The Certified Organic farm, owned and operated by Brett Evans ’13, supplies ������Ƶ Dining with fresh, seasonal produce, including microgreens, spinach, herbs and lettuce, that’s harvested with care and rooted in sustainable practices.

For Evans, the connection to ������Ƶ is deeply personal. As an undergraduate, he was involved in the Sierra Club, the Community Garden and Loy Farm, and he spent many weekends helping on a professor’s homestead farm. “I remember being concerned about the limited local and organic options on campus,” Evans says. “To now be a meaningful part of the solution, with our produce consistently in the dining halls for multiple years, is a truly full-circle experience I am grateful to have.”

Sourcing from local partners like Red Hawk, who are committed to sustainable farming practices, allows ������Ƶ Dining to invest in the community, care for the land and bring fresher ingredients to campus. Students experience that connection daily, whether through the flavor of their meals or meeting farmers like Evans at campus events.

According to Leslie Bosse, sustainability manager for ������Ƶ Dining, chefs often visit partner farms, which deepens their connection to the dishes they prepare and gives them an even greater respect for the ingredients. “When you know where the food comes from and have seen the hard work the farmers put in to produce it,” Bosse says, “it reinforces the desire to use each ingredient to its fullest capacity out of respect for the process.”

 extend well beyond sourcing. Initiatives include plant-forward menus, waste reduction, reusable to-go containers and a partnership with CompostNow to process food scraps, creating a local loop that returns nutrients to the land.

Kelly Harer, ������Ƶ’s associate director of sustainability for education and outreach, says the Red Hawk Farm partnership supports ������Ƶ’s Sustainability Master Plan 2025, which serves as ������Ƶ’s roadmap for advancing sustainability on campus, outlining eight key areas — including dining, academics, transportation, waste reduction and more — that guide the university’s efforts toward a more sustainable future.

“With Red Hawk, we’re not only building and supporting the North Carolina community, we’re also building our ������Ƶ community.” — Leslie Bosse, sustainability manager for ������Ƶ Dining

One of the plan’s dining strategies calls for 35% of annual food purchases to be local by 2035. “Food and dining are critical components of ������Ƶ’s sustainability strategy because they directly impact environmental, social and economic systems,” Harer says. “By making intentional food choices, we can reduce carbon emissions, support local farmers and educate students about the broader impacts of sustainable food systems.”

The collaboration between ������Ƶ Dining and the Office of Sustainability is ongoing and intentional. Dining staff participate in working groups for university-wide planning and regularly meet with campus sustainability leaders to align strategies and share progress. “We don’t just want to buy local when it’s convenient,” Bosse says. “We’re committed to building long-term relationships that truly support the farms we work with.”

The fact that Evans is an alumnus makes this partnership especially meaningful. “With Red Hawk, we’re not only building and supporting the North Carolina community,” Bosse adds, “we’re also building our ������Ƶ community.”

• Explore ������Ƶ’s vision for the future in the Sustainability Master Plan 2025.

“This stole around my shoulders bears the journey of my family, my mentors, my friends and my ancestors,” she wrote, switching seamlessly between English and Spanish. Her message was a love letter: to her Mexican parents who journeyed across borders for opportunity; to her sisters cheering her on from afar; and to the mentors who believed in her before she believed in herself.

“Este momento es nuestro.”

“This moment is ours.”

That spirit of gratitude, pride and belonging was palpable throughout the 2025 “¡Celebremos!: Graduates Take Flight” celebration held May 22 in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms. Led by El Centro and the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, with the support of the Office of Alumni Engagement, the annual bilingual program honors Latinx and Hispanic graduating students while celebrating the diverse stories that define the ������Ƶ experience.

The ceremony marked more than a milestone. It was a moment of recognition for the work, love and legacy each graduate carried on their shoulders.

“I’m here because of your faith in me,” Rachel Lopez wrote in her reflection. She spoke of the sacrifices made by her parents, originally from El Salvador, including her father holding two jobs and her mother driving her around to every after-school activity when she was younger.  “I’m here as a proud daughter of immigrants, with your love in my heart and your example guiding every step I take.”

In their reflections, many students spoke of navigating challenges as first-generation college students, honoring their parents’ labor and resilience, and finding chosen family at ������Ƶ through mentors and peer connections.

“You have made ������Ƶ a more vibrant, loving and powerful space, and we are forever changed by your presence.” — Sylvia Muñoz, director of the CREDE

Jose Alex Reyes Arias, who participated in ������Ƶ’s “It Takes a Village” Project since childhood, reflected on the power of community. “Before I ever stepped foot on ������Ƶ’s campus as a student, I was already surrounded by the love, support and encouragement of the ������Ƶ community,” he wrote. “When I officially became an ������Ƶ student, my village only grew stronger. Throughout my time here, I’ve had mentors who poured into me not just academically, but personally.”

Cristy Mariné ’25 delivered a heartfelt charge to the students, sharing how she once hesitated to bring her full identity into the classroom. “I questioned whether my voice belonged … whether people would understand me when I switched languages mid-sentence.” Over time, she added, she stopped asking for permission to be proud of her roots.

“I let my culture be loud,” Mariné said. “I stopped translating parts of myself to make others comfortable, and I let my story take up space.”

She likened her college journey to her Venezuelan mother’s arepas. While they are made with simple ingredients, it’s the filling that makes all the difference. Likewise, the richness of our identities is not complete without what we carry inside.

“Whatever your life looks like after graduation, fill it with what matters. Speak your language, hold your traditions close and know that you’re allowed to shape the spaces you walk into,” Mariné said. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my mom’s arepas, it’s that you don’t need much to make something meaningful, but you do need love and intention.”

In her remarks, President Connie Ledoux Book reminded graduates that the stole they received was designed by a former Latinx ������Ƶ student and serves as a symbol of both continuity and community. Beyond a diploma, she said, they leave ������Ƶ with the lifelong bonds they have formed with each other and mentors who shaped them along the way. “Your time at ������Ƶ helped you build relationships that will impact the rest of your life,” she said. “This ������Ƶ community is yours for the rest of your life, and I hope that you lean into it.”

