Elon has been repeatedly recognized for the number of its alumni who participate in the Fulbright Program as teachers and researchers and has been named a top-producer of Fulbright students in six separate years. This year, 50% of Elon’s 28 applicants were named semi-finalists in January.

The Fulbright Program has experienced unprecedented disruptions since January 2025. The review process, which is governed by extensive and detailed treaties between the US and host countries, requires an initial US review phase (during which semi-finalists are determined) followed by host-country review phase (during which the finalists are determined). This process ensured that host communities have the final say in which applicants are selected. This year, the host-country review phase was, according to multiple reports from host countries, followed by an additional round of scrutiny by the US State Department, and some host countries reported that upwards of 40% of their selected applicants were rejected. It is unclear if fewer grants were awarded overall as a result of this scrutiny.

A significant portion of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program staff were furloughed in March, which led to severe delays in fund dispersal and finalist announcements. This month, the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, the presidentially-appointed board of directors that oversees the Fulbright Program, but is not responsible for its day-to-day operations, overwhelmingly voted to resign in response to the Trump Administration’s interference in the 2025 review process. The future of congressional funding for Fulbright remains in question.

Those who received awards this year are:

Margo Buchanan ‘25

A double major in theatrical design & technology and political science with a minor in German studies, Margo Buchanan has been selected for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Germany. She is from Raleigh, North Carolina.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Buchanan took every opportunity she could while at Elon to learn about Germany. She conducted two-years of independent research about opera scenic design in Germany as an Elon College Fellow, served as president of the German Club, and spent a semester studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. It was her semester abroad that inspired her to return to the region after graduation.

In addition to the Fulbright US Student Program in Germany, Buchanan was selected for the Teaching Assistantship Program of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education (BMB), administered by Fulbright Austria. She will spend this summer working as a stage crew lead for the Santa Fe Opera before heading to Austria to teach English, where she is eager to build on the �þ��� and mentoring experience she began in high school.

Buchanan’s Elon mentors include her German professors, Kristin Lange and Scott Windham, and Luis Silva, technical director for the Department of Performing Arts.

Rachel Maccini ‘25

Rachel Maccini, a double major in special education and middle grades mathematics with minors in psychology and German studies, has been selected for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Germany. The Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa graduate is from Westford, Massachusetts.

At Elon, Maccini was a dedicated student educator who also served as the captain for the Elon Cheer Team. She blended her interests in �þ��� with German studies, serving as a �þ��� and learning assistant for a German language course and earning entry into Delta Phi Alpha, the National German Honor Society. Maccini’s desire to live in Germany after graduation was solidified during her Winter Term course in Germany, and the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Germany is what she describes as “the perfect fit.” After Fulbright, she plans to return to the US to work in education and hopes to utilize her experiences in German classrooms to support multilingual and neurodiverse students.

Maccini’s most influential Elon mentor is Kristin Lange, who initially encouraged her to apply for Fulbright.

“Dr. Kristin Lange has made a huge impact on me,” said Maccini. “Her love for the German language and her passion for �þ��� are truly contagious. Anyone who takes a class with her can feel it.”

Cristy Mariné ‘25

A double major in cinema & television arts (BFA) and strategic communications, Cristy Mariné has been selected for a Fulbright grant to pursue a master’s degree in creative industries at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. She is from Caracas, Venezuela and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Mariné was a highly engaged Elon student who completed five internships—including one in Los Angeles with E! News, and another with a photography studio in Sorrento, Italy—and directed three short films. One in particular, “Corazones Dulces,” centered on a Latina who grieves the loss of her grandmother through baking, and was the only film in Spanish at 2024 Cinelon Film Festival. The master’s in creative industries at Exeter, which will allow her to blend creative and business courses while interning with a British creative agency, is the natural next step in Mariné’s goal of making short films that tell authentic stories about underrepresented groups.

Mariné’s constellation of mentors is wide, including Staci Saltz, Youseff Osman, Kai Swanson, Jessalyn Strauss, Sylvia Muñoz and MJ Larrazabal.

“All of my mentors at Elon have challenged me in ways that have helped me grow into the person I am today, she said. “For that, I am forever grateful.”

Celia Roskin ’20

Celia Roskin, an elementary education major (policy studies minor) from the class of 2020, has been selected for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Taiwan. She is from Durham, North Carolina.

At Elon, Roskin cultivated her passions for �þ���, language learning and cross-cultural exchange. She spent a Winter Term in Malawi �þ��� English to primary school students and a summer in Cordoba, Argentina, taking Spanish language classes at the local university. She also completed the Peace Corps Prep Program and volunteered with the Village Project and the Boys and Girls Club. These experiences prepared her for her current role as an Educational Resources Specialist at the Library of Congress, where she creates, coordinates and facilitates professional development for educators by utilizing primary sources from the Library’s collections.

“I continue to feel a calling to classroom �þ���,” she explained. “I’m ready to get out of my comfort zone and explore a new culture and different approaches to early education.”

A year as an English �þ��� assistant in Taiwan will allow Roskin to expand her �þ��� philosophy and pedagogy while exploring the Taiwanese approach to literacy education. She plans to return to the Library of Congress with new skills and resources to provide for US educators.

Roskin’s Elon mentors include education professors Erin Hone and Marna Winter.

Elon students and alumni interested in the Fulbright program or other nationally competitive fellowships are invited to contact the National and International Fellowships Office.

The guests started the night mingling to the tune of smooth jazz at an event reception before being ushered to their seats to watch a video showcasing the connections alumni continue to foster with their alma mater. Kelsey McCabe ’16, New York City alumni chapter president took the stage to share her love for the university as well as congratulate the New York chapter on the community they’ve built.

“This year we’ve thrown some of our classic happy hours, amped up Women of Elon activities even more, including the Central Park Walk scheduled for May 17, and have increased our social media presence,” said McCabe.

After thanking the guests for their generosity towards the current students, she introduced President Connie Ledoux Book to the stage.

President Book began her university update by thanking Joan and Trustee Ed Doherty P’07 as it was their generosity that helped Elon plant the roots of this gathering in New York years ago.

“These evenings have a certain rhythm to them,” said Book. “The energy is warm and the conversations easy. There’s always this sense that we already know each other because at some point in our lives, we were shaped by the same place. That place on the bricks, in the classrooms, in the late nights and early mornings of our own becoming.”

Book pivoted to speak on Boldly Elon the university’s strategic plan for 2030. She noted that the plan has already driven significant improvements, resulting in Elon being ranked #1 nationally for �þ��� �þ��� by U.S. News & World Report.

“The nation’s best faculty are at Elon—ahead of Brown, Princeton, and others. That distinction speaks to the core of who we are: a university that puts students first—and backs that promise up every day, in every classroom, in every interaction,” said Book.

Her remarks also covered the improvement across campus. Elon’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, which was ranked #38 overall and in the top 25 among private colleges and universities in the nation by Poets&Quants’, is welcoming Haya Ajjan as the new dean of the school in June.

In the School of Communications, Elon has added a new major in digital content management. Finally, in the arts, Elon is one of the top 10 most-represented colleges on Broadway. That kind of recognition Book reflects is not just by talent but brought on by a community where artists are deeply supported—and prepared to perform.

Attendees also learned that the Eco-Village is thriving as a living-learning community developed with a sustainable design and a leader in the university’s sustainability efforts. On the heels of the Eco-Village, Elon launched a new Sustainability Master Plan, doubling down on efforts to be carbon neutral by 2037 leaving the community a cleaner, healthier place for all.

Book wrapped up by touching on HealthEU the second largest capital project in Elon’s history, a campus-wide center for wellness before introducing Stephanie Ainsworth ’21 and Reagan Ogle ’18 to the stage.

Stephanie Ainsworth ’21 and Reagan Ogle ’18 performed their rendition of “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again” originally sung by Barbra Streisand and featuring Judy Garland.

Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs, provided closing remarks, focusing on growing stronger together, ending the night with the well-known song, “New York, New York.”

All the students who attended are on the health science track at CTEC, and the high school faculty were also health science teachers, so the event helped showcase potential endeavors for these students at Elon.

“They could see the campus, departments, and labs and what they could look like,” said Srikant Vallabhajosula, professor of physical therapy education. “When we train our volunteers, we tell them to explain the purpose of the activity at their station, some applications based on what they learned in their class and in their clinical experiences, how they’re seeing it being used or where it could be used, or how you can use these tests from the stations to evaluate health. We try to give a comprehensive perspective on the applications of the activities at the stations.”

