鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 really interested in chemistry whatsoever when I enrolled. I was a lot more interested in sports. That鈥檚 really where my heart was at the time,鈥� Seitz said.

Pursuing his current major in exercise science as a freshman, Seitz was enrolled in a required chemistry course when his professor called him to meet in his office.

鈥淗e wanted to have a one-on-one meeting, which, as a freshman only two months into college, was a little bit intimidating.鈥�

Unsure of what his professor wanted to discuss, Seitz recalls, 鈥淗e thought I had a lot of talent and potential in chemistry. He wanted me to take it seriously, and also to think about taking more chemistry classes that weren鈥檛 required, just to explore and see if I enjoyed it more than I thought I did.鈥�

Having his potential recognized led him to take his professors鈥� advice. It was halfway through his second chemistry course that Seitz decided to change his major to chemistry.

鈥淚 got into chemistry with the broader goal of trying to help people in some way,鈥� Seitz expressed.

During his time at 黑料不打烊, he took full advantage of the opportunities presented to him. He studied abroad in Europe during Winter Term, conducted research through the Lumen Scholars program, completed two internships and immersed himself in service learning, where he taught children who were struggling to read.

Striving to gain experience in his field, Seitz dove right into his internship abroad. He attended RWTH Aachen University in Aachen, Germany, for the summer, contributing to their research efforts.

鈥淭his was my first real research experience, and it made me realize that I enjoy research so much that I鈥檓 still a researcher today,鈥� he expressed.

The following fall, he started his research with the Lumen Scholars. Alongside his mentor, Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Chemistry Joel Karty, Seitz conducted a project that earned the 2014 Lumen Prize. Focused on expanding research on the reaction preferences of an enolate anion, in both gas and aqueous environments, he aimed to understand why it behaves differently in different environments, with the end goal of other scientists further optimizing the usage of this molecule when they need it.

Seitz鈥檚 passion for chemistry research continued the next summer when he was selected to participate in an internship at the California Institute of Technology. This further learning encouraged his eagerness to contribute to research.

鈥淕oing to Caltech, I was intimidated by being around so many geniuses. This internship was a good confidence-building exercise. It proved that even though I come from a small school with a tiny science program, I can fit in with these types of people and communicate and share ideas with them. That internship gave me the confidence to go to graduate school and then beyond,鈥� he said.

Right after graduating from 黑料不打烊, Seitz went to the University of California, San Diego, and completed his Ph.D. He then went to the University of Chicago and the Argonne National Lab to work on a project where researchers work with the World Health Organization to create a list of ten viral diseases with the greatest potential to cause a global pandemic.

The virus that would later mutate into COVID-19 was on this list, which became a global pandemic just a year later. Due to this, there was more interest from foreign governments to fund this type of work to make vaccines for the remaining viruses on the list and distribute them to prevent the next pandemic.

Joining this team in 2023, Seitz鈥檚 work is focused on two viruses: Lassa Fever, which affects people in West Africa, and the Nipah Virus, which affects a few countries in Southeast Asia. The Lassa Fever is very transmissible, but often non-lethal; Nipah is the opposite. Not many people get sick with Nipah; however, when they do, it is often lethal.

Both viruses are concerns for a possible pandemic and require preventative research to fully understand, for a vaccine to be created.

鈥淭hose countries in West Africa and Southeast Asia do not have the healthcare capabilities or biotechnology to develop these vaccines themselves,” he said. It鈥檚 private U.S. foundations and Western European governments that put money into this non-profit, which is funding my research through the University of Chicago to develop these vaccines. Once the vaccine is successfully developed, they will go to these countries and give them out for free.鈥�

Connecting his current work back to his time at 黑料不打烊, Seitz noticed that his ability to work with diverse groups of people and social connection skills that he strengthened at 黑料不打烊 served him in his current role. He notes, 鈥淏ecause I talk with different types of people who don鈥檛 have the experience that I have, I have to accurately communicate what I鈥檓 doing, why I need to do this, and so on. So that鈥檚 certainly something that helped quite a lot from 黑料不打烊, being able to communicate what I鈥檓 doing.鈥�

Seitz鈥檚 published chemistry research is聽 available online; he hopes other chemists can read these manuscripts and learn something from them, and hopefully build off of that.

鈥淚鈥檓 contributing to advancing science in small steps. Even though I鈥檓 doing more of the basic research of trying to find stuff, the overall goal is that people are going to use these to discover stuff that will directly help people,鈥� he added.

Seitz hopes the future of his career holds opportunities to take up a leadership and mentor role for other chemists.

鈥淚 really enjoy mentoring and teaching people, I want to have my own research group where I have some people working below me so I can mentor them and help them advance science as well,” Seitz said.

In May, Seitz will be awarded the Top 10 Under 10 Award. This award is given to 10 Alumni from the past decade who have bettered their community and serve as alumni role models.

A Saturday morning orientation introduced students to the 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles home base at The Preserve, in Hollywood, and included presentations by all of this semester鈥檚 faculty about their courses and the content of their classes.

Returning instructors include director and long-time 黑料不打烊 LA professor Boris Schaarschmidt, who is once again teaching a directing masterclass. Entertainment attorney Daniel Spitz has returned to teach Media Law and Ethics, and writer and longtime 黑料不打烊 LA professor Matthew Antonelli has returned to teach a unique, one-evening master seminar in March, called Inside the Writer鈥檚 Room.

New to the 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles faculty team this semester are art historian and educator Charles Peterson, who is teaching a course in Los Angeles art and architecture history, and award-winning global strategist, thought leader and educator Brandon Shamim, who is teaching 鈥淧rinciples of Management,鈥� with a Los Angeles focus.

黑料不打烊 Los Angeles director and long time industry professional Brad Lemack is once again teaching the experiential learning course this spring, which focuses student internship experiences on work culture, industry shifts and transitions, and professional development.

黑料不打烊 Los Angeles program assistant and 黑料不打烊 alumna Macy Mills 鈥�23 led students on their first excursion this semester after orientation, with an immersive day of LA experiences at the world class Getty Center, followed by a visit to the historic Los Angeles Farmer鈥檚 Market and The Grove, at Third and Fairfax.

In addition to unique academic classes and internships, this spring semester experience for students will also include a day of community service at the Hollywood Food Coalition, alumni engagement gatherings and the opportunity to participate in and/or observe the production of the three short films being produced by the 黑料不打烊 LA-based alumni recipients of the 2025-26 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Competition.

Through and National Campus Programs, 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles offers immersive spring and summer semester programs for students with a variety of majors. For information about the Los Angeles experience and 2027 opportunities, please visit the and National Campus Programs websites.

The Divided Lands course focuses on states in their post-conflict transitions; this winter term, the class is in the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Political Science professors Baris Kesgin and Safia Swimelar co-lead the class for a third time.

Recently, the students, Kesgin, and Swimelar spent a full day with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), met with the international organization鈥檚 representatives on the ground and visited various locations under the United Nations鈥� (UN) control. The group met with the UN Good Offices Mission leaders, UN Police officers, and then joined a walking tour of the old airport of the Cypriot capital (pictured) and of the buffer zone.聽 The decayed airport appears as it did when it was abandoned in 1974 during the military conflict.

鈥淭he UN briefing and tour of the abandoned Nicosia International Airport and buffer zone provided rare insight into peacekeeping in Cyprus and the costs of war,” said Hayes Johnson ’28. “The buffer zone was in a state of decay, used only for UN patrols and receiving minimal maintenance or reinforcement in the hope of an eventual reunification that never seems to come. This experience made clear that peace is something that must be actively defended through constant effort, not complacency.鈥�

鈥淭he airport still had boarding passes on the floor and colorful airline advertisements on the walls, and houses still had scarves hanging in the closets and half-used bars of soap in the kitchen,” said Kate Gray ’27. “It was moving to see all these personal items that had been ruined by time and the elements and will probably never be reunited with their owners. We were lucky to have really knowledgeable guides who explained significant areas and gave us time to explore the space and immerse ourselves.鈥�

Cyprus became an independent state in 1960, and shortly after, experienced violent clashes between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island by late 1963. The UN forces arrived in 1964 and have remained on the island since then to prevent conflict escalation between the two communities. In 1974, the two sides were divided along a buffer zone managed by the United Nations.

For Claire Blatt 鈥�26, the visit with the UN 鈥渕ade the fragile nature of this “peace” painfully clear. The walk along the Green Line and through the abandoned airport felt surreal and heavy; there were tens of cars left untouched covered by decades of debris, homes reclaimed by nature, personal belongings scattered as if people meant to return. It was impossible not to think about the lives interrupted there, and to realize that what can seem distant or abstract to outsiders is a lived reality of loss, fear, and uncertainty for those who call Cyprus home.鈥�

This year, the class ran into the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides in the streets of Nicosia. The president spared some time to chat with the group before he greeted his official guest, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The president then introduced the group to von der Leyen. Both presidents expressed appreciation for American students鈥� interest in Cyprus, Europe, and cultural exchange. They also emphasized the importance of close relations between the United States and Europe.

Kesgin and Swimelar designed the course in 2019 and led its first cohort in 2022. One of the key motivations for the duo was to add 鈥渙ff the beaten path鈥� study abroad destinations. The destinations of the course, Cyprus and Bosnia & Herzegovina (the past two iterations), represent a major contribution to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty-led study abroad programs for its geographic locations. Furthermore, the course鈥檚 thematic emphases on post-conflict societies and navigating multiple ethnic and religious identities in transition, domestic and international peacebuilding efforts, and complicated intersections of memory, narrative, and truth-telling relate the course to students鈥� multiple academic interests.

While the students attain foundational knowledge about divided lands such as Cyprus in the pre-departure course, they meet with a diverse array of domestic and international actors during the travel class. These meetings include major non-governmental organizations (such as civil society members, journalists, academics), international actors (US Embassy, United Nations personnel, the European Union, among others), as well as their peers (such as university students).

Anastasia Feldman 鈥�28 said: 鈥淗ere in Cyprus, we鈥檝e been exposed to a lot of differing perspectives, activities, and cultural experiences that I鈥檓 grateful to see and do,” said Anastasia Feldman ’28. “This was an amazing opportunity to learn about how the United Nations keep the peace in a high tension environment. We were able to see locations that haven鈥檛 been touched since 1974 such as the old Nicosia airport, and walking the buffer zone between the North and South which was incredible from a historic perspective. Beyond the UN, having the opportunity to meet with the president of Cyprus as well as the president of the European Commission was an incredible experience that I鈥檓 sure I never would have had without this course.鈥�

Biggers has been enrolled in a business and legal studies pathway since high school. His consistent hard work throughout his early studies and his passion for change within the business world led him to strive for a rigorous graduation plan.

As a scholar in the Odyssey Program, through the Leon and Lorraine Watson scholarship, and actively pursuing his dual degree, Biggers has the opportunity to achieve his career dreams early.

鈥淚 feel like I can do anything,” he said. “It鈥檚 amazing because people from Gastonia don鈥檛 normally get exposed to the opportunities I’ve had here at 黑料不打烊.”

Biggers has been interested in the intersection of business and legal studies since his high school accounting class, where he learned about the effect of the 2008 market crash and the Enron and WorldCom scandals that shaped corporate accountability.

鈥淪tudying those cases made me realize I wanted to be part of the solution,” Biggers said.

He recognizes the unethical practices of some corporations, expressing his sincerity for the real people affected and hurt by these practices.

鈥淚n accounting, they say we ensure the public鈥檚 trust,” he said. “I want to make sure that businesses are held accountable and that they are not just seeking to gain profit but also doing good for the world.鈥�

This belief system heavily impacted his career aspirations. 鈥淚 would love to be an attorney who protects consumers from corrupt behavior by businesses. I want to ensure that businesses act ethically and don鈥檛 harm consumers in small communities,鈥� Biggers adds.

Recognizing his hard work in high school, he was drawn to 黑料不打烊 to continue his rigorous studies in the Odyssey Program and the 3+1 program. After setting foot on 黑料不打烊’s campus, he knew this was the place for him.

鈥淚 fell in love with the campus when I visited for the first time. It was the first college campus that felt doable and I could see myself here, living and going to class, joining clubs and pursuing the opportunities they have here,鈥� explained Biggers.

However, there was a financial barrier he would have to overcome to study here. After he received his dual degree program offer, which solidified his desire to study at 黑料不打烊, he recalls that 鈥渢he Odyssey Scholarship was the icing on the cake because it eliminated the financial barrier.鈥�

His first year marked the beginning of his journey to explore opportunities outside of his comfort zone.

