As they helped parents prepare legal documents designed to ensure their children would continue receiving care and education if the unexpected happened, students found themselves doing something equally important: listening to families navigating uncertainty and providing greater peace of mind.

Organized by 黑料不打烊 Law’s Pro Bono Board in partnership with 鈥� an agency that advocates for and serves immigrants in the Triad 鈥� the May 2025 clinic responded to concerns from families who wanted to prepare for the possibility of sudden family separation. Under the supervision of licensed attorneys 鈥� including an 黑料不打烊 Law alumna and a faculty member 鈥� students assisted parents in completing powers of attorney that would allow trusted caregivers to make educational and medical decisions for their children if needed.

“It was something concrete we could actually do,” recalled Molly Hohler L’26, who helped organize the clinic through the Pro Bono Board.

Families spoke candidly about their fears as they contemplated possible detention or deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Working alongside fellow board leaders Frank Edwards L’25, Adnan Omer L’25, Saniya Pangare L’25 and Cameron Riordan L’25, Hohler organized the clinic with FaithAction International, Professor of Law Andy Haile and attorney Abigail Seymour L’17. Together, they identified a way to use their legal training to meet a community need and serve real clients.

More than a year later, that student-led effort earned statewide recognition. during the association’s Annual Meeting this summer, recognizing an “outstanding law student group whose pro bono project advanced access to justice in North Carolina.

鈥淵ou have that script of what you want to say, and then all of that goes out the window because you recognize the emotions your client is experiencing. It taught us that you have to approach clients with empathy, not just legal answers.”
鈥� Adnan Omer L’25

The idea grew from conversations with FaithAction International, which identified an urgent community need and contacted the Pro Bono Board. Immigration legal advice was beyond the scope of what students could provide, but powers of attorney offered a meaningful way to serve clients under attorney supervision.

For Adnan Omer L’25 and others, the clinic quickly became much more than a legal exercise.

“People come to you on one of the hardest days of their lives,鈥� said Omer, now an associate attorney with Vrapi Weeks Immigration Attorneys in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 鈥淵ou have that script of what you want to say, and then all of that goes out the window because you recognize the emotions your client is experiencing. It taught us that you have to approach clients with empathy, not just legal answers.”

Seymour L’17, who founded Greensboro-based Camino Law in 2019, was the supervising attorney for the clinic. As a former Pro Bono Board member herself, she understood the value of the experience for students. Throughout the day, she observed, interpreted and worked alongside them during client meetings in the one-day clinic.

“The main purpose of this clinic was to give people a sense of control and preparation,” Seymour said. “Peace of mind to know that if the worst were to happen, they would have a plan.” 黑料不打烊 Law students 鈥渨ere wonderful and jumped right in. They didn’t hang back.鈥�

“The most important lesson is learning to work with clients who are facing significant challenges that we as lawyers may never experience ourselves. In class, we can debate and discuss these abstract issues of law and policy, but when you see how they affect real people, that makes it a different lesson.”
鈥� Professor of Law Andy Haile

In recommending the clinic for the statewide award, Seymour praised the students’ “extraordinary professionalism, leadership and compassion,” writing to the NCBA that they approached the work “not as an academic exercise, but as a professional responsibility.” The project exemplified “the highest ideals of pro bono service in North Carolina,鈥� she wrote.

Haile, who also supervised students during the clinic, said the experience demonstrated why experiential learning is critical for legal preparation. Some skills can鈥檛 be learned in a classroom.

“The most important lesson is learning to work with clients who are facing significant challenges that we as lawyers may never experience ourselves,” Haile said. “In class, we can debate and discuss these abstract issues of law and policy, but when you see how they affect real people, that makes it a different lesson.”

For Pangare, whose family immigrated to the United States, the project carried special meaning.

“It was an opportunity to help people feel more secure in their homes, their surroundings and their communities,” said Pangare 鈥� now an associate attorney at Hall Booth Smith P.C. in Asheville, North Carolina. “We wanted to help a community we knew felt vulnerable and let them know we were there to support them.”

