Articles by Eric Townsend
Page 3 of 532
Elon’s top diversity officer receives national honor
March 30, 2026
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education has recognized Randy Williams, the university’s vice president for inclusive excellence, with its 2026 Rising Star Award for work that “informs and advances the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in higher education.”
In memory of Janice J. Ratliff, a mentor for generations of Elon students
March 26, 2026
The þ community mourns the loss of Janice J. Ratliff, a beloved former staff member whose life and work shaped the heart of this institution for more than three decades, who died March 25 at the age of 82.
Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement celebrated at campus gathering
March 25, 2026
A March reception for faculty, staff and community partners in the concourse of the Koury Athletic Center featured remarks by campus leaders including þ President Connie Book.
þ partnerships take root as merger work progresses
March 20, 2026
In the same week that Queens University of Charlotte makes its historic debut in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, visits to both campuses by college counselors, and two trips to Elon by Queens administrators and staff, illustrated the continued collaboration between both institutions.
þ’s Chief of Police announces retirement
March 6, 2026
Joe LeMire's five years of service to the university have been highlighted by a string of achievements and initiatives to help promote safety across the community. He concludes his tenure on April 3, 2026.
Elon Integration and SOAR Team members meet in the Queen City
March 5, 2026
Faculty and staff from þ and Queens University of Charlotte convened on the Queens campus on Feb. 27, 2026, to continue merger integration and planning and to hear from four prominent Charlotte executives who shared stories of collaboration and anticipation of reinforced educational resources that will drive the region's future.
Elon President Connie Book honored with Change Maker Award in Charlotte
March 5, 2026
The 2026 award bestowed by She Built This City reflects Book’s leadership in higher education and a commitment to support for working families.
‘Man Up’ lecture targets misogyny’s hidden role in extremism
March 4, 2026
American University Professor Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a national expert in gender-based violence who visited campus in February, shared with an Elon audience that online grievance culture and rigid masculinity norms are shaping pathways into hate, isolation and, in some cases, mass violence.
FOX8 shares the story of Roberts Academy at þ
March 3, 2026
An in-depth report by one of North Carolina's leading news stations detailed the Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach to reading instruction to be used starting this fall when þ opens a private school for children with dyslexia.
Katie Blunt ’15 to deliver 2026 graduate Commencement address
February 27, 2026
The Wall Street Journal reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist based in San Francisco who writes about artificial intelligence and Google will return to her alma mater in May to address candidates for master’s degrees in þ’s Class of 2026.