�þ���’s 2025 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff onto campus for a dynamic slate of weekend events.

From open houses and an evening step show through a Saturday football game against Villanova University, highlights included the return of the Rock the Block Homecoming concert featuring “The Plain White Ts”, the Golden Alumni Luncheon, campus and academic department receptions, oral history booths, affinity group award celebrations, leadership and networking conversations across schools, themed tailgates, tours, and wellness events.

Against that backdrop, alumni were asked to share stories of mentorship from their Elon years. Voices reflected how encouraging guidance — from professors, staff or fellow students — helped launch careers, build confidence and shape leadership styles.

What follows is a curated series of reflections that capture those moments.

“Melissa Jordan was an incredible mentor. My first year here, I had a difficult class and she helped me process my emotions, think through solutions, and gave me the confidence to approach my professor. Now that I work in higher education, I try to give my students that same support and encouragement that she gave me.”
— Alicia Carter ’15, Strategic Communications

“Mary Kate Brogan in the Class of 2014 mentored me through The Pendulum. She showed me what it means to be there for others coming up behind you. I was introverted and hesitant to reach out, but she pulled me out of my shell and taught me the importance of being that person for someone else — giving them the little push that can change their life.”
— Kaitlin Dunn ’16, Journalism

“Tom Nelson taught me that it’s important to be yourself and to find environments where you can thrive. You spend 40 hours a week with the people you work with — you have to be happy being yourself around them. Learning to understand who you are helps you build those environments where everyone can be authentic and successful.”
— Mary Kate Brogan ’14, Journalism

“At Elon, I learned from professors like Jeffrey Carpenter and Bernard Curry that education is about being comfortable in all sorts of environments. I try to teach my high school students that same lesson: you can be academic, creative, athletic, and belong to many different communities. Learning to be comfortable in different settings helps us live together as a society.”
— Will Frauenfelder ’15, History and Education

“Evan Small in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning was always motivating me to do things outside my comfort zone, whether that was a service trip or an adventure class like the ropes course. That encouragement to try new things stuck with me. I started out �þ���, moved into human resources, and I’m still pushing myself to keep life exciting.”
— Rachel Gilman Yahyapoor ‘15, Education

“Dr. Gronowski in the psychology department was an outstanding professor — very engaged and always keeping students involved in the learning process. As I went on to earn my Ph.D. and teach at the university level, I’ve seen how involving students actively in their education really improves their experience.”
— Jack LoCicero ’81, Psychology

“When I was an RA, my supervisor Sylvia Wade noticed I was struggling in the winter and introduced me to sunlamps. I still use one today when I’m feeling low — it helps so much. I never would have known to do that without her.”
— Aileen Bell ’20, Political Science

“My mock trial coach, Kristen Delforge, told me, ‘Don’t do something just to do it — do it because you love it.’ I think about that all the time. Life’s too short to spend it doing things you don’t enjoy.”
— Jacob Hayward ’20, Sociology and Policy Studies

“My orientation leader told me not to spread myself too thin — to go all in on a few things that matter most. That advice helped me focus my energy on entrepreneurship and innovation. I helped found the AI Club and became lead intern at the Doherty Center. Even now in my QA job and running my own business, I focus on doing a few things well and serving our core clients with excellence.”
— Joshua Mason ’25, Financial Technology

“From Dan Reis in the Maker Hub, I learned that failure is part of learning. You shouldn’t give up when something doesn’t work. You should learn from it. Now, as an elementary school teacher, I tell my students every day that struggling is part of the process and makes you a better learner.”
— Joshua Donald ’19, Human Service Studies

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025 included the return of the Homecoming concert, featuring "The Plain White Ts" on Oct. 10.

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Elon President Connie Ledoux Book during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.

