The final Science Slices event of the semester was held on Wednesday, Dec. 13, on Alamance Community College’s main campus and focused on the topic of “Animal Adventures: Protecting Wildlife and Their Homes Together. Each Science Slices event this fall offered the opportunity for ABSS students and their parents to engage with experts from different scientific fields with hands-on activities and engaging discussions.

Richard von Furstenberg, a graduate student researcher at N.C. State University studying human interaction with wildlife, was the guest speaker at the Dec. 13 event and spoke on the different challenges of taking care of wildlife, such as habitat loss and coexistence with humans.

There was also a chance for those in attendance to share their feelings about animals and come to an understanding of how to balance what people need with keeping all kinds of animals safe. “This evening isn’t just about problems … we’re going to get your brain buzzing with ideas on how we can take care of animals and their homes in new and smart ways,” the description for the event promised. “Together, we’re going on a journey to figure out how you and others can help our planet’s amazing variety of life.”

That was the science — and for the slices? Those in attendance enjoyed a pizza dinner to go along with a night of science enrichment.

“�þ��� learned about how researchers study people’s feelings and thoughts about wildlife, to make decisions that support wildlife and also align with what people need,” said Jen Hamel, associate professor of biology and co-lead for the Elon Explorers program. “Rich engaged the audience by asking them what they thought on a survey app and then showing them the data. �þ��� and families explored N.C. wildlife species by handling real specimens, hides and skeletons, which they loved.”

The first Science Slices event was held in March 2022 and the series covered a multitude of topics. This fall semester, local middle schoolers learned about building particulate matter sensors from the the Environmental Protection Agency’s Research Triangle Park’s Speakers Bureau, robotics with Elon Associate Professor of Engineering Blake Hament and human anatomy with Elon Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education Paula DiBiasio.

Mark Enfield, co-lead of Elon Explorers and associate professor of education, is proud of how the Science Slices events involve entire families. The other Elon Explorers programs — a summer bug camp and a one-day spring break institute — focus on the students, but the Science Slices events are intentionally designed to include families.

“One purpose of these events is to build community around science, particularly for middle school students and their families,” Enfield said. “When I say build community, we include everyone in this program.”

Elon Explorers is one of the Student STEM Enrichment Programs (SSEP) in North Carolina and received a grant of $147,570 from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund in September 2021. The grant allowed for the program to expand into year-round programming, such as the monthly Science Slices science cafes.

After the end of the three-year Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant, the program will be looking for funding to grow the program in other areas of STEM and to help it become a long-term offering for the community at Elon.

“We are happy that many of the students and families have attended multiple Science Slices events and many of the students in our other programs also attend Science Slices,” Hamel said. “This kind of participation demonstrates the community building that Mark mentioned — community building around enthusiasm for STEM!”

“I’m so proud of our students,” said Maha Lund, dean of �þ���’s School of Health Sciences. “Their research topics and the depth of the work are impressive. What it shows me is that they have learned how to go to the original research and the resources that will help them take care of their patients.”

Sarah Haley G’23 graduated on Friday, Dec. 8 from the Physician Assistant Studies program and during the poster session, she presented her research on non-weight versus weight-based approaches to improving cardiovascular health in adults.

The idea for her project began after a lecture on weight bias from Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Antoinette Polito. In the lecture, Haley focused on the point that was made about how little data there is about weight bias.

For most of her life, Haley had thought, like most people, that if someone has obesity that means they are unhealthy. Polito’s lecture was the first time she heard the idea that there may not be a clear correlation between obesity and health.

So with Polito as her mentor, Haley sought out to critically examine the efficacy of weight-neutral approaches in improving cardiovascular health compared to traditional weight-based interventions. After nearly a year of honing in on that specific question and conducting a comprehensive review of existing literature, Haley found that there was “absolutely zero correlation” between BMI and metabolic health.

After graduation, Haley will be studying for her board exams to become a certified physician assistant and will soon co-author a paper with Polito on the topic. While she is excited for the future ahead, it was a rewarding experience to display all the work that when into the project during the research forum.

“Getting to share this with everyone,” Haley said. “This has been the best part.”

First-year students in Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program Jazmyne Davis, Andrew Miller, Milani Saldon and Kasey Sutryk presented their research “Changes in Self-Reported Injuries, Biomechanics, Strength and Range of Motion in Pregnant and Postpartum Runners.”

To investigate the prevalence of self-reported injuries, pelvic health and musculoskeletal and biomechanical changes, the DPT students surveyed 12 participants weekly with questions from the Overuse Injury Questionnaire, PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Form and Fatigue Scale and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory.

The students began their research in March and concluded that the research should focus specifically on the prevention of pelvic health impairments and pelvic health rehabilitation. Perhaps more importantly, however, the group found that there is no significant change in running biomechanics, strength or range of motion from the second trimester and into the first few months of the postpartum stage.

“Society tells us that pregnant women are fragile and they shouldn’t be doing much activity,” Saldon said. “They’re not as fragile as you may think, they can keep doing whatever they want.”