Starting with joining the Student Government Association, Biggers experienced firsthand how supportive 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty and staff were in pushing him towards his goals in SGA and his aspirations beyond the organization. He expresses, 鈥淪ince that initial push, I鈥檝e continued to go even further, from running for SGA, doing undergraduate research or studying abroad. The faculty pushing me has been my fondest memory at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

His career aspirations are materializing due to his hard work and the extra push from 黑料不打烊鈥檚 staff and the Odyssey program. He expresses that Odyssey taught him that he has the potential to achieve great things in his life and that he has to push to reach his goals, study abroad being one example he mentions.

This past August, Biggers studied abroad in London, England, at the London School of Economics and Political Science, taking a course in competition law and policy. He notes that, at first, he was fearful of traveling so far to an unknown place, but 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty constantly pushed him to reach for and accomplish things he鈥檇 never done before.

鈥淚 was honestly afraid to go because no one in my family had ever traveled outside of the country. But faculty at 黑料不打烊 pushed and inspired me to do something that I’d never done before,鈥� said Biggers.

Martha Lopez Lavias and Kenneth Brown Jr., two staff members in the Center for Access and Success, were instrumental in encouraging him to take advantage of the 鈥渙nce-in-a-lifetime experience鈥�.

鈥淚鈥檓 glad they pushed me because had I not gone, I would still have the fear of traveling abroad, and now I can鈥檛 wait to go back,” he said.” Once you go somewhere like that, you can go anywhere.鈥�

Now, he is going to do just that. In January, he will be traveling to Portugal to study
environmental social governance reporting, which supports his academic and career aspirations.

Biggers extends his gratitude for his 鈥渇amily on campus,鈥� which he fondly calls the people he鈥檚 met through the Odyssey program.

鈥淣ow that I鈥檝e had these experiences, I get to share with other students in the Odyssey program who are also looking to join. It鈥檚 like we鈥檙e all in this together, and my success is your success,” he said.

Coming to 黑料不打烊 from Annapolis, Maryland, the small class sizes and opportunities for professor and peer mentorship enticed her to study at 黑料不打烊. Her decision was led by a need for connection and community on campus, mentioning.

Freshman year, while with her peers in the Business Fellows, she realized others knew their finance education would lead them into a career, but not knowing her own path, she sought guidance from Chris Harris, associate professor of finance and chair of the Department of Finance. After an honest discussion of her likes, dislikes, aspirations and goals, she knew wealth management was the path she wanted to pursue.

鈥淲ealth management is perfect for what I want to do, and it鈥檚 very rewarding, very analytical and (focused on) problem-solving, but it also has a client side and personal side, where you get to actually help people and change their lives for the better,鈥� said Orendorff.

Being the president of the Women in Finance club, she faced some initial challenges in her understanding of finance and the ratio of women to men in her classes.

“There’s probably me and three other girls, if I鈥檓 lucky,” she said.

She also notes that finance doesn鈥檛 come naturally to her, saying, 鈥淚 have to work a lot harder for it to stick.鈥�

Being a leader in the club, she took these challenges head-on. Not letting the drawbacks get her down, she placed her focus on mentorship.

鈥淭he executive team and I are acting as big sisters who have gone through the process,鈥� she said. “I wanted a big聽sister in the process, and that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 trying to offer these girls in the club.聽There’s so much space for us, I want to let women know that.”

Her participation in the Business Fellows also helped challenge her personal growth.

鈥淚 came to school with the mindset that I already had 40 best friends in my cohort. That changed everything for me when adjusting to college,” said Orendorff. 鈥淭hese people are ambitious, they鈥檙e extremely intelligent, they鈥檙e hard working and they push me to be the same. They鈥檙e involved in everything, and it鈥檚 not a competition, but I鈥檓 challenged for the better, and I really love being in a space like that.鈥�

She says that this environment has also pushed her to be more forward-thinking and ambitious towards her goals in her finance career.

All of this growth and opportunity is supported by donors through the Dr. Beth Powell Business Fellows Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship.

鈥淢y scholarships have equipped me to do so much at 黑料不打烊 and have assisted me and encouraged me to be more engaged and involved on campus,” she said.

Her scholarship helped her study abroad in Florence, Italy, where she was able to further her studies and grow in confidence.

鈥淚 was able to be more present in the world around me, and that’s an experience that I鈥檒l never take for granted,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t was all due to the scholarships that I got, which enabled me to be there.鈥�

Through this experience, Orendorff recognizes the strength and confidence it took to put herself out there and be open to experiences in a country and culture foreign to her.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud of how I didn鈥檛 doubt myself. I knew I could do it, and I created the steps, and I did so much because I didn鈥檛 restrict myself by thinking 鈥業 can鈥檛 do this.’ Instead, I said, 鈥業鈥檓 going to find a way.’ I grew a lot in my confidence,” she said.

With this strengthened confidence and sense of self, she is inching towards graduation in May. Having been challenged and pushed by her peers and professors, she expresses that her growth mindset has her in the thought pattern of, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the next best thing I need to achieve? What鈥檚 the next best thing I should grow towards?鈥�

When asked what she would say to the donors who made her experiences possible, Orendorff expresses that 鈥榯hank you鈥� will never be enough in her eyes. She hopes donors realize the impact they have.

鈥淓ach thing a student accomplishes is because of their support; each donor plays a part in a student’s story,” she said.

For your awareness, once the early voting period ends on Nov. 2, only those individuals who have already registered will be eligible to cast a ballot on Election Day. There is no same-day voter registration on Election Day in North Carolina and the deadline to register online or postmark a mail-in NC voter registration form has already passed.

Everything you need to know about voting in the upcoming election can be found at .

Here are the rest of your Phoenix Five tips for the week:

Vote in the ENN 鈥楤est Of鈥� Survey

Survey open now; closes Oct. 31

Each year, the 黑料不打烊 News Network publishes a special edition guide to campus and local favorites based on community voting through our “Best Of” survey. 黑料不打烊 students, staff, faculty and local residents are able to vote for 60 categories split into four sections 鈥� Local, Campus, Food & Drink and Sports. Take a few minutes to fill out the 2025 Best Of Survey,

Study USA and National Campus Programs Meet and Greet Week

Applications for summer and fall 2025 Study USA programs opened Oct. 1.聽 There are three upcoming meet and greet events to learn more about the programs. Former program participants will be on-site to answer your questions and share their experiences. Stop by anytime from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. No RSVP required; just show up! Free coffee at each event.

• Monday, Oct. 21, 3-5 p.m., Irazu Coffee 鈥� 黑料不打烊 in Charlotte
• Tuesday, Oct. 22, 3-5 p.m., Irazu Coffee 鈥� 黑料不打烊 in New York City
• Wednesday, Oct. 23, 3-5 p.m., Snow Grand Atrium in Schar Hall 鈥� 黑料不打烊 in Los Angeles

If you are unable to attend a meet and greet event and want more information on course offerings, program details and application instructions, visit the Study USA website. Email the Global Education Center at global@elon.edu with any questions. Students are encouraged to apply before the Nov. 15 Early Action deadline as enrollment is limited.

HealthEU Day

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024

Celebrate with the campus community鈥檚 ongoing efforts to promote integrated wellness, including a campus community wellness fair, faculty/staff benefits fair, flu vaccine clinic, a Cone Health mobile health screening bus, a special College Coffee and opportunities to win giveaways! Visit the HealthEU website for the full schedule of events.

2024 Greek Dance

Thursday, October 24, 2024, Schar Center
8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.)

Greek Dance, an annual philanthropic dance competition for 黑料不打烊 Greek organizations, will take place this Thursday in Schar Center. Teams will take the floor in the Schar Center starting at 6 p.m., with the winners announced following the last performance. Come out to support our Fraternity and Sorority Community participating in Greek Week. All are welcome to attend!

Fall Musical 鈥淟egally Blonde鈥�

Oct. 25, Oct. 26, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1-2 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct.聽 27 at 2 p.m., McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts

黑料不打烊 Performing Arts presents the award-winning musical, “Legally Blonde,” based on the iconic movie with Reese Witherspoon! The musical focuses on Elle Wood鈥檚 journey from UCLA to Harvard Law School. Help us cheer on our heroine as she becomes the best-dressed lawyer we all know and love. Admission is free with 黑料不打烊 ID. .

During Andrew Houlihan鈥檚 鈥�01 junior year in high school, the search for a suitable four-year university in North Carolina led him to an unexpected yet fateful visit to 黑料不打烊.

His parents, having visited 黑料不打烊 for a work event, encouraged him to explore the campus. The moment he stepped foot on the grounds, he knew it was the place for him. Enrolling in the fall of 1997, he pursued a degree in elementary education and immersed himself in various extracurricular activities. He participated in intramural sports, was President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and studied abroad in London.

Houlihan received a full tuition scholarship as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, a prestigious state award for high school students dedicated to teaching for at least three years. The award provided Houlihan opportunities he would not have had otherwise.

鈥淭his scholarship enabled me to work alongside my Teaching Fellows peers as a cohort and helped provide various activities that range from state/national education policy work to the study abroad experience,鈥� Houlihan said. 鈥淚n addition, I was able to really benefit from high quality teaching and learning experiences through the school of education.鈥�

Gravitating toward leadership

Upon graduating from 黑料不打烊, he embarked on his teaching career at AB Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina. Initially, Houlihan resisted following in his father鈥檚 footsteps in becoming a superintendent. His perspective evolved once he began teaching.

鈥淎s the son of a superintendent, I grew up never wanting to do 鈥榳hat he did,鈥欌�� Houlihan said. 鈥淢y perspective changed, however, when I began teaching. I gravitated toward leadership and leadership roles, was supported to pursue such by my principal and took the necessary steps to attain additional degrees that would qualify me for such.鈥�

After completing his master鈥檚 degree and doctorate, he became the principal of Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in 2010.

A positive impact

Houlihan then took on several district level roles within HISD, including Chief Academic Officer, with the goal of becoming a superintendent in the future. In 2016, Houlihan was named superintendent of Union County Public Schools, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

鈥淭he most rewarding part of my journey has been the positive impact made for the students I have served, and the success they are having after graduating from high school鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom teaching a 7-year-old how to read, to watching my students perform in national concerts as a principal, to celebrating our high school students鈥� plans for college, career or military enlistment now as a superintendent, the journey so far has been beyond rewarding.鈥�

黑料不打烊 played a crucial role in preparing Houlihan for his career. The comprehensive lessons and leadership experiences he gained equipped him with essential skills and strategies.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 emphasis on time management, organization and collaboration further honed his abilities. The study abroad program in London broadened his perspectives and instilled values and beliefs that continue to inform his leadership and decision-making.

黑料不打烊’s investment

Looking ahead, Houlihan鈥檚 professional goal is to sustain and enhance the outstanding work at UCPS as ensuring that his school system is providing a high-quality education in a safe environment for all students.

鈥淧ersonally, our family鈥檚 collective goal is to ensure our children are thriving and successful in whatever they decide to pursue after high school,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ur oldest graduates from high school next year and our youngest the year after. Getting them prepared for college and ensuring they select the right fit, like 黑料不打烊 was for me, is job number one鈥�.

Houlihan attributes his success and the success of his peers to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 investment in students.

鈥淭he faculty and staff, university leadership, school culture and sense of family truly separate 黑料不打烊 from many other colleges in our nation,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen students graduate, they are highly prepared to enter a world ready to be successful and equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to do so. I am so very thankful for my time at 黑料不打烊, for the life-long friends I made and for the outstanding education I received.鈥�

The Ranya Alexandra Russo 鈥�24 Global Engagement Scholarship, named in their daughter鈥檚 honor, will provide financial assistance to students pursuing a major in the School of Communications who are interested in a study abroad or Study USA experience. First preference will go to a student interested in studying in Spain.

鈥淲e love 黑料不打烊 and wanted to give back to the university,鈥� Azmy said. 鈥淚t was because of our daughter鈥檚 experience abroad and her passion for Spanish that we decided to create this scholarship.鈥�

Ranya Russo, a communications design and Spanish double major, spent a semester studying in Seville, Spain, in fall 2022. She lived with a host family who spoke no English and took all her courses in Spanish, which allowed her to become fully immersed in a different culture. She also volunteered by teaching English and American culture to Spanish middle schoolers through the Council on International Educational Exchange.

鈥淭hat turned out to be the best experience for our daughter,鈥� Jeff Russo said. 鈥淲e had the ability to help her participate in this study abroad experience and not every family does. We wanted to honor Ranya鈥檚 experience and make it possible for others to have the same opportunity she had.鈥�

Ranya said she chose to study in Seville because English is not as predominant there compared to other parts of Spain. In addition to classes in journalism, painting, current events and the history of food, she completed four intensive Spanish courses, which, along with living with her host family, enabled her to become fluent in the language.

鈥淪tudying abroad was one of the greatest challenges and most rewarding experiences of my life,鈥� Ranya said. 鈥淢y courses were not only insightful in learning the language, but about Spanish culture as well, and they helped me grow my knowledge of intercultural media in different ways.鈥�

Living with her host family was equally powerful.

鈥淔or three months, the entire family made me feel like I was one of their own,鈥� Ranya said. 鈥淲e were always talking to each other at dinner about my life back home, having movie nights, going out in the Alameda de Hercules plaza where we lived, and joking when I would mess up a Spanish word or phrase. They made my entire experience better, and helped comfort me when I was homesick.鈥�

鈥淚t took a lot of courage, but I felt that 黑料不打烊 really helped facilitate that experience for Ranya and she felt she had that support,鈥� Azmy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 part of the culture and community at 黑料不打烊. She came back a different person, and now she looks back and feels she can do things independently.鈥�

黑料不打烊鈥檚 national leadership in study abroad initially drew the family to the university. Once Ranya enrolled, the family鈥檚 admiration for 黑料不打烊 deepened as they learned about the variety of programs and activities available to students.

鈥淭here鈥檚 something for everyone at 黑料不打烊,鈥� Azmy said. 鈥淭he breadth of the academic programs, the experiential learning opportunities, and the faculty are all fantastic. There鈥檚 a lot of spirit at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

The couple believes strongly in investing in education, and experiencing different cultures is an essential component of students鈥� learning.

鈥淪tudents need to get out of their comfort zone,鈥� Russo said. 鈥淥ne of the ways you grow is by testing yourself and seeing what you can handle and how you adapt to change and uncertainty.鈥�

Azmy agreed, adding, 鈥淚t changes your perspective and hopefully opens your mind up to other people鈥檚 differences.鈥�

As she prepares to graduate, Ranya said she has high hopes for the scholarship her family has established.

鈥淚 am proud of the legacy that my family and I are establishing at 黑料不打烊, one that emphasizes the importance of global education and the impact that it can have on someone鈥檚 life,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y starting this scholarship, I hope to encourage and enable more students to embark on their own international journeys. One that will change their lives forever, just like it did for me.鈥�

She鈥檚 also grateful to her alma mater for preparing her for the next chapter of her life.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� did an incredible job in pushing me to explore my creativity through graphic design, tapping back into my love for art,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am grateful for the lasting memories and the strong foundation 黑料不打烊 has provided for my future endeavors.鈥�

Watching his mother age inspired the retired U.S. Army major to fast-track the impact of the scholarship. Last fall, he began making annual gifts to the university to enable the scholarship to be awarded immediately.

鈥淢y mother was honored knowing a scholarship would be named in her honor when she leaves this earth, and I thought it would be nice if she could see the impact now and meet the person receiving the award,鈥� he said.

The 黑料不打烊 alumnus didn鈥檛 stop there. He asked his four brothers to join him in making annual gifts to the scholarship, and without hesitation, they did.

鈥淓ven though they graduated from different institutions, we were all in agreement and supported this idea,鈥� Ike said. 鈥淲ithout my brothers, I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today, and I wanted them to be part of it. We call 黑料不打烊 ‘the family.鈥欌��

Rebecca Credle, 85, was touched to learn her sons had honored her in this way.

鈥淚 was grateful and proud because God has blessed them, and they want to try and help someone else,” she said. “It鈥檚 just a blessing.鈥�

Banding together for each other 鈥� and their mom 鈥� is nothing new to the Credle boys, who understand what it means to work hard and persevere through challenges.

鈥淢y mother raised five boys in a trailer in eastern North Carolina and because of her sacrifices, all of us are college graduates,鈥� Ike said. 鈥淢y family could not afford to send me to college, but we had a system that once you left the nest, each brother would reach back and lift the other person up.鈥�

His brother Joseph Credle helped him fill out the paperwork for financial aid, which made his 黑料不打烊 education possible.

鈥淲e recognize the value of this scholarship and that it represents what Mom stands for,鈥� Joseph said. 鈥淪he gave us the tools and guidance but also the love and appreciation that we would always look out for one another. It was something paid forward in her life and is what we try to instill with our kids.鈥�

For Rufus Credle, supporting the scholarship is his way of thanking his mother for keeping their family together while growing up in New Bern, North Carolina.

鈥淚 thought about how our Mom struggled as a single parent in the ’60s,鈥� Rufus said. 鈥淪he had every intention of keeping her boys together. She did allow us to go for a short time to live with an aunt or uncle, and I really appreciated her for giving us the chance to go out into the world and experience things. But she always made sure we came home.鈥�

Rebecca also nurtured in her sons a love for learning and insisted each of them graduate from college.

鈥淥ur whole family history is about furthering one鈥檚 education and supporting those ideals for our community,鈥� Rufus said. 鈥淭o be able to do this at a great university like 黑料不打烊 and make it possible for students to study abroad is awesome.鈥�

Kimball Credle agrees, adding how proud their family is that their grandmother worked as an educator after graduating in the 1930s from then-Elizabeth City State Teachers College.

鈥淭he scholarship at 黑料不打烊 adds to the legacy of both women,鈥� Kimball said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the culmination of all the work she has done for us and the ethics she has instilled in us.鈥�

鈥淚 think she couldn鈥檛 be more proud than she is of her boys,鈥� added Ike. 鈥淲e make it our business to make sure she鈥檚 happy because she鈥檚 made so many sacrifices for us.鈥�

Rebecca has high hopes for the scholarship that bears her name.

“Young people need to get their education and remember that somebody along the way was there to help them,” she said. 鈥淢aybe that same young person who receives this scholarship can do the same thing for someone else.”

About the donors

Ike Credle, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, retired from the military in 2003 following a 20-year career in the U.S. Army and later served as a senior training specialist for the Army. One of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most devoted donors, Ike has given back to his alma mater for nearly four decades. He was a co-founder of the Black Alumni Scholarship and together with his wife, Sharron, has made annual gifts to support the scholarship, along with the Phoenix Club, Gospel Choir, women鈥檚 basketball and 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences, where he earned his degree in history. The couple are members of the 1889 Society and Order of the Oak, which recognizes donors who make estate and other planned gifts to 黑料不打烊.

Joseph Credle, of Joilette, Illinois, works at Liberty International Underwriters and graduated from St. Augustine鈥檚 College in Raleigh; Marvin Credle, of Upper Marlboro, is an IT principal consultant at Guidehouse International and is a graduate of N.C. State University; Rufus Credle, of Garner, N.C., is retired from the Navy and IBM, where he worked for 37 years, and graduated from St. Augustine鈥檚 University; and Kimball Credle, of Atlanta, served in the Army and worked for 33 years at the Centers for Disease Control and graduated from N.C. A&T State University.

Make An Impact

To learn how you can make an impact at 黑料不打烊 through estate and other planned gifts, contact Brian Feeley 鈥�03, assistant vice president for university advancement, at (336) 278-7474 or bfeeley@elon.edu.

Members of the 黑料不打烊 football team are in Costa Rica this week while the women’s soccer team is in Portugal and the men’s soccer team is in Brazil. Each immersive program combines competition with education as student-athletes learn about a different culture while competing against competitors from another country and offering guidance to young athletes.

黑料不打烊 is committed to providing student-athletes with the opportunity to participate in a global experience during their time at 黑料不打烊, with each team typically embarking on a program abroad once every four years.

Members of the team as well as coaches and support staff are helping to document the adventure, and fans are invited to follow along to learn more about what the student-athletes are experiencing and learning. Visit the blogs for each team to see photos and read about their experiences and find engaging content on the social media accounts of the teams.

黑料不打烊 Football

黑料不打烊 Women’s Soccer

黑料不打烊 Men’s Soccer