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��.

The GLC also hosts a Pride Month Community Coffee event on June 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Irazu Coffee. Attendees can get one medium iced or hot drink. .

Resources at Elon

• Gender and LGBTQIA Center��(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 GLC is open during the summer, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on holidays. Feel free to stop by the office, email (glc@elon.edu) or call at 336.278.6228
• The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community��is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
• ��is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
• OutLaw��is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at Elon Law.
• LGBTQIA Alumni Network celebrates��and connects LGBTQIA alumni by fostering belonging and advocating for our community.
• The Spirit and Pride Initiative��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��(Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a��student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.
• The GAP Fund��provides financial support to currently enrolled Elon students who are supported by the mission and programs of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. The GAP Fund is made possible by generous donations to the GLC from LGBTQIA alumni, allies, faculty, staff, current students, and community members.

Community Resources

• ��is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
• ��provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
• ��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.
• ��(Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.
• ��works to to serve, empower, and advocate for the well-being of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
• ��supports LGBTQ+ people through services, programming, resources, and support networks that center their wellbeing and allows them to thrive.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

• Connect with any of the organizations in this article.
• Give��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.

As �þ��� honored its first-generation graduates during the annual stole ceremony on May 20 in McKinnon Hall, Assistant Director of First-Generation Student Support Services Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19 turned to the words of American poet Lucille Clifton to capture the significance of the moment.

“‘Won’t you celebrate with me what I have shaped into a kind of life? I had no model,’” Brown recited from Clifton’s poem, “Won’t you celebrate with me,” using the passage to reflect on the journeys of the 70 students –��including 10 graduate students –��recognized during this year’s ceremony.

In his welcome, Brown explained to the soon-to-be graduates that the university was honoring not only their academic accomplishments, but also their spirit, commitment and resiliency.

“Today, we celebrate the paths each of these students has created –��a path that took shape as they walked on it,” he said. “We celebrate the legacy they are leaving on this campus as remarkable leaders and scholars, a beacon of light in a dark world. We celebrate all they have given to Elon and how they have made us a stronger, more inclusive institution.”

Organized by First-Generation Student Support Services, an initiative within the Center for Access and Success, the ceremony marked the largest group recognized since the stole ceremony was established in 2020. The milestone served as a point of pride for participants, their families and the university.

Brown thanked gathered faculty, staff, mentors, family members and friends for supporting the students throughout their Elon journeys, emphasizing that the celebration reflected a shared commitment to first-generation student success.

Following Brown’s introduction, the ceremony transitioned to reflections from student keynote speaker Asia Green ’26, a presentation of the first-generation stoles, a charge from Luis H. Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, and the announcement of this year’s 1891 Awards recipients.

Finding the perseverance

During her keynote remarks, Green reminded fellow first-generation graduates that every student’s route to Commencement looked different – and that those differences deserved to be celebrated.

“Every person in this room has a different story, a different struggle, and a different journey that brought them to this moment,” said the exercise science major. “Some of us barely made it through certain courses. Well, we’re here today! No matter what your journey looked like, you made it here, and that alone is something to be proud of.”

The La Crosse, Virginia, native spoke candidly about overcoming fear and uncertainty throughout her college experience, urging students to move forward with confidence even when the future feels intimidating.

“To be a first-generation student means more to me than I can fully explain because it’s more than receiving a degree – it’s about traveling without a road map,” she said.

Despite moments of self-doubt, Green flourished at Elon, carving her own way. She built an impressive record of academic achievement and campus involvement while pursuing �þ��� research opportunities, leadership roles, and a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. Following graduation, Green said she will continue her education after being accepted into a doctoral occupational therapy program in Florida.

“Success does not always require knowing all the answers or having everything planned,” Green said. “For me, it often meant intentionally choosing to stay despite significant challenges. Many of us have experienced times of uncertainty when giving up felt easier than continuing. However, by persevering through these difficult moments, we find new opportunities and directions that redefine our paths.”

“My time at Elon taught me that where you come from does not define where you are going.”

After Green’s keynote, graduates crossed the stage to receive their first-generation stoles from mentors, family members and supporters who shaped their Elon experiences.

Fittingly, the stole was designed by first-generation student Daisy Martinez-Jimenez ’26, and “symbolizes the unique and complex journey that you all have taken to be in this moment,” Brown said.

Along with the stole, students received an Elon lapel pin, sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement, signifying their entry into the Elon alumni family.

Pay it forward

The event continued with an inspirational charge from Garay, drawing from their own experiences as a first-generation college student and current doctoral student.

Garay reflected on the significance of the moment not only for the students being recognized, but also for the families and communities who supported them along the way.

“My cultural roots are in the ranchos of Zacatecas, Mexico,” Garay said. “My family, like many immigrants, came to this country for the opportunity and a better life for their kids. So, my college graduation was not only mine but my parents’ and my family’s graduation, too. Maybe this is something some of you relate to as well.”

Garay structured their remarks around three invitations for graduates as they move into the next chapter of their lives: honoring mentors, sharing knowledge, and paying it forward.

As part of their remarks, Garay encouraged graduates to recognize the mentors who helped them reach Commencement. Garay recalled a former supervisor who encouraged them early in their career and challenged graduates to think about the people whose support and encouragement sustained them throughout college. Garay even paused their remarks to invite graduates to send a text message thanking a mentor, family member or friend who helped guide them to graduation day.

“My last invitation to you all … take the knowledge you have gained and pay it forward,” Garay said. “By paying it forward, I mean using your knowledge, skills, expertise, social connections, or financial means to shift the reality for someone. As you go and leave Elon and enter your careers, I want to encourage you to find ways to give back to those who are coming after you.”

Recognizing this year’s 1891 Awards recipients

Following the stole presentations, organizers recognized the recipients of the 2026 1891 Awards, honoring individuals who have advanced first-generation student success at �þ���.

Named in honor of Elon’s first graduating class in 1891, the awards celebrate members of the campus community who embody the values of First-Generation Initiatives: empowerment, celebration, community, passion and authenticity.

This year’s recipients included:

• 1891 Award of Community: Emily Menjivar ’26
• 1891 Award of Celebratory: Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life/dean of student health and well-being, and Paula DiBiasio, associate professor of physical therapy education
• 1891 Award of Passion: Selma Marić ’26
• 1891 Award of Empowerment: Daniella Alonzo Lopez ’28
• 1891 Award of Authenticity: Jo-Rae Jennings G’26, associate director of communications for Student Professional Development Center

Closing the ceremony, Cici Salazar ’23, G’26, encouraged graduates to reflect on the resilience and determination that carried them throughout their time at Elon. The graduate apprentice for First-Generation Initiatives reminded students that the challenges they faced throughout college had already prepared them for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

“Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come,” Salazar said. “Each challenge, setback and moment of uncertainty has shaped the strength and resilience that you brought to the stage today.”

Salazar emphasized that graduates’ journeys at Elon were marked not only by personal achievement, but also by resilience, community and the responsibility to support future generations.

“As first-generation students, we have already proven that we can do hard things,” Salazar said. “We’ve broken barriers, created opportunities, and paved the paths for ourselves and those who will follow after us. More now than ever, we must continue showing up for one another with compassion, strength and authenticity.”

Opening the celebration with remarks, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life, reflected on the division’s role in supporting and transforming students throughout their Elon journeys.

“We educate students and we transform lives,” Dooley said.

Throughout his remarks, Dooley emphasized the importance of relationships and the meaningful impact Student Life professionals have on students both inside and outside the classroom. “The relationships we build with students — and with each other — are our greatest assets,” Dooley said

The celebration highlighted milestones from across the division and university, including launching the division’s new five-year plan, signing the Okanagan Charter, re-energizing the Hazing Prevention Coalition, expanding resources and communications for graduate students and being named one of the most promising places to work in student affairs for the sixth consecutive year.

The event also celebrated staff service milestones, departmental accomplishments, graduate apprentices, upcoming retirees and the professional achievements of colleagues across the division.

Special guests in attendance included Provost Rebecca Kohn and Vice President Emeritus Smith Jackson.

As the academic year comes to a close, the event served as a reflection on the collective care, collaboration and commitment that continue to shape the student experience at Elon.

Division of Student Life Award Recipients

Academic Partnership Award

The Academic Partnership Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional and department that worked closely with academic partners to design a program or service that purposefully integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences or connects social and intellectual activities in an intentional manner.

Professional: Boaz Avraham-Katz, Truitt Center

Department: Counseling Services

Administrative Professional Award

The Administrative Professional is presented annually to a Student Life administrative professional (hourly staff member) who exhibits exceptional ability, commitment, and excellence in supporting student success and departmental/divisional priorities and projects.

Professional: Catherine Little, administrative assistant for campus life/New Student Programs

Collaboration Award

The Collaboration Award is presented to an individual and department that has excelled in forming partnerships within and/or outside the Division of Student Life to enhance the student experience by advancing the division’s and/or the university’s priorities.

Professional: Sam Lopez, Student Involvement

Department: �þ��� Recreation

Inclusive Excellence Award

The Inclusive Excellence Award is presented to a professional and department that has demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive campus climate and community through advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Professional: Emily Krechel, New Student Programs

Department: Student Care & Outreach

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award is presented to a professional and department that has developed new, unique programs, services, or ways of working to support our divisional mission and goals.

Professional: AK Krauss, Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Department: Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Mentoring Award

The Mentoring Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional who is an exceptional mentor to students and engages with them in purposeful student development activities.

Professional: Destiny Payne, New Student Programs

New Professional Award

The New Professional Award is presented to an individual serving in their first or second year at Elon��who exhibits exceptional ability and commitment to work as a Student Life professional.

Professional: Ivie Shelton, �þ��� Recreation

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the student affairs profession.

Professional: Jana Lynn Patterson

Professional Development Scholarship

The Professional Development Scholarship Award is designed to extend beyond those opportunities to provide employees with support for continued professional growth through participation in selected professional experiences. Participants are expected to develop a creative strategy for sharing insights and lessons learned with colleagues on campus.

Recipient: Callie Kelly, Health Promotion

Years of Service

5 Years��

• Kirstin Boswell
• Meredith Harrison
• AK Krauss
• Cara Plasencia
• Tumi Shadreck
• Christina Wittstein

10 Years

• Shane Atkinson
• Callie Kelly
• Peter Tremblay

15 Years��

• Jan Register
• Marilyn Slade

20 Years

• Susan Lindley
• Chris Troxler

40 Years

• Jana Lynn Patterson

Related Articles

• Website for �þ���’s 136th Commencement Exercises

It was the most joyous of celebrations of love, pride, identity and academic achievement.

Members of the LGBTQIA community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 8 for an awards and recognition ceremony honoring soon-to-be graduates from �þ���’s Class of 2026.

Hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, the 14th annual Lavender Celebration recognized excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university’s LGBTQIA community. As they crossed the stage to be recognized, honorees were applauded by family, friends and mentors who filled the floor of a gymnasium ringed by flags that represented the identities of student participants.

Celebrants each received a rainbow stole symbolizing their commitment to inclusion, queer and trans joy, and the legacy of LGBTQIA communities at Elon and beyond.

“This moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful,” John Moses-Brownson, �þ���’s associate director of career advising for pre-professional health, said in welcoming remarks. “It’s something we build together, in community, in small acts of courage that add up over time. And getting to witness the results of your courage today is such a gift.

“Moments like this don’t just happen. They’re built by the people in this room, so thank all of you for building together for others and for yourselves.”

This moment is a reminder that being yourself is not always easy, but it is always powerful.

–��John Moses-Brownson, �þ���’s associate director of career advising for pre-professional health

Elon’s program traces its origins to efforts in 2012 by Jess Huynh ’12 and Raafe Purnsley ’12, alongside Professor Kirstin Ringelberg and other community members, to organize the first celebration. In 2022, a complementary program was launched to recognize December graduates from the School of Law and the School of Health Sciences.

The latest ceremony included an awards presentation that recognized notable student and employee accomplishments and commitments to inclusion on campus.

Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate (Natalie Hudson ‘26): This award is for a graduate who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics during their time at �þ���.

Employee Champion for LGBTQIA Inclusion (Abby Igoe, Assistant Director of Multimedia Projects and Turner Theatre Manager): A faculty, administrator, or staff member who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific during their time at �þ���. This individual could be part of the LGBTQIA communities or an ally.

Event of the Year (“Dragstravaganza” hosted by the Events Team from the Gender and LGBTQIA Center): An event or initiative that has contributed to improving dedication, passion, or awareness around gender & LGBTQIA identities or topics specific to the 2025-2026 academic year.

Alumni Recognition and Encouragement

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Jonathan R. Monti ‘08, a student affairs professional at Rollins College in Florida who serves as president of the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network, presented Elon alum David Carter ’92 with an honorary graduate stole in recognition of Carter’s work to create space, visibility, and belonging in the Alamance County community.

Monti also offered a message of hope and support for the students seated before him.

“For us as LGBTQIA individuals, community has never been optional.
It has been life giving,” Monti said. “It is how we survive, how we celebrate, and how we build futures that once felt impossible. As you begin this next phase of your journey, know that you already have all that you need: your values, your voice, and your community. Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

“Today, we gather in the community to celebrate you, your resilience, your brilliance, your joy. 
Your successes in achievements are immeasurable. Your stories matter, and you belong. Now and always.”

Wherever the journey may take you, create community, remain rooted in a practice of love and care and empathy, and always speak your truth, even when your voice may be unsteady.

– Jonathan R. Monti ’08, president of the Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network

This year’s celebration featured a “Diamond Dust” theme, encouraging sparkling outfits to match ballroom glamour. The event was hosted by local drag performers Honey Z and Giselle Cassidy Carter, who gave energetic and interactive performances, encouraging students to participate in the ball’s various competition categories.

The Kiki Ball is an annual event organized by the GLC to celebrate the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) community on campus and introduce students to the history and traditions of ballroom culture. Rooted in black and LGBTQIA communities, ballroom culture has played a significant role in shaping drag performances and overarching LGBTQIA expression.

Kate Campbell, the GLC’s graduate apprentice, said that the purpose of the evening is to both celebrate and educate the campus community about ballroom culture and the communities that shaped it.

The event also included educational components that allowed attendees to learn about ballroom history. The RISE team, which oversees the GLC’s QTPOC initiative, hosted a table that featured photocards highlighting influential drag performers and important figures in ballroom history. These helped provide context for students who may not have attended the program before or were unfamiliar with ballroom culture.

Beyond the educational focus of the Kiki Ball, students were encouraged to take part in performances and walk the runway. Attendees donned themed outfits and competed in various performance categories in order to show off their flair. Hosts and audience members all cheered as students stepped onto the runway.

Organizers say one of the most important pieces of the night is creating a welcoming environment where students can comfortably express themselves. Maverick Powell, a GLC student employee who helped plan and work the event, said the supportive atmosphere helped participants feel motivated to walk the runway.

“Everyone was just really happy to be there and encouraging of each other,” Powell said.

For many students, this program provides a rare opportunity on Elon’s campus to experiment with their identities in a supportive setting. Janeeta Smith, manager of RISE, said the event allows students to explore performing in a way that encourages creativity and accessibility.

“I view Kiki Ball as a way students can express themselves through their outfits and performances,” Smith said.

Although attendance was slightly smaller this year than in previous years, the evening maintained a lively, upbeat atmosphere. By combining educational aspects with opportunities for self-expression, the Kiki Ball created a space where students can both learn from and actively participate in a culture rooted in exploration, identity, creativity and community.

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:

�þ��� 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 �þ��� 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 ��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 ��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 ��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 ��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 �þ��� 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, �þ���
• 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 �þ��� Bookstore

��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.