Elon Cares has been an annual tradition for almost two decades, celebrating queer art and supporting Broadway Equity Fights Aids, one of the nation���s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. The event is hosted by students in the Department of Performing Arts, in partnership with Elon���s Gender & LGBTQIACenter. Each year, event organizers aim to raise more than $2000 and typically exceed that amount.

���We are always singing and dancing, but now there is a reason that we are doing it. It’s something we are fighting for and a message we are sending too,��� said Laird Sterns ���28, an art administration and music theatre double major, who is one of the co-directors of this year���s performance. He participated in the benefit cabaret during his first year and saw it as a future opportunity to further his interest in art administration as well as be a leader in ���something greater.���

The cabaret brings together those interested in performing arts, regardless of major, and allows many leadership opportunities within the creative team. This year���s performance will feature some selections from queer artists and Broadway hits like ���Death Becomes Her��� and ���Cabaret.��� The event will host tables from the GLC and the Triad Health Project, an organization that encourages sexual health and justice through radical care, love, and equity while working to fight against HIV. There will also be a canned food drive.

���It’s a great opportunity to come together as a community in the new year and it brings joy to people who may not have looked into the arts before at Elon. We all get to learn and grow with each other as performers and overall people in a safe space,��� Sterns said.

Malia Horst ���26, the primary director for the event, recognizes the charity production as a safe environment to let students within the performing arts department ���do what they love with no stress and for a great cause.���

���For me, it’s a super important space to let people create with queerness in mind,��� Horst said, ���This is not a show where you just come and sit and applaud nicely. This is a hooting and hollering celebration.���

The event takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, with two shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall, in the Center for the Arts. For more information about the event, visit���. Each donation comes with an entry into a raffle for various prizes. Prizes from previous years can also be viewed on the same website as event information.

Donations by cash or check will be collected at the performances. Online donations can be made by viewing the event homepage. Visit for more information about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Here are this week���s ���Phoenix Five��� recommendations for the week ahead:

消消犯 Year of Service Fellows Program

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Virtual

Join SPDC to learn about the Elon Year of Service Fellows program, a partnership between 消消犯 and several community organizations in Alamance County. The program offers May 2026 Elon graduates the opportunity to engage in meaningful service work to improve health, education and economic development for residents in Alamance County. Visit 油for more information and to join the event.

Elon Cares 2026 ��� a cabaret to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aid

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., Yeager Recital Hall, Center for the Arts

Join the Elon Cares for a night of performances and support. The event is a benefit cabaret for the national organization . At each performance, audience members can donate to the national organization to help Elon Cares reach its $2,000 goal. Each donation also enters you into a raffle for various prizes. Raffle prizes include, but aren���t limited to, signed playbills and posters from Broadway companies, private industry sessions via Zoom, a headshot session, and even a PR merchandise box from various films. Each item was donated by an alumnus from the Department of Performing Arts. Visit the 油for more information.

SUB Cinema: Mamma Mia! (2008)

Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m., Turner Theater

Join SUB Cinema for Mamma Mia! Donna, an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile, Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She invites three men from her mother’s past in the hope of meeting her real father. Visit 油for more information.

LNE: Silly Debates with the International Relations Club

Friday, Jan. 16, 10:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall

The International Relations Club is bringing their silly debates to Late Night Elon! Join us for an opportunity to talk through some amusing controversial topics ever. Visit 油for more information.

Don���t forget to switch to eduroam ��� Elonu-secure is retired

As you settle in for Winter Term, here���s a quick reminder that eduroam is Elon���s secure Wi-Fi network for laptops, phones, and tablets. Another reminder: Both eduroam and the retired elonu-secure used the same campus network. Wi-Fi disruptions in the fall were tied to external factors and our regional internet provider, not the eduroam sign-in system.

Here���s how to login to eduroam:

• Open your device���s Wi-Fi settings
• Select eduroam
• Log in with your full Elon email (e.g., jsmith@elon.edu)
• Enter your Elon password

If you���re setting up other devices, like gaming consoles, smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku and Fire TV), and smart speakers, use elonu-connect. If you need help, review step-by-step instructions online at , contact the Technology Service Desk at (336) 278-5200, or .

Here are your Phoenix Five for the upcoming week:

Elevate with the SPDC

The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) is here to help you prepare for internships, career fairs, job opportunities and more. Take advantage of several opportunities this week to build your professional connections.

