�þ��� will host “United in Purpose” on Thursday, Nov. 5, bringing together alumni, parents and friends of �þ��� and Queens University of Charlotte for an evening of connection and community.

The event will be held at Urban Garden in Charlotte and begin at 6:30 p.m. with a hosted reception featuring hors d’oeuvres. Guests will gather at 7:30 p.m. for a special program featuring remarks from �þ��� President Connie Ledoux Book. A dessert reception will follow the program and conclude the evening. Business attire is requested.

United in Purpose
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
6:30 p.m. — Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
7:30 p.m. — Program
Dessert reception to follow until 9 p.m.

Urban Garden
150 N. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Register at or contact advancement@elon.edu.

�þ��� President Connie Ledoux Book��recently spoke with Capital Analytics Association’s��, for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving landscape of higher education, �þ���’s strategic priorities and the role colleges play in preparing graduates for a rapidly changing workforce.

During the conversation, Book discussed the importance of experiential learning and Elon’s commitment to preparing students with the knowledge, adaptability and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in careers that continue to evolve alongside advances in technology. She reflected on the university’s expanded law and healthcare offerings in Charlotte, as well as the planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte.

“One major priority is for the merger with Queens University to be successful,” Book said. “Another is the continued rollout of our new and expanded graduate programs. However, our core student is an �þ��� student, and we want to make sure that we continue to evolve the Elon experience so we have a compelling differentiator as a university to attract them.”

Book also addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence in higher education, emphasizing that institutions have a responsibility to help students use emerging technologies ethically and effectively. She highlighted Elon’s efforts to lead national conversations around AI while reinforcing the enduring value of human connection, critical thinking and experiential education.

“I am proud of the success we have when students arrive. They graduate in four years and have great employment afterward,” said Book. “Over the next few years, we want to continue building on that, expanding our reach in key markets like Charlotte, deepening our impact in North Carolina’s communities, and staying true to the mission that has guided Elon’s growth.”

�þ��� President Connie Ledoux Book offered her insight on the implications of artificial intelligence during an expert panel hosted by The Conference Board, a global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization.

The virtual panel on May 21 featured Book; Anand Eswaran, chief executive officer of Veeam; and Joe Sutherland, director of the Center for AI Learning at Emory University, and it focused on five issues:

1. How leading companies are prioritizing AI use cases that deliver measurable ROI
2. How organizations are building AI governance – risk management, privacy, security and compliance – without slowing innovation
3. What “scaling AI” looks like in practice across key functions
4. How policy can support an AI innovation ecosystem while managing potential risks
5. How policymakers could help prepare employees to succeed in firms using AI

All of the panelists were asked about one development they think people underestimate about the way AI may reshape business, work or daily life. For Book, it’s the “deepening value of humanness.”

“Most people are asking this question … about which jobs AI will replace, but the bigger story is what human capabilities will become newly scarce and newly valuable,” she said. “I think of those as judgments, and the ability to build trust, mentor, and ask better questions are all human capabilities. The institutions and organizations that invest in that are going to be the leaders in five years.”

Book was asked about Elon’s research on AI in higher education, including��a November 2025 survey of 1,057 faculty by the��American Association of Colleges and Universities��and��Elon’s Imagining the Digital Future Center. The survey found widespread concern and skepticism about generative artificial intelligence affecting their �þ��� and student performance across academic disciplines.

“Faculty are not, by majority, anti-AI. They are deeply concerned that we get it right, that we get it right in our universe, and they’re looking for leadership on that,” Book said. “A majority of faculty already said they’re �þ��� AI literacy … They’re �þ��� things about bias, hallucinations, ethics and integrity. You see this unfold across universities.”

The survey also found concern over the over-reliance on AI by students. Book noted that it’s important to differentiate “over-reliance” from cheating.

“This is an over-reliance where they’re diminishing critical thinking,” she said. “They’re ‘AI dependent’ on what the answer is, rather than ‘human dominant,’ which is where we want them to take all of those liberal arts and learning skills, and really be human dominant through the technology.”

Eswaran said that adaptability to AI will be key for the workforce, and Book said that AI could even lead to more room for a liberal arts education and better workforce preparation for students.

“I think it creates even more demand for a liberal arts background,” she said. “We tend to think of ‘either or’ – either you’re a technical skills person, a STEM person, or a liberal arts person. I do think the ‘and’ is going to be even more critical in our understanding.”

Drawn by the strength of Elon’s student life program and the opportunity to grow professionally, Patterson arrived in 1986 planning to stay only a short time.