The monarch butterfly, woven into the stole’s design, represents migration, transformation and persistence. As Assistant Director of the CREDE MJ Larrazabal Chacón G’21 explained, the butterfly was chosen by students as a metaphor for the journeys many in the Latinx community navigate. “������Ƶ has become one of our stops to recharge,” she said, “as we think about our next destination.”

Like the butterfly, students carry their heritage wherever they go. As the ceremony closed, Assistant Dean of Students and CREDE Director Sylvia Muñoz reminded students that their presence, rooted in heritage, courage and grace, is a powerful force that can make a difference in the world.

“You have the power to challenge injustice, to lead with compassion and to light the way for those who come after you,” she said. “You have made ������Ƶ a more vibrant, loving and powerful space, and we are forever changed by your presence.”

President Connie Ledoux Book praised the honorees for embodying ������Ƶ’s mission to prepare graduates for lives of purpose. “You all are actualizing the hope we have for an education to go out into the world to do great things,” she said, calling their stories a reminder of the power of learning, mentorship and human connection. “You’ve inspired us tonight — and we needed it.”

Among the honorees were educators, entrepreneurs, performers, scholars and creatives whose journeys reflect the values that define the ������Ƶ experience.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks ’15 – Founder & Executive Director, ScholarCHIPS | Washington, D.C.

Yasmine Arrington Brooks is a powerful voice for equity, education and second chances. As the founder of ScholarCHIPS, she has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and mentorship support to college-bound students with incarcerated parents — a mission born of her own lived experience. Her work has earned her national recognition, including being named a CNN Hero, a Soros Justice Fellow and a featured guest on “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

At ������Ƶ, Arrington Brooks was a Periclean Scholar, Gospel Choir member, alternative break leader and active student voice for justice and faith. After graduation, she pivoted from a corporate communications career to earn a Master of Divinity from Howard University and an executive certificate in nonprofit management from Georgetown.

In her remarks, she emphasized that her journey wasn’t a solo act. “I am not a one-woman show — it takes a village,” she said, crediting ������Ƶ professors, mentors and friends who helped her feel at home. She also encouraged others to seek truth, embrace difference, and continue building inclusive community: “The world still needs us — and we still need each other.”

Lauren Brzowski ’19 – Team USA Bobsledder | Park City, Utah

Lauren Brzowski’s path from collegiate track star to Olympic hopeful in bobsled is anything but conventional — and that’s what makes her story so compelling. After earning a master’s degree in marketing from Loughborough University in the UK, Brzowski was recruited to Team USA Bobsled during the pandemic. Since then, she’s become a national champion and trailblazer in the monobob discipline, with her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Her athletic journey, marked by resilience, took a dramatic turn after a harrowing crash on the world’s fastest track in Whistler, Canada. But instead of stepping away, she got back in the sled, and won her first gold medal just one week later. “The one thing about being a Phoenix is that you know how to rise from the ashes,” she said.

Brzowski credits ������Ƶ with giving her the confidence to embrace challenges, even as a student with a learning difference. “I just knew I wanted to be in a room with people who were better than me,” she said. “That’s what ������Ƶ gave me — and that’s what helped me grow.”

Brooke “Alexx” Greenberg ’17 – Singer-Songwriter and Recording Artist | Nashville, Tennessee

Brooke Greenberg, known professionally as Brooke Alexx, is turning heads and topping playlists with her distinct sound and deeply personal lyrics. With more than 28 million Spotify streams and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, Brooke is a rising pop star whose work resonates with millions. Her music — featured on Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu — fuses humor, honesty and vulnerability, tackling everything from family dynamics to Asian American identity.

At ������Ƶ, Greenberg studied music production, performed with a cappella group Sweet Signatures and developed her songwriting voice through recitals, studio recordings and mentorship from faculty who helped shape her artistry. She credits ������Ƶ with giving her the space to grow as a musician and storyteller. “Songs I wrote on guitar came to life for the first time in a full band setting,” she said.

Though on tour and unable to attend in person, Brooke expressed gratitude for the community that continues to support her, from professors to fellow alumni who remain close collaborators. “I’m so grateful to be part of this incredible network,” she said.

Simone Jackson ’16 – Global Senior Brand Manager, Spotify | New York, New York

A sprinter turned strategist, Simone Jackson has carved out a high-impact career in the advertising world, working on campaigns for Nike, Beyoncé, Coca-Cola and more. As global brand manager at Spotify, she leads the platform’s acclaimed Wrapped campaign, helping millions of users celebrate their personal connections to music.

A two-time CAA champion on ������Ƶ’s track team, Jackson brought that same grit and drive to the classroom, building lasting mentorships and discovering her passion for brand storytelling. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, she now mentors the next generation through industry programs that champion inclusion in media and marketing.

“Running track taught me that you have to show up, run your race and support your team,” Jackson said. “That’s how I approach my work today — with integrity, purpose and community.” In her remarks, she honored her parents, fiancé, professors and peers, crediting ������Ƶ with helping her “rise above the ashes” when she tore her ACL — a pivotal moment that sparked a deeper pursuit of truth, clarity and meaning.

Dr. Erica Braschi Jordán ’18 – Radiation Oncology Resident, University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida

From the tennis courts of ������Ƶ to the frontlines of cancer treatment, Dr. Erica Braschi Jordán has built a life of impact, compassion and perseverance. A standout student-athlete who founded ������Ƶ’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and graduated summa cum laude, Jordán went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Florida and now serves as a radiation oncology resident.

Her work spans clinical care, research and medical mission trips — all anchored in a deep desire to serve others. In her remarks, Jordán reflected on her journey from Puerto Rico to ������Ƶ, honoring the coaches, faculty, advisers and family members who encouraged her dream of becoming a physician. “There were people who believed in me even before I did,” she said.

She also spoke of faith as the cornerstone of her purpose, sharing how she found her worth not just in academics or athletics, but in service. “Now I get to work with cancer patients, and while it’s hard work, it’s sacred work,” she said. “I’m just getting started — and I’m bringing ������Ƶ with me every step of the way.”

