The Certified Organic farm, owned and operated by Brett Evans 鈥�13, supplies 黑料不打烊 Dining with fresh, seasonal produce, including microgreens, spinach, herbs and lettuce, that鈥檚 harvested with care and rooted in sustainable practices.

For Evans, the connection to 黑料不打烊 is deeply personal. As an undergraduate, he was involved in the Sierra Club, the Community Garden and Loy Farm, and he spent many weekends helping on a professor鈥檚 homestead farm. 鈥淚 remember being concerned about the limited local and organic options on campus,鈥� Evans says. 鈥淭o now be a meaningful part of the solution, with our produce consistently in the dining halls for multiple years, is a truly full-circle experience I am grateful to have.鈥�

Sourcing from local partners like Red Hawk, who are committed to sustainable farming practices, allows 黑料不打烊 Dining to invest in the community, care for the land and bring fresher ingredients to campus.聽Students experience that connection daily, whether through the flavor of their meals or meeting farmers like Evans at campus events.

According to Leslie Bosse, sustainability manager for 黑料不打烊 Dining, chefs often visit partner farms, which deepens their connection to the dishes they prepare and gives them an even greater respect for the ingredients. 鈥淲hen you know where the food comes from and have seen the hard work the farmers put in to produce it,鈥� Bosse says, 鈥渋t reinforces the desire to use each ingredient to its fullest capacity out of respect for the process.鈥�

聽extend well beyond sourcing.聽Initiatives include plant-forward menus, waste reduction, reusable to-go containers and a partnership with CompostNow to process food scraps, creating a local loop that returns nutrients to the land.

Kelly Harer, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 associate director of sustainability for education and outreach, says the Red Hawk Farm partnership supports聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 Sustainability Master Plan 2025, which serves as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 roadmap for advancing sustainability on campus, outlining eight key areas 鈥� including dining, academics, transportation, waste reduction and more 鈥� that guide the university鈥檚 efforts toward a more sustainable future.

鈥淲ith Red Hawk, we鈥檙e not only building and supporting the North Carolina community, we鈥檙e also building our 黑料不打烊 community.鈥� 鈥斅燣eslie Bosse, sustainability manager for 黑料不打烊 Dining

One of the plan鈥檚 dining strategies calls for 35% of annual food purchases to be local by 2035. 鈥淔ood and dining are critical components of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 sustainability strategy because they directly impact environmental, social and economic systems,鈥� Harer says. 鈥淏y making intentional food choices, we can reduce carbon emissions, support local farmers and educate students about the broader impacts of sustainable food systems.鈥�

The collaboration between 黑料不打烊 Dining and the Office of Sustainability is ongoing and intentional. Dining staff participate in working groups for university-wide planning and regularly meet with campus sustainability leaders to聽align strategies and share progress. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 just want to buy local when it鈥檚 convenient,鈥� Bosse says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to building long-term relationships that truly support the farms we work with.鈥�

The fact that Evans is an alumnus makes this partnership especially meaningful. 鈥淲ith Red Hawk, we鈥檙e not only building and supporting the North Carolina community,鈥� Bosse adds, 鈥渨e鈥檙e also building our 黑料不打烊 community.鈥�

• Explore 黑料不打烊鈥檚 vision for the future in the Sustainability Master Plan 2025.

鈥淭his stole around my shoulders bears the journey of my family, my mentors, my friends and my ancestors,鈥� she wrote, switching seamlessly between English and Spanish. Her message was a love letter: to her Mexican parents who journeyed across borders for opportunity; to her sisters cheering her on from afar; and to the mentors who believed in her before she believed in herself.

鈥淓ste momento es nuestro.鈥�

鈥淭his moment is ours.鈥�

That spirit of gratitude, pride and belonging was palpable throughout the 2025 鈥溌elebremos!: Graduates Take Flight鈥� celebration held May 22 in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms. Led by El Centro and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, with the support of the Office of Alumni Engagement, the annual bilingual program honors Latinx and Hispanic graduating students while celebrating the diverse stories that define the 黑料不打烊 experience.

The ceremony marked more than a milestone. It was a moment of recognition for the work, love and legacy each graduate carried on their shoulders.

鈥淚鈥檓 here because of your faith in me,鈥� Rachel Lopez wrote in her reflection. She spoke of the sacrifices made by her parents, originally from El Salvador, including her father holding two jobs and her mother driving her around to every after-school activity when she was younger. 聽鈥淚鈥檓 here as a proud daughter of immigrants, with your love in my heart and your example guiding every step I take.鈥�

In their reflections, many students spoke of navigating challenges as first-generation college students, honoring their parents鈥� labor and resilience, and finding chosen family at 黑料不打烊 through mentors and peer connections.

鈥淵ou have made 黑料不打烊 a more vibrant, loving and powerful space, and we are forever changed by your presence.鈥� 鈥� Sylvia Mu帽oz, director of the CREDE

Jose Alex Reyes Arias, who participated in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project since childhood, reflected on the power of community. 鈥淏efore I ever stepped foot on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus as a student, I was already surrounded by the love, support and encouragement of the 黑料不打烊 community,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淲hen I officially became an 黑料不打烊 student, my village only grew stronger. Throughout my time here, I鈥檝e had mentors who poured into me not just academically, but personally.鈥�

Cristy Marin茅 鈥�25 delivered a heartfelt charge to the students, sharing how she once hesitated to bring her full identity into the classroom. 鈥淚 questioned whether my voice belonged 鈥� whether people would understand me when I switched languages mid-sentence.鈥� Over time, she added, she stopped asking for permission to be proud of her roots.

鈥淚 let my culture be loud,鈥� Marin茅 said.聽鈥淚 stopped translating parts of myself to make others comfortable, and I let my story take up space.鈥�

She likened her college journey to her Venezuelan mother鈥檚 arepas. While they are made with simple ingredients, it鈥檚 the filling that makes all the difference. Likewise, the richness of our identities is not complete without what we carry inside.

