A generous gift from Elon Trustee Bill Slattery and his wife Tish Slattery P’24 P’28 will name the university’s new center for health and wellness and also create 14 additional scholarships in the Odyssey Program to assist talented students with significant financial need.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book and the Board of Trustees announced the Slatterys’ gift at the board’s spring meeting April 10-11. Book thanked the Slattery family for their generosity and leadership in supporting a center that will integrate academics, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs to ensure students gain the skills they need to thrive on campus and throughout every stage of their lives.

“The Elon community is deeply honored to name the HealthEU Center in recognition of the Slattery family,” Book said. “This extraordinary investment from Bill and Tish Slattery will help Elon meet its mission to transform the mind, body and spirit of every student, and prepare healthy graduates ready to share their gifts with the world.”

The ability to address the health and well-being of students early in their lives inspired the Slatterys to make their gift.

“My career at the intersection of science and investment often requires decades to witness the outcomes of success,” Bill Slattery said. “HealthEU is an opportunity to intervene with our students at an early age and engage in these activities in a more structured, thoughtful way, and hopefully reduce some of their adversities in life.”

“I believe social media has impacted students greatly, and institutions like Elon that provide centers like HealthEU will be at an advantage going forward,” Tish Slattery said. “Health and wellness encompass so much more than just the physical aspect. I’m incredibly grateful that we’re able to impact Elon with this gift.”

Slattery Center is a central component to the university’s broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, as well as workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, Slattery Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices related to wellness and well-being. The center is a key priority of the Boldly Elon strategic plan that will guide the university to 2030. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, Slattery Center will be located within Elon’s Innovation Quad, home to the university’s engineering and other STEM programs.

The Slatterys’ gift will also endow the William and Tish Slattery Odyssey Program Scholarship, funding 14 new scholarships in the program that gives bright, passionate students with high financial need and/or no family history of college attendance access to Elon’s nationally recognized engaged learning programs.

These new investments bring the total number of Odyssey Program scholarships to nearly 300, more than halfway to the university’s goal of having a total of 400 Odyssey Scholarships, or 100 scholars per class, as called for in the Boldly Elon strategic plan. Housed in Elon’s Center for Access and Success, the Odyssey Program is nationally recognized as a model for need- and merit-based initiatives, with a nearly 100% first-to-second-year student retention rate and an 87% graduation rate, well above the national average.

The Slatterys have been impressed by the educational experience Elon delivers to students. Their daughter Madelyn graduated in 2024, and their son James is an Elon sophomore.

“I’ve been very happy to see the school excel at its academic responsibility in education while equally addressing students’ needs as people at the social level,” Bill said. “It’s a pleasant, inviting and warm place that cares for its students.”

“From the moment you step foot on Elon’s campus, you feel a great sense of community,” Tish said. “The close relationships that students have with their professors makes Elon stand out among its peers.”

Bill Slattery is a partner at Deerfield Management Company, Therapeutics. Prior to joining Deerfield in 2000, Slattery served as a senior healthcare analyst for 10 years at Amerindo Investment Advisors in New York, where he oversaw biotechnology investments. He has also held various positions in research, including those at National Medical Enterprises, Johnson & Johnson, and HMSS. He is the former chair of Red Door Community, which supports those impacted by cancer and their families.

Bill was elected to Elon’s Board of Trustees in 2024. Tish is a member of the Slattery Family Foundation and served in administration at Amerindo Investment Advisors. Recently, Tish was named chair of the Miss Hall’s School Arts Advisory Council. The couple reside in Rye, New York.

Members of the Board of Trustees joined with President Connie Ledoux Book and Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley on April 10, 2026, to rededicate a building that has served multiple purposes for more than half a century and two separate locations on campus.

Alumni, parents and friends have contributed $3 million to the expansion of the university’s golf complex, which also includes the W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center. The expansion represents a significant investment in the future of both men’s and women’s golf and places the university’s training facilities among the best in collegiate golf.

Holland House now provides student-athletes with a premier clubhouse environment to learn, train and compete, with new practice and team spaces, and state-of-the-art technology that allows students to pursue excellence academically and athletically.

The complex expansion project also encompassed renovations to the driving range, including the creation of a 17,000-square-foot tee box, and renovation of the short-game area with reconstruction of the bunkers.

Holland House was renovated to create a centralized home base for the golf program. The clubhouse includes locker rooms, coaches’ offices, quiet spaces for academic study, team engagement spaces and player meeting rooms, strengthening team culture and promoting student growth off the course.

The final phase of the project includes upgrades to the existing W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center, a dedicated indoor practice facility that allows players to train in adverse weather conditions. The center opened in 2009 and includes multiple indoor heated hitting bays, a computerized swing analysis center, indoor putting facility and an outdoor lighted driving range.

Worsley, a 1986 Elon graduate and former member of the golf team, served on the Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023. He and his wife, alumna JoAnna Sutton Worsley ’87, are the parents of W. Cecil Worsley IV, a 2014 Elon graduate.

Another critical component of the project was the addition of Trackman Range, a technology that tracks every shot hit by a golfer, giving coaches and student-athletes immediate access to data to improve performance and create greater practice efficiency.

“The repurposing of Holland House marks a transformational moment for Elon Athletics. It is special to take a building rich with institutional history and create a best-in-class home for our golf student-athletes that honors our past while boldly investing in our future,” Strawley said. “Facilities like this represent our aspirations brought to life, and they only become possible through the generosity of many. I am profoundly grateful to everyone who made this possible, and equally excited for the impact this will have for our golf student-athletes.”

Built in 1963 as the official residence for President Earl Danieley and his family, Holland House stood along Haggard Avenue as a symbol of leadership, hospitality and community at Elon. The home quickly became part of campus lore, including a memorable student protest led by Student Government Association President and future Elon Trustee Noel Allen ‘69 and joined by Danieley himself.

In 1973, President Fred Young and his family continued the tradition of welcoming students, alumni and distinguished guests, making the house a center of connection and celebration. In 1985, trustees honored longtime supporter Shirley Thomas Holland by naming the building in his memory, cementing its place in Elon’s history.

After the presidential residence moved in 1988 to today’s Maynard House, Holland House entered a new phase, serving a variety of campus needs, from development and alumni relations to academic programs and student engagement. In 2009, the building was carefully relocated across campus, where it served as home to the Catholic �þ��� Ministries Newman Center. Work is now under way to build a new Newman Center.

“Today is a wonderful moment for Elon, for Phoenix Athletics, and for our investment in golf and the futures of these student-athletes,” Book said in her dedication remarks. “And it holds a special distinction: this is the first new athletics facility opened under Athletics Director Jenn Strawley.”

Book described the renovated Holland House as a testament to the strength of the programs built by men’s head coach Don Hill and women’s head coach Chris Dockrill.

“And to our student-athletes: I know that every donor agrees that this is for you,” Book said. “Every locker, every building, every asset here was about creating a championship home for Phoenix golf, and we’re very excited for the next chapter to unfold and to cheer you on as you make history.”

Jennings Glenn ‘25 G’26, a member of the men’s golf team, and Elon Trustee Debra Del Vecchio P’22 P’24 also delivered remarks during the ceremony, which was held on the front lawn of Holland House.

“These past five years have been super special to me. I’ve met so many incredible people and built such lasting relationships and created memories I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Glenn, who thanked donors on behalf of the team. “This is really the best place in the world to be a student-athlete and that’s because of you. Thank you. It’s been amazing to watch this program grow and for me to be a part of it all.”

Del Vecchio thanked Book and the Board of Trustees for their unwavering commitment to students and for an institutional decisiveness that led to the expansion project. She then praised the golf teams for their dedication to the sport and to the university.

“It is all or nothing, a commitment and true discipline needed to be a student-athlete,”  Del Vecchio said. “At times I’m sure it can be quite challenging, juggling classes, assignments, and a rigorous playing schedule. But here you are. Know that we recognize and are extremely proud of all of you. You are the face of Elon, especially when you walk out on the golf course. You are not only representing yourself but Elon as well.”

Women’s team captain Ashley Lafontaine ‘26 of Ottawa, Canada, delivered remarks during a dinner program that followed the ribbon-cutting.

“This space gives us something we’ve never truly had before: a home that’s entirely our own,” she said. “It’s a space where we can train, study, connect, and grow together all under one roof. It creates an environment where everything we need to succeed, both as athletes and as people, exists in one place.

“But more importantly, it sends a message. It tells every current and future Elon holder that they are valued. That their experience matters. That this program is worth investing in. And for future players, I hope this becomes more than just a facility. I hope it becomes their safe space. Their meeting place. Their place to celebrate wins, work through losses, and build the kind of relationships that last far beyond their four years here.”

In the past week, administrators and staff from Queens traveled to Elon for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the Elon campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

At the same time, excitement around Queens’ first Division I NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appearance has drawn national attention and engagement from students, alumni and fans, with media focus on the historic run of success by members of the Royals men’s basketball team in its first year of eligibility.

Together, these moments reflect steady progress as both institutions continue building relationships, sharing information and preparing for a combined future.

Daylong Visit Strengthens �þ��� Connections

Administrators and staff from Queens, representing a dozen offices and divisions, made day trips to Elon on March 18 and 19 for presentations, lunches and one-on-one conversations with their counterparts.

For the March 18 visit, the Queens team was comprised primarily of staff who had not yet visited the Elon campus. The group arrived mid-morning by bus and began with a welcome in the Great Hall of Sato Commons. An admissions presentation offered an overview of Elon’s student experience before guests departed for guided campus tours.

The group reconvened at noon for lunch in the McEwen Dining Engagement Space, where conversations focused on shared priorities and institutional strengths. Afternoon meetings with Elon colleagues provided time for more focused discussion across divisions.

Queens Staff Reflections on Their Visit to �þ���

• “My visit to Elon was truly inspiring. There’s a clear, shared passion for student success there that mirrors our own at Queens. I’m excited to see how our collaborative efforts will drive exceptional outcomes for our students.”
  Angela Tsuei-Strause
  Executive Director, Vandiver Center for Career Development
• “Seeing the beautiful campus and hearing the story of success was not the best part of the visit – the best part was meeting my new colleagues in Accounting, Payroll and Purchasing. Elon and Queens have so much in common and after visiting today my head is full of ideas about how staff at each campus can support each other to meet the challenges facing higher education.”
  Donald F. Barton
  Controller, Finance Office
• “This visit affirmed that the future of higher education is strongest when collaboration leads, grounded in shared innovation, renewed efficiency, and a deep commitment to the health and well-being of the whole person in a globally connected community.”
  Kristin Tokić
  Assistant Director for International Student Services
  Myrta Pulliam Center for International Education

A Counselor Fly-In to Elon and Queens

Elon hosted high school and independent counselors from across the United States in an annual program intended to broaden knowledge and awareness of the university’s unique academic attributes and its brand promise for students and families.

In addition to presentations by academic leaders and tours of campus facilities, this year’s experience included a visit to Queens for nearly two dozen counselors who work with students to identify which colleges are right for them.

Evan Sprinkle, �þ���’s dean of �þ��� admissions, said that expanding the counselor program to include a visit to Queens was only natural given the interest families have expressed in the planned merger.

“A lot of people are curious,” Sprinkle said. “There are questions we’ve received since it was announced and it only made sense to include Queens on an expanded itinerary. When we complete our merger, there will be lots of opportunities on both campuses that might encourage counselors to send applicants our way.”

Counselor Reflections on Their Fly-In Experience

• “This visit is important to understand the merger and to get a sense of what both campuses feel like and what it will look like as they come together. It always helps to be in a place, look people in the eye and ask them questions. I’m excited to have a chance to see the Queens campus up close again. I’ve been there before, and I have students who are there. And my early impressions of Elon’s campus are that it is amazing. The community is big, but also very caring, and you can see there has been a lot of investment in facilities.”
  Jessica Hardy
  Director of College Counseling
  Charleston Collegiate School – Johns Island, South Carolina
• “It’s valuable to get your feet on the ground and see what’s actually happening on campus. It gives you the chance to understand the school so you can share it accurately with students. One thing that really surprised me was how many specialized programs are available in communications, nursing and other majors, and that students can pursue a lot of different interests here. And we’ve heard about the (Elon-Queens merger) but we wanted to understand what it will look like and what it means for students. Getting that level of detail has been helpful.”
  Marissa Margosian
  Associate Director of College Counseling
  Severn School – Severna Park, Maryland

Celebrating Selection Sunday in Style

Not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm at Queens on March 15 when a crowd of more than 1,000 students and fans packed Curry Arena for an NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Sunday Celebration.

Dressed in navy and gold, supporters of all ages shared in the electric energy, enjoying food and refreshments while waiting for CBS to reveal the bracket on a massive 23-foot screen.

The crowd erupted in cheers when it was announced that the No.15 seed Queens Royals would face No. 2 seed Purdue University Boilermakers in the first round of the West region of the NCAA Tournament. The game will take place Friday, March 20, at 7:35 p.m. ET at Enterprise Center in Saint Louis.

�þ��� are invited to the Trexler Student Center for an on-campus viewing party featuring food, games and prizes. For alumni and fans across the country, the action will be broadcast live on truTV.

Additionally, official have been organized in Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Charleston, Washington D.C., and New York City to ensure that Royals fans can cheer together from coast to coast.

For the latest information regarding Queens’ historic NCAA bid, visit

�þ��� safety

As a reminder, several 24/7 services are available throughout this time.

• �þ��� Safety & Police can be reached at 336-278-5555. They can also assist with connections to the Student Life on-call administrators.
• On-call crisis counselors are available at 336-278-2222.
• SAFEline is available at 336-278-3333 for confidential support with identity-based bias, sexual violence, or interpersonal violence – they can also be a confidential resource to access on-call violence responders.
• TimelyCare free virtual medical and mental health service, is available 24/7 throughout the break from anywhere in the United States.

Residence halls and university apartments

• Residence halls (not apartments) close at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21. Student staff will be entering all spaces during closing to complete closing room checks.
• Residence halls (not apartments) reopen at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 29.
• Information about requests to stay late or return early can be found on the Break Housing page of the Residence Life website.
• Offices remain open during the break during regular weekday business hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., except when University offices are closed.

Secure your residence

Whether you live on-campus or off-campus, make sure you secure your room, apartment or house.  Other important steps to take before you leave:

• Unplug all appliances
• Hide or relocate valuables and move expensive items away from windows
• Secure any non-perishable food in airtight containers or cabinets; discard any perishable food from your refrigerator
• Empty all trash; if you live off campus, secure your trash and recycling containers
• Check all water faucets to make sure they are completely off
• Set your thermostat for 50-55 degrees
• If you have a hidden spare key outside of your residence, make sure you remove it
• Make sure all doors and windows are shut and locked

�þ��� residing in off-campus residences may want to request a Vacation Home Check, a service provided by the Town of Elon Police – .

Parking & Transportation

If you are planning on leaving your vehicle on campus during Spring Break, you may leave it in your permitted lot or you may park it in the South �þ��� lots or the Innovation Quad lot. FY permits must remain in the FY permitted lots. Make sure your vehicle is locked and you take any valuables with you.

Elon Express and �þ��� Transportation

• All Elon Express routes will stop service at the end of shifts on Friday, March 20. Elon Express will resume their normal schedule on Monday, March 30.
• A modified Elon Express route from Gateway Parking Lot to Inman will run on Sunday, March 29, from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Schedules and routes are available online.

�þ��� services

Below are the hours for student service operations during Spring Break. Please note that University offices are closed on Friday, March 27.

Belk Library

• Belk Library will have reduced hours: Friday, March 20, will close at 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 21,  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22,  10 a.m. –  6 p.m.
  • Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27  8 a.m. –  5 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 28,  9:00 a.m. –  5 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m. – Midnight
• Visit the for information about the library’s adjusted hours.

�þ��� Bookstore

• The Barnes & Noble Store will be open for reduced hours during Spring Break:
  • Saturday, March 21: 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22 and Monday, March 23: Closed for inventory
  • Tuesday, March 24-Friday, March 27: 10 a.m.–  4 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 28: 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 29: Closed
• Regular operating hours will resume on Monday, March 30.
• Visit the for information about hours or online shopping.

�þ��� Recreation 

• �þ��� Recreation facilities will have adjusted hours from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 29.
• The PARC fitness center will remain open from 4 a.m. to midnight daily throughout Spring Break.
• Visit the and scroll to “Spring Break Hours” for adjusted hours of operation.

Counseling Services

• Counseling Services will be open by appointment with the following adjusted hours:
  • Monday, March 23: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 24: No clinical appointments
  • Wednesday, March 25: 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 26: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday: CLOSED
• Throughout Spring Break, students will have 24/7 access to on-demand mental health support through TimelyCare. Information on how to download TimelyCare and access Talk Now is available on the Counseling Services website.
• The Crisis Counselor-on-Call remains available 24/7 by calling 336-278-2222.
• Call 9-1-1 for any psychological emergency that is life-threatening or involves imminent danger to self or others.
• Visit the for information about hours and appointment times, links to online resources, and information about emergency and crisis resources.

Dining Services

• A list of adjusted locations and hours for Spring Break is located .  Regular dining hours will resume on Monday, March 30.
• Elon Dining is proud to partner with the University to provide a daily meal to students who are remaining on campus over Spring Break. Please bring your Phoenix Card to swipe in at McEwen Dining Hall.
• Menus and hours for dining locations across campus are always available on the .

Mail Services

• Mail Services will have adjusted hours during spring break:
  • Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22: Closed
  • Monday, March 23 – Thursday, March 26: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Friday – Sunday, March 27-29: Closed
• Regular operating hours will resume on Monday, March 30.
• Visit the Mail Services website for updated hours and operations.

Moseley Center

• Moseley Center will have adjusted hours during Spring Break:
  • Saturday, March 21:  9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22: Closed
  • Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27: 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 28: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 29: 11 a.m. – midnight
• Visit the Moseley Center website for information about adjusted hours.

Student Health Services

• Student Health Services will be closed to patients on Friday, March 20 at 3 p.m., through Sunday, March 29. Regular operating hours will resume on Monday, March 30 at 8:30 a.m.
• �þ��� in search of care during the dates above can call the Elon Faculty Staff Wellness Clinic at 336-278-5569 to make an appointment during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23-26 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27.
• TimelyCare medical telehealth service is available 24/7 throughout the break. For information on how to access the service, visit the Student Health Services website’s appointments page.
• �þ��� who are experiencing a medical emergency should call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
• Visit the Student Health Services website for information on hours and appointment times.

For Elon students, opportunity often begins with someone they may never meet. For instance, a donor who believes in their potential.

That spirit of belief was on full display during Elon Day 2026, as alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends came together for the university’s 13th annual day of giving. Over the course of 24 hours, supporters made 6,214 gifts raising a record-breaking $3.58 million, with each gift being an investment in the experiences that define an Elon education.

From scholarships that make college possible to funding for �þ��� research, study abroad, athletics and student organizations, this year’s Elon Day touched 276 funds across campus. The breadth of support reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every student has access to transformative opportunities.

“Yesterday, our community demonstrated once again what makes this university so extraordinary,” says President Connie Ledoux Book. “The success of Elon Day comes from the thousands of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends around the world who step up every year to participate, and each of their gifts is a powerful vote of confidence in the promise of Elon students.”

She adds, “I am deeply grateful to every person who participated and encouraged others to join them. Because of you, our students will learn more boldly, lead more courageously and serve more compassionately.”

Throughout the day, momentum grew as challenge and matching gifts encouraged participation and amplified impact. Leadership donors helped spark enthusiasm and inspire others to give, demonstrating how collective action can multiply opportunity. We extend special thanks to the following individuals for making these initiatives possible:

• Trustee Kerrii Anderson ’79
• Steve Anderson P’16
• Trustee Toni Brown and Michael Brown P’20
• Jonathan and Tina Winnick P’28
• Joe and Lynette Zarrett P’27
• Trustee Dave Porter and Jen Porter P’11 P’19
• Trustee Bill Smith and Sue Smith
• Katie Sherborne P’27
• Liz and David Forgash P’28
• Patrick and Laura Strickler P’28
• Several anonymous Elon families

The celebration extended far beyond giving. �þ��� gathered on campus for special events, faculty and staff joined in the festivities, and alumni across the country hosted regional gatherings. Social media lit up with maroon and gold pride, connecting the Elon community across time zones and continents.

Since its founding in 2014, Elon Day has grown into one of the university’s most meaningful traditions, generating more than $27.5 million through over 63,000 gifts in support of students. Each year builds on the last, reinforcing a culture of philanthropy that ensures Elon’s future remains strong.
For current students and those yet to arrive, the impact of Elon Day will be lasting — measured not only in dollars raised, but in doors opened, experiences enriched and dreams realized.

To learn more about the impact of Elon Day, .

In a message to the �þ��� community announcing LeMire’s decision, Vice President for Business and Finance Janet Williams shared how she “will very much miss Joe’s depth of knowledge and his dedication to campus safety” and that his success as a chief “centers on building trust and collaboration with student organizations and enhancing relationships and safety understanding with faculty and staff.”

As a member of the Finance and Administration leadership team, LeMire has led a department of 21 certified police officers, a dispatch center that provides 24-hour dispatching services, and a team of community service officers who assist with parking enforcement and building and environmental security on campus.

Since arriving on campus in March 2021, his achievements include restaffing the department with certified police officers, building up community policing, advocating for the increased use of security cameras, launching an upgraded E-Alert system, achieving reaccreditation from the International Association of �þ��� Law Enforcement Administrators, and earning accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Elon’s �þ��� Safety and Police is among a very small group of agencies in the United States that is dually accredited.

A national search will soon be launched to identify �þ���’s next Chief of Police. Following LeMire’s departure in April, and until a successor is named, responsibilities for �þ��� �þ��� Safety and Police will be managed by Interim Chief of Police Doug Dotson, who has loyally served the university for 30 years.

Reaffirming the university’s community impact, Cureton noted that Queens’ nearly 170-year history has positioned it as an important resource for the Queen City, supplying the skilled talent needed to fuel rapidly growing industries like healthcare, finance and tech.

Following Cureton’s remarks, Co-chair of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee and McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo moderated a dynamic discussion with a panel of Charlotte’s top business leaders. The conversation featured strategic insights from Reggie Willis (Ally Financial), Vonda Huss (Brighthouse Financial), Margi Vagell (Lowe’s), and Kinneil Coltman (Advocate Health/Atrium), focusing on the evolving needs of the regional workforce and how the Elon | Queens merger can continue to cultivate a stronger talent pipeline for the region.

The panel showcased the strategic corporate relationships Queens has cultivated with the city, specifically highlighting the Charlotte Talent Initiative (CTI). Through unique partnerships with Ally Financial and Lowe’s, this cohort-based program drives economic mobility by providing diverse students from the community with full educational funding and comprehensive professional development — including specialized coursework, internships, and executive mentorship.

During the session, panelists drew on their career experiences to share “lessons learned” from navigating complex corporate mergers and structural shifts. Highlighting a local success story, Huss detailed her firsthand experience collaborating with the McColl School’s Center for Leadership and Executive Education (CLEE). As a dedicated hub for professional growth, CLEE expands Queens’ footprint in the graduate and executive sectors by providing high-impact, practitioner-led leadership development designed for today’s evolving business environment.

Sourcing local talent is a plus for Vagell, executive vice president of supply chain and integrated resource planning at Lowes. She emphasized the importance of being able to “lean into our own community when it came to education” and stressed a desire to “keep the talent local, and at the same time partner with academic excellence.”

The panel discussion ended by highlighting the “Queens connection” that permeates Charlotte’s executive ranks. Willis shared a unique personal tie, noting that both he and his father are alumni of the McColl Executive MBA Program. Underscoring the university’s workforce presence, he shared that more than 50 of his colleagues at Ally Financial are Queens graduates or have completed various certifications through the university.

After the panel, members of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee and the Integration Team broke into planning workshops followed by lunch in McInnes Parlors in Queens Hall. After lunch, work sessions continued with a report-out of the day’s accomplishments.

As the merger progresses toward regulatory approval, including submission for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), several core themes have emerged to guide the path forward. These include a commitment to collaborative decision-making and a continued dedication to creating strong academic offerings designed to respond to the evolving needs of the region’s professional community.

The strategic and integration teams are continuing to meet weekly, with more in-person visits planned for the spring.

Having carried the lessons of her professional success into new arenas of leadership and service, Chadwick brings a distinctly broad perspective to graduates embarking on their own journeys.

“Patricia Chadwick’s story is one of resilience, intellectual curiosity, courageous leadership and a commitment to lifting others as she climbs,” said �þ��� President Connie Ledoux Book. “From the heights of global finance to the deeply personal work of storytelling and advocacy, she has used her experiences to build institutions, mentor emerging leaders and expand opportunities for communities in need. Ms. Chadwick is someone who understands that success is not defined by titles, but by impact.”

Chadwick’s 30-year career in the investment business included roles as a research analyst, a portfolio manager and a strategist. She eventually oversaw the institutional investment business for INVESCO as a Global Partner.

For the last two decades, Chadwick has leveraged her knowledge and experience for several corporate and not-for-profit boards, including Wisconsin Energy, Amica Mutual Insurance Company, Voya Mutual Funds, and Royce Mutual Funds. In addition to her leadership as a trustee of �þ���, she serves on the board of The Avon Theatre, The United Theatre in Rhode Island and The Glimmerglass Festival, where she is vice-chair of the board.

In 2016, Chadwick co-founded , a Stamford-headquartered health care company that serves the needs of the LGBTQ community in Connecticut. She today serves as the company’s pro-bono CEO.

Chadwick’s first book, “Little Sister,” is a 2019 memoir that tells the story of her growing up in an extreme religious sect. Her second book, “Breaking Glass: Tales from the Witch of Wall Street,” was published in May 2024 and recounts the transition from a challenging childhood to her successful career on Wall Street. Chadwick dedicated “Breaking Glass” to mentors whom she credits for her rise to the top in the demanding world of finance.

Chadwick said she was honored to be invited to deliver this spring’s �þ��� Commencement address.

“As an Elon parent, I have watched with admiration as first President Lambert, and now President Book, have propelled �þ��� to new heights in both scholastic excellence and expanded degree programs,” Chadwick said. “The Class of 2026 faced the challenge of spending part of high school under the duress of the COVID pandemic and remote learning, and their graduation from �þ��� exemplifies their commitment to excellence.”

Chadwick and her late husband, John, are the parents of Jim Chadwick ’16, who earned his �þ��� degree in economics from Elon before pursuing his MBA at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. Chadwick joined the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Advisory Board in 2014 and provided strategic leadership as the board’s chair.

With hobbies and interests that include global travel, opera, and canning, Chadwick publishes frequent posts and life updates on her website: .

About �þ���

�þ��� is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are �þ��� and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 �þ��� majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. Elon is ranked No. 1 for excellence in �þ��� �þ��� by U.S. News & World Report.

Elon’s academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

A daylong visit to Elon’s campus in Alamance County on Feb. 13, 2026, brought together representatives from both institutions to advance conversations centered on the academic, operational and cultural framework of a merged university. Combined, the integration team and the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee are composed of nearly 80 members.

In welcoming remarks, �þ��� President Connie Ledoux Book thanked participants for their leadership in what she described as a historic effort. While expressing confidence in the regulatory path ahead, she emphasized that the real work extends beyond approval.

The goal, she said, is to ensure the merger “advances both of our institutions and fulfills the hopes and dreams and aspirations that we have.”

Book framed the integration as an opportunity to build new pathways for students, pointing to recent program expansion at Elon and the power of launching new academic initiatives. “It’s this reminder that we can bring to life a vision, that we can build a future, and that future can create meaningful educational opportunities for deserving people,” she said.

Participants responded to her invitation to describe their feelings about the merger in a single word: “Hopeful,” “energized,” “invigorated,” “proud,” and “curious” echoed across Turner Theatre inside �þ���’s School of Communications.

Book also shared insights from conversations with business leaders experienced in mergers, outlining three principles she said are essential for organizational success: relevance, reputation and clear reward for engagement. Those ideas, she explained, will inform how the combined institution positions its academic programs and community partnerships moving forward.

Acknowledging Queens’ history — which traces its roots to the Presbyterian Institute for Women — she noted the importance of honoring a legacy that expanded educational opportunity, particularly for women, in Charlotte. “It’s on my mind, but it’s also in my heart,” Book said of preserving that mission while building something new together.

Leaders from both institutions have said the merger aims to create a stronger, more comprehensive university serving students across the region, while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence, community engagement and student-centered learning.

Book emphasized the value of in-person connection in building trust and shared purpose. “Visiting somebody in their home is how you get to know them,” she said. “Welcome to our home.”

Following campus tours, a panel conversation on �þ���’s signature experiences, and a group lunch in McEwen Dining Hall, members of both teams broke into subcommittees for deeper discussion on questions and possibilities within focus areas such as operations and systems, engaged �þ��� and learning, the �þ��� campus experience and student life, access and opportunity, and corporate and community partnerships.

Work was centered on the ideation of bold, creative ideas about what becomes possible through the merger.

The SOAR committee plans to present a preliminary list of ideas to the universities’ boards of trustees at their springtime meetings as a midpoint check-in. A final compendium of the best ideas and concepts is expected by July 1.

Faculty, staff, and administrators from �þ��� will travel to the Queens University of Charlotte campus on Feb. 27 for the next in-person gathering of the two teams.

The SOAR Strategic Planning Committee will engage stakeholders in Elon and Charlotte to envision and position a merged institution for a future that expands and enhances the student learning experience at both the �þ��� and graduate levels.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for Elon and Queens as we imagine a future together,” �þ��� President Connie Book told the committee when it met via Zoom on Jan. 30, 2026. “The work ahead is empowering because it allows us to envision a new future and then decide, collectively, how we will build it, which was the very impetus for our boards making what is truly a 100-year decision to merge our institutions.

“The strategic planning work before this committee is about ideation and imagination,” Book added, “bringing forward the strengths of our two legacies to amplify student success and create something genuinely new for higher education.”

The committee’s work will be guided by the following principles: 

• Build on genuine distinction.
• Keep students at the center.
• Consider future attainable goals with aspirational potential.
• Let data inform thinking.
• Consider mission alignment.

Co-chaired at �þ��� by Senior Vice President Jim Piatt and Professor of English Megan Isaac, and at Queens University of Charlotte by President Emerita Pamela Davies and McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo, the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee will meet online and in person throughout the spring.

Before the institutions develop detailed implementation plans, committee members are charged with imagining what the combined strengths of the two institutions could make possible. The emphasis is on academic programs, student experience and co-curricular opportunities, not operational or administrative integration.

Committee membership was finalized by Book and Queens Acting President Jesse Cureton with input from senior leaders, with an emphasis on broad campus representation and strong faculty participation. Faculty involvement is seen by campus leaders as central to the conversations, particularly as the committee considers curricular opportunities.

The process will also include opportunities for campus stakeholders to share ideas through forums and online submissions, similar to previous university-wide planning efforts.

The SOAR committee plans to present a preliminary list of ideas to the universities’ boards of trustees at their springtime meetings as a midpoint check-in. A final compendium of the best ideas and concepts is expected by July 1. Co-chairs described the list as likely taking the form of a set of curricular and co-curricular themes rather than a comprehensive report.

Members of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee

• Dixie Abernathy, Associate Professor of Education — Queens University of Charlotte
• LMA Alexander, Executive Director of the Pulliam Center for International Education — Queens University of Charlotte
• Lauren Burke, Instructor of Accounting — Queens University of Charlotte
• Lynda Butler-Storsved, Associate Teaching Professor of Wellness; Chair of Academic Council — �þ���
• Jessica Carew, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy — �þ���
• Siu Challons-Lipton, Carolyn & Sam McMahon Professor of Art — Queens University of Charlotte
• Elle Collins, Executive Director, Center for Access and Success and Instructor — �þ���
• Maggie Commins, Professor of Political Science — Queens University of Charlotte
• Joe Cornelius, Associate Professor of Film Production and Director of the Undergraduate Program at the Knight School of Communication — Queens University of Charlotte
• JoAndrea Costner, Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing — Queens University of Charlotte
• Shaina Dabbs, Associate Professor of Sport Management and Chair of the Department of Sport Management — �þ���
• Pamela Davies, Professor of Strategy, President Emerita and Chief Integration Executive — Queens University of Charlotte
• Eleanor Finger, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Dean of �þ��� Life and Assistant Professor — �þ���
• CJ Fleming, Associate Professor of Psychology — �þ���
• Angie Hatley, Associate Professor of Nursing — Queens University of Charlotte
• Erin Hone, Associate Teaching Professor of Education and Director of the Teaching Fellows Program — �þ���
• Megan Isaac, Professor of English — �þ���
• Brandon Johnson, Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations — Queens University of Charlotte
• Nancy Johnson, Charles A. Dana Professor of Psychology — Queens University of Charlotte
• Laurie Judge, Director of Career Services for Elon College, the College of Arts & Sciences — �þ���
• Caroline Ketcham, Associate Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Exercise Science — �þ���
• Hyunuk Kim, Assistant Professor of Business Analytics & Director of the Center for Organizational Analytics — �þ���
• Patrica Koplas, Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Biology — Queens University of Charlotte
• Megan Koransky, Director of the Hayworth Center for Digital Learning Director — Queens University of Charlotte
• Brian Kremer, Associate Professor of Music Theater — �þ���
• Mark Kurt, Associate Dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business & Professor of Economics — �þ���
• Lori Lewis, Executive Director of Financial Aid — �þ���
• Veronica Marciano, Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies & Founding Chair/Program Director of Physician Assistant Studies – Charlotte — �þ���
• Kelly McKinney, University Controller — �þ���
• Allison Meyer-Tucker, Director of Strategic Programming for University Advancement — Queens University of Charlotte
• Phillip Motley, Professor of Communication Design and Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Communications — �þ���
• Megan Noltemeyer, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life and Director of Strategic Initiatives — �þ���
• Patrick Noltemeyer, Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Associate Vice President — �þ���
• Dawn Norwood, Associate Professor of Sport Management — Queens University of Charlotte
• Katerina Panttser, Assistant Professor of Finance & Economics — Queens University of Charlotte
• Maria Papapietro, Assistant Director, Semester & Exchange Programs — �þ���
• Jim Piatt, Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs — �þ���
• Will Pluer, Assistant Professor of Engineering — �þ���
• Roseann Pluretti-English, Assistant Professor of Communication — Queens University of Charlotte
• Betsy Polk, Senior Director of Jewish Life — �þ���
• Barry Robinson, Professor of History — Queens University of Charlotte
• Denise Rotondo, Dean of the McColl School of Business — Queens University of Charlotte
• Alexa Royden, Chair of Faculty Senate and Associate Professor of Political Science — Queens University of Charlotte
• Kristina Siarzynski-Ferrer, Assistant Vice President of Academics Student Success and Operations — Queens University of Charlotte
• Will Sparks, Dennis Thompson Chair & Professor of Leadership and Executive Director of the Center for Leadership and Executive Education (CLEE) — Queens University of Charlotte
• Jeff Stein, Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer — �þ���
• Hani Tadros, Associate Professor of Accounting — �þ���
• Daniel Terry, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Experience — Queens University of Charlotte
• Jeffrey Thomas, Professor of Biology — Queens University of Charlotte
• Stacey Thomas, Assistant Professor of Nursing — �þ���
• Eric Townsend, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media Relations — �þ���
• Angela Tsuei-Strause, Executive Director of the Vandiver Center for Career Development — Queens University of Charlotte
• Jen Uno, Associate Professor of Biology and Associate Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning — �þ���
• Christopher Waters, Associate Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer — �þ���
• Darryl White, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement — Queens University of Charlotte
• Randy Williams, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Associate Professor of Education — �þ���
• Jay Wills, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences — Queens University of Charlotte
• Alan Woodlief, Vice Dean of �þ��� School of Law and Professor of Law — �þ���
• Karen Yokley, Professor of Mathematics — �þ���