Visiting 消消犯 in the next academic year:

• David Brooks, bestselling author, staff writer for The Atlantic and longtime New York Times columnist – Sept. 25, 2026
• Hanif Abdurraqib, author and cultural critic (Common Reading Lecture) – Sept. 29, 2026
• Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient and author – Nov. 11, 2026
• Danielle Coke Balfour, artist, author and social justice advocate – Jan. 13, 2027
• Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and philanthropist – March 9, 2027
• Heather Cox Richardson, historian and bestselling author – April 6, 2027

All programs are free to 消消犯 students, faculty and staff with ID. Venues will be announced closer to the dates of the programs. Tickets for the public for Fall Convocation go on sale starting in August.油Admission: $15 via油.

消消犯���s Cultural Calendar油for Fall 2026 will be available later this year with additional speakers and a wide range of musical, theatrical, artistic and other intellectual and creative events.

About the 2026-2027 Speakers at 消消犯

David Brooks

Sept. 25, 2026

Fall Convocation

3:30 p.m.

A bestselling author and longtime New York Times columnist, Brooks is a leading observer of American culture, politics and civic life. He serves as a staff writer at The Atlantic, a commentator on PBS NewsHour and a senior fellow at Yale University���s Jackson School of Global Affairs. Over decades in journalism, his columns have become some of the most widely read in the nation, offering insight into political dynamics, social trends and the challenges facing modern democracy.

Brooks is the author of multiple bestselling books, including ���How to Know a Person,��� ���The Second Mountain,��� ���The Road to Character��� and ���The Social Animal,��� which explore moral development, human connection and the search for meaning. His work emphasizes the importance of community, empathy and the cultivation of both inner character and outward relationships as essential to a flourishing society.

Hanif Abdurraqib

Sept. 29, 2026

Common Reading Lecture

7:30 p.m.

An acclaimed essayist, poet and cultural critic, Abdurraqib is widely recognized for his lyrical and deeply personal writing that explores music, identity and the intersections of culture and lived experience. His work blends criticism with memoir, offering readers a nuanced perspective on art, belonging and the forces that shape contemporary life.

Abdurraqib is the author of several award-winning books and is known for his ability to connect cultural analysis with broader questions about race, community and memory. ���There���s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension��� was selected as Elon���s Common Reading for 2026-27.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter

Nov. 11, 2026

Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship

11 a.m.

A United States Marine and the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, Carpenter is recognized for extraordinary heroism during his service in Afghanistan. In 2010, he sustained life-threatening injuries after throwing himself on a grenade to protect a fellow Marine, an act of valor that led to years of recovery and more than 40 surgeries.

Following his recovery, Carpenter set and achieved ambitious personal goals, including completing a college degree, running a marathon and traveling internationally. He is the author of the memoir ���You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For,��� which chronicles his journey of resilience and purpose. Today, he speaks widely about leadership, perseverance and finding meaning in adversity, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue lives of impact.

Danielle Coke Balfour

Jan. 13, 2027

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address

12 p.m.

An artist, entrepreneur and author, Balfour is the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses visual storytelling to make complex ideas about racial justice and advocacy accessible to broad audiences. Through her work, she has built a community of hundreds of thousands who engage with her content on social media and beyond.

Her creative approach to ���artivism��� combines design, storytelling and education to inspire individuals to take meaningful action in their own communities. She is the author of ���A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well��� and a companion workbook that encourages reflection and everyday advocacy. Through partnerships with major brands and speaking engagements across the country, she promotes a message of hope, empathy and sustained engagement in social change.

Tim Tebow

March 9, 2027

Baird Lecture

7 p.m.

A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion, Tebow gained national prominence as a quarterback at the University of Florida before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He later played professional baseball and has become a prominent sports analyst, author and motivational speaker.

Tebow is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, an organization that serves vulnerable populations in more than 70 countries through initiatives focused on faith, health and human dignity. Through his speaking and philanthropic efforts, Tebow encourages audiences to pursue their passions, lead with integrity and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Heather Cox Richardson

April 6, 2027

James P. Elder Lecture

6:30 p.m.

A professor of history at Boston College, Richardson is a leading scholar of American political history with expertise in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the evolution of the Republican Party. Her work examines the intersections of politics, economics and social change, helping audiences better understand the forces shaping the nation���s past and present.

She is the author of several award-winning books, including the bestselling ���Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America,��� which explores the nation���s ongoing struggle to uphold its own ideals. Richardson also writes ���Letters from an American,��� a nightly newsletter that reaches millions of readers with analysis of current events in historical context. She hosts two video series,油���Journey to American Democracy��� and油���American Conversations,���油both of which are available on YouTube and Facebook. Her油articles and reviews have been published in the油Washington Post, the油New York油Times, and油The Guardian, among others.

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• The Month in Photos: January 2026
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• The Month in Photos: March 2026

As the spring semester at 消消犯 draws to a close, the campus remained vibrant and full of energy throughout April. The 2025���26 Elon Speaker Series wrapped up with a visit from bestselling author Frank Bruni, while nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors. Progress also continued on the new Roberts Academy, and Elon hosted its largest-ever Spring Undergraduate Research Forum.

Take a look back at April through the lens of the University Communications team.

A new life for Holland House

University leaders and student-athletes celebrated a new era for Elon���s Holland House on South 消消犯 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that debuted a preeminent home for the Phoenix men���s and women���s golf programs. Before the latest renovation, the building was home to two Elon presidents and administrative offices ��� and even moved across campus.

The Montagues in McCrary

消消犯 Performing Arts brought history’s most famous love story to McCrary Theatre with “Romeo and Juliet.” The Shakespearean tragedy tells the tale of Romeo, from the House of Montague, and Juliet, from the House of Capulet, who secretly fall in love and get married, despite their families disapproval.

Stargazing for mental health

消消犯 were encouraged to engage with nature in support of their mental wellness through the Star Gazing for Mental Health event at Lake Verona. The Astronomy Club, Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Office of Sustainability sponsored the event.

Trollinger’s new look

Renovations have started on Trollinger House, which was once a small residence hall but will soon serve as the temporary location for Roberts Academy at 消消犯, an all-day private school for children with dyslexia that opens in August.

Established in 2025 through a gift from philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida, the Roberts Academy at 消消犯 will be the fourth in a series of successful university-based private elementary schools the couple also supported at Vanderbilt University, Mercer University and Florida Southern College.

A Holi Celebration

On April 10, a warm and sunny spring afternoon, nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff gathered on the lawn of the Lambert Academic Village to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.油This year marked the 14th anniversary of Holi at Elon, a tradition led by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

Escaping the ‘age of grievance’

Journalist and bestselling author Frank Bruni delivered a sold-out Frank P. Elder Lecture in Whitley Auditorium on April 9. He explored how Americans are油living in what he calls an ���age of grievance,��� a time where more people believe they are losing because someone else is winning. The Elder Lecture marks the final event of the 2025-26 消消犯 Speaker Series.

A record-breaking SURF

消消犯 held its largest-ever Spring Undergraduate Research Forum on April 28, featuring 384 presentations, including 229 poster presentations, 155 oral presentations, and performances.

SURF Day is an annual event at the university, during which other campus activities are suspended to celebrate the academically centered creative endeavors and research efforts of Elon students.

Double CAA Champs

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams took home CAA titles in April.油The conference title was the , when the Phoenix also took down UNCW. This was Elon’s fifth straight CAA championship match, all of which were against the Seahawks. With the victory, Elon secures an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship.

The women have , with both championship match victories coming against William & Mary.油With the win, Elon secured the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship.

Go baby go!

For the first time, Elon students brought the Go Baby Go initiative to campus, adapting ride-on toy cars for children with mobility challenges.

The collaborative effort between the Elon Engineering Club, Phoenix Racing and the Department of Physical Therapy brought the Go Baby Go Initiative to Elon���s campus for the first time. Founded in 2012 at the University of Delaware, Go Baby Go is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges.

���We are quicker to anger, we let anger drive too many of our interactions,��� Bruni said. “There���s a culture that���s taking hold wherever everybody is taking inventory over what their slights are. They���re turning minor slights into major crises. They���re looking for someone to blame. They���re looking for someone to punish. That���s the story of our politics.���

Bruni explores this concept in his New York Times bestseller ���The Age of Grievance,��� and, on April 9, spoke of how society got to this place and how it can move past it, in a sold-out James P. Elder Lecture in 消消犯���s Whitley Auditorium, part of the 2025-26 消消犯 Speaker Series.

Bruni served at The New York Times for more than 25 years as a White House correspondent, the Rome bureau chief, the paper���s chief restaurant critic and op-ed columnist. He is the author of five New York Times bestsellers.

Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Dillan Bono-Lunn welcomed the audience Thursday night, before Charlotte Pfabe ���27, a communications fellow and ���ENN Tonight��� anchor, introduced Bruni.油The James P. Elder Lecture series was first endowed by former students of the popular professor and mentor. An油estate gift油from Elder in 2021 doubled the endowment of the speaker series, ensuring it will endure for future generations.

Polluted media landscape

In his address, Bruni discussed three ways Americans got to the ���age of grievance,��� the first being the ���polluted media landscape.��� This landscape is something Bruni knows intimately after working for The New York Times. As more media outlets exists, along with social media, Bruni says that ���nobody is living in the same reality.���

���Truth itself has become a marketplace with lousy merchants,��� Bruni said. ���There are no more gatekeepers when it comes to the information that���s put out.���

To combat this issue, Bruni says, there needs to be continuous discussions with young people about what is happening on social media and the ���lopsided��� role of information and whether ���they are using social media or it is using them.���

Micro-climates of exclusivity

Another reason Americans have moved into the ���age of grievance,��� Bruni says, is because of ���micro-climates of exclusivity,��� how everything from entertainment, travel, dining, etc. has incorporated levels of tiering, mainly based on how much one pays. Bruni says this ���pecking order��� has existed for a long time in society, but has moved into ���every facet, every corner of our lives.��� Bruni says social media only makes the issue worse.

���There are all of these peep holes into how other people are living, and they present a very, very warped view that leads people to feel left out and resentful,��� he said. ���Social media platforms are engines of envy.���

But Bruni says people don���t have to buy into these micro-climates and instead focus on ���civic care”: how people are taking care of society around them.油

Primed for disappointment

The third reason Bruni says Americans have moved into the ���age of grievance��� is because they have become more pessimistic, noting that a minority of Americans now believe their children will do better than them in life.

���We���ve all become catastrophists in front of our children. We���re just so primed for disappointment,��� he said. ���If I believe that tomorrow is certainly going to be darker than today, if I believe everything is going to hell, then I no longer have a collaborative relationship with you.���

Though he says all hope is not lost, people should avoid activities like ���doom scrolling,��� where you continuously look at negative news updates on social media, and get out of a cycle of pessimism.

���We need to start talking in a more realistic fashion about whether that pessimism is warranted,��� said Bruni. ���So much of it is not about the world being worse, it���s about expectations and a shortfall of expectations.���

The key, Bruni says, to get out of this ���age of grievance,��� and not ���feel terrible all the time,��� starts with perspective.

���Each of us (needs) to decide not to be that person who always sees things the most darkly, who is primed for offense, who is spoiling for a fight and is looking for people to be angry,��� he said. “Because the way a culture changes is with each of us, and then our friends, and then our friends’ friends, and then we actually have enough people to make a difference and have a better America.���

This event is sold out.

Journalist and bestselling author Frank Bruni will deliver the Elder Lecture on Thursday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. in Whitley Auditorium.

Bruni is the author of five New York Times bestsellers including ���The Age of Grievance,��� a dive into why Americans are so angry. He makes the case that Americans conflate legitimate causes and petty complaints, creating a condition of constant self-victimization. People obsess over how they���ve been wronged and who to blame, which poses a threat to American democracy, rather than choosing to focus on civil, productive dialogue and constructive action.

���The Beauty of Dusk��� is a memoir detailing Bruni���s adjustment to the sudden loss of vision in one eye and the acceptance of the reality that the same fate could befall the other at any moment. It earned rave reviews from people and publications including Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, People magazine, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The first openly gay op-ed columnist at the Times, Bruni is a recipient of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association���s Randy Shilts Award for his career-long contributions to the LGBTQ community and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Newspaper Columnist. A Pulitzer Prize finalist in feature writing, he is the Eugene C. Patterson Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy at Duke University���s Sanford School of Public Policy.

���These things can be extremely destabilizing and very complicated and very painful, regardless of whether the technology is good or bad, and it’s simply because it just doesn’t even apply (���) to ���put it in good hands, put it in bad hands,������ said Tufecki. ���We have regulated, assimilated, grappled with very complex technologies and problems, on a global scale, that people thought were like, ���Oh, this cannot be fixed.������

Tufekci, a New York Times opinion columnist and the Henry G. Bryan Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University, offered her insight on the growing challenges of AI in The Baird Lecture on March 12, part of the 消消犯 Speaker Series. The Baird Lecture series was endowed in 2002 by James H. Baird and his late wife, Jane M. Baird of Burlington, North Carolina. The Bairds were the first presidents of the Elon Parents Council, and their family’s involvement with the university has spanned more than 40 years.

Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, introduced the lecture in McCrary Theatre, followed by Amanda Sturgill, associate professor of journalism, who welcomed Tufekci to the stage.

���Dr. Tufekci has what the New York Times called, ���a habit of being right on the big things.��� So, in an age where everyone has an opinion about technology, she offers something more valuable���insight,��� Sturgill said. ���She sees patterns where others see chaos, asks hard questions when everyone else is celebrating the latest thing, and reminds us that we should really look at the human consequences of the tools that we’re building.���

Tufecki���s work on the social and moral implications of machine learning, big data and algorithmic decision making argues that the true threat of artificial intelligence is rooted in privacy and human rights violations. In The Baird Lecture, titled ���Power, Protest and Algorithms: How Technology Shapes Society and Democracy,��� Tufekci argued that AI will bring about destabilizing change, and there are many things, three she highlighted, that society is not prepared to handle:

• Machines that can speak like humans, with no way to discern what is human and what is not: ���The idea that millions of people are going to be speaking to a machine that speaks like a human, talks with them, we don���t even have language or concepts to understand,��� she said. ���This is one of the biggest historic deals ever in human history.���
• AI photos and videos blur the line between what is real and what is not: ���There are ways we could think about it that would involve verifying videos and photos as real, in a way that would be compatible with democracy, privacy, but it would involve all sorts of technologies that are just barely developed to get way better,��� she said.
• AI can imitate human speech: ���Imagine using AI to scan all of Instagram to find all the kids, college students who are in Cancun or somewhere, parents are worrying. You find their phone numbers, it’s very easy to spoof,��� said Toufekci. ���You just call them all, leave a (scam) voicemail, (asking for) $800 a pop. Nobody’s investigating this.���

���These are already huge things. We need to get on this very quickly,��� she said. ���It���s going to be the young generation, who���s in college right now, who are going to be at the forefront of this.���

Before opening the floor to a Q&A from both Elon and high school students, Tufecki encouraged them to begin to ask tough questions about AI, research past technologies that have had large impacts on society and find solutions that wouldn’t sacrifice the freedoms of society.

���Don���t let anybody tell you this is so big that we can���t do anything, because we have always done this,��� she said. ���We just can do it better. We should do it better.���

Here are a few events and opportunities coming up on campus this week you won���t want to miss:

Brenda Dixon-Gottschild ��� ���Challenges, Changes, Chances: My Object Lesson in Reclaiming My Time���

Monday, March 9, 7 p.m., McCray Theatre, Center for the Arts

Join the Lyceum Series to hear from Brenda Dixon-Gottschild, an acclaimed dancer, author and scholar whose work explores race, culture and the arts. Come hear reflections from her six-decade career and experience a presentation that blends storytelling and performance. Visit the for more information.

Understanding the US-Iran Conflict: An Elon faculty panel

Tuesday, March 10, 4:30-6 p.m., East Commons 102

Faculty from multiple disciplines will come together to discuss the unfolding developments in the Middle East. The discussion will aim to contextualize recent developments for the campus community. Sponsored by the Council on Civic Engagement.

Zeynep Tufekci ��� ���Power, Protest and Algorithms: How Technology Shapes Society and Democracy���

Thursday, March 12, 7 p.m., McCray Theatre, Center for the Arts

Don���t miss this year���s Baird Lecture, featuring internationally recognized techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufekci. A 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary, Tufekci examines the use of social media to mobilize large numbers of people in political protest and why many modern movements lack the direction to foster real change. Visit the Spring Cultural Calendar for more information.

SUB Cinema Drive-In presents: ���Wicked: For Good���

Saturday, March 14, 8-10:30 p.m., Innovation Quad Parking Lot

SUB Cinema���s drive-in movie is back with Wicked: For Good. Bring your friends, a car or a lawn chair, and settle in for a movie night under the stars. Visit for more information.

Career tip: Stop by the SPDC today!

Stop by the Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) on the first floor of the Moseley Center to prepare for what���s next ��� whether you���re a senior searching for a job, a student looking for an internship, or just exploring career paths. Practice interviewing, polish your r辿sum辿, and get free printed copies and business cards to help you put your best foot forward as a young professional.

Tufekci is an internationally renowned techno-sociologist whose work analyzes the intersections of science, technology, politics and society. She is known for asking hard questions about artificial intelligence, privacy and surveillance, social movements, and public health, and she answers them in ways that defy disciplinary boundaries.

Tufekci is a New York Times opinion columnist and the Henry G. Bryant Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Her work on the social and moral implications of machine learning, big data and algorithmic decision-making argues that the true threat of artificial intelligence is rooted in privacy and human rights violations. She links the AI-powered erosion of privacy in processes such as facial recognition to the early stages of authoritarianism.

A 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary, Tufekci is the author of ���Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest,��� which examines the power of using social media to mobilize large numbers of people in political protest and why many modern social movements lack the direction to foster real change once the protest is over.

Prior to joining The New York Times, Tufekci spent years as a contributing opinion writer at several of the nation���s most acclaimed news publications. She was an Andrew Carnegie Fellow, a fellow at the Princeton University Center for Information Technology and the inaugural director of the Craig Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security at Columbia University.

Tickets are $15 at or free with an Elon ID.

Community Conversations & Civic Engagement

Deliberative Dialogue ��� America���s 250: What���s Next America?

Monday, Feb. 23, 4:30 p.m., Lakeside 212

As America marks its 250th year, this dialogue invites reflection on our shared past and the opportunity for diverse voices to share space and ideas to develop a collective vision for the next 250. Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and Political Engagement Work Group

Better Together: Breaking Bread, Building Bridges

Feb. 24 ��� May 5, every other Tuesday, 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Join us at Better Together this spring for connection and conversation. This time together invites us to live fully in the present and reflect on what makes this moment meaningful. Share stories, explore diverse perspectives, and build community. .

Dr. Habiba Sarabi: Education Rights of Afghan Women

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Alumni Gym

Join a conversation with Dr. Habiba Sarabi on the global impact of Afghanistan���s ban on women���s education and the fight for educational rights and gender equality. Dr. Sarabi, an Afghan politician, women���s rights activist, and medical doctor made history as the first woman to be appointed a provincial governor in Afghanistan, leading Bamyan Province. She previously served as Minister of Women���s Affairs and Minister of Culture and Education, where she focused on expanding education, protecting the environment and advancing the rights of women.

State of the Union Address Watch Party

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 8-10:30 p.m., Moseley 105

Join us for pizza and a live viewing of President Trump���s first State of the Union address of his second term. Come watch, discuss and stay informed. Sponsored by Elon Votes!

Love Your Body, Berry Much

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m. ��� 1:30 p.m., Lakeside Entrance

Stop by for coconut-lime strawberries and a strawberry mocktail, courtesy of Elon Dining, while also learning tips for mindful eating. Swing through, grab a treat and discover ways to build healthier habits. Visit the for more information.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss ��� ���Man Up: Understanding Misogyny to Prevent Extremism

Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture

Thursday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m., Numen Lumen Pavilion, McBride Gathering Space

Extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss examines how misogyny ��� online and off ��� fuels the rise in far-right and mass violence, and offers strategies for interruption and prevention rooted in everyday life. The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture honors Lauren, who was set to join Elon’s Class of 2015 before her murder by a former boyfriend in July 2011. Established in her memory, the fund educates the Elon community on healthy relationships and building a culture free from violence. Visit the Spring Cultural Calendar for more information about upcoming events this semester.

Adventure Time with Elon Outdoors!

Adventures in Leadership Summer Staff Positions Available

Applications are now open for summer Adventures in Leadership staff positions, where you���ll guide incoming first-year students through exciting outdoor experiences. Earn potential internship credit and build leadership skills. Apply today on the Elon Job Network!

Elon Challenge

The Elon Challenge is a great way to help classes, teams, organizations, corporations or cohorts grow through building authentic relationships, learning how to manage resources, developing creative thinking, and applying knowledge in new ways. Visit the Elon Challenge website to review the options, gather your group, and complete the interest form to schedule a customized, no-cost experience.

Last Chance to Become an Orientation Leader

Application Deadline is Friday, Feb. 27

The Orientation Leader application is still live. As an OL, you are an integral part of the orientation process. You will play a pivotal role in the transition of all the new students to Elon, serving as a guide and mentor to new students throughout their transition. by this Friday, Feb. 27.

Author of “A Knock at Midnight,” Barnett writes about her experience advocating for a reformed criminal justice system in the United States. Through her work and long-lasting relationships with her clients, Barnett���s sphere of influence is wide. Barnett founded the Buried Alive Project, which attempts to dismantle life without parole sentences, and Girls Embracing Mothers, an organization that empowers girls with mothers behind bars.

Sandra Reid, associate 消消犯 professor of human service studies, will moderate the discussion. Reid���s experience in juvenile justice and the human service field includes her time on the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission and as chair of both the Alamance County Community Services Agency and the Positive Attitude Youth Center.

���She is deeply committed to affirming the dignity and worth of individuals impacted by an unjust criminal legal system, advocating persistently for their release and supporting their successful reintegration into their communities. In other words, she is a super hero,” said Reid.

Since its founding in 1958 by James P. Elder Jr. ���60, the Liberal Arts Forum continues to bring unique academic speakers to Elon and encourage meaningful conversations around the arts and humanities, mathematical and natural sciences, and social sciences, inside and outside the classroom.

Want to choose Elon���s next speaker? Get involved with the Forum every Tuesday in Alamance 207 at 4:15 p.m.

The Department of Performing Art’s production from Feb. 13-15, 2026, featured an immersive sound design developed through collaboration between Associate Professor Michael Smith, Production Manager Rick Earl and music production and recording arts student Brandon Cericola ���26.

The project blends Smith���s sabbatical research in immersive audio with Cericola’s interest in sound design for film and television, where immersive sound is increasingly common. The result was a student production that expanded beyond a traditional theatrical sound system.

���The traditional audio for musicals is augmented by eight surround speakers placed in the audience, some for sound effects, others to bring the performance out into the space more, to surround the audience with vocals,��� Earl said.

The production used the department���s existing equipment, along with additional loudspeakers, to create the sound effect. The show used 80 inputs and 38 outputs, with updated software to help automate immersive sound effects. While some immersive systems require major hardware investments, the team developed manual techniques to adapt the live performance within available resources.

���The nature of the show is more rock-oriented, and maybe more intimate than some musicals, and takes place in a city, which by nature is an immersive environment,��� Earl said. “The stars aligned ��� the right student, the recent research, experiences and the desire of all of us to do something like this.���

Cericola had significant creative ownership of the design. Aside from the required elements, much of what the audience heard was his creation. Earl and Smith worked with Cericola over the summer to build a small immersive setup, allowing him to record musicians, experiment with mixing and refining before scaling the systems for McCrary Theatre.

���A lot of what you hear is Brandon���s creation,��� Earl said. ���Large-scale system implementation like this takes strong project management skills, leadership and mentoring skills, documentation, flexibility, time management, and the ability to know when something isn���t going to work and find an alternative.

���From an audience perspective, I think it will bring them into the ���world��� that is ���RENT��� and enhance their experience,��� Earl said.

For Cericola, the production represents the combination of the experiences he has had while at Elon.

���This has been the most challenging project I have taken on at Elon, and it is a combination of many skills I have learned here,��� Cericola said. “To hear the show come to life during rehearsal was exciting and satisfying. It is evidence of my education and time at Elon.���

Cericola drew on coursework in the Music Production and Recording Arts program, leadership experiences, work study roles with the Office of Cultural and Special Programs and immersive audio research developed as an Elon College Fellow. He also attended the NAMM Show, an international music industry trade show, where he connected with manufacturers, sound designers and an engineer to discuss immersive audio approaches and set-ups.

For Smith, the production marks a full-circle moment following his sabbatical research.

���The research I did on my sabbatical was my main leaping point for trying to do immersive audio on the McCrary stage,��� Smith said. “After hearing Brandon���s and Rick���s setup over the summer, I knew the next step would have to be producing a live musical with a similar setup.���

During his sabbatical, Smith built a scaled-down immersive theatre that was later expanded and installed in Roberts Studio Theatre. The 25-speaker system allows each speaker to be individually assigned and controlled, creating a unique learning space for students.

“It is the only theatre in this area that has an immersive audio system for students to do their sound design work on,��� Smith said.

Earl, Smith and Cericola made decisions as a team to ensure the project remained manageable and cost-effective. They said the collaboration shows what is possible when research, creativity and student passions intersect.

���Without all three of us working together, something like this wouldn���t have been possible,��� Smith said. “Now we realize what possibilities we have for future performances, not just in the Department of Performing Arts but for Cultural event programs as well.���