Ann Heil G’23 had a unique experience for her capstone research as she spent eight weeks in Brussels, Belgium, doing a clinical rotation. Through the School of Health Sciences Global Learning Opportunities program, the 2023 Elon DPT candidate worked in an acute care hospital setting at the UZ Brussels hospital which values equitable access and promotes return to function as independently as possible.

A native of Boise, Idaho, Heil was exposed to a diverse population with more than 2 million residents in Brussels as well as a diversity of disciplines as she assisted the pediatric, cardiology, neurology and orthopedics teams during her time there.

In those eight weeks, Heil said she was able to grow as a clinician and as a person. Connecting with others from different backgrounds showed her that

“The biggest thing I took away was to keep an open mind with different cultures, values, religious views,” she said. “Nothing is right or wrong, it’s just different. You have to do the best you can to incorporate people’s values and views into your treatment and make it salient.”

Being able to explain complex concepts in simple terms is a skill all health care professionals need, and presenting research is required in the curriculum for all of Elon’s health sciences students.

Having participated in the research forum, Dean Lund hopes the students will use the experience as a stepping stone toward their future careers.

“I hope that they feel the pride in their work that and feel they are developing a professional identity that they’re so much closer to being clinicians who are out there taking care of patients,” Lund said.

�þ��� conferred over 93 degrees to future nurses, physician assistants and physical therapists during the 2023 School of Health Sciences Commencement Ceremony held in Alumni Gym on Friday, Dec. 8.

“Graduates, know that you are needed,” said Maha Lund, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “Today, our communities face significant health care challenges and inequities. You have worked hard to develop your clinical and leadership skills so that you can help address these challenges and reduce health care inequities.

“Congratulations again on your accomplishments. We wish you continued success and happiness as you apply your learning to serve all those around you,” Lund added.

The joint ceremony of the School of Health Sciences recognized the 14 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing candidates, 36 Master of Physician Assistant Studies candidates and 43 Doctor of Physical Therapy candidates graduating.

University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Rev. Kirstin Boswell delivered the invocation and blessing during the ceremony and Assistant Professor of Nursing Elizabeth Van Horn led the singing of the national anthem. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn joined with faculty members from the School of Health Sciences in presenting the new graduates with their diplomas.

In her address to the graduates, commencement speaker Dr. Mary Jo Cagle, president and CEO of Cone Health, detailed her onw journey into health care that began when she was just three years old.

Cagle’s mother was a church organist and her father a brick mason, and in her rural Alabama hometown, their family was often in church. One Sunday, there was a special speaker — Orpha Speicher, a doctor and missionary who was planning to build a hospital in India.

Cagle said she was spellbound by this small woman describing all the great work she was planning to do. Cagle said that she didn’t talk much about the significance of hearing Speicher speak but a few months later, she went to see her family physician, Dr. Carey Gwinn. She’s not sure what prompted her admission to Gwinn and her mother during the visit, but it was the first time that she said out loud she was going to become a doctor.

“Dr. Gwinn did an amazing thing,” Cagle recalled. “He picked me up and he said, ‘Well that’s really interesting, Mary Jo. I want you to tell me more about that.'” That was the beginning of a life-long connection with Gwinn. When Cagle was named to the honor roll, Gwinn clipped the announcement from the newspaper and set it to her with a message — “You’re on the right track, Mary Jo.”

When she was named valedictorian of her high school, Gwinn did the same thing. When Cagle made it to the University of Alabama’s dean list, he sent a note to her house continuing to encourage her. One day, when she had graduated from Alabama with her medical degree and started her practice, she received a call from an 86-year-old Gwinn who congratulated her for staying on the right track.

“What does that little bit of my story [teach me]? What did I learn from that?” Cagle asked rhetorically. “It doesn’t matter your gender, your size, your race or where you come from. You can make a difference in the lives of other people whoever you are. What matters is your intention and your willingness to encourage people.”

Cagle also urged the 93 future health care professionals to discover their “why” during her address. Quoting the work of author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek, “finding your why” is about knowing the reason you get out of bed in the morning.

Your “why” is also your origin story, Cagle said, as most people are products of their upbringing. Cagle’s why and origin story was hearing the missionary speak about opening a church and most people looking to get into the health care profession are already well aware of their reason behind picking that profession.

Cagle told the graduates it will be important to remember their why when faced with the inevitable challenges that will arise.

“Your origin story has the ability to get you through hard times and to remind you that you have a purpose greater than yourself,” she said.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program (ABSN) at Elon is designed for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in any field and will have completed 18-24 hours of prerequisite coursework before admission. The program is an intensive, 16-month post-baccalaureate program that includes 65 credit hours and 540 clinical hours. The program’s curriculum focuses on community-based population health, the reduction of health disparities and the use of health informatics to optimize outcomes.

Elon’s Physician Assistant Studies program is a 24-month, full-time program in which students immerse themselves in a curriculum structured around active learning strategies through collaborative work with Elon’s faculty, scholars and practitioners in the field.  �þ��� complete a master’s project that supports and promotes professional development in the area of accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to address a research, patient care or policy question relevant to physician assistant practice or education.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a three-year program that emphasizes a patient-centered approach to the profession. The program immerses students in science and research while �þ��� them the value of respect and communication. �þ��� spend the final 16 weeks of the program in clinical practicum at sites across the United States.

President Connie Ledoux Book charged each of the 93 graduates with the task of carrying on Elon’s values  — honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect. Elon is Hebrew for “oak” and the oak has become a symbol of the community’s strength which each graduate is now a part of.

Book said she hopes the graduates are reminded of the personal leadership developed during their studies at Elon each time they see an oak tree or an acorn.

“Today, as we envision each of you launching exciting careers, I charge you to carry Elon’s values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect with you, always,” Book said. “Use Elon’s values when you encounter the inevitable hard choices ahead. Lean on them and each other when you need to reason things out. Remember, we are forever bound together by these values — you, me, your classmates and the faculty.”

Candidates for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

Hyland Nachelle Alfonso
B.S., Ouachita Baptist University

Grace Carolina Auth
B.A., Austin College

Jasmine Sandrea Brumsey
B.S., Elizabeth City State University

Danielle Shay Cantrell
B.S., University of Kentucky

Michaela Ann Fraini
B.A., Dean College

Ruth Elizabeth George
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Christian K. Lindsay
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Taylor Leighanne Mellow
B.A., Sonoma State University

Katelyn Perez
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Joely Summey
B.A., East Carolina University

Ravyn Francis Turner
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Samantha Ileine Vaz
B.S., The University of Rhode Island

Camille Serena Weaver
B.A., Colorado College

Kendall Webb
B.S., �þ���

Candidates for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Degree

David Abney
B.S., Auburn University

McLean Marie Achziger
B.S., Clemson University

Rachel Alexander
B.S., Loyola University Chicago

Emily Banks
B.S., The University of South Florida

Hannah Grace Beasley
B.S., Lenoir-Rhyne University

Dorreen Brune
B.S., Ithaca College
M.P.H., The University of New England

Benjamin Michael Carrion
B.S., Lenoir-Rhyne University
D.P.T., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Carolina Chong Liao
B.S., The University of Wyoming

Nicole Taylor Cort
B.S., East Carolina University

Frederick James Coyer, V
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Lauren Ashley Dougherty
B.S., The University of Michigan

Lauren Elizabeth Dyke
B.S., The University of Maryland

Ashley Cynthia Espinoza
B.S., George Mason University

Alexandra Evans
B.A., The University of North Texas

Sarah Haley-Louise Haley
B.A., Duke University
M.F.A., Pratt Institute

Sheng L. Haley
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Hannah Houston
B.S., Lenoir-Rhyne University

Caralyn Rebekah Hudson
B.S., Marshall University

Kyle Christopher Lambert
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Ryan Lu
B.S., University of California, Davis

Brian John Luteyn
B.S., St. Norbert College

Patricia Arielle Corpuz Manio
B.S., Indiana University

Caroline Susan Mea
B.S., The College of William & Mary

Olivia Paige Mitchell
B.S., The University of Puget Sound

Danielle Renee Novak
B.S., Liberty University

Mary Elizabeth O’Connell
B.A., Dartmouth College

Tate J. Phillips
B.A., B.S., Columbia International University

Joshua Edward Pugliese
B.S., B.A., Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Grace Elizabeth Reilly
B.S., Boston College

Christopher Clark Russell
B.S., The University of Charleston

Allison Sara Russo
B.S., �þ���

Hertej Kaur Sohi
B.A., Seattle Pacific University

Ellen Jordan Tuck
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Clara Amy Van Eck
B.A., Whitman College
M.A., Old Dominion University

Mauricio Vazquez
B.S., The University of Florida

Katie Elizabeth Zuech
B.S., The University of Oklahoma

Candidates for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree

Pablo Alejandro Almodovar
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Zain Joshua Bass
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Emily Marie Boger
B.S., High Point University

Tyler A. Carroll
B.S., Bryan College

Nicole Angeline Collins
B.S., University of Tennessee at Martin

Deanna Lee Inez DeMarco
B.S., Old Dominion University

Kelly Lynn Dempsey
B.S., The Ohio State University

Brynn Ellen Donnelly
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Lindsey Erin Garrett
B.S., Meredith College

Victoria Rae Garrison
B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Annamarie Gluhosky
B.A., Coker University

Alexandra M. Granato
B.S., �þ���

Matthew Davis Hamlet
B.S., Campbell University

Ann Jeanette Heil
B.A., Saint Mary’s College of California

Allison Blythe Jackson
B.S., Guilford College

Grant D. Janicik
B.S., California University of Pennsylvania

Daniel Lawrence Janyska
B.S., Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Paige Marie Johnson
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park

Anne Keenan
B.S., Wilmington College

Allison M. Knuckles
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Bridgette Macapagal
B.S., North Carolina State University

