For more information, contact Melinda Box at mbox@elon.edu or (336) 278-6225.

Scavenger Hunt
Monday – Friday, Feb. 9 – 13

Join in the competition by racking up credits for attendance, safety knowledge, and equipment identification. Win awesome, hand-crafted, collectible prizes.

Hazard Symbol Bingo
Monday, Feb. 9, 7 – 8 p.m., East Commons Lounge

Have fun and learn essential safety symbols while you play. Win Flubber-themed prizes.

Film Festival: “Flubber” (1997)
Monday, Feb. 9, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., East Commons Lounge

Join us for laughs, Flubber-themed refreshments, and a fun departure from stodgy protocols and esoteric regulations.

Play It Safe!
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 4 – 7 p.m., IQ Atrium

Engage in hands-on safety activities with virtual reality and mood-setting black lights. Test your decontamination skills, firefighting abilities, and safety knowledge, and win collectible event swag.

Film Festival: Meltdown Three Mile Island
Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 10 & 11, 8 – 10 p.m., Sato Commons Media Room

Experience the stories of nearby residents who lived through and cleaned up after the worst nuclear reactor accident in the United States history. Learn how close conditions came to a widespread major accident.

Safety First, Coffee Always with International Coffee
Thursday, Feb. 12, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Discuss the international comparison of nuclear reactor accidents and their connection to modern practices of lab safety.

Film Festival: K19: The Widowmaker
Thursday, Feb. 12, 8 – 10 p.m., LaRose Student Commons

Become immersed in the world of nuclear-powered submarines with this dramatization of an actual near-miss nuclear reactor accident. Starring Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson, this movie tells the story of the heroic and resourceful efforts of a Russian crew to prevent meltdown and possible explosion.

Lab Mystery Night
Friday, Feb. 13, 7 – 8 p.m., LaRose Theatre (KOBC)

Compete to find out “who done it”! Who left the unlabeled beaker of clear liquid in this random location? Where did it come from, and more importantly, what is it? Be among the first to solve the mystery and win unique prizes.

Film Festival: Radium Girls
Friday, Feb. 13, 8 – 10 p.m., LaRose Theatre (KOBC)

Follow this group of determined watch dial painters as they discover the reality of the hazards they have been exposed to and pursue justice for themselves and workers of the future. Scavenger Hunt prizes will be awarded before the movie screening.

Thursday, Oct. 23, students are welcome to participate in a Halloween Costume Swap Shop and S鈥檓ores event at the Colonnades fire pit from 7:30-9 p.m.

Global Fall Festival

The annual Global Fall Festival is on Friday, Oct. 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Global quad. Stop by for fall crafts, food, music, Pelican鈥檚 and prizes at this great celebration of community.

Outdoor Movie Night

Monday, Oct, 27, East Neighborhood is hosting an Outdoor Movie Night 鈥� bring your blanket and friends and come enjoy snacks and a show from 7-9pm on the East quad lawn.

Pumpkin Carving & Painting

On Oct. 28 from 4-5:30 p.m. there will be pumpkin carving/painting in the Colonnades Neighborhood Tea Room.

Spooky Open Mic Night

Also on Oct. 28, Historic Neighborhood will host their annual Spooky Open Mic Night at 8 p.m. on the Mooney lawn.

Trick or Treat on Greek Street

Loy Center Neighborhood is hosting their annual Trick or Treat on Greek Street Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. 乱伦视频 faculty and staff are invited to bring their children to Loy Center Neighborhood to trick or treat and enjoy Halloween activities sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Some Station at Mill Point residents might receive a spooky sweet treat from staff reverse trick or treating (distributing goodies) on Oct. 29 鈥� be sure to answer the door! The Crest Great Pumpkin carving will be on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 7-9pm in the Crest Clubhouse.

Residents in Oaks and Park Place can participate in a spooky scavenger hunt all day on Thursday, Oct. 30 for the chance to win fantastic prizes.

Halloween Fall Fest

On Oct. 31, Danieley Center Neighborhood will host a Halloween Fall Fest聽from 5- 8 p.m. All students are welcome to come enjoy free food truck treats, caramel apples, spooky activities, photo booth, potion making and more!

Screams of joy rang through a residence hall Friday, Aug. 22 as Samantha Probst 鈥�29, her roommate Leah Rappaport 鈥�29 and Jonas Hinsdale 鈥�29 came together in a big hug 鈥� Probst telling Hinsdale he鈥檚 the reason she and Rappaport are now roommates.

鈥淛onas is one of my best friends from home,鈥� said Rappaport, who is from Westchester, New York. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to room with somebody who is also interested in the theatre field, and I said, 鈥楯onas, do you know anyone in your major who I could room with?鈥� and he was like, 鈥楢ctually, this girl Sam is perfect.鈥�

Hinsdale connected the two young women, and they clicked immediately.

鈥淔rom our first conversation, I just knew she was the one,鈥� said Probst, who is a Vocal Scholar from Redondo Beach, California. 鈥淪he is just so joyful and made me so excited to move to campus and live with her.鈥�

Achieve your dreams

Now all three students are members of 乱伦视频鈥檚 Class of 2029, who moved to campus on Aug. 22, coming from 43 states and 15 countries, including Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Panama.

