Alumni,聽parents聽and friends of 黑料不打烊 are invited to come together for an Evening for 黑料不打烊 in Washington, DC. Connect with fellow members of the 黑料不打烊 community and hear a few highlights from campus.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the National Portrait Gallery. Join us at 7 p.m. for a reception featuring a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres before gathering for a special program at 8 p.m. with remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book.聽Following the remarks,聽current alumni donors are聽invited to the Cheers to 黑料不打烊 celebration, featuring聽additional聽food and drinks, lively聽music聽and the opportunity to connect with fellow members of the 黑料不打烊 community.聽聽to the designation of your choice to join the fun.

Evening for 黑料不打烊 in Washington, DC聽with President Connie L. Book聽
Wednesday,聽September聽2, 2026
7聽p.m. Hosted reception with hors d鈥檕euvres
8聽p.m. Program with remarks by President Book
8:30聽-10 p.m. Cheers聽to 黑料不打烊 celebration for alumni donors

National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d鈥檕euvres

Register at聽聽or contact聽advancement@elon.edu.

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).

After checking in and creating a nametag, students and parents will have the chance to meet one another, share excitement about the journey ahead and learn which other students from their聽area聽will be joining them at 黑料不打烊. The conversations often lead to new friendships, familiar faces for move-in day and an early sense of belonging within the university community.

Current 黑料不打烊 parents serve as hosts, sharing their experiences and offering insights about the transition to college life. Many events are also supported by 黑料不打烊 staff members, who help answer questions about Move-In Day, New Student Orientation, campus聽resources and聽the first-year experience.聽Together, they provide valuable guidance and reassurance as families prepare for the start of the academic year.

Coordinated by the Office of Parent Engagement, Summer Welcome Events are designed to foster meaningful connections among incoming students,聽parents聽and current 黑料不打烊 families. By bringing members of the 黑料不打烊 community together in a familiar, casual聽setting, the gatherings help families feel informed, supported, and connected before students arrive on campus.

For many attendees, Summer Welcome Events mark the beginning of their 黑料不打烊 experience. Through conversations, shared experiences and new connections, families gain a deeper understanding of the university and the supportive community that will welcome them in August.

Class of 2030 families who are unable to attend a local Summer Welcome Event, Ready, Set, 黑料不打烊 is聽a webinar聽offered with current parents and a student sharing their 黑料不打烊 perspective and experience. Registration for this聽webinar聽will be open in the middle of July, with the event being聽live in聽the second week of August.
Families will have an opportunity to聽submit聽questions prior to the event, and they can choose from two different聽timeframes. All incoming parents and students of the Class of 2030 will receive an email to register for Ready, Set, 黑料不打烊.

Losing a parent changes everything. How you see the world. How you build relationships. How you understand risk, love and time.

Aidan Steinbach 鈥�23 knows this all too well. He was just seven years old when his mother died. A respected scholar and professor of public health, Michelle Mayer dedicated her life to bringing quality healthcare to communities in need before her life was cut short by a rare autoimmune disease that she battled for more than 12 years. She was 39 years old.

To honor her memory, Steinbach made a $2 million estate gift to create the Michelle Mayer Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will assist students who have experienced the death of a parent or guardian, with first preference given to entrepreneurship majors in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, where Steinbach earned his degree in management in 2023.

Endowing the scholarship is Steinbach鈥檚 way of paying tribute to his mother鈥攚ho helped fund his 黑料不打烊 education鈥攁nd helping future generations of students grappling with the same kind of loss he experienced.

鈥淢y Mom was Wonder Woman,鈥� Steinbach said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 who your mom is when you鈥檙e seven years old. She鈥檚 the person who protects you, clothes and feeds you, and teaches you right from wrong. I聽miss her every day.鈥�

Mayer was also someone who valued education and ensured Steinbach and his older sister Amelia had the chance to go to college.

鈥淢y Mom wasn鈥檛 wealthy. She didn鈥檛 leave behind real estate or investments or anything you鈥檇 call an estate,鈥� Steinbach said. 鈥淲hat she left was a life insurance policy that helped pay for my 黑料不打烊 education. I got to go to school debt-free because my mother died. I鈥檝e sat with that fact for most of my life. It鈥檚 not something you ever fully resolve. You just learn to carry it.鈥�

Michelle Lynn Mayer died October 11, 2008, at the Duke Hospice Inpatient Care Facility in Durham, North Carolina, after battling scleroderma, part of a group of chronic autoimmune disorders marked by hardening and tightening of the skin. Scleroderma can also damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, digestive track, muscles and joints, and other internal organs.

It was a struggle Mayer chronicled in her blog, 鈥淒iary of a Dying Mom,鈥� where she wrote essays on parenting, living and dying to help families facing the challenges of terminal illnesses.

鈥淚 deal with the topic of death head-on in an unflinching way,鈥� Mayer wrote in one entry. 鈥淚 believe that, as a culture, we shy away from anything surrounding death and, consequently, deprive ourselves of all the lessons inherent in the dying and grieving process. We ignore the reality that death is as much a part of life as birth.鈥�

A Philadelphia native, Mayer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania (1990) with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing and a minor in economics from the Wharton School of Business, before earning her master鈥檚 degree in public health education (1992) and a doctorate in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997). During her doctoral program, Mayer also served as a health economics consultant for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1997, Mayer married Dr. William J. Steinbach after the two met as graduate students at UNC.

The couple (and later their young children) briefly lived in California during Dr. Steinbach鈥檚 medical residency. During this time, Mayer worked as a clinical research associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University and as research director of the Children鈥檚 Health Initiative at the Lucile S. Packard Children鈥檚 Hospital in Palo Alto, California. The family then moved back to the Triangle in 2001, and Mayer served as a research fellow at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and a research assistant professor in the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, until stepping down in 2007 due to her illness.

In the family鈥檚 Durham neighborhood, Mayer started a group for families with young children, which was a vital source of support for her family during her illness. Mayer also regularly volunteered at her children鈥檚 school, even after the disease had curtailed many of her daily activities. Throughout her ordeal, Mayer remained passionate about improving access to quality healthcare for underserved communities, supporting women and families, and promoting awareness of scleroderma.

Steinbach is grateful to his mother for giving him the gift of education. He is equally grateful to 黑料不打烊 for providing him with an outstanding experience, including participation in the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows program and Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which prepared him for success. Steinbach, who lives in San Francisco, is a banker at Erebor and also runs his own consulting firm, working with companies backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator and others.

Steinbach hopes the scholarship will encourage students to follow their dreams, knowing someone is willing to invest in their success.

鈥淢y mother inspired me to be a better person. I hope this scholarship inspires others to be better as well, and, in turn, to own that obligation as they go out into the world,鈥� he said. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� gave me a chance during a stretch of my life when the odds weren鈥檛 obviously in my favor. The scholarship is my attempt to extend that same chance to someone else who didn鈥檛 ask for what happened to them, but is still here trying to figure out what comes next.鈥�

鈥淎idan鈥檚 desire to honor his mother鈥檚 legacy while creating opportunity for others is a wonderful example of the power of philanthropy to change lives,鈥� said Leanna Giles 鈥�02, associate director of planned giving. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 just want to honor her memory鈥攈e wanted to transform something painful into possibility for someone else. For that, the 黑料不打烊 community is grateful.鈥�

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at 黑料不打烊 through your estate, contact Leanna Giles 鈥�02, associate director of planned giving, at (336) 278-5798 or lgiles@elon.edu.

The program鈥檚 inaugural performance will feature the North Carolina Symphony on September 30, 2026, in Alumni Gym. Details about this concert, including tickets, will be shared with the 黑料不打烊 community this summer.

鈥淭his gift is to express gratitude to the 黑料不打烊 community for 25 wonderful years together and to provide enhanced opportunities for all of us to experience great music at 黑料不打烊,鈥� said Fred Young, who served as the university鈥檚 seventh president from 1973-1998, leading historic growth and progress at the institution.

黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book thanked the Youngs for their generosity and dedicated service to the university.

鈥淔red and Phyllis Young鈥檚 contributions to 黑料不打烊 over many decades are vast and many鈥攆rom doubling our enrollment and expanding our campus to enriching academic programs and supporting generations of students,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭heir dedication has helped shape the 黑料不打烊 we know today. With this remarkable gift, they now add the joy of classical music to that legacy, ensuring our community will experience exceptional performances for years to come.鈥�

In addition to full orchestra concerts, it is envisioned that the Youngs鈥� endowment will fund other signature performances on campus, including seasonal concerts and a chamber music concert, as well as engagement opportunities with music students, including career development seminars and master classes. Performances by the 黑料不打烊 Orchestra and 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble may also be included.

As the endowment grows, additional opportunities for students may include new music-themed Winter Term courses and global engagement experiences, as well as opera performances on campus.

The Fred and Phyllis Young Classical Music Program Endowment will complement performances by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 current ensembles, including:

• Bands (The Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band & Phoenix Pep Band)
• Choral Activities & Voice (University Chorale, Camerata, 茅lan & Opera Workshop.)
• 黑料不打烊 Orchestra
• 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble & 黑料不打烊 Concert Band
• 黑料不打烊 Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos
• 黑料不打烊 Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
• Commercial and Pop Music (黑料不打烊 Electric Ensemble, Techtronica)

About President Emeritus James Fred Young

J. Fred Young was one of the longest-serving presidents in 黑料不打烊 history whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 remarkable rise to national distinction. Young led an era of historic growth and transformation as 黑料不打烊 became one of the premier undergraduate institutions on the Eastern seaboard.

During Young鈥檚 25-year tenure, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 enrollment more than doubled to 3,685 students and the campus grew from about 145 acres to more than 500 acres. New academic offerings were added, including master鈥檚 programs in business administration, education and physical therapy; a new general studies program (now 黑料不打烊 Core Curriculum); and new majors, including communications, computer systems, sports medicine and leisure/sport management. The 黑料不打烊 Experiences engaged learning programs also grew under Young鈥檚 leadership.

Facilities construction and renovation included additions to the Center for the Arts, Koury Center for athletics, Moseley Center for campus activities and the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. In addition, construction began on the Carol Grotnes Belk Library, while Young also began planning and fundraising for Rhodes Stadium. Young was named President Emeritus by the 黑料不打烊 Board of Trustees.

Fred and Phyllis Young are among 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most dedicated donors, making gifts to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Greatest Needs, including scholarships, and the Phoenix Club. Young Commons, the expansive lawn in front of Moseley Center, was dedicated on October 10, 2000, in honor of the Youngs and their decades of leadership and service to the university. Fred and Phyllis are the grandparents of 黑料不打烊 sophomore Myla Young 鈥�28.

Participants in the newest cohort emphasized the program鈥檚 immediate relevance to their everyday work.

Andrea Davis L鈥�12 said the experience helped her clearly identify how AI fits into multiple areas of her life.

鈥淚 had such a great time in this course 鈥� it really allowed me to pinpoint how I can use AI in my job and in my personal life, and it helped grow my confidence in handling AI,鈥� Davis said.

The certificate focuses on experiential learning, guiding participants through hands-on exercises with AI tools, prompt development and workflow design. Rather than centering on technical complexity, the program emphasizes strategy, ethics and clarity of use.

Elizabeth Worrilow Maher 鈥�17 said the course reshaped how she approaches her daily work.

鈥淚t genuinely shifted how I think about my day-to-day work,鈥� Maher said. 鈥淲hat stood out most wasn鈥檛 just the tools, but the mindset 鈥� using AI to enhance how you think, not replace it.鈥�

Maher noted that key takeaways included the importance of strong inputs and strategy, the impact of small workflow improvements over time and the advantage gained through learning how to ask better questions.

Instructor Rebecca Macy said the growth she observed in the cohort reflected a shift in how participants approached AI.

鈥淭he strength of this program is that it does not treat AI as a one-time tool demonstration,鈥� she said. 鈥淧articipants build from foundational understanding and ethics into prompt engineering, workflow design and a personalized capstone project they can connect directly to their professional or personal lives.鈥�

By the end of the program, she added, participants gain clarity as well as confidence.

鈥淭he thirst for learning about the newest AI tools and best practices for practical, professional usage continues to grow,鈥� said instructor Scott Oakes. 鈥淗ands-on, cohort-driven learning is a uniquely 黑料不打烊 experience 鈥� one where students draw not only on our expertise, but on the lived experiences of their fellow learners.鈥�

For many participants, that collaborative environment reinforces both learning and confidence.

鈥淭his is a great class to learn and expand your knowledge,鈥� said Neal Saunders G鈥�17. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 believe what you can do.鈥�

As the AI Certificate for Professionals continues to grow, the second cohort reflects the program鈥檚 evolution from a new offering into an established learning experience with lasting professional impact. The certificate reinforces 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to lifelong learning and workforce relevance.