JJ Niemann ’17 – Broadway Actor and Content Creator | New York, New York

JJ Niemann is making his mark on the biggest stages in musical theater — from his Broadway debut in “The Book of Mormon” to leading roles in “Back to the Future” and “Hamilton.” But behind the glitz of the spotlight is a performer defined by heart, humor and hustle. At ������Ƶ, Niemann honed his craft in the rigorous music theatre program, often assisting faculty and coordinating auditions, earning a reputation for excellence, drive and team spirit.

He’s also built an impressive digital following, using social media to demystify Broadway and empower aspiring performers. With over 1.5 million followers, his voice is redefining how the next generation connects with the arts.

In his remarks, Niemann reflected on how ������Ƶ gave him not only a top-tier education but also a sense of belonging. “It was a place that embraced my authentic self when I needed it most,” he said. He also paid tribute to his late father, who proudly opened the award notification on JJ’s behalf and helped plan the family’s return to campus for the celebration. “This place holds so many happy memories for us,” he said. “I’ll never be able to repay him for all the sacrifices he made so I could pursue this dream — but I’ll carry his love with me in every performance.”

Morgan Stonebridge ’17 – Director of Product & Ad Supply Partnerships, NBCUniversal | Stamford, Connecticut

Morgan Stonebridge’s ������Ƶ story is one of fearless involvement and unwavering ambition. As a student, she served as a captain of the dance team, choreographed for multiple student productions, joined Tri Delta and held leadership roles with the Student Alumni Ambassadors. Her impact was so visible that she attended a Top 10 Under 10 ceremony as a student hoping to connect with alumni. A decade later, she took the stage as an honoree.

Stonebridge began her career at BuzzFeed, rising quickly to director of advertising operations before transitioning to NBCUniversal, where she now leads product strategy for ad supply partnerships. In addition to her corporate role, she teaches competitive dance, fosters animals (including 13 dogs and a corn snake named Phoenix), and serves as president of the Stamford Alumni Chapter.

In her remarks, she emphasized how ������Ƶ nurtured her belief that leadership isn’t just about titles — it’s about showing up with character, passion and care. “������Ƶ doesn’t just educate students — it invests in people,” she said. “Your ������Ƶ experience doesn’t end after graduation. It just evolves.”

Vaughn Vreeland ’15 – Supervising Producer and Senior Video Journalist, New York Times Cooking | New York, New York

From giving campus tours as a first-year student to producing videos for one of the world’s most renowned newsrooms, Vaughn Vreeland has used storytelling as a way to connect people through food, culture and joy. After discovering his passion for broadcasting at ������Ƶ — including his work with eTalk and the Office of University Communications — Vreeland launched his media career at BuzzFeed’s Tasty before joining New York Times Cooking, where he now serves as a supervising producer.

Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for media in 2023, Vreeland’s path included teaching in Thailand, studying abroad in France and falling in love with the power of food to build relationships. “Whether I didn’t think I deserved ������Ƶ or not, showing off this beautiful campus gave me a new sense of self-worth,” he said. “I realized I wasn’t just trying to convince others — I was trying to convince myself. And in that process, I fell in love with this place all over again.”

He closed his remarks with heartfelt thanks to his family, partner, friends and the ������Ƶ mentors who believed in him. “������Ƶ taught me to never take the connections we make here for granted,” he said. “They’ve taken me farther than I ever imagined.”

Peter Walpole ’15 –Digital Strategist and Adjunct Professor, City College of New York | New York, New York

Peter Walpole has always been a creative force with a sharp wit and a deep belief in education as a pathway to opportunity. As a student, he combined rigorous research with pop culture flair, once titling his study of late-night comedy “TV Smarty in Khakis.” After graduating, he built a decade-long career in public relations while maintaining a close connection to ������Ƶ, mentoring students, supporting fellow alumni and staying active in the New York alumni chapter.

Now a communications strategist and educator, Walpole credits ������Ƶ for giving him the confidence to pursue bold ideas and unconventional paths. In his speech, he reflected on the faculty, friends and mentors who championed his growth — from the professor who encouraged his undergraduate research to the staff who hired him (and later fired and re-hired him) at The Oak House. “Ten years later, I still want to be part of this community,” he said. “That says something about ������Ƶ — and about what it means to belong.”

Miles Williams ’15 – Elementary School Principal, Bricolage Academy | New Orleans, Louisiana

A former ������Ƶ football captain turned school principal, Miles Williams is now shaping lives as the only Black male elementary school principal in New Orleans. At Bricolage Academy, he leads with heart, equity and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential — values he attributes to his human service studies degree and his ������Ƶ mentors.

Williams earned his master’s in social work from the University of Chicago, graduating with highest honors and delivering the student commencement speech. Since returning to Louisiana, he’s launched student programs, led academic growth and founded a youth intramural league in partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s also a leading mental health advocate through his widely followed “Mental Health Mondays” social media series.

In his deeply personal remarks, Williams reflected on the relationships that continue to sustain him. “If relationships were currency, I’d be a billionaire,” he said, acknowledging the many family members, friends and ������Ƶ faculty who helped him become the educator and leader he is today. “������Ƶ taught me that love, growth and joy aren’t just words — they’re how we show up for others.”

Since 1941, ������Ƶ has celebrated alumni whose achievements, leadership and service bring honor to the university. At the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, four more names were added to that list: Sam Troy ’67, Akilah Weaver Hill ’00, Mike Cross and Cecelia Thompson ’05.

At the conclusion of the event, President Connie Ledoux Book reflected on how the honorees embody the spirit of ������Ƶ’s motto, Numen Lumen, representing both knowledge and light through their work. She emphasized that their stories reflect the university’s mission to create opportunities and build a better world, adding that purpose-driven work like theirs sustains hope for the future.

“Thank you for your purpose and your compassion and for caring so deeply for ������Ƶ,” Book said.

Sam Troy ’67 – Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

Sam Troy’s legacy is one of global vision, civic duty and unwavering support for his alma mater. A retired international business executive, Troy built a career that spanned three continents — from the U.S. Department of Commerce to private-sector leadership at Lane Furniture and academic research at UNC Greensboro. He now serves as executive-in-residence at UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics, where he focuses on promoting North Carolina’s wine industry.