鈥淲hatever your life looks like after graduation, fill it with what matters. Speak your language, hold your traditions close and know that you鈥檙e allowed to shape the spaces you walk into,鈥� Marin茅 said. 鈥淚f there鈥檚 one thing I鈥檝e learned from my mom鈥檚 arepas, it鈥檚 that you don鈥檛 need much to make something meaningful, but you do need love and intention.鈥�

In her remarks, President Connie Ledoux Book reminded graduates that the stole they received was designed by a former Latinx 黑料不打烊 student and serves as a symbol of both continuity and community. Beyond a diploma, she said, they leave 黑料不打烊 with the lifelong bonds they have formed with each other and mentors who shaped them along the way. 鈥淵our time at 黑料不打烊 helped you build relationships that will impact the rest of your life,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his 黑料不打烊 community is yours for the rest of your life, and I hope that you lean into it.鈥�

The monarch butterfly, woven into the stole鈥檚 design, represents migration, transformation and persistence. As Assistant Director of the CREDE MJ Larrazabal Chac贸n G鈥�21 explained, the butterfly was chosen by students as a metaphor for the journeys many in the Latinx community navigate. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� has become one of our stops to recharge,鈥� she said, 鈥渁s we think about our next destination.鈥�

Like the butterfly, students carry their heritage wherever they go. As the ceremony closed, Assistant Dean of Students and CREDE Director Sylvia Mu帽oz reminded students that their presence, rooted in heritage, courage and grace, is a powerful force that can make a difference in the world.

鈥淵ou have the power to challenge injustice, to lead with compassion and to light the way for those who come after you,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have made 黑料不打烊 a more vibrant, loving and powerful space, and we are forever changed by your presence.鈥�

President Connie Ledoux Book praised the honorees for embodying 黑料不打烊鈥檚 mission to prepare graduates for lives of purpose. 鈥淵ou all are actualizing the hope we have for an education to go out into the world to do great things,鈥� she said, calling their stories a reminder of the power of learning, mentorship and human connection. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e inspired us tonight 鈥� and we needed it.鈥�

Among the honorees were educators, entrepreneurs, performers, scholars and creatives whose journeys reflect the values that define the 黑料不打烊 experience.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks 鈥�15 鈥� Founder & Executive Director, ScholarCHIPS | Washington, D.C.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks is a powerful voice for equity, education and second chances. As the founder of ScholarCHIPS, she has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and mentorship support to college-bound students with incarcerated parents 鈥� a mission born of her own lived experience. Her work has earned her national recognition, including being named a CNN Hero, a Soros Justice Fellow and a featured guest on 鈥淭he Drew Barrymore Show.鈥�

At 黑料不打烊, Arrington Brooks was a Periclean Scholar, Gospel Choir member, alternative break leader and active student voice for justice and faith. After graduation, she pivoted from a corporate communications career to earn a Master of Divinity from Howard University and an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown.

In her remarks, she emphasized that her journey wasn鈥檛 a solo act. 鈥淚 am not a one-woman show 鈥� it takes a village,鈥� she said, crediting 黑料不打烊 professors, mentors and friends who helped her feel at home. She also encouraged others to seek truth, embrace difference, and continue building inclusive community: 鈥淭he world still needs us 鈥� and we still need each other.鈥�

Lauren Brzowski 鈥�19 鈥� Team USA Bobsledder | Park City, Utah

Lauren Brzowski鈥檚 path from collegiate track star to Olympic hopeful in bobsled is anything but conventional 鈥� and that鈥檚 what makes her story so compelling. After earning a master鈥檚 degree in marketing from Loughborough University in the UK, Brzowski was recruited to Team USA Bobsled during the pandemic. Since then, she鈥檚 become a national champion and trailblazer in the monobob discipline, with her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Her athletic journey, marked by resilience, took a dramatic turn after a harrowing crash on the world鈥檚 fastest track in Whistler, Canada. But instead of stepping away, she got back in the sled, and won her first gold medal just one week later. 鈥淭he one thing about being a Phoenix is that you know how to rise from the ashes,鈥� she said.

Brzowski credits 黑料不打烊 with giving her the confidence to embrace challenges, even as a student with a learning difference. 鈥淚 just knew I wanted to be in a room with people who were better than me,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what 黑料不打烊 gave me 鈥� and that鈥檚 what helped me grow.鈥�

Brooke 鈥淎lexx鈥� Greenberg 鈥�17 鈥� Singer-Songwriter and Recording Artist | Nashville, Tennessee

Brooke Greenberg, known professionally as Brooke Alexx, is turning heads and topping playlists with her distinct sound and deeply personal lyrics. With more than 28 million Spotify streams and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, Brooke is a rising pop star whose work resonates with millions. Her music 鈥� featured on Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu 鈥� fuses humor, honesty and vulnerability, tackling everything from family dynamics to Asian American identity.

At 黑料不打烊, Greenberg studied music production, performed with a cappella group Sweet Signatures and developed her songwriting voice through recitals, studio recordings and mentorship from faculty who helped shape her artistry. She credits 黑料不打烊 with giving her the space to grow as a musician and storyteller. 鈥淪ongs I wrote on guitar came to life for the first time in a full band setting,鈥� she said.

Though on tour and unable to attend in person, Brooke expressed gratitude for the community that continues to support her, from professors to fellow alumni who remain close collaborators. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to be part of this incredible network,鈥� she said.

Simone Jackson 鈥�16 鈥� Global Senior Brand Manager, Spotify | New York, New York

A sprinter turned strategist, Simone Jackson has carved out a high-impact career in the advertising world, working on campaigns for Nike, Beyonc茅, Coca-Cola and more. As global brand manager at Spotify, she leads the platform鈥檚 acclaimed Wrapped campaign, helping millions of users celebrate their personal connections to music.

A two-time CAA champion on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 track team, Jackson brought that same grit and drive to the classroom, building lasting mentorships and discovering her passion for brand storytelling. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, she now mentors the next generation through industry programs that champion inclusion in media and marketing.

鈥淩unning track taught me that you have to show up, run your race and support your team,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how I approach my work today 鈥� with integrity, purpose and community.鈥� In her remarks, she honored her parents, fianc茅, professors and peers, crediting 黑料不打烊 with helping her 鈥渞ise above the ashes鈥� when she tore her ACL 鈥� a pivotal moment that sparked a deeper pursuit of truth, clarity and meaning.

Dr. Erica Braschi Jord谩n 鈥�18 鈥� Radiation Oncology Resident, University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida

From the tennis courts of 黑料不打烊 to the frontlines of cancer treatment, Dr. Erica Braschi Jord谩n has built a life of impact, compassion and perseverance. A standout student-athlete who founded 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and graduated summa cum laude, Jord谩n went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Florida and now serves as a radiation oncology resident.

Her work spans clinical care, research and medical mission trips 鈥� all anchored in a deep desire to serve others. In her remarks, Jord谩n reflected on her journey from Puerto Rico to 黑料不打烊, honoring the coaches, faculty, advisers and family members who encouraged her dream of becoming a physician. 鈥淭here were people who believed in me even before I did,鈥� she said.

She also spoke of faith as the cornerstone of her purpose, sharing how she found her worth not just in academics or athletics, but in service. 鈥淣ow I get to work with cancer patients, and while it鈥檚 hard work, it鈥檚 sacred work,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just getting started 鈥� and I鈥檓 bringing 黑料不打烊 with me every step of the way.鈥�

JJ Niemann 鈥�17 鈥� Broadway Actor and Content Creator | New York, New York

JJ Niemann is making his mark on the biggest stages in musical theater 鈥� from his Broadway debut in 鈥淭he Book of Mormon鈥� to leading roles in 鈥淏ack to the Future鈥� and 鈥淗amilton.鈥� But behind the glitz of the spotlight is a performer defined by heart, humor and hustle. At 黑料不打烊, Niemann honed his craft in the rigorous music theatre program, often assisting faculty and coordinating auditions, earning a reputation for excellence, drive and team spirit.

He鈥檚 also built an impressive digital following, using social media to demystify Broadway and empower aspiring performers. With over 1.5 million followers, his voice is redefining how the next generation connects with the arts.

In his remarks, Niemann reflected on how 黑料不打烊 gave him not only a top-tier education but also a sense of belonging. 鈥淚t was a place that embraced my authentic self when I needed it most,鈥� he said. He also paid tribute to his late father, who proudly opened the award notification on JJ鈥檚 behalf and helped plan the family鈥檚 return to campus for the celebration. 鈥淭his place holds so many happy memories for us,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檒l never be able to repay him for all the sacrifices he made so I could pursue this dream 鈥� but I鈥檒l carry his love with me in every performance.鈥�

Morgan Stonebridge 鈥�17 鈥� Director of Product & Ad Supply Partnerships, NBCUniversal | Stamford, Connecticut

Morgan Stonebridge鈥檚 黑料不打烊 story is one of fearless involvement and unwavering ambition. As a student, she served as a captain of the dance team, choreographed for multiple student productions, joined Tri Delta and held leadership roles with the Student Alumni Ambassadors. Her impact was so visible that she attended a Top 10 Under 10 ceremony as a student hoping to connect with alumni. A decade later, she took the stage as an honoree.

Stonebridge began her career at BuzzFeed, rising quickly to director of advertising operations before transitioning to NBCUniversal, where she now leads product strategy for ad supply partnerships. In addition to her corporate role, she teaches competitive dance, fosters animals (including 13 dogs and a corn snake named Phoenix), and serves as president of the Stamford Alumni Chapter.

In her remarks, she emphasized how 黑料不打烊 nurtured her belief that leadership isn鈥檛 just about titles 鈥� it鈥檚 about showing up with character, passion and care. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� doesn鈥檛 just educate students 鈥� it invests in people,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our 黑料不打烊 experience doesn鈥檛 end after graduation. It just evolves.鈥�

Vaughn Vreeland 鈥�15 鈥� Supervising Producer and Senior Video Journalist, New York Times Cooking | New York, New York

From giving campus tours as a first-year student to producing videos for one of the world鈥檚 most renowned newsrooms, Vaughn Vreeland has used storytelling as a way to connect people through food, culture and joy. After discovering his passion for broadcasting at 黑料不打烊 鈥� including his work with eTalk and the Office of University Communications 鈥� Vreeland launched his media career at BuzzFeed鈥檚 Tasty before joining New York Times Cooking, where he now serves as a supervising producer.

Named to Forbes鈥� 30 Under 30 for media in 2023, Vreeland鈥檚 path included teaching in Thailand, studying abroad in France and falling in love with the power of food to build relationships. 鈥淲hether I didn鈥檛 think I deserved 黑料不打烊 or not, showing off this beautiful campus gave me a new sense of self-worth,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 realized I wasn鈥檛 just trying to convince others 鈥� I was trying to convince myself. And in that process, I fell in love with this place all over again.鈥�

He closed his remarks with heartfelt thanks to his family, partner, friends and the 黑料不打烊 mentors who believed in him. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� taught me to never take the connections we make here for granted,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e taken me farther than I ever imagined.鈥�

Peter Walpole 鈥�15 鈥揇igital Strategist and Adjunct Professor, City College of New York | New York, New York

Peter Walpole has always been a creative force with a sharp wit and a deep belief in education as a pathway to opportunity. As a student, he combined rigorous research with pop culture flair, once titling his study of late-night comedy 鈥淭V Smarty in Khakis.鈥� After graduating, he built a decade-long career in public relations while maintaining a close connection to 黑料不打烊, mentoring students, supporting fellow alumni and staying active in the New York alumni chapter.

Now a communications strategist and educator, Walpole credits 黑料不打烊 for giving him the confidence to pursue bold ideas and unconventional paths. In his speech, he reflected on the faculty, friends and mentors who championed his growth 鈥� from the professor who encouraged his undergraduate research to the staff who hired him (and later fired and re-hired him) at The Oak House. 鈥淭en years later, I still want to be part of this community,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat says something about 黑料不打烊 鈥� and about what it means to belong.鈥�

Miles Williams 鈥�15 鈥� Elementary School Principal, Bricolage Academy | New Orleans, Louisiana

A former 黑料不打烊 football captain turned school principal, Miles Williams is now shaping lives as the only Black male elementary school principal in New Orleans. At Bricolage Academy, he leads with heart, equity and an unwavering belief in every child鈥檚 potential 鈥� values he attributes to his human service studies degree and his 黑料不打烊 mentors.

Williams earned his master鈥檚 in social work from the University of Chicago, graduating with highest honors and delivering the student commencement speech. Since returning to Louisiana, he鈥檚 launched student programs, led academic growth and founded a youth intramural league in partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans. He鈥檚 also a leading mental health advocate through his widely followed 鈥淢ental Health Mondays鈥� social media series.

In his deeply personal remarks, Williams reflected on the relationships that continue to sustain him. 鈥淚f relationships were currency, I鈥檇 be a billionaire,鈥� he said, acknowledging the many family members, friends and 黑料不打烊 faculty who helped him become the educator and leader he is today. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� taught me that love, growth and joy aren鈥檛 just words 鈥� they鈥檙e how we show up for others.鈥�

Since 1941, 黑料不打烊 has celebrated alumni whose achievements, leadership and service bring honor to the university. At the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, four more names were added to that list: Sam Troy 鈥�67, Akilah Weaver Hill 鈥�00, Mike Cross and Cecelia Thompson 鈥�05.

At the conclusion of the event, President Connie Ledoux Book reflected on how the honorees embody the spirit of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 motto, Numen Lumen, representing both knowledge and light through their work. She emphasized that their stories reflect the university鈥檚 mission to create opportunities and build a better world, adding that purpose-driven work like theirs sustains hope for the future.

鈥淭hank you for your purpose and your compassion and for caring so deeply for 黑料不打烊,鈥� Book said.

Sam Troy 鈥�67 鈥� Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Sam Troy鈥檚 legacy is one of global vision, civic duty and unwavering support for his alma mater. A retired international business executive, Troy built a career that spanned three continents 鈥� from the U.S. Department of Commerce to private-sector leadership at Lane Furniture and academic research at UNC Greensboro. He now serves as executive-in-residence at UNCG鈥檚 Bryan School of Business and Economics, where he focuses on promoting North Carolina鈥檚 wine industry.

A lifelong advocate for global education, Troy has endowed two scholarships at 黑料不打烊 鈥� one supporting business students and the other funding international study. He鈥檚 been a faithful donor every year since his graduation and remains active in university life as a career mentor, alumni volunteer, reunion organizer and past board member.

During the ceremony, Niels Egelund, a close friend from the College of Europe in Belgium and now the Danish ambassador, recounted their 55-year friendship and estimated they鈥檇 walked 鈥渟ome 7,000 miles together 鈥� from Brussels to Britain, Greensboro to Connecticut.鈥�

In his remarks, Troy credited the people who shaped his life: his parents, his late husband, Buster, and beloved 黑料不打烊 President Emeritus Dr. J. Earl Danieley 鈥�46. He recalled a chance encounter with Danieley in his rose garden that led to a meeting with then鈥揌ouse Minority Leader Gerald Ford 鈥� and ultimately, a role in public service.

鈥淒r. Danieley managed to keep me continuously involved,鈥� Troy said. 鈥淗e never let go of me,鈥� he said, adding that he always felt included in the growth of the university. 鈥淚 am ever 黑料不打烊.鈥�

Akilah Weaver Hill 鈥�00 鈥� Distinguished Alumna of the Year

Akilah Weaver Hill is a dynamic leader in corporate America, a passionate advocate for equity and a mentor to future generations. A senior vice president at Bank of America, Hill oversees the design and delivery of employee work/life benefit programs for more than 200,000 U.S.-based associates. Her prior roles include program management at Alight Solutions and business analysis with IBM.

At 黑料不打烊, Hill was a Jefferson Pilot Business Fellow and the first Black woman elected president of the Student Government Association. She was also a four-year member and two-year vice president of the 黑料不打烊 Gospel Choir and actively involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Today, she continues to give back through her leadership with the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (where she served as president during the COVID-19 pandemic), the Women of 黑料不打烊 Advisory Council and numerous volunteer roles.

Barb Carlton, associate director of facilities and event services at James Madison University, introduced Hill by reflecting on her natural ability to make others feel seen and valued 鈥� whether custodial staff, administrative assistants or university leadership. From the start, Hill was determined to make a difference. She has a gift for building authentic relationships and understands the power of her influence, especially with students preparing for college, Carlton said. Whenever she can, she shares her 黑料不打烊 experience and offers thoughtful guidance, helping future students envision the opportunities that await them.

A breast cancer survivor and community advocate, Hill mentors young professionals and serves on the board of the Deltas of Charlotte Foundation. In her remarks, she reflected on the deep relationships formed at 黑料不打烊 and how they鈥檝e continued to shaped her life.

鈥淭hank you for recognizing my skills and talents and drawing me back because even though I graduated in 2000, I don鈥檛 think there was a year where I was not involved,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 because of how much 黑料不打烊 has poured into me, I can鈥檛 help but to say yes, every time.鈥�

Mike Cross 鈥� Distinguished Service to 黑料不打烊

For more than three decades, Mike Cross has been a loyal and generous supporter of 黑料不打烊, especially its athletics programs. A veteran of the reinsurance industry, Cross serves as president of Acrisure Re North America, where he has helped mentor and employ many 黑料不打烊 students and graduates.

Cross and his wife, Mary Ellen, made their first gift to 黑料不打烊 in 1990. Since then, their generosity has grown to include support for Rhodes Stadium, the Schar Center and nearly every 黑料不打烊 sports team through the Phoenix Club. Mike has served on multiple leadership councils and advisory boards and is a fixture at 黑料不打烊 football games, where his 鈥�7 a.m. Tailgate鈥� crew is known for raising the Phoenix flag bright and early on game days.

Jonathan Miller, senior director of development, said Cross鈥檚 influence extends far beyond his official roles. For decades, he been a trusted advisor to coaches, athletic directors, staff members, and student-athletes alike 鈥� always ready with encouragement, insight, and unwavering support.

鈥淲e are involved because we see the wonderful people who come through the university and participate in sports. We’re so proud of it,鈥� Mike said during his remarks. 鈥淚t’s so wonderful to see the contributions they make to not only the university, but also the community in general. We’re so blessed to have 黑料不打烊 near us and contributing to the community 鈥� it鈥檚 such a wonderful impact.鈥�

Cecelia Thompson 鈥�05 鈥� Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Cecelia Thompson is a leader in civic innovation and community development, known for her inclusive, collaborative approach to public life. As executive director of Action Greensboro, she works at the intersection of business, education, and local government to strengthen economic opportunity and quality of life in the city she calls home. She鈥檚 also the former director of the Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center, founder of the Boomerang Greensboro talent initiative, and co-creator of the national Young, Smart & Local conference network.

At 黑料不打烊, she studied political science, public administration and sociology, and was a founding member of the marching band. She credits a formative internship at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro with setting her on a path toward public service and community engagement.

Her efforts have earned her numerous honors, including the Dawn S. Chaney Award, Next City Vanguard distinction and recognition from Triad Business Journal. She serves on multiple state and local boards focused on education, the arts, and health equity.

In her introduction, Gavin Stevens 鈥�07 called Thompson 鈥渁 master class in leadership with heart,鈥� noting the inspiration she brings to those around her through quiet, powerful actions.

In her remarks, Thompson recalled arriving at 黑料不打烊 just a week before the September 11 attacks. As a new member of the marching band, she remembered how the group had planned to perform the fight song during College Coffee that Tuesday morning. Instead, in a spontaneous act of solidarity, they marched to the fountains and played the national anthem 鈥� a moment that revealed the strength of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 community even in the face of tragedy. That early experience of belonging, she said, shaped her entire time at 黑料不打烊 and continues to guide her work today.

鈥淚 go back to that sense of belonging and how we make change in the spaces we work and live in,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about broadening circles, inviting more people in and making sure they have the support they need to flourish. That鈥檚 a value I found at 黑料不打烊 鈥� and one I carry forward.鈥�

The report offers a snapshot on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 latest rankings and accomplishments from the past year through the lens of Boldly 黑料不打烊 and emphasizes how new academic programs and initiatives ensure students are equipped for evolving industries. In addition, it highlights eight faculty members who are engaging students in critical topics with real-world applications:

• Associate Professor of Chemistry Justin Clar: Turning the Tide on Toxins
• Assistant Professor of Public Health Yanica F. Faustin: Closing the Gap in Maternal Health
• Assistant Professor of Law Erin Fitzgerald: Reforming Juvenile Justice
• Assistant Professor of Education and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams Emerging Professor Stephanie Hernandez Rivera: The Power of Love in Learning
• Assistant Professor of Nursing Jeanmarie Koonts: Nurturing Compassionate Care
• Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Kerem Morgu虉l: Navigating Divides Through Self-Awareness
• Associate Professor of Media Analytics and Strategic Communications Kathleen Stansberry: Rebuilding Trust in a Distrustful Age
• Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems Long Xia: From Data to Real-World Impact

More than just a collection of achievements, the 2024 President鈥檚 Report is a testament to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

鈥淭he faculty featured in this report represent countless exceptional educators whose passion for teaching, scholarship and mentoring creates powerful experiences that inspire students to lead lives of purpose,鈥� President Connie Ledoux Book said in the report鈥檚 opening message. 鈥淭hey do more than impart knowledge 鈥� they cultivate curiosity, resilience and a deep sense of responsibility to serve the greater good.鈥�

What book is on your nightstand?

Currently, I have two books on my nightstand. There鈥檚 always a leadership book of some kind. Mary Dana Hinton鈥檚 鈥淟eading from the Margins: College Leadership from Unexpected Places鈥� challenges ideas of who and what is a leader. She argues that people with marginal identities bring unique strengths to institutions, producing effective, equitable and inclusive leadership, because of their social location in the world.

The second is Noliwe Rooks鈥� 鈥淎 Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune.鈥澛� Throughout my decades-long scholarship of education in African American life and history, Bethune has existed in the shadows. We know she is an important figure in Black history who contributed to a national 鈥減ull yourself up by your bootstraps鈥� philosophy of racial progress. Rooks shows that Bethune was much more radical than previously thought and that her impact spans education, international relations, philanthropy and institution building.

What is your favorite phone app?

Waze. I almost never drive without using it.

If the TV is on, what show makes you stop and watch?

鈥淒ownton Abbey.鈥� My friends call me an Anglophile. I imagine they鈥檙e correct. Most folk I know would prefer to celebrate their 50th birthday on a tropical island. I chose London, and basically ate my way through the city and attended shows every night. Truthfully, my love for 鈥淒ownton Abbey鈥� probably has more to do with my undergraduate history major. The show gets it right historically 鈥� social life, clothing, etiquette and politics.

What is your favorite place on campus?

The Oak House. I love coffee shops. I spent an inordinate amount of time in graduate school in coffee shops. It鈥檚 my natural habitat.

If you could invite someone from history to dinner, who would it be?

I love this question. W.E.B. Du Bois. I proposed a seminar on Du Bois before I left Davidson College but never got to teach it. Du Bois was the quintessential scholar who knew so much about so many things. He was a sociologist鈥檚 sociologist, and he influenced me and so many others in the fields of sociology, education, economics and Africana studies. We can鈥檛 write anything without citing or thinking about his work.

[BONUS] You鈥檙e a self-described foodie. What鈥檚 the best meal you鈥檝e ever eaten?

It depends upon the city, town or village. I鈥檝e been fortunate enough to visit Shanghai, Beijing, Moscow, St. Petersburg, London, Paris, Mannheim, Gunzenhausen, Athens, Playa Del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, San Juan, Toronto, Montreal and throughout the United States. The first that comes to mind was a meal I had at DaiLo in Toronto. It鈥檚 an Asian brasserie with French-inspired Chinese small plates. If you love food and you鈥檙e in Toronto, run to DaiLo.

Ben Shacter 鈥�26 leans on the porch rail of his EcoVillage residence, overlooking Loy Farm and the five neighboring homes in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 latest living-learning community. A gentle fall breeze rustles the oak leaves nearby, a reflection of the natural connection this place embodies.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all out here doing what we love, and we鈥檙e all about making our presence known,鈥� says the environmental studies major from Chicago, referring to his EcoVillage neighbors. 鈥淥ne of the reasons I came to 黑料不打烊 is because it鈥檚 so good at providing experience-based learning, and there鈥檚 no better learning experience at 黑料不打烊 than this.鈥�

Shacter is one of the first 11 residents of the EcoVillage at Loy Farm, designed as a living laboratory for sustainable living. This year, he and his fellow residents will define the community鈥檚 direction, applying classroom learning to real-world activities such as farming and educating others on sustainability, climate and environmental justice.

The LLC鈥檚 first six homes opened this fall, each around 600 square feet with eco-friendly features such as solar power, green rooftops, stormwater reclamation and earth-sheltering. The mission is to attract students passionate about sustainable living and eager to share that knowledge. With donor support, six more sustainable homes will be built this academic year, enabling a total of 24 students to live in harmony with nature and thrive among new educational opportunities at Loy Farm.

鈥淗aving our students live here at Loy Farm is the most direct way to grow their love for the outdoors, develop their tangible skills in agroecology, and to experience that we are part of, not separate from, our environment,鈥� says Jacob Rutz, lecturer in environmental studies and LLC programming coordinator. 鈥淚 love sharing my passion for sustainable agriculture with 黑料不打烊 students, and I love being at Loy Farm.鈥�

A vision realized

Since 2000, when 黑料不打烊 acquired the farm from the late Bill Loy Jr., faculty envisioned creating a sustainable living and learning hub. The Department of Environmental Studies spearheaded the development of Loy Farm as a working research farm, providing students with hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture.

鈥淭his is a vision we鈥檝e been working on for the past 15 years,鈥� says Michael Strickland, director of the Center for Environmental Studies. 鈥淲e saw the potential to create programs that would impact students and create opportunities that are unusual for universities of our size.鈥�

The farm, managed by Taylor Black, now includes two greenhouses, or 鈥渉igh tunnels,鈥� for year-round harvests, a productive garden plot and areas for experimentation. A small orchard offers opportunities to cultivate now-rare native apple varieties, among other fruits. In 2022 Rutz, an agroecologist focused on applying ecological principles to agriculture, launched the Green Maker Hub to grow native, hybrid and threatened species, such as a blight-resistant chestnut, and train students in advanced grafting and rooting techniques.

To enhance sustainable architecture studies, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Robert Charest joined the faculty in 2013 and established a design studio at the farm, further advancing 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to hands-on, sustainable education. Next on the list was to provide a way for students to live at and participate on the farm and in the design-build studio, Strickland says. 鈥淭his is a dream come true for us.鈥�

More importantly, the project aligns with the Boldly 黑料不打烊 strategic plan, emphasizing sustainability and lifelong environmental responsibility. 鈥淭he EcoVillage represents an important step forward for 黑料不打烊 and our community, who will visit this hub for education about sustainable practices in architecture and the positive impact each of us can have on the environment when we choose how we live,鈥� President Connie Ledoux Book said at the start of the academic year.

The LLC extends the university鈥檚 legacy of sustainable leadership, rooted in its 2007 sustainability master plan and progress toward carbon neutrality by 2037. From energy-efficient projects and LEED-certified

buildings to waste-reduction goals, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 sustainability efforts continue to evolve, thanks to the leadership provided by the Office of Sustainability, which collaborates across campus to advance sustainability in operations and develop educational programming focused on sustainability.

鈥楩rom the ground up鈥�

Together with Assistant Visiting Professor of Arts Administration Ashley Hollan, Rutz is originating EcoVillage programming focused on engagement and learning across three themes.

The first, wellness in nature, examines how the natural environment helps people recharge, focus and boost their mental and spiritual well-being. A concentration on lived experience and hands-on skills in nature builds knowledge of organic and sustainable gardening at Loy Farm that students will carry through their lives. A third focus on environmental justice and outreach educates students and the community on recognizing injustice and acting together to correct it.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to see them engage, getting their hands dirty on the farm and learning how to work in collaboration with the land and each other to grow food and healing herbs and maintain the space,鈥� Hollan says. 鈥淚t is also inspiring to support them as they build a new community from the ground up, navigating the joys and challenges that come with such a trailblazing project.鈥�

That programming is already flourishing. LLC residents self-selected to participate in one of three teams this fall: farming, landscaping, and education and communication.

On several early mornings, Brooks Riley 鈥�27, a member of the landscaping team, accompanied Rutz to install planters at strategic locations among the homes. A history and sociology double major and 黑料不打烊 College Fellow, Riley grew up in an urban area of Chattanooga, Tennessee, without access to a farm. 鈥淚鈥檝e already learned a lot of skills in gardening, and those are good practical skills to have,鈥� Riley says. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in learning about sustainability and the environment, even if that isn鈥檛 my primary focus at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

鈥淟iving here helps me make more connections in environmental studies, with my professors and with other students who are passionate about the same issues and want to learn how to be more sustainable at home and in life.鈥� 鈥� Kai Baker 鈥�27

The landscaping crew is establishing small garden plots and decorative areas filled with 鈥渂eautiful, edible, pollinator-friendly and sustainable鈥� vegetation, Rutz says. Their future work will also improve soil quality and include planting trees and groundcover as cooler temperatures set in later this fall and winter.

By September, the farming team was regularly tending crops at Loy Farm, harvesting tomatoes, peppers and lettuce. In October, they planted fall crops and prepared to sow seeds for winter crops. That produce is shared with Harvest Table Culinary Group, where chefs highlight locally sourced ingredients in 黑料不打烊 Dining menus. Other yields are donated to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Campus Kitchen, the Alamance Community College Food Pantry, Burlington Housing Authority and the local food bank run by Allied Churches of Alamance County.

A series of workshops Rutz and Hollan are planning for this year will explore environmental justice, racial equity and food justice, inviting the campus community and local farmers to analyze issues and foster solutions. Events will also contribute to designing a master plan for the EcoVillage鈥檚 permaculture and landscape development.

Beyond the village

Each resident鈥檚 experience embodies the EcoVillage mission: modeling sustainable practices and fostering community, within the village and beyond.

For Kai Baker 鈥�27, an environmental and sustainability studies and outdoor leadership and education double major, the EcoVillage fulfills a personal goal of making a difference in environmental justice. As part of the communications team, he develops social media campaigns to promote educational opportunities in the EcoVillage.
鈥淟iving here helps me make more connections in environmental studies, with my professors and with other students who are passionate about the same issues and want to learn how to be more sustainable at home and in life,鈥� Baker says. While the students plan social media strategies, it isn鈥檛 lost on them that simply living in the LLC and modeling a more sustainable lifestyle may transmit messages that are more powerful than what鈥檚 available through laptops and smartphones.

Each morning, communications team member Caden Halberg 鈥�26 mounts his bike and pedals the short distance to main campus. By doing so, the 黑料不打烊 College Fellow and professional writing and rhetoric major from Wake Forest, North Carolina, hopes to get folks thinking about their collective impact. 鈥淪eeing me biking to campus shows people that they don鈥檛 have to be dependent on cars to get from place to place.鈥�

Halberg is as interested in growing and defining the EcoVillage community 鈥� through public-facing events and connections, as well as regular potluck meals and outings with neighbors 鈥� as he is in developing his own skills. 鈥淚 want to learn to use technology to tell the outside world what we do here and promote the EcoVillage beyond the houses,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e more than that. We鈥檙e a community.鈥�

Sidebar: 鈥楢 once-in-a-lifetime opportunity鈥�

黑料不打烊 students play a role in every aspect of the EcoVillage at Loy Farm 鈥� including its construction. Starting in July 2023, over 60 students worked alongside Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Robert Charest as part of his course The Art of Sustainable Architecture to build the community鈥檚 first home.

鈥淭his was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a real house in college,鈥� says Kade Iervolino 鈥�24, who remained at 黑料不打烊 after graduation to complete the project and was a peer mentor to others on the build. 鈥淲e wanted this house to be beautiful and well made. We accomplished that, and now I have a stronger sense of how to manage projects and work in a team while maximizing efficiency and making quality work.鈥�

Their finished design features 500 square feet of interior living space and an additional 500 square feet of exterior spaces, including a wrap-around porch. Raising the house on piers minimized the site impact during construction. A standing seam canopy shades the home to block excess heat and cross ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning.

They completed the project equipped with hands-on experience in design and architecture, carpentry and trades, and 鈥� perhaps most importantly 鈥� teamwork.