“The student life program at Elon was well-regarded at the state and in the region and in the country even back in 1986,” she said. “I saw it as an opportunity to be a part of that staff and to grow professionally. And then Elon just grew into our home.”

Over the years, Patterson witnessed Elon’s transformation from a small college into a nationally recognized university.

“What I didn’t appreciate at the beginning was how the physical transformation was really the precursor for the cultural transformation of the institution,” she said.

That cultural transformation is most visible in her work with students. Known affectionately as “Dean P,” Patterson built her leadership approach through relationships grounded in accessibility, respect and authenticity. She emphasized servant leadership, encouraging students to see leadership not as personal elevation, but as a contribution to a larger community.

“I was going to be a good listener with them, but also going to ask them the tough questions so that the decisions that they made were aligned with both their values and the values of the institution,” she said.

This approach also shaped her work with student government. Patterson balanced openness with accountability, pushing students to slow down, ask better questions and fully understand the implications of their ideas. Rather than reacting in the moment, students were expected to research, refine and sometimes rethink their positions.

“Before you bring this for legislation, I want you to do your homework,” she said. “Be thoughtful and be a critical thinker.”

For Patterson, the most enduring measure of her work is what students carry forward. Watching alumni grow into leaders, mentors and engaged citizens has reinforced her belief in higher education as both a space for learning and transformation.

As she steps into retirement, Patterson remains optimistic about Elon’s future. She points to the university’s ability to balance tradition with innovation while staying grounded in its values.

“I’m in my jubilee year, as we call it,” she said. “I get a little emotional at Elon Day and those things, but I’ve received the gift to be able to reflect in a place that has been such an integral part of my life and my family’s lives.”

For all of Patterson’s contributions over her 40-year career, from mentoring generations of students to strengthening the university’s focus on student health and well-being, her service reflects what President Book described as “a job well done.”

Learn more about the podcast and listen to the episode here.

Originally a left-handed pitcher recruited to play baseball, Mooney’s plans shifted overnight when an injury sidelined him before he ever took the field. The setback pushed him into new experiences: student government, leadership fellows, Sigma Chi and a community of mentors who helped him recognize his potential beyond athletics.

“I was also very fortunate to have some amazing mentors on campus,” he said. “Whether that was, Fred Young and Ron Klepcyk, Gerald Gibson, Gerald Francis, Jana Lynn Patterson, Rex Waters, Dr. Jo Williams… these were people that spoke into me that said, ‘We want you to learn.’”

Mooney carried that growth mindset into motorsports, eventually working with agencies, global brands, race teams and major sponsors. His roles gave him a rare 360-degree view of the business behind the sport in communications, partnerships, crisis management, and team operations across more than 850 races. He describes motorsports as a living case study in teamwork and continuous improvement.

“Even if you won on Sunday, Monday morning was, ‘Okay, what are we going to do differently? What are we going to improve on?’” he said.

After 25 years, Mooney made another shift by leaving the constant travel of racing to launch Mooney Consulting Group and support the development of Pocono Organics. He describes the transition as both the most challenging and most necessary chapter of his life, driven by a need for sustainable pace, deeper family presence, and renewed purpose.

“What if the last ten, 15, 20 years of your life were the setup for the next 20, 25 years of your life?” he asked.

Much of Mooney’s current work centers on values-based leadership and proactive reputation building, themes that anchor his book “Reputation Shift.” Drawing on years of crisis response inside motorsports, he encourages leaders to live their values out loud, strengthening reputation before it is tested.

“It hit me that, you know, reputation was always reactive. It was a, ‘What now?’” he said. “If we could live our values out loud, you probably wouldn’t have an issue with reputation because it’s coming from a place that’s truly yours.”

President Book and Mooney also reflect on defining early experiences, which include their shared memories of working at Kmart as teenagers, and how small moments of integrity and decision-making become early milestones in a leadership journey.

This episode captures the energy, humility, and clarity that have guided Mooney’s work. His path from unexpected change to purposeful leadership serves as a reminder that transformation begins the moment you decide to change lanes.

Listen to the full episode on , or .

“Excellent public schools create meaningful opportunity for every North Carolinian to succeed,”��said Governor Josh Stein.��“This commission represents a bipartisan commitment and an opportunity to make North Carolina’s public schools the best in the nation.”

The Blue Ribbon Commission is tasked with examining teacher training and student advancement, administrative operations, educational leadership and accountability. Members of the Blue Ribbon Commission were jointly appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

“The educational opportunities in North Carolina open a world of possibilities for our citizens,”��said Senate Leader Phil Berger.��“It’s imperative that we continue to work collaboratively to ensure North Carolinians have the skills they need to enter the workforce. We need everyone — business leaders, educators, and policymakers — to come together to meet the real-world needs of our students. I look forward to seeing the proposals this group suggests to improve educational outcomes for all students.”

�þ��� President Connie Ledoux Book was featured in a on how college administrators are confronting major disruptions in the higher education landscape, including international enrollment challenges and artificial intelligence adoption.

The article, “How 3 college administrators are tackling higher education disruption,” highlights remarks Book made during a panel at the American Council on Education’s annual conference in Washington, D.C.��

Book pointed to tightening visa policies and shifting global student flows as key pressures facing institutions nationwide. She noted that even colleges not heavily dependent on international enrollment are feeling the effects of broader declines in traditional student populations.

“If you rely on immigration and international students as the primary driver of your enrollment strategy, you are vulnerable,” Book said.

Reflecting on how disruptions beyond Elon’s campus could affect the national higher education ecosystem, Book added, “We’re losing domestic students because of the hole that other schools are filling,” signaling that competitive pressures ripple across institutions when one segment of the student market contracts.��

On the topic of artificial intelligence, Book noted that a liberal arts education could help students use AI in their work.

“This is going to breathe life into skill sets around philosophy, religion, problem-solving, history,”��Book��said. “The human side is going to get a new burst of energy because that’s where the skill sets of connecting the dots and critical thinking live.”

The event will take place on��Thursday, April 16, at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi.��A reception including a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,��followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.��A dessert reception will��conclude��the evening.

6:30��p.m.����Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
7:30��p.m.����Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8 p.m.����Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
Vertigo Room
10400 NE��4th��St.��Suite 3100
Bellevue,��WA��98004

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Register at�� or contact��advancement@elon.edu.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at the Denver Art Museum.��A reception including a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6:30 p.m.,��followed by a program featuring remarks by President Connie Ledoux Book.��A dessert reception will��conclude��the evening.

6:30��p.m.����Hosted reception with hors d’oeuvres
7:30��p.m.����Program with remarks by President Connie L. Book
8:00��p.m.����Dessert reception
The event will conclude at 9 p.m.

Denver Art Museum��Museum
Martin Building, Sturm Grand Pavilion
101 West 14th��Ave. Parkway
Denver,��CO��80204

Business attire
Cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres

Register at�� or contact��advancement@elon.edu.

While his classmates left campus for places like Cancun and California, Sean had his own plans. “I, on the other hand,” he shared, “went home to get my wisdom teeth removed.”

Two days into his recovery, he received an urgent email from Jim Carnahan Casting, a casting company that he connected with through his Senior Showcase.

In the email, he learned that “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” needed an immediate replacement on Broadway. With a swollen mouth, Sean sent in an audition tape, had an in-person callback in New York City a few days later and received a phone call following his callback.

As Sean vividly remembers being told on the phone, “We are so sorry to tell you that you cannot go home because we need you in rehearsal tomorrow.”

Since that moment in late March, Mikesh has performed nightly as an ensemble member and understudy for the Charles Sinclair character. The roles have challenged him in ways both technical and transformative, shifting between nuanced character work, mastering tight backstage choreography and even stepping into the production’s iconic Demogorgon suit.

Not even a year out from graduation, Mikesh described to Book how surreal the transition has been relocating to New York City, negotiating contracts and performing on Broadway. Through it all, he emphasized the community that has anchored him. He credited Associate Professor of Performing Arts Kim Shively at Elon for helping him step confidently into the professional industry, and his fellow Elon alumni and students in New York, like Erik Houck ’25 and Campy Rodriguez ’26, who is currently in “Aladdin” on Broadway.

“It’s been such a beacon of support,” he said. “It’s like a hug, the way Elon felt when I first visited the campus… And when you come out to New York, we’re in a new space, beautiful in a different way, but the people are still there and that hug is still there.”

Towards the end of Sean’s conversation with President Book, which ranged from the surprise commencement ceremony she held for Sean last May in New York City to the importance of staying present,��Sean offered advice for Elon students whose dream it is to perform on a Broadway stage.

It was a quote he returned to throughout his audition process that framed his experience: “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.”

Preparation, for him, came through years of Meisner, Stanislavski, and Chekhov-based training under Professors Kevin Otos and Kim Shively; roles in on-campus productions of “Paradise Lost” and “The Antipodes;” and the lessons he absorbed across classrooms and disciplines on campus.

For someone whose story to Broadway began with wisdom teeth surgery, an unexpected email and a callback in New York City, Mikesh’s journey makes one thing clear: when opportunity arrived, he was prepared.

Learn more about the podcast and listen to the episode online.