A lifelong advocate for global education, Troy has endowed two scholarships at ������Ƶ — one supporting business students and the other funding international study. He’s been a faithful donor every year since his graduation and remains active in university life as a career mentor, alumni volunteer, reunion organizer and past board member.

During the ceremony, Niels Egelund, a close friend from the College of Europe in Belgium and now the Danish ambassador, recounted their 55-year friendship and estimated they’d walked “some 7,000 miles together — from Brussels to Britain, Greensboro to Connecticut.”

In his remarks, Troy credited the people who shaped his life: his parents, his late husband, Buster, and beloved ������Ƶ President Emeritus Dr. J. Earl Danieley ’46. He recalled a chance encounter with Danieley in his rose garden that led to a meeting with then–House Minority Leader Gerald Ford — and ultimately, a role in public service.

“Dr. Danieley managed to keep me continuously involved,” Troy said. “He never let go of me,” he said, adding that he always felt included in the growth of the university. “I am ever ������Ƶ.”

Akilah Weaver Hill ’00 – Distinguished Alumna of the Year

Akilah Weaver Hill is a dynamic leader in corporate America, a passionate advocate for equity and a mentor to future generations. A senior vice president at Bank of America, Hill oversees the design and delivery of employee work/life benefit programs for more than 200,000 U.S.-based associates. Her prior roles include program management at Alight Solutions and business analysis with IBM.

At ������Ƶ, Hill was a Jefferson Pilot Business Fellow and the first Black woman elected president of the Student Government Association. She was also a four-year member and two-year vice president of the ������Ƶ Gospel Choir and actively involved in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Today, she continues to give back through her leadership with the ������Ƶ Black Alumni Network (where she served as president during the COVID-19 pandemic), the Women of ������Ƶ Advisory Council and numerous volunteer roles.

Barb Carlton, associate director of facilities and event services at James Madison University, introduced Hill by reflecting on her natural ability to make others feel seen and valued — whether custodial staff, administrative assistants or university leadership. From the start, Hill was determined to make a difference. She has a gift for building authentic relationships and understands the power of her influence, especially with students preparing for college, Carlton said. Whenever she can, she shares her ������Ƶ experience and offers thoughtful guidance, helping future students envision the opportunities that await them.

A breast cancer survivor and community advocate, Hill mentors young professionals and serves on the board of the Deltas of Charlotte Foundation. In her remarks, she reflected on the deep relationships formed at ������Ƶ and how they’ve continued to shaped her life.

“Thank you for recognizing my skills and talents and drawing me back because even though I graduated in 2000, I don’t think there was a year where I was not involved,” she said. “It’s because of how much ������Ƶ has poured into me, I can’t help but to say yes, every time.”

Mike Cross – Distinguished Service to ������Ƶ

For more than three decades, Mike Cross has been a loyal and generous supporter of ������Ƶ, especially its athletics programs. A veteran of the reinsurance industry, Cross serves as president of Acrisure Re North America, where he has helped mentor and employ many ������Ƶ students and graduates.

Cross and his wife, Mary Ellen, made their first gift to ������Ƶ in 1990. Since then, their generosity has grown to include support for Rhodes Stadium, the Schar Center and nearly every ������Ƶ sports team through the Phoenix Club. Mike has served on multiple leadership councils and advisory boards and is a fixture at ������Ƶ football games, where his “7 a.m. Tailgate” crew is known for raising the Phoenix flag bright and early on game days.

Jonathan Miller, senior director of development, said Cross’s influence extends far beyond his official roles. For decades, he been a trusted advisor to coaches, athletic directors, staff members, and student-athletes alike — always ready with encouragement, insight, and unwavering support.

“We are involved because we see the wonderful people who come through the university and participate in sports. We’re so proud of it,” Mike said during his remarks. “It’s so wonderful to see the contributions they make to not only the university, but also the community in general. We’re so blessed to have ������Ƶ near us and contributing to the community — it’s such a wonderful impact.”

Cecelia Thompson ’05 – Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Cecelia Thompson is a leader in civic innovation and community development, known for her inclusive, collaborative approach to public life. As executive director of Action Greensboro, she works at the intersection of business, education, and local government to strengthen economic opportunity and quality of life in the city she calls home. She’s also the former director of the Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center, founder of the Boomerang Greensboro talent initiative, and co-creator of the national Young, Smart & Local conference network.

At ������Ƶ, she studied political science, public administration and sociology, and was a founding member of the marching band. She credits a formative internship at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro with setting her on a path toward public service and community engagement.

Her efforts have earned her numerous honors, including the Dawn S. Chaney Award, Next City Vanguard distinction and recognition from Triad Business Journal. She serves on multiple state and local boards focused on education, the arts, and health equity.

In her introduction, Gavin Stevens ’07 called Thompson “a master class in leadership with heart,” noting the inspiration she brings to those around her through quiet, powerful actions.

In her remarks, Thompson recalled arriving at ������Ƶ just a week before the September 11 attacks. As a new member of the marching band, she remembered how the group had planned to perform the fight song during College Coffee that Tuesday morning. Instead, in a spontaneous act of solidarity, they marched to the fountains and played the national anthem — a moment that revealed the strength of ������Ƶ’s community even in the face of tragedy. That early experience of belonging, she said, shaped her entire time at ������Ƶ and continues to guide her work today.

“I go back to that sense of belonging and how we make change in the spaces we work and live in,” she said. “It’s about broadening circles, inviting more people in and making sure they have the support they need to flourish. That’s a value I found at ������Ƶ — and one I carry forward.”

The report offers a snapshot on ������Ƶ’s latest rankings and accomplishments from the past year through the lens of Boldly ������Ƶ and emphasizes how new academic programs and initiatives ensure students are equipped for evolving industries. In addition, it highlights eight faculty members who are engaging students in critical topics with real-world applications:

• Associate Professor of Chemistry Justin Clar: Turning the Tide on Toxins
• Assistant Professor of Public Health Yanica F. Faustin: Closing the Gap in Maternal Health
• Assistant Professor of Law Erin Fitzgerald: Reforming Juvenile Justice
• Assistant Professor of Education and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams Emerging Professor Stephanie Hernandez Rivera: The Power of Love in Learning
• Assistant Professor of Nursing Jeanmarie Koonts: Nurturing Compassionate Care
• Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Kerem Morgül: Navigating Divides Through Self-Awareness
• Associate Professor of Media Analytics and Strategic Communications Kathleen Stansberry: Rebuilding Trust in a Distrustful Age
• Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems Long Xia: From Data to Real-World Impact

More than just a collection of achievements, the 2024 President’s Report is a testament to ������Ƶ’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

“The faculty featured in this report represent countless exceptional educators whose passion for teaching, scholarship and mentoring creates powerful experiences that inspire students to lead lives of purpose,” President Connie Ledoux Book said in the report’s opening message. “They do more than impart knowledge — they cultivate curiosity, resilience and a deep sense of responsibility to serve the greater good.”

What book is on your nightstand?

Currently, I have two books on my nightstand. There’s always a leadership book of some kind. Mary Dana Hinton’s “Leading from the Margins: College Leadership from Unexpected Places” challenges ideas of who and what is a leader. She argues that people with marginal identities bring unique strengths to institutions, producing effective, equitable and inclusive leadership, because of their social location in the world.

The second is Noliwe Rooks’ “A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune.”  Throughout my decades-long scholarship of education in African American life and history, Bethune has existed in the shadows. We know she is an important figure in Black history who contributed to a national “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” philosophy of racial progress. Rooks shows that Bethune was much more radical than previously thought and that her impact spans education, international relations, philanthropy and institution building.

What is your favorite phone app?

Waze. I almost never drive without using it.

If the TV is on, what show makes you stop and watch?

“Downton Abbey.” My friends call me an Anglophile. I imagine they’re correct. Most folk I know would prefer to celebrate their 50th birthday on a tropical island. I chose London, and basically ate my way through the city and attended shows every night. Truthfully, my love for “Downton Abbey” probably has more to do with my undergraduate history major. The show gets it right historically — social life, clothing, etiquette and politics.

What is your favorite place on campus?

The Oak House. I love coffee shops. I spent an inordinate amount of time in graduate school in coffee shops. It’s my natural habitat.

If you could invite someone from history to dinner, who would it be?

I love this question. W.E.B. Du Bois. I proposed a seminar on Du Bois before I left Davidson College but never got to teach it. Du Bois was the quintessential scholar who knew so much about so many things. He was a sociologist’s sociologist, and he influenced me and so many others in the fields of sociology, education, economics and Africana studies. We can’t write anything without citing or thinking about his work.

[BONUS] You’re a self-described foodie. What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?

It depends upon the city, town or village. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Shanghai, Beijing, Moscow, St. Petersburg, London, Paris, Mannheim, Gunzenhausen, Athens, Playa Del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, San Juan, Toronto, Montreal and throughout the United States. The first that comes to mind was a meal I had at DaiLo in Toronto. It’s an Asian brasserie with French-inspired Chinese small plates. If you love food and you’re in Toronto, run to DaiLo.

Ben Shacter ’26 leans on the porch rail of his EcoVillage residence, overlooking Loy Farm and the five neighboring homes in ������Ƶ’s latest living-learning community. A gentle fall breeze rustles the oak leaves nearby, a reflection of the natural connection this place embodies.

“We’re all out here doing what we love, and we’re all about making our presence known,” says the environmental studies major from Chicago, referring to his EcoVillage neighbors. “One of the reasons I came to ������Ƶ is because it’s so good at providing experience-based learning, and there’s no better learning experience at ������Ƶ than this.”

Shacter is one of the first 11 residents of the EcoVillage at Loy Farm, designed as a living laboratory for sustainable living. This year, he and his fellow residents will define the community’s direction, applying classroom learning to real-world activities such as farming and educating others on sustainability, climate and environmental justice.

The LLC’s first six homes opened this fall, each around 600 square feet with eco-friendly features such as solar power, green rooftops, stormwater reclamation and earth-sheltering. The mission is to attract students passionate about sustainable living and eager to share that knowledge. With donor support, six more sustainable homes will be built this academic year, enabling a total of 24 students to live in harmony with nature and thrive among new educational opportunities at Loy Farm.

“Having our students live here at Loy Farm is the most direct way to grow their love for the outdoors, develop their tangible skills in agroecology, and to experience that we are part of, not separate from, our environment,” says Jacob Rutz, lecturer in environmental studies and LLC programming coordinator. “I love sharing my passion for sustainable agriculture with ������Ƶ students, and I love being at Loy Farm.”

A vision realized

Since 2000, when ������Ƶ acquired the farm from the late Bill Loy Jr., faculty envisioned creating a sustainable living and learning hub. The Department of Environmental Studies spearheaded the development of Loy Farm as a working research farm, providing students with hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture.

“This is a vision we’ve been working on for the past 15 years,” says Michael Strickland, director of the Center for Environmental Studies. “We saw the potential to create programs that would impact students and create opportunities that are unusual for universities of our size.”

The farm, managed by Taylor Black, now includes two greenhouses, or “high tunnels,” for year-round harvests, a productive garden plot and areas for experimentation. A small orchard offers opportunities to cultivate now-rare native apple varieties, among other fruits. In 2022 Rutz, an agroecologist focused on applying ecological principles to agriculture, launched the Green Maker Hub to grow native, hybrid and threatened species, such as a blight-resistant chestnut, and train students in advanced grafting and rooting techniques.

To enhance sustainable architecture studies, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Robert Charest joined the faculty in 2013 and established a design studio at the farm, further advancing ������Ƶ’s commitment to hands-on, sustainable education. Next on the list was to provide a way for students to live at and participate on the farm and in the design-build studio, Strickland says. “This is a dream come true for us.”

More importantly, the project aligns with the Boldly ������Ƶ strategic plan, emphasizing sustainability and lifelong environmental responsibility. “The EcoVillage represents an important step forward for ������Ƶ and our community, who will visit this hub for education about sustainable practices in architecture and the positive impact each of us can have on the environment when we choose how we live,” President Connie Ledoux Book said at the start of the academic year.

The LLC extends the university’s legacy of sustainable leadership, rooted in its 2007 sustainability master plan and progress toward carbon neutrality by 2037. From energy-efficient projects and LEED-certified

buildings to waste-reduction goals, ������Ƶ’s sustainability efforts continue to evolve, thanks to the leadership provided by the Office of Sustainability, which collaborates across campus to advance sustainability in operations and develop educational programming focused on sustainability.

‘From the ground up’

Together with Assistant Visiting Professor of Arts Administration Ashley Hollan, Rutz is originating EcoVillage programming focused on engagement and learning across three themes.

The first, wellness in nature, examines how the natural environment helps people recharge, focus and boost their mental and spiritual well-being. A concentration on lived experience and hands-on skills in nature builds knowledge of organic and sustainable gardening at Loy Farm that students will carry through their lives. A third focus on environmental justice and outreach educates students and the community on recognizing injustice and acting together to correct it.

“It’s exciting to see them engage, getting their hands dirty on the farm and learning how to work in collaboration with the land and each other to grow food and healing herbs and maintain the space,” Hollan says. “It is also inspiring to support them as they build a new community from the ground up, navigating the joys and challenges that come with such a trailblazing project.”

That programming is already flourishing. LLC residents self-selected to participate in one of three teams this fall: farming, landscaping, and education and communication.

On several early mornings, Brooks Riley ’27, a member of the landscaping team, accompanied Rutz to install planters at strategic locations among the homes. A history and sociology double major and ������Ƶ College Fellow, Riley grew up in an urban area of Chattanooga, Tennessee, without access to a farm. “I’ve already learned a lot of skills in gardening, and those are good practical skills to have,” Riley says. “I’ve always been interested in learning about sustainability and the environment, even if that isn’t my primary focus at ������Ƶ.”

“Living here helps me make more connections in environmental studies, with my professors and with other students who are passionate about the same issues and want to learn how to be more sustainable at home and in life.” — Kai Baker ’27

The landscaping crew is establishing small garden plots and decorative areas filled with “beautiful, edible, pollinator-friendly and sustainable” vegetation, Rutz says. Their future work will also improve soil quality and include planting trees and groundcover as cooler temperatures set in later this fall and winter.

By September, the farming team was regularly tending crops at Loy Farm, harvesting tomatoes, peppers and lettuce. In October, they planted fall crops and prepared to sow seeds for winter crops. That produce is shared with Harvest Table Culinary Group, where chefs highlight locally sourced ingredients in ������Ƶ Dining menus. Other yields are donated to ������Ƶ’s Campus Kitchen, the Alamance Community College Food Pantry, Burlington Housing Authority and the local food bank run by Allied Churches of Alamance County.

A series of workshops Rutz and Hollan are planning for this year will explore environmental justice, racial equity and food justice, inviting the campus community and local farmers to analyze issues and foster solutions. Events will also contribute to designing a master plan for the EcoVillage’s permaculture and landscape development.

Beyond the village

Each resident’s experience embodies the EcoVillage mission: modeling sustainable practices and fostering community, within the village and beyond.

For Kai Baker ’27, an environmental and sustainability studies and outdoor leadership and education double major, the EcoVillage fulfills a personal goal of making a difference in environmental justice. As part of the communications team, he develops social media campaigns to promote educational opportunities in the EcoVillage.
“Living here helps me make more connections in environmental studies, with my professors and with other students who are passionate about the same issues and want to learn how to be more sustainable at home and in life,” Baker says. While the students plan social media strategies, it isn’t lost on them that simply living in the LLC and modeling a more sustainable lifestyle may transmit messages that are more powerful than what’s available through laptops and smartphones.

Each morning, communications team member Caden Halberg ’26 mounts his bike and pedals the short distance to main campus. By doing so, the ������Ƶ College Fellow and professional writing and rhetoric major from Wake Forest, North Carolina, hopes to get folks thinking about their collective impact. “Seeing me biking to campus shows people that they don’t have to be dependent on cars to get from place to place.”

Halberg is as interested in growing and defining the EcoVillage community — through public-facing events and connections, as well as regular potluck meals and outings with neighbors — as he is in developing his own skills. “I want to learn to use technology to tell the outside world what we do here and promote the EcoVillage beyond the houses,” he says. “We’re more than that. We’re a community.”

Sidebar: ‘A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’

������Ƶ students play a role in every aspect of the EcoVillage at Loy Farm — including its construction. Starting in July 2023, over 60 students worked alongside Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Robert Charest as part of his course The Art of Sustainable Architecture to build the community’s first home.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a real house in college,” says Kade Iervolino ’24, who remained at ������Ƶ after graduation to complete the project and was a peer mentor to others on the build. “We wanted this house to be beautiful and well made. We accomplished that, and now I have a stronger sense of how to manage projects and work in a team while maximizing efficiency and making quality work.”

Their finished design features 500 square feet of interior living space and an additional 500 square feet of exterior spaces, including a wrap-around porch. Raising the house on piers minimized the site impact during construction. A standing seam canopy shades the home to block excess heat and cross ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning.

They completed the project equipped with hands-on experience in design and architecture, carpentry and trades, and — perhaps most importantly — teamwork.

For current resident Ben Shacter ’26, who helped construct House 1 and now lives there, the experience is both practical and personally meaningful. “We learned so much across so many different areas about the details of home construction and human oriented design,” he says, “but what I gained the most were skills in team building, cooperation and communication.”

Meet the team

“Every day, I was learning something new and making decisions with high stakes. I had to learn quickly how to adapt to new situations and solve problems, and I think that was a team effort.”

– Genevieve Nichols ’25, environmental studies

“In addition to sustainable design, construction and trade skills, I learned so much about project management. Managing all the time-sensitive things, from inspections to the weather, the entire process has informed the way I work.”

– Nathaniel Brawley McGee ’24, environmental studies

“As a project manager, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. I’ve become a lot more confident handling tools and trusting myself with measurements. You realize how capable you are.”

– Macey Rodrigues-Cowl ’25, project management and marketing

“We were able to take chances, make mistakes and learn from them. Before, I might have been hard on myself. Now, I can accept them and continue working. That was huge for me.”

– Colin Breuer ’24, environmental and sustainability studies

“It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and something I’d never experienced before: building a house, and one that students will live in for decades, while caring for the environment. It’s given me so much confidence.”

– Abi O’Toole ’26, environmental and sustainability studies

“What has been eye-opening for me is how unexpectedly fluid this process has been to result in this level of quality of construction and design. The continuous refining of the design and decision-making on site happened organically and led to beautiful consensus.”

– Robert Charest, associate professor of environmental studies

On Nov. 11, ������Ƶ welcomed Ret. Adm. Mike Mullen to campus as the first speaker in a new lecture series funded by Rear Adm. Ted Walker Jr. and his wife, Carol. Ted and Carol were lifetime advocates of ������Ƶ, sending two daughters and later a grandchild to the university, recommending dozens of others to our admissions team, and supporting the goals of three ������Ƶ presidents, including myself. This new endowed lecture series aims to bring a military or civic leader to campus each year to share messages with the community about the importance and impact of careers in public service.

Mullen, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told a packed McCrary Theatre to actively support veterans in our community through our voting and advocacy. In addition to saying “thank you for your service,” he asked the audience to serve as advocates for veteran health care, assimilation after active duty and other innovative ways local communities are supporting the veteran community.

His remarks reminded me about the importance of living a life of service. As I talk with alumni, parents and friends of the university about their career journeys, it is truly remarkable to hear how they are living lives of purpose and service through professional engagement.

In this edition of The Magazine of ������Ƶ, you’ll read about ������Ƶ parent and trustee Bill Inman. Following his service to our country in the U.S. Army, Bill pursued a career innovating and constructing housing communities. His work over a lifetime has created opportunity for thousands of families to realize the dream and financial impact of owning their own homes. He continued his service later in life by serving as an ������Ƶ trustee to help the university make critical decisions and by supporting scholarships in the Odyssey Program and transformative building projects like Inman ������Ƶ Welcome Center. We are truly grateful to the Inman family for their decades of service and impact at ������Ƶ.

As I talk with alumni, parents and friends of the university about their career journeys, it is truly remarkable to hear how they are living lives of purpose and service through professional engagement.

I recently visited with Stephanie Marken ’08, a senior partner at Gallup, one of the world’s leading public opinion and research firms. She found her passion working with the ������Ƶ Poll as a first-generation college student. Today she leads research within Gallup’s global analytics division and is working on a public opinion project about higher education. That data is being used to foster an understanding of public perceptions about what’s working and not working in the U.S. higher education system, staging critical conversations on how to improve and accelerate change across universities and colleges to better support student success. In other words, Stephanie is living a professional life of service as she and her husband navigate the joy of their 1-year-old baby boy, Jack.

Benjamin Lutz ’07 is another alumnus you will read about in this issue who embodies service through everyday dialogue, fostering peace by building connections and empowering communities. From his time at ������Ƶ and now through his work with Mediators Beyond Borders International, Benjamin merges local action and global impact, enabling sustainable peacebuilding projects. His service-driven approach demonstrates that meaningful conversations can bridge divides and inspire lasting change.

Last year, I received an email from Adam Rozan ’01, who serves as the director of programs and audience development at the Smithsonian. If you’ve visited a Smithsonian museum and felt inspired by an exhibit, there’s a good chance Adam or his team crafted that experience with you in mind. Imagine the thousands of people worldwide impacted by Adam’s efforts — the education sparked through exhibitions and the powerful role they play in connecting audiences to history. Alongside his work at the Smithsonian, Adam shares his expertise at Harvard University, where he teaches future museum professionals. When I told him about our new minor in museum studies and public history, he was thrilled and immediately offered support.

From small businesses to large corporations, military service, law, health care, journalism, creative arts, startups, performances and education, the diverse careers and service contributions of ������Ƶ graduates are truly transforming our world. As Mullen shook hands and spoke with students, faculty, staff and community members after his lecture, I was struck by the depth of service he continues to offer. This reminder of his commitment underscores the importance of approaching our daily lives with a service mindset, ultimately enriching all of our lives.

“College Coffee allows space for learning, connection, conversation and building community,” Lutz says. “Dialogue is not just a thing to do in a seminar or classroom. It’s a way you can connect with those in your community.”

As the manager of communications and operations for Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI), Lutz understands the power of connection. The global peacebuilding nonprofit organization empowers communities to lead their own peacebuilding projects by providing the necessary tools and resources.

“Peace is finding ways to continue society so there is no backsliding, violently or otherwise, and instead, there is an emphasis on tolerance as the bare minimum,” Lutz says. “It’s adhering to ‘this is how our community will function and grow together.’”

The organization’s flagship program, the International Peace Training Institute, equips people with the knowledge and skills to actively address conflict transformation in all contexts.

“We are a membership network of individual mediators, peacebuilders, academics and supporters of peace and we also organize projects where we train and support leaders across the globe,” Lutz says, adding that MBBI focuses on including the local community in all aspects of programming to ensure effectiveness in the long term.

Lutz’s role with MBBI includes maintaining the organization’s mediator network, managing the website and social media, and coordinating programs, webinars and events. He also works with the TRUST Network, an early warning, early response initiative MBBI cocreated and co-convened in 2020 to mitigate and monitor election violence in the U.S.

“It was important, timely and necessary to have this consortium of dialogue-based, peacebuilding organizations, many of whom have global focuses but are headquartered in the United States and focus locally where they are on building more peaceful elections and connections across different communities,” he says of the TRUST Network.

***

Lutz’s passion for peacebuilding, international relations and diplomacy started in high school through Model United Nations. When choosing a college, he wanted a university with strong international opportunities. ������Ƶ was the best option. He immersed himself immediately upon arriving on campus as an ������Ƶ College Fellow, taking every language offered by the university within his first week to decide what region of the world he’d like to focus on. Lecturer Shereen Elgamal’s teaching of Arabic studies cemented his interest in Arabic and the Middle East.

“As a proud Jewish man with deep interest in Middle East affairs, Benjamin’s strong ambition and thoughtful read on the big picture channeled his research interests toward interfaith diplomacy,” Elgamal says. “His focus on interreligious coexistence presents a promising platform for reconciliation and peace to opposing sides of the (Israeli-Palestinian) conflict.”

In 2014 and 2015, Lutz applied for the Critical Language Scholarship, a federal scholarship designed to further study foreign languages critical to U.S. diplomacy and outreach. After two failed attempts, Lutz’s determination led to earning the scholarship in 2016 and again in 2017, allowing him to study in Morocco and Jordan, respectively.

The fact that I was able to study abroad so frequently and was encouraged and supported by ������Ƶ provided me with a much deeper insight to the region than any textbook would have covered.

“I have been using Benjamin’s experience with the Critical Language Scholarship as an example of how determination and persistence pay off,” Elgamal says. “Two failed attempts would discourage most students from applying again, but his genuine interest in the region and his strong motivation carried him through.”

The scholarship “supercharged” Lutz’s language abilities in Arabic, so much so that he studied multiple times in the Middle East and North Africa region: twice in Morocco, twice in Jordan and once in Israel and Palestine. He supercharged his studies, too, double majoring in international and global studies and political science with a triple minor in Middle East studies, peace and conflict studies, and interreligious studies.

“My first summer abroad, which was the summer after my first year, confirmed my interest in the Middle East region,” Lutz says. “The fact that I was able to study abroad so frequently and was encouraged and supported by ������Ƶ provided me with a much deeper insight into the region than any textbook would have covered. There are immense and immeasurable throughlines from my four years Under the Oaks to my career now, and a significant one is my many times abroad.”

The coursework at ������Ƶ also had a strong influence on Lutz’s career. He cites Religion Goes Global: Fanatics, Frauds and Peacemakers, a course taught by Professor of Religious Studies Brian Pennington, as one of the most influential academic experiences during this time.

“There are people involved in the peacebuilding space who are not there for the best pretenses. They’re there to convert communities or derail conversations because they don’t want coexistence dialogue to happen,” Lutz says. “This happens very frequently and so learning how to navigate this reality as a junior at ������Ƶ was one of several examples of my courses being directly relevant outside the classroom.”

After graduating in 2017, Lutz earned a master’s degree in Middle East security politics and peace studies from the University of Bradford in England. He is now completing his doctorate at the University of Winchester in England. His thesis focuses on interfaith dialogue efforts at two peacebuilding centers in Oman and Lebanon, training them in Reflective Structured Dialogue. Lutz visited both countries during his undergraduate career, with Oman being the focus of his master’s thesis as well.

A recipient of one of ������Ƶ’s 2022 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Awards, Lutz also co-founded Al Fusaic, an educational and cultural organization with more than 800 articles and 140 writers. In 2024 he was named a Freedom of Religion and Belief Fellow from the First Freedom Foundation and a 40 under 40 awardee by the Middle East Policy Council.

Looking to the future, Lutz encourages everyone to seek peacebuilding opportunities to bridge divides in their communities. “Dialogue shouldn’t necessarily be a formal sit-down process,” he says. “It can be something as simple as a group of people chatting about something they care about.”

Lecturer in Arabic Shereen Elgamal was one of many mentors at ������Ƶ who solidified Ben Lutz’s academic interest in the Middle East.

After nearly two decades of dedicated service, ������Ƶ parent William J. “Bill” Inman p’00 has stepped down from the university’s Board of Trustees, leaving a legacy of thoughtful leadership and transformational philanthropy that has fueled ������Ƶ’s national reputation for engaged teaching and learning.

Inman, of Naples, Florida, was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2005 and served with distinction on the board’s finance and administration committees, providing strong and steady leadership during a period of historic growth at ������Ƶ.

President Connie Ledoux Book thanked Inman and his wife, Patricia Inman, for their devotion to ������Ƶ. The couple’s daughter, Jackie Inman Burns, graduated from ������Ƶ in 2000.

“The ������Ƶ community is indebted to Bill Inman for his steadfast service on the Board of Trustees, which has advanced ������Ƶ as a national leader in teaching and innovation,” Book said. “We are a stronger university because of champions like Bill and Pat Inman, whose generosity has had a profound impact on generations of ������Ƶ students.”

“We are a stronger university because of champions like Bill and Pat Inman, whose generosity has had a profound impact on generations of ������Ƶ students.” — President Connie Book

“I want to thank (former) President Leo Lambert for inviting me to be on the board and President Connie Book for not only continuing a legacy of excellence but for the great job she is doing managing ������Ƶ during a time of turmoil in higher education,” Inman said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the tremendous growth of ������Ƶ over the past 20 years.”

Bill and Pat Inman are among the university’s most generous donors, making gifts to Rhodes Stadium, Alumni Field House, Ernest A. Koury Sr. Business Center and the Numen Lumen Pavilion, home of the university’s multifaith center. The Inman Reading Room was named in honor of their gift to Lindner Hall in the Lambert Academic Village, which serves as the administrative home of ������Ƶ College, the College of Arts and Sciences. ������Ƶ’s campus visit experience took a major leap forward in 2013 following the Inmans’ $1.5 million gift to name the Inman ������Ƶ Welcome Center, which greets thousands of prospective students and their families each year and provides a welcoming environment to begin their ������Ƶ experience.

Equally passionate about increasing access to ������Ƶ, Bill and Pat funded 10 endowed scholarships in the Odyssey Program in 2017, helping to make an ������Ƶ education possible for promising students with significant financial need, including first-generation college students. In 2019 the couple received the ������Ƶ Medallion, the university’s highest service award.

Bill Inman served as president of NVR Mortgage Finance from 1989 until his retirement in 2010. During his time there, the Reston, Virginia-based NVR Inc., was among the most successful homebuilding companies in northern Virginia. Inman also served on the board of The Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae).