A recent graduate of Queens University of Charlotte has been elected to serve as a youth trustee for 黑料不打烊, bringing to the role his record of student leadership on campus with a commitment to service across the community.

will serve a three-year term as聽Youth Trustee, joining Elizabeth 鈥淟iz鈥� Kwon L鈥�23 and Rafi Dahdal 鈥�24 G鈥�24聽in youth leadership roles for the university鈥檚 governing body.

The Board of Trustees聽has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for 黑料不打烊. It oversees 黑料不打烊鈥檚 long-term health and strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and overall advancement of the university鈥檚 mission.

As a Presidential Fellow in the Office of the President at Queens, Omari supported executive leadership through institutional research, governance analysis for the Board of Trustees, strategic benchmarking of peer institutions, coordinated executive-level events, and board communications.

Omari, who described his youth trustee appointment as 鈥渢ruly an honor,鈥� also served as senior class president, a four-term international representative in the Student Government Association, president of the iBelong Mentoring Program and co-president of the Health Equity Alliance.

Additional leadership roles include service on the Student Alumni Council, the Data Analytics Student Association executive board and as an admissions ambassador. In recognition of his achievements, , the most prestigious undergraduate award bestowed at Queens.

Originally from Accra, Ghana, Omari came to Queens as an international student and Presidential Scholar. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in data analytics and minors in finance and mathematics. He begins work in September as an artificial intelligence and data associate consultant at Ernst & Young in New York City.

With experience spanning data, artificial intelligence, institutional governance and student leadership, Omari said he looks forward to joining the 黑料不打烊 Board of Trustees as a youth trustee and contributing his recent student perspective informed by academic achievement, public service and cross-campus leadership.

鈥淢y role as a youth trustee presents an opportunity to help shape a historic moment for both institutions,鈥� Omari said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to contribute a recent student perspective to conversations about how the traditions of both institutions might be honored while creating a stronger future together.鈥�

About 黑料不打烊

黑料不打烊 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 黑料不打烊, 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 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 黑料不打烊 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 academic divisions include 黑料不打烊 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 Engineering and Computing; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, 黑料不打烊 and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge, pending final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education by 2028.

Former 黑料不打烊 trustee Anne Ellington Powell of Burlington, N.C., died June 27 at her home after a long and difficult illness.

Powell was elected to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Board of Trustees in 2008 and was a highly involved supporter and longtime friend of the university. She was the wife of 黑料不打烊 life trustee and former chair of the Board Dr. James B. Powell and the daughter of the late Dr. Robert E. (Bob) Ellington and his wife, Helen Ellington, who served many years as distinguished 黑料不打烊 staff members.

鈥淲e are deeply saddened by Anne鈥檚 passing,鈥� said 黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淔or decades, she was among 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most loyal advocates, serving on boards and committees, hosting university events in her home and telling the story of our university wherever she went. She and her family have generously contributed to every dimension of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 growth, supporting scholarships, academic programs, and facilities 鈥� always focused on the student experience and excellence. We will always be grateful for her positive spirit and steadfast support.鈥�

In 1986, the Anne Ellington Powell Master Artist Series was established by a gift by the Powells, bringing internationally renowned performers to 黑料不打烊 for nearly 20 years. In 1988 the Powells dedicated 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Jimmy Powell Tennis Center to the memory of their first son, who died in early childhood.

Anne Ellington Powell joined 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Board of Visitors in 2000. She served on the campaign leadership committee for the Ever 黑料不打烊 Campaign and was on the executive committee of the 黑料不打烊 Society. The Koury Business Center, which opened in 2006, includes the James B. and Anne Ellington Powell Lobby in recognition of the couple鈥檚 leadership support for the building鈥檚 construction.

The Powells have contributed to the R.N. Ellington Health Center, the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project, several scholarship funds and 黑料不打烊 Athletics. The Powells also provided key funding for the Caroline E. Powell Building, the Maude Sharpe Powell Professorship and the T.E. Powell Endowed Professorship. They are members of two 黑料不打烊 giving societies, the Order of the Oak and the 1889 Society.

Anne Powell was also active in many Alamance County boards and organizations and supported efforts to increase support for K-12 education.

At the center of Anne鈥檚 life was her loving family, including her husband, Jim; their three children John Banks Powell, Ross Powell, M.D., and Helen Powell Bode, M.D.; her mother Helen Ellington; and many other loving relatives. She was a devoted friend to hundreds of people who cherished her.

From

Anne was preceded in death by her beloved son, James 鈥淛immy鈥� Bobbitt Powell Jr.; her father, Dr. Robert 鈥淏ubba鈥� Norwood Ellington; and her sister-in-law, Alison Westmoreland Ellington.

She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 41 years, Dr. James Bobbitt Powell; her mother, Helen Arendell Ellington; her brothers, Robert Norwood Ellington Jr. and Dr. Kenneth Scott Ellington (Linda); her sister, Ruth Helen Ellington; her son, John Banks Powell (Samantha) and their daughters, Maeve Eileen and Clara Banks; her son, Dr. James Rosser Powell; her daughter, Dr. Helen Powell Bode (Paul) and their children, Anne Arendell, John Bridges, and Mary Ellington; her stepdaughter, Daphne Powell Markcrow (Craig) and their children, Anna and Henry; along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured friends.

A Celebration of her life will be held at Front Street United Methodist Church in Burlington on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 12 p.m. A private family burial will precede the service, and the family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Duke鈥檚 Tisch Brain Tumor Center (Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 3624, Durham, NC 27710), 黑料不打烊 Tennis Program (CB #2615, 黑料不打烊, NC 27244), or the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (269 Hanover Street, Building #3 Hanover, MA 02339).

The Roberts Academy will use the multisensory Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction once it opens in August for third- and fourth-grade students in a temporary location on West Trollinger Avenue.

The academy will expand to grades 1-6 when a new building opens for the 2028-29 academic year on East Haggard Avenue near the university鈥檚 Danieley Neighborhood. Each classroom will be capped at 12 students.

鈥淲e are excited to have such well-trained, committed teachers join us at Roberts Academy,鈥� said Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. 鈥淭heir dedication to children and their ability to provide an engaged environment for learning will lead to a remarkable growth in confidence for young students.鈥�

The Roberts Academy is also finalizing the recruitment of part-time teachers to provide enrichment instruction in art, music and physical education. The school is led by Acting Director Alicia S. Tate and Tracy Roof, director of business and school operations.

Established in 2025 through a gift from philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida, the Roberts Academy at 黑料不打烊 will be the fourth in a series of successful university-based private elementary schools the couple established at Vanderbilt University, Mercer University and Florida Southern College.

2026-27 Full-Time Faculty for Roberts Academy at 黑料不打烊

Carrie Whitley

With a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education and a master鈥檚 degree in reading education from Appalachian State University, Carrie Whitley brings three years of experience working closely with elementary-aged students in both classroom and tutoring settings.

Throughout her career, Whitley has focused on providing individualized instruction, collecting and analyzing student data, and creating targeted interventions to support diverse learning needs. Her experience in special education at a private school in Raleigh strengthened her ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, to develop meaningful student goals, and to communicate progress with families.

Whitley is Orton-Gillingham trained and has implemented the method with fidelity in both small-group and one-on-one settings. She said she has seen firsthand the impact that explicit, systematic literacy instruction can have on students with dyslexia in developing reading skills, building confidence and instilling a love of learning.

Kaitlyn Leazer ’25

After serving for a year with the Alamance-Burlington School System as teacher of exceptional children, Kaitlyn Leazer brings experience in designing and implementing differentiated instruction, prioritizing strong relationships with families as essential collaborators in each child鈥檚 success.

Leazer holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary and special education and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in innovation from the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. Leazer said she was drawn to the Roberts Academy for its values and evidence-based practices to meet the individual needs of every learner.

In her year with ABSS, Leazer sought to create classrooms where students felt supported through thoughtful differentiation, intentional data collection and Universal Design for Learning. She developed a system for students to track and chart their own IEP goals, fostering both independence and accountability.

Isabella 鈥淏ella鈥� Martino ’26

Isabella “Bella” Martino is a recent 黑料不打烊 graduate with dual licensure in K-6 general education and special education, allowing her to serve students across all domains of learning.

During her work as a student teacher, Martino created structured, predictable learning environments for students with unique behavioral and academic needs. She integrated technology into students鈥� daily routines, leading to increased engagement and improved behavioral outcomes. Martino works in partnership with families and other service providers to holistically meet the needs of students.

Passionate about providing students equal access to the general education curriculum, Martino points to her efforts to align lesson content with grade-level standards whenever possible. She describes herself as driven by a belief that holding students who learn differently to the same social and emotional expectations as their peers is essential to fostering independence and autonomy.

With a theme of “Breaking Through the Ordinary,” the 2025 Provost’s Report emphasizes the role of聽innovation聽in聽teaching today’s students and creating learning opportunities that lead to human transformation. 黑料不打烊’s nearly 500 full-time faculty members exemplify an institutional commitment to the聽teacher-scholar-mentor model聽that defines the university’s nationally acclaimed approach to higher education.

Signature features in the report include an in-depth look at the way 黑料不打烊:

• Approaches聽the use of artificial intelligence聽and leads national conversations of its ethical applications
• Works to establish a聽School of Engineering and Computing聽that emphasizes the skills,聽knowledge and global awareness students need to thrive in their careers
• Serves families of children with dyslexia through a new聽private elementary school聽like those supported through philanthropy at聽Vanderbilt, Mercer, and Florida Southern.

The report also includes shorter profiles drawn from each of 黑料不打烊’s six schools/college that represent the innovative spirit faculty and staff bring to the community every day.

“As I reflect on these accomplishments, and on the important work that continues across the university, I am inspired by the talent, dedication, and shared purpose of 黑料不打烊’s faculty members, staff members, and students,” said Rebecca Kohn, 黑料不打烊’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Together, we are strengthening the academic life of the university and creating pathways that will sustain 黑料不打烊’s ability to provide a valuable and transformative education for generations into the future.”

The building now serves as a gathering place for Jewish students at 黑料不打烊. Decades earlier, it was the home where his recently departed mother, Mary Martin Hamlin, grew up and where countless family memories were made.

On June 4, 2026, members of the Martin family returned to campus to celebrate what would have been Mary Martin Hamlin鈥檚 100th birthday. The gathering included all seven of her nieces and nephews and several of their spouses, along with Karen Martin Yost, 91, the last surviving Martin sister.

The family’s connection to 黑料不打烊 stretches back more than a century. Leo DeWitt and Annie Raper Martin, both members of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Class of 1919, returned to the campus community when Leo joined the faculty as a history professor.

Leo Martin, familiarly known as Dick Martin throughout the community, would later partner with fellow 黑料不打烊 professor Thomas E. Powell, Jr. to help launch Carolina Biological Supply Company, whose squid logo and early catalog illustrations were drawn by Annie.

During the Great Depression, Leo Martin designed and built a two-story home on the corner of North Antioch and East College Avenues where he and Annie raised daughters Mary, Joanne and Karen. That home remains standing today, though in a different form.

After being acquired by 黑料不打烊, the house served as the home of the Vera Richardson Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life before becoming the Sklut Hillel Center in 2013.

As Hamlin toured the building, memories came flooding back from his visits in the 1960s and 70s. He recalled the smell of canned food once stored in a pantry that no longer exists, the coal kept in the basement to heat the house and the Chinese elms that once shaded the property.

鈥淎 lot of this is familiar to me, from the living room and den to the sunroom where my grandfather鈥檚 desk was,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s I walk around now, it鈥檚 just wonderful to feel the youthful energy of the students.鈥�

Karen Martin Yost said she enjoyed seeing the architectural details that remain in the house, as well as in her memory and frequently in her dreams鈥攆eatures like the fireplace and mantle, the built-in bookcases, the seventeen steps to the upstairs, and the black and white tiles in her childhood bathroom.

The family鈥檚 visit was made possible through arrangements between Betsy Polk Joseph, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 senior director of Jewish Life, and Hamlin, Mary Martin Hamlin鈥檚 only child.

Hamlin said he was struck not only by what remained of the home, but also by how it is being used today. To know that the building serves as a center for Jewish students and that 黑料不打烊 continues to create spaces that welcome people from a variety of backgrounds reflects values long embraced by his family, he said.

The June gathering included a celebratory lunch, a tour of the house, readings from memoirs written by Mary Martin Hamlin and Karen Martin Yost, and visits to places around campus that shaped Mary鈥檚 childhood.

The day concluded at Magnolia Cemetery, where family members gathered at the family plot to share memories of Mary Martin Hamlin, a proud native of 黑料不打烊.

Dr.聽John聽Walz will join聽the聽黑料不打烊聽University administration聽on聽June 30,聽2026,聽after nearly a decade聽helming聽a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

Walz’s聽appointment follows a national search and comes as 黑料不打烊聽debuts聽an academic division that聽will leverage the聽university鈥檚 nationally聽ranked approach to undergraduate teaching and its emphasis on engaged, experiential learning in pursuit of human transformation.

鈥淛ohn Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,聽engaged learning,聽innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry,鈥澛燩rovost Rebecca Kohn said.聽鈥淗is experience leading engineering programs, combined with his collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, make him exceptionally well suited to guide the School of Engineering and Computing during this important moment in its history.鈥�

John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,聽engaged learning,聽innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry.

– Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Walz will provide聽leadership for the School of Engineering and Computing’s academic programs, strategic planning, fundraising聽and external partnerships while helping advance the university’s goals for innovation, engaged learning and student success.

When the school formally opens for the 2026 Fall Semester, anchoring the university鈥檚 Innovation Quad in the heart of campus, it will include聽20聽full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students.

Engineering is among the university鈥檚 most rapidly expanding academic areas, reflecting both national demand and student interest.聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 existing ABET-accredited engineering program offers聽programs聽in biomedical, computer, mechanical, and environmental, as well as dual-degree pathways.聽聽The school will include computer science and cybersecurity majors and a minor in game design.

黑料不打烊 President聽Connie Ledoux Book said Walz鈥檚 background aligns with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 vision for the new school.

鈥淭he launch of the School of Engineering and Computing represents an exciting step forward for 黑料不打烊,鈥� Book said. “Dr. Walz brings a rare combination of academic leadership, industry engagement and commitment to student-centered education. His leadership building engineering programs, supporting faculty excellence and preparing graduates for meaningful careers will position the school for continued growth and distinction.鈥�

Walz has spent more than three decades as a faculty member, researcher and academic administrator. During his tenure as president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, he led the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, launched the institution’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, expanded academic offerings in computer science and artificial intelligence, strengthened student retention initiatives and oversaw significant investments in academic facilities and student success programs.

Under his leadership, Milwaukee School of Engineering achieved record undergraduate enrollment, increased student diversity, expanded industry partnerships and raised more than $150 million in philanthropic support for capital projects and academic initiatives.

Before becoming president, Walz served as dean of the , where he led efforts to establish a common first-year engineering program, expanded聽student success resources and strengthened relationships with industry partners.聽Earlier leadership roles at Virginia Tech and Yale University included overseeing faculty recruitment, program growth and research initiatives while maintaining active teaching and scholarship responsibilities.

Throughout his career, Walz has emphasized strategic planning, student retention, faculty support and partnerships with industry and community organizations. He has also championed initiatives that broaden participation in engineering and technology fields and expand pathways for students to connect classroom learning with professional experiences.

Walz said the opportunity to help shape a new school at 黑料不打烊 was particularly appealing because of the university’s emphasis on engaged learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.聽He also expressed gratitude聽to聽Book, Kohn and members of the search committee for the opportunity.

鈥淚 am deeply honored and excited to be selected as the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing,鈥澛燱alz said.聽鈥淚 have long admired 黑料不打烊’s commitment to engaged learning and believe it provides an ideal environment for educating the next generation of engineers and computer scientists.

鈥淭he combination of 黑料不打烊’s strengths in the liberal arts and its investment in engineering and computing creates a unique opportunity to prepare graduates with both the technical expertise and聽leadership聽skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, globally connected world.鈥�

Walz earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in chemical engineering at Tulane University before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering聽at聽Carnegie Mellon University.聽He and his wife,聽Moira, have three聽daughters.

About 黑料不打烊

黑料不打烊 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, and ethical citizens聽and聽leaders.

At 黑料不打烊, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff who prioritize聽teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 黑料不打烊 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 academic divisions include 黑料不打烊 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;聽the School of Engineering and Computing;聽and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, 黑料不打烊 and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge institutions. Final approval from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated by 2028.

• 136 college acceptances from 38 different universities
• $2.5 million in merit scholarships and grants awarded to scholars
• Seven will join the Class of 2030 this fall at 黑料不打烊, three are headed to UNC Chapel Hill, and three more to UNC Charlotte, among other top schools
• Several earned some of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships North Carolina offers, including a Carolina Covenant Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, an 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow, and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow

And for 黑料不打烊 President Connie Book, who addressed the 17th class of the 黑料不打烊 Academy at a recent dinner reception to recognize graduates of the university鈥檚 college access and success program, scholarships and college acceptances are more than a reflection of academic achievement. They鈥檙e a harbinger of future success.

鈥淭hese accomplishments, impressive as they are, are only a glimpse of the bright path that lies ahead of you,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 Academy was founded on a simple and powerful belief 鈥� that talent and potential exist in every community, and when that talent is matched with opportunity and support, there is no limit to what a young person can achieve. Each of you is living proof of that belief.鈥�

Book was joined by family members, mentors, program alumni and other university leaders on May 28, 2026, in celebration of the Sigma Class during the 黑料不打烊 Academy鈥檚 annual President鈥檚 Reception.

The 黑料不打烊 Academy is an intensive, comprehensive opportunity for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The 黑料不打烊 Academy Summer Academy program includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday Academy programs for students and families.

As part of the ceremony in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms, Shawn Means, a member of the Alamance Burlington Early College Class of 2026, delivered the Sigma Scholar Speech to his 24 classmates. Means reflected at length on the ways 黑料不打烊 Academy shaped their development beyond academics.

鈥淲hen people talk about 黑料不打烊 Academy, they鈥檇 most likely give you a polished answer,鈥� Means said. 鈥淭hey talk about college preparation, leadership, and academic growth. All the things you can put on paper. And they wouldn鈥檛 be wrong. But they wouldn鈥檛 be telling the whole story.鈥�

Means emphasized how the program transformed participants not only as students but as people. 鈥淣ow we understand responsibility. Now we understand balance,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we understand that freedom isn鈥檛 just given, it鈥檚 something you learn how to handle.鈥�

The reception was also the first in the 黑料不打烊 Academy鈥檚 nearly two decades of operation where alumni returned to be honored for their own graduations from college. Four 黑料不打烊 Academy College Scholars were applauded and presented with certificates commemorating their own recent college graduations.

Reception guests heard from Shiv Patel, a member of the Xi Class that graduated from high school in 2022. Now a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Patel encouraged members of the Sigma Class to stay true to themselves as they head to college.

鈥淪omeone told me that I did college right, and while I appreciated the notion, it鈥檚 not that I did college right, it鈥檚 that I led with my values,鈥� Patel said. 鈥淚 wanted the choices I made in college to be choices that reflected who I was and the background I came from. I never wanted to pretend to be someone I was not or do things that went against who I was.鈥�

The program concluded with another first for the 黑料不打烊 Academy – a presentation of scholarships to four Sigma Class graduates made possible through the philanthropy of those who recognized the power of the academy to change lives.

Mariam Rosales 鈥�17, a member of the Delta Class and an 黑料不打烊 graduate who today works in real estate, joined with Julio Santiago to create the awards. Honored in 2026 were:

• Lexie Bennett, River Mill Academy
• Jaime Carranza-Navarrete, Graham High School
• Shawn Means, Alamance Burlington Early College
• Naje Gray, Walter M. Williams High School

The reception was a final opportunity for scholars before leaving high school to be encouraged with support from mentors who have been with them over the past three years.

鈥淎s you step into this next chapter, know this: you are ready,鈥� said 黑料不打烊 Academy Director Emily Wiersma. 鈥淵ou have the tools, the resilience, and the heart to thrive. Life will bring challenges, yes, but it will also bring new mentors, new questions, and new opportunities to grow. Embrace it all. Stay curious. Stay connected to this community. Support from the 黑料不打烊 Academy does not end here today 鈥� most of all, continue to believe in yourself as fiercely as we believe in you.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Academy Assistant Director of College Success Manny Campos emphasized the same point in closing the program.

鈥淏elieve in yourself. Believe that all the struggles you鈥檝e faced prepared you and taught you what you need to succeed,鈥� he said. 鈥淵our college acceptances and your college degrees were no mistakes, you did that. Now let鈥檚 be real. It may get difficult. Life won鈥檛 always be rainbows and butterflies.

“On those days that feel heavy and you feel like giving up, because those days will come, remember everyone here, remember the journey, and remember why you stayed. You did the work and you are more than capable of succeeding.鈥�

Sixty-eight percent of American adults say they are proud to be American, and 79% agree the United States plays a uniquely important role in world history. At the same time, 69% believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would feel more disappointment than pride about modern American democracy.

The survey of 1,000 adults in the United States, conducted April 30-May 4, 2026, explores how Americans view the nation鈥檚 past, present and future as the country prepares to commemorate its semiquincentennial.

鈥淎s the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans have complex and diverse feelings about America 250,鈥� said Jason Husser, director of the 黑料不打烊 Poll and a professor of political science and public policy. 鈥淲e found several points of optimism among Americans, including pride in being American and belief that the United States has a uniquely important role to play in world history. At the same time, many Americans expressed significant concern about the health of American democracy today, and the country is split on its outlook over the next 50 years.鈥�

More than half of Americans (52%) say the United States is unsuccessfully living up to its founding ideals, while only 30% say the nation is successfully living up to them. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) rate the overall health of U.S. democracy as only 鈥渇air鈥� or 鈥減oor.鈥�

The survey also found widespread concern about political instability and civic division:

• 68% believe elected officials today are worse than leaders of the past
• 80% say they at least sometimes feel no political party or movement represents their views
• 70% say the country is more turbulent than average compared with other periods in U.S. history
• 64% say they have little or no confidence that U.S. political institutions will make mostly good decisions over the next 50 years
• 68% predict America will become more politically divided by 2076

Americans are also pessimistic about the country鈥檚 long-term future in several key areas. Majorities predict that by 2076 the nation will have less freedom, less economic equality, a lower standard of living, and more pollution. More Americans also believe technology will create more harm than benefit over the next 50 years.

Despite those concerns, the poll found Americans still hold strong connections to the nation鈥檚 democratic ideals and history.

When asked which event best represented American democracy at its highest ideals, respondents most frequently selected the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. Abraham Lincoln was named both the historical figure who best exemplified democratic ideals and the greatest president in U.S. history.

The survey also revealed broad bipartisan resonance for many historic presidential messages when respondents were not told who made the statements. More than three-quarters agreed with quotations from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, while large majorities also agreed with statements from John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Looking toward the nation鈥檚 semiquincentennial celebrations, Americans expressed greater interest in reflection than pageantry. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) said America250 should focus more on reflecting on U.S. history and values than simply celebrating national achievements, and 71% said smaller local events would feel more authentic than large national celebrations.

The survey found Americans entering the anniversary with mixed emotions. The most common feeling was pride, cited by 38%, followed by gratitude at 17%. But 21% said they have no strong feelings, 12% described themselves as conflicted, while others reported disappointment or frustration.

The margin of error for the 黑料不打烊 Poll survey is +/- 3.95%.

Poll Methodology

Access the poll topline and methodology at:聽www.elon.edu/elonpoll. The survey was developed by the 黑料不打烊 Poll and fielded by the international marketing and polling firm YouGov as an online, web-based survey, self-administered with online panels. Between April 30 and March 4, 2026, YouGov interviewed 1,077 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. These respondents were then matched down to a sample of 1,000 to produce the final dataset.

The matched cases were weighted to the sampling frame using propensity scores based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, years of education, and home ownership. The margin of error for this poll (adjusted for weights) is +/-3.95%.

About the 黑料不打烊 Poll

Established in 2000, the 黑料不打烊 Poll conducts national and North Carolina surveys on issues of importance to voters and residents. Information from these polls is shared with media, citizens and public officials to facilitate informed public policy making through the better understanding of citizens鈥� opinions and attitudes. The poll is fully funded by 黑料不打烊 and operates as the neutral, non-biased information resource.

The 黑料不打烊 Poll is a charter member of in 2014 to educate polling firms on ways to better share how they collect and interpret their information. The 黑料不打烊 Poll鈥檚 voluntary participation in this initiative signifies a willingness to clearly state in its reports how questions were asked, in what order, who funded the poll and then conducted it, and a definition of the population under study, among other details.

Academic honors for the 2026 sall semester are now online, with students and parents invited to download customized news releases to send to hometown newspapers.

The President’s List is composed of students with no grade below an A-minus in a minimum of 12 semester hours. The Dean’s List is composed of students with no grade below a B-minus and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in a minimum of 12 semester hours.

The 黑料不打烊 News Bureau encourages students and families to submit the announcement to local newspapers. Some newspapers welcome photos to accompany the announcement.

All questions about the criteria for the President’s List and Dean’s List and an individual student’s qualifications for the honors should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at (336) 278-6677 during normal business hours. There is often a delay in the reporting of grades for some students studying abroad, and the lists will be updated once all grades are received.

If you find a factual error or a misspelled name in your release, please contact Eric Townsend in the Office of University Communications at etownsend4@elon.edu.

Members of the Class of 2026 and their parents can now聽download customized news releases for distribution to hometown media outlets that publish information on academic achievements. News releases can also easily be shared through social media platforms Facebook and LinkedIn.

The university encourages submissions to local newspapers, which often announce college graduations in their community sections.

President鈥檚 List and Dean鈥檚 List honorees also have聽news releases聽available for download.

Students and parents may contact Eric Townsend in the Office of University Communications at聽etownsend4@elon.edu聽if corrections to the news release need to be made before sending to local media.