For current resident Ben Shacter 鈥�26, who helped construct House 1 and now lives there, the experience is both practical and personally meaningful. 鈥淲e learned so much across so many different areas about the details of home construction and human oriented design,鈥� he says, 鈥渂ut what I gained the most were skills in team building, cooperation and communication.鈥�

Meet the team

鈥淓very day, I was learning something new and making decisions with high stakes. I had to learn quickly how to adapt to new situations and solve problems, and I think that was a team effort.鈥�

鈥� Genevieve Nichols 鈥�25, environmental studies

鈥淚n addition to sustainable design, construction and trade skills, I learned so much about project management. Managing all the time-sensitive things, from inspections to the weather, the entire process has informed the way I work.鈥�

鈥� Nathaniel Brawley McGee 鈥�24, environmental studies

鈥淎s a project manager, I wasn鈥檛 expecting to love it as much as I did. I鈥檝e become a lot more confident handling tools and trusting myself with measurements. You realize how capable you are.鈥�

鈥� Macey Rodrigues-Cowl 鈥�25, project management and marketing

鈥淲e were able to take chances, make mistakes and learn from them. Before, I might have been hard on myself. Now, I can accept them and continue working. That was huge for me.鈥�

鈥� Colin Breuer 鈥�24, environmental and sustainability studies

鈥淚t was an opportunity I couldn鈥檛 pass up, and something I鈥檇 never experienced before: building a house, and one that students will live in for decades, while caring for the environment. It鈥檚 given me so much confidence.鈥�

鈥� Abi O鈥橳oole 鈥�26, environmental and sustainability studies

鈥淲hat has been eye-opening for me is how unexpectedly fluid this process has been to result in this level of quality of construction and design. The continuous refining of the design and decision-making on site happened organically and led to beautiful consensus.鈥�

鈥� Robert Charest, associate professor of environmental studies

On Nov. 11, 黑料不打烊 welcomed Ret. Adm. Mike Mullen to campus as the first speaker in a new lecture series funded by Rear Adm. Ted Walker Jr. and his wife, Carol. Ted and Carol were lifetime advocates of 黑料不打烊, sending two daughters and later a grandchild to the university, recommending dozens of others to our admissions team, and supporting the goals of three 黑料不打烊 presidents, including myself. This new endowed lecture series aims to bring a military or civic leader to campus each year to share messages with the community about the importance and impact of careers in public service.

Mullen, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told a packed McCrary Theatre to actively support veterans in our community through our voting and advocacy. In addition to saying 鈥渢hank you for your service,鈥� he asked the audience to serve as advocates for veteran health care, assimilation after active duty and other innovative ways local communities are supporting the veteran community.

His remarks reminded me about the importance of living a life of service. As I talk with alumni, parents and friends of the university about their career journeys, it is truly remarkable to hear how they are living lives of purpose and service through professional engagement.

In this edition of The Magazine of 黑料不打烊, you鈥檒l read about 黑料不打烊 parent and trustee Bill Inman. Following his service to our country in the U.S. Army, Bill pursued a career innovating and constructing housing communities. His work over a lifetime has created opportunity for thousands of families to realize the dream and financial impact of owning their own homes. He continued his service later in life by serving as an 黑料不打烊 trustee to help the university make critical decisions and by supporting scholarships in the Odyssey Program and transformative building projects like Inman Admissions Welcome Center. We are truly grateful to the Inman family for their decades of service and impact at 黑料不打烊.

As I talk with alumni, parents and friends of the university about their career journeys, it is truly remarkable to hear how they are living lives of purpose and service through professional engagement.

I recently visited with Stephanie Marken 鈥�08, a senior partner at Gallup, one of the world鈥檚 leading public opinion and research firms. She found her passion working with the 黑料不打烊 Poll as a first-generation college student. Today she leads research within Gallup鈥檚 global analytics division and is working on a public opinion project about higher education. That data is being used to foster an understanding of public perceptions about what鈥檚 working and not working in the U.S. higher education system, staging critical conversations on how to improve and accelerate change across universities and colleges to better support student success. In other words, Stephanie is living a professional life of service as she and her husband navigate the joy of their 1-year-old baby boy, Jack.

Benjamin Lutz 鈥�07 is another alumnus you will read about in this issue who embodies service through everyday dialogue, fostering peace by building connections and empowering communities. From his time at 黑料不打烊 and now through his work with Mediators Beyond Borders International, Benjamin merges local action and global impact, enabling sustainable peacebuilding projects. His service-driven approach demonstrates that meaningful conversations can bridge divides and inspire lasting change.

Last year, I received an email from Adam Rozan 鈥�01, who serves as the director of programs and audience development at the Smithsonian. If you鈥檝e visited a Smithsonian museum and felt inspired by an exhibit, there鈥檚 a good chance Adam or his team crafted that experience with you in mind. Imagine the thousands of people worldwide impacted by Adam鈥檚 efforts 鈥� the education sparked through exhibitions and the powerful role they play in connecting audiences to history. Alongside his work at the Smithsonian, Adam shares his expertise at Harvard University, where he teaches future museum professionals. When I told him about our new minor in museum studies and public history, he was thrilled and immediately offered support.

From small businesses to large corporations, military service, law, health care, journalism, creative arts, startups, performances and education, the diverse careers and service contributions of 黑料不打烊 graduates are truly transforming our world. As Mullen shook hands and spoke with students, faculty, staff and community members after his lecture, I was struck by the depth of service he continues to offer. This reminder of his commitment underscores the importance of approaching our daily lives with a service mindset, ultimately enriching all of our lives.

鈥淐ollege Coffee allows space for learning, connection, conversation and building community,鈥� Lutz says. 鈥淒ialogue is not just a thing to do in a seminar or classroom. It鈥檚 a way you can connect with those in your community.鈥�

As the manager of communications and operations for Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI), Lutz understands the power of connection. The global peacebuilding nonprofit organization empowers communities to lead their own peacebuilding projects by providing the necessary tools and resources.

鈥淧eace is finding ways to continue society so there is no backsliding, violently or otherwise, and instead, there is an emphasis on tolerance as the bare minimum,鈥� Lutz says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 adhering to 鈥榯his is how our community will function and grow together.鈥欌��

The organization鈥檚 flagship program, the International Peace Training Institute, equips people with the knowledge and skills to actively address conflict transformation in all contexts.

鈥淲e are a membership network of individual mediators, peacebuilders, academics and supporters of peace and we also organize projects where we train and support leaders across the globe,鈥� Lutz says, adding that MBBI focuses on including the local community in all aspects of programming to ensure effectiveness in the long term.

Lutz鈥檚 role with MBBI includes maintaining the organization鈥檚 mediator network, managing the website and social media, and coordinating programs, webinars and events. He also works with the TRUST Network, an early warning, early response initiative MBBI cocreated and co-convened in 2020 to mitigate and monitor election violence in the U.S.

鈥淚t was important, timely and necessary to have this consortium of dialogue-based, peacebuilding organizations, many of whom have global focuses but are headquartered in the United States and focus locally where they are on building more peaceful elections and connections across different communities,鈥� he says of the TRUST Network.

