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Heather Couture ’10 realized halfway through her studies at Elon that a public relations career simply didn’t fit her interests. The fashion industry, however, was a different story, and a senior year visit to Career Services led to her involvement with the Macy's Buying/Planning Executive Development Program in New York City.

Alumni have made more than 100 gifts to the university after viewing Elon's Real Alumni of Genius video, the second in a series of videos this year that will highlight the importance of annual giving. Check out this new video featuring three Elon presidents and one faculty rock star:

Former Phoenix standouts Terrell Hudgins and Andre Campbell will take a step toward their professional football dreams in 2011, signing contracts to play in arena football leagues. Hudgins has signed with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. Campbell will join the defensive line of the Columbus (Ga.) Lions of the Southern Indoor Football League.

The Burlington Kiwanis Club named Richard Parker '80, owner and manager of B.C. Parker Real Estate, its 2010 Citizen of the Year. Parker received the award - the 60th the club has bestowed - at a banquet on Dec. 2.

The MBA Student Alumni Association hosted a golf tournament that raised $1,000 in support of the Elon Academy Dream Fund, a special budget created by the association three years ago to assist Elon Academy with college visits, involve students in school and community projects, and help students and families when unexpected life situations arise.

Steve Schuckenbrock '82, president of Dell Global Large Enterprise, shared wisdom gleaned from his nearly 30 years in the information technology (IT) field with students, faculty and staff in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business on Nov. 12. Schuckenbrock, one of Elon's most accomplished business alumni, also received the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award from President Leo M. Lambert.

Katherine Poole '72 shared the story of one of her Elon classmates, Tom Bass '67, in a Veterans' Day guest column for the (Burlington, N.C.) Times-News in November. The column touched on Bass' service during the Vietnam War, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal, and offered his advice for today's soldiers and veterans.

Looking for deals on holiday gifts for your favorite Elon alum? Be sure to like the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Shop on Facebook to learn about great sales and exciting new items available online.