College commencement address, delivered by Bill Waterson, the author of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. Waterson advised graduates to find their own life’s meaning and not be tied to the “imaginary ladder of success.”

“Reading those turgid philosophers here in these remote stone buildings may not get you a job, but if those books have forced you to ask yourself questions about what makes life truthful, purposeful, meaningful, and redeeming, you have the Swiss Army Knife of mental tools, and it’s going to come in handy all the time,” read Albano from Waterson’s address.

“My time here at Elon has helped foster (my) interests and develop them in a myriad of ways, even outside of things typically considered essential for my major or potential career,” said Albano. “I hope that in your time here in these ‘remote brick buildings’ that you too have had the chance to engage not only with course content and syllabi, but also with meaning, and that you carry those lessons with you into the rest of your life as well.”

Fabin Covington ’76 began the “passing of the light,” as Covington and multiple other Elon alumni passed a candle flame from alumni to student, and student to student. As the candles were illuminated, Mindy Monroe ’26, Velasco-Shen and Hankins performed “Bridge of Light” by P!nk and Billy Mann.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book offered her final words to the graduates before the Commencement ceremonies on May 22, reminding them of the symbolic nature of the sapling they are about to receive and the “life of love” they formed at Elon.

“Remember the roots that you formed at Elon. They include the hard days — and those days strengthened you. The experiences that made you more compassionate, more humble, more willing to give things a second, third, or even fourth try,” Book said. “In addition to a life of love, embrace a life of risk-taking. Try things more than once. Be dissatisfied. In my experience, that is the fullness of life — and often where hope for something better begins.”

The 136th Commencement Ceremonies

Elon University will celebrate more than 1,500 graduates during two ceremonies on Friday, May 22, in Schar Center for the university’s 136th Commencement Exercises.

The 9 a.m. ceremony will honor graduates from the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications. The 2:30 p.m. ceremony will recognize graduates from Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; and the School of Health Sciences.

More information on Elon’s 136th Commencement is?available online.

The event marked the culmination of a year-long fellowship focused on helping student leaders strengthen their skills in dialogue, curious disagreement and civic engagement. Through workshops, retreats, and sessions with peer mentors, Elon’s eight inaugural fellows explored how to engage difficult conversations with openness, then brought those practices back to the organizations and communities they lead.

Fellows practiced facilitation skills, reflected on their own perspectives and assumptions, and learned strategies for navigating disagreement in ways that foster connection rather than division. They also collaborated with students from other institutions, including Dartmouth, expanding conversations beyond Elon’s campus and exchanging ideas about how dialogue-based leadership can strengthen student organizations and campus culture.

For many fellows, the experience directly shaped the way they approached leadership and community engagement within their organizations.

“I learned a lot about leadership throughout the experience,” said Omar Khamis of the Arabic Language Organization. “Having the training during the fall retreat was a very special experience that allowed me to workshop ideas and practice the skills that I was learning, but the best part was applying those skills in my fall and spring events with my club, the Arabic Language Organization. I had so much fun meeting new people from the fellowship from Dartmouth, and from Elon’s campus as well. Exchanging ideas to help each other’s organizations was definitely a highlight.”

During the May 6 capstone dinner, attended by dozens of participants, attendees rotated through a series of exercises and small group conversations facilitated by the fellows. Using role plays and case studies, students practiced navigating disagreement with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Conversations ranged from lighthearted topics, such as dairy milk versus plant-based milk and food traditions, to deeper discussions around climate change, AI, public prayer and racial identity.

The capstone event reflected many of the lessons fellows had been developing throughout the year: listening actively, asking better questions, and remaining engaged even when conversations become uncomfortable or complex.

“I believe that the event went very well,” said fellow Nailah Ware. “Even discussing with other students that came to our event, I think that they definitely understood what curious disagreement is and different tactics of what we can do in those instances where we have curious disagreement.”

Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement at the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, and the campus advisor for the program, said the fellowship encourages students to see curiosity as an essential skill for navigating the campus and the larger world.