The certificate is offered through , part of the Office of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Eric Sklut P鈥�14, an entrepreneur and longtime community leader in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Amy Muntner P鈥�24, a retail and strategy executive based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will bring extensive experience in business, innovation and civic engagement to the university鈥檚 governing body.

The 黑料不打烊 Board of Trustees has ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the institution, providing oversight of its mission, strategic direction and long-term sustainability.

Sklut is the founder of Perfection Automotive, a Charlotte-based company known for producing custom trim components for high-end vehicles. His development of the BumperPlugs product line grew from an entrepreneurial solution to a gap in the luxury automotive market and has since become a widely used product among car enthusiasts.

In addition to his business success, Sklut has demonstrated decades of philanthropic leadership across the Charlotte region. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including and the , and has led major fundraising campaigns supporting community initiatives.

His efforts have helped generate more than $70 million for charitable organizations, including a recent campaign exceeding $23 million for a regional hunger relief initiative.

Sklut previously served on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023 and has maintained a deep and sustained commitment to the university. He and his wife, Lori, have been transformative supporters of Jewish life and Jewish Studies at 黑料不打烊, including naming the Sklut Hillel Center and establishing endowed faculty and scholarship support.

Their son, Mason, is a 2014 graduate of 黑料不打烊.

Muntner brings a global perspective shaped by a career in consulting, consumer products and retail strategy. She began her career with Andersen Consulting before joining , where she advised major international corporations. Her additional leadership positions have included Executive roles with Toys 鈥淩鈥� Us and , where she led brand and business strategy initiatives.

Her work has spanned multiple international markets, including Asia and Europe, and has focused on strategic growth, partnerships and product development. At Sesame Workshop, she played a key role in cross-functional efforts to expand the organization鈥檚 reach and impact through new character development and brand initiatives, including the introduction of the popular

Muntner鈥檚 connection to 黑料不打烊 grew through her daughter Lucy鈥檚 enrollment as a member of the Class of 2024. She and her husband, Kevin, are members of the university鈥檚 1889 Society and have supported scholarships, Hillel and university priorities through philanthropic giving.

Their broader civic engagement includes support for international relief organizations, and education and community well-being in Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States.

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 Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Chandlers remain impressed by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to sound strategic planning and doing what鈥檚 best for students. It鈥檚 what inspired the couple鈥檚 gift to Slattery Center, the university鈥檚 new hub for health and wellness that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to succeed on campus and throughout their lives.

Scheduled to open later this year, Slattery Center is located within 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Innovation Quad, home to the university鈥檚 engineering and other STEM programs. The center is part of the university鈥檚 broader HealthEU initiative to serve students, faculty and staff.

鈥淚t adds value and is beneficial when you can provide a place where students can go to be in community, exercise, receive counseling and focus on their well-being,鈥� said Bob Chandler, former executive vice president of Chandler Concrete Co. 鈥淭his facility shows that the university is aware of the challenges students face and how to help them in all aspects of their health.鈥�

The HealthEU initiative focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story Slattery Center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly 黑料不打烊 strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030.

The couple鈥檚 gift will also endow the Chandler Family Global Experience Fund, strengthening 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to provide each of the university鈥檚 17 varsity teams with a global experience every four years.

鈥淕lobal experiences are a cornerstone of an 黑料不打烊 education, and thanks to Bob and Amy Chandler, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the world while sharing their sport across cultures,鈥� said Jennifer Strawley, director of athletics. 鈥淏ob and Amy are truly special people who value the holistic development of our student-athletes and their generosity will be felt for generations. I am deeply grateful for their many years of dedication to this university and for the profound difference they make in the lives of our student-athletes.鈥�

鈥淥ur family has been sports fans for as long as I can remember. We love the energy and excitement athletics brings to campus and the opportunities it provides to students,鈥� Bob Chandler said.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� is a national leader in global study, and we are thrilled to help provide this experience for student-athletes,” he added. “It鈥檚 essential that students have the opportunity to witness other cultures and encounter the differences and similarities of the people there. It provides tremendous growth for a person and a deeper understanding of the world.鈥�

The Chandler family is among 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most generous and devoted donors, helping to shape one of the finest learning environments in the nation through their gifts to Belk Library, Rhodes Stadium, Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center, Gerald L. Francis Center, Alumni Field House, Richard W. Sankey Hall, Schar Center, The Inn at 黑料不打烊 and Innovation Quad.

Bob Chandler鈥檚 parents, Tom and Lynn Chandler, also endowed the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Tom Chandler was the chairman and former CEO of Chandler Concrete, which he founded in 1973, and he served on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Board of Trustees for more than two decades before being elected Life Trustee in 2021. In 2023, Tom Chandler received the 黑料不打烊 Medallion, the university鈥檚 highest honor.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢肉�檚 trajectory shows remarkable advancement,鈥� Bob Chandler said. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� has a vision of what鈥檚 to come and how to keep the university moving forward. It is a vibrant and thriving university that is gratifying for the students, faculty and community.鈥�

The university鈥檚 influence extends far beyond the campus.

鈥淭he impact that 黑料不打烊 has on Alamance County and the region is significant, and we feel it鈥檚 important for our family to support the university,鈥� Bob said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a community that we are proud to be part of.鈥�

“I was in this place of, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?'” she said.

She remembers a moment of doubt during her final year when Professor Emeritus Rich Landesberg provided the “tough love” she needed to move forward.

“He kept saying, ‘Just pick. You鈥檙e going to be fine. No matter what, you鈥檙e going to land on your feet.’ I really needed that at the time,” Polk said.

That foundation was built primarily within the School of Communications, where Polk, a broadcast communications major, found a safe space to test her leadership skills. She points to a producing class taught by Assistant Professor Ray Johnson as a key turning point where the details of the profession finally clicked. Johnson tasked her with being the executive producer for the class, a role that involved managing her peers and overseeing a project from concept to delivery.

“It was so much work, but I loved it,” she said. “You just realize how many people are leaning on you.”

She credits Johnson鈥檚 ability to “put on a show” in the classroom as a major inspiration for her own leadership style, teaching her that engagement and enthusiasm are just as important as technical skills.

“He was so good at his job… I think about him often,” she said.

Upon graduation, Polk鈥檚 preparation was put to the test when she was accepted into the prestigious NBC Page Program in New York City. Moving from the college environment of 黑料不打烊 to the fast-paced world of NBC required a quick adjustment. She rotated through high-stakes assignments, including “The Today Show,” the US Open, and Syfy publicity, a journey that required her to adapt to a more rigorous schedule, one that demanded the fundamental discipline of the network.

“I used to be a very late person,” she admitted. “But I got it out of my system because of the Page Program. 黑料不打烊 prepared me for the presence, how to present yourself well and dress the part, but the Page Program taught me the discipline.”

Her trajectory eventually led her to Los Angeles and the Hallmark Channel for 12 years, where she rose to the position of vice president of development and programming. In this role, she oversaw the production of up to 30 projects annually, yet she never lost sight of the “human-centric” focus she cultivated at 黑料不打烊. Polk made it a priority to increase diversity and inclusion within the network鈥檚 programming, working to amplify diverse voices to ensure that Hallmark鈥檚 signature films reflected a broader range of the human experience. She describes herself as a kindness-first connector, a philosophy that has allowed her to attract top-tier talent and build lasting relationships with writers and agents across the industry.

Now, as she leads Simply Believe Creative, Polk is focused on catalyzing original romantic comedies and holiday films for the modern streaming market. Even from her home in California, she remains deeply connected to the campus where her journey began. She notes with a smile that she still sees familiar faces in the 黑料不打烊 news, including former classmates who have returned to the university in leadership roles.

Her advice to the next generation of Phoenix is a reflection of her own resilient path.

“Go after the things that scare you and push right through the fear to do them anyway,” she said.

“Take on as many projects as you can, but do them to the absolute best of your ability. Stay curious… the yeses always come,” she said.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell? Please feel free to share your feedback or those stories online:

鈥淭he tour guide explained that from the first day of freshman year, you can have hands-on experience,鈥澛營m聽recalled. 鈥淢any other schools I toured said that the first couple of years were聽mainly theory-based聽classes and less hands-on experience. I find a lot of value in having access to the resources all four years.鈥�

That promise of hands-on experience was kept. Within her first week as a聽freshman,聽Im聽was already behind a Sony 4K camera through 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Fresh TV program. Now a junior majoring in cinema and television arts with minors in leadership studies and psychology, she recalled, 鈥淭he CTA program was the biggest reason I loved 黑料不打烊.鈥�

Im grew up in South Korea, where her father still lives, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her mother and siblings for high school. She聽said聽that her transition from high school to 黑料不打烊 was comfortable, and that聽compared to her聽previous聽experience, she had more opportunities for interaction with her peers.

鈥淲hen I came to 黑料不打烊, I had more of a chance to share my culture and interact with people who have different backgrounds,鈥澛爏he聽recalled. 鈥淚t made my perspective change in general. I learned more about how other people from聽different cultures聽think and see the world.鈥�

Much of her growth in her聽freshman聽year happened in her International Living-Learning Community residence hall. She聽remembered聽connecting with the people living in her residence hall who spoke different languages and carried distinct cultural perspectives that they shared freely 鈥� sometimes in unconventional ways.

鈥淲e taught each other how to swear in our languages,鈥澛營m聽laughed. 鈥淭hat was one of my core memories, and still, I hear my friends cursing in Korean聽once in a while. I think聽it鈥檚聽very funny; the聽freshman聽dorm experience was so much fun.鈥�

Her energy to share and inspire carried forward.聽Im聽is聽very involved聽on campus through being an Orientation Leader, Residence Assistant, a Leadership聽Fellow聽and a member of Women’s Club Rugby.

She recalled two examples that solidified what it meant to her to be a positive mentor at 黑料不打烊. Feeling proud of the work she is involved with,聽Im聽shared聽the personal meaning behind her drive to improve 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus.

鈥淲hen I get respect, I feel that I am doing well,鈥� she said. During Fellows Weekend, a student walked up to her, 鈥淗e said,聽鈥業 don鈥檛 think you remember me, but you gave me a tour two years ago, and that tour made me excited to come to 黑料不打烊.鈥欌��

Not long after, in her sophomore聽summer, she was recognized for being an engaging leader again by a former orientation student who had become an RA, just like her. He sought her out to thank her for being an engaging leader. For聽Im, the pattern was clear.

鈥淚鈥檓聽happy that聽I鈥檓聽doing well in mentorship and getting appreciated in聽many different ways, but聽also聽I鈥檓聽proud that my mentees are doing well on campus. And that brings me joy in聽many different ways,鈥� she added.

In the classroom and production studio,聽Im聽has been equally determined to succeed.聽She聽is currently the producer for聽黑料不打烊 After Hours, the student-run late-night talk show under 黑料不打烊 Student Television. As a聽freshman, she earned the program’s Rookie of the Year award, recognition she said she聽hadn’t聽seen coming.

鈥淚 did not know that the upperclassmen were appreciating my help until I got that award, and that鈥檚 when I realized they think I鈥檓 doing my job well,鈥� she said.

Im聽also received the highest academic achievement award from CREDE, the university’s Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, though she is quick to express what achievement means to her. “Getting a good grade is important, but what I do and what I learn is more important than just getting a grade.”

This semester,聽her聽focus is on an advanced documentary class where her group is producing a live-broadcast game show, complete with original graphics. Her group plans to produce a live broadcast of the game show when it is being filmed, and the final cut will be a highlight reel of the show鈥檚 best moments. “I’m so excited聽for聽that,” she聽added.

Even though Im received awards and worked well with her mentees, she was conflicted between staying at 黑料不打烊, and carrying the financial weight of tuition, or leaving.

鈥淚 was considering dropping out of college or transferring, even though I value and appreciate the education I get at 黑料不打烊, because financial troubles are inevitable,鈥� she expressed.

Through her Reverend Dr. William J. Andes ’35 Endowed Scholarship changed that. The scholarship was not just supportive聽financially, but聽also supported what her values as a student meant to the 黑料不打烊 community. To her, it felt like someone had seen what she was doing and decided it mattered. It proved to her that her talents are worth investing in.

With the scholarship, Im聽was able to expand her reach beyond 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus and enroll in the Study USA New York City program.

鈥淚f I were not enrolled with 黑料不打烊, and supported through a scholarship, I would not have had the experience to meet alumni and connect with people based on our interests in New York City,” said Im.

Im聽is now one year from finishing her degree and acknowledged how close she came to never reaching this point.

鈥淭hank you so much. I cannot explain how much of an impact they made on my life and my family鈥檚 lives,” Im said of her scholarship donors.” The fact that I can tell my family that I received money as recognition of my skills is a huge help.聽I have the opportunity to make this campus a better space, and the fact that I have that privilege聽鈥揑鈥檓 so thankful for that.聽Sincerely, the scholarship changed my life, and now I can contribute to the community.鈥