“We have unique skills as soon-to-be lawyers. The more we can use those skills to help people, the better lawyers we become in the process.”
鈥� Molly Hohler L’26

She joined Hohler and Shannon Ward L鈥�26, current Pro Bono Board co-director, in accepting the award on behalf of 黑料不打烊 Law during the NCBA Annual Meeting on June 26.

Hohler said that public service has been a throughline in both her personal and professional life. Serving on the Pro Bono Board gives her an opportunity to channel that instinct alongside classmates who share a commitment to service.

“I love working with clients. It gives me new energy,” Hohler said. “We have unique skills as soon-to-be lawyers. The more we can use those skills to help people, the better lawyers we become in the process.”

The record surpassed the previous high of 82.7%, set by 黑料不打烊 Law’s charter class in 2009. In all, 132 of 136 December graduates sat for a bar examination in winter and spring 2026.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud of the Class of 2025,鈥� Dean Zak Kramer said. 鈥淥ur graduates put in the work and supported each other along the way. Together, they raised the bar for all future 黑料不打烊 Law graduates.鈥�

The nationwide result comes two months after 黑料不打烊 Law announced a record 91.96% first-time pass rate on the February 2026 North Carolina Bar Exam. The newly compiled data provides a broader measure of graduate success, showing that 90.9% of the law school’s 132 graduates who sat for a bar examination passed on their first attempt, regardless of jurisdiction.

The results also reflect the advantages of 黑料不打烊 Law’s accelerated 2.5-year J.D. curriculum in Greensboro and聽鈥� beginning in Fall 2027 鈥� Charlotte. Students graduate in December, sit for the February bar exam and, upon passing, can begin practicing law months earlier than graduates of traditional law programs. The accelerated timeline allows graduates to enter the profession and begin earning sooner.

The energy in the building around the bar exam has changed. They feel it. We all feel it. We’re looking forward to continuing this trajectory.

鈥� Assistant Dean for Academic Success Jenny Lane

This year鈥檚 record-setting performance reflects a culture shift at 黑料不打烊 Law and growing momentum around the law school’s programs and outcomes. 黑料不打烊 Law adopted a “One and Done” motto and mindset around the bar exam, with faculty and staff expanding academic support initiatives. In particular, the Office of Academic Success provided additional coaching, workshops, practice examinations and individualized support to reinforce that message throughout students’ legal education and bar preparation.

鈥淲hat is special about this class is that they truly embodied 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 鈥極ne and Done鈥� mission,鈥� said Jenny Lane, assistant dean for academic success. 鈥淭hey understood the power of coming together as a community and conquering the bar exam.

鈥淚t matters when we invest in students and believe in them. The energy in the building around the bar exam has changed. They feel it. We all feel it. We’re looking forward to continuing this trajectory.鈥�

Twenty graduates sat for bar examinations in 11 states outside North Carolina. Seventeen passed on their first attempt, including every graduate who sat in nine of those jurisdictions.

For graduates, passing the bar exam marks the culmination of years of legal study and the beginning of professional practice. For 黑料不打烊 Law, the Class of 2025’s record-setting results reflect the success of a model of legal education built around experiential learning, practical training, and preparing students to enter the legal profession ready to serve clients and communities from day one.

鈥淭he value proposition of this law school is incredible,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淎 skills-based education, in 2.5 years, with incredible outcomes like this. Big things are happening at 黑料不打烊 Law and we鈥檙e just getting started.鈥�

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

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

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

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

– Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About 黑料不打烊

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

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

黑料不打烊鈥檚 academic divisions include 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences;聽the School of Engineering and Computing;聽and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

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

Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 1, 2026.

The ABA approval clears the way for 黑料不打烊 Law to expand its nationally recognized model of full-time legal education to North Carolina’s largest city. At that point, 黑料不打烊 Law will offer three pathways to a law degree in North Carolina: a full-time program in Greensboro, a full-time program in Charlotte and the part-time 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program in Charlotte.

