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.

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• The Month in Photos: February 2026

As the 2025-26 academic year drew to a close, May was marked by celebration, reflection and new beginnings across �þ���. From Commencement festivities and awards ceremonies to end-of-year traditions, performances, and moments of community, the month showcased the accomplishments and experiences that defined another successful year on campus. These photos highlight some of the memorable scenes and milestones that made May a special month at Elon.

Engineering excellence

�þ��� in Elon’s Department of Engineering��put their classroom learning into practice through six capstone projects showcased May 8 in Founders Hall as part of the Engineering Senior Design course.

Coolin’ on the Commons

�þ���’s Black Student Union held Coolin’ on the Commons in May, which featured live music, games and fun.

‘Elon will never leave you.’

The Class of 2026 gathered Under the Oaks on May 19 for Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate, a time for reflection on the light students will take into the world. During the event, Jana Lynn Patterson,��associate vice-president for student life, dean of student health & well-being, and assistant professor, reminded graduates about the importance of the relationships they’ve built at Elon. Patterson will retire from the university this summer after 40 years.

Think critically, lead empathetically

Candidates from graduate-level programs in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and Martha and Spencer Love School of Business received their diplomas during a joint Commencement ceremony on May 20 in Alumni Gym.

In her address, journalist and author Katherine Blunt ’15 acknowledged a challenging reality – that today’s graduates are leaving institutions of higher learning across the country and embarking on professional journeys in a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, learn and think.

But she reminded the graduates that��while many people may be tempted by the path of least resistance, Elon cultivates leaders who are deeply rooted in collaboration, communication and, most importantly, the ability to think critically.

Celebrating community

Ahead of and during Commencement Week, Elon held a variety of affinity celebrations celebrating and engaging graduates who share common identities, passions and connections that exist throughout various affinities. Those include Lavender Celebration, , Celebremos: Graduates Take Flight and Donning of the Kente.

‘Be-possible-ists’

During the 136th Commencement Ceremonies in Schar Center on May 22, President Connie Ledoux Book asked the Class of 2026 to look back on their��New Student Convocation in 2022,��1,371 days prior.

During their first year, the Class of 2026 all read the Common Reading book��“Factfulness” by Hans Rosling. In his book, Rosling described the word “possible-ist:” someone who looks honestly at the world’s problems and still believes, based on evidence, that things can get better, and that they are getting better. Book asked the graduates to be “possible-ists” as they enter the world.

Elon celebrated graduates in two ceremonies — the morning event for the School of Communications and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, and the afternoon event for Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the School of Health Sciences.

Related Articles

• ‘Este logro no es solo mío’: Honoring the communities behind graduates
• Elon graduate students encouraged to think critically, lead empathetically
• ‘Won’t you celebrate with me’: Elon honors first-generation graduates
• ‘Elon will never leave you’ | Class of 2026 embrace relationships and connection during Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate
• As they leave Elon, graduating international students plant physical roots on campus

A Donning of the Kente Ceremony at �þ��� celebrated the African heritage, achievements and resilience of Black graduates in the university’s Class of 2026 during an evening filled with expressions of cultural tradition, reflection and joy.

Held on the eve of Commencement ceremonies, the annual event honored graduating students with handmade Kente stoles woven in Ghana, a symbol of heritage, wisdom and shared responsibility to be worn at graduation.

Family members and the wider university community gathered inside Alumni Gym on May 21, 2026, to recognize the graduates’ accomplishments and the communities that supported them throughout their college journeys.

“Tonight, we do more than congratulate our graduates,” said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. “Tonight, we bear witness to them. Tonight, we affirm them.”

The 10th annual ceremony highlighted the importance mentorship in the graduates’ success. In his remarks to graduates, Williams recognized the “village” of parents, grandparents, mentors, faculty and staff, and friends who supported the graduates throughout their university studies.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the Elon Black Alumni Network, encouraged graduates to remain engaged with the university and support future generations of students.

“As you look ahead, carry this charge: build community, mentor intentionally and stay engaged. Elon’s strength is its people showing up for one another, again and again,” he said. “Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

“The next generation’s experience will be shaped by what you choose to do from this point forward.”

Engagement is not symbolic. It is active. It looks like mentoring a student, returning to campus, opening doors, and investing your time, talent, and resources.

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the Elon Black Alumni Network

Bohannon also highlighted the role of the Elon Black Alumni Network in mentoring students and supporting initiatives such as the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. He noted that the ceremony’s continued growth reflects a vision established a decade ago and sustained through alumni engagement and philanthropy.

During the donning ceremony, each graduate was joined on stage by a person who played a meaningful role in their Elon experience. Supporters presented the stoles while tributes celebrating each graduate’s accomplishments and future aspirations were read aloud.

Graduates were praised for perseverance, leadership and cultural pride as families, mentors and faculty members reflected on the challenges many students overcame to earn their degrees. Presentations highlighted stories of first-generation college graduates, international students, and campus leaders who balanced academics with research, athletics and service while supporting others along the way.

Another popular feature of the evening program: A rhythmic dance of celebration performed by served to open and conclude the ceremony.

�þ���’s event is made possible by the Kelli E. Palmer ’98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment supports the program, including the purchase of the kente stoles.

In her own remarks to graduates, La’ Tonya Wiley ’97, �þ���’s assistant director of affinity alumni engagement, described the evening as a way to not only honor accomplishments, but to honor who celebrants have become.

“You are scholars, changemakers, leaders and living examples for those who will follow behind you,” she said. “May you always remember that your excellence is not defined solely by titles or degrees, but by how you uplift others, how you remain rooted in purpose and how you continue building community wherever your path leads.”

As they prepare to leave Elon, many members of the Class of 2026 gathered in Lakeside Meeting Rooms on May 21 for a celebration centered not only on achievement, but also on the people and communities that helped them get there.

Celebremos! Graduates Take Flight brought together 37 seniors and their families, mentors and friends to honor their journeys for an afternoon of reflection, gratitude and celebration. Throughout the program, students shared personal tributes recognizing the sacrifices, encouragement and support systems that shaped their Elon experiences.

President Connie Ledoux Book reminded the soon-to-be graduates that the stole they were about to receive was not only a recognition of their academic accomplishments, but also a testament to their pride, culture and identity.

“The Elon community is proud of your achievements, your stories and the richness that you have added to Elon’s history during your time here,” she said, adding that this is just the beginning. She asked them to take Elon with them in all endeavors and to stay connected to their alma mater. “I do hope that you’ll continue to reach back to Elon and the community here to share your story, to share your Elon experience and to root for the next generation of Elon grads.”

Each graduate had the opportunity to write a message of gratitude for their village in the language of their choice. Many of them took the opportunity to publicly thank parents and loved ones whose sacrifices made college possible.

“As a first-generation Hispanic college student, there were many moments where I felt like I was figuring things out as I went,” wrote Isabella Ibañez, whose family heritage is from Argentina. “My parents immigrated here and worked hard to create opportunities for me and my siblings, even when they did not always have a roadmap themselves.”

Others reflected on the emotional complexity of reaching graduation after years of uncertainty, growth and perseverance.

“I’ve��been��asked��a��lot��recently��about��how��I��feel��about��graduating,” drama and theatre studies major Samantha Azúa wrote. “Without��so��much��as a second thought, I’m quick to respond��with��‘existential.’” In her tribute, Azúa thanked her parents for the sacrifices they made in moving to the United States and for �þ��� her to take advantage of every opportunity and to “trabajar duro y nunca rendirme, incluso cuando las cosas se ponen muy difíciles.”

For fellow graduating senior Libia Zulema Velasquez, hearing younger students reflect on the sacrifices their parents made for them was particularly meaningful. A mother herself who uprooted her family from Culiacán in northwestern Mexico to pursue a Master of Education in Innovation at Elon, she understood all too well the significance of those words. “I kept looking at my children,” she said. “I can identify with that sacrifice.”

As part of her reflection, she had these words for Liam and Leo: “A mis hijos quiero decirles que: todo es posible. Todo se puede alcanzar. Solo hace falta pensarlo, decidirlo … y actuar.”

The stories shared throughout the event reflected a wide range of experiences, but common themes emerged repeatedly: family, belonging, mentorship and resilience.

For Daniela Ávila, graduating meant carrying her hometown in Honduras with her into the future.

“Hoy, al celebrar mi graduación, llevo a mi pueblo conmigo en cada paso que doy,” she wrote. “Me siento profundamente orgullosa de mis raíces y de representar a una comunidad llena de personas trabajadoras, artesanos y luchadores que inspiran con su ejemplo.”

Several graduates specifically highlighted the communities they found at Elon: spaces and people that helped transform the university into a second home. Others recognized the role programs such as Odyssey and Elon Academy played in helping them navigate college and pursue opportunities they once thought impossible.

“Odyssey��no solo me brindó apoyo académico, sino también un sentido de pertenencia y una red de personas que realmente creen en mi potencial,” wrote Jesús Santoyo Rosales, who is graduating with a degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering. “Este logro no es solo mío, es de todos nosotros”��— a reminder that “this achievement is not only mine; it belongs to all of us.”

“Your story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.”
— Sylvia Muñoz, director of the CREDE

The event also highlighted the deeply personal nature of students’ journeys. Some graduates thanked siblings who inspired them, grandparents who sacrificed for future generations, professors who saw potential in them and friends who became family.

“Growth does not happen alone,” Ibañez wrote. “It comes from the people who support you, challenge you, and remind you that you are capable even when you doubt yourself.”

For many students, graduation represented more than earning a degree; it symbolized the culmination of years of sacrifice that stretched far beyond themselves.

“Como hija mayor y primera generación en graduarme de la escuela secundaria y ahora de la universidad, llevo este logro con orgullo, pero también con responsabilidad,” wrote Carolina Vasquez. “Siempre he querido ser un buen ejemplo para mis hermanos, demostrarles que sí se puede, que nuestros sueños no tienen límites.”

In her charge to the students, Diana Jimenez Carreno challenged graduates to be present in the moment and proud of what they have accomplished. Above all, she encouraged them to never forget their roots or the strong voices they carry within them.

“Do not let stereotypes, stigma or negativity in the world silence that voice,” she said. “And believe me, it’s easier said than done. But you’re not alone. And when life feels overwhelming, lean on your village.”

Sylvia Muñoz, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, echoed that sentiment in her closing remarks. “As you begin this next chapter, remember your voice matters,” she said. “Your story matters and the way you live with integrity, with empathy and love will continue to inspire those around you.”

As the celebration concluded, students embraced family members, posed for photos and reflected on the communities that carried them through their Elon journeys.

“I just feel so thankful and so blessed,” Velasquez said, reflecting on the event. There is one message, she added, that she plans to carry with her moving forward: “Disfruta el momento.”

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.”

During the next three years, the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029 will work with faculty mentor Vanessa Drew-Branch, associate professor in the Department of Human Service Studies.

During an event on April 30 in Sato Commons, Drew-Branch, welcomed the Class of 2029 by introducing the cohort’s theme of food sovereignty at �þ��� and in St. Kitts and Nevis. Drawing connections between local and global food systems, Drew-Branch encouraged Scholars to think critically about issues of food insecurity, food apartheid, justice, dignity and sustainability. She highlighted how colonial legacies, climate change and inequitable systems continue to shape access to healthy and culturally appropriate food while emphasizing the importance of community-centered, sustainable agricultural practices. Through her remarks, students were challenged to approach this work with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to building authentic partnerships rooted in reciprocity and social justice.

The newly inducted members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2029:

• Melanie Alarcon
• Katherine Banker
• Autumn Boyce
• Kimara delRosario
• Willow Evans
• Travis Greene
• Simone Lewis-Abdeen
• Mason Marks
• Tia Nelson
• Jazline Rogel Sanchez
• Ally Rotenberg
• Kylie Rukavina
• Gabriella Shew
• Hazel Silverstein
• Shukri Siraji
• Caleb Slosberg

The Periclean Scholars Program provides students with a distinctive three-year educational experience focused on global engagement, interdisciplinary learning and ethical community partnership. Each cohort studies a specific country or region, collaborating with local and global partners to gain a deeper understanding of complex social challenges and develop sustainable, justice-centered initiatives.

Throughout the program, acholars complete 18 semester hours of coursework during their sophomore, junior, and senior years under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Through these courses and experiential learning opportunities, students explore best practices in community engagement, examine the critical distinction between charity and partnership, and learn to approach social change through collaboration, reciprocity, and long-term relationship building.

As the Periclean Scholars Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the induction of the Class of 2029 reflects the continued legacy of student leadership, ethical partnership, and community-engaged global learning that defines the program.

Her remarks reflected the evening’s themes of belonging, connection and growth as students, faculty and staff gathered to honor graduating seniors who have engaged in or identify with Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions.

“This community met me where I was, and I have you all to thank for helping me find my way into it,” said Wible.

Throughout the evening, the celebration included award recognitions, a stole ceremony and concluded with student performances. Awards presented during the celebration included the Beacon Award, Asian Studies Awards, Academic Excellence Awards, Illumination Award, Radiance Award, Outstanding Senior Award and student-voted superlatives recognizing members of the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

The stole ceremony served as one of the ceremony’s most symbolic moments, symbolizing connection to heritage, identity and community. Along with their stole, students received a booklet of cards from prominent individuals who helped light their way during their Elon journey.

Co-designed by Tiffany Huang ’23 and Alana Evora ’24, the stole featured flower petals as a motif representing the diversity and individuality within the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

The design also aligned with the 2026 Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme, “Distinctly in Bloom, Growing Together,” which resonated throughout the evening in the celebration’s remarks and intentional decor. Each table centerpiece highlighted a different flower representing various aspects of the Asian and Pacific Islander community. It also included mall booklet containing cards from people who have lit the way for their journey at Elon.

“Each flower represents the individuality and the uniqueness within our communities, whilst also reminding us of what ties all of us together,” said George Dou, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.

Dou also spoke about the importance of community and shared growth.

“Each senior participating in our ceremony tonight has traced a unique path in the way that they have bloomed during their time here at Elon,” Dou said. “Growth, in many ways, cannot happen without a community.”

As the evening concluded, Wible reminded students that the spirit of community does not end with the night’s celebration, encouraging them to continue supporting and empowering each other beyond Elon.

“The light doesn’t go out when tonight ends — it goes with us into every room, every community and every person that needs to find their way in,” Wible said.

2026 Award Recipients

Beacon Award��

The Beacon Awards are given to two faculty or staff members who have gone above and beyond to be a beacon of support to the API community at �þ���.

Beacon Award Recipients: Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement and Raj Ghoshal, associate professor of sociology

Illumination Award

The Illumination Award recognizes a student whose scholarship has shed light on the understanding of APISA identities, cultures, history or heritage.

Illumination Award Recipient: Emma Hash ’26

Radiance Award

The Radiance Award recognizes a sophomore or junior student who has shown great dedication, passion, or awareness around API identities or topics at Elon. This individual has gone above and beyond to create a more inclusive and representative campus for Elon as a whole.

Radiance Award Recipient: Emily Wright ’27

Brilliance Award

Formerly the Outstanding Senior Award, the Brilliance Award recognizes the leadership, dedication and the impact a graduating senior has made on the Asian and Pacific Islander community throughout their journey at Elon.

Brilliance Award Recipient: Reagan Wible ’26

Student Superlatives��

• Most Likely To Be In The API Room: Pagnapech Ngoun ’26
• Most Likely To Be On A Reality TV Show: Olivia Mohil ’27
• Most Likely To Brighten Your Day: Seleyna Bautista ’26
• Busiest Bee: Lillian Chen ’26

Grounded in a legacy of honoring Black excellence, the program reflects its enduring impact at Elon through resilience, achievement and a deep commitment to advancing equity, belonging and community both on campus and beyond.

The program included opening remarks from Abdul-Malik Harrison, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, followed by an invocation from the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement. Remarks were given by President Connie Ledoux Book, and a special video tribute was presented in honor of Janice Ratliff, who passed away earlier this year.

“In recognition of a remarkable legacy, we honor Janice Ratliff, who devoted more than 35 years of service to �þ���, shaping generations of students through her work in Student Life,” said Maleah Proctor ’26, Black Student Union president, during the awards ceremony. “Her legacy lives through the many students she mentored and uplifted, and through the historic recognition of being the first Black staff member to have a campus building named in her honor.”

New to this year’s ceremony were the Legacy and Community Impact awards, recognizing �þ��� students, faculty, staff, organizations and departments whose leadership, advocacy, creativity and innovation have strengthened Black communities and advanced inclusion at Elon.

The new honors include the Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award, the Eugene Perry Legacy Award, the Community Impact Awards (Agendas of Change and Innovator in Empowerment) and the Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award.

Additional honors recognized academic achievement, including students named to the dean’s list (3.5 GPA) and the President’s Award, which recognizes students earning no lower than an A-, the Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship and the Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award.

Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Award

The Elon Black Alumni Network (EBAN) strives to unite and represent the interests of �þ���’s�� Black alumni and students by fostering empowerment, connection and celebration within Elon’s Black community. In 2007, EBAN established a scholarship fund to help make an Elon education accessible to Black students. This fund reached a significant milestone in 2023, achieving a $1 million endowment, further strengthening its ability to support future generations.

Elon Black Alumni Network Scholarship Recipient:��Laila Cottman ‘28 and Kavalon Mills ‘27

Elon Experiences Awards

The Elon Experiences Awards honor students who exemplify the university’s commitment to engaged learning through transformative action, global perspective, and meaningful impact. These awards recognize students whose leadership, service, research, global engagement and internship experiences have significantly advanced and enriched Black communities.

Global Engagement Award

The Global Engagement Award celebrates students who have excelled in study abroad or global learning, deepening intercultural understanding and awareness. This award recognizes students who have engaged in global experiences that have enhanced their understanding of Black diasporic cultures and fostered cross-cultural solidarity.

Global Engagement Award Recipient:��Kendall Lytle ’26

Internship Award

The Internship Award recognizes students whose professional internships demonstrate exceptional performance, impact and the ability to connect classroom learning with workplace success. This award celebrates students whose internships have involved work that supports or advocates for Black communities, promoting diversity and inclusion in professional settings.

Internship Award Recipient:��Andrea Camo Conde ’26

Leadership Award

The Leadership Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in organizations, initiatives, or campus life, inspiring others through their vision and service. This award honors students whose leadership has advanced racial equity, fostered an inclusive campus environment and empowered Black communities.

Leadership Award Recipients:��Will Lankford ’26 and Maleah Proctor ’26

Service & Civic Engagement Award

The Service & Civic Engagement Award honors students whose sustained commitment strengthens Black communities through service efforts that foster community empowerment, address systemic challenges and/or promote social justice and equity.

Service & Civic Engagement Award Recipient:��Kristina “Krissy” Randolph ’26

Undergraduate Research Award

The Undergraduate Research Award honors students who contribute to the creation of new knowledge through research or creative activity. This award recognizes students whose research has advanced the understanding of issues affecting Black communities, contributing to academic discourse and social change.

Undergraduate Research Award Recipient:��Haleigh Cephus ’26 and Niara Legette ’26

Legacy Awards

The Legacy Awards are the highest honors of the Phillips-Perry Excellence Awards. Named after Glenda Phillips-Hightower and Eugene Perry, these awards honor the courage, resilience and determination that redefined what was possible at Elon and laid out the foundation for greater equity and inclusion.

Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award

Recipients of this award honor Glenda Phillips-Hightower’s trailblazing spirit by demonstrating perseverance, uplifting others through mentorship and advocacy, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging within the Elon community.

Glenda Phillips-Hightower Trailblazer Award Recipient:��Jordyne Lewis ’27

Eugene Perry Legacy Award

Recipients of this award honor Eugene Perry’s legacy by breaking barriers, excelling in their pursuits, and creating opportunities for others, fostering inclusion through mentorship, advocacy or innovation.

Eugene Perry Legacy Award Recipient:��Mackenzie Perry ’26

Community Impact Awards

The Community Impact Awards celebrate students, organizations or departments who make meaningful contributions to the Black experience at Elon and communities beyond the campus. These awards honor leadership, creativity and innovation in advancing equity, inclusion, wellness, and cultural expression. Recipients are recognized for their efforts to uplift Black voices, foster community and create a positive, lasting impact.

Agents of Change Award

The Agents of Change Award recognizes a student, campus organization or university department that has led initiatives resulting in meaningful community impact. It celebrates leadership, empowerment and a commitment to inclusion and equity by honoring those who elevate underrepresented voices and foster environments of belonging, connection and opportunity that strengthen Black communities at Elon and beyond.

Agents of Change Award Recipient:��Nailah Ware ’26

Innovator in Empowerment Award

The Innovator in Empowerment Award honors students who demonstrate creativity and innovation in advancing wellness, equity and success within Black communities. Recipients are recognized for developing ideas, initiatives, or approaches that positively impact individuals, promote inclusion and opportunity and strengthen community. Honorees exemplify originality, problem-solving and the ability to create meaningful change that supports the well-being, advancement, and visibility of Black communities on campus and beyond.

Innovator in Empowerment Award Recipient:��Nailah Ware ’26

Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award

The Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award honors students who demonstrate leadership and excellence in artistic expression, such as music, dance, visual arts, spoken word or other creative forms. Recipients are recognized for their vision, creativity and initiative in amplifying Black cultural expression and fostering community on campus. The award celebrates students whose artistic contributions inspire, uplift, and engage others, building spaces of pride, connection, and visibility for Black communities.

Creative Leadership in Artistic Expression Award Recipient:��Madison McCrainey ’26

The Wilhelmina Boyd African & African American Studies at Elon (AAASE) Award

The Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award was created in the Spring of 2008 to honor the work and contributions of Professor Wilhelmina Boyd’s 18 years of service to �þ��� and African & African-American Studies. The award recipient must be a graduating senior with an African & African-American Studies minor, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA in the minor of 3.2. In addition, the recipient must demonstrate a commitment to African & African-American Studies as demonstrated through coursework, citizenship/community engagement, scholarship and student activities/leadership.

Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award Recipient:��Kendall Lytle ’26

“If you’re Asian American or from the motherland [Thailand] or from down south or up north, I feel something in common with you,” he said.

Sartyoungkul’s experiences shape how he cooks and how he leads. As executive chef for Elon Dining, he focuses on creating meals that people recognize, enjoy and feel comfortable choosing.

“I love seeing people enjoy my food,” he said.

Noppanit “Meena” Monaghan shares the same excitement for creating an enjoyable meal. As chef de partie, she prepares meals at the international station in Lakeside Dining Hall. She is also Sartyoungkul’s mother and, together, they focus on getting the details right, from how a dish is prepared to how it lands with the people eating it.

“I work with students every day who are trying to make Elon a home away from home,” Monaghan said. “It’s important I try everything that goes out to make sure it is 100 percent right.”

That attention to detail often means learning dishes that are new to them. Sartyoungkul said they spend time researching recipes, studying techniques and planning menus to authentically reflect the food where students come from.

For Monaghan, that care shows up in small, specific moments.

“I made arepas for a student from Colombia and she loved it,” she said.

For Sartyoungkul, those moments explain why the work matters. A single meal can help one student feel familiar while introducing others to something new.

“Many international students miss the food from home,” he said. “Providing familiar tastes helps students feel seen, valued and more at ease in their campus environment.”

That belief carries into how he works with student groups across campus. During Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Sartyoungkul partnered with the Asian Pacific Student Association to plan dining hall takeovers featuring Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. �þ��� identified the cuisines and worked with him to shape the menus.

For him, the process is as important as the food itself. It ensures the meals reflect what students want to see and what they want to share with others.

“I don’t want anyone to feel left out,” he said. “Whether you’re vegan, from another country, have dietary preferences or religious needs or an allergy, we want to make sure there are options for everybody.”

That sense of care is rooted in family. Sartyoungkul describes himself as a third-generation chef who learned alongside his mother in the kitchen.

“Mom beats me at Asian foods, especially with her great stir fries and Thai noodle dishes,” he said. “However, I am trained on European cuisine and steaks, so I have her beat there.”

Still, there are moments when their strengths meet in the middle. Those moments often bring people together.

At Elon’s annual holiday party for employees, Monaghan manages a shrimp and grits station that regularly draws long lines of guests waiting for a plate. The dish reflects both comfort and confidence, with attention paid to technique as well as familiarity.

For Monaghan, the setting may change. The standards do not.

At work, their relationship is grounded in respect. They understand their roles and trust each other’s strengths.

“My mother and I are very close,” Sartyoungkul said. “While she is my mother, I am also her campus executive chef, and we both clearly understand and respect those roles.”

For Monaghan, the work always comes back to the people she serves each day.

“I work to make students smile,” she said.

Together, Sartyoungkul and Monaghan prepare food that reflects a wide range of cultures. Their work is guided by care, connection and a desire to help others feel at home, one plate at a time.

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, �þ��� is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month, Elon is also recognizing API Heritage Month through a series of events and programming.

Sudibyo, an assistant �þ��� professor of Spanish who joined Elon in 2023, brings a global perspective shaped by her Indonesian roots and academic journey. Through her �þ���, research and campus involvement, she is creating spaces where students feel a sense of belonging, something she says first drew her to Elon.

“I really enjoyed the company of my colleagues, and they were such wonderful people,” Sudibyo said of her first visit to Elon. “Then the students, during my �þ��� demo, were all engaged, and it just felt like a great place.”

Being from Indonesia, Sudibyo describes her academic path as somewhat “random.”

“We don’t speak Spanish in Indonesia, it’s not our national language and we don’t have a lot of connections to the Spanish-speaking world in that way,” said Sudibyo, who decided to major in Spanish.

Now, as a professor, Sudibyo focuses on bridging those connections, encouraging students to think beyond traditional cultural boundaries, particularly through her research studying the intersections of the Asian and the Spanish-speaking world. Her scholarship highlights stories that, she says, are often overlooked, including the history of the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule and the presence of Asian voices within Hispanic culture.

“Something I’ve discovered that is not talked about a lot are the Hispanic Philippines,” she said. “There are a lot of cultural productions, all in Spanish, and it was never taught to me as a graduate student. It became very personal.”

By bringing these perspectives into her courses, including “Women’s Writing in the Hispanic World,” Sudibyo is broadening how students understand language, culture and identity, while also increasing visibility for Asian narratives in traditionally Eurocentric spaces.

Outside the classroom, Sudibyo continues that work as a faculty-in-residence in the Danieley Neighborhood, where she connects with students on a more personal level.

“It’s a very rewarding experience because you get to interact with students outside of class,” she said. “They get to see me as a human being.”

She also serves as an advisor to the Polyglot Living Learning Community, helped launch the Spanish Club in Fall 2025, and channels her passion for event planning into creating inclusive, community-building experiences.

For Sudibyo, mentorship is one of the most meaningful aspects of her role, and central to creating spaces of belonging.

“Seeing the students’ growth and seeing them reaching the goals that they’ve said they wanted to do—I think that’s the most rewarding part,” she said.

That impact is also felt by her students.

“Dr. Sudibyo has impacted me at Elon by being a mentor for me as a student but also as a person,” said Hailey Landers ‘28, president of the Spanish Club and a dance science major from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. “Her guidance and genuine support have made a lasting difference in both my personal and academic journey.”

During API Heritage Month, Sudibyo’s presence on campus also carries deeper significance. As one of the coordinators of Elon’s API Employee Resource Group, she is intentional about increasing visibility and challenging narrow perceptions of what it means to be Asian.

“When we say ‘Asian,’ a lot of us think of East Asia,” she said. “For me, it’s important to show up because it shows Asia is a diverse continent with so many cultures and so many languages.”

Through her �þ���, mentorship and advocacy, Sudibyo is helping ensure that diversity is not just acknowledged at Elon but actively understood, represented and celebrated.

Elon honors Asian & Pacific Island Heritage Month

As part of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, �þ��� is sharing stories through Today at Elon that highlight Asian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff who contribute to a campus environment where cultural identities and experiences are celebrated year-round. Throughout the month, Elon is also recognizing API Heritage Month through a series of events and programming.