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North Carolina U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a first term Republican seeking re-election in November, is the most recognizable name and has the highest favorability ratings in a crowded field of candidates looking to win his seat, according to the latest ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Poll.

With decision time nearing on healthcare legislation in Congress, North Carolinians continue to believe that the nation's healthcare system is in need of reform, according to the latest ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Poll.

Two-thirds of North Carolinians believe that religion is losing influence on American life, compared with about 24 percent who believe religion is gaining influence, according to the latest ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Poll. Nearly 65 percent say there should be no requirement for elected officials to believe in God.

Half of North Carolinians approve of the way President Barack Obama is handling his job as President, while about 75 percent say they disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job, according to the latest ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Poll. President Obama’s favorability rating stands at 53 percent in North Carolina, while 41 percent view him unfavorably.

¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ and the School of Communications hosted the third annual North Carolina College Media Association conference Feb. 20 in McEwen. ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ and advisers from student media organizations from across the state participated in the daylong event that focused primarily on interactive media and business practices.

Twenty-three ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ students and associate professor Bob Anderson will be audience guests in a Jan. 15 broadcast on C-SPAN2 featuring a panel on the political implications of social media and an interview with Marvin Kalb, an award-winning reporter who spent decades with CBS News and NBC News.

Leaders need to adapt to changing conditions. They need to communicate their ideas. And if you ask Dee Dee Myers, the first woman to serve as a White House press secretary who spoke Thursday night as Elon's sixth Isabella Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership, she’ll tell you that leaders can’t be afraid to fail.