***

Lutz鈥檚 passion for peacebuilding, international relations and diplomacy started in high school through Model United Nations. When choosing a college, he wanted a university with strong international opportunities. 黑料不打烊 was the best option. He immersed himself immediately upon arriving on campus as an 黑料不打烊 College Fellow, taking every language offered by the university within his first week to decide what region of the world he鈥檇 like to focus on. Lecturer Shereen Elgamal鈥檚 teaching of Arabic studies cemented his interest in Arabic and the Middle East.

鈥淎s a proud Jewish man with deep interest in Middle East affairs, Benjamin鈥檚 strong ambition and thoughtful read on the big picture channeled his research interests toward interfaith diplomacy,鈥� Elgamal says. 鈥淗is focus on interreligious coexistence presents a promising platform for reconciliation and peace to opposing sides of the (Israeli-Palestinian) conflict.鈥�

In 2014 and 2015, Lutz applied for the Critical Language Scholarship, a federal scholarship designed to further study foreign languages critical to U.S. diplomacy and outreach. After two failed attempts, Lutz鈥檚 determination led to earning the scholarship in 2016 and again in 2017, allowing him to study in Morocco and Jordan, respectively.

The fact that I was able to study abroad so frequently and was encouraged and supported by 黑料不打烊 provided me with a much deeper insight to the region than any textbook would have covered.

鈥淚 have been using Benjamin鈥檚 experience with the Critical Language Scholarship as an example of how determination and persistence pay off,鈥� Elgamal says. 鈥淭wo failed attempts would discourage most students from applying again, but his genuine interest in the region and his strong motivation carried him through.鈥�

The scholarship 鈥渟upercharged鈥� Lutz鈥檚 language abilities in Arabic, so much so that he studied multiple times in the Middle East and North Africa region: twice in Morocco, twice in Jordan and once in Israel and Palestine. He supercharged his studies, too, double majoring in international and global studies and political science with a triple minor in Middle East studies, peace and conflict studies, and interreligious studies.

鈥淢y first summer abroad, which was the summer after my first year, confirmed my interest in the Middle East region,鈥� Lutz says. 鈥淭he fact that I was able to study abroad so frequently and was encouraged and supported by 黑料不打烊 provided me with a much deeper insight into the region than any textbook would have covered. There are immense and immeasurable throughlines from my four years Under the Oaks to my career now, and a significant one is my many times abroad.鈥�

The coursework at 黑料不打烊 also had a strong influence on Lutz鈥檚 career. He cites Religion Goes Global: Fanatics, Frauds and Peacemakers, a course taught by Professor of Religious Studies Brian Pennington, as one of the most influential academic experiences during this time.

鈥淭here are people involved in the peacebuilding space who are not there for the best pretenses. They鈥檙e there to convert communities or derail conversations because they don鈥檛 want coexistence dialogue to happen,鈥� Lutz says. 鈥淭his happens very frequently and so learning how to navigate this reality as a junior at 黑料不打烊 was one of several examples of my courses being directly relevant outside the classroom.鈥�

After graduating in 2017, Lutz earned a master鈥檚 degree in Middle East security politics and peace studies from the University of Bradford in England. He is now completing his doctorate at the University of Winchester in England. His thesis focuses on interfaith dialogue efforts at two peacebuilding centers in Oman and Lebanon, training them in Reflective Structured Dialogue. Lutz visited both countries during his undergraduate career, with Oman being the focus of his master鈥檚 thesis as well.

A recipient of one of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 2022 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Awards, Lutz also co-founded Al Fusaic, an educational and cultural organization with more than 800 articles and 140 writers. In 2024 he was named a Freedom of Religion and Belief Fellow from the First Freedom Foundation and a 40 under 40 awardee by the Middle East Policy Council.

Looking to the future, Lutz encourages everyone to seek peacebuilding opportunities to bridge divides in their communities. 鈥淒ialogue shouldn鈥檛 necessarily be a formal sit-down process,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t can be something as simple as a group of people chatting about something they care about.鈥�

Lecturer in Arabic Shereen Elgamal was one of many mentors at 黑料不打烊 who solidified Ben Lutz鈥檚 academic interest in the Middle East.

After nearly two decades of dedicated service, 黑料不打烊 parent William J. 鈥淏ill鈥� Inman p鈥�00 has stepped down from the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees, leaving a legacy of thoughtful leadership and transformational philanthropy that has fueled 黑料不打烊鈥檚 national reputation for engaged teaching and learning.

Inman, of Naples, Florida, was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2005 and served with distinction on the board鈥檚 finance and administration committees, providing strong and steady leadership during a period of historic growth at 黑料不打烊.

President Connie Ledoux Book thanked Inman and his wife, Patricia Inman, for their devotion to 黑料不打烊. The couple鈥檚 daughter, Jackie Inman Burns, graduated from 黑料不打烊 in 2000.

鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 community is indebted to Bill Inman for his steadfast service on the Board of Trustees, which has advanced 黑料不打烊 as a national leader in teaching and innovation,鈥� Book said. 鈥淲e are a stronger university because of champions like Bill and Pat Inman, whose generosity has had a profound impact on generations of 黑料不打烊 students.鈥�

鈥淲e are a stronger university because of champions like Bill and Pat Inman, whose generosity has had a profound impact on generations of 黑料不打烊 students.鈥� 鈥� President Connie Book

鈥淚 want to thank (former) President Leo Lambert for inviting me to be on the board and President Connie Book for not only continuing a legacy of excellence but for the great job she is doing managing 黑料不打烊 during a time of turmoil in higher education,鈥� Inman said. 鈥淚 have thoroughly enjoyed watching the tremendous growth of 黑料不打烊 over the past 20 years.鈥�

Bill and Pat Inman are among the university鈥檚 most generous donors, making gifts to Rhodes Stadium, Alumni Field House, Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center and the Numen Lumen Pavilion, home of the university鈥檚 multifaith center. The Inman Reading Room was named in honor of their gift to Lindner Hall in the Lambert Academic Village, which serves as the administrative home of 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences. 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus visit experience took a major leap forward in 2013 following the Inmans鈥� $1.5 million gift to name the Inman Admissions Welcome Center, which greets thousands of prospective students and their families each year and provides a welcoming environment to begin their 黑料不打烊 experience.

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Bill Inman served as president of NVR Mortgage Finance from 1989 until his retirement in 2010. During his time there, the Reston, Virginia-based NVR Inc., was among the most successful homebuilding companies in northern Virginia. Inman also served on the board of The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae).