Hosted by Historic Faculty Director Claudine Moreau and Faculty in Residence Kevin Otos the festival kicked off with a warm welcome from Living Learning Assistant Kendall Somol. Moreau, also a lecturer in the Physics Department, unveiled her first full-length poetry book titled, “” a collection of science-inspired verses published by Main Street Rag Publications. She then introduced alumnus Lane Fields ’11, whose poetic journey was nurtured during his time at the university by mentors Kevin Boyle, a retired Elon English professor, and Moreau who saw the poetic supernova flaring in Lane’s center.

Fields, now a distinguished poet in his own right, graced the audience with readings from his poignant and introspective work–intensely personal, vulnerable, visceral. These were narrative works of longing and ultimately of love of oneself.

Serving as the judge for the Primavera Poetry Contest, Fields bestowed accolades upon the winners: Anabelle Sumera-Decorat for “Fanfic” (1st place), Grady Cooke for “Cataclysmic Gimmicks” (2nd place), and Claire Lancaster for “A Broken Curtal Sonnet About Eye Cream” (3rd place). Honorable mentions were awarded to Megan Duckworth for “Body Dysmorphia,” and Carissa Pallander for “Abecedarian about a 20-year-old virgin kiss” and “with the lights off.”

The penultimate reading of the night was the invited guest poet Dr. Patrick Bizzaro, who retired as a full professor from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s doctoral program in Composition and TESOL and is at work on a new a novel, Draft Dodging in the Sixties, which takes place in Bethel, NY in 1969 during the cleanup of Max Yasgur’s farm after the Woodstock concert. (Bizzaro attended Woodstock, y’all!) Bizzaro, Moreau’s original poetry mentor, read from “Fog at the Manassas Battlefield,” accompanied by striking photography from his wife Resa Crane Bizzaro. Dr. Bizzaro’s work begs us to ask, “Who owns history?”

Through the prism of poetry, the festival illuminated the vibrant creative spirit thriving on campus–between the walls of engineering and physics to theatre to sociology to English– and underscored the transformative power of mentorship in nurturing aspiring writers across disciplines.

This semester, the concentration for the ensemble has been Afro-Cuban rhythms and related African rhythms. They will present EhGunGun and Iyesa along with a Cuban “Descarga” jam session, an EDM-inspired GuaguancĂł and a parade rhythm known as Conga Comparsa.

The group is made up of students that have had little or no prior experience in drumming and have exceled in their efforts to play these challenging rhythms. This semester the ensemble consists of Nihar Deshmukh, Nik Heiser, Jacob Laxton, Tyler Lopez, Walt Pierce, Jack Rickett, Wium Roets and Madison Tiplett. The ensemble is directed by Adjunct Instructor in Music Jim Roberts.

The Elon World Percussion Ensemble, soon to be renamed the Elon African Diaspora Ensemble, is open to any in the student or faculty body (MUS1081A) without auditions. All levels are accepted. ľĂľĂČČ or faculty may email jroberts10@elon.edu for details.

The 60-second ad highlights Weaver, along with five other African Americans – Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel, homeless activist Terence Lester, opera singer Davóne Tines, food activist Champale Anderson-Greene, and roboticist Ayanna Howard – for their roles in shaping modern history.

“This is for the ones changing the face of the game and how the game is played,” the narrator says as Weaver appears in the ad.

Weird Enough Productions is a company dedicated to creating positive images of black men and other minority groups. The company has created award-winning short films and comic series, while bringing media literacy education to thousands of students across the country through its Get Media L.I.T. program, which allows educators to use comics to teach students how to combat fake news, identify media bias and create content of their own.

“Weird Enough Productions is a comic company building a new world of stories that will change the one we live in,” the company’s website reads. “We tell stories that inspire people to embrace their quirks, and get hype about being themselves. Stories have unparalleled power to change hearts and minds. So we share ours, and open the page for you to share yours.”

Weaver, who founded Weird Enough Productions at age 20, was named to the Forbes “30 Under 30 Education 2018” list and was awarded Elon’s Young Alumnus of the Year award the same year. He was also named among Elon’s first Leadership Prize recipients in 2014, under the guidance of his mentor Professor of Cinema and Television Arts and Assessment Coordinator Naeemah Clark.

By: Kiara Hines, Career Development Graduate Apprentice

If you are a student in the School of Communications, chances are you know what strategic communications entail. If not, it is basically what its name suggests: finding ways to market and communicate products, concepts and policy with clients in a strategic manner.

How companies go about this process is much more complex and involved, but at its core, those interested in this branch of communications should expect to be well-versed in collecting information and media and delivering them to the public effectively. As strategic communications is a niche under the broader communications umbrella, healthcare is a specialized field that enlists the use of tactical approaches to relaying important information to patients, medical providers, and other stakeholders through marketing, advertising, and public relations.

˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚý recently visited Elon from , a healthcare-focused marketing communications firm, to share their take on a growing industry, including what interested students can do to be successful in the field.

How would you describe W2O’s approach to effectively marketing healthcare to its clients?

Overall, healthcare is negatively represented as purely being revenue-focused and all about the bottom line. However, W2O analyzes data and creates campaigns that are patient-focused and places them at the heart of the work we do.

 In your opinion, what do you believe prepares students for a role in this industry?

• Experience in public speaking
• Relevant experiential learning opportunities (i.e. branding, media analytics, strategic writing, business communication classes)
• Effective time management skills
• A “big picture” mindset
• Involvement in organizations such as Live Oak that will develop transferable skills
• An understanding of analytics and how data drives decisions
• Taking advantage of Excel certification offered on campus
• Knowledge of software such as Cision and Muck Rack

What is your advice for students preparing to transition into full-time employment?

Unlike undergrad, it is far less likely to receive constant and explicit feedback on each task that you complete. It is expected of you to do your job and do it well, so don’t be surprised if you are not being notified of your performance every step of the way. Additionally, agency work is fast-paced. It is important to have a ‘can-do’ attitude and be prepared to jump right in from day one. Elon does an outstanding job of helping students transition smoothly and excel in their roles, so students feeling stressed or overwhelmed should take solace in the fact that they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful!

Interested in strategic communications in the healthcare field?

W2O Group has a 10-week, full-time, paid summer internship opportunity for current students and recent graduates in any major. Be on the lookout for more information via the Elon Job Network.

November 15- Healthcare Communications Career Trek

Interested students will visit G&S Business Communications and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) in Raleigh/Durham to learn more about Healthcare Communications. Space is limited. RSVP through the Elon Job Network under the “Events” tab (entitled “G&S Business Communications).

This feminist re-imagining of Euripides’ classic anti-war play "Trojan Women" penned by contemporary playwright Christine Evans features the melding of mythic and modern worlds through tragedy, comedy, dance and Barbie dolls. With direction by Assistant Professor Kim Shively and dramaturgy by Assistant Professor Susanne Shawyer (the creative team from last season’s domestic comedy, "Moment" by Deirdre Kinahan), "Trojan Barbie" explores the effects of war on the weakest and most vulnerable victims: the women and children.

Troy has fallen and all of its men killed in battle, while the women and few surviving children must grapple with their unknown futures. Hecuba, the queen of the Trojans, and her daughters and attendants await their fate. Meanwhile, Lotte Jones, the owner of a London doll hospital, seeks adventure on a singles-tour to modern-day Turkey. The past and future collide, as Lotte finds herself among Euripides’ women in a refugee camp. A chance meeting with the wife of Troy’s most famous fallen hero, a misalliance with Helen of Troy, and the dangers of war take this modern protagonist behind the fence and into a world rarely seen by those of us fortunate not to experience war.

ľĂľĂČČ’s production of "Trojan Barbie" brings a modern twist to the classical chorus and weaves dance and rhythm into this modern adaptation, certain to thrill those with a passion for the classics and engage those just discovering the dramatic power of Greek mythology. The production features the exceptional talents of students from the BFA Acting, Dance and Music Theatre programs, as well as the Theatrical Design and Technology and the Drama Theatre Studies BA programs, including choreography from Senior Dance student Rachel Linsky, and sound and projection design by sophomore Theatre Design and Technology student Sydney Dye.

The creative team also includes scenic design by Associate Professor Natalie Taylor Hart, costume design by Associate Professor Jack Smith, and lighting design by Professor Bill Webb.

Performance in the Roberts Studio Theatre are scheduled for :

 Feb. 5-8 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.

*House opens 15 minutes prior to curtain.

Ticket reservations at elonperformingarts.com

*Production contains adult subject matter not suitable for audience members under 13.