�þ��� alumna Natalie Allison ’13, a White House reporter with The Washington Post, returned to campus Nov. 10 to reflect on her journey from The Pendulum newsroom to the national political stage. In an evening conversation in Turner Theatre with Professor Anthony Hatcher, chair of the Department of Journalism, Allison discussed the challenges and responsibilities of covering the presidency amid an increasingly polarized political landscape.

The evening event offered more than 75 students and community members an inside look at political reporting, accountability journalism, and the evolving media industry. Photos from Allison’s campus visit are .

Hatcher, who taught Allison as an �þ���, praised her reporting and professional example. “Natalie is humble about her work, but she’s reporting on the U.S. president at a time of economic turmoil and political divisiveness in the country,” Hatcher said. “She is a fearless, ethical and talented reporter. As one of my current students told me, hearing from an Elon grad who is now a Washington Post journalist lets her know that she could do that, too. You couldn’t find a better role model for a young journalist.”

Bob Frigo, assistant dean and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, added, “During her visit to campus, Natalie shared with us that the primary reason she wakes up each day is to hold our leaders accountable to the people. We need more journalists like Natalie to help us determine the truth and, in the process, restore our faith in government and the media.”

Throughout the day, Allison met with students from Elon News Network, visited Instructor of Journalism Elma Sabo’s News Reporting and Writing class, and joined Assistant Professor of Political Science & Public Policy Brian Brew’s Campaign and Elections course to discuss the intersection of journalism and politics. She also shared lunch with a group of students, including Communications Fellows and student journalists, before sitting down for an interview with ENN.

Allison joined The Washington Post’s White House reporting team in January 2025. She began her journalism career at Elon’s student newspaper, The Pendulum, before reporting for the Burlington Times-News, The Tennessean and Politico. Her reporting has earned multiple honors, including the grand prize at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Book and Journalism Awards.

Allison’s visit was sponsored by the School of Communications, Council on Civic Engagement, Department of Political Science & Public Policy, Political Engagement Work Group, Kernodle Center for Civic Life, and the Student Media Board.

Elon journalism students spent an evening surrounded by professional inspiration – and familiar faces – during an alumni networking event held Oct. 16 in the nation’s capital. Hosted by the School of Communications, National �þ��� Programs, and Elon’s Office of Advancement, the gathering brought together current students and accomplished alumni now working across top media and corporate organizations, including NBC News, National Geographic, Bloomberg Law, Capital One and The Washington Post.

The event coincided with the students’ travel to , the national college media convention sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Led by Professor Anthony Hatcher, the seven students from Elon News Network took the opportunity to connect with alumni whose work they’ve long admired.

Among them was Gary Grumbach ’16, legal affairs reporter for NBC News, who fielded question after question from students eager to hear about his path to Washington and his coverage of high-profile political and legal stories.

Other alumni in attendance included Cameron Wolfslayer ’21, video producer at National Geographic, and Kristen Burke ’18, president of the D.C. Alumni Chapter and associate director of development at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Burke, alongside Ashley Pinney, director of national campus programs, emphasized Elon’s strong alumni network and the support available to graduates as they transition to professional life.

For students like Fiona McAllister ’26, the night underscored just how far an Elon education can take you.

“Being able to meet Elon alumni I’ve only ever heard of was inspirational,” the journalism major said. “Watching alumni connect with us – and with each other – was heartwarming. From swapping stories to exchanging business cards, it’s always great to get in touch with Elon alumni.”

Fellow journalism major Lilly Molina ’27 added, “Some of the people, I’ve seen their pictures around the School of Communications, so it was cool to finally meet them in person. It was refreshing to get advice from people within the industry who also know what it’s like to attend Elon.”

The evening doubled as a celebration for Hatcher, who will retire in May after two-plus decades of service to Elon. “This will be the last conference I will ever attend with my students,” he reflected. “And I couldn’t have imagined a better experience to end on.”

Organized in collaboration with the Office of Advancement, the D.C. event serves as a blueprint for future alumni-student meetups, emphasizing meaningful conversation, mentorship and the powerful professional ties that continue to shape the Elon community nationwide.

Maggie Mullikin, manager of experiential programs, contributed to this article.

continued its streak of national success this fall, with students earning top honors at last week’s in Washington, D.C. The annual gathering of student and professional journalists – hosted Oct. 15–18 by the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), College Media Association (CMA), and Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – spotlighted excellence in storytelling, leadership and innovation across college media.

Elon’s student journalists once again stood out among the country’s best. The Pendulum earned an ACP Newspaper Pacemaker for its standout print editions from the 2024–25 academic year, and Elon News Network received a Multiplatform Pacemaker – one of just 11 awarded nationwide.

“Hats off to the students of Elon News Network, The Pendulum and “ENN Tonight,” who came home with multiple Pacemaker Awards,” said Anthony Hatcher, professor and chair of the Department of Journalism. “We’re proud of our students, graduates and faculty advisers whose dedication continues to distinguish Elon journalism on the national stage.”

Beyond the awards, Anjolina Fantaroni ’26, a journalism major, served on the SPJ News Team, joining 10 student journalists and recent graduates selected nationwide to deliver real-time coverage of the convention. She was joined at the conference by fellow Elon students Benjamin Berfield ’27, Miles Hayford ’27, Katrina Holtz ’28, Fiona McAllister ’26, Lilly Molina ’27 and Charlotte Pfabe ’27. Hatcher accompanied the students to the nation’s capital.

The week also included a networking reception for students and alumni in Washington, D.C. Coordinated by Maggie Mullikin, manager of experiential programs, the gathering fostered connections among Elon’s growing community of communications professionals.

“We sincerely appreciate the School of Communications’ support of academic trips like this in challenging times,” Hatcher said.

Awards

In addition to the Pacemaker honors, Elon students were recognized across multiple categories:

Winner – Newspaper Pacemaker
The Pendulum
Sept. 18, 2024, Oct. 9, 2024 and Oct. 30, 2024 editions

Winner – Multiplatform Pacemaker
Elon News Network

Honorable Mention – Broadcast Feature Story
Anjolina Fantaroni

Honorable Mention – Broadcast Sports Story
Abigail Hines

Honorable Mention – Sports Game/Action Photo
Katherine Martin

3rd Place – Blog
Staff

3rd Place – Multimedia Feature Story
Betsy Schlehuber

2nd Place – Multimedia Sports Story
Cap Henneman

3rd Place – Multimedia Sports Story
Erin Martin

3rd Place – Reporter of the Year
Avery Sloan

4th Place – In-Depth News Story
Ryan Kupperman

Finalist – Feature Story
Alex Nettles

Honorable Mention – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Reporting
Avery Sloan

4th Place – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Reporting
Lilly Molina

Honorable Mention – Ernie Pyle Human Interest Profile
Avery Sloan

Adam Rozan ‘01 received a 2025 Smithsonian Education Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual employee’s “consistent and outstanding performance in education.”

Rozan, a staff member for the , was nominated for the annual honor based in part on the overwhelming success of the Smithsonian’s Staff Learning Series he developed and continues to lead.

The online lecture and discussion series invites experts from a range of industries and locations to provide professional development opportunities for all Smithsonian employees.

Recent speakers have been experts from OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta’s Facebook, the U.S. Census Bureau – even graphic designers and museum curators from Philadelphia and Virginia working on programs tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary – all of whom discussed trends and audience engagement strategies.

The goal of the series: “To better support staff so they can better serve the public.”

“That’s what I love about this,” Rozan said. “It informs those who are already doing good work. It’s humbling for me to be recognized for trying to make an even better community of peers. That’s what my project is all about.”

Since 2022, Rozan has organized over 50 presentations, attracting more than 100 staff members per session and reaching 1,700 attendees in 2024 alone. The Smithsonian Institution comprises 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo.

“Adam’s ability to connect with noteworthy speakers and identify resonant topics has enriched our community with new ideas and diverse perspectives,” Monique M. Chism, the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Education, wrote when announcing the annual awards.

Rozan graduated from �þ��� in 2001 with a degree in studio art. He launched his career with Boston’s Museum of Science and has since served institutions such as the Worcester Art Museum, Oakland Museum of California, Harvard Art Museums and the Boston Children’s Museum.

Rozan was named to the 2023 BlooLoop Power 10 Museum Influencers list, a top honor for those in the field.

is motivated by a desire to uncover the truth.

Since 2022, the �þ��� alumna has served as an immigration reporter and fact-checker for , an online fact-checking platform operated by the . The journalism and strategic communications double major explained that she finds great satisfaction in thoroughly researching topics, noting that – unlike many other journalism roles – fact-checkers can explore subjects in great detail.

“I really enjoy how deeply I can research a topic,” said Ramirez Uribe, a few hours before headlining the university’s about the upcoming presidential election. “I feel privileged to be able to spend the time to talk to the experts, to really dive in and understand an issue, and to truly look into the data. It is something that most journalists don’t have the time and the capacity to do – to fully investigate a topic and learn about it.

“So, I feel an immense level of responsibility, but also a lot of privilege to get to do it.”

With Election Day just two weeks way, Ramirez Uribe’s campus visit corresponded with a crucial time in American politics. While her focus is immigration, her responsibilities stretch across the landscape of political misinformation, whether debunking viral social media claims or fact-checking statements from high-profile politicians. Working in both English and Spanish, she has also joined PolitiFact’s TikTok team, using creative content to explain complex political subjects to younger audiences.

In recent weeks, Ramirez Uribe has investigated claims that former President Donald Trump paid for Nelson Mandela’s travel to the U.S. in 1990, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris’ statements that the Biden-Harris administration cut the amount of fentanyl flowing into the country in half. Both claims were rated “False” on PolitiFact’s popular Truth-O-Meter scale.

Ramirez Uribe’s work involves more than just verifying facts. She dives into the data, consults experts, and transforms legal jargon into stories that resonate with readers. Her days are varied. She has interviewed public health experts about communicable diseases in Springfield, Ohio, and spoken with economists and subject matter experts on Medicare and Social Security. The topic of immigration intersects with many other subjects in the national conversation.

Plus, there is an additional wrinkle to fact-checking. Ramirez Uribe explained that fact-checking politicians can be quite different from general journalism because it requires taking a stronger stance.

“One of the biggest shifts for me was it’s a different type of writing, and it’s a different type of thinking about and presenting information,” she said. “It’s not general storytelling. It’s not writing the way that journalists write or that we’re taught to write. You have to be a lot more authoritative because you’re telling somebody they’re wrong.”

She also highlighted the difficulty of fact-checking misinformation when there’s limited or no available data, citing her experience investigating claims about fentanyl seizures in the U.S.

“It’s hard to fact-check something we don’t know, and when there’s no data about it,” she said.

Ramirez Uribe expressed great appreciation for the journalists she cites in her work, often referencing stories several decades old. Without their journalistic efforts, she wouldn’t be able to do her current job.

This underscores the enduring value of journalism.

“As I begin researching, inevitably more questions begin to pop up and I try to answer them as well,” she said. “So, I’m reliant on what was reported previously and the work of previous reporters … and it just proves the importance of journalism as a historic record.”

Assistant Professor Israel Balderas, who teaches Media Law and Ethics and participated in the Alumni Voices discussion with Ramirez Uribe, noted that the impact of her work at PolitiFact extends far beyond just correcting a false statement. No, there is more – significantly more – at stake, he explained.

“Maria represents the next generation of journalists who understand that fact-checking isn’t just about correcting the record – it’s about protecting democracy itself,” he said. “Her work, particularly her coverage of immigration issues, demonstrates how firsthand experience, combined with rigorous fact-checking, helps combat the spread of harmful misinformation that affects real communities and influences electoral outcomes.”

Ironically, Ramirez Uribe shared that she was not initially drawn to journalism. In fact, she resisted the idea when she enrolled at Elon. At that time, she was more interested in strategic communications. But her first-year Communications in a Global Age class, taught by Rich Landesberg, adjunct associate professor emeritx of journalism, changed her path.

“I did not want to be a journalist. I pushed back a lot. But Rich is the reason I’m in journalism,” she said.

The journalism professor immediately recognized Ramirez Uribe ‘s intelligence, focus and commitment to improving the world. As a result, he guided her toward the newsroom where she could use her many strengths.

“What a joy it was to have Maria in my classes,” Landesberg said. “She was challenging in the way we hope all of our students will be. Most importantly, she has a strong desire to make the world a better place by seeking and reporting the truth. One of her strongest skills is the one thing you can’t teach: passion for journalism.”

For Ramirez Uribe, the topic of immigration is deeply personal. She was born in Venezuela and relocated with her family to the Washington, D.C., area at the age of 12. That personal experience fuels her. Likewise, she credited her academic background and the community she built at Elon, especially her time at El Centro, for shaping her as a person and as a journalist.

“Elon is, without a doubt, the reason I am where I am today,” she said.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, alumni, parents and friends gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate their connections to �þ���.

Following the reception, a short introductory video showcased the many updates to Elon’s campus allowing attendees to visualize the new spaces. These included projects such as the Francis Center, East Neighborhood Commons, an indoor batting facility for the baseball team, the Loy Farm Living-Learning Community and the relocation of the Acorn Coffee shop to Belk Library. The video also revealed a new rendering of the Health EU building that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.

Following the video, Kristen Burke ’18, the DC alumni chapter president, and �þ��� Trustee, Shelly Hazel ’78 LP’09, took the stage. Burke discussed her pride in serving the alumni in the area and the excitement for their upcoming chapter events, including a first-time homebuying seminar and their first Women of Elon event being held this December.

Hazel introduced President Connie Ledoux Book, touching on how the president was changing Elon for the better before even stepping into her current role.

“Our President redesigned Career Services at Elon from the ground up, giving it a new mission, new leadership, and new facilities in Moseley, the Koury Business Center and the School of Communications,” said Hazel.

President Book took the stage to explain the latest news and accomplishments for the University.

“Elon remains the number one university in the nation for study abroad, and during Winter Term, students will also complete internships and engage in service projects in the Alamance County community,” Book said.

President Book continued her remarks with updates on Elon’s innovation in artificial intelligence, including Mustafa Akbens’ efforts to ensure responsible and ethical usages across campus as Elon’s first director of AI integration.

“Drs. Akben, (Haya) Ajjan, and (Paula) Rosinski are just a few of the many faculty on campus using AI to enhance student learning and engagement. Each represents the highest levels of �þ���, scholarship and service at Elon,” Book explains.

One notable initiative that the president focused on is the new AI-driven platform , which connects students and alumni.

“This tool allows anyone in the Elon community to ask a question, and AI technology finds alumni with the relevant expertise to answer,” said Book. “Whether it’s career advice or academic insights, Elon Q&A makes meaningful connections possible.”

The President’s remarks also focused on the Health EU initiative, Elon’s largest capital fundraising initiative to date. She shared renderings and plans for the building, giving guests a look at the many features the state-of-the-art facility will entail. Her speech concluded with a call to action for attendees to be partners, advocates, mentors and investors of the university to empower students and inspire bold futures: “Together, we are building a future that reflects our shared values and ambitions,” she said.

Following President Book, Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, concluded the event with inspiring thoughts on unity. He honed in on what it truly means to be a partner, advocate and investor in the university and the campus community, sharing specific ways that attendees can get involved, such as recruiting at Elon, referring prospective students to Elon and hiring students from Elon. He also encouraged those in attendance to stay connected to the DC chapter and with the campus community through attending events like Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.

The evening concluded with a Cheers to Elon celebration honoring current alumni donors and the university’s most active alumni volunteers.

The next Evening for Elon event will take place in Tampa, Florida at Armature Works on Thursday, Nov. 14. Register at .

She wasted no time getting involved in the community she sought out.

“While at Elon, I was a student ambassador, copy editor for The Pendulum newspaper, an executive board member of the Black Cultural Society (now the Black Student Union), a DJ for WSOE and a member of the Elon Gospel Choir. I can’t sing, but they took me anyway,” Newton said. “I also pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. my senior year.” She loved campus traditions like the Black Excellence Awards dinner, which always brought her family to campus.

Newton was also a broadcast communications major, practically living in the McEwen Communications Building and editing labs.

“One of the most challenging, yet rewarding, classes at Elon was a communications writing course,” she said. “Every day, we were assigned a different newspaper to read, and then we were quizzed on any content from our reading. Little did I know, staying on top of news and current events would become a necessity for my professional career.”

Even with all this experience, Newton’s post-grad transition was not ideal. Since she graduated during the financial crisis, jobs were hard to come by, and uncertainty was high. However, her unexpected time living at home and working a seasonal job at Kings Dominion did not last long.

“Within three months, I moved to Washington, D.C., started a job at WTOP News, and enrolled in graduate school at Trinity Washington University,” she said. “Looking back on it, I’m so glad I went home for those three months. That’s time I’ll never get back with my family, and I’m thankful for it now.”

After receiving her master’s in communications and working in local news for eight years, Newton was ready to venture into national news. She joined C-SPAN in 2015 as a media relations specialist, where she’s responsible for getting the word out to journalists, Capitol Hill press secretaries and the public about all matters C-SPAN. This position has proved fruitful for Newton.

“The most rewarding parts of my career are the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and the places I’ve had the opportunity to go,” she said. “With C-SPAN, I’ve been in rooms I’ve dreamt of and traveled to many cities and towns around the country, some for the first time.”

Those travels included the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention this summer. There, Newton was responsible for recording video testimonials from attendees for C-SPAN’s Voices 2024 campaign.

“C-SPAN’s skybox was full each night with special guests from cable affiliates and reporters to former C-SPAN employees and interns,” she said. “I enjoyed meeting so many new people and reconnecting with others I hadn’t seen in years.”

Newton’s career has not been without its challenges, the greatest being the long days.

“News is constant, and although I have normal working hours, anything can happen at any time which requires my team’s attention,” she said.

Luckily, she was well prepared for her career, thanks to Elon.

“Writing and public speaking are major components of my job, which I did a lot of at Elon,” said Newton. “Much of the skill-based knowledge that I learned in my communications classes I am still using today.”

She recommends that current students similarly take advantage of the core Elon Experiences.

“Do an internship and go the extra mile,” she advised. “I interned at BET the summer after my freshman and sophomore years. Then, the summer after my junior year, I stayed on campus and did the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program. Having both of those on my resume and stellar professional references helped me land my first job in news.”

McCrary was celebrated during the school’s Homecoming festivities, which featured a networking session with students and graduates in Snow Family Grand Atrium, followed by an alumni social at The Oak House. School of Communications Dean Kenn Gaither introduced McCrary to attendees, noting “Scott’s rise as an award-winning producer began here.”

To see photos of the awards ceremony, visit our .

Gaither then detailed McCrary’s on-campus activities as an �þ���, referencing his service in Elon Student Television, the Society for Professional Journalists, and the Radio Television Digital News Association (formerly the Radio-Television News Directors Association). In the decades since, McCrary has spent time in several prominent control rooms and newsrooms, including “CBS Evening News,” “Face the Nation,” “CBS Mornings,” CNN and Bloomberg Television. He also served as the producer on the team that launched “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien,” the country’s No. 1 syndicated public affairs news magazine program.

For his efforts, McCrary has collected five Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, three national Gracie Awards from the Alliance of Women in Media Foundation, and six Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

Gaither noted that McCrary’s 2017 Emmy for news coverage of an unsolved murder of a marine is displayed in the lobby of the McEwen Communications Building.

“Scott’s sustained professional success makes him an obvious choice for our alumnus of the year. But it is more than that,” Gaither said. “Scott has given generously of his time and his talents. He is a supporter of Elon and Elon students. Since 2005, Scott has returned to campus annually to speak to students and present in classes. He has mentored countless students, and helped many of them get their starts in broadcast news.”

While McCrary helps inform one of the East Coast’s major metropolitan areas, he is also well known for his abilities as a teacher and mentor, coaching and developing anchors, reporters and producers, and tutoring staff at fellow TEGNA stations. Additionally, he has regularly recruited Elon graduates and current students to join his staff.

In recognition of his many contributions to his alma mater, Gaither welcomed McCrary in September to the school’s national advisory board.

While accepting the award, McCrary gave a moving recount of his career and his own personal struggles, before offering a charge to his fellow alumni and current students in attendance.

“When I left this campus 23 years ago, I had all the tools I needed to succeed in the news industry,” he said. “I had a job – my parents were thrilled. But I didn’t have a long-term plan because I couldn’t see a future for myself.

“When I entered this crazy business, I didn’t work for openly gay executive producers and news managers,” McCrary added, alluding to himself, an openly homosexual newsroom leader. “For some of those people, it wasn’t safe to come out. Others never got a chance to lead because AIDS took them from us too soon. I have been mindful of that every single day.”

In his leadership roles, McCrary said he has immensely enjoyed constructing diverse newsrooms, finding strength from having different voices and backgrounds. He takes pride in these efforts.

“One of my greatest passions in the newsroom is building – whether I’m building a relevant broadcast, a strong team, or a healthy culture,” he said. “I also really enjoy building new spaces. I didn’t see a place for anybody like me in this industry when I left this university – so I built one. And as I worked for bigger stations, bigger shows, bigger titles … I kept building more spaces for people who didn’t look like me, people who didn’t present like me, people who didn’t think like me. And it has done nothing but improve the quality of the work that we have done. So, my challenge to all of you is to build a space for people who are not like you either. The communications field needs that right now.”

Among those who credit McCrary for their start in the broadcast news industry is Jack Norcross ’21, a supervising producer at WCNC Charlotte. Following the completion of his first year at Elon, Norcross landed an internship in summer 2018 with WUSA9, a role he owes to McCrary.

“It wasn’t far into my freshman year at Elon when I first heard about Scott McCrary, and it quickly became clear he was always just and email or phone call away,” Norcross said. “We quickly established a bond. He had faith in me and helped to secure an internship at a Top 10 TV station right after my freshman year. It was an opportunity that led to where I am today. And it’s a relationship that didn’t end there. To this day, Scott is a resource for me and dozens of other alumni looking to succeed in the industry.”

Prior to receiving his alumni award, McCrary visited two sections of News Reporting and Writing classes, as well as Assistant Professor Lorraine Ahearn’s Reporting for the Public Good course. He also participated in a luncheon with students interested in working in the news industry.

Alumni-student networking session

Nine alumni participated in the school’s informal networking session with students, titled “Don’t be a Stranger to Networking.” �þ��� and alumni discussed internships, careers, classes, clubs and other topics. The alumni participants included:

• Steve Autore ’16, client performance manager, Hearst
• Lauren Belk ’21, partnership marketing coordinator, Stewart-Haas Racing
• Cade Colgate ’06, national partner manager, Pure Storage
• Brett Cooper ’05, senior vice president, SWAY
• Mary Cunningham ’08, associate director of marketing and communications, College of Public Health, George Mason University
• Morgan Hack ’23, account coordinator, 5W Public Relations
• Scott McCrary ’00, executive producer, WUSA-TV
• Jordan Roman ’15, story & editorial coordinator in animated features, Netflix
• Anna Zwingelberg ’18, senior consultant, Deloitte

Kevin Wilson ’81 remembers distinctly that he didn’t want to hold up the line on his first day at Elon College.

It was late summer in 1979, and the Glenarden, Maryland, native was settling into campus when he made his way to the auditorium where fate and good fortune led him to Lela Faye Rich. The encounter and subsequent conversation with Rich, who provided academic support at �þ��� for nearly three decades, impacted the rest of Wilson’s life.

Wilson had initially considered pursuing a business administration degree.

But noticing Wilson’s course load, Rich inquired about the junior college transfer’s interests and realized he’d be a great candidate for the college’s new English/journalism curriculum. It was then that Wilson asked an innocent question, “What’s journalism?”

More than 40 years later, Wilson still remembers the laugh the two shared. With a line of students waiting, Wilson recalled Rich – who later became associate dean of academic support – detailing the opportunities journalism offered to report and write with the student newspaper, in the yearbook and on radio.

“I told her to stop right there,” Wilson recalled. “I just knew it was a wonderful fit for me as I loved to express myself through writing.”

That one conversation led to Wilson eventually becoming Elon’s first Black male graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism – a fact that he cherishes more with each passing year. He proudly calls himself a “trendsetter” for his contributions to Elon history, arriving on campus during a tumultuous time for the institution, which was struggling to successfully integrate its student population.

Four decades later, the Committee on Elon History & Memory released a detailed report that focused on the experiences of Black members of the Elon community throughout its history. The report recaps episodes that illustrate anti-Black racism at Elon, several of which occurred during Wilson’s time on campus.

Yet, Wilson fondly recalls individuals like Rich and Professors Mary Ellen Priestly, Robert Blake and Linwood Ferguson taking a personal interest in his studies and success. But that doesn’t mean they took it easy on him.

Wilson enrolled in Blake’s English Literature course and can still remember the red ink that stained his essays and reports. He felt compelled to drop the class until a one-on-one conversation offered him a different perspective.

Blake met the bewildered student not with disapproval, but with advice and direction, pointing Wilson to campus resources to help convert his conversational writing style to something more fitting a published writer. “This professor stimulated me to move forward as a writer – just like a coach,” Wilson said.

Likewise, Priestly didn’t mince words, which Wilson appreciated.

“Dr. Priestly was tough. But I also liked that she was straightforward and honest with me,” he said.

Wilson can still vividly remember when Priestly learned that he could not type, calling it a “cardinal sin” for a journalist to not possess that skill. But Wilson was steadfast that he’d meet every deadline despite his keyboard pecking.

As a student journalist, Wilson fell in love with feature writing and working for The Pendulum, serving under Priestly and Bryant Colson ’80, the first Black editor-in-chief of the student-run newspaper. In addition to features, he also covered news and sports, and penned editorials.

“Journalism really energized me,” Wilson said.

And the young journalist improved, embracing a mindset he developed as a baseball player in his youth – practice, practice, practice.

In hindsight, Wilson said he appreciates the care he received from Elon faculty members. “I learned what constructive criticism was,” he said. “The professors only wanted me to get better.”

Ultimately, Wilson concluded his Elon studies in summer 1981 following the completion of his Contemporary Health Problems course with Coach Ferguson – a class he proudly recalls earning an A in. He later received his degree in August 1981 from Registrar Mark Albertson.

“I refused to leave without a college degree,” Wilson quipped.

Following his graduation, Wilson embarked on a four-decade-long career in communications, working as a writer, publicist and speaker. He has authored news, features and sports stories for local, national and international publications, including Jet Magazine, Educational Pathways Magazine, Sports High School Illustrated, BlackAmericaWeb.com, and Black Athlete Sports Network, among others.

He also started a small marketing business, which he named Sylvester Enterprises, in honor of his grandfather. Norman Sylvester Wilson played and managed a Negro League sandlot baseball team throughout Wilson’s youth, and growing up around the diamond had an impact on Wilson’s professional aspirations.

Notably, Wilson represented the late Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, the first and only female pitcher to play in the Negro League. Despite standing just 5 foot, 3 inches tall, she compiled a 33-5 record for the Indianapolis Clowns. Two of Wilson’s proudest accomplishments include booking Johnson in May 2003 to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park in Boston and interviewing Kevin Durant, the youngest NBA scoring champion.

Wilson also represented Joe Louis Reliford, the world’s youngest player to compete in a professional baseball game, and initiated a campaign for Hall of Fame boxer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson to have a day named after him in Washington, D.C.

In addition to its marketing efforts, Sylvester Enterprises works to educate and encourage young people, helping them avoid drugs, alcohol and nicotine abuse, as well as gun violence. Several of Wilson’s friends and family encountered these pitfalls and he felt compelled to help others in his community.

Wilson expressed gratitude to his teachers and professors, who encouraged him to follow his interests in writing and reporting. It is a career that has fulfilled him.

“I’m a trendsetter,” Wilson said. “It felt good to be a trailblazer in a new curriculum. I am proud to be a part of the legacy of journalists who have studied at Elon and have gone on to educate and inform their communities.”

Jess Rapfogel’s photo of colliding members of the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans is jarring – both literally and figuratively.

The players’ helmets are floating free in the image, a moment that lasted just a split-second but was captured forever by the Elon alumna and her camera. The image – taken for USA Today Sports – is certain to leave viewers in awe.

It also has the same effect on judges.

Rapfogel was recently recognized as a Sports Action category finalist in the , which Senior Lecturer Kelly Furnas called “probably the most competitive professional contest out there.” Additionally, Rapfogel’s image won first place in the Sports Action category at the 2023 National Press Photographers Association’s .

The Pictures of the Year International competition is the oldest photojournalism contest in the world and is hosted by the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism. The competition recognized winners and finalists from 34 different categories, ranging from International News and Science & Natural History.

In addition to her work for USA Today, the photojournalist has produced images for The Associated Press and Getty Images while chronicling professional sports teams in the Washington, D.C., area. As a freelance photographer, Rapfogel said she has harnessed the ability to be reliable yet flexible while “maintaining a high level of professionalism needed to adapt to whatever situation” lies in front of her.

Rapfogel called it a “huge honor” to be recognized alongside some of the best photographers in the world. In the past year, she has started working with different wire services, adding political news to her professional expertise. She said she hopes to continue expanding her range in the photojournalism industry.

“It is a nice boost of confidence I can bring with me as I expand my work beyond sports to also include politics and news,” Rapfogel said of the recent accolades. “On a personal level, I am often the only woman in the photo room at sports games. Despite the lack of representation, having my work recognized reaffirms the hard work I put in to earn my place in that room.”

As for the iconic, helmet-less image, Rapfogel snapped the moment during an August 2022 game between the Ravens and the Titans. It just so happened to be her first professional football game as well.

While at Elon, Rapfogel was a communication design and strategic communications double major, with an emphasis in sports photography. She said her time in the classroom provided the skills she needed to begin her career, while her experiences outside of the classroom – working as a photographer for Elon News Network, Elon Athletics and The Burlington Times-News – helped her find her passion.

“My camera has taken me to places beyond what I could have imagined,” Rapfogel said. “My main focus has been sports and it feels very rewarding to bring the game’s action and energy to fans and help tell stories of athletes who seem larger than life. I also get to share the sidelines with some of the best photographers in the industry, and I am thankful for their guidance and the doors they have helped open as I grow in my career.”

To see more of Rapfogel’s work, visit her website, , or her Instagram account, .