Homecoming | Today at ��ϲ�� | ��ϲ��

��ϲ�� announces dates for Family Weekend and Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2026

Robyn Lane — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:10:45 +0000

��ϲ�� is excited to announce the dates for two major fall events.

Family Weekend 2026 will be held from Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, with the Phoenix football team set to face off against the University of Maine in Rhodes Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, through Saturday Oct. 10, with the Phoenix hosting Wofford College on Saturday in Rhodes Stadium.

More details, including full schedules and registration information, will be shared this summer.

�վ�� and for additional information.

The Month in Photos: October 2025

Avery Craine Powell — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:12:01 +0000

The Fall 2025 semester is flying by, and as the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, ��ϲ�� students, faculty and staff are embracing every opportunity to learn, grow and celebrate together.

View some of the most impactful moments of the past month through the eyes of staff in the Office of University Communications.

Here Ye! Here Ye!

Student celebrated News Engagement Day at ��ϲ��’s Oct. 7 College Coffee. Student journalists rang bells and delivered headlines to students, faculty and staff gathered on the Moseley Lakeside patio, encouraging the campus community to read, watch, listen to and discuss the news — and to share how they engage with journalism using #NewsEngagementDay.

Established in 2014 by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), News Engagement Day promotes informed citizenship and highlights the importance of consuming and discussing credible news.

��ϲ�� News Network leaders Anjolina Fantaroni ’26 (left) and Fiona McAllister ’26 served as town criers during the Oct. 7 College Coffee to mark the national celebration of News Engagement Day

A dedication to Toshio Sato

��ϲ�� leaders dedicated Toshio Sato Commons on Oct. 10, 2025, as part of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend in a ceremony that recognized the university’s first international student and first four-year graduate from outside the United States.

��ϲ�� President Connie Ledoux Book embraces alumna Chika Kusakawa ’09 during the dedication of Sato Commons on Oct. 10, 2025.

Homecoming happiness

��ϲ��’s 2025 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff onto campus for a dynamic slate of weekend events.

From open houses and an evening step show through a Saturday football game against Villanova University, highlights included the return of the Rock the Block Homecoming concert featuring “The Plain White Ts,” the Golden Alumni Luncheon, campus and academic department receptions, oral history booths, affinity group award celebrations, leadership and networking conversations across schools, themed tailgates, tours, and wellness events.

Homecoming at ��ϲ�� on Oct. 10 2025 included the return of the Homecoming concert with “The Plain White Ts”

��ϲ��’s Homecoming & Reunion Weekend included a Saturday football game against Villanova.

Landen Clark ’29 celebrates during the Homecoming game against Villanova.

Molecular moves

Given the option to film a video or write a paper for a chemistry course, Bailey Skinner put her moves to the test.

Student Bailey Skinner films a video for her chemistry class in a lab on Oct. 11, 2025

Learning at Loy

Students took class outside at ��ϲ��’s Loy Farm on Oct. 14, 2025.

Environmental Science Class at Loy Farm, on Oct 14, 2025

A Health Promoting University

��ϲ�� has adopted the Okanagan Charter as a member of the U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network, pledging to nurture a campus culture that prioritizes health, belonging and well-being for students, faculty and staff. The university marked the milestone with an institutional adoption ceremony on Oct. 29, 2025.

Okanagan Charter signing ceremony in Koury Commons on October 29, 2025.

Cross Country CAA champs

��ϲ�� continued its run of dominance in the Coastal Athletic Association on Oct. 31, claiming its in the past seven years. ��ϲ�� bested runner-up William & Mary by 40 points, marking the most lopsided CAA women’s cross country championship victory since the Phoenix bested the field by 51 points to win the 2020 title.

Halloween in the garden

An ��ϲ�� tradition, the annual Pumpkin Festival was held on Halloween with the addition of trick-or-treaters for the first time.

��ϲ�� students, faculty and staff came together on October 31, 2025 for the annual Pumpkin Festival in the ��ϲ�� Community Garden. This was the first year the festival welcomed trick-or-treaters.

��ϲ�� alumni reflect on mentorship during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

Eric Townsend — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:55:17 +0000

��ϲ��’s 2025 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff onto campus for a dynamic slate of weekend events.

From open houses and an evening step show through a Saturday football game against Villanova University, highlights included the return of the Rock the Block Homecoming concert featuring “The Plain White Ts”, the Golden Alumni Luncheon, campus and academic department receptions, oral history booths, affinity group award celebrations, leadership and networking conversations across schools, themed tailgates, tours, and wellness events.

Against that backdrop, alumni were asked to share stories of mentorship from their ��ϲ�� years. Voices reflected how encouraging guidance — from professors, staff or fellow students — helped launch careers, build confidence and shape leadership styles.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025 included the return of the Homecoming concert, featuring “The Plain White Ts” on Oct. 10.

What follows is a curated series of reflections that capture those moments.