Free Business Cards

Monday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. ��� 5 p.m., SPDC, Moseley Center 104

Professional networking just got easier! Come to the SPDC to get personalized Elon business cards to impress at conferences, career fairs and interviews.

Free Resume Printing

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. ��� 5 p.m., SPDC, Moseley Center 104

Bring your polished resume, and SPDC will handle printing at no cost. Stop by the SPDC to print resume copies on quality paper, and grab an Elon-branded folder and thank-you cards to make a standout impression at your next career event.

Pathways to Justice

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m., McKinnon Hall

Join the SPDC for a night of networking with 11 extraordinary law schools. Explore the law school application process and talk to admission representatives from schools including Duke, Washington and Lee, UNC, North Carolina Central, Campbell and more. This event is RSVP only. Space is limited to 60 students. Secure your spot on today.

Visit the for information on these upcoming opportunities and future events.

Department of Music Concerts this Week

Elon Orchestra presents ���An Evening in Bridgerton���

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., Whitley Auditorium

The Elon Orchestra will perform string arrangements from the hit Netflix series in a concert that will also feature the modern melodies of Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, and Queen.

Elon Chorale Fall Concert

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., Whitley Auditorium

The Elon Chorale will present a concert featuring a variety of secular and sacred pieces, and a special guest appearance by Que the Music Performing Arts Academy.

Visit the for more information.

Alumni Author Celebration: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 6-7:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall

Join the Gender & LGBTQIA Center and the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network as they celebrate Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ���13 G���14 and his spouse, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, authors of “We Love You ForAva.” This heartfelt event showcases LGBTQIA+ families and the power of inclusive storytelling, featuring voices from the Carolina Adoption Center and beyond. to be part of this inspiring celebration of love, family and community.

SUBFest

Friday, Nov. 7, 4-7:30 p.m., Young Commons

Join SUB for an afternoon of live music and entertainment from student performing groups. Come grab some food, giveaways, or enjoy a craft in collaboration with WSOE. You don’t want to miss it. Visit for more information.

Football Tailgate: Elon v. Rhode Island (CAMO OUT)

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Global Basketball Courts

Get ready to bring the energy as Elon Football faces off against Rhode Island! Don’t miss out on the best way to stir up spirit with your fellow Phoenix fans. Be there, be loud, and let���s show our Elon pride! The theme for this tailgate is CAMO OUT. Visit for more information.

All programs in the series ���Abolition as Presence in Higher Education and Beyond��� are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

A ���snack-and-learn��� on mandated reporting will feature investigator and strategist Margaux Lander of at 12:30 p.m. in Lindner Hall 206. The discussion aims to understand the current models of mandated reporting with Emancipate NC, an organization that supports people as they free themselves from mass incarceration and structural discrimination. Lander will share strategies to navigate the mandated reporting system while reducing harm and supporting families.

Wednesday, Nov. 12

The series concludes with the annual Reynolds Lecture on Political Theologies of Criminalization, Political Spiritualities of Abolition at 6:30 p.m. in the McBride Gathering Space featuring a conversation with author Andrew Krinks on the religion of criminalization and the religion of abolition from his book ���White Property, Black Trespass.���

Assistant Professor Maria Mejia, who is currently 消消犯 a philosophy senior seminar on abolition, helped organize the 2025 series with Assistant Professor Archie Crowley in the Department of English and Assistant Professor Amanda Kleintop in the Department of History and Geography.

���Abolition does not just mean getting rid of harmful systems. It also means building lifegiving practices, structures, and communities that help us flourish while reducing and transforming harm,��� Mejia said. ���We hope this series will nourish connections between the Elon community and abolitionist organizers through which we can redefine safety and foster well-bring for all.���

The series is sponsored by the Elon Fund for Excellence, Turner Theatre, the Division of Inclusive Excellence, Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Dean���s Office, the Title IX Office, and the departments of English, philosophy, and public health, as well as the Women���s and Gender Studies and American Studies programs, the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture & Society, and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center.

Previous activities in the fall series included a ���snack-and-learn��� led by Assistant Professor Amanda Kleintop; a session titled ���Thinking Like an Abolitionist to End Sexual Violence in Higher Education��� by visiting scholars Chris Linder and Nadeeka Karunaratne; and a documentary screening of ���One Million Experiments��� followed by a panel discussion with directors Daniel Kisslinger and Damon Williams of Respair Production & Media, along with local organizers Mona Evans of Benevolence Farms, Amanda Wallace of Operation Stop CPS, and Associate Professor Stephanie Baker.

This special program honors Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ���13 G���14 and his spouse Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, co-authors of the moving children���s book “We Love You ForAva.” Through their story, the couple highlights the joy, love and challenges of LGBTQIA family-building, centering their own experiences as adoptive parents. The event will feature a moderated discussion, readings, and reflections on inclusive storytelling and representation in children���s literature.

Serving as moderator for the evening will be Annette Orbert ���90, a proud Elon alumna and advocate for inclusion. Orbert will guide a conversation that explores how stories like “We Love You ForAva” not only affirm diverse families but also expand understanding of what it means to build community, belonging and love beyond traditional narratives.

The event will also feature insights from the Carolina Adoption Center, which works to create more equitable pathways for adoption. Attendees will learn about the ongoing need for supportive, loving adoptive families���especially within the LGBTQIA community���and the ways that storytelling can inspire visibility and change.

���This event is more than a book celebration, it���s a celebration of love and family,��� said Luis Garay, director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. ���We���re thrilled to highlight Jeffrey and Corddarryl���s work and to bring attention to the power of inclusive narratives that reflect the lives of so many in our community.���

The evening promises to be both inspiring and educational, offering opportunities for dialogue, connection and celebration. Whether you are an alum, student, faculty member, or community friend, you are invited to join this affirming space honoring the stories that bring us together.

Event Details

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025
• 6 to 7 p.m. EST
• McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 消消犯
• Featuring: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose ���13 G���14, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose and moderator Annette Orbert ���90
• Partners: Gender & LGBTQIA Center, the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network, the Carolina Adoption Center, Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Elon 消消犯 Bookstore

油For questions or accommodations, please contact Luis Garay (lgaray@elon.edu) or La’Tonya Wiley (lwiley2@elon.edu).

Come celebrate the power of love, family, and storytelling alongside incredible alumni who remind us that every family���s story deserves to be told.

At CAA, Ringelberg presented on trans in-visibility for the session “Visibility and Visuality after ‘the Transgender Tipping Point”‘ and on the urgency of reckoning directly and honestly with the climate emergency in “No Art History on a Dead Planet” for the “Art History and the Apocalypse” session.

In Chicago,油a symposium was held by the Wrightwood 659 as part of their opening of the groundbreaking exhibition油, curated by Jonathan D. Katz and Johnny Willis. Fifteen art history scholars and curators each addressed a distinct geographic region’s visual and material culture as it represented understanding of gender and sexual identities during that time. Ringelberg was invited to cover the case for queer and trans art and artists in France.

And in June, Ringelberg traveled to Dijon, France, to discuss the work of nineteenth-century French artist Madeleine Lemaire as a botanical illustrator, showing how their floral paintings meld art and science in a way that offers an opportunity to recognize the failure of binary, hierarchical taxonomies to represent the true diversity of plants and humans. Some of Ringelberg’s discussion of plant biology developed from conversations with and materials generously supplied by Carl Niedziela of the Elon Biology Department.

These presentations were made possible through a research residency at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in spring 2024, and the Elon College, College of Arts and Sciences faculty travel funding.

June was officially recognized by the U.S. government as Pride Month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton proclaimed June ���Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.��� Learn more about the history of the month油.

Throughout the academic year, Elon’s Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC) offers a variety of programming for the LGBTQIA community and allies, including Lavender Graduation during Commencement season.

���There are always places where there is support for your identity, where people are going to help you, watch out for you, and can give you advice and resources,” said Celia Dupay ’25. “The Gender & LGBTQIA Center has shown me that support is everywhere. No matter where you are, you���re not alone.���

Resources at Elon

• Gender and LGBTQIA Center油(GLC) in Moseley 209 provides support to LGBTQIA students, provides confidential support for survivors of gender-based violence, and presents on gender and LGBTQIA-related topics.
• The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community油is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
• 油is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
• 或顎岳晦温敬油is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at Elon Law.
• The Spirit and Pride Initiative油is a grant-funded initiative supported by The Carpenter Foundation and in collaboration with the GLC and Truitt Center to support LGBTQIA students of faith.
• RISE, a QTPOC student initiative, supports LGBTQIA students of color through affirmation, celebration, and elevation.
• CLEAR油(Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a油student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.

Community Resources

• 油is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
• 油provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
• 油is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people of any age, race and ability in Alamance County.
• 油(Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

• Connect with any of the organizations at Elon or in the Alamance County community.
• Give油to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to provide financial support for LGBTQIA students who are experiencing food insecurity, to have access to gender-affirming clothing and to make educational experiences financially accessible.
• Learn the history of the LGBTQIA communities from The Society for Human Rights to the Compton���s Cafeteria Riot and to the Stonewall Riots and subsequent Pride Parades.

Reach out to the staff at the Gender and LGBTQIA Center about other ways to get involved or if you are interested in volunteering with the GLC.

Related Articles

• Amanda Jacobson ���25 and Taylor Capello ���25 find friendship in nursing
• 消消犯 ���bloom and shine��� at ���Light the Way��� celebration
• ROTC cadets recognized at graduation reception

消消犯���s Gender and LGBTQIA Center hosted its annual Lavender Graduation and Awards Ceremony in Alumni Gym on May 9 to recognize excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university���s LGBTQIA community.

���Lavender Graduation is one of my favorite times of year as we celebrate students who have contributed to LGBTQIA inclusion at Elon,��� said Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. ���It’s a special time of community and celebration. I am thankful to faculty, staff and students who volunteered to help with the event.���

Jon Dooley, vice president for student life, also offered remarks during the event.

Soon-to-be graduates received a rainbow stole, a lavender cap and tassel in advance of 消消犯’s 135th Commencement on May 23. Stoles were placed by someone special and unique to each graduate whose name was called.

In support of the mission of 消消犯, the Gender & LGBTQIA Center partners across campus and community to support, advocate, and educate around gender and LGBTQIA identities to create an inclusive campus community of equity, justice, and academic excellence for students, employees, and alumni.

Ahead of Lavender Graduation, several油members of the Class of 2025 shared how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center nurtured their resilience, leadership, and advocacy throughout their college journeys.

After the ceremony, graduates and loved ones gathered for photos, laughter, and heartfelt congratulations. Award recipients were nominated and voted on by their peers in the graduating class.

Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate

Rachael (Mae) Curington油���25

James Hemmingway ���25

Jayla Martin-Beasley油���25

Employee Champion for LGBTQIA Inclusion油

Rev. Julie Tonnesen, associate university chaplain

Event of the Year油

Trans and Queer Art Showcase

Outstanding Scholar

Christina Stafford

In the lead-up to the 2025 celebration, three graduating seniors answered questions from the Division of Inclusive Excellence and the Office of University Communications about their personal and professional growth at 消消犯.

They also shared how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center helped them embrace their identities while developing lifelong leadership skills.

These are the stories of their journey.

James Hemmingway ’25
Hometown:油Parkland, Florida
Majors: Public Health Studies and Marketing油

Q: When did you realize your identity and how has that changed you?油
A: ���I was 14 and living in South Florida, which was difficult. Coming to Elon as a whole, not just with the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, but the community I’ve made, has made me appreciate being a part of the LGBTQIA community as something that I am proud of.���

Q: What was something you learned from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center that you didn���t already know?油
A: ���Before I came to Elon, I had never met a queer person over the age of 18. Seeing adults in the Gender & LGBTQIA Center live their lives was powerful for me, seeing what my future can look like as a queer person.���

Q: Did the Gender & LGBTQIA Center have an impact on what you want to do in the future?油
A: ���I want to work with queer people in their life transition from teenager to adulthood. It���s a unique experience for queer people, finding your space, and I think the Gender & LGBTQIA Center has great resources to facilitate that for people. That inspires me.���

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center?油
A: ���I feel grateful that Elon has done a good job with bias reporting and protecting students through the work of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. And I���ve learned that change takes time. Since the GLC started, there has been so much change ��� and students benefit more and more.���

Jayla Martin-Beasley油’25
Hometown:油Greensboro, North Carolina
Major: Strategic Communications

Q:油Tell me about your Elon experience?油油
A: ���My Elon experience has been primarily about inward exploration. I made it a goal to acquire new skills and understanding about the things I was passionate about, and through my work at the Gender & LGBTQIA Center and my experiences around campus, I have absolutely done so.���

Q: Tell me about how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center shaped your experience and you as a person?油 油
A: ���Working at the Gender & LGBTQIA Center has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have been able to grow and stretch myself beyond what I first thought was possible. Planning events, interacting with students and helping them, and just being a voice for others are all valuable experiences that I would not change for the world.���

Q: When did you realize your identity and how has that changed you?油
A: ���I realized my identity back in middle school and had been on the road to acceptance about it all the way up until getting into Elon. I often struggled with the validity of my sexuality, wondering if I was confused or somehow deluding myself for attention, and it took a long time to overcome those doubts. Now I am proud to be myself, authentically and wholeheartedly.���

Q: What was something you learned from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center that you didn���t already know? 油
A: ���I learned just how many ways there are to care for a community. We have worked on spreading information, resources and opportunities for gathering around various topics like queer and transgender identities, sexual assault, domestic abuse, stalking and intersectionality with BIPOC communities.���

Celia Dupuy油’25
Hometown:油Collierville, Tennessee
Major: Human Service Studies油

Q: Tell me about how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center shaped your experience and you as a person?油
A:油���Working at the Center for Leadership, we often had partnerships with the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, and that’s how I got introduced. I would also attend events such as Spring Pride or Dragstravaganza, and it was comforting coming to Elon knowing that there was a space where people were there to support me, especially because I came from a very conservative area.���

Q: When did you realize your identity and how has that changed you?油
A: ���Growing up in the small town that I did, most people were not accepting, but my family and a few friends were very supportive when I came out. Over the past four years, I have grown to be a lot more comfortable with who I am, and Elon has been a very positive space for me to be able to live my life authentically.���

Q: Did the Gender & LGBTQIA Center have an impact on what you want to do in the future?油 油
A: ���I want to go into higher education after graduation and eventually work in an LGBTQ+ center, like what Luis Garay is doing. Overall, I want to help the community in any space that I am in and take what I’ve learned from Elon to make an impact, no matter what direction I take in my career.���

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center?油
A: ���There are always places where there is support for your identity, where people are going to help you, watch out for you, and can give you advice and resources. The Gender & LGBTQIA Center has shown me that support is everywhere. No matter where you are, you’re not alone.���

Time to Verify Student Health Insurance for Fall 2025

All full-time 消消犯, graduate and law students enrolling for Fall 2025 must complete the . 消消犯 received an email this week with details and instructions on how to verify coverage or enroll in the university-sponsored plan. Deadline for compliance is June 1, 2025. For questions, please contact healthinsurance@elon.edu.

SPDC Industry/Organization Interest Survey

The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) wants to hear from students! The Industry/Organization Interest Survey helps shape employer outreach for internships, grad school and job opportunities. It takes just two minutes to complete, and students who participate by May 2 will be entered to win prizes like Bluetooth speakers, Keurigs, and earbuds. !

CLEAR CARE-nival (Denim Day)

Wednesday, April 30, 11 a.m. ��� 2 p.m., Young Commons

Mark your calendars for the CLEAR CARE-nival, hosted by the Gender & LGBTQIA Center (GLC). The event will consist of an afternoon of community building, learning, fun, food and free denim! All are invited to wear denim on April 30 in honor of Denim Day ��� an international day of action to end sexual harassment and assault, support survivors and challenge norms that enable violence. Read the for more information.

Maker Takeover 2025

Wednesday, April 30, 4:30���6:30 p.m., Moseley Center

Join the Maker Hub for Elon���s biggest celebration of creativity and hands-on making. Whether you love making, crafting, or just checking out cool projects, there���s something for everyone! Explore over 40 student-made projects���quilting, clothing, 3D printing, woodworking, electronics, and more. Visit the for more information.

Three Events to Check Out this Weekend

Limelight Records 2025 Limey Awards Show

Friday, May 2, 7 p.m., College Street Taphouse

Limelight Records presents the annual student music awards show. Check them out on Instagram at .

Late Night Elon Presents: Limitless The Last Hurrah

Friday, May 2, 9 p.m., Iraz炭

Come join Limitless for their miniseries performance and see new artists take the stage! This performance will serve as the end-of-year kick-off for this exceptionally talented student music group. Stop by for good music and good coffee – on the house! Visit for more information.

Coolin on the Commons: Heroes vs. Villains Edition

Saturday, May 3, 5���9 p.m., Phi Beta Kappa Commons

Experience the excitement of Elon���s Step Show Competition sponsored by BSU, NPHC, SUB and SGA. Stop by to enjoy free food trucks, a live DJ, inflatables, and show-stopping performances. Don’t miss the chance to donate canned goods and connect with NPHC members ahead of the event ��� stop by the Moseley Table Monday, April 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out for more details!