“Curiosity creates the possibility for connection, even in moments of disagreement,” Zaken said. “At Elon, students meet others with different identities, worldviews, and even opposing viewpoints, and leading with curiosity can break down barriers created by preconceived notions. Dialogue is not about changing someone’s mind in a single conversation. It is about building the skills and relationships that allow people to stay engaged with one another across difference.”

At a time when many campuses and communities are grappling with polarization, the Viewpoints Fellowship offered Elon students practical tools for dialogue and relationship-building. Rather than avoiding disagreement, fellows spent the year learning how to approach it with curiosity, empathy, and accountability.

As the fellowship wraps up for the academic year, its influence continues through the student leaders who participated, the organizations they shape, and the conversations they helped foster across Elon’s campus.

福利亚洲国产精品 the Fellowship:?

The Viewpoints Fellowship centers on three core questions: why it is difficult to approach disagreement with curiosity, why it remains essential and how students can build that approach within their communities. By combining leadership development with hands-on application, the fellowship prepares students to lead more effectively in an increasingly complex and divided world.

The 2025-26 Viewpoints Fellows were: Jacob Bradshaw of Milk Club, Madeline Mitchener of Students for Peace and Justice, Aiden Prucker of American Studies Club, Sasha Stanley of Divine Embers, Nailah Ware of Limitless, Omar Khamis of the Arabic Language Organization, Hannah Wagner of Sierra Student Coalition and Fatmata Bah of Elon Muslim Society.

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Campus organizations and programs at 福利亚洲国产精品 extend multifaith engagement beyond the classroom and into the community, a primary goal of the university’s Multifaith Strategic Plan, which strives to “support opportunities for multifaith learning and engagement for all members of the academic community.”

“Elon has done incredible work in enfranchising multifaith as an academic as well as a student affairs initiative, aligning and even blending those areas in meaningful ways that enhance the student experience,” said Amy Allocco, director of the Multifaith Scholars Program and a professor of religious studies.

The Multifaith Scholars Program, a two-year program founded in 2016, emphasizes interdisciplinary learning as student scholars undertake original research projects and study in global contexts connected with religious diversity and multireligious societies.

Learning by teaching

The scholars program also includes aspects of community engagement. For example, students help with youth nights, work in the community garden and teach English as a second language at the Burlington Masjid.

“Students are learning how to ethically engage in communities across lines of religious, cultural, and linguistic differences and to engage with cultural humility, like going to a space where you need to learn the appropriate ways of dressing and behaving,” said Sandy Marshall, associate professor of geography, who works with the scholars at the Masjid. “All those types of intercultural learning skills are invaluable for students.”

The goal of the English language classes, the multifaith scholars say, is to get people from an elementary English level to a place where they can have conversations and take more advanced courses. They held their first graduation from the classes in 2025. Marshall says that over the last several years, the language classes have grown, particularly due to the initiative of scholars like Alyssa Carney ’26, an international & global studies and religious studies double major from Allendale, New Jersey.

Marshall asked Carney to lead the class, which has now grown to 15-25 people per session.

Realizing the extent of the work, Carney leaned on her cohort in the Multifaith Scholars Program to help, noting that it turned into an experience she never expected.

“It’s a vulnerable part of somebody’s life, because I know that isn’t easy for them to come to a bunch of young college students, as older adults, and not know the language and ask for help,” said Carney. “I also love the exchange of all of it. They teach me probably way more than I teach them. I learn not only Arabic words, but also about their lives.”

Owen Hayes ’26, a history major from Holly Springs, North Carolina, minoring in and ?is one of the Multifaith Scholars helping Carney at the Masjid.

“The most impactful part for me is seeing their improvement and them being happy with themselves, that they are achieving their goals, just being a small part of that,” he said.

Community celebration

Elon’s connection to the Masjid also includes celebratory events like Eid al-Fitr, marking the conclusion of Ramadan, a month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and gather for nightly meals known as iftars. It includes members of the Elon community and members of the Burlington Masjid and is part of the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life’s festival series, religious programs that create space not only to mark holidays, but to deepen understanding of culture, meaning, traditions and values.

Behind the festival series are multifaith interns, Elon students who work to create space, build and cultivate relationships, lead programs and facilitate learning opportunities about religious and spiritual identities and experiences on campus and beyond.

“One of the learning outcomes of the internship is for students to learn to curate spaces for religious and spiritual celebrations that are authentic expressions of those traditions, as well as spaces for education and community building,” said Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement.

Lizeth Torres-Tomas ’27, a political science and sociology double major with minors in and Latin American studies, is one of the multifaith interns who says the program has helped her understand and nurture her own purpose.

“Religion is taboo for a lot of people,” said Torres-Tomas, who is from Hendersonville, North Carolina. “But when we create spaces where people can talk about their faith or uncertainty, we’re contributing to their well-being.”

In the clinic and kitchen

Multifaith community work extends across religions for Elon students. Students in Elon’s Department of Nursing can work clinical hours with a nurse in Cone Health’s , which supports people of all faiths and community organizations. Students have completed clinical hours with Freedom’s Hope, Salvation Army and SAFE – Southern Alamance Family Empowerment.

Campus Kitchen, a program through the Kernodle Center for Civic Life was founded in 2011 and focuses on providing meals to Allied Churches of Alamance County. Students work in three shifts: harvesting produce at Loy Farm, cooking the food at Lakeside Dining and then serving the meals at the church. The program provides about 100 meals per week.

Megan DeMarco ’26, a human service studies major from Midland Park, New Jersey, is the director of Campus Kitchen and says the goal is to address food insecurity in areas around college campuses.

“When I did my first Allied Churches shift, it was definitely more of an impact on me seeing the actual people and clientele that were helping,” DeMarco said. “That’s why a big thing that we push is for our volunteers to go to all three shifts.”

Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society, says that Elon’s multifaith strategic planning and implementation process has achieved a level of integration that helps set a new national standard.

“When an institution can engage students thoughtfully on questions of meaning, purpose, faith and doubt at the same time that it asks them to think critically about religion as a powerful force that impacts history, society, and politics, it is really doing the hard work of training leaders for a future that looks increasingly complex,” Pennington said.

This story is the third in a series of stories focusing on 福利亚洲国产精品’s Multifaith Strategic Plan.?

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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 2025–26 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’s Holland House on South Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that debuted a preeminent home for the Phoenix men’s and women’s golf programs. Before the latest renovation, the building was home to two Elon presidents and administrative offices — 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.?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?living in what he calls an “age of grievance,” 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.?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.?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’s 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.

As Elon community members converged on the area, Bollywood music played, colorful kites leaned against the brick wall of PBK commons, and hundreds of cups of colored powder lined a white tarp stained with splotches of pink and blue color.

The event opened with an educational presentation, reflections and stories shared by students, and a performance by Surtal, Elon’s Bollywood dance team. After a collective countdown, attendees tossed handfuls of brightly colored powder into the air, marking the official start of the celebration.

This year marked the 14th anniversary of Holi at Elon, a tradition led by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. The center’s mission is to support and engage the Elon community with the wisdom of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, and hosting celebrations like Holi is one way the Truitt Center creates opportunities for celebration, learning, connection, and shared experience.

Students from across backgrounds and identities participated, coming together through music, movement and the shared ritual of color throwing.

Multifaith interns Addison Anderson and Taylor Polonsky played a central role in shaping the program. In preparation, they spent time studying the history of Holi, its cultural and religious significance, and the symbolism of the colors used in the celebration.

“Planning our campus’s Holi celebration was a wonderful challenge for us,” shared Anderson. “Holi is incredibly different than many of the other celebrations we do, and it was important to us to make it the perfect welcome for Spring. Through our time learning and planning the event, my co-coordinator and I learned about the importance of the holiday for over a billion people around the world.”

This year, the celebration began well before the official color toss. Guests arrived early to enjoy Bollywood music, sample Indian appetizers, savor traditional sweets, and participate in hands-on activities such as coloring mandalas, creating rangoli, and applying mehndi (henna). The early energy carried through the afternoon, with dancing starting organically as the crowd gathered.

For members of the campus South Asian community, festivals like Holi and Diwali create a sense of belonging, community, and visibility.

Second year Multifaith intern Ahron Frankel, who helped plan Holi in 2025, and introduced kite-flying to the campus Holi celebration, shared their journey as a South Asian student on campus.

“When I first came to Elon, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the lack of desi students,” said Frankel. “It was very hard to find people that I could connect with on this part of my identity, and there were never any set spaces for the few of us that were here. However, I soon found out that Holi is one of our biggest campus events, which made all the difference. For the past 3 years, I have had the joy of bringing my friends to this celebration while listening to Bollywood tunes and celebrating the coming of spring.”

The Truitt Center’s festival series invited the campus community to experience cultures, traditions, and holidays other than their own, in intentionally shaped spaces that are both educational and celebratory. Members of the cohort of Multifaith Interns plan the festivals alongside Hillary Zaken, director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement.

The exploration of diverse worldviews is an essential part of an Elon education and helps prepare students to respectfully engage in dialogue across difference.? While the celebration of holidays like Holi are reflective of an authentic experience, they are also crafted as a means to teach about the values and practices of the Hindu community.

“Before you celebrate today, I want y’all to remember that this isn’t just about paint throwing,” explained Frankel to the crowd. “It holds deep cultural and religious significance for people across South Asia. In the diaspora, it’s a way to connect back home and ground ourselves in the culture we may rarely get to celebrate visibly.”

By the end of the event, participants left Speaker’s Corner covered in vibrant color, having engaged both the festive and educational dimensions of the holiday, and carrying that energy into the weekend ahead.

As Taylor Polonsky shared: “Holi is a reminder for everyone to take a moment and add some color and joy on your life during hard times, including impending exams or graduation.”

Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) welcomed more than 550 students, families, and community members for worship, filling the gym floor and overflowing into the bleachers. CCM has witnessed continued growth in Easter Mass attendance, from 268 in the spring of 2023 to over 550 this year.

“Young people have grown disenchanted with the superficial promise of happiness that our culture offers,” said Father Peter Tremblay, associate chaplain for Catholic Life. “They are looking for something deeper: seeking a deeper connection to truth and beauty.”

But the story is about more than just those attending Mass; eight students received the Sacraments on Easter, including a baptism, two professions of faith and Confirmation for all. Easter, the most important celebration in the Christian calendar, is traditionally a time when new members are welcomed into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments after a year of attending classes in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Lorelei Lowen ‘29 shared,

“I was interested in receiving my sacraments, so I emailed Father Peter before coming to Elon, and he connected me with T and the OCIA program,” said Lorelei Lowen ’29.

“OCIA has allowed me to face some of the most difficult doubts and questions in my faith journey,” said Maggie Blakeney ’26. “It has taught me that faith isn’t done alone, but with others.“

Local dioceses in Raleigh and Charlotte have noticed a similar trend of college-aged adults participating in the OCIA process. Campus ministry played a crucial role in fostering this growth. Through welcoming communities, retreats, small groups, and conversations with the Chaplain and ministry staff, students find opportunities to explore questions of faith, life, and meaning.

“CCM has shaped not only my experience at Elon, but it has transformed the way that I think about life and the circumstances that are thrown our way,” said Savanna Bell ’28. “CCM was simply the light in the darkness that chained me to my past life. By placing myself at the center of it, literally, the friendships are what have made me Catholic (or how I like to say it, ElonCatholic). I would have never gotten so deeply rooted in the Sacraments if it weren’t for the smiles that greeted me each time I walked into the big church doors.”

The celebration began with an educational program in the McBride Gathering space before moving outdoors to Phi Beta Kappa Commons for an evening of food, music, and henna. Elon’s Eid celebration is part of the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life’s festival series, religious programs that create space not only to mark holidays, but to deepen understanding of culture, meaning, traditions, and values.

Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, a month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and gather for nightly meals known as iftars. Throughout the month, the Elon community participated in a range of Ramadan-related programs that offered opportunities to learn, build relationships, and share in these practices together.

This year’s Eid celebration reflected both growth and connection within the campus Muslim community.

“Here at Elon, this Ramadan has been especially meaningful,” said Elon Muslim Society President Adil Qadeer. “The Elon Muslim Society has grown so much over the years, and this year we saw that growth not just in numbers, but in connection. From on- and off-campus iftars to early Waffle House suhoors, to all of our events with friends from all kinds of backgrounds, this Ramadan truly felt like a community effort, and that’s what makes today even more special. Eid reminds us to be grateful for our faith, our families, and the communities we’re part of. It reminds us to celebrate, but also to reflect on who we’ve become and who we still want to be.”

The program opened with a welcome from Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, and an educational presentation from Truitt Center multifaith interns Omar Khamis and Bella Kuperman, who shared the history and traditions of Eid. Remarks followed from Associate Chaplain for Muslim Life Imam Shane Atkinson, and students Adil Qadeer and Huria Tahiry.

For many students, the event provided a sense of belonging that extended beyond campus.

“Working on Eid al-Fitr as a Muslim multifaith intern was an amazing opportunity to learn how my fellow Muslim colleagues celebrate,” said Multifaith Intern Omar Khamis, who helped plan the program.?“Meeting with students and faculty and learning about their traditions to get a pulse on how to plan for this event meant more than a job, but an opportunity for growth and reflection. Seeing what is unique and familiar allowed me to feel more connected with them as a fellow Muslim. And the ability to see it all come together was very heartwarming. Having a very large crowd come together from the Elon community, especially with members from the local mosque in Burlington, allowed me to feel like I was back home in Jordan, celebrating with friends and family again.”

That sense of connection across difference was echoed by the other student planner, Multifaith Intern Bella Kuperman.

“Working on Eid al-Fitr was a vibrant journey that connected us with diverse stories and traditions,” shared Kuperman. “It enriched our understanding and allowed us to celebrate the holiday’s spirit from both inside and outside the Muslim community.”

The wide attendance of the event highlighted the continued growth of Muslim Life at Elon, as well as the university’s broader commitment to religious and cultural engagement – this year’s program was co-sponsored by the Center for Religion Culture and Society and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center. The celebration also welcomed around 100 guests from the Burlington Masjid, strengthening ties between campus and the local community. As dinner was served, families, students, and children filled the space with joy, laughter, and shared belonging.

For many, that sense of shared belonging reflects a core value of Eid itself.

Eid celebrations center on joy, gratitude, and community. At Elon, those values take shape through partnerships, relationships, and intentional spaces for connection, ensuring that students can celebrate not in isolation, but as part of a broader, supportive community.

“Programs such as Eid exemplifies how Elon makes space for students to stay rooted in their own traditions and celebrations, while allowing them to expand their perspectives and learn about where their peers find meaning and purpose,” said Director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement Hillary Zaken. “Our festivals are both authentic celebrations and also learning spaces that prepare students to move through our diverse and interconnected world with awareness and respect.”

The Eid festival is one of several major religious celebrations hosted each year by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Planned by the Zaken and the multifaith interns, these events are designed to build religious literacy, foster meaningful relationships, create opportunities for students to engage traditions beyond their own, and learn about the common threads that bind members of the campus community together, regardless of identity.

As Huria Tahiry shared, “Being here, far from home, Eid feels different. I miss the sounds, the gatherings, and the familiar traditions. But today, I am grateful to share a piece of my culture with you. Eid teaches us values that go beyond any one country, which are community, forgiveness, and generosity.”

The celebration offers an opportunity for reflection, education and connection, deepening understanding of API communities’ lasting impact, with the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE) leading a variety of programs throughout the month.

Recognizing the diversity within Asian & Pacific Islander communities, this year’s theme, “Distinctly in Bloom: Growing Together”, focuses on highlighting the uniqueness of different Asian, Pacific Islander and South Asian cultures and identities across the diaspora.

“Our hope for the theme is that the campus community will understand and get to learn about the full spectrum of APISA cultures and identities,” George Dou, assistant director of the CREDE, said. “That means also learning about each culture or people individually as well, which is something we’re hoping to highlight throughout the course of the month.”

Throughout April, with events continuing into May, the CREDE will host a variety of events to honor and highlight these communities. Highlights of this year’s events include the annual kickoff celebration, the Asian Film Series and the Kaju & Lina Piano Duo (Voyage of Dance).

For additional questions, please contact Dou at gdou@elon.edu.

Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events at Elon

Communi-Tea Time

Every Tuesday in April

12:30-1:30 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

APIHM?Kickoff

Wednesday, April 1

5:30-7 p.m. | Medallion Plaza

The Elon community is invited to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities at our API Heritage Month Kickoff Event! This celebration will feature different foods, cultural performances, local businesses and engaging activities that highlight the contributions and traditions of API communities.

Kaju & Lina Piano Duo (Voyage of Dance)

Wednesday, April 1

7:30 p.m. | Whitley Auditorium

A duet piano recital featuring classical and Korean folk music. Kaju Lee and Lina Yoo Min Lee met while teaching in Wisconsin and have performed together at various institutions and venues, often showcasing both well-known classical pieces and works by contemporary and Korean composers. Their performances frequently feature both solo and duo (4-hands) repertoire. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

Matcha & Sushi Pops

Tuesday, April 7

2-3 p.m. | Outside Lakeside

Spring into History w/ Chinese Club & Arabic Club

Wednesday, April 8

6-8 p.m. | El Centro Kitchen (Carlton 114)

K-DNS: Open Dance Session

Friday, April 10

6-7 p.m. | Koury Dance Studio 5

Holi

Friday, April 10 (Rain dates: April 17 and April 24)

4 p.m. | Phi Beta Kappa Lawn

A Hindu spring festival of color and sharing love, Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Elon community gathers at Speaker’s Corner to throw colored powder at one another, celebrating the earth returning to color and life and good triumphing over evil. If you plan to throw color, please wear old clothing that can get dirtied by paint. There will also be crafts, food, and other ways to celebrate the holiday. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life.

APISA Community Dinner

Monday, April 13

5:30-7 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

Rainbow Boba?

Friday, April 17

5:30-6:30 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

Asian Film Series: The Globalization Tapes

Tuesday, April 21

7 p.m. | Global Media Room 103

A documentary exploring how a community in West Java navigates the forces of globalization, tourism and cultural identity.

Food For Thought: Korea

Wednesday, April 22

6 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

Donghua Night

Friday, April 24

8-10 p.m. | Alamance 315

A collaboration between the Chinese Club and the Anime & Japanese Studies Club where we will be watching donghuas (动画), which is the Chinese term for anime.

Exploring Asian America: Workshop

Wednesday, April 29

5:30-7 p.m. | CREDE (Moseley 221)

An interactive workshop where participants will get to learn more about the spectrum of voices and experiences in Asian America.

Asian Film Series: Perfect Days

Tuesday, May 5

7 p.m. | Global Media Room 103

A Tokyo toilet cleaner finds quiet beauty and contentment in his daily routine and unexpected human connections.

Tai Chi with Chinese Club

Wednesday, May 6

5-6 p.m. | Colonnades Quad

LTW: EOY Celebration

Thursday, May 7

6-7:30 p.m. | McKinnon (Moseley 128)

Explore the full schedule of API Heritage Month events on the CREDE website.

While university administrators and faculty report that the word “multifaith” is often associated solely with belief in transcendent beings, they emphasize that, at Elon, it encompasses a broader invitation for the community to explore questions of meaning, value and purpose across religious, spiritual, ethical and secular worldviews.

The Multifaith Strategic Plan, developed in 2023, aligns with the Boldly Elon Strategic Plan and outlines four guiding goals:

• Increase religious diversity
• Foster a more equitable and inclusive campus community
• Support meaningful multifaith learning and engagement opportunities
• Articulate the educational value of multifaith diversity, equity and inclusion for all.

Together, they say, these goals build upon Elon’s longstanding traditions while expanding how the university honors and supports worldview diversity. The strategic plan affirms that graduates should be equipped to navigate a world shaped by differences in religion, belief systems, values and ways of life and that such preparation begins on campus.

Spirit of shared meaning

One of the most visible expressions of this commitment is Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection, held Under the Oaks during Commencement Week. Reimagined in 2022, the ceremony reflects the Elon motto “numen lumen,” meaning “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.”

Rather than a traditional sermon, the gathering centers on shared reflection, celebration and inspiration, featuring student voices alongside readings and blessings drawn from a wide range of religious and cultural traditions.

“This will be a place for seniors to be able to come together with their friends and reflect together on their Elon journey,” said Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, when the redesign was introduced. “Baccalaureate is being reimagined as a space of pure celebration of the diversity within our graduating class.”

That same spirit of shared meaning is visible each December during the Festival of Lights and Luminaries, one of Elon’s most cherished traditions. The event brings the campus community together to learn about and honor a variety of religious, spiritual, ethical and cultural traditions, reinforcing the idea that multifaith engagement is not limited to formal spaces but woven into the rhythm of campus life.

This reflection is more than just once a year; it’s weekly. Every Thursday from 9:50 to 10:20 a.m., the Elon community is invited to Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration, where they can hear?members of the community share pieces of their stories, enjoy live music and artistic expression, and share in coffee and refreshments.

“罢丑别蝉别 events are an invitation for every community member, regardless of religious, spiritual, or ethical tradition and worldview, to encounter perspectives and practices beyond our own,” said Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement. “They are unique spaces that are genuine and authentic celebrations of these important holidays, and at the same time make space for our community to practice skills of respectful engagement, learn about and honor diverse identities, and lift up the Truitt Center’s work to show that spiritual and intellectual growth belong together.”

Learning spaces

Through facilitated dialogue, educational programming and student leadership opportunities, Elon encourages exploration of worldview diversity as an essential component of a liberal arts education.

For example: the Ripple Interfaith Conference, a student-led initiative advised by Zaken that has grown steadily since its founding 10 years ago by an intern in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Designed to empower and inspire interfaith student leaders, Ripple convenes participants from diverse religious, spiritual and ethical identities for dialogue and community-building.

The 2026 theme, “A Recipe for Interfaith,” invited participants in February to explore how connection is built through shared practices, particularly food. By examining meals, recipes and storytelling, the conference highlighted how everyday experiences can foster understanding across differences

“Interfaith engagement, like cooking, requires curiosity, patience and a readiness to experiment,” said Lauren Bedell ’26, co-director of the 2026 conference. “Ripple is designed to serve everyone, and its cook time is lifelong.”

Food and faith

Food also plays a role in Elon’s multifaith commitments. Harvest Table, the university’s dining partner, works closely with campus stakeholders to accommodate religious observances and dietary needs.

Passover meals are available in Lakeside Dining Hall during the Jewish holiday, to-go bags support students observing Ramadan and Lenten fish is served on Fridays for those abstaining from meat. The Phoenix Flavors Vending Machine in the Truitt Center includes Kosher, Halal and pareve options, while the allgood station in Lakeside offers Halal chicken daily.

Elon’s commitment to multifaith engagement also shows in the religious and spiritual organizations that contribute to campus community and belonging. Through the Truitt Center, students can connect with recognized student groups representing diverse traditions and practices. These include communities such as Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM), which offers weekly Mass, retreats and service opportunities; Elon Hillel and Chabad, which provide social, cultural and spiritual support for Jewish students; and the Elon Muslim Society, where students celebrate Islamic traditions and engage in interfaith dialogue.

There are also Christian ministries like Campus Outreach, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as contemplative and wellness groups like Iron Tree Blooming (meditation) and the Yoga Club—all open and welcoming spaces for students across different identities.

Buddhist Life offers opportunities for understanding and awareness of the Buddhadharma, including the Sand Mandala event each fall where a Buddhist monk visits Elon for three days and used colored sand to create a sand mandala, a Tibetan Buddhist symbol that fosters both healing and peace for those who view it. Elon enables Hindu students to engage with the religious tradition through events, services and forums, including the annual tradition of Diwali. A small, vibrant and diverse Pagan community is also supported at Elon.

Efforts reflect how Elon continues to honor its traditions while expanding multifaith engagement in intentional and meaningful ways. Through ceremony, dialogue, learning spaces and everyday practices, Elon affirms its commitment to preparing graduates who can engage thoughtfully and respectfully in a diverse and interconnected world.

“Elon’s Multifaith Strategic Plan is a promise to our students, faculty, staff, and the wider community that we will take them seriously as whole, complex people,” said Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society. “It is also a commitment to our students that an Elon education will prepare them to lead in a world where interreligious understanding is crucial to a sound global community.”

This story is the first in a series of stories focusing on 福利亚洲国产精品’s Multifaith Strategic Plan.?

Applications for the and there are spots saved for Elon students who?are ready to build skills in dialogue, conflict navigation and team leadership that translate directly into their campus roles.

The Viewpoints Fellowship is a nine-month, stipended program designed for student leaders who want to lead stronger teams and build cultures where honest dialogue is possible. Through training, mentorship, and hands-on projects, fellows learn practical approaches to addressing conflict, engaging differences with curiosity, and creating spaces where diverse perspectives can be heard.

“We are excited to continue this partnership and expand opportunities for Elon students to develop the skills needed to lead,” said Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life at Elon. “The fellowship helps student leaders move beyond avoiding tough conversations and instead equips them to guide them thoughtfully, constructively and with curiousity.”

The fellowship builds campus-based cohorts of student leaders from universities across the country. Participants engage in an interdisciplinary approach to understanding difference and disagreement, then apply what they learn by creating programs within their own student organizations and communities.

For current fellow Jacob Bradshaw, president of Milk Club, learning started from the beginning of the Fellowship experience: “In order to discuss something, I don’t always have to be an expert on it or have a perfect argument. It’s more important to have civil discussions with room for error than to not have any discussions at all.”

Current fellows are hosting their capstone on April 11, a program entitled “Disagree Curiously.” Participants will?engage in structured, respectful dialogue through rotating roundtables, guided prompts, and facilitated moments of tension that spark understanding rather than division. From playful debates (2% chocolate milk or white milk, etc) to real-world issues that matter, participants will practice civil discourse alongside faculty, facilitators and a moderator who helps model what it means to disagree well.

Fellowship Overview
The program begins with an all-expenses-paid retreat held September 4–6, 2026, where fellows participate in workshops, mentorship, collaborative activities, and reflection focused on constructive disagreement, emotional resilience, storytelling, and community building. Fellows then work with mentors to design and lead a custom program within their student organization. Later in the year, participants reconvene for a winter retreat to share insights and develop campus-wide capstone initiatives that engage the broader community.

Eligibility
The fellowship is open to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors who will be on campus during the 2026–27 academic year and who hold formal or informal leadership roles in student organizations, fraternities or sororities, or other campus communities.

What Fellows Receive

• Training in navigating difficult conversations, conflict and civil discourse
• One-on-one mentorship
• A LinkedIn certification in Curious Disagreement
• Access to a national network of student leaders
• A $1,000 stipend and an all-expenses-paid fall retreat

What Fellows Do

• Develop and lead programming in their student organizations focused on curious disagreement
• Collaborate with other student leaders to design and implement a campus capstone project
• Build dialogue and leadership skills through workshops, retreats, and mentorship

Fellows will receive a?$1,000 stipend for their participation and may return as trainers the following year.?Learn more here:?

Applications for the 2026–27 Viewpoints Fellowship are now open. The deadline to apply has been extended to April 6 and selected fellows will be notified in mid-April.

Students can apply at or contact hzaken@elon.edu with questions.

福利亚洲国产精品 the Viewpoints Fellowship
The Viewpoints Fellowship centers on three core questions: why it is difficult to approach disagreement with curiosity, why it remains essential and how students can build that approach within their communities. By combining leadership development with hands-on application, the fellowship prepares students to lead more effectively in an increasingly complex and divided world.