“This comes at an incredible moment for 黑料不打烊 Law,” said 黑料不打烊 Law Dean Zak Kramer. “Within the last year, we’ve celebrated historic bar passage rates and employment outcomes for our graduates, along with record enrollment and student applications. The ABA’s approval of our Charlotte program builds on that momentum, allowing 黑料不打烊 Law to bring our signature approach to legal education to one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.”

The inaugural Charlotte class, consisting of up to 75 students, will begin studies in August 2027 on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte. The charter cohort will graduate in December 2029, following 黑料不打烊 Law’s existing 2.5-year, seven-trimester academic calendar in Greensboro. The 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program will also begin holding its part-time evening classes on the Queens campus in Fall 2027.

The full-time Charlotte program will replicate the innovative curriculum established at 黑料不打烊 Law’s Greensboro campus. The hallmark of 黑料不打烊 Law’s experiential, skills-based, community-centered approach to legal education is the Residency-in-Practice Program: a course-connected placement that pairs every student with a practicing attorney or judge during the winter or spring of their second year.

That experience moves students beyond studying the law to begin living it 鈥� working alongside attorneys and judges, serving clients and communities, and developing the professional judgment and practical skills expected of new lawyers. Students return to campus with greater confidence, stronger professional connections and a clearer sense of the kind of lawyer they will become.

黑料不打烊 Law is in the early stages of hiring a full complement of professors, administrators and student support personnel who will lead the full-time program in Charlotte. The move aligns with the proposed merger of 黑料不打烊 and Queens University, which remains subject to final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education.

黑料不打烊 leaders are working closely with Queens University to ensure law students benefit from a vibrant campus experience and the resources of a thriving university community.

The expansion also builds on 黑料不打烊 Law’s longstanding relationships throughout Charlotte’s legal community. Already, more than 10 percent of the law school鈥檚 alumni live and work in the Charlotte area. Law school leaders plan to strengthen existing partnerships, develop new connections and grow opportunities for students to serve in a region with a need for legal talent, legal services and innovative legal education.

Through clinics, residencies and community partnerships, 黑料不打烊 Law students regularly work alongside attorneys, judges, nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help address unmet legal needs.

“We’ve been in Charlotte all along through our students, alumni and community partnerships,” Kramer said. “This approval gives us an opportunity to deepen our commitment to Charlotte. We’re excited to invest here, build new partnerships and help shape what comes next.”

Additional information about admissions, faculty hiring and program development will be announced in the coming months.

About 黑料不打烊 Law

黑料不打烊 Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school鈥檚 distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

黑料不打烊 Law has graduated more than 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine鈥檚 鈥淏est Schools for Practical Training鈥� rankings, maintaining an A+ rating each year since 2023. 黑料不打烊 Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

The 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched in Charlotte in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it will enroll its third cohort in Fall 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Poll Methodology

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

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

About the 黑料不打烊 Poll

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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�

黑料不打烊’s newly launched Master鈥檚 Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) has achieved Criteria C status through the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board (NCASPPB), marking a significant milestone in the program鈥檚 continued development and commitment to workforce-responsive counselor education.

Criteria C approval confirms that the program鈥檚 curriculum includes the academic coursework and supervised clinical training necessary for graduates to pursue the educational requirements associated with the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) pathway in North Carolina. This designation further enhances the program鈥檚 ability to prepare counselors to meet growing behavioral health and substance use treatment needs across the state.

Housed within 黑料不打烊鈥檚 School of Health Sciences, the CMHC program was intentionally designed to address critical mental health workforce shortages through innovative and clinically rigorous counselor preparation. The 60-credit program combines strong foundational counseling training with integrated experiences in trauma-informed care, addictions counseling, wellness, and emerging mental health practices.

鈥淭his milestone reflects 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to preparing highly competent, ethical, and adaptable counselors equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities facing increasingly complex mental health and substance use challenges,鈥� said Associate Professor Raychelle Lohmann. 鈥淐riteria C status strengthens our students鈥� professional opportunities while helping expand access to qualified behavioral health providers throughout North Carolina.鈥�

鈥淥ur goal has always been to prepare counselors who can respond thoughtfully to the realities people are facing today,鈥� said Judy Folmar, chair and interim program director. 鈥淢ental health and substance use challenges are deeply interconnected, and our students will learn to approach care in integrated, ethical, and relationship-centered ways.鈥�

The CMHC program is currently preparing for its inaugural cohort and was developed in alignment with national best practices in counselor education. The program features a hybrid cohort model, close faculty mentorship, immersive clinical training experiences, and strong partnerships with community agencies and healthcare systems.

The Criteria C designation also reflects 黑料不打烊鈥檚 broader mission to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and innovative approaches to addressing pressing health and wellness needs.

Applications for the Fall 2026 inaugural cohort are open until June 15, 2026.

For more information about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Master鈥檚 Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, visit: /u/academics/health-sciences/clinical-mental-health-counseling/

Speaking during 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture on Wednesday, May 6, at Greensboro鈥檚 Proximity Hotel, Kantor discussed her reporting on the Supreme Court, including extensive behind-the-scenes investigations of the Court鈥檚 internal processes and the justices themselves.

This spring, she and colleague Adam Liptak examining the Supreme Court鈥檚 growing use of its emergency or 鈥渟hadow docket,鈥� through which consequential rulings are often issued rapidly and with limited explanation or legal reasoning. At a moment of declining trust in institutions and the judiciary itself, Kantor warned that the practice can bypass some of the traditional safeguards associated with judicial deliberation and further erode public confidence in the court.

鈥淛udges write opinions as an act of transparency and humility and faith,鈥� Kantor said. 鈥淎n opinion says to the public: 鈥榊ou may disagree with this decision. It may put your brother in jail. It may mean the end of your business. But I want you to know that I鈥檓 being sincere, and that I diligently worked through the law to come to this conclusion.鈥欌��

Kantor鈥檚 lecture series appearance featured an extended conversation with Professor Catherine Ross Dunham, a charter member of 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 faculty whose scholarship focuses on civil procedure and complex litigation.

Kantor earned international recognition for her work with colleague Megan Twohey in exposing decades of sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. That reporting helped ignite the global #MeToo movement. Kantor and Twohey won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2018, and their work was later published in later adapted into an acclaimed film. Her other work has focused on technology and the modern workplace, leading to changes at companies like Amazon and Starbucks, and the Obamas鈥� life inside the White House. Most recently, she joined the New York Times鈥� Supreme Court team.

Investigating the Supreme Court

鈥淚nvestigative journalism is about taking secrets that are in the public interest and putting them into sunlight,鈥� Kantor said.

She described her reporting on the Court 鈥� in her words, 鈥渙ne of the most secretive institutions in American life鈥� 鈥� as seeking to better understand how power operates within one of the nation鈥檚 least transparent institutions, including questions surrounding internal negotiations among justices, the role of clerks and the long-term effects of lifetime appointments.

鈥淗ow much do they bargain with one another? What role do clerks play? How does power really flow?鈥� Kantor asked. 鈥淲hat does it mean to hold power at that level for 20 or 30 years? How do people age in those jobs?鈥�

At the same time, she acknowledged the tension between transparency and judicial independence, arguing that 鈥渏udges need room to think, to deliberate, to change their minds.”

She emphasized that she isn鈥檛 interested in exposing pending Court decisions because that 聽鈥渨ould interfere with the judicial process.”

鈥淚鈥檓 not trying to know everything about the Supreme Court,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I still think there are important questions worth answering.鈥�

Privacy, secrecy and institutional power

Kantor repeatedly turned to the distinction between privacy and secrecy 鈥� a theme connecting both her Weinstein reporting and her more recent investigations into the Supreme Court.

鈥淲hat I learned from the Weinstein investigation is that there鈥檚 a difference between privacy and secrecy,鈥� Kantor said, referencing the nondisclosure agreements now required of Supreme Court staff and the stifling secrecy of settlement agreements in Weinstein鈥檚 case.

鈥淰ictims deserved privacy,鈥� Kantor said of the Weinstein investigation. 鈥淏ut was the system benefiting from blanket secrecy that enabled predation? No. Legal culture is very invested in confidentiality, but confidentiality can run amok in ways that deprive the public of enough information to understand what is happening.鈥�

She warned that excessive confidentiality inside powerful institutions 鈥� including courts, workplaces and corporations 鈥� can ultimately weaken public understanding and democratic trust.

鈥淛ournalism is one of democracy鈥檚 valves,鈥� Kantor said. 鈥淚 would rather us have rigorous coverage of the Supreme Court that leads to productive debate than a thousand other things, including the really disruptive political violence we鈥檙e seeing across the (political) spectrum.鈥�

Resisting political caricatures

The conversation explored the dangers of reducing Supreme Court justices to simplistic political caricatures. Kantor pointed to Justice Amy Coney Barrett as an example of a jurist who was immediately misunderstood by both the political right and left when she was appointed in October 2020.

Kantor described Barrett as 鈥減erhaps the most independent of the Republican-appointed justices,鈥� adding that even some of Barrett鈥檚 ideological critics view her as intellectually serious and institutionally minded.

鈥淪he鈥檚 very conservative,鈥� Kantor said, 鈥渂ut she has this independent streak. She wants to be trusted by a broad swath of Americans. She does not want to be pigeonholed.鈥�

Starting a meaningful career

Kantor also reflected on questions of professional purpose and career-building, themes explored in her new book, Drawing on her workplace reporting and conversations with students navigating political uncertainty, economic anxiety and rapid technological change, Kantor encouraged young professionals to identify their talents, develop a craft and identify a societal need their craft addresses.

When evaluating early-career opportunities, Kantor said she encourages young professionals to focus less on prestige and more on growth, mentorship and intellectual curiosity. Taking calculated risks to gain experience and further develop craft will pay off.

鈥淎re you learning?鈥� Kantor said. 鈥淎nd are you working for good people?鈥�

Earlier in the day, Kantor met with 黑料不打烊 Law students, faculty and staff for a smaller discussion centered on identifying purpose and launching meaningful careers in a challenging time.

About 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series

The Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series presented by The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation is an integral part of 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 commitment to learning, lawyering and leadership. Endowed through a generous gift from The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greensboro, N.C., the series brings accomplished leaders from a variety of disciplines to 黑料不打烊 to share their experiences and perspectives with students and faculty.

Visiting 黑料不打烊 in the next academic year:

• David Brooks, bestselling author, staff writer for The Atlantic and longtime New York Times columnist – Sept. 25, 2026
• Hanif Abdurraqib, author and cultural critic (Common Reading Lecture) – Sept. 29, 2026
• Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient and author – Nov. 11, 2026
• Danielle Coke Balfour, artist, author and social justice advocate – Jan. 13, 2027
• Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and philanthropist – March 9, 2027
• Heather Cox Richardson, historian and bestselling author – April 6, 2027

All programs are free to 黑料不打烊 students, faculty and staff with ID. Venues will be announced closer to the dates of the programs. Tickets for the public for Fall Convocation go on sale starting in August.聽Admission: $15 via聽.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 Cultural Calendar聽for Fall 2026 will be available later this year with additional speakers and a wide range of musical, theatrical, artistic and other intellectual and creative events.

About the 2026-2027 Speakers at 黑料不打烊

David Brooks

Sept. 25, 2026

Fall Convocation

3:30 p.m.