“Melissa Jordan was an incredible mentor. My first year here, I had a difficult class and she helped me process my emotions, think through solutions, and gave me the confidence to approach my professor. Now that I work in higher education, I try to give my students that same support and encouragement that she gave me.”
— Alicia Carter ’15, Strategic Communications

“Mary Kate Brogan in the Class of 2014 mentored me through The Pendulum. She showed me what it means to be there for others coming up behind you. I was introverted and hesitant to reach out, but she pulled me out of my shell and taught me the importance of being that person for someone else — giving them the little push that can change their life.”
— Kaitlin Dunn ’16, Journalism

“Tom Nelson taught me that it’s important to be yourself and to find environments where you can thrive. You spend 40 hours a week with the people you work with — you have to be happy being yourself around them. Learning to understand who you are helps you build those environments where everyone can be authentic and successful.”
— Mary Kate Brogan ’14, Journalism

“At ��ϲ��, I learned from professors like Jeffrey Carpenter and Bernard Curry that education is about being comfortable in all sorts of environments. I try to teach my high school students that same lesson: you can be academic, creative, athletic, and belong to many different communities. Learning to be comfortable in different settings helps us live together as a society.”
— Will Frauenfelder ’15, History and Education

From left to right: Alicia Carter ’15, Mary Kate Brogan ’14, Will Frauenfelder ’15 and Kaitlin Dunn ’16

“Evan Small in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning was always motivating me to do things outside my comfort zone, whether that was a service trip or an adventure class like the ropes course. That encouragement to try new things stuck with me. I started out teaching, moved into human resources, and I’m still pushing myself to keep life exciting.”
— Rachel Gilman Yahyapoor ‘15, Education

“Dr. Gronowski in the psychology department was an outstanding professor — very engaged and always keeping students involved in the learning process. As I went on to earn my Ph.D. and teach at the university level, I’ve seen how involving students actively in their education really improves their experience.”
— Jack LoCicero ’81, Psychology

“When I was an RA, my supervisor Sylvia Wade noticed I was struggling in the winter and introduced me to sunlamps. I still use one today when I’m feeling low — it helps so much. I never would have known to do that without her.”
— Aileen Bell ’20, Political Science

“My mock trial coach, Kristen Delforge, told me, ‘Don’t do something just to do it — do it because you love it.’ I think about that all the time. Life’s too short to spend it doing things you don’t enjoy.”
— Jacob Hayward ’20, Sociology and Policy Studies

��ϲ�� held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

“My orientation leader told me not to spread myself too thin — to go all in on a few things that matter most. That advice helped me focus my energy on entrepreneurship and innovation. I helped found the AI Club and became lead intern at the Doherty Center. Even now in my QA job and running my own business, I focus on doing a few things well and serving our core clients with excellence.”
— Joshua Mason ’25, Financial Technology

“From Dan Reis in the Maker Hub, I learned that failure is part of learning. You shouldn’t give up when something doesn’t work. You should learn from it. Now, as an elementary school teacher, I tell my students every day that struggling is part of the process and makes you a better learner.”
— Joshua Donald ’19, Human Service Studies

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025 included the return of the Homecoming concert, featuring "The Plain White Ts" on Oct. 10.

��ϲ�� held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

��ϲ�� President Connie Ledoux Book during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.

��ϲ�� held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

“A former student body president once told me, ‘You can be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don’t like peaches.’ That advice reminds me you can’t please everyone — and that’s okay. As long as you’re doing your best, that’s what matters. I carry that with me as a teacher and as a leader.”
— Britt Mobley ’24, Strategic Communications and Outdoor Leadership & Education

“Dr. Mary Knight-McKenna encouraged us to believe we could rise beyond the acorn and become the Phoenix, to meet every challenge. She taught me to keep a positive, inspiring spirit that motivates not just myself but everyone I encounter, because you never know what lesson will encourage someone else to go even farther.”
— Corey Waters G’23, Master of Education (Innovation in Education)

“A professor once told me, ‘Once you get into business, it’s just as important to sell yourself as it is to sell your product.’ That stuck with me throughout my 33-year career at Unilever. People buy from people they trust, and that’s advice I still share with younger professionals today.”
— Barry Baucom ’75, Business

��ϲ�� held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

“My advisor, Robert Baxter, taught us the ‘seven Ps’ — ‘prior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance.’ I still use that every day as a procurement officer. If you’re prepared and plan ahead, you’ll prevail.”
— Kathy (Berger) Frame ’90, Business Management

“Dr. John Sullivan in the philosophy department convinced me to major in philosophy even though I was headed for business. He said philosophy teaches you to think and reason — skills that prepare you for anything. He was right. Those lessons have guided me throughout my career.”
— Nick Whiting ’90, Philosophy

��ϲ�� kicks off Homecoming Week 2025 with student centric traditions and celebration

Kelsey Armstrong — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:46:35 +0000

��ϲ�� students will kick off Homecoming Week on Monday, Oct. 6, with a series of events that bring the campus community together in celebration of Phoenix pride. From long-standing traditions to signature gatherings, the week offers opportunities for students to connect, celebrate and create lasting memories ahead of Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

A detailed schedule and event descriptions can be found on the ��ϲ�� Homecoming 2025 Student Edition website. For questions or additional information, visit , or contact Student Involvement at studentinvolvement@elon.edu, 336-278-7214, or stop by Moseley 205. Also, be sure to follow Student Involvement on social media for updates about student-centered events during Homecoming Week.

Week-long Events

SGA Royalty Court Voting

All Day | PhoenixCONNECT

All students have the opportunity to vote on the 2025 SGA Homecoming Royalty Court. Visit for more details and to cast your vote. Voting ends Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 6

Tree Walk with the Office of Sustainability

Noon – 1 p.m. | Meet in front of Alamance

Join ��ϲ��’s arborists on a walk around campus to learn about ��ϲ��’s trees, including the Tree Trail, the arborist’s favorite tree and insider information on the maintenance and sustainability of the ��ϲ�� urban forest. .

Tuesday Oct. 7

Homecoming Week College Coffee

9:40 a.m. | Moseley Terrace

Come out to a special Homecoming edition of College Coffee as ��ϲ�� celebrates with treats and prizes! There will also be special performances by the ��ϲ�� Cheer and Dance Teams, and the Homecoming E’s will be on display.

Voting on the E’s

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Moseley Terrace

Students can vote on their favorite E while enjoying food and music! There will also be opportunities to win Homecoming swag.

SGA Trivia

8:30 – 10 p.m. | McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen

Join the Student Government Association and Royalty Court Nominees in ��ϲ�� trivia! This is a great way to meet those on the Homecoming Court and learn more about ��ϲ��!

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Food Truck Frenzy & the SUB Homecoming Student Celebration

5 – 8 p.m. | Koury Parking Lot

Join ��ϲ�� Dining and SUB, as they celebrate students during Homecoming Week! Food Truck Frenzy tickets can be purchased using Phoenix Cash, Food Dollars, Meal Dollars, cash or credit. The event will include music, swag giveaways and more.

Voting on the E’s

5 – 8 p.m., Koury Parking Lot

“All We Do is Step, Stroll, and Hop?: What is a Black Greek?”, sponsored by NPHC

7 p.m. | McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center

Speaker Rasheed Ali Cromwell will lead an inclusive dialogue to provide prospective for both current members and non-members of Black Greek Letter Organizations, increasing their understanding of the culture and context of these organizations.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Voting on the E’s

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Medallion Plaza

NPHC Homecoming Step Show

7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) | McKinnon Hall

Join the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) for the return of the NPHC Homecoming Step Show – an interactive experience that draws the audience into a variety of stories, stunts and steps. Watch Divine 9 fraternities and sororities battle it out on the stage in a series of dance steps, music selections and show themes. Tickets are free for students and $10 for alumni. Tickets can be reserved online.

SUB Coffeehouse featuring Lakin Music

10 p.m. | Irazu

Friday, Oct. 10

Voting on the E’s

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Young Commons

Rock the Block & Homecoming CONCERT featuring the Plain White T’s

6 – 9 p.m. | Young Commons

Don’t miss this annual celebration and community block party to kick off Homecoming weekend festivities with the entire ��ϲ�� community of students, alumni, and faculty/staff. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, yard games, inflatables and a fireworks show. Plus, the Homecoming Concert returns this year with the Plain White T’s set to perform at 7:30 p.m.!

SUBCinema: Movie in Turner Theater

10:30 p.m. | Nosferatu

A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Student Tailgating

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Global Basketball Courts

Join in the pre-game festivities, including food trucks, give-a-ways and music! Food and drinks will be provided.

SGA Crowning of Homecoming Royalty

After the 3rd quarter during the football game in Rhodes Stadium

Celebrate all members of the Homecoming Court and see two students be crowned as this year’s “Homecoming Royalty.”

SUBCinema: Movie in Turner Theater

8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. | Nosferatu

What’s new at ��ϲ�� for 2025-26?

Avery Craine Powell — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:23:36 +0000

The 2025-26 academic year begins on Aug. 26, and students will have new programs to choose from, new sights to see and new leadership to learn from as the year gets underway.

Academic Additions

��ϲ�� will launch two new majors this fall, including neuroscience, housed in ��ϲ�� College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and digital content management through the School of Communications.

The neuroscience program will offer three options: a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in exercise neuroscience. The digital content management program will help equip students with the creative, strategic and technical skills to lead content creation and strategy across digital platforms.

Campus Refresh

Several construction projects have been underway in summer 2025, including the completion and opening of Acorn Academy, a partnership with Vivvi to provide employer-sponsored child care. The child care facility is housed in the north wing of the psychology and human services studies building, which was originally used for ��ϲ�� Children’s Home.

��ϲ�� has partnered with Vivvi to provide employer-sponsored child care, early learning and summer camps at the new Acorn Academy.

A new 485-space parking lot for first-year students is also under construction east of the Francis Center. Although the lot will not be completed in time for the start of the fall 2025 semester, it is anticipated to be finished in the 2025-26 academic year.

Construction is underway on a new parking lot to the northeast of the Francis Center.

Other construction projects include renovations to Holland House, a 4,000-square-foot brick building that once served as the official residence of two ��ϲ�� presidents. The building has been updated to accommodate an expanded golf clubhouse, featuring coaches’ offices, locker rooms, and a gathering space for athletes. Work is expected to be complete in fall 2025.

Holland House

Work has also begun on the HealthEU Center, a 135,000-square-foot facility that will combine academics with recreation, health and wellness offerings along with support for the well-being of members of the university community. The building is expected to open in fall 2026.

Work on ��ϲ��’s new HealthEU Center began in summer 2025.

The Homecoming concert returns!

The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Student Union Board have collaborated to bring back the Homecoming concert! This year, on Friday, Oct. 10, Plain White T’s will perform at Rock the Block on Haggard Avenue and Young Commons.

The last Homecoming Concert was hosted three years ago by the Student Union Board in 2022, when Tai Verdes performed.

Plain White T’s

New Leadership

Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business

Haya Ajjan, dean of ��ϲ��’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business

Haya Ajjan will begin her first full semester as dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Ajjan previously served as associate dean and professor of management information systems for the Love School of Business and began her new role on June 1, 2025, with an eye toward deepening experiential learning opportunities for students and strengthening partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and the broader community.

“��ϲ�� has nurtured my growth, transforming me from an acorn into a thriving oak,” Ajjan said. “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to give back to an institution that has given me so much by working under the leadership of President Book and Provost Kohn.”

Brian Mathews, dean and university librarian

Brian Mathews, university librarian and dean of the Carol Grotnes Belk Library.

Brian Mathews began his leadership of the Carol Grotnes Belk Library on August 1, 2025, where he now manages a team of 22 full-time employees who have greeted more than a quarter million visitors over the past year in the heart of ��ϲ��’s main campus. With a record of achievement that spans two decades and five prominent national universities, Mathews brings to ��ϲ�� professional interests in the way people engage with information: in his words, their “personal knowledge management.”

“I look forward to helping shape a library that’s grounded, strategic, and future-facing – one that supports human-centered innovation, sparks imagination, and invites students, faculty, and staff to work together in exploring the complex social, political, technological, and informational challenges of our time,” Mathews said. “I’m especially looking forward to working with the librarians and staff at Belk Library. They’re filled with ideas, generosity, and a joyful energy that’s contagious.”

Whitney Gregory, dean of students

Previously the assistant dean of students at ��ϲ��, Whitney Gregory brings two decades of student affairs experience to her new Student Life leadership role, which began on June 1, 2025. As dean of students, Gregory will provide strategic leadership for student success and welfare initiatives, including supervising the directors of the Student Care and Outreach and Student Conduct departments, the assistant dean of student success and retention, and the assistant dean of students.

“I am honored and thrilled to step into this new role as dean of students at ��ϲ��, a community I’ve been proud to call home,” said Gregory. “I’m excited to continue advancing the work I love – supporting student wellbeing and success – and am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve as a leader and advocate for student interests and empowerment.”

Heather Packo, associate vice president for the Student Professional Development Center

Heather Packo, associate vice president of the Student Professional Development Center

Heather Packo joined ��ϲ�� in June 2025 as the new associate vice president of the Student Professional Development Center. She previously served as head of the Career Management Center at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

At ��ϲ��, Packo will lead a team of 22 full-time career professionals who comprise one of the nation’s best comprehensive career services programs, with a top-20 ranking by The Princeton Review and a #20 ranking for internships by U.S. News & World Report.

She will oversee the continued design and implementation of a comprehensive career services strategy through the Student Professional Development Center that enhances student employability, fosters employer relationships and integrates career readiness into the university experience.

“��ϲ��’s commitment to cultivating a career ecosystem in support of both student and alumni career and professional development is both forward-thinking and impressive,” she said. “Throughout the recruitment process, this commitment was clearly articulated. In speaking with key stakeholders – from the SPDC team, campus partners, senior staff and academic deans, and the president – it was clear that everyone is ready to move the needle from good to great and work together to ensure ��ϲ�� students are career ready at graduation.”

Donors drive student success – impacting students like Liam Dupas ’26

Lauren H. Shoffner — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:33:40 +0000

Thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff, families and friends made gifts from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 to support ��ϲ�� students – contributing to one of the university’s most successful fundraising years yet. Thanks to this generosity and engagement, ��ϲ�� will continue to provide outstanding educational experiences and foster a vibrant, thriving campus community for our students for years to come.

Supporting scholarships and other campus priorities can be life-changing, just as it was for Liam Dupas ’26.

A filmmaker in the making

Liam Dupas ’26

Liam Dupas never imagined that a scholarship could unlock the path to his life’s calling, but receiving the Don Bolden School of Communications Dean’s Scholarship did just that.

“This scholarship didn’t just help me financially; it inspired me to work even harder toward my goals,” Liam reflects.

Growing up in a large Atlanta public high school of nearly 4,000 students, Liam’s passion for filmmaking ignited unexpectedly during his senior year when he enrolled in film class. He learned that filmmaking is so much more than just directors and actors; it’s a powerful tool for emotional connection and storytelling.

At ��ϲ��, that spark has grown. Immersed in hands-on learning and mentored by professors and others with real-world industry experience, Liam is thriving. One standout figure in his journey has been Director of Technology, Operations and Multimedia Projects Bryan Baker.

“He’s more than just a teacher to me – he’s an inspiration and a role model,” Liam explains. “Through his audio class, I learned how the sound industry operates and got to work with Avid Pro Tools, an industry-standard software.”

Liam Dupas ’26

Liam’s time at ��ϲ�� has shaped not just his skills, but also his identity. From tight-knit friendships to the beauty of the campus and the deep support from faculty, ��ϲ�� has become, in his words, his “home away from home.”

“��ϲ�� has helped me grow academically, mentally, physically, spiritually, financially and socially,” he shares, “Because of this education, I’m working toward a future where I can give back — to my parents, my community and to ��ϲ��.”

The financial support from his scholarship has been a pivotal part of his ability to say “yes” to these experiences.

“This degree represents the culmination of years of hard work, the support of my family and friends, and most importantly, the generosity of donors. I know this is my ticket to a career in filmmaking — and I don’t take that for granted.”

-Liam Dupas ’26

Liam Dupas ’26

As Liam enters his senior year, he has big goals. Following graduation, he hopes to work in commercial or freelance cinematography for a faith-based company – something fast-paced with quick production timelines that will make for lots of travel and impactful experiences.

“I hope to tell stories that leave an impact on viewers and continue to serve wherever the Lord takes me,” he says. “Thank you for believing in students like me. I’m committed to making the most of this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing the journey ahead.”

For donors who wonder whether their philanthropy makes a real difference, Liam is living proof. Your investment is not just funding education, it’s launching a new generation of storytellers who will move the world with their vision.

Liam’s story is one of many. Students across campus have similar stories of how donor generosity changed their lives.

Investing in tomorrow’s leaders

Donor support plays a vital role in shaping the ��ϲ�� student experience and opening doors to transformative opportunities. ��ϲ�� is proud to share the many ways donors gave back and invested in the university over the past year.

$32.5 million given to support ��ϲ�� students (including annual, capital and endowment gifts and pledges).
6,507 alumni gave to 298 various designations across campus.
4,008 parents gave to 410 designations across campus.
$2.3 million planned gifts committed.
$3.1 million donated for the 12th annual ��ϲ�� Day held on March 6, 2025, with 43% of gifts coming from alumni, 23% from parents and grandparents, 21% from faculty and staff, and the rest from friends of the university and students.
61% of faculty and staff made a gift, with 970 members donating.

Supporting students through every connection

��ϲ��’s community continues to thrive, with 9,654 alumni and 2,560 family members actively engaged this year through volunteering and attending events. Their involvement made a lasting impact – here’s a look at how alumni, parents and friends made a difference:

��ϲ�� held 201 events for alumni seeing a total of 3,757 attendees. Events included Welcome to the City, Cheers to ��ϲ��, Evening for ��ϲ�� and more.
1,831 alumni came back to campus to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.
2,275 alumni volunteered at events supporting the university.
New this year: ��ϲ�� held 17 virtual events for alumni with a total of 317 attendees, and 322 alumni attended 23 different Women of ��ϲ�� events.
Lifelong learning saw 488 alumni participants engage with career coaching, career search foundations, Life @ ��ϲ��, ��ϲ�� NEXT and webinars.
276 alumni served as social media ambassadors for the university, supporting initiatives and events by building engagement on their social channels.
7,257 family members attended Family Weekend 2024.
1,042 parents and students attended one of 37 Summer Welcome Events held in 20 different states.
1,152 individuals served as ��ϲ�� Day volunteers, supporting 45 events with 6,298 attendees.
103 ��ϲ�� families served as FAMbassadors – volunteers who help with events and other initiatives on and off campus.
41 faculty and staff members served as giving captains.
91 alumni served their reunion class as a member of their reunion committee, raising support for students and encouraging involvement.
Over 1,000 alumni and students participated in ��ϲ�� Q&A, an AI-driven platform that allows alumni to stay connected with ��ϲ�� as a resource for students.

All of these statistics reflect what makes the ��ϲ�� community special – the people that support growth and innovation through a spirit of giving back.

‘It’s about the people:’ ��ϲ�� alumni return for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024

Avery Craine Powell — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:42:47 +0000

With music blasting and plenty of food and fellowship to go around at Schar Center on Saturday – Ken Davis ’70 was taking it all in. The 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend marked the first time Davis had returned to campus since graduating more than 50 years ago.

Ken Davis ’70 has his caricature drawn at the All Alumni Tailgate Village at Schar Center on Nov. 2.

“This is fantastic,” said Davis. “I really enjoyed the entire atmosphere of the campus and how they’ve gone out of their way to treat us. It’s really exciting to see the growth of ��ϲ��.”

The Class of 1970 was invited to celebrate alongside the Class of 1974 to honor their 50^th reunion after their celebration planned for 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 1974 was officially welcomed into the Golden Alumni Family over the weekend.

“I’ve got a chance to connect with some of the ’74 alums and some others,” said Davis. “It’s been real nice.”

The happiest place on earth

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 held Nov. 1-2 was all about connection and celebration, starting with the annual Rock the Block Community Block Party on Young Commons on Friday. On Saturday morning, alumni were welcomed home with the familiar ��ϲ�� tradition: College Coffee. Then it was time for the alumni tailgate outside of Schar Center, preparing to cheer on the Phoenix before they defeated Campbell University 50-27. Rush Lacoste ’25 and Drew Fetterolf ’25 were crowned Homecoming royalty.

Jenn Riemer ’10 and Clark Riemer ’11 try to return to campus for every home football game, but Homecoming is special. The couple grilled out with their family, sharing the ��ϲ�� spirit with others.

“It’s always just great to be back in the happiest place on Earth,” said Jen Riemer. “It’s good to bring our kids back and let them see what we grew up with and what they have to look forward to.”

Jen Riemer ’10 and Clark Riemer ’11 with their family at the All Alumni Tailgate Village during ��ϲ�� Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 on Nov. 2.

Fellowship in a community

The weekend also included celebrations for the many ��ϲ�� affinity networks, including the LGBTQIA Alumni Network and the ��ϲ�� Black Alumni Network (EBAN). EBAN has helped Lynne Daniels ’94 stay connected with ��ϲ�� since her graduation and now she’s celebrating her 30^th reunion.

Lynne Daniels ’94, right, takes a selfie in the All Alumni Tailgate Village during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024.

