The building now serves as a gathering place for Jewish students at ������Ƶ. Decades earlier, it was the home where his recently departed mother, Mary Martin Hamlin, grew up and where countless family memories were made.

On June 4, 2026, members of the Martin family returned to campus to celebrate what would have been Mary Martin Hamlin’s 100th birthday. The gathering included all seven of her nieces and nephews and several of their spouses, along with Karen Martin Yost, 91, the last surviving Martin sister.

The family’s connection to ������Ƶ stretches back more than a century. Leo DeWitt and Annie Raper Martin, both members of ������Ƶ’s Class of 1919, returned to the campus community when Leo joined the faculty as a history professor.

Leo Martin, familiarly known as Dick Martin throughout the community, would later partner with fellow ������Ƶ professor Thomas E. Powell, Jr. to help launch Carolina Biological Supply Company, whose squid logo and early catalog illustrations were drawn by Annie.

During the Great Depression, Leo Martin designed and built a two-story home on the corner of North Antioch and East College Avenues where he and Annie raised daughters Mary, Joanne and Karen. That home remains standing today, though in a different form.

After being acquired by ������Ƶ, the house served as the home of the Vera Richardson Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life before becoming the Sklut Hillel Center in 2013.

As Hamlin toured the building, memories came flooding back from his visits in the 1960s and 70s. He recalled the smell of canned food once stored in a pantry that no longer exists, the coal kept in the basement to heat the house and the Chinese elms that once shaded the property.

“A lot of this is familiar to me, from the living room and den to the sunroom where my grandfather’s desk was,” he said. “As I walk around now, it’s just wonderful to feel the youthful energy of the students.”

Karen Martin Yost said she enjoyed seeing the architectural details that remain in the house, as well as in her memory and frequently in her dreams—features like the fireplace and mantle, the built-in bookcases, the seventeen steps to the upstairs, and the black and white tiles in her childhood bathroom.

The family’s visit was made possible through arrangements between Betsy Polk Joseph, ������Ƶ’s senior director of Jewish Life, and Hamlin, Mary Martin Hamlin’s only child.

Hamlin said he was struck not only by what remained of the home, but also by how it is being used today. To know that the building serves as a center for Jewish students and that ������Ƶ continues to create spaces that welcome people from a variety of backgrounds reflects values long embraced by his family, he said.

The June gathering included a celebratory lunch, a tour of the house, readings from memoirs written by Mary Martin Hamlin and Karen Martin Yost, and visits to places around campus that shaped Mary’s childhood.

The day concluded at Magnolia Cemetery, where family members gathered at the family plot to share memories of Mary Martin Hamlin, a proud native of ������Ƶ.

Dr. John Walz will join the ������Ƶ University administration on June 30, 2026, after nearly a decade helming a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

Walz’s appointment follows a national search and comes as ������Ƶ debuts an academic division that will leverage the university’s nationally ranked approach to undergraduate teaching and its emphasis on engaged, experiential learning in pursuit of human transformation.

“John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success, engaged learning, innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry,” Provost Rebecca Kohn said. “His experience leading engineering programs, combined with his collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, make him exceptionally well suited to guide the School of Engineering and Computing during this important moment in its history.”

John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success, engaged learning, innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry.

– Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Walz will provide leadership for the School of Engineering and Computing’s academic programs, strategic planning, fundraising and external partnerships while helping advance the university’s goals for innovation, engaged learning and student success.

When the school formally opens for the 2026 Fall Semester, anchoring the university’s Innovation Quad in the heart of campus, it will include 20 full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students.

Engineering is among the university’s most rapidly expanding academic areas, reflecting both national demand and student interest. ������Ƶ’s existing ABET-accredited engineering program offers programs in biomedical, computer, mechanical, and environmental, as well as dual-degree pathways.  The school will include computer science and cybersecurity majors and a minor in game design.

������Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book said Walz’s background aligns with ������Ƶ’s vision for the new school.

“The launch of the School of Engineering and Computing represents an exciting step forward for ������Ƶ,” Book said. “Dr. Walz brings a rare combination of academic leadership, industry engagement and commitment to student-centered education. His leadership building engineering programs, supporting faculty excellence and preparing graduates for meaningful careers will position the school for continued growth and distinction.”

Walz has spent more than three decades as a faculty member, researcher and academic administrator. During his tenure as president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, he led the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, launched the institution’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, expanded academic offerings in computer science and artificial intelligence, strengthened student retention initiatives and oversaw significant investments in academic facilities and student success programs.

Under his leadership, Milwaukee School of Engineering achieved record undergraduate enrollment, increased student diversity, expanded industry partnerships and raised more than $150 million in philanthropic support for capital projects and academic initiatives.

Before becoming president, Walz served as dean of the , where he led efforts to establish a common first-year engineering program, expanded student success resources and strengthened relationships with industry partners. Earlier leadership roles at Virginia Tech and Yale University included overseeing faculty recruitment, program growth and research initiatives while maintaining active teaching and scholarship responsibilities.

Throughout his career, Walz has emphasized strategic planning, student retention, faculty support and partnerships with industry and community organizations. He has also championed initiatives that broaden participation in engineering and technology fields and expand pathways for students to connect classroom learning with professional experiences.

Walz said the opportunity to help shape a new school at ������Ƶ was particularly appealing because of the university’s emphasis on engaged learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. He also expressed gratitude to Book, Kohn and members of the search committee for the opportunity.

“I am deeply honored and excited to be selected as the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing,” Walz said. “I have long admired ������Ƶ’s commitment to engaged learning and believe it provides an ideal environment for educating the next generation of engineers and computer scientists.

“The combination of ������Ƶ’s strengths in the liberal arts and its investment in engineering and computing creates a unique opportunity to prepare graduates with both the technical expertise and leadership skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, globally connected world.”

Walz earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in chemical engineering at Tulane University before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He and his wife, Moira, have three daughters.

About ������Ƶ

������Ƶ is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, and ethical citizens and leaders.

At ������Ƶ, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff who prioritize teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. ������Ƶ is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

������Ƶ’s academic divisions include ������Ƶ 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; the School of Engineering and Computing; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, ������Ƶ and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge institutions. Final approval from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated by 2028.

• 136 college acceptances from 38 different universities
• $2.5 million in merit scholarships and grants awarded to scholars
• Seven will join the Class of 2030 this fall at ������Ƶ, three are headed to UNC Chapel Hill, and three more to UNC Charlotte, among other top schools
• Several earned some of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships North Carolina offers, including a Carolina Covenant Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, an ������Ƶ Teaching Fellow, and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow

And for ������Ƶ President Connie Book, who addressed the 17th class of the ������Ƶ Academy at a recent dinner reception to recognize graduates of the university’s college access and success program, scholarships and college acceptances are more than a reflection of academic achievement. They’re a harbinger of future success.

“These accomplishments, impressive as they are, are only a glimpse of the bright path that lies ahead of you,” Book said. “The ������Ƶ Academy was founded on a simple and powerful belief — that talent and potential exist in every community, and when that talent is matched with opportunity and support, there is no limit to what a young person can achieve. Each of you is living proof of that belief.”

Book was joined by family members, mentors, program alumni and other university leaders on May 28, 2026, in celebration of the Sigma Class during the ������Ƶ Academy’s annual President’s Reception.

The ������Ƶ Academy is an intensive, comprehensive opportunity for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The ������Ƶ Academy Summer Academy program includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday Academy programs for students and families.

As part of the ceremony in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms, Shawn Means, a member of the Alamance Burlington Early College Class of 2026, delivered the Sigma Scholar Speech to his 24 classmates. Means reflected at length on the ways ������Ƶ Academy shaped their development beyond academics.

“When people talk about ������Ƶ Academy, they’d most likely give you a polished answer,” Means said. “They talk about college preparation, leadership, and academic growth. All the things you can put on paper. And they wouldn’t be wrong. But they wouldn’t be telling the whole story.”

Means emphasized how the program transformed participants not only as students but as people. “Now we understand responsibility. Now we understand balance,” he said. “Now we understand that freedom isn’t just given, it’s something you learn how to handle.”

The reception was also the first in the ������Ƶ Academy’s nearly two decades of operation where alumni returned to be honored for their own graduations from college. Four ������Ƶ Academy College Scholars were applauded and presented with certificates commemorating their own recent college graduations.

Reception guests heard from Shiv Patel, a member of the Xi Class that graduated from high school in 2022. Now a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Patel encouraged members of the Sigma Class to stay true to themselves as they head to college.

“Someone told me that I did college right, and while I appreciated the notion, it’s not that I did college right, it’s that I led with my values,” Patel said. “I wanted the choices I made in college to be choices that reflected who I was and the background I came from. I never wanted to pretend to be someone I was not or do things that went against who I was.”

The program concluded with another first for the ������Ƶ Academy – a presentation of scholarships to four Sigma Class graduates made possible through the philanthropy of those who recognized the power of the academy to change lives.

Mariam Rosales ‘17, a member of the Delta Class and an ������Ƶ graduate who today works in real estate, joined with Julio Santiago to create the awards. Honored in 2026 were:

• Lexie Bennett, River Mill Academy
• Jaime Carranza-Navarrete, Graham High School
• Shawn Means, Alamance Burlington Early College
• Naje Gray, Walter M. Williams High School

The reception was a final opportunity for scholars before leaving high school to be encouraged with support from mentors who have been with them over the past three years.

“As you step into this next chapter, know this: you are ready,” said ������Ƶ Academy Director Emily Wiersma. “You have the tools, the resilience, and the heart to thrive. Life will bring challenges, yes, but it will also bring new mentors, new questions, and new opportunities to grow. Embrace it all. Stay curious. Stay connected to this community. Support from the ������Ƶ Academy does not end here today … most of all, continue to believe in yourself as fiercely as we believe in you.”

������Ƶ Academy Assistant Director of College Success Manny Campos emphasized the same point in closing the program.

“Believe in yourself. Believe that all the struggles you’ve faced prepared you and taught you what you need to succeed,” he said. “Your college acceptances and your college degrees were no mistakes, you did that. Now let’s be real. It may get difficult. Life won’t always be rainbows and butterflies.

“On those days that feel heavy and you feel like giving up, because those days will come, remember everyone here, remember the journey, and remember why you stayed. You did the work and you are more than capable of succeeding.”

Sixty-eight percent of American adults say they are proud to be American, and 79% agree the United States plays a uniquely important role in world history. At the same time, 69% believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would feel more disappointment than pride about modern American democracy.

The survey of 1,000 adults in the United States, conducted April 30-May 4, 2026, explores how Americans view the nation’s past, present and future as the country prepares to commemorate its semiquincentennial.

“As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans have complex and diverse feelings about America 250,” said Jason Husser, director of the ������Ƶ Poll and a professor of political science and public policy. “We found several points of optimism among Americans, including pride in being American and belief that the United States has a uniquely important role to play in world history. At the same time, many Americans expressed significant concern about the health of American democracy today, and the country is split on its outlook over the next 50 years.”

More than half of Americans (52%) say the United States is unsuccessfully living up to its founding ideals, while only 30% say the nation is successfully living up to them. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) rate the overall health of U.S. democracy as only “fair” or “poor.”

The survey also found widespread concern about political instability and civic division:

• 68% believe elected officials today are worse than leaders of the past
• 80% say they at least sometimes feel no political party or movement represents their views
• 70% say the country is more turbulent than average compared with other periods in U.S. history
• 64% say they have little or no confidence that U.S. political institutions will make mostly good decisions over the next 50 years
• 68% predict America will become more politically divided by 2076

Americans are also pessimistic about the country’s long-term future in several key areas. Majorities predict that by 2076 the nation will have less freedom, less economic equality, a lower standard of living, and more pollution. More Americans also believe technology will create more harm than benefit over the next 50 years.

Despite those concerns, the poll found Americans still hold strong connections to the nation’s democratic ideals and history.

When asked which event best represented American democracy at its highest ideals, respondents most frequently selected the Civil Rights Movement and World War II. Abraham Lincoln was named both the historical figure who best exemplified democratic ideals and the greatest president in U.S. history.

The survey also revealed broad bipartisan resonance for many historic presidential messages when respondents were not told who made the statements. More than three-quarters agreed with quotations from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, while large majorities also agreed with statements from John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Looking toward the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations, Americans expressed greater interest in reflection than pageantry. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) said America250 should focus more on reflecting on U.S. history and values than simply celebrating national achievements, and 71% said smaller local events would feel more authentic than large national celebrations.

The survey found Americans entering the anniversary with mixed emotions. The most common feeling was pride, cited by 38%, followed by gratitude at 17%. But 21% said they have no strong feelings, 12% described themselves as conflicted, while others reported disappointment or frustration.

The margin of error for the ������Ƶ Poll survey is +/- 3.95%.

Poll Methodology

Access the poll topline and methodology at: www.elon.edu/elonpoll. The survey was developed by the ������Ƶ Poll and fielded by the international marketing and polling firm YouGov as an online, web-based survey, self-administered with online panels. Between April 30 and March 4, 2026, YouGov interviewed 1,077 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. These respondents were then matched down to a sample of 1,000 to produce the final dataset.

The matched cases were weighted to the sampling frame using propensity scores based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, years of education, and home ownership. The margin of error for this poll (adjusted for weights) is +/-3.95%.

About the ������Ƶ Poll

Established in 2000, the ������Ƶ Poll conducts national and North Carolina surveys on issues of importance to voters and residents. Information from these polls is shared with media, citizens and public officials to facilitate informed public policy making through the better understanding of citizens’ opinions and attitudes. The poll is fully funded by ������Ƶ and operates as the neutral, non-biased information resource.

The ������Ƶ Poll is a charter member of in 2014 to educate polling firms on ways to better share how they collect and interpret their information. The ������Ƶ Poll’s voluntary participation in this initiative signifies a willingness to clearly state in its reports how questions were asked, in what order, who funded the poll and then conducted it, and a definition of the population under study, among other details.

Academic honors for the 2026 sall semester are now online, with students and parents invited to download customized news releases to send to hometown newspapers.

The President’s List is composed of students with no grade below an A-minus in a minimum of 12 semester hours. The Dean’s List is composed of students with no grade below a B-minus and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in a minimum of 12 semester hours.

The ������Ƶ News Bureau encourages students and families to submit the announcement to local newspapers. Some newspapers welcome photos to accompany the announcement.

All questions about the criteria for the President’s List and Dean’s List and an individual student’s qualifications for the honors should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at (336) 278-6677 during normal business hours. There is often a delay in the reporting of grades for some students studying abroad, and the lists will be updated once all grades are received.

If you find a factual error or a misspelled name in your release, please contact Eric Townsend in the Office of University Communications at etownsend4@elon.edu.

Members of the Class of 2026 and their parents can now download customized news releases for distribution to hometown media outlets that publish information on academic achievements. News releases can also easily be shared through social media platforms Facebook and LinkedIn.

The university encourages submissions to local newspapers, which often announce college graduations in their community sections.

President’s List and Dean’s List honorees also have news releases available for download.

Students and parents may contact Eric Townsend in the Office of University Communications at etownsend4@elon.edu if corrections to the news release need to be made before sending to local media.

Eric Sklut P’14, an entrepreneur and longtime community leader in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Amy Muntner P’24, a retail and strategy executive based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will bring extensive experience in business, innovation and civic engagement to the university’s governing body.

The ������Ƶ Board of Trustees has ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the institution, providing oversight of its mission, strategic direction and long-term sustainability.

Sklut is the founder of Perfection Automotive, a Charlotte-based company known for producing custom trim components for high-end vehicles. His development of the BumperPlugs product line grew from an entrepreneurial solution to a gap in the luxury automotive market and has since become a widely used product among car enthusiasts.

In addition to his business success, Sklut has demonstrated decades of philanthropic leadership across the Charlotte region. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including and the , and has led major fundraising campaigns supporting community initiatives.

His efforts have helped generate more than $70 million for charitable organizations, including a recent campaign exceeding $23 million for a regional hunger relief initiative.

Sklut previously served on ������Ƶ’s Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023 and has maintained a deep and sustained commitment to the university. He and his wife, Lori, have been transformative supporters of Jewish life and Jewish Studies at ������Ƶ, including naming the Sklut Hillel Center and establishing endowed faculty and scholarship support.

Their son, Mason, is a 2014 graduate of ������Ƶ.

Muntner brings a global perspective shaped by a career in consulting, consumer products and retail strategy. She began her career with Andersen Consulting before joining , where she advised major international corporations. Her additional leadership positions have included Executive roles with Toys “R” Us and , where she led brand and business strategy initiatives.

Her work has spanned multiple international markets, including Asia and Europe, and has focused on strategic growth, partnerships and product development. At Sesame Workshop, she played a key role in cross-functional efforts to expand the organization’s reach and impact through new character development and brand initiatives, including the introduction of the popular

Muntner’s connection to ������Ƶ grew through her daughter Lucy’s enrollment as a member of the Class of 2024. She and her husband, Kevin, are members of the university’s 1889 Society and have supported scholarships, Hillel and university priorities through philanthropic giving.

Their broader civic engagement includes support for international relief organizations, and education and community well-being in Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States.

About ������Ƶ

������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. ������Ƶ is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

������Ƶ’s academic divisions include ������Ƶ 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.

For the second consecutive year, the university is the only North Carolina private school featured by the magazine in its list of “25 Best Drama Schools in the World.” The University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also made the list.

The publication said it consulted with educators and industry insiders to determine the best schools for an acting degree. It also weighed overall training, cost, facilities, alumni success, industry connections and more.

The 16 students accepted to the undergraduate musical theater program go through a rigorous training process, which begins with classes in acting, voice and dance, and then allows students to explore individualized paths, including taking part in student-driven cabaret performances. Seniors also take part in a two-semester course on professional readiness and artistic identity, which includes bringing in casting directors and talent representation, with many students gaining representation or jobs out of this process. To that point, Campy Rodriguez, a current student in the senior class, is on Broadway in Aladdin, in addition to such alum as Taylor Trensch, who recently led the off-Broadway production of Bat Boy. Tuition and fees are close to $51,000.

������Ƶ’s Department of Performing Arts offers seven degree programs: Acting, Arts Administration, Dance Performance & Choreography, Dance Science, Drama and Theatre Studies, Music Theatre and Theatrical Design and Technology. Four programs require an audition or interview.

About ������Ƶ

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

������Ƶ’s academic divisions include ������Ƶ 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alex Bohannon ’17, president of the ������Ƶ Black Alumni Network

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This work represents an important step forward in the planned merger, which is awaiting a vote from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. That accreditation approval is the first step in a two-step federal approval process before ������Ƶ assumes operational oversight of Queens.

As the approval process continues, ������Ƶ and Queens are planning to align a number of administrative and operational functions through shared services, beginning June 30. The goal of the shared services model is to strengthen the financial and operational foundation of the future combined institution while ensuring that students continue to receive strong support throughout the transition.

“This next stage is about building the foundation for a stronger future,” said Jeff Stein, chief integration officer and executive vice president. “Leaders from both institutions are working collaboratively and deliberately, and drawing on the strengths, talents and traditions of ������Ƶ and Queens to design shared functions that serve students well and position the combined institution for long-term success.”

The shared services model will bring together teams in areas such as admissions and financial aid, advancement, career services, communications and marketing, finance, human resources, information technology, academic advising, facilities, library services, study abroad and other key administrative functions. These areas support the daily operations of both campuses and play an important role in the student experience. Leaders have emphasized that the design process is not simply about combining existing structures, but about creating stronger teams and practices that reflect the best of both institutions.

The merger also builds on ������Ƶ’s growing presence in Charlotte, including the expansion of ������Ƶ Law and future graduate programs. Queens’ deep roots in the city, distinctive undergraduate experience, Division I athletics program and legacy of civic engagement will remain important parts of the combined institution’s future. Athletics programs at ������Ƶ and Queens will continue to operate as distinct and separate Division I programs.

For employees, the transition will include direct communication, HR support and detailed information about next steps. Queens employees whose roles are part of the shared services areas will transition to ������Ƶ employment at the end of June and continue in similar roles. Queens employees who transition will move to ������Ƶ’s benefits program.

A small number of positions will not continue as part of the shared services structure. Employees in those roles are receiving direct support, including information about open positions at ������Ƶ in which they are eligible to apply and career transition resources.

The transition plan also includes onboarding, professional development and culture-building opportunities designed to help newly integrated teams build relationships and establish shared practices. Planned supports include department retreats, leadership workshops, employee resources, buddy programs and ongoing opportunities for feedback and questions.

Throughout the process, Queens will continue to have dedicated leadership guiding campus operations, helping ensure continuity for students, employees and the Charlotte community while federal approvals are pending.

For ������Ƶ and Queens, this stage of the work is both practical and forward-looking. It is about aligning systems and teams, but also about shaping a shared future grounded in student success, institutional strength and a commitment to Charlotte.

“The promise of this merger is not only that two institutions will come together,” Stein said. “It is that, together, we can create something stronger — an institution with deeper resources, broader opportunities and an enduring commitment to the students and communities we serve.”