Awards & Recognitions Posts | Today at Ƶ | Ƶ /u/news Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:54:43 -0400 en-US hourly 1 Carla Fullwood named a ‘Leader in Diversity’ by Triad Business Journal /u/news/2026/06/17/carla-fullwood-named-a-leader-in-diversity-by-triad-business-journal/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:56:04 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050230 The photo shows a woman posing confidently in front of a neutral gray background. She has a warm, friendly smile and is wearing a dark, sleeveless dress. Her hair is styled in neat braids pulled back. She's adorned with a vibrant, multi-strand beaded necklace that features a mix of blue, green, red, and gold tones, and she's also wearing dangling earrings. The lighting and background suggest this is a professional portrait, possibly for business or academic use.
Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development

Carla Fullwood, director of inclusive excellence education and development, has been selected as one of the

The awards celebrate companies and individuals who have worked to establish and advance diversity and inclusion efforts in their workplaces and communities. The winners will be honored at an event on June 18 at N.C. A&T State University.

“My work is grounded in the belief that inclusive excellence is not just an ideal, but a practice. It requires ongoing learning, unlearning and accountability,” Fullwood told the Triad Business Journal. “I’m inspired by possibility. The idea that unfair systems can evolve, that people can grow, and that we can create environments where more people feel a true sense of belonging. That is what keeps me committed to this work every day.”

At Ƶ, Fullwood leads initiatives on inclusive excellence and is a certified coach. She is a contributor to the Carolinas chapter of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. She was the closing speaker at NASPA Region III 2024 Summer Symposium, a featured guest on the web series “Good Trouble: Inclusive Pedagogy” and a guest on the podcast “Limed: Teaching with a Twist.” She also co-authored the article “Amplifying Student Viewpoints on Inclusive Student Experiences for Inclusive Excellence in Kinesiology.”

In her nomination, it was noted that Fullwoodis consistently recognized by faculty and staff for her “highly effective and learning-centered approaches to expanding perspectives related to diversity and inclusion and developing skills for equitable practices.”

“Carla demonstrates her commitment to building capacity for empathetic human connections,” said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence. “She deliberately creates learning conditions that help people see the world through others’ eyes and act thoughtfully with kindness, regardless of identities. The Triad Business Journal wisely recognized Carla for her leadership at Ƶ and in the region.”

More information on the June 18 celebration is available .

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Alex Luchsinger’s documentary earns three awards at Sunny Side Up Film Festival /u/news/2026/06/16/alex-luchsingers-documentary-earns-three-awards-at-sunny-side-up-film-festival/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:40:26 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050147 The short-form documentary “Forward,” created by Associate Professor of Journalism Alex Luchsinger, earned three awards at the , adding to a growing list of national recognitions for the film’s portrait of resilience, service and healing.

Ashley Christman holds up three awards against festival backdrop
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ashley Christman poses with the awards for Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Inspirational Film after “Forward,” a documentary by Associate Professor of Journalism Alex Luchsinger, was honored at the 2026 Sunny Side Up Film Festival in Miami, Oklahoma.

Held June 12-14 at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, the festival recognized “Forward” with awards for Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Inspirational Film. The festival coincided with Route 66’s centennial celebration, drawing filmmakers and audiences from across the country.

“Forward” follows U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ashley Christman as she navigates a stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis while continuing to serve in the Marine Corps and remain fully present for her wife and young son. The documentary takes viewers inside Christman’s search for healing through medical treatment, physical training and surf therapy, highlighting both the challenges she faces and the hope that carries her forward. Since the film’s release, Christman has retired from the Marine Corps.

The latest honors build on the film’s momentum following its Audience Choice Award at the 2026 Beaufort International Film Festival and recognition in the 2026 BEA Festival of Media Arts.

Associate Professor of Journalism Alex Luchsinger
Luchsinger spent more than a year documenting Christman’s battle with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer, resulting in the short-form documentary.

“The recognition at Sunny Side Up is especially meaningful because it reflects how deeply audiences continue to connect with Ashley’s story,” Luchsinger said. “Her determination, resilience and commitment to living fully in the face of extraordinary challenges are what make ‘Forward’ resonate. I’m grateful that the film continues to create opportunities for people to engage with those themes of service, hope and perseverance.”

Luchsinger spent more than a year documenting Christman’s experience, working closely with her family to ensure the story was told with authenticity and compassion. The project also brought together a collaborative production team that included Assistant Professor of Cinema and Television Arts Max Negin and cinematographer Drew Glickman. Since its release, the film has continued to find audiences through festival screenings and awards recognition across the country.

For more information about the film “Forward,” .

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Ƶ faculty and staff receive 2026-27 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards /u/news/2026/06/15/elon-faculty-amd-staff-receive-2026-27-fulbright-u-s-scholar-awards/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:13:15 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050064 Allegra Laing, executive director for global programming, and Steve Friedland, professor of law and director of the Center for Engaged Learning in the Law, have each been selected for2026-27 awards from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Laing will spend a month in South Korea where she’ll visit 14 higher education institutions throughout the country to learn about the current trends in South Korean higher education and how these institutions view campus-wide internationalization, and also to learn more about international student mobility for students from (and to) South Korea. Friedland will spend his time as a Fulbright Scholar in Budapest, Hungary, where he will beteaching about the information economy, social media, and privacy and writing a book on comparative media law.

Fulbright U.S. Scholars are accomplished faculty, researchers, administrators and established professionals who teach or conduct research in partnership with institutions around the world. Through these affiliations, they expand their professional networks and often seed future research, innovation and institutional partnerships. When they return home to their campuses, labs, and classrooms, Fulbright Scholars share their experiences and insights, becoming champions of international collaboration. Many go on to host visiting scholars and inspire colleagues and students to pursue transformative opportunities abroad.

The Fulbright Program wasestablishedin 1946 as a bold investment in global peace and American prosperity through educational and cultural exchange.Fulbright provides opportunities for exceptional Americans and participants from 160 countries and locations to study, teach and conduct research abroad. For eight decades, Fulbrighters have been leaders at the forefront of discovery and innovation, conductingcutting edgeresearch, advancing critical industries, and preparing future generations with new skills and perspectives.

In the United States, the Institute of International Educationimplementsthe Fulbright U.S. Student and U.S. ScholarProgramson behalf of the U.S. Department of State.For more information abouttheFulbright Program, visit.Learn more about .

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Two Ƶ students named Undergraduate Research Scholars from NC Space Grant /u/news/2026/06/15/two-elon-students-named-undergraduate-research-scholars-from-nc-space-grant/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:13:22 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050098 Two Ƶ students have been chosen for the NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholarship, a highly competitive program that helps students gain hands-on research experience aligned with NASA Mission Directorates.

Cayden Tirak ’28 and Myka Thomas ’27 are the second and third Ƶ students to receive the award, following Jules Levanti ’25 in 2024. Tirak is also the youngest Ƶ student to receive the award.

Three people stand around a laptop. Two are overlooking one person sitting down while the person on the right points to something on the screen.
Cayden Tirak ’28 (center) with her mentor Chris Richardson, associate professor of astrophysics (right)

“It is really exciting to have won this grant, and the funding will be able to help me take this research project further,” said Tirak, who is an astrophysics major and Honors Fellow studying “green pea galaxies” and the black holes at their center. “Being able to say I won a research grant for my undergraduate project is a huge privilege and will help me in the future pursue my dreams of doing research as a career.”

Tirak, who is from Lincolnton, North Carolina,is mentored by Chris Richardson, associate professor of astrophysics. Richardson says this achievement reflects her ambition.

“I am beyond thrilled for Cayden to earn this very competitive award, as it not only rewards the hard work she put into crafting the proposal, but will also enable her to create new opportunities to grow as a researcher,” Richardson said.

Thomas, an astrophysics major and minor from Annapolis, Maryland, is using the James Webb Telescope’s OutThere survey to identify and group galaxies to build a catalog of these galaxy groups and study how they evolve.

Myka Thomas ’27

“It feels incredible. Receiving this award opens up so many doors,from attending conferences to connecting with others in the field, and it’s validating to see how much work I’ve been putting in paying off,” Thomas said.

Zack Hutchens, assistant professor of astrophysics and physics, says earning this award is a “serious scientific achievement” for Thomas.

“Writing a proposal of this nature requires the student to carefully identify an open research question, design a feasible yet ambitious timeline and persuasively present the scientific case for answering it,” said Hutchens. “The award also speaks to the novelty of the work Myka is leading with JWST-OutThere. OutThere is one of the largest survey programs on the Webb telescope, and I am quite proud to bring it to Ƶ for students like Myka to engage in.”

The 12 Undergraduate Research Scholarship awardees receive $8,000 to spend on research. N.C. Space Grant is a state-wide network of North Carolina higher-education institutions, industries, government entities, educational programs and nonprofit partners with NASA-related interests. The organization works to promote, develop and support space-related STEM research, education and public outreach.

“We’re proud to assist these undergraduate students as they begin their research,” said Sandy Canfield, assistant director of NC Space Grant. “Increasingly, we are seeing students integrate AI and machine learning into theirwork, which echoes emerging NASA and industry priorities.”

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Ƶ earns national recognition for preparing future elementary teachers in the science of reading /u/news/2026/06/11/elon-earns-national-recognition-for-preparing-future-elementary-teachers-in-the-science-of-reading/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:10:03 +0000 /u/news/?p=1050042 The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program at Ƶ has earned an A+ from the (NCTQ) for how well it prepares future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.

The report, , published on June 9, spotlights Ƶ for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.

A child’s ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life, yet according to , four in ten fourth graders in North Carolina cannot read at a basic level. Teacher preparation is one of the most direct levers available to change that, but only if it is aligned to the research-based instructional methods that have been proven to help most students become successful readers.

Ƶ’s program in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide, helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading.

“Every child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,” said NCTQ President Heather Peske. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Ƶ is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”

NCTQ’s methodology is informed by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates, and measurement experts. To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at Ƶ.

To earn an “A,” programs needed to demonstrate that coursework for future elementary teachers includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction. To earn an A+, programs needed to exceed those targets and not teach any instructional practices that are unsupported by research.

See NCTQ’s report, , for more information about Ƶ’s coverage of the science of reading and to see how Ƶ compares to other programs in North Carolina or across the country.

About NCTQ

The National Council on Teacher Quality: NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. We believe a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities. Fore more information about NCTQ, visit .

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Ƶ alumna earns Humanitarian Service Award from American Academy of Physician Associates /u/news/2026/06/10/elon-alumna-earns-humanitarian-service-award-from-american-academy-of-physician-associates/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:21:21 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049866 Ƶ alumna Jamie Lytton G’15 always knew she wanted to help others, and after earning her physician assistant studies degree in Ƶ’s inaugural class, she has led a career of service. Now, Lytton is being recognized for that commitment to others with the 2026 Humanitarian Service Award from the American Academy of Physician Associates.

“When you are someone who naturally wants to help others, like you do in the PA profession, you’re drawn to finding the need and fixing it. We’re trying to help in the best way we can,” Lytton said. “You don’t take on a title to do this; it simply comes from the heart, and it comes from an intention to be good for others. It’s very rewarding to have the benefit of knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life.”

TheAAPA is the national organization that advocates for all PAs and provides tools to improve PA practice and patient care. The Humanitarian Serviceawardrecognizesa PA or group of PAs thatdemonstratesclear, lasting dedication to expanding access to care for vulnerable and underserved populations, and/or populations in crisis.Lytton, who works in pain management in Alaska, is the president of the Alaska Academy of PAs and has made significant efforts to address the state’s opioid crisis.

“I see a lot of opioid addiction and chronic opioid dependency from high use opioid levels, but unfortunately, even in Alaska today, there are very high levels of opioid use disorder. It was very evident when I arrived in 2020, in the heart of the pandemic,” she said. “You see the escalating death rate nationally, and also here in Alaska, and that really prompted my heart to do something.”

A woman in a polka dot shirt is wearing a mask, holding a box of narcan kits
Jamie Lytton ’15 with Narcan kits

Lytton partnered with Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian organization, leading a 12-member team to create 1,200 Narcan kits, helping to save over 300 lives. According to Lytton, two individuals specifically credited kits from their distribution site with saving a neighbor and a family member.

In addition to responding to the opioid crisis, Lytton has worked to improve access to healthcare services for Alaskans who face persistent barriers to care.She isa volunteerwith Remote Area Medical,a nonprofit organization that provides mobile medical clinics delivering free dental, vision, and medical care to underserved and uninsured individualsin Alaska. Lytton supportedscreeningsformore than 700 uninsured Alaskans.

As Chair of the Associate Board of Ambassadors for the American Cancer Society of Alaska,Lytton has played a key role in advancing cancer awareness and support across Alaska.Through coordinated events and sponsorship initiatives, shehashelped raisemorethan$100,000 for cancer patients. Sheserveson the Serve Alaska Board, supporting AmeriCorps programs in rural and urban communities, ensuring funding reaches vulnerable youth and families.

Her path to Ƶ started while she was working as a nurse assistant in North Carolina. When she expressed a desire to become a PA, a patient encouraged her to apply soon, and she took the advice. Lytton applied to eight schools, and Ƶ jumped at the opportunity to interview her for its inaugural Physician Assistant Studies cohort.

“You just felt alive on campus, and I knew in my heart this is where I wanted to come,” she said. “The PA profession is the right balance for me because I ultimately wanted to have a family of my own, I wanted to provide care to patients, and I wanted to be able to change specialties and have that versatility.”

Alt text: A woman wearing a black dress and a purple flower lei smiles beside a colorful event poster recognizing her as an Alaska GenNow honoree. The poster features her photo and a message about supporting people affected by cancer through advocacy and healthcare, as part of the American Cancer Society’s 9th Annual Taps & Apps event.
Jamie Lytton G’15

Ƶ’s Physician Assistant Studies program continues to grow. The 2026 cohort was the largest in the program’s history. Ƶ doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast. A PA program on the university’s Charlotte campus is expected to launch in January 2027.

“I am so grateful to Ƶ because they truly invested a lot in us. They gave us opportunities to not only do volunteer work in the community but also invest in the community,” she said. “My learning experience started like a seed, and it blossomed over the years.”

The Health Professionals Scholarship Program also provided Lytton with a financial path to her goals. The HPSP award pays a participant’s school tuition and required fees as well as a monthly stipend to help with living expenses and an annual book stipend for instructional materials.

HPSP recipients incur an active-duty service obligation based on the number of years of scholarship support received. Following graduation and commissioning, recipients are assigned to a military installation where they serve as active-duty officers until their service commitment is fulfilled.

Lytton says her military service, along with her family, faith and Ƶ’s commitment to service learning, helped instill values that have guided her throughout her PA career.

“Leadership begins with recognizing where help is needed and stepping forward to serve. I would advise anyone seeking to become a leader in their profession to look for unmet needs in their community and work to address them,”Lytton said. “Even if the job seems somewhat small, the skills that you learn from community service and from community coming together and collaborating, they will foster in you this confidence that you take into your profession and become a natural part of who you are.”

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Ƶ Los Angeles area alumnae to premiere award-winning short films at inaugural Ƶ Los Angeles film festival July 22 /u/news/2026/06/10/elon-los-angeles-area-alumna-to-premiere-award-winning-short-films-at-inaugural-elon-los-angeles-film-festival-july-22/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:57:15 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049798
Ƶ alumna Bex Evans, Julia Boyd and Mirai will have the world premieres of their Ƶ Los Angeles grant-funded short films at the first Ƶ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival.

Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Ƶ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival on Wednesday evening, July 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the historic Sony Pictures Studios lot, in Culver City, California.

The festival will feature the world premieres of short films from three Ƶ Los Angeles area alumna who were recipients of last fall’s Ƶ Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Grant Competition funds.

Julia Boyd ’15, Bex Evans ’16 and Mirai ‘07 each received grants of $3,000 for the production of their original short films. Their projects were selected for funding from among numerous submissions received. A selection committee comprised of industry professionals and Ƶ alumni reviewed, ranked and voted on all of the submissions received; Boyd, Evans and Mirai’s projects were the three top selections from this process.

The short film festival will also feature a conversation with Ƶ alumni Lindsey Emerson, vice president of streaming, global strategy & operations at Paramount Skydance and Alex Stevenson, account lead at Creative Artists Agency, about the current state of the entertainment industry and the impact these shifts are having on students transitioning from college to the professional world, as well as how current working professionals might navigate the new landscape for new opportunities.

A reception will follow the festival presentation with the opportunity for current Ƶ Los Angeles summer students to connect with Ƶ alumni and other industry professionals.

Limited availability tickets for the film festival are $25 each, with 100% of all ticket revenue designated to support next year’s grant competition.

For information and ticket purchases, and for contributions to the grant competition fund, please visit the .

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Ƶ Law students test advocacy skills in Intramural Moot Court Competition /u/news/2026/06/05/elon-law-students-test-advocacy-skills-in-intramural-moot-court-competition/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:35:51 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049572 Does an online-only business qualify as a place of public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act? And can a lender violate the ADA by offering a qualified borrower less favorable loan terms because of a disability?

These were the questions centered in the fictional case analyzed and argued by 116 first-year Ƶ Law students in the school’s 19th Annual Intramural Moot Court Competition, held May 27 and 28.

Two male students in suits and ties seated at a counsel's desk in a courtroom. They are conversing over legal documents.
Rylan Learman L’27, left, and Anthony Logrono L’27, prepare to present oral arguments in the Robert E. Long Courtroom.

A deaf small-business owner applied for a loan from an online lending company and was offered a 14.25% interest rate. After his twin brother — who shared nearly identical financial, educational and employment credentials but did not have a disability — received a 6.25% rate for the same loan, he suspected the lender had considered his disability when evaluating the application.

The business owner sued under the ADA, arguing that the online lender discriminated against him based on his disability. A federal court dismissed the case, finding that the lender’s website was not a place of public accommodation covered by the ADA and that the law regulates access to lending services, not the terms of the loans offered.

The business owner appealed the ruling to the fictional U.S. Court of Appeals for the 15th Circuit, which regularly hears cases represented by Ƶ Law students.

Members of the Class of 2027 comprised the largest group ever to compete in the spring event, with 58 teams appearing before volunteer judges that included local judges, attorneys, Ƶ Law alumni, and law school faculty and staff.

All first-year students were introduced to the case in their Legal Method & Communication courses as the basis for graded oral arguments this spring. Each student presented two oral arguments, one for appellant and one for appellee, and was scored on preparation, speaking ability, argument structure and responses to judges’ questions.

Top 10 Oral Advocates in the 2026 competition (with ties)

  • Gabrielle Brown Roycroft
  • Aarya Deshmukh
  • Zaria Hanchell
  • Adelaide Anne Zahren
  • Avery Vidt
  • Michael Iafrato
  • Grant Paramore
  • Rachel Wilson
  • Jacqueline Gardner (tie)
  • David Bryant (tie)
  • Megan Chen

“This competition was a reminder not to let fear of failure keep me from trying,” said Gabrielle Brown Roycroft L’27, from Salisbury, North Carolina, who is interested in family law, estate planning and civil litigation. She graduated from Catawba College with a degree in politics. “It’s worth it to push through the nerves and use them as fuel to perform your best. You can’t memorize your way through oral advocacy. You have to think on your feet and respond in the moment. When you’ve done the work in advance, you can trust your preparation and focus on having a conversation with the judges.”

Two female law students review file folders at a desk in a courtroom. They are gesturing and discussing the notes.
Geomae Peterson L’27, left, and Isabella Duque L’27 review their case notes before presenting oral arguments in Ƶ Law’s 19th annual Intramural Moot Court Competition

Selections for membership on the Moot Court Board will be announced this summer before the board hosts the 17th Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition on Oct. 22-24. Moot Court Board members will also compete in a slate of national moot court competitions during the 2026-27 school year.

Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan Woodlief, director of Ƶ Law’s Moot Court Program, praised the Moot Court Board for its professionalism and hospitality in running the spring competition.

The annual event sees the Ƶ Law community step up to provide an exceptional experience for first-year students. This year, Ƶ Law was honored to host more than 50 volunteer attorneys and judges, including over 20 Ƶ Law alumni, as well as a current justice and former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court participate as judges.

“Moot Court is a great experiential learning opportunity, and I was excited to see so many students take advantage of this experience to strengthen their advocacy skills,” Woodlief said. “Our Moot Court Board did an exceptional job coordinating the school’s largest-ever competition, and they could not have done it without the great support from our student body, faculty, and staff, as well as the many Ƶ Law alumni, attorneys, and judges who contributed to the success of the competition.”

Alumni judges reflect: ‘It helped me find my voice’

The annual Intramural Moot Court Competition — along with the graded Legal Method and Communication Program’s graded oral arguments held the week before — is also a homecoming of sorts.

Alumni return to campus each spring to hear arguments, offer feedback and help first-year students develop the advocacy skills they will use throughout their careers. They have clear memories of standing at the podium themselves and how meaningful it was to their development to receive feedback from legal professionals.

April Franklin L’25 said oral arguments helped her overcome her nerves and discover a passion for advocacy.

“It gave me confidence. It helped me find my voice that I didn’t know that I had,” said Franklin, who is pursuing practice in wills and estates, health care or corporate law. “Ƶ gave me the support that I needed to progress in this career path, and I want to be able to give that same support to the next generation of Ƶ Law students.”

Landon Eckard L’25, who will begin a federal judicial clerkship in Detroit this summer, said moot court taught him to think on his feet and respond to difficult questions from judges.

“It’s the most spontaneous kind of advocacy there is in the legal profession,” Eckard said. “You can have a rough script before you get there, but one minute into the argument, that script goes out the window. It made me a better litigator and a better attorney.”

Thomas Harvey L’22, a criminal defense attorney in nearby Rockingham County, North Carolina, pursued law as a second career. He returns because he remembers exactly what it felt like to stand at the podium as a student and believes the experience helps shape better advocates.

“It wasn’t that long ago that I was standing right where they are. Believe it or not, the judges are all rooting for you individually,” Harvey said. “It’s such a joy to come back and be a part of Ƶ Law.”

2026 Intramural Moot Court Competition student leadership

Overall Chairs of the Competition: Isabel Craige L’26, Elizabeth Gregory L’26, Sierra Watkins L’26

Judge Recruitment and Coordination Chairs: Emma Farrell L’26, James Galipeau L’26, Cayla James L’26, Bailey Langford L’26, Renata Navarro L’26

Bailiff Recruitment and Coordination Chairs: Madisyn Butler L’26, Erin Carleton L’26, Megan Eldredge L’26, Cameron O’Neil L’26, Tyler Sesker L’26

Scoring Committee Chairs: Brittany Balis-West L’26, Jackie Rullman L’26, Rebecca Vairin L’26

LMC Oral Argument Coordination Chairs: Daulton Hadaway L’26, Courtney Maxwell L’26

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Ƶ Dance Team send-off video earns national SVG award /u/news/2026/06/04/elon-dance-team-send-off-video-earns-national-svg-award/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:38:36 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049643 A video celebrating one of the most successful seasons in Ƶ Dance Team history has earned national recognition for its Ƶ student production team.

Peter Sillitto ’26 (left) and Colin Dorroh ’27 pose with award
Peter Sillitto ’26 (left) and Colin Dorroh ’27 celebrate after accepting a Sports Video Group College Sports Media Award during a May 27 ceremony in Atlanta.

The “Ƶ Dance Team Send-Off” video, directed and edited by Peter Sillitto ’26 and produced in collaboration with the Ƶ Dance Team, received a Sports Video Group (SVG) College Sports Media Award for Outstanding In-Venue Video – Collegiate Student Championship. The award was presented May 27 in Atlanta during the 18th annual SVG College Sports Media Awards ceremony.

The honor came just weeks after the Ƶ Dance Team captured two national titles at the 2026 National Dance Association College National Championships, winning the Division I pom and Division I hip hop competitions. The back-to-back victories marked a historic achievement for the program, including Ƶ’s first national championship in the pom category.

Produced for the team’s trip to nationals, the video took a more narrative approach than previous send-off productions.

“Producing a send-off video is something we do every year, with the final piece being shown in the Schar Center and shared across social media,” said Sillitto, a cinema and television arts major. “This year, we wanted to take a more story-driven approach by focusing on the team’s journey to nationals. Our goal was to showcase not only their performances, but also the hard work, dedication and experiences that led them there.”

In addition to Sillitto, the student production team included Kristen Pearson ’27 and Meghan McGarrigle ’28 as producers; and Zack Golub ’26 and Colin Dorroh ’27 as creative producers and camera operators.

across multiple locations, capturing both cinematic visuals and authentic moments from practices, workouts and team activities.

“One of the biggest challenges was making sure we told the team’s real story, which meant being present and ready to film during genuine moments,” Sillitto said. “Capturing those authentic interactions and experiences was an important part of the creative process and helped make the final video feel more personal and meaningful.”

For Sillitto, the award reflects months of collaboration and effort from both the dancers and the production crew.

“I’m proud of the project because every year our goal is to create the best video possible, and we have a lot of creative freedom to experiment with new ideas and push ourselves creatively,” he said. “The final video represents months of hard work from both the dance team and the production crew, so we’re excited and grateful that the project has been recognized.”

Sillitto graduated from Ƶ in May and recently accepted a position with Booz Allen Hamilton as a videographer and social media content creator.

Sillitto and Dorroh attended the 2026 SVG College Summit in Atlanta alongside Anthony Bamford ’25, coordinating producer for Ƶ Sports Vision; Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production for Ƶ Athletics; and students/recent graduates Philip Doherty ’26, Anthony Eppolito ’27 and Joey Marinello ’28.

This year marked another strong showing for Ƶ at the national competition – the university won its first-ever award in 2025. In addition to the winning Ƶ Dance Team send-off video, four other Ƶ productions were recognized as finalists in the Collegiate Student Championship division: “Football: Ƶ vs. North Carolina A&T,” “Strength Beyond the Game – Brodie Carroll,” “Win The Moment – Asher Cunningham” and “What It Takes – Ƶ Men’s Basketball Halftime Hype.”

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Kernodle Center for Civic Life announces spring 2026 service honor roll /u/news/2026/06/03/kernodle-center-for-civic-life-announces-spring-2026-service-honor-roll/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:12:09 +0000 /u/news/?p=1049512 The Kernodle Center for Civic Lifeis recognizing over 120 students for its service honor roll, in recognition of the time they spent in partnership with the local community through direct volunteering, indirect volunteering and advocacy work.

The following 120 students contributed 50 or more hours of service through co-curricular opportunities and community-based learning or community-engaged learning courses during the spring 2026 semester:

Lillian Argabrite
Sofia Barnes
Ava Battaglia
Grayce Bechtel
Kate Becksvoort
Metasibya Behailu
Savanna Bell
Rachel Bergman
Sydney Blau
Mary Boyle
Abby Bradbury
Nick Brillo
LeahBrooker
Harper Brooks
Keeley Brown
Kaila Burke
Ava Campione
Camille Christeon
Maddie Cook
Sky Covino
Isabelle Cross
Lilly Cyprow
Julia DeGenova
Emma Del Savio
Maggie Dion
Maddy Donner
Paige Douglass
Audrey Drouin-Prou
Emily Ecker
Olivia Evener
Wiley Falter
Jordan Felice
Aidan Fishkind
Cat Gerst
Madelyn Gibson
Anna Grace Gilbert
Cami Glebocki
Mia Glickman
Maddie Goldberg
Daniela Gonzalez
Andrew Gronski
Stella Habashi
Harry Haber
Delaney Hanf
Caitlyn Harris
Ava Heestand
Diego Hernandez
Aileen Humphreys
Ariel Jaklin
Ava Jenkins
Diana Jimenez-Carreno
Cameron Johnson
Lily Karten
Jacob Karty
Abby Kee
Jonathan Kim
Lauren Klappholtz
Veronica Kowalewski
Nick Lachapelle
John Lagarde
Emily Lambert
Will Larkin
DJ Lem
Mari Lilla
Elinoa Loewenthal
Lexi Lopilato
Princess Lorde
MollyLorden
Abigail Lynch
Ramsay Mansuetto
Edward Massey
Marissa May
Lucy McAfee
Paige Melchiorre
Emily Menjivar
Julianna Millett
Caden Minnich
Lindsey Moore
Quincey Moreland
Anna Morelli
Lucy Morris
MollyMoylan
Taryn Mularczyk
Gabriel Nagy
Audrey Nott
Sammy Olesen
Mallory Otten
Allyson Parent
Cassidy Parrish
Sadie Paulos
Elise Peele
AndreaPerez
Hannah Peterson
Natalie Plamondon
Paige Postufka
Erin Price
Jackson Quispe
Krissy Randolph
Eden Redmond
Ashleigh Ribe
Anna Rodrigues
Graham Rogers
Allie Rooney
Phoebe Safian
Jackie Salas Rodriguez
Olivia Sandercock
Ella Sarluca
Karrie Scales
Carley Sgueglia
Sara Simpson
Maria Skiedzel
Gracyn Speter
Alex Strassberg
Rahv Tupac-Yupanqui
Kara Watral
Emily Wilson
Amanda Winchock
Alina Wolcott
Jordan Wolfe
Hailey Youngman

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