The three first-year students are also part of the Performing Arts Living Learning Community (LLC), one of the more than a dozen LLCs at 乱伦视频 where students live in the same residential area, interacting academically and socially with each other and with faculty that share the same passion, interest, or academic focus.

鈥淲hen we found out we were living on the same floor, we were so excited,鈥� said Hinsdale, who will be majoring in music theatre. 鈥淚鈥檓 so excited for our next four years together, and we鈥檙e going to have a blast because we鈥檙e already such good friends.鈥�

All three students chose 乱伦视频 for the performing arts, with the university recently ranked #4 鈥淏est College Theatre鈥� by the Princeton Review and named one of the 鈥�25 Best Drama Schools of 2025鈥� by The Hollywood Reporter.

鈥淚 knew about the alumni and its reputation and specifically the small class sizes, and the opportunities that came with it,鈥� said Probst, who will major in music theatre. 鈥淏ut then, when I did more digging and research on the school itself, I realized how many opportunities there are with study abroad and having a double major or minor.鈥�

Probst’s parents, Christie and John Probst P鈥�29, say they will be sad to see her leave home but know she will thrive at 乱伦视频.

鈥淪he’s such a sweet, good kid, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed having her home, but we’re also really excited for her to take the next step, and we know that 乱伦视频’s going to be a great place for her to do that and grow as a person and excel and hopefully achieve all of her dreams,鈥� said John.

No place like 乱伦视频

As the university welcomes more than 1,500 new students for the 2025-26 academic year, 乱伦视频 will now have representation from all 50 U.S. states, but some students like Praise Ogundeji 鈥�29 are not coming from far away. She moved to 乱伦视频 on Friday from Greensboro, North Carolina, and says, after her first tour at the university, she didn鈥檛 want to go anywhere else.

鈥淢y tour guide was an eye-opener, she just made me fall in love with the school,鈥� said Ogundeji, who plans to major in international business.

Ogundeji is part of the African Diaspora LLC, which is open to students of all academic interests and racial/ethnic backgrounds. It is the perfect fit for students interested in the expansive, global and interconnected nature of the lived experiences of those who have ancestral ties to Africa.

鈥淭丑别 whole experience is exciting to me,鈥� said Ogundeji. 鈥淒ecorating my dorm, meeting new people and our activities here.鈥�

乱伦视频 requires students to live on campus for the first two years of school with first-year students living in one of five residential neighborhoods: Colonnades Neighborhood, Danieley Neighborhood, East Neighborhood, Global Neighborhood and Historic Neighborhood.

The roommate connection

Isabelle Drake 鈥�29 and her roommate, Kylie Mazzei 鈥�29 connected online before coming to 乱伦视频, bonding over the color theme of a future room in the Historic Neighborhood.

鈥淲e both said blue and white, so I think that was a big green flag,鈥� said Drake, who is from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and is a Change Maker Scholar.

Before Move-In Day, Drake visited Mazzei in her hometown of Essex Fells, New Jersey, where they attended a concert together and were able to bond.

鈥淲e hit it off. It was a good connection,鈥� said Mazzei, who plans to study elementary and special education.

Drake is planning to study in the School of Communications,聽exploring fields in broadcast meteorology or sports reporting. She was drawn to the university for the study abroad opportunities and 乱伦视频鈥檚 unique Winter Term in January. Julie Drake P鈥�29, Isabelle鈥檚 mother, praised the Move-In Day process and is excited for her daughter, her first child leaving for college.

鈥淚t looks like the entire community is out. I鈥檓 impressed. They really have pulled all the stops out,鈥� said Julie, about Move-In Day. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a whirlwind. It鈥檚 an exciting time for her. It鈥檚 definitely going to be difficult for us at home, and we鈥檒l definitely miss her. But we have high hopes. It鈥檚 going to be an awesome year.鈥�

Julie says the college selection and touring process was almost like 鈥渁 full-time job,鈥� but after touring 乱伦视频, she knew it was the right place for her daughter.

鈥淲e toured a very large university, and I remember they said, 鈥業f you go three blocks that way, you鈥檒l find that鈥� and 鈥極h, and there鈥檚 a transit bus, you鈥檒l want to use that.鈥� I just felt so overwhelmed, and I was just thinking, 鈥業鈥檓 not sure this is the right fit for Isabelle,鈥欌�� said Julie. 鈥淎nd then we came here, everything is walkable, and it鈥檚 beautiful. On the tour, I feel like the tour guide was hugging every third person. You could tell it was a close-knit community.鈥�

While Drake and Mazzei didn鈥檛 know each other before 乱伦视频, roommates Alessio Vaccaro 鈥�29 and Will Saratella 鈥�29 went to high school together in Needham, Massachusetts.

鈥淚 committed to 乱伦视频 and Will was thinking about it, and I was trying to get him to commit,鈥� said Vaccaro, who plans to study finance. 鈥淚鈥檓 most excited about meeting new people and getting into classes and seeing what it鈥檚 like. It will be a cool, new change-up from high school.鈥�

And as students began to unpack their rooms and say goodbye to family, they are reflecting on their new home and their decision to attend 乱伦视频.

鈥淚 really wanted that one-on-one personalized experience, and I knew that I would only get that at 乱伦视频,” said Probst. “It just seemed to check off every box at the end. It was just the perfect fit, and I made the perfect choice.鈥�

Residence Life also recognized members of the Residence Life student staff council and one graduating Neighborhood Manager: Wise Halverson.

The evening included opening remarks from President Connie Book and Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley.

Student Staff Member of the Year (by neighborhood)

Student Staff Member of the Year is awarded to at least one staff member from each residential neighborhood who has demonstrated excellent teamwork, dedication, and positivity in their role.

Recipients

Colonnades: Mackenzie Perry

Danieley: Jason Adama-Tettey

East: Asia Green

Global: Keali Chang

Historic: Kiera Wenzel

Loy: Catarina Gandara Da Silva

Oaks: Morgan Seate

Station at Mill Point: Annabelle Stephens

Living-Learning Community (LLC) End of Year Awards

Almost 80 nominations were submitted for the Living-Learning Community End of Year awards, including nominations by participating students, staff and faculty advisors. 乱伦视频鈥檚 nationally ranked LLCs support over 600 residents in 24 different living-learning communities led by 33 faculty and staff LLC advisors.

Living-Learning Community Student of the Year: Odalys Zelaya Figueroa, First Phoenix LLC, Colonnades Neighborhood

Living-Learning Community Ambassador of the Year: Violette Valadez, First Phoenix LLC, Colonnades Neighborhood

Living-Learning Community Program of the Year: 乱伦视频 College Fellows Murder Mystery Night, East Neighborhood

Living-Learning Community Advisors of the Year: Paula DiBiaso and Kenneth Brown, First Phoenix LLC, Colonnades Neighborhood

Living-Learning Community Resident Assistant of the Year: Grace Smith, Sustainable Living LLC, Colonnades Neighborhood

Living-Learning Community of the Year: Performing Arts LLC, Global Neighborhood

NRHH Rising Diamond Award
Tessa Mattison, senior resident assistant, Historic Neighborhood聽

This award recognizes a Residence Life staff member who shows that leadership inside and outside the department is crucial to continued growth in the 乱伦视频 experience. The recipient of this award has demonstrated that their skill set learned at 乱伦视频 has positively impacted their community and will continue to impact whatever community joined after positively. The official symbol of NRHH is a diamond 鈥搕he world鈥檚 most precious gem- to signify the value and beauty one finds in their experiences.

Student Leadership and Community Development Award
Maximus Garganta, senior resident assistant, Colonnades Neighborhood聽

This award highlights a student staff member who demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their role and promoted community development by challenging and caring for residents through their 乱伦视频 experiences.

Student Employee Excellence Award
Eva Miller, office assistant, Global Neighborhood聽

This award highlights an hourly student employee who has displayed extraordinary dedication, leadership and service to their neighborhood and/or the Office of Residence Life. They consistently positively impact their neighborhood/office staff and community by going above and beyond what is asked in completing their work responsibilities.

Julie Justice Faculty Engagement Award
Claudine Moreau, faculty director, Historic Neighborhood

In honor of Julie Justice鈥檚 depth of service and engagement with her residents during her time as a faculty-in-residence in the Oaks neighborhood, this award honors a faculty member who has contributed to enhancing the residential campus initiative by engaging with students within the residential community, and broadly developing connections within the neighborhood to enhance the student residential experience.

Program of the Year

Neighborhood: East
Program Name:聽East Gets on the Bus to Twin Lakes
This award highlights a neighborhood program, event, or series that promotes active engagement of residents with faculty and staff over a topic that promotes the intellectual theme of the neighborhood.

Firestarter Award
Sydney Michel, resident assistant, Historic Neighborhood聽

This award recognizes a new student staff member who has shown exceptional promise in their role through creative and engaging floor programming, sound decision-making, and a consistently positive attitude. Their dedication to building community and enhancing the living and learning experience at 乱伦视频 sets a strong foundation for continued impact and growth.

Trailblazing Guide Award
Nicholas Rugbart, senior resident assistant, Global Neighborhood聽聽

This award honors a seasoned student staff member who consistently goes above and beyond – not only excelling in their own role, but also serving as a reliable source of support and mentorship for their peers. Their approachable nature and commitment to fostering a strong living and learning environment truly embody the spirit of campus community.

Tracy Pace Program Assistant of the Year
Sandra Bays, program assistant, East Neighborhood

This award honors a program assistant in Residence Life who utilizes exceptional organization, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

Professional Staff Member of the Year
Mariann King, community director, Global Neighborhood

This award recognizes a professional staff member of the Residence Life team who has demonstrated mentorship, community building and professionalism throughout the 2024-25 academic year.

Community Partnership Award
Grace Smith, resident assistant, Colonnades Neighborhood

The Community Partnership Award is presented to an individual who has continuously partnered and supported throughout the school year with Campus Safety and Police.

A selection of 24 photos from the year offers a look at what the 乱伦视频 community accomplished in 2024.

Among the notable news from 2024:

• The accolades continued to pour in for 乱伦视频. In addition to a #1 ranking for undergraduate teaching, U.S. News and World Report also ranked 乱伦视频 #1 for learning communities and first-year experiences, and 乱伦视频 was ranked in the top 12 in all eight U.S. News and World Report categories of 鈥減rograms that enhance student experience.鈥� The Princetown Review聽listed 乱伦视频 Law in its 2024 guidebook of 鈥淭丑别 Best 168 Law Schools鈥� and named 乱伦视频鈥檚 MBA program as one of the 鈥淏est Business Schools for 2024.鈥�
• 乱伦视频 welcomed several new and familiar faces to university leadership. Hilton Kelly began his role as dean of 乱伦视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences. Associate Dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Haya Ajjan was named the next dean of the school. Anu R盲is盲nen became the inaugural director of HealthEU Initiatives and Professor of Management Mustafa Akben was named 乱伦视频鈥檚 first director of artificial intelligence integration.
• 乱伦视频 broke its record for study abroad participation with a 94% participation rate among doctoral institutions, according to the 2022-23 Institute of International Education鈥檚 Open Doors Report.
• In March, 乱伦视频 launched the Imagining the Digital Future Center, expanding upon the work during the past 20 years of The Imagining the Internet Center with scholar-in-residence Lee Rainie, with the Pew Research Center, now at 乱伦视频 as the new center鈥檚 director.
• A new partnership with Novant Health will allow students in 乱伦视频鈥檚 Physician Assistant Studies program to undertake hands-on clinical education in the Charlotte metro area.
• 乱伦视频 and eight other colleges and universities in North Carolina and Pennsylvania joined forces to bring an innovative, large-scale solar facility online in western Kentucky. The project is a significant step in 乱伦视频鈥檚 journey to carbon neutrality by 2037.
• Several new facilities opened on campus including a new EcoVillage at Loy Farm and the East Neighborhood Commons. Final renovations were also completed at the Gerald L. Francis Center to include skills labs, classrooms, student study spaces and an interprofessional lab.
• The 乱伦视频 Medallion, the university鈥檚 highest honor for service, was awarded to four: Trustee Noel Allen 鈥�69 in April and three former university leaders in August: Provost Emeritx Steven House, former Senior Associate Athletics Director Kyle Wills and former Vice President for Access and Success Jean Rattigan-Rohr.
• 乱伦视频 announced a $3 million fundraising campaign to expand and enhance training and practice facilities for the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf teams, creating one of the golf facilities in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and college golf.
• 乱伦视频 said farewell to the Class of 2024 with actor Ginna Claire Mason 鈥�13, formerly Glinda in Broadway鈥檚 鈥淲icked,鈥� delivering the 2024 commencement address, encouraging graduates to 鈥渄ream big, keep going and sing out.鈥�
• 乱伦视频鈥檚 17^th annual Night of the Phoenix event set a new record, raising $521,923 for 乱伦视频 Athletics.
• The university welcomed several speakers to campus through the 乱伦视频 Speaker Series including authors Herb Frazier, Bernard Powers and Marjory Wentworth; Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford; Hall of Fame baseball manager Tony La Russa; former presidential advisor David Gergen and his son Christopher Gergen; environmental activist and author Leah Thomas; Havard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks and retired Adm.聽Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint chiefs of staff, who delivered the inaugural Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship.

On Oct. 28, Historic Neighborhood will host their annual Spooky Open Mic Night at 8 p.m. on the Mooney lawn.聽Residents at Station at Mill Point might also experience some reverse trick or treating as staff members bring around something extra sweet Monday night.

On Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. there will be pumpkin carving/painting in the Colonnades Neighborhood Tea Room.

On Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m. the Station at Mill point Donuts at the Depot will have a spooky and delicious theme.

Loy Center Neighborhood is hosting their annual Trick or Treat on Greek Street Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 乱伦视频 faculty and staff are invited to bring their children to Loy Center Neighborhood to trick or treat.

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, East Neighborhood is partnering with several local elementary schools and after school programs to host trick or treating from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. East residents can come play games with kid in the East intersection.

On Oct. 30, Danieley Center Neighborhood will host a Halloween party聽from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Daniel Commons.

The annual Global Neighborhood Fall Fest falls on Halloween (Oct. 31) this year 鈥� come out from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a great celebration of community.

On Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., Oaks Neighborhood will host a spooky movie night in McCoy Commons clubhouse.

On Sunday, Nov. 3, join the Historic Neighborhood for s鈥檓ores at the fire pit at 7 p.m., followed by a dramatic reading of The Raven at 7:30 p.m. by faculty in residence Kevin Otos.

Roommates Skylar Silk 鈥�28 and Chloe Deangelis 鈥�28 didn鈥檛 know each other before moving in together at 乱伦视频 on Friday, Aug. 23, but they greeted each other as if they were lifelong friends.

鈥淭his is the first time Skylar met her roommate and they burst into cheer so that鈥檚 a good sign,鈥� said Erica Silk P鈥�28, Skylar鈥檚 mother. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited for Sky to make friends, meet people, live on her own and enjoy life as you should in college. We鈥檙e from Ohio and once we heard about 乱伦视频, we fell in love.”

Silk and Deangelis were two of the more than 1,600 members of the Class of 2028 and other new students who arrived at 乱伦视频 on Friday for Move-In Day, a collaborative effort that helps new students get settled in and begin their academic journeys at 乱伦视频.聽Campus was buzzing with excitement as new students arrived to Schar Center to pick up their聽Move-In Day materials before heading to their residence halls.聽Volunteers greeted families with chants and cheers at the Schar Center entrance where students checked in and received information on how to get to their housing assignments and other important items 鈥� room keys, parking passes, Phoenix cards, schedules聽and a variety of educational materials.

The Fire of the Carolinas marching band amplified the spirited atmosphere, parading through campus, including through Belk Library, playing 乱伦视频鈥檚 fight song and other lively tunes. To keep the energy up, WSOE, the university鈥檚 student-run radio station, was present in every residential neighborhood. Members of 乱伦视频 Campus Safety & Police managed the flow of vehicles and pedestrians through the main areas, ensuring smooth traffic while refreshment stations scattered across campus kept Move-In Day helpers energized throughout the event.

A family tradition

Silk and Deangelis found each other randomly on Instagram and are now beginning their journey intentionally together at 乱伦视频. Both students have family members who have attended 乱伦视频, and for Skylar, it鈥檚 a family tradition.

鈥溌衣资悠� is really deep in my family,鈥� said Skylar. 鈥淚 had four cousins come here and then I have three older brothers who came here. It鈥檚 so beautiful here. As soon as I came and toured, I knew.鈥�

Christine Bradsher鈥檚 鈥�28 father and sister both attended 乱伦视频 and, after visiting over the years, it began to feel like home. Now, Bradsher gets a brand-new home in the East Neighborhood Commons, the university’s newest building which opened for the first time on Move-In Day. The three-story, 45,000-square-foot building has 90 residential rooms primarily for first-year students as well as faculty/staff apartments and office space. The commons also includes a 鈥渇orum,鈥� a large multipurpose room for class, meetings and social events.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so nice. My friend plays soccer here and I was in East Neighborhood yesterday and it鈥檚 so beautiful,鈥� said Bradsher, a Change Maker Scholar from Lorton, Virginia. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be in a new place and meet new people. I鈥檓 also excited to get started with my chemistry major and focus on something that I鈥檓 really interested in.鈥�

As a proud alumna, Julie Gillespie 鈥�94 P鈥�24 P鈥�28 moved her second child into 乱伦视频 on Friday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so fun to come back and look and say 鈥業 lived there, I went to a party here and I went to class here.鈥� It鈥檚 fun. We really enjoy it,鈥� she said while helping to unpack her son鈥檚 room.

鈥楤est move-in鈥�

While Gillespie doesn鈥檛 remember much from her first-year Move-In Day at Brannock Hall more than 30 years ago, she鈥檚 been impressed with the current Move-In Day for both of her children. Other students and parents shared their appreciation for 乱伦视频鈥檚 smooth Move-In Day as well.

鈥淏est move-in process ever,鈥� said Erica Silk. 鈥淣umber one move-in process.鈥�

Across campus, hundreds of students, faculty and staff, including members of 乱伦视频’s football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, cheer and dance teams helped unload vehicles and carry dorm-room essentials inside. Members of 乱伦视频’s Facilities Management team put utility carts and trailers to use transporting belongings from lines of vehicles to the front doors of residence halls.

鈥淢ove-In is one of my favorite times, I like seeing people getting their stuff in being all happy and excited and getting to make those connections now,鈥� said Michaela Shapiro 鈥�27, an international and global studies major and resident assistant helping with Move-In Day on Friday.

Choosing 乱伦视频

Cooler summer weather and sunshine welcomed the 1,620 first-year and 74 transfer students to 乱伦视频鈥檚 campus. The Class of 2028 is 乱伦视频鈥檚 most diverse class in university history 鈥� 23% identify as ALANAM (African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaska Native and multiracial). This class is coming to 乱伦视频 from 43 states and 16 different countries including Mexico, Switzerland, France, China and Germany. Twelve percent identify as first-generation college students and the class overall has an average core GPA of 4.08.

鈥淭丑别 Honors Program was really appealing and I also enjoy the small class sizes which means you get to make connections with faculty,鈥� said Neil Parmer 鈥�28, from Cary, North Carolina, who is looking to major in public health studies and business analytics聽and is聽one of just 63 Class of 2028 students in 乱伦视频’s prestigious Honors Program.

鈥淭丑别re were a lot of schools, and it was hard to decide what school had what programs for you and what worked best for you and I think 乱伦视频 had a combination of what I was looking for,” Parmer said.

Happy to be home

While roommates like Silk and Deangelis made a connection quickly, current 乱伦视频 students say it’s not a race.

鈥淕ive yourself grace,” said Danielle Giraldo ’25, a strategic communications major who offered her advice to the Class of 2028. “It鈥檚 ok to be nervous, homesick, tired, emotional, etc. You鈥檙e entering a new phase of life! It鈥檚 going to be hard, and you鈥檙e going to make mistakes, but you鈥檙e going to learn and grow so much!”

And Deangelis admits, there’s still some nerves but she’s excited for what’s to come.

鈥淚t鈥檚 weird, because meeting my roommate was all over the phone,鈥� said Deangelis, who is from Westport, Connecticut and plans to study elementary education. 鈥淏ut you have to have a good mindset going into it. I鈥檓 happy to be here.鈥�

Move-In Day is the start of New Student Orientation which includes a variety of activities to help the Class of 2028 get acquainted with 乱伦视频. On Saturday, Aug. 24, the new students will gather for New Student Convocation where President Connie Ledoux Book will address the class for the first time, and they will receive their acorn 鈥� an 乱伦视频 tradition symbolizing the start of their journey at the university.

New Sights

Several new construction projects will be ready this fall 鈥� offering new opportunities for students, faculty and staff to live, learn and collaborate.

Loy Farm Living Learning Community

The first phase of the Loy Farm Living-Learning Community EcoVillage will open, including six sustainable houses.

The LLC will offer an opportunity for hands-on learning through horticulture, agriculture and research with the聽. It will eventually include 12 sustainable homes along with a renovated ranch house that will serve as a common area. Students聽designed the first home聽alongside Robert Charest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, with input from University Planning Design and Construction Management. The remaining 11 homes are being designed and built by outside firms.

East Neighborhood Commons

Students will move into East Neighborhood Commons for the first time this year. The three-story, 45,000-square-foot building will have 90 residential rooms (primarily for first-year students), faculty/staff apartments and office space. The commons will also include a 鈥渇orum,鈥� a large multipurpose room for class, meetings and social events. This university hopes this space will become an 鈥渆astern gateway鈥� to main campus, denoting to travelers that they have arrived at 乱伦视频.

Francis Center Upgrades

The fourth and final renovation of the聽Gerald L. Francis Center聽will be complete for fall 2024 with the addition of an office suite for nursing faculty and an update to the commons space. The building houses聽Outdoor pickleball courts are also being built near the Francis Center.

Added Academics

乱伦视频 Law Flex Program

The first students in 乱伦视频 School of Law鈥檚 new part-time Juris Doctor program begin taking classes this fall. The 乱伦视频 Law Flex Program is offered exclusively at the 乱伦视频 Charlotte regional center and is the only in-person law program offered in the Queen City.

The 乱伦视频 Law Flex Program is designed for the working professional and students can complete their law degree in four years. A full range of law electives will provide experiential opportunities in law clinics, publication in law journals and moot court programs and competitions.

Graduate certificate in health care analytics

乱伦视频 now offers a graduate certificate in health care analytics, a program in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business designed to meet the needs of working professionals. This certificate is ideal for those in the health care industry looking to advance their careers or for professionals eager to transition into this growing field.

Health care analytics has a, with a $110,680 anticipated median salary. The certificate could prepare professionals with the necessary experience to assume positions such as Chief Medical Information Officer, Vice President of Advanced Analytics, Senior Data Analyst, Vice President of Quality Improvement, Healthcare Analytics Advisor, Director of Analytics, Research Manager, Data Consultant and Product Developer.

Cybersecurity Minor

The Love School of Business now offers a minor in cybersecurity management, helping to prepare students to navigate and protect the digital landscape of business. This minor is designed not just for those looking to specialize in cybersecurity but also for students across various disciplines who aim to enhance their understanding of digital security from a managerial perspective.

Election 2024 at 乱伦视频

Ahead of the 2024 election, 乱伦视频 President Connie Book brought together an ad hoc committee to develop a comprehensive strategy to enhance 乱伦视频鈥檚 election engagement and support. The working group鈥檚 goals had three prongs:

1. Address what 乱伦视频 offered during previous election years to determine what gaps needed to be filled.
2. Look at the civic engagement opportunities the university regularly offers to determine how 乱伦视频 could use resources to build greater capacity.
3. Ask how 乱伦视频 could best prepare the university community for active citizenship not just for the 2024 election, but for a lifetime of civic engagement.

The committee came up with several recommendations including increased communication about the election on campus, opportunities for election-related conversations and election programming, among others. A full list of events can be found here.

Some of the Fall 2024 election event highlights include:

Student Issues Forum (co-sponsored by SGA and ENN)
Thursday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m., East Neighborhood Commons, Forum (102)

Active Citizen Series: Presidential Debate Watch
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 9 p.m., Moseley Center First Floor

ABSS Board of Education Candidate Forum
Monday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m., Paramount Theater, 128 E. Front St., Burlington
Bus transportation from 乱伦视频 to the Paramount Theater will be provided.

Alamance County Commissioner Candidate Forum
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m., Paramount Theater, 128 E. Front St., Burlington
Bus transportation from 乱伦视频 to the Paramount Theater will be provided.

Active Citizen Series: Tracking Money in U.S. Politics and its Effect on Elections and Public Policy Featuring Hilary Braseth, Executive Director of Open Secrets
Thursday, October 17, 4:30 p.m., East Neighborhood Commons, Forum (102)

General Election
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Shuttle will run from the Center for the Arts to local polling places from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Active Citizen Series: Election Night Watch Event
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 8 p.m., Global Neighborhood Commons Great Hall

More information can be found on the 乱伦视频 Votes! website.

New leadership

Hilton Kelly, dean of 乱伦视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences

The 2024-25 academic year will be the first at 乱伦视频 for Hilton Kelly, who was聽chosen in January to lead 乱伦视频鈥檚 largest academic division. Kelly comes to 乱伦视频 from the University of Wisconsin-Plattville where he served as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education.

Kelly is no stranger to North Carolina though 鈥� he earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in history at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a full professor at Davidson College, where he held several leadership roles. He earned a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Kelly is an interdisciplinary scholar with specialization in the sociology of education.

鈥淚 am enormously grateful for the opportunity to lead 乱伦视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淚 have enjoyed getting to know 乱伦视频鈥檚 students, faculty, staff and administration through the search process. From the very first moment I read the Boldly 乱伦视频 strategic plan 鈥� a strategic vision for inclusive excellence, experiential learning, global learning and student success 鈥� I yearned to be a part of this great university. My whole career in higher education has prepared me for this moment and I look forward to the journey ahead.鈥�

Anu R盲is盲nen 鈥� director of HealthEU initiatives

Anu R盲is盲nen is the university鈥檚 inaugural Director of HealthEU Initiatives who will work to develop and implement university-wide well-being infinitives with the goal of Boldly 乱伦视频, the university鈥檚 10-year strategic plan.

R盲is盲nen joined 乱伦视频 on August 1 and was previously an assistant professor of physical therapy education and director of the Research and Innovation in Sport and Exercise (RISE) lab at Western University of Health Sciences in Lebanon, Ore. She earned a master of health sciences in exercise medicine from the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio, Finland, in 2011 and a doctor of health sciences in public health from the University Tampere in Tampere, Finland, in 2018.

鈥淚 am very excited for the opportunity to join 乱伦视频 as the Director of HealthEU Initiatives,鈥� R盲is盲nen said. 鈥淚 would like to commend the university leadership for their commitment to campus health and well-being. Creating a national model is a challenge that I am thrilled to take on and I am looking forward to working alongside everyone in the 乱伦视频 community.鈥�

Mustafa Akben 鈥� director of artificial intelligence integration

While not new to 乱伦视频, Assistant Professor Mustafa Akben is stepping into a new role this academic year: inaugural director of artificial intelligence integration. Akben, currently an assistant professor of management in the Love School of Business, began his new position on July 1.

Akben will lead the integration of artificial intelligence across 乱伦视频鈥檚 academic and administrative departments,聽building on six core principles the university helped establish last year聽to guide higher education institutions with a rapidly evolving and groundbreaking technology.

Akben earned a doctorate in business administration from Temple University and has developed a range of AI-enhanced teaching tools and methodologies.

鈥淚 envision 乱伦视频 as a thriving community where AI helps administrative functions and academic excellence, all while preserving human relationships across and beyond our campus, a trait that defines 乱伦视频鈥檚 identity,鈥� Akben said. 鈥淚 am excited to work across departments to find solutions that facilitate processes and create fresh, innovative and welcoming experiences by partnering with faculty, staff, and students.

Loy Farm Living-Learning Community EcoVillage

The first phase of the Loy Farm Living-Learning Community (LLC) EcoVillage will be completed this summer, including six sustainable houses set to open in Fall 2024.

The LLC will offer an opportunity for hands-on learning through horticulture, agriculture and research with the . It will eventually include 12 sustainable homes along with a renovated ranch house that will serve as a common area. Students designed the first home alongside Robert Charest, associate professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, with input from University Planning Design and Construction Management. The remaining 11 homes are being designed and built by outside firms.

鈥淓ach of the houses were designed by a different designer that gave us their solution for what sustainable living looks like, so each house has a different focus,鈥� said Brad Moore, associate vice president for facilities and chief facilities officer. 鈥淭his is an educational project because the students have been intimately involved in the design and construction processes and now, they will continue to learn firsthand about the benefits of sustainable design as they live in the houses.鈥�

Each house is about 600 square feet and includes two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and common areas. The 12 students living in the houses during the 2024-25 academic year will have the opportunity to try them out before the university starts the second phase of the project. After the 2024-25 academic year, the university will search for six new designers for the remaining homes.

Hook, Brannock and Barney Halls

The final renovations of the Historic Neighborhood residence halls will be completed this summer with the finishing touches being put on Hook, Brannock and Barney Halls. Over the last seven years, work has been completed on Sloan, West, Virginia, Smith and Carolina. This summer, crews are updating the furniture and finishes in the residential rooms of Hook, Brannock and Barney in time for Move-In Day.

鈥淟ast year we did the bathroom upgrades, the year before we did window replacements,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淭o keep that building occupied during the school year, we鈥檝e had to do the renovations in multiple phases.鈥�

Gerald L. Francis Center

The fourth and final renovation of the Gerald L. Francis Center will be completed this summer with the addition of an office suite for nursing faculty and an update to the commons space. The building houses

The university has been updating the Francis Center over the last several years by adding skills labs, classrooms, student study spaces and a interprofessional lab equipped with augmented, virtual and mixed reality technology. Previous renovations added a new entry garden dedicated to those who have donated their bodies to science.

East Neighborhood Commons

The new East Neighborhood Commons will be finished just in time for Fall 2024 Move-In Day. The three-story, 45,000-square-foot building will have 90 residential rooms (primarily for first-year students), faculty/staff apartments and office space. The commons will also include a 鈥渇orum,鈥� a large multipurpose room for class, meetings and social events.

East Neighborhood Commons under construction. The area serves as a residential hub for Civic Engagement and Social Innovation where students gain a greater awareness of social, cultural and political issues through engagement with faculty and staff. The East Neighborhood currently has more than 300 beds, but this new building will bring the neighborhood closer to the 500 to 600 beds that other neighborhoods have.

鈥淭丑别 East Neighborhood provides a dynamic place for first-year students to begin their journey at 乱伦视频,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淭丑别 building will provide a range of new amenities and features that will help the residents of East Neighborhood grow to be active global citizens.鈥�

This university hopes this space will become an 鈥渆astern gateway鈥� to main campus, denoting to travelers that they have arrived at 乱伦视频.

McMichael Science Center

For the past three summers, renovations have been ongoing in the McMichael Science Center to enhance the classrooms, labs and classrooms for the biology, chemistry and environmental science departments. The work this summer updates a major teaching lab. Another renovation phase, scheduled for Summer 2025, will focus on the common areas of the building.

Ropes Course Relocation

The 乱伦视频 Challenge Course, currently at The Lodge property, is being relocated closer to the Phoenix Activities and Recreation Center (PARC). The 乱伦视频 Challenge Course features both high and low elements and requires Campus Recreation & Wellness facilitators. The course is scheduled to open by Fall 2024.

Exceptional student employees and staff members were recognized during the annual residence life awards on Wednesday, May 3.

The evening included opening remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book and Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley.

Student Staff Member of the Year (by neighborhood)

Student Staff Member of the Year is awarded to at least one staff member from each residential neighborhood who has demonstrated excellent teamwork, dedication and positivity in their role.

Student Staff Member of the Year Recipients

• Colonnades 鈥� Jasper Serenity Myers
• Danieley 鈥� Angel Gutierrez
• East 鈥� Lucia Gasalla Plaza
• Global 鈥� Bethany Griffin
• Historic 鈥� Larissa Moelber and James Seagriff
• Loy – Wise Halverson
• Oaks & Park Place 鈥� Ariana Wilson
• Station at Mill Point & Crest 鈥� Megan Curling

NRHH Rising Diamond Award

This award recognizes a Residence Life staff member who shows us that leadership inside and outside the department is crucial to continued growth in the 乱伦视频 experience. The recipient of this award has demonstrated that their skill set learned here at 乱伦视频 has positively impacted their community and will continue to impact whatever community joined after positively. The official symbol of NRHH is a diamond 鈥搕he world鈥檚 most precious gem- to signify the value and beauty one finds in their experiences.

• Delyla Makki

Student Leadership and Community Development Award

This award highlights a student staff member who demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their role and promoted community development by challenging and caring for residents through their 乱伦视频 experiences.

• Cole Meixsell

Student Employee Excellence Award

This award highlights an hourly student employee who has displayed extraordinary dedication, leadership and service to their neighborhood and/or the Office of Residence Life. They consistently positively impact their neighborhood/office staff and community by going above and beyond what is asked in completing their work responsibilities.

• Carson Pridgen

Julie Justice Faculty Engagement Award

In memoriam of Julie Justice’s depth of service and engagement with her residents during her time as a faculty-in-residence in the Oaks neighborhood, this award is meant to honor a faculty member who has contributed to enhancing the residential campus initiative by engaging with students within the residential community, and broadly developing connections within the neighborhood to enhance the student residential experience.

• Sandy Marshall

Program of the Year

This award highlights a neighborhood program, event, or series that promotes active engagement of residents with faculty and staff over a topic that promotes the intellectual theme of the neighborhood.

• Neighborhood: Danieley
• Program Name:聽BJs in PJs

Program Assistant of the Year

This award honors a program assistant in Residence Life who utilizes exceptional organization, interpersonal, and customer service skills.

• Mary Harding

Professional Staff Member of the Year (by position)

This award recognizes a professional staff member of the Residence Life team who has demonstrated mentorship, community building and professionalism throughout the 2022-2023 academic year.

• Community Director 鈥� Tanner Gill

Community Partnership Award

The Community Partnership Award is presented to an individual who has continuously partnered and supported throughout the school year with Campus Safety and Police.

• Mariann King
• Antonella Tommasi