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“A former student body president once told me, ‘You can be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don’t like peaches.’ That advice reminds me you can’t please everyone — and that’s okay. As long as you’re doing your best, that’s what matters. I carry that with me as a teacher and as a leader.”
— Britt Mobley ’24, Strategic Communications and Outdoor Leadership & Education

“Dr. Mary Knight-McKenna encouraged us to believe we could rise beyond the acorn and become the Phoenix, to meet every challenge. She taught me to keep a positive, inspiring spirit that motivates not just myself but everyone I encounter, because you never know what lesson will encourage someone else to go even farther.”
— Corey Waters G’23, Master of Education (Innovation in Education)

“A professor once told me, ‘Once you get into business, it’s just as important to sell yourself as it is to sell your product.’ That stuck with me throughout my 33-year career at Unilever. People buy from people they trust, and that’s advice I still share with younger professionals today.”
— Barry Baucom ’75, Business

“My advisor, Robert Baxter, taught us the ‘seven Ps’ — ‘prior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance.’ I still use that every day as a procurement officer. If you’re prepared and plan ahead, you’ll prevail.”
— Kathy (Berger) Frame ’90, Business Management

“Dr. John Sullivan in the philosophy department convinced me to major in philosophy even though I was headed for business. He said philosophy teaches you to think and reason — skills that prepare you for anything. He was right. Those lessons have guided me throughout my career.”
— Nick Whiting ’90, Philosophy

The last Homecoming Concert was hosted three years ago by the Student Union Board in 2022, when Tai Verdes performed.

Rock the Block is a fan-favorite Homecoming event featuring food trucks, a bar, yard games, inflatables and an end-of-night fireworks show. Traditionally hosted on the Friday of Homecoming to kick off the weekend of festivities, we are now bringing a headlining artist to the Rock the Block stage. Plain White T’s is set to perform from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening.

Rock the Block and the Homecoming Concert are open to all members of the Elon community for free! Registration for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend will open on Sep. 3 for all alumni.

The guests started the night mingling to the tune of smooth jazz at an event reception before being ushered to their seats to watch a video showcasing the connections alumni continue to foster with their alma mater. Kelsey McCabe ’16, New York City alumni chapter president took the stage to share her love for the university as well as congratulate the New York chapter on the community they’ve built.

“This year we’ve thrown some of our classic happy hours, amped up Women of Elon activities even more, including the Central Park Walk scheduled for May 17, and have increased our social media presence,” said McCabe.

After thanking the guests for their generosity towards the current students, she introduced President Connie Ledoux Book to the stage.

President Book began her university update by thanking Joan and Trustee Ed Doherty P’07 as it was their generosity that helped Elon plant the roots of this gathering in New York years ago.

“These evenings have a certain rhythm to them,” said Book. “The energy is warm and the conversations easy. There’s always this sense that we already know each other because at some point in our lives, we were shaped by the same place. That place on the bricks, in the classrooms, in the late nights and early mornings of our own becoming.”

Book pivoted to speak on Boldly Elon the university’s strategic plan for 2030. She noted that the plan has already driven significant improvements, resulting in Elon being ranked #1 nationally for �þ��� �þ��� by U.S. News & World Report.

“The nation’s best faculty are at Elon—ahead of Brown, Princeton, and others. That distinction speaks to the core of who we are: a university that puts students first—and backs that promise up every day, in every classroom, in every interaction,” said Book.

Her remarks also covered the improvement across campus. Elon’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, which was ranked #38 overall and in the top 25 among private colleges and universities in the nation by Poets&Quants’, is welcoming Haya Ajjan as the new dean of the school in June.

In the School of Communications, Elon has added a new major in digital content management. Finally, in the arts, Elon is one of the top 10 most-represented colleges on Broadway. That kind of recognition Book reflects is not just by talent but brought on by a community where artists are deeply supported—and prepared to perform.

Attendees also learned that the Eco-Village is thriving as a living-learning community developed with a sustainable design and a leader in the university’s sustainability efforts. On the heels of the Eco-Village, Elon launched a new Sustainability Master Plan, doubling down on efforts to be carbon neutral by 2037 leaving the community a cleaner, healthier place for all.

Book wrapped up by touching on HealthEU the second largest capital project in Elon’s history, a campus-wide center for wellness before introducing Stephanie Ainsworth ’21 and Reagan Ogle ’18 to the stage.

Stephanie Ainsworth ’21 and Reagan Ogle ’18 performed their rendition of “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again” originally sung by Barbra Streisand and featuring Judy Garland.

Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, provided closing remarks, focusing on growing stronger together, ending the night with the well-known song, “New York, New York.”

Family Weekend 2025 will take place from Friday, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Sept, 28. The Phoenix football team will take on Hampton University on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Rhodes Stadium.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend will be Friday, Oct. 10, through Saturday, Oct 11, with the Phoenix hosting Villanova on Saturday.

Stay tuned this summer for additional information, including full schedules and registration information.

Visit and for more information.

The night started with a reception followed by an introductory video highlighting the new projects and initiatives at Elon.

Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs, James B. Piatt, Jr., introduced President Connie Ledoux Book and moderator Kailey Tracy ’17, an alumnus of Elon’s School of Communications and multimedia journalist at Fox13 Tampa Bay.

Tracy facilitated a Q&A with President Book about the latest news on campus. Their conversation included an update on how Boldly Elon, the university’s current strategic plan, has created high-impact spaces that foster Elon’s mission to respond to society’s needs. One example of this was establishing the Gerald L. Francis Center that houses the Department of Nursing. This new building enables nursing students to learn at a higher caliber, which will help combat the nursing shortage in America. President Book also shared that Elon’s faculty were named best in the nation for �þ��� �þ��� for the fourth year in a row. She also noted the plan for new majors that will serve a purpose in our community, such as financial technology and cybersecurity.

Tracy also asked President Book about how Elon was responding to, leveraging and managing expectations concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, in the classroom. President Book said Elon has taken a proactive response by developing an AI research team and working alongside numerous other higher education institutions to develop core guiding principles. Elon is expanding the knowledge and use of AI into every major.

President Book highlighted , a new way to connect alumni with students to build engagement in the community. The platform allows students to ask questions about many topics, including career advice, and they are matched by AI with alumni who can best answer those questions. Alumni are also connecting with their alma mater through Elon NEXT, the continuing education program specifically designed for their professional development journey.

Tracy concluded the fireside chat with a discussion about the new Elon Flex Law Program and internships for �þ���s in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of Elon’s National �þ��� Programs. Clay Thompson ’20, the Tampa alumni chapter president, offered closing remarks, ending with “Long Live Elon,” before the night concluded with a dessert reception.

With music blasting and plenty of food and fellowship to go around at Schar Center on Saturday – Ken Davis ’70 was taking it all in. The 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend marked the first time Davis had returned to campus since graduating more than 50 years ago.

“This is fantastic,” said Davis. “I really enjoyed the entire atmosphere of the campus and how they’ve gone out of their way to treat us. It’s really exciting to see the growth of Elon.”

The Class of 1970 was invited to celebrate alongside the Class of 1974 to honor their 50^th reunion after their celebration planned for 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 1974 was officially welcomed into the Golden Alumni Family over the weekend.

“I’ve got a chance to connect with some of the ’74 alums and some others,” said Davis. “It’s been real nice.”

The happiest place on earth

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 held Nov. 1-2 was all about connection and celebration, starting with the annual Rock the Block Community Block Party on Young Commons on Friday. On Saturday morning, alumni were welcomed home with the familiar Elon tradition: College Coffee. Then it was time for the alumni tailgate outside of Schar Center, preparing to cheer on the Phoenix before they defeated Campbell University 50-27. Rush Lacoste ’25 and Drew Fetterolf ’25 were crowned Homecoming royalty.

Jenn Riemer ’10 and Clark Riemer ’11 try to return to campus for every home football game, but Homecoming is special. The couple grilled out with their family, sharing the Elon spirit with others.

“It’s always just great to be back in the happiest place on Earth,” said Jen Riemer. “It’s good to bring our kids back and let them see what we grew up with and what they have to look forward to.”

Fellowship in a community

The weekend also included celebrations for the many Elon affinity networks, including the LGBTQIA Alumni Network and the Elon Black Alumni Network (EBAN). EBAN has helped Lynne Daniels ’94 stay connected with Elon since her graduation and now she’s celebrating her 30^th reunion.

“I love Elon, I love to come back to Elon, I love to volunteer with the Elon Black Alumni Network and I love to give to Elon,” said Daniels. “The importance of having an Elon Black Alumni Network is to make sure our presence is here and for people to understand how much we love Elon and that we contribute to Elon.”

EBAN serves to unite and represent the interests of Black alumni and strives to empower, connect, and celebrate Elon’s Black community.

“I love coming back and really getting to connect and network with folks and really just fellowship in a community,” said Brianna Nobles ‘21, who serves on the EBAN leadership board. “It’s really nice to come home and feel loved by people who have known me for a really long time.”

At the EBAN alumni tailgate area, it was all hugs and smiles for Nobles and Mariatu Okonofua ’19. The two are members of the Omicron Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Omicron Iota is a big part of me coming back,” said Okonofua, who is also part of the Young Alumni Council. “I’m really close with my sisters to this day. I wanted to have the opportunity to fellowship and see folks I haven’t seen in forever.”

Elon is home

Pearl Sullivan ’21 and Jonathan Stettler ’21 had the opportunity to connect with President Connie Ledoux Book while they were enjoying the student tailgate area by Rhodes Stadium. Stettler worked in the President’s Office as a student assistant and is the former executive vice president of the Student Government Association.

“We were talking with President Book about how student government was doing a big outdoor initiatives project while I was on campus and I was helping lead it, so the outdoor fitness court and a lot of new seating was from projects I was working on,” said Stettler. “They popped up on campus the summer after I left so it’s nice to see students using them still.”

Melissa Von der Heide ’04 reconnected with her classmate Kim Van Acker ’04 and friend Matt Lardie ‘06. Von der Heide and Van Acker were celebrating their 20^th reunion; the two met while doing �þ��� research in psychology.

“Elon is home, that’s what it comes down to,” said Von der Heide, who hasn’t returned to campus in more than a decade. “One of the nice things is I can go anywhere in the United States and find somebody from Elon.”

Van Acker, who was a track and field student-athlete while at Elon, returned for her 10^th reunion and felt she was ready to come back again after another decade.

“So much has changed in my life and Elon’s life since then,” said Acker. “So it was a good time to come.”

Lardie, Von der Heide and Van Acker all agree: Elon is about the people.

“Over any individual experience, study abroad or group I was part of. It’s the fact that I have people like Melissa and other friends who are now my family and have been in my life for decades through all the ups and downs and more so than my four years here,” said Lardie. “We’ve all grown together based on that singular Elon experience.”

The full schedule of events and activities can be found on the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion webpage.

The weekend kicks off with Rock the Block on Friday night, featuring food trucks, lawn games, live music, inflatables and fireworks. This is a festive family-friendly block party for the whole Elon community. 

Saturday morning, share coffee and breakfast pastries at Welcome Home College Coffee, where the first 100 guests will receive a free commemorative mug. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to reconnect with alumni.

The All-Alumni Tailgate Village has been moved to the Schar Center this year, for an all-encompassing tailgate experience! Grab some food and get hyped before Elon football takes on Campbell at Rhodes Stadium at 2 p.m. After the game, head back to Schar Center for the PostGame Zone to gather with friends, family and classmates one last time. Reminisce about your college days, reconnect and close out Homecoming weekend together.

With so much more in store, including celebrations for our Class, Cohort and Greek Reunions, Affinity Networks and Golden Alumni, we can’t wait to celebrate Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 in November.

Learn more about the weekend’s events and

The programming began with Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs Jim Piatt offering a gracious introduction of Elon alumna Joyel Crawford ’97.

Piatt highlighted Crawford’s work as a career coach as well as her podcast called “Career View Mirror” and her book “Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate For Yourself and Your Career.” Piatt then went on to welcome President Connie Ledoux Book to the stage, noting her work and development of Elon’s ambitious strategic plan, Boldly Elon, guiding the university’s development until 2030.

Crawford facilitated a Q&A with President Book about the latest updates from Elon’s campus. Their conversation discussed updates from Elon within the past year, including the addition of Founders Hall and Innovation Hall as well as the New Wellness Center which will hold health, wellness and counseling services on campus.

Along with new additions on campus, they also discussed the fastest-growing academic programs including the engineering and nursing programs. President Book also touched on the importance of the regional chapters of alumni, which began in Los Angeles. Regional chapters have since expanded to New York City and Washington, D.C., and have continued to expand from there, as it is a key way to connect alumni with the university and provide them with professional development opportunities.

Crawford asked about what President Book was most excited about within the Boldly Elon strategic plan, to which President Book highlighted her excitement for the mentoring programs for students on campus.

To wrap up their conversation, they discussed how artificial intelligence is working in the classroom and what the future might look like. President Book then elaborated that in general AI is changing the world and noted that Elon students and alumni will use AI as a tool to solve problems within the world.

Once the Q&A concluded, the Chapter President of the Philadelphia Alumni Board Ashley LaPlaca, offered some closing remarks ending with “Long Live Elon,” before the night ended with a dessert reception.

In the dazzling lights of New York City, at the Cipriani 42nd Street on Sept. 13, Elon alumni, parents and friends gathered to celebrate a new academic year and receive an update on the innovative new initiatives happening on campus this year.

The night began with a reception that featured a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres. Once guests had time to mingle, programming began with an introduction from Chuck Racioppo ’17, who serves as president of the New York regional alumni chapter board, along with a short video review of Elon today.

Racioppo shared key updates from the New York alumni board.

“This year, I’m excited to announce that some of our events will be dedicated to the women of Elon. We’ll be recognizing, supporting and connecting our women alumni. Each year, we are finding new ways to positively impact our alumni base and the city we call home. I couldn’t be more excited for the new events that are in store for this year, and I hope to see you all there,” Racioppo said. 

President Connie Ledoux Book began her university update by sharing her gratitude for Elon’s donors. She also cited the addition of 287 new endowed scholarships and 60 new endowments to ensure that all Elon students can engage in Elon Experiences.

“Thank you for the role each of you played in making our Elon LEADS Campaign, which concluded last December, the most successful in university history. More than 34,000 donors contributed more than $260 million to support our distinctive mission,” Book said. 

Book shared upcoming events that are bringing excitement to Elon, including the appropriate use of AI, the addition of new majors, the expansion of Elon STEM programs and the opening of a new Regional Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Her remarks also covered one of the largest construction projects in university history, describing a wellness facility that will serve as “a physical hub to provide programs and spaces to allow students to explore ways to advance their personal wellness within each of these areas and to develop habits and skills that will support their wellness for the rest of their lives.”

“This new facility is going to be transformational providing space for collaboration, connection and community building,” Book said.

Attendees also learned that construction of a new performing arts center is on the horizon for Elon, which will support the dynamic music theatre and performing arts students and programs. 

Following Book’s remarks, Giselle Watts ’23 took the stage to perform the song “Beautiful,” as featured in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which Watts performed in this past summer as Little Eva/Shirelle at Short North Stage in Ohio. Watts majored in music theatre at Elon and is now pursuing a career in music theatre, working with several major companies.

Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, provided closing remarks, focusing on growing stronger together. He gave an example of an oak tree, explaining how the roots will grow together to create a stronger foundation that anchors the tree so that it withstands storms.

Because they are so connected, the roots share resources so the tree can grow and thrive for centuries. It’s a powerful idea, that we grow stronger when we grow together.

Piatt closed out the night with a call to action, asking constituents to be involved as partners, advocates and investors in the spirit of helping Elon thrive.

The next Evening for Elon event will take place in Philadelphia at Down Town Club on Wednesday, Oct. 4. To register for the event, please email advancement@elon.edu.

The full schedule of events and activities can be found on the 2023 Homecoming & Reunion webpage.

Friday night’s Rock the Block kicks off the weekend with something to do for everyone. Live music, food trucks, lawn games, inflatables and fireworks are among the festive activities.

Welcome Home College Coffee on Saturday, Oct. 21 on Scott Plaza welcomes alumni back home with this beloved campus tradition and a free commemorative mug for the first 100 guests.

All alumni are invited to visit the Tailgate Village on the Lake Mary Nell promenade before cheering on Elon football as they take on Monmouth in Rhodes Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m.

New this year to the Homecoming festivities is the PostGame Zone. In the Tailgate Village, after the game on Saturday to gather with friends, family and classmates one last time. Reminisce about your college days, reconnect and close out Homecoming weekend together.

We also can’t wait to celebrate Class reunions, Greek reunions and Affinity Network reunions with all our alumni.

Learn more about the weekend’s events and .