“I love ��ϲ��, I love to come back to ��ϲ��, I love to volunteer with the ��ϲ�� Black Alumni Network and I love to give to ��ϲ��,” said Daniels. “The importance of having an ��ϲ�� Black Alumni Network is to make sure our presence is here and for people to understand how much we love ��ϲ�� and that we contribute to ��ϲ��.”

EBAN serves to unite and represent the interests of Black alumni and strives to empower, connect, and celebrate ��ϲ��’s Black community.

“I love coming back and really getting to connect and network with folks and really just fellowship in a community,” said Brianna Nobles ‘21, who serves on the EBAN leadership board. “It’s really nice to come home and feel loved by people who have known me for a really long time.”

Brianna Nobles ’21 and Mariatu Okonofua ’19 hug in the All Alumni Tailgate Village at Schar Center during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024.

At the EBAN alumni tailgate area, it was all hugs and smiles for Nobles and Mariatu Okonofua ’19. The two are members of the Omicron Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Omicron Iota is a big part of me coming back,” said Okonofua, who is also part of the Young Alumni Council. “I’m really close with my sisters to this day. I wanted to have the opportunity to fellowship and see folks I haven’t seen in forever.”

��ϲ�� is home

President Connie Ledoux Book speaks with Peal Sullivan ’21 and Jonathan Stettler ’21 during the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Pearl Sullivan ’21 and Jonathan Stettler ’21 had the opportunity to connect with President Connie Ledoux Book while they were enjoying the student tailgate area by Rhodes Stadium. Stettler worked in the President’s Office as a student assistant and is the former executive vice president of the Student Government Association.

“We were talking with President Book about how student government was doing a big outdoor initiatives project while I was on campus and I was helping lead it, so the outdoor fitness court and a lot of new seating was from projects I was working on,” said Stettler. “They popped up on campus the summer after I left so it’s nice to see students using them still.”

Left to right: Matt Lardie ’06, Melissa Von der Heide ’04 and Kim Van Acker ’04 at the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Melissa Von der Heide ’04 reconnected with her classmate Kim Van Acker ’04 and friend Matt Lardie ‘06. Von der Heide and Van Acker were celebrating their 20^th reunion; the two met while doing undergraduate research in psychology.

“��ϲ�� is home, that’s what it comes down to,” said Von der Heide, who hasn’t returned to campus in more than a decade. “One of the nice things is I can go anywhere in the United States and find somebody from ��ϲ��.”

Van Acker, who was a track and field student-athlete while at ��ϲ��, returned for her 10^th reunion and felt she was ready to come back again after another decade.

“So much has changed in my life and ��ϲ��’s life since then,” said Acker. “So it was a good time to come.”

The Phoenix defeated Campbell University 50-27 during ��ϲ��’s 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

Lardie, Von der Heide and Van Acker all agree: ��ϲ�� is about the people.

“Over any individual experience, study abroad or group I was part of. It’s the fact that I have people like Melissa and other friends who are now my family and have been in my life for decades through all the ups and downs and more so than my four years here,” said Lardie. “We’ve all grown together based on that singular ��ϲ�� experience.”

Celebrating Homecoming Week 2024 through a host of student-centric events

Kelsey Armstrong — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 20:56:26 +0000

Homecoming Week 2024 will take place Monday, Oct. 28, through Saturday, Nov. 2. The week of events will include opportunities for students to engage in week-long and signature events to ensure that students can feel a part of the homecoming festivities. Students are encouraged to join the university’s celebration of the Phoenix spirit.

A detailed schedule and event descriptions can be found on the Homecoming Week 2024 website. For questions or additional information visit , or contact Student Involvement at studentinvolvement@elon.edu, 336-278-7214, or stop by Moseley 205. Also, be sure to follow Student Involvement on social media for updates about student-centered events during Homecoming Week.

Week-long Events

SGA Royalty Court Voting

All Day, PhoenixCONNECT

All students can vote on the 2024 SGA Homecoming Royalty Court. Visit for more details and to cast a vote. Voting begins Monday, Oct. 28 at 8 a.m. and ends Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

Voting on the E’s

10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Moseley Terrace

Come out to vote on your favorite E while enjoying some music and snacks! You will also have the opportunity to win some fun Homecoming swag.

*Note: Voting on the E’s will take place on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Medallion Plaza

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Homecoming Week College Coffee

9:40 a.m., Moseley Terrace

Come to a special Homecoming edition of College Coffee as ��ϲ�� celebrates with treats and prizes! The Homecoming E’s will also be on display.

All We Do is Step, Stroll, Hop? What is a Black Greek?

6 p.m., McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center

Speaker Rasheed Ali Cromwell will lead an inclusive dialogue to provide prospective members and non-members of Black Greek Letter Organizations with an opportunity to increase their understanding of the culture and context of these organizations. Visit for details. This event is sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Homecoming Week Student Celebration

11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Young Commons

The Student Union Board will host a caricature artist, music, and a photo booth on the plaza. Snacks and refreshments will also be served as we continue to celebrate Homecoming Week! Visit for more details.

S’mores with Outdoors and Movie, featuring Hocus Pocus

8 p.m., Koury Athletic Center Patio & Moseley West Lawn

Join ��ϲ�� Outdoors to hang out around the fire, make some delicious s’mores, and watch ‘Hocus Pocus’ on the big screen! Visit for more information.

Thursday, Oct. 31 (Halloween)

SUB Paint 1010: Homecoming Edition

10 p.m., Winter Garden, Moseley Center

Come dressed in costume and join a teacher-led paint demonstration. All paint supplies will be provided. Visit for more details.

Friday, Nov. 1

Falafel Friday Homecoming Shabbat

5:30 p.m., Skult Hillel Center

Join Hillel for Homecoming Shabbat and enjoy Falafel Friday! Visit for details.

Rock the Block: #��ϲ��Home Community Block Party

5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Young Commons

Don’t miss this annual celebration and community block party to kick off Homecoming weekend festivities with the entire ��ϲ�� alumni and faculty/staff community. Sample the menus of different food trucks, challenge your friends to a game of cornhole, dance to live music and enjoy the fireworks! It will be an evening of fun for everyone! Learn more about Rock the Block.

SUBCinema: “Remember the Titans”

9 p.m., Turner Theater

A high school football team is forced to integrate, bringing together players from different racial backgrounds. Coach Boone, played by Denzel Washington, takes charge and helps the team overcome their differences and work together.

Saturday, Nov. 2 (Game Day!)

Student Tailgating – Phoenix Phan Zone

10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bank of America Drive

Join the pre-game festivities in the Phoenix Phan Zone, which will include a photo booth and music! Food and drinks will be provided.

SGA Crowning of Homecoming Royalty

After the 3rd quarter during the football game in Rhodes Stadium

Come celebrate all members of the Homecoming Court and see two students be crowned as this year’s “Homecoming Royalty.”

SUBCinema: “Remember the Titans”

8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Turner Theater

2023-24 ��ϲ�� impact report celebrates the generosity of donors

Lauren H. Shoffner — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 15:46:18 +0000

This past fiscal year (June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024) ��ϲ�� received continued support from alumni, students, faculty, staff, family and friends. These contributions and efforts ensure that ��ϲ�� can continue to provide exceptional educational experiences that foster a thriving community for students.

Funding scholarships and the many designations on campus can truly change lives, just like it did for Megan Liebig ’24. Read more about her story below and the impact that donor generosity had on her four years at ��ϲ��.

Preparing for a new academic year offers an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments made possible through the incredible support of university partners, advocates and investors. See below for some of the highlights of the 2023-24 fiscal year:

Partners for ��ϲ��’s legacy

��ϲ��’s network remains vibrant and active, with a total of 9,083 engaged alumni and 2,503 engaged families. Here’s the tremendous impact of involvement with ��ϲ��:

Throughout the year, ��ϲ�� sponsored 263 alumni events on campus, nationally and internationally. These included “Welcome to the City,” “Cheers to ��ϲ��” and “Evening for ��ϲ��” events. At these events, alumni and others came together to celebrate the bonds they have through the university.
3,206 alumni participated in regional events held in their own cities.
2,114 alumni returned to campus to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2023, participating in events like Rock the Block, a special College Coffee, the Alumni Tailgate, the Young Alumni Celebration and, of course, the Homecoming football game against Monmouth that ended in a Phoenix win!
2,163 families attended Family Weekend 2023.
877 parents and students attended one of 35 Summer Welcome Events held in 16 different states.

Alumni enjoy a night of bowling at the “Cheers to ��ϲ��” meetup in Washington, D.C. (left). An ��ϲ�� family spends time together on the lawn in front of Moseley during Family Weekend 2023 (middle). Alumni pose for a photo with the Phoenix at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend (right).

Advocates for innovation and growth

Advocates engage with the university through their time and talents as they volunteer for various university initiatives. Whether they served their class reunion as a committee member or championed ��ϲ�� Day through peer-to-peer fundraising – volunteers continue to be the heartbeat of ��ϲ��’s events and initiatives. Here is the breakdown of volunteerism this past fiscal year:

��ϲ�� saw 1,972 total alumni volunteers for events held both on and off campus.
203 alumni influencers from the ��ϲ�� community served as social media ambassadors expanding the reach of the ��ϲ�� name through their personal social media channels.
326 individuals served as ��ϲ�� Day Champions, raising money through ��ϲ��’s online peer-to-peer fundraising tool that will support ��ϲ�� students for years to come through many designations.
138 parents served on Parents Council – working together to share strategic feedback on plans and goals for the university, through leadership level giving and providing resources for incoming families.
89 ��ϲ�� families served as FAMbassadors – volunteers who help with events and other initiatives on and off campus.
38 faculty and staff members served as giving captains to raise support from their peers for various designations.
93 alumni served their reunion class as a member of their reunion committee raising additional support for students and encouraging involvement in Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

Alumni reminisce at their reunion tent at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend (left). Social media influencers Joey Gizzi ’18 and Steven Lannum ’18 of AreYouKiddingTV support ��ϲ�� Day (middle). ��ϲ�� Day Champions pose at the photo booth (right).

Investors in ��ϲ��’s future

Donor support continues to make all the difference in the lives of ��ϲ�� students, ensuring they have access to opportunities that allow them to become graduates the world needs. Through donor support, students pursue research, internships, study abroad, involvement in organizations, compete in competitions and pursue their passions. These donations propel students to achieve their dreams.

This funding will continue to impact students for years to come, and ��ϲ�� is proud to announce the many ways in which donors invested in the university this past year:

Alumni gave a total of $3.5 million to various designations across campus.
6,198 alumni made gifts last fiscal year. All of these gifts will collectively fund student scholarships and experiences for many years.
Over 245 funds were impacted through donations. This means that funds across campus are widely supported. Whether it’s the Martha & Spencer Love School of Business, the arts, the School of Communications, Greek life, the CREDE, , a student organization, the Truitt Center or something else entirely – donor gifts will touch every part of campus!
Parents and grandparents gave a total of $5 million to various designations throughout the fiscal year, with 4,383 parents and grandparents making gifts.
$2.8 million of the fiscal year totals from alumni and families went to directly support ��ϲ��’s Greatest Needs, the fund that immediately helps with scholarships, programs and service learning, academic departments and faculty development – all to benefit students wherever it is needed most.
60% of faculty and staff made a gift to the university, with 932 individuals supporting students. In total, faculty and staff donated $383,264.
On ��ϲ�� Day 2024, more than 2,800 alumni gave and 1,289 parents and grandparents gave, helping raise $2.6 million for students.
13 alumni made planned gifts this year totaling $3,283,000.

��ϲ�� graduates celebrate after Commencement with confetti (left). ��ϲ�� students hold a sign that says “Thank you ��ϲ�� donors!” for ��ϲ�� Day (middle). Students receive their saplings and candles for Senior Baccalaureate (right).

These numbers reflect the heart of the ��ϲ�� community and a continued spirit of giving back. Thank you, 2023-24 fiscal year donors, for supporting students!

Megan Liebig ’24

Megan Liebig ’24 poses for a photo with her poster about her breast cancer research.

Megan Liebig ’24 is just one of the many seniors who graduated in May who knows the incredible impact of donor gifts. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Liebig came to ��ϲ�� with the help of the Glen Raven Mills Scholarship.

“Growing up, I had a pink scrapbook full of my college dreams. Pictures of campuses and course descriptions filled the pages as I dreamed of participating in my own scientific experiments and research,” said Liebig.

Looking back at her four years at ��ϲ��, she is proud that she has lived out her dream with some of that financial burden lifted off of her family’s shoulders thanks to donor generosity.

While at ��ϲ��, Liebig pursued breast cancer research because of her family’s history with this type of cancer. After four years of hard work, she proudly walked across the stage to receive her bachelor of science degree in biochemistry. She’s grateful that her research doesn’t end there though – thanks to her scholarship, which eased her financial burden for her undergraduate degree, Liebig is now able to continue this research as she pursues her Ph.D. in biochemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University this fall.

“With four generations of breast cancer in my family, I am so excited to continue this research in hopes that it will have a positive impact on the future,” Liebig said. “Thank you so much donors, truly!”

Her story is just one of many. Students all across campus have similar stories of how donor generosity changed their lives. Thank you, donors, for making stories like this one possible.

WXII features Homecoming week festivities at ��ϲ��

Owen Covington — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:27:17 +0000

WXII recently highlighted the celebratory spirit on campus leading up to Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on The Local Vibe, a morning news segment.

��ϲ�� alumna Jackie Pascale ’18, a journalist with WXII, visited campus on Tuesday, Oct. 17, during a special Homecoming week College Coffee at the Moseley Center to share with viewers how ��ϲ�� was gearing up for the annual celebration.

Pascale talked with Megan Gregg ’11, senior development research analyst in the Office of University Advancement about what the week had in store for alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends.

“There’s going to be something for everybody,” Gregg said, sharing about the Rock the Block celebration on Friday night and a full array of activities on Saturday.

Gregg shared that the weekend is also an opportunity to celebrate reunions for multiple ��ϲ�� classes. “It’s so important for us to stay connected to our alumni,” Gregg said. “You get to some back and see how your school is growing. … It’s a great chance for people to come back and show their loved ones this place that is so special to them.”

Pascale also talked with Josh Tobin ’26, vice president of the Student Union Board, who shared about what Homecoming means to current students. “It’s really nice to meet all the people coming back and to meet the people who were in organizations I’m in,” Tobin said.

��ǰ��full coverage of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Today at ��ϲ�� to learn more about this year’s events.

Homecoming | Today at ���ϲ����� | ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� announces dates for Family Weekend and Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2026

The Month in Photos: October 2025

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Wednesday, Oct. 8

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Saturday, Oct. 11

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Week-long Events

SGA Royalty Court Voting

Voting on the E’s

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Homecoming Week College Coffee

All We Do is Step, Stroll, Hop? What is a Black Greek?

Wednesday, Oct. 30

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Thursday, Oct. 31 (Halloween)

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Friday, Nov. 1

Falafel Friday Homecoming Shabbat

Rock the Block: #���ϲ�����Home Community Block Party

SUBCinema: “Remember the Titans”

Saturday, Nov. 2 (Game Day!)

Student Tailgating – Phoenix Phan Zone

SGA Crowning of Homecoming Royalty

SUBCinema: “Remember the Titans”

2023-24 ���ϲ����� impact report celebrates the generosity of donors

Partners for ���ϲ�����’s legacy

Advocates for innovation and growth

Investors in ���ϲ�����’s future

Megan Liebig ’24

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��ϲ�� alumni reflect on mentorship during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

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2023-24 ��ϲ�� impact report celebrates the generosity of donors

Partners for ��ϲ��’s legacy

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