The students were divided into four groups to work on different stations related to biomechanics. They included movement activities like measuring jumping, balance, heel-to-toe walking and strength. The high school students also saw a live demonstration of state-of-the-art technology like how a marker-less motion capture system works in the biomechanics lab, which can be applied for health and sports science fields.

“It was something fun and educating for them,” said Vallabhajosula. “The beauty of it was we had faculty members from exercise science and physical therapy departments, DPT students and �þ��� students as volunteers. It was nice that the high school students could see them as role models. It was a good mix of both volunteers who were showing how to do the stations, and the students who attended.”

Exercise Science faculty members, Jacob Gdovin and Matt Wittstein, along with physical therapy education faculty members  Alys Giordano and Katy Bales, helped conduct the event.

“As health science educators, we value the opportunity to provide our students with hands-on learning opportunities. Our partnership with �þ��� does just this! What an enriching day Biomechanics Day was for our students, to learn from professors and students in state-of-the-art labs through simulations is an experience our students will long remember,” said Terri Andrews, CTEC health science educator, who attended the event with her students.

Dance Works is a student-run dance organization that invites all interested in dance to join. The organization’s goal is for those with a passion for dance to come and find their home with Dance Works. There are multiple styles of dance taught in class ranging from ballet, jazz, hip hop and more.

Along with dance classes for all, Dance Works also has a Winter Showcase and Spring Showcase. Everyone is allowed to participate in these events, where student choreography is highlighted. The showcases are an opportunity to show what the student dancers have learned through �þ��� and choreography during their performance.

The Dance Works offers information about upcoming events, and a calendar. The organization strives to build confidence, inspire, create friendship and more. Dance Works email, social media accounts and upcoming events are available on . The organization also posts about classes, auditions, merchandise and more on their .

“A value that Dance Works holds close to our hearts is praxis, especially our board. We definitely hold each other accountable when it comes to reserving space, requesting food or chairs and more,” said Perry.

In the video, Perry shares some goals of Dance Works and how the organization is inclusive: “All the costumes fit everyone, there is diversity within sizes,” she said.

Feature Phoenix is a great way to learn about the clubs and organizations that Elon has to offer and how inclusive excellence is ingrained on the Elon campus. The series features clubs and organizations of different types that bring together people around a range of topics. Find the newest video on the Inclusive Excellence website and visit the  to find past videos.

“Those financial investments in my college education helped me complete my academic programs and allowed for some of the most life-changing international and domestic study abroad opportunities I participated in,” said Biggs.

Among these opportunities was a transformative Winter Term in Ghana. This opportunity connected her to her African heritage, igniting her passion for service and her desire to uplift communities through her work.

“A family scholarship made it possible for me to have a signature ‘Elon study abroad experience’ by spending the entire 2014 Winter Term in Ghana as part of a 14-student performing arts and history tour of the West African nation led by former Elon dance professor Jason Aryeh,” explained Biggs.

Elon’s commitment to community engagement resonated deeply with Biggs, especially through the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows Program. The program instilled in her the importance of using one’s unique skills and networks to bring about meaningful change.

“The mantra of ‘think globally and act locally’ has framed much of my life’s work,” said Biggs. “When we all act locally, the ripple effect can be felt on a global scale. Every generation can advance our local and global society if we each play our unique parts.”

The ideas she took out of the Leadership Fellows program inspired her life of service to others. Biggs’ career began with her early passion for the arts. Initially aspiring to join a professional dance company, but her time at Elon shifted her focus toward arts administration.

“It was at Elon that I started to become fascinated with the business aspect of the arts, the behind-the-scenes foundation that makes all of our access to the arts possible,” says Biggs.

By double-majoring in arts administration and dance choreography, Biggs laid the groundwork for a career that combined her love for the arts with her commitment to community service.

After graduating, she entered the nonprofit sector, working at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey, where she developed her fundraising and development skills. This role solidified her belief in the power of the arts to bring people together. Biggs acknowledges that some of her skill set is largely thanks to the classes and experiences she had during her time at Elon.

“I credit a lot of my confidence with public speaking and taking command of a meeting room, giving presentations and overall aspects of leadership in the workspace to countless hours spent in the bright lights of McCrary Stage at Elon,” she explained.

Biggs continued to expand her expertise through positions in notable arts organizations, including The Public Theater in New York City. Throughout her transitions, her dedication to servant leadership remained evident. Biggs had several different careers, but throughout them, she noticed the strength of Elon and the success of the alumni.

“When I encounter fellow Elon alumni in a professional or personal setting, the environment is elevated and shifts – we know to expect the best and we naturally strive for greatness,” she said.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Biggs seized the opportunity to pivot her career toward the corporate sector. Seeking to reconceptualize her relationship with the arts, positioning it as a cherished aspect of her life rather than her sole profession.

“I knew it was time for a career shift because I wanted to reach back and support the nonprofit sector that laid the foundation for my career,” she said.

This decision led her to earn a master’s degree in education policy and leadership at American University in Washington, D.C. Now, she is a proud member of the Aon business community, a global corporation dedicated to social responsibility. The company provides insurance, risk management and other financial services to companies and communities around the world. This switch to corporate America was a new but exciting challenge to undertake, but Biggs knew that she wouldn’t be leaving her past of social service behind.

“I love that Aon has values and a mission rooted in the betterment of society through the strengthening and protection of communities,” says Biggs.

Her previous nonprofit experience allows her to contribute meaningfully to corporate social responsibility initiatives, blending her professional responsibilities with her commitment to community enhancement.

“Though I am now part of corporate America, I contribute much of my life’s success to the performing arts and to the training I received in the dance and arts administration programs at Elon,” she explained.

She remains committed to her role as a servant leader in her community, even after relocating to New York City: “The opportunities to contribute as a servant leader are endless in there,” she said.

Biggs has taught Zumba and dance fitness classes in East Harlem, promoting health and wellness in her new community. Her involvement continues through her work with the Sullivan Foundation, which was created to support and honor service-oriented college students and faculty. Biggs received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2015.

“To be recognized not just for academic achievements, but for service and leadership—it felt like the perfect end to my time at Elon,” Biggs reflected.

The award is given out to students with exemplary acts in leadership, service, and a commitment to others. Biggs continues to serve as a leader for the organization, including as a masterclass coach, a member of the alumni advisory council and a local alumni community organizer.

“My time at Elon instilled in me the importance of community engagement and effective leadership,” said Biggs. “Regardless of where my career has taken me, the focal point has and will always be community development and the strengthening of society.”

Her journey reflects the profound impact of �þ��� on her commitment to
servant leadership, while her multifaceted roles—spanning the arts, nonprofit, and corporate sectors—demonstrate her dedication to fostering positive change in her community. As she continues to inspire others through her various endeavors, she remains a shining example of how education can fuel a lifelong desire to give back and create a lasting impact.

The visit was hosted by the Department of Performing Arts Dance Program.UBW was founded by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar as a “performance ensemble dedicated to exploring the use of cultural expression as a catalyst for social change.” UBW is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and one of their performance engagements includes the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina on July 17 and 18. The founder will receive the American Dance Festival Lifetime Achievement award on opening night.

Associate Professor of Dance Jen Guy Metcalf organized the UBW residency along with faculty in the dance program. Members of the company led workshops on February 19 and 20 for students enrolled in dance courses. Assistant Professor of Dance Keshia Wall had the opportunity to observe her students participate in a class.

“The members of UBW conducted an engaging and insightful class, seamlessly blending elements of dance, community building, and historical perspectives. The session left a lasting impression on both the students and myself, instilling a sense of inspiration and motivation to further cultivate the connections and discussions introduced during their session.”

Over 50 students from the Department of Performing Arts participated in the classes. Madi Boyer ’24, a dance science major, said that the class provided a meaningful way to connect her recent study abroad experience to the art of dance.

“My experience in class with Urban Bush Women was pure bliss for multiple reasons. However, my favorite part of the class was the emphasis of the African diaspora. This emphasis allowed me to apply my recent experience in Tanzania, Africa to my art and connect on a deeper level. Layering past experiences to new experiences helped me focus on not only the dance moves but the heart behind it all.”

Some students noted the emphasis on community during the classes facilitated by members of UBW. Jessica Werfel ’24, a double major in dance performance & choreography and arts administration, said the company members reignited her passion for community-based dance. Evelyn Ealey ’26, a double major in dance performance & choreography and strategic communications appreciated the approach to the class.

“The experience that Urban Bush Woman provided for us was unique, dynamic, and highlighted the importance of community in the performing arts space. Their family-like approach to class fostered a safe, supportive, and creative space for both the dancers and company members to express themselves through movement.”

The Mendham, New Jersey parents wanted to show their gratitude to Elon by supporting the center, which will be a hub for health and wellness initiatives located within the Innovation Quad.

“We wanted to give something back to Elon given the great experience our family has had and the wonderful education our daughter Whitney received,” Michael McDonnell said.

The McDonnells believe strongly in the mission of the HealthEU Center and educating students about all aspects of wellness and well-being, including taking care of their physical and emotional health. This is particularly important following the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of social media, which can further isolate young people.

“We are big believers that mental health awareness and getting treatment options are critical to our society,” Michael said.

Dr. Marissa McDonnell, a retired pediatrician, agrees, noting that many students missed out on important milestones in their lives, including high school proms and graduations due to the pandemic, which led to a loss of community.

“Creating community again and bringing those elements and services together in one center is so important,” Marissa said. “Without question this is something that is a great fit for us to help with.”

Elon has set a $25 million fundraising goal to help make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed $7 million to the project, which will bring academic, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs together under one roof to support student success.

The new center is an integral 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, workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, the HealthEU Center will impact all students as they progress through their education and learn essential skills and practices to thrive on campus and throughout each stage of their lives.

The McDonnells were impressed with Elon’s thoughtful design of the facility and its focus on educating the mind, body and spirit of every student.

“One of the big objectives we always had with our children’s education was that they learn how to think,” Michael said. “Whatever career you are going into, you need to be able to think clearly and know how to deliver consistently. It’s hard to be consistent when you’re struggling with mental health, so if this center can help young people learn how to manage their mental health and be consistent in their activities, this will help them be successful.”

“I hope that other universities pay attention to what Elon is doing,” added Marissa. “If everyone had access to a model similar to the HealthEU Center, it would make a tremendous impact on improving the mental health of our young adults.”

A ‘rock-steady foundation’

Whitney McDonnell ’24 graduated with a degree in drama & theatre studies and arts administration, along with a minor in . Among the highlights of her education was participating in the Semester at Sea program in partnership with the International Student Exchange (ISE), which took her to Amsterdam, Cyprus, Dubrovnik, Morocco and Kenya among other locations.

“Elon ignited my passion for the entertainment industry and encouraged me to bring my perspective to make the arts more inclusive and innovative,” Whitney wrote on LinkedIn. “I am truly grateful for the rock-steady foundation upon which I will build a career and make a difference in the creative sector.”

The McDonnells’ gift will also establish an Elon Engagement Scholarship to help enroll students eager to take advantage of the university’s nationally recognized engaged learning curriculum.

Michael McDonnell serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Biogen and Marissa McDonnell is president of Schiff Natural Lands Trust in Mendham, New Jersey.

Make An Impact

Many naming opportunities are available in the HealthEU Center, beginning at $50,000. Gift commitments may be made in full or with a pledge over a period of five years. To find out how you can make an impact with your gift, contact Brian Baker, associate vice president for university advancement, at 336.278.7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

Their behind-the-Hollywood-magic tour included a visit to the set of the blockbuster sitcom hit “Friends,” which was just one highlight of the day.

�þ��� started their second week of the program today with a full schedule ahead of great opportunities and fascinating discoveries.

�þ��� attending spend their semester in academic classes taught by industry professionals, at internships that offer up invaluable learning experiences, and being immersed in the exciting culture, history and diverse communities of greater Los Angeles.

Applications for the summer and fall programs are open through March 15.

This year’s group of students has been rehearsing since early January for dual performances on Jan. 10 at 7 and 9 p.m. Both performances will be in the Yeager Recital Hall.

“Elon Cares is such a beautiful opportunity to not only showcase student work, but also to celebrate queerness,” said Derick Donato Roberto ’26, who is on the creative team.

After doubling their fundraising goal in 2023, the students are hoping to raise $2,000 this year. For more information about the event including how to help Elon Cares meet its fundraising goal visit www.elon.edu/glc/eloncares. Each donation comes with an entry into a raffle for various prizes. Prizes from previous years have included tickets to see Broadway shows, signed Broadway Playbills and posters, and one-on-one online coaching sessions with Performing Arts Alumni.

“This event is used to center queer community, joy, art, and resources. It’s been an honor to serve as one of the Artistic Directors for my second year — it’s a lot of work given, but everyone works so hard to put on a great show and the outcome is always really spectacular,” Roberto said.

Donations by cash or check will be collected at the performances. To make online donations, visit for more information about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

“So many Elon Music Theatre alumni who are on Broadway, national tours or working in the industry in some capacity are super eager to donate their time/services as a raffle for this event,” Roberto said.

In 2009, he and his wife, Elizabeth, made a $500,000 estate gift to establish the Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar Professorship to support faculty and honor the achievements of his late brother, a 1934 alumnus and gifted pianist and organist who was a member of Elon’s music faculty for more than 40 years. Wayne Moore passed away in 2022 and proceeds from his estate have now funded the professorship.

Moore’s niece, Laurel Moore Bradley G’89, who earned her MBA at Elon, and niece-in-law, Darlene Moore, fondly recall their uncles.

“Wayne and Fletcher Moore were the ‘music men’ of our family,” they said. “They were both truly talented and shared their love for music through their long careers in �þ��� and performing.”

“The Elon community is grateful to Wayne and Elizabeth Moore for this wonderful gift that will strengthen the university’s national leadership in engaged �þ��� and learning,” Provost Rebecca Kohn said. “The legacy of Wayne and Fletcher Moore will live on in the work of outstanding scholars who will hold this professorship.”

The Moore family has strong ties to Elon that span multiple generations. After earning his �þ��� degree in music in 1949, Wayne Moore went on to earn a master’s degree in music from Columbia University the following year. He then served in the Army in Virginia and Germany before returning to teach music at Elon and serve as organist and choirmaster at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Burlington.

Following a year of music study in Vienna, Austria, Moore returned to Columbia and earned a doctorate in education. He later taught organ at Mississippi Woman’s University and the University of Northern Colorado before joining the music faculty at Auburn University, where he taught for 31 years before being named professor emeritus. During his �þ��� career, Moore performed organ recitals throughout the Southeast as well as at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. He also presented annual recitals in New York, performing at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Columbia University.

Wayne and Elizabeth Moore’s philanthropy at Elon spanned seven decades, including gifts to scholarships and athletics and to name a faculty office in the Center for the Arts for Fletcher Moore. The couple also endowed a music scholarship in Wayne’s name and made a gift to Belk Library to expand its book and score collection of classical music and opera, which Wayne said were “like the Bible or Shakespeare.”

“Every time you listen, even if you’ve read them 100 times, you learn new things,” said Moore. Elizabeth Moore was a vocalist and pianist and taught voice at Elon from 1953 to 1956. She passed away in 2004.

After graduating from Elon, Fletcher Moore studied music at The Juilliard School and Teachers College at Columbia University, where he earned a master’s degree in 1935. Following service in the Army, Fletcher returned to Elon and served as a member of the music faculty from 1937 to 1980, inspiring generations of students and alumni to pursue careers in music and the performing arts. In 1990, Elon established the C. Fletcher Moore Award in his honor, which is given each year to an outstanding patron of the arts. Fletcher Moore died in 1994.

Additional family members with ties to Elon include Laurel Moore Bradley’s husband, Richard Bradley ’88, and her parents, Willard and Betty Moore, who both attended Elon.

Brian Feeley ’03, assistant vice president for university advancement and director of planned giving, said the estate gift from Wayne and Elizabeth Moore helps build an essential pipeline of funding for Elon in the decades ahead.

“When alumni place Elon in their estate plans, they make a powerful statement about their belief in an Elon education and talented faculty to transform lives,” Feeley said. “We believe there is no better investment than Elon students and helping prepare outstanding leaders to guide our future.”

A Will to Lead is a special initiative to encourage alumni, parents and other members of the campus community to establish a legacy at Elon by placing the university in their estate.

To learn more about making an estate gift to Elon, contact Brian Feeley ’03 at (336) 278-7474 or bfeeley@elon.edu. You may also visit for more information on planned giving.