A bestselling author and longtime New York Times columnist, Brooks is a leading observer of American culture, politics and civic life. He serves as a staff writer at The Atlantic, a commentator on PBS NewsHour and a senior fellow at Yale University鈥檚 Jackson School of Global Affairs. Over decades in journalism, his columns have become some of the most widely read in the nation, offering insight into political dynamics, social trends and the challenges facing modern democracy.

Brooks is the author of multiple bestselling books, including 鈥淗ow to Know a Person,鈥� 鈥淭he Second Mountain,鈥� 鈥淭he Road to Character鈥� and 鈥淭he Social Animal,鈥� which explore moral development, human connection and the search for meaning. His work emphasizes the importance of community, empathy and the cultivation of both inner character and outward relationships as essential to a flourishing society.

Hanif Abdurraqib

Sept. 29, 2026

Common Reading Lecture

7:30 p.m.

An acclaimed essayist, poet and cultural critic, Abdurraqib is widely recognized for his lyrical and deeply personal writing that explores music, identity and the intersections of culture and lived experience. His work blends criticism with memoir, offering readers a nuanced perspective on art, belonging and the forces that shape contemporary life.

Abdurraqib is the author of several award-winning books and is known for his ability to connect cultural analysis with broader questions about race, community and memory. 鈥淭here鈥檚 Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension鈥� was selected as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Common Reading for 2026-27.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter

Nov. 11, 2026

Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship

11 a.m.

A United States Marine and the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, Carpenter is recognized for extraordinary heroism during his service in Afghanistan. In 2010, he sustained life-threatening injuries after throwing himself on a grenade to protect a fellow Marine, an act of valor that led to years of recovery and more than 40 surgeries.

Following his recovery, Carpenter set and achieved ambitious personal goals, including completing a college degree, running a marathon and traveling internationally. He is the author of the memoir 鈥淵ou Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For,鈥� which chronicles his journey of resilience and purpose. Today, he speaks widely about leadership, perseverance and finding meaning in adversity, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue lives of impact.

Danielle Coke Balfour

Jan. 13, 2027

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address

12 p.m.

An artist, entrepreneur and author, Balfour is the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses visual storytelling to make complex ideas about racial justice and advocacy accessible to broad audiences. Through her work, she has built a community of hundreds of thousands who engage with her content on social media and beyond.

Her creative approach to 鈥渁rtivism鈥� combines design, storytelling and education to inspire individuals to take meaningful action in their own communities. She is the author of 鈥淎 Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well鈥� and a companion workbook that encourages reflection and everyday advocacy. Through partnerships with major brands and speaking engagements across the country, she promotes a message of hope, empathy and sustained engagement in social change.

Tim Tebow

March 9, 2027

Baird Lecture

7 p.m.

A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion, Tebow gained national prominence as a quarterback at the University of Florida before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He later played professional baseball and has become a prominent sports analyst, author and motivational speaker.

Tebow is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, an organization that serves vulnerable populations in more than 70 countries through initiatives focused on faith, health and human dignity. Through his speaking and philanthropic efforts, Tebow encourages audiences to pursue their passions, lead with integrity and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Heather Cox Richardson

April 6, 2027

James P. Elder Lecture

6:30 p.m.

A professor of history at Boston College, Richardson is a leading scholar of American political history with expertise in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the evolution of the Republican Party. Her work examines the intersections of politics, economics and social change, helping audiences better understand the forces shaping the nation鈥檚 past and present.

She is the author of several award-winning books, including the bestselling 鈥淒emocracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America,鈥� which explores the nation鈥檚 ongoing struggle to uphold its own ideals. Richardson also writes 鈥淟etters from an American,鈥� a nightly newsletter that reaches millions of readers with analysis of current events in historical context. She hosts two video series,聽鈥淛ourney to American Democracy鈥� and聽鈥淎merican Conversations,鈥澛燽oth of which are available on YouTube and Facebook. Her聽articles and reviews have been published in the聽Washington Post, the聽New York聽Times, and聽The Guardian, among others.