Daniel David Manor
B.S., North Carolina State University

Megan Hope McCallister
B.S., Western Carolina Univerity

Lauren Marie McCaulley
B.S., Kennesaw State University

Albert A. Meyer, III
B. A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Anne Meiguo Edgar Michaelson
B.S., �þ���

Sara Elizabeth Milgrom
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Emily Kathryn Morenz
B.S., University of New Hampshire

Makena Mueller
B.S., Springfield College

Zachary D. Ormond
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Stephen Jacob Parsons
B.S., Furman University

Dustin Lee Patrick
B.S., Western Kentucky University

Sarah Elizabeth Peavy
B.S., Auburn University

Jordan Scott
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Kaitlyn Nicole Smith
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Miranda Charlotte Grace Thompson
B.S., �þ���

Nathan A. Tometich
B.A., Grinnell College

Oliver Tuisa
B.S., University of North Florida

Brendal Jayme-Wynne Vargo
B.S., James Madison University

Jordan Christopher Waite
B.S., Towson University

Stacey Lynn Walton
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Ashley Lynn Marie Williams
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

John Woodhouse
B.S., North Carolina State University

¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight recognizes not only the academic success of graduates but also the contributions of family and friends whose support made possible their achievements. This diverse and intimate bilingual ceremony is a celebration that builds community and a sense of family for Elon students.

“Today is a celebration. So it’s OK to clap, it’s OK to cheer, it’s OK to dance if you want to and to be loud,” said Sylvia Muñoz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education. Those in attendance during the ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 7, took that statement to heart. The room filled with applause, cheers, laughter and even a few tears as the messages of gratitude students wrote to their family members were read aloud.

“No amount of ‘thank yous’ will ever be enough to suffice for the love and sacrifice you made to help get me here to this moment. I will start with, thank you for allowing me to chase this dream and doing everything in your power to allow me to do so,” wrote Francine Nebel L’23 to her family. “This is as much an accomplishment to you as it is for me. I am so excited to see what this next chapter holds in store. I am so grateful that no matter what comes, I know I always have you by my side. Your handprints are on my soul. Te amaré por siempre! (I will love you forever!)”

After each student’s remarks were read, they received a special stole designed by Nico Gaspar ’22 which features a monarch butterfly — a symbol of the journey of Elon’s Latinx/Hispanic students.

Michelle Aguilar L’23 delivered the student keynote for the ceremony and used a quote from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who describes herself as “incessantly optimistic,” a characteristic that helps her meet every challenge. Aguilar urged the other graduates to think about Sotomayor’s hopefulness once they are out and making their way in their respective fields.

“Justice Sotomayor reminds us to remember to be grateful and life is not a spectator sport. To squeeze from life its fullness, to be happy in this world in the short period of time you’re given to find meaningful, you have to be active and giving members of our communities,” Aguilar said.

Coral Zayas ’09, president of the Elon Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Network (ELHAN), welcomed the graduates to the network of more than 1,000 alumni throughout the country and the world.

“I’m so excited for you as we welcome you to the alumni family,” Zayas said. “Whether your next step is graduate school, medical school, moving to a new city or still figuring out what’s in store …  we’re excited to support you in your journey.”

�þ��� honored at ¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight were:

• Michelle Aguilar L’23
• Anthony Bland L’23
• Natasha Castellano L’23
• Carolina Chong Liao G’23
• Ashley Cynthia Espinoza G’23
• Alexandra Evans G’23
• Francine Nebel L’23
• Edward Ortega L’23
• Katelyn Perez ’23
• Gordon Cathcart L’23

Nearly 200 Alamance-Burlington School System students spent time on Elon’s campus this fall strengthening their academic skills throughout the fall semester through the Village Project, a district-wide tutoring initiative spearheaded by the Center for Access and Success at Elon. As a wrap-up event, the Village Project invited students and their families to Barnes & Noble on Wednesday, Nov. 29, and gave each student a gift card and free range to pick up whatever book they wanted.

Simmons, the program coordinator of the Village Project, said the book buy event was a “full circle” moment involving the local children, families, tutors and volunteers, and Elon students.

“We want to grant them opportunities to access spaces and resources that they might not otherwise have especially when it comes to continuing learning,” Simmons said. “So for us to be able to give gift cards and the students shop for books that they’re interested in could spark something in them.”

“How the Grinch Steal Christmas” sparked the interest of Carter Wiggins, a first-grader at Elon Elementary. This is the first semester Carter has been a student in the Village Project and he said it’s hard to choose a moment that stands out as his favorite.

His mother, Lauren Miles, said that Carter is always excited about going to the Village Project to meet with his “friends” — the tutors — and other students from other schools. And over the last semester, Miles said she has noticed substantial growth in Carter.

“It’s definitely helped him being more receptive to support and has increased his reading abilities and overall with his education,” Miles said. “The Village Project has been another environment for us to say that we have help and support.”

This year, the Village Project expanded some of its focus to address the families of the students. Each Wednesday, parents were able to attend informational sessions while their kids were receiving instruction from the Village Project tutors and liaisons. From financial planning to adult literacy, a wide range of sessions were held and provided a similar instructional space for parents as for the kids.

“During the time when your kid is learning, to learn about something else that might be beneficial as a parent is very helpful,” Miles said.

Travella Free, executive director of the Center for Access and Success, said “the Village Book Buy provided a wonderful opportunity for our ABSS students.  Reading boosts a child’s self-confidence and fosters a love for learning which leads to academic success.”

Michele Claypool has been a liaison with the Village Project for three years. An interventionist and literacy coach at Haw River Elementary, Claypool describes herself as a champion of reading among young children having nearly 10,000 books in her classroom at one point.

When the previous liaison from her school stepped down, Claypool didn’t hesitate to get involved. Supporting the educational growth of local children while also providing them access to college students and a college environment is what makes the Village Project so effective, Claypool said.

“The Village is such a wonderful opportunity for our students in the community to get that extra help,” she said.

One of the students who has been involved in helping with the Village Project is Molly Moylan ’26. Moylan learned of the Village Project through her adviser and thought it would be a great volunteer opportunity.

What she didn’t expect was how genuinely rewarding the experience of working with the local kids would be.

“It’s important to show that reading is fun. School takes away the joy of reading sometimes, so getting to spend time with family and making reading a more personal thing is important,” Moylan said.

Daphne Større’s two daughters India, a second-grader, and Charlotte, a fourth-grader, were involved in the Village Project for the fall semester. The South Graham Elementary students couldn’t control their excitement during the book-buying event, looking to find books and show them to anyone in sight.

That excitement has been consistent throughout the semester, Større said.

“They have just been ecstatic to go and learn … and that has made me happy to see them excited,” Større said.

Members of the �þ��� Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) Class of 2025 received their white coats and students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Classes of 2023 and 2024 had the white coats they’ve already received pinned on Friday, Dec. 1, in a joint ceremony hosted by the Department of Nursing.

Gathered in Whitley Auditorium, an audience of family members and loved ones watched on as a new crop of health care professionals celebrated milestones in their education. The ABSN Class of 2023 is the second cohort of graduating ABSN students to be pinned at Elon. The class will graduate during the School of Health Sciences graduate commencement on Friday, Dec. 8, after the 16-month program that includes more than 500 clinical hours and is designed for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in any field.

The ABSN Class of 2024 is the third cohort to receive their white coats. The BSN Class of 2025 is the inaugural cohort of traditional nursing students at Elon to don white coats.

“Life is a dynamic journey,” said Stacey Thomas, interim department chair of the Department of Nursing, during the ceremony. “Our students have met change head-on and have embraced the growth that has occurred as they have stepped outside of their comfort zones.”

N.C. State Senator Gale Adcock delivered the keynote address during the joint white coat and pinning ceremony. Adcock is serving her first term in the North Carolina Senate after eight years in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Along with a life in politics, Adcock is a a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than three decades of experience.

In her 16th year of elected office, Adcock believes that nurses’ skills in patient advocacy are a “roadmap for influencing policy at every level of government.” Adcock told the Department of Nursing students their transformation doesn’t stop with the presenting of white coats or pinning or even graduation.

Their transformation will depend on what kind of nurse they decide to be — nurses that make things happen, nurses that watch things happen and nurses that say “What happened?”

“We’re not going to waste time talking about that last group because none of you would have invested considerable time, energy and money … if you plan to be so disengaged,” Adcock said. Adcock focused her address on the kind of nurses that make things happen.

Adcock told Elon nursing students that to become nurses who makes things happen they will have to move past the idea of having to be a finished product. What’s more important is having purpose, not perfection. As an exercise for Elon students to become more purposeful, Adcock asked the students to think about how they see themselves, how they talk to themselves and how they surround themselves. Developing a tolerance for imperfection and discomfort is also a key attribute of nurses who make things happen, she said.

“Those moments of panic and uncertainty when you realize that there isn’t a net are a sure sign that you are in the sweet spot to make things happen,” Adcock said. “I leave you with this invitation — transform. See yourself as a nurse without limits. Tell yourself you’re capable. Surround yourself with affirming people. And lean into the sensation of your pulse racing and your palms sweating. Get out there and transform the world by continuing to transform yourself.”

Camille Weaver ’23, the student in her class with the highest GPA, introduced Adcock for the keynote address. Olivia Landolfo ’25, the BSN student with the highest GPA, led a reading of the Nursing Oath. University Chaplain Rev. Kirstin Boswell delivered the invocation to start the ceremony and Dean of the School of Health Sciences Maha Lund delivered the welcome.

School of Health Sciences faculty Sarah Olejar, Cyra Kussman and Jeanmarie Koonts presented the BSN Class of 2025 and ABSN Class of 2024 with their white coats. Thomas and faculty member Elizabeth Van Horn presented members of the ABSN Class of 2023 with their pins.

Along with the ABSN program, Elon’s Department of Nursing is home to a traditional, four-year �þ��� program. The university’s nursing programs prepare nurses who are committed to local and global health equity and demonstrate the ability to think broadly, critically and creatively to optimize client-centered care.

ABSN Class of 2023

• Hyland Alfonso
• Grace Auth
• Jasmine Brumsey
• Danielle Cantrell
• Michaela Farina
• Ruth George
• Christian Lindsay
• Taylor Mellow
• Katelyn Perez
• Joely Summey
• Ravyn Turner
• Samantha Vaz
• Camille Weaver
• Kendall Webb

ABSN Class of 2024

• Skylar Allison
• Sarah Altmann
• Kiara Batts
• Timothy “Chandler” Brayboy
• Catherine Cambon
• Ashlee Dais
• Lauren “Maggie” Davenport
• Lauren Dykstra
• Alexa Fraser
• Walker Gagnon
• Makayla Harris
• Kaley Kennedy
• Bailey McNamara
• Olivia Piernik
• Colette Romp
• Kimberly “Vale” Serge
• Kassie Simmons
• Ashley Thatcher
• Jennifer Tinoco Ortiz

BSN Class of 2025

• Rachel Albertazzi
• Jordan Almeida
• Anna Burfeind
• Taylor Capello
• Sam Cohen
• Madison Costa
• Sruthi Edwards
• Kelsey Eshleman
• Murphy Fournier
• Briana Friedman
• Sophia Gambacorta
• Sammy Haynie
• Aaliyah Jackson
• Amanda Jacobson
• Olivia Landolfo
• Eric Mulford
• Erin Poole
• Julia Quinn
• Bella Saliba
• Kathryn Schmidt
• Leah Sheehan
• Belle Sousa
• Amelia Tally
• Sophia Tiago
• Antonella Tommasi
• Sydney Tort
• Lani Watson
• Maddie Xerras
• Lucy Zamorski

The annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries celebration is one of Elon’s many iconic traditions. Its unique ability to connect the community to a variety of worldviews while providing strong symbolism of lights during dark times and providing a reprieve just ahead of finals makes it stand out as a premier Elon celebration.

This year’s Festival of Lights and Luminaries centered around the theme of “Light Unites” and with 16 stations located across campus recognizing “the diversity of our religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, worldviews and identities,” the event lived up to that claim.

University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Rev. Kirstin Boswell said the annual tradition is a wonderful example of both the importance of community and Elon’s comprehensive approach to multifaith engagement.

“It is a fun and festive event for our students, faculty, staff, and friends to enjoy, but it also has additional significance in highlighting the importance of light in many of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions,” Boswell said. “Despite some adverse weather during the day, and colder temperatures than anticipated, the event went well and I think it was a resounding success.”

Organized by The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, thousands of lights and luminarias illuminated the campus on the frigid November night. The Elon community could visit 11 interactive tables stationed throughout the Historic Neighborhood to learn about the various traditions represented on Elon’s spiritually and ethically diverse campus. Along with the tables, the festival included the Winter Wonderland sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Cultures, which allowed the Elon community to make winter wreaths and enjoy cultural foods and treats.

Will Pinkley ’27 came away from the Festival of Lights and Luminaries with not only a winter wreath he plans to hang on the door of his door, but with a deeper appreciation for how Elon exposes its students to a wide range of traditions.

“It’s definitely important for me,” Pinkley said. “I’m a Jewish person from South Carolina, so getting to see both my culture celebrated here as well as everybody’s else culture, that’s really important to me.”

Hillary Zaken, interim assistant dean of multifaith engagement, said the idea that the whole campus community can come together around a single event centered on celebration, education and community is incredible. “I’ve been walking around the event … I’ve heard students say, ‘This is so amazing, I didn’t know it could be like this on campus,'” Zaken added. “�þ��� are coming to a table and they’re saying, ‘I never thought of it that way.'”

For Uli Schmidt ’27, a student of Asian and German descent, the festival was a perfect representation of Elon’s intentionality to make all in the community feel a sense of belonging.

“It feels really good that Elon is making an effort to showcase different cultures,” Schmidt said.

Ana Penaranda, a graduate student from Ecuador in the Innovation in Education M.Ed. program, said the Festival of Lights and Luminaries event was her first time actually on campus. The beauty of the luminarias along the brick walkways and the lights draped over trees made their impression on Penaranda. But what will stick with her most is how open-minded of a campus Elon is.

“It opens the door for everybody because it respects their culture and gives the sense that everybody is welcomed here,” Penaranda said.

His class is sitting in a circle on the floor of the Elon Community Church library reading “The Field,” a story about children on the island of Saint Lucia who build a soccer pitch where they not only enjoy the game but learn lessons of diversity and acceptance. The author’s note, which one of the Elon education teacher candidates reads aloud, illuminates how much the author misses these soccer games that inspired the book.

It was then that Vehabovic took a moment to ask the three brothers about the memories they have of their homes. Each of the boys began to talk about the farms of their homeland the Central African Republic, the animals they remember and, like the characters of “The Field,” the many hours spent on soccer pitches that never seemed to end.

“Do you all miss your home?” Vehabovic asked the boys. They nodded.

“I know what that experience is like,” Vehabovic said. “The first time I met one of the boys, he said that he was in the fifth grade, and I started sixth grade when I moved here with my family.

“Through this experience of settling in North Carolina as a refugee, I simply wanted my teachers and people in the community to see the humanity in me. Show me that you care about me. Show me that I am safe with you — physically, psychologically and emotionally,” he added.

Vehabovic’s first-hand experience of what it is like to be a newcomer in a new country motivated him to start “Welcome New Neighbor,” a collaboration between the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and community partners that resettle and support people with refugee backgrounds in Burlington and nearby communities. Its mission is to foster and sustain care in out-of-school contexts, such as families’ homes and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Currently, 23 Elon education teacher candidates work with five families that recently settled in Burlington, Vehabovic said. Three families are from Afghanistan, one is from Guatemala and one is from the Central African Republic. Four of these families are hosting Elon students in their homes.

“It’s such a gift for our students in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education to have the opportunity to learn with and from families in the families’ homes and a community setting,” Vehabovic said.

The initiative centers around five core beliefs:

• It is essential to care deeply for the communities and people that we serve.
• In creating and sustaining relationships of care and dignity in out-of-school contexts, we can extend and reinvigorate languages, cultures and stories with children, youth and families.
• It is necessary to acknowledge and honor the broad range of language and literacy practices that occur in homes and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Reading and responding to children’s literature is equitable when the learning goals or pursuits of these shared reading sessions foreground identity development, skill and intellectual development, criticality and joy.
• Multilingual people engage in translanguaging in their everyday lives as they use language varieties and navigate social boundaries.

By reading and responding to children’s literature, providing help with homework and engaging in play and outdoor activities such as playing soccer, and even helping out on the sidelines of an Elon men’s soccer game, Welcome New Neighbor provides a space for children and youth from refugee backgrounds to be treated with dignity and respect.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to connect our Elon education teacher candidates with these amazing families. They’re definitely able to hear and deeply listen to the children, youth and their families, as well as see them and cultivate safe and caring spaces,” Vehabovic said.

Bella Martino ’26, a special and elementary education major and one of the group leaders in the class working with the Central African Republic family, said there has to be a focus on humanizing education. �þ��� can often spend more time in school than at home, and for culturally and linguistically diverse students who are experiencing new aspects of culture and navigating multiple languages, it is paramount to foster a comfortable learning space for them.

“If a student doesn’t feel comfortable or safe, or … feel as though they are in a tense situation, then we’re not going to get any learning done,” Martino said. “As an educator, it’s important to obviously have boundaries and have rules and a classroom structure. But it’s equally as important to make sure that your students feel as though they can take a breath and actually absorb and enjoy what’s going on.”

In their work with the boys from the Central African Republic as well as the children and families from Afghanistan and Guatemala, the class focuses on reading children’s books that serve as “windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors” — allowing children and youth to see themselves in the characters and to access worlds that are different from theirs.

Carrying out the mission of the Welcome New Neighbor initiative involves collaborating with community partners that resettle and support people with refugee backgrounds, such as , and , which now has an office in Burlington to provide resettlement and employment services for our new neighbors.

This work and current partnerships are supported by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life through a Community Partnership Initiative (CPI) grant, which seeks to connect local community partners with Elon students and faculty, and subsequently prepare students to be global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.

“I am very grateful for the wonderful folks in the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. They have encouraged me to pursue connections with local community partners. The CPI grant provided $1,500 in funds to purchase supplies and materials,” Vehabovic said. “These supplies and materials directly benefit children, youth and families in our local community as well as Elon students who can have meaningful hands-on experiences.”

Krissy Randolph ’26 is the other group leader in the Children’s Literature and Arts Integration class working with the brothers from the Central African Republic. Randolph said this experience has been just as important for her as it has for the children. The elementary education major knows that she will one day work with diverse learners, and this experience has been invaluable. But more than helping her prepare for a career, Randolph said the experience has impacted her personally.

“Now I know that doing things you fear or doing things that you never thought you would do could bring out another side, a better side, of me that I can connect with people from diverse backgrounds, learn from them, them learning from me. It’s a mutual benefit,” she said.

Vehabovic hopes his students in the course will take with them the necessity of recognizing the humanity in multilingual children, youth and families from refugee backgrounds.

“In the same way that I yearned for others to see me more than a newcomer, refugee and language learner, I’m confident that these experiences shape Elon education teacher candidates to become equity-minded teachers who care deeply for the children and communities they serve, extend and reinvigorate languages, cultures and stories, as well as acknowledge and honor the broad range of language and literacy practices that take place in homes and communities,” Vehabovic said.

On Friday, Nov. 17, the 36 members of the �þ��� Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2024 were recognized during the White Coat Ceremony in Whitley Auditorium.

“As we gather here today, take this moment to celebrate the enormity of this accomplishment from our students. This is the time to reflect and appreciate all the hard work they’ve put in,” said C. Kim Stokes, associate professor and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Surrounded by family and loved ones, the Class of 2024 were presented with a white coat to symbolize both their entrance into the medical profession and a reminder of the ideas of honor and compassion.

The white coat was introduced into medical practice in the late 1880s with the advent of aseptic surgery, Dean of the School of Health Sciences Maha Lund told the students.

The white coat represents “life, purity and innocence” and underscores professionalism and the commitment to do no harm, Lund said as she reminded the students of Hippocrates’ urging to “practice our art in uprightness and honor.”

“Donning your white coat today represents an important step on your journey to becoming competent and compassionate physician assistants,” Lund said. “Wear it proudly as a symbol of service, compassion and humility — not as an emblem of arrogance or privilege.”

Elon’s Physician Assistant Studies program is a 24-month, full-time program that prepares its students to think critically and act skillfully to meet expanding health care needs in local and global communities. The 36 students in the Class of 2024 received their white coats and will transition to the clinical portion of the program for the next 12 months.

Class President Natalie Gadaleta G’24 and Vice President Sloan Horejsi G’24 addressed their classmates during the ceremony and stressed the importance of remembering this moment and all the hard work that went into making it a possibility.

Adjunct faculty member S. Dee Melnyk Evans delivered the keynote address and gave the students valuable pieces of advice as they head into the next chapter in their journeys to becoming physician assistants.

“I know I am preaching to the choir when I say the PA program is not a cakewalk. If you are sitting here today, it is because you demonstrated qualities and traits like resilience, leadership, motivation, professionalism, tenacity, grit and, last but not least, academic success,” Evans said.

Evans said that she has observed many admirable qualities from this cohort of physician assistant students. They were concerned about meeting the rigorous academic demands while also making connections with classmates and faculty, they showed up physically and mentally every day, and they were always excited to help the next person.

“I started off by thanking you for the opportunity to walk with you through this adventure and to learn from you,” she said. “I need you to hear that again — we learn from you.”

Evans told the students that they are now more knowledgeable than they have ever been. In completing their didactic requirements, the students have shown they have the necessary foundation of skills to become health care professionals that the world needs.

“Class of 2024 — individually, you are impressive but as a team, you helped each other to soar. This is the makings of a great clinician,” Evans said.

Elon Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2024

• Amanda Ahmed
• Tyler Arenas
• Adyazbeth Barrientos Solis
• Oshane Bent
• Karlie Bousman
• Brette Davis Gailes
• Gabriella DeCoste
• Summer Dunlap
• Hannah Durkin
• Natalie Flowers
• Natalie Gadaleta
• J.W. Gallina
• Carentxa Goede
• Kylie Haduck
• Haley Harris
• Troy Hightower
• Sloan Horejsi
• Catherine Ingland
• Anthony Jericho
• Dylan Kantor
• Sam Kattiria
• Maya LeeMaster
• Lilly McGonegal
• Ally McQueen
• Mason Minor
• Malavika Nair
• Samantha Nawrocki
• Sophie Newhouse
• Linneah Olsen
• Barbara Ramirez
• Christina Saba
• Jillian Salisbury
• Blake Spurlock
• Sapir Tabibi
• Jordan Walker
• Aimee Wheeler

“We wanted to say thank you because we’re all so grateful for all of you, all of the trials and tribulations that we make it through together. For you all being here and choosing this really brave path to be an international student here at Elon, and for the learning that takes place along the way, … we are grateful for you,” said Kristen Aquilino, director of international student services during the dinner reception.

More than 60 international students, with various Elon faculty and staff, and community partners enjoyed traditional Thanksgiving treats and the fellowship that followed during the evening.

“It’s a nice bit of community-building, especially for some of my friends who are international who’ve never had Thanksgiving. It’s a really cool way to interact with American culture,” said Ian Clark ’26, an international economics major who was most looking forward to the pumpkin pie being served.

President Connie Ledoux Book echoed Aquilino’s gratitude to Elon’s international community during her remarks at the dinner reception. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other enrollment trends, Elon has remained ambitious in its goal to double international enrollment by 2030.

After a dip in the last few years, there are 174 international students enrolled at Elon this fall, Book said during the dinner, and the presence of each one is vital to the entire Elon community.

“We wanted to increase the richness of the global understanding [here at] Elon. Getting to share your story, your experience with all of us is a privilege,” Book said.

Book spoke about her recent trip to Japan where she connected with the son and grandson of Toshio Kato, Elon’s first international student, Kato, whose surname was Sato when she first arrived at Elon in 1914. At the onset of World War I and speaking little English, Kato traveled by sea with missionaries to attend Elon. Six years later, she graduated as valedictorian and her story serves as an example of the courage international students display.

“Your own courage is in Toshio’s story — all of you raising your hand to see the world, to expand your horizon, to engage in a culture outside of your home country,” Book said. “That courage lives in all of you.”

Sakura Kawakami ’26 is a marketing major from Japan and said the Thanksgiving dinner was an incredible way to connect with a community that has shaped her time at Elon. From her first week at Elon, strong connections were built among the international students and the dinner was a way for her to show her gratitude.

“It’s a good time to spend time with friends, meet new people and just enjoy our time together. It’s a time for community,” Kawakami said.