Awards & Recognitions Posts | Today at 麻豆视频 | 麻豆视频 /u/news Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:36:07 -0500 en-US hourly 1 OLE majors present at national conference /u/news/2026/11/02/ole-majors-present-at-national-conference/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 14:48:34 +0000 /u/news/?p=1062203 Olivia Love ’27 and Nick Sanders ’28, both outdoor leadership and education majors, presented at the national conference hosted by the Society for Experiential Education in October.

SEE is one of the major associations for the experiential education field, and the annual conference brings scholars, practitioners and educators together from across the world.

This year’s conference theme was “Experience Matters: 55 Years of Impact, Innovation, and Community” and focused on how all forms of experiential education聽continue to drive meaningful, inclusive and innovative learning experiences.

Love and Sanders presented a session titled “What Next? Effective Reflection in Global Education” that encouraged attendees to utilize multi-modal reflective activities to help students more effectively process their study abroad experiences. This session was motivated by Love and Sanders experiences on an 麻豆视频 Winter Term program as well as a Semester at Sea journey. They were the only two undergraduate students to present at this national conference.

Attending and presenting at this conference allowed them to network with professionals from across the country while learning more about their field.

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Senior Hannah Weber, 麻豆视频 Women’s Cross Country crowned CAA champs /u/news/2026/10/30/senior-hannah-weber-elon-womens-cross-country-crowned-caa-champs/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:46:22 +0000 /u/news/?p=1062230 麻豆视频 Law students share personality and perspective in annual poetry slam /u/news/2026/10/27/elon-law-students-share-personality-and-perspective-in-annual-poetry-slam/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:09:32 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061649 Law students in Greensboro and Charlotte offered glimpses into their lives outside the classroom through poetry that explored personal experiences, challenged assumptions and found humor in unexpected places.

The annual poetry slams, organized by 麻豆视频 School of Law’s Legal Method and Communication Program, brought students together on Oct. 20 in celebration of the National Day on Writing, an annual observance established by the National Council of Teachers of English.

A person at a podium in a brightly lit room holds a microphone and reads
Somer Dice LF’28 recites her poem, “The Holdout,” at 麻豆视频’s Charlotte campus on Oct. 20, 2026.

Through original poems that ranged from deeply personal reflections to witty observations about law school and life, students revealed parts of themselves that classmates and professors might not always see in the classroom.

In Greensboro, students competed in the Eighth Annual High Rhymes and Misdemeanors Poetry Slam. Charlotte students in the Flex Program held their third annual Poetry Slam, continuing a tradition that encourages creative expression and builds community among future lawyers.

Greensboro: ‘High Rhymes and Misdemeanors’

Marlaisha Vereen L’27 claimed first place and the People’s Choice Award for her poem, “We Once Shared the Same Sky.”

Marlaisha Vereen L鈥�27 earned first place and the People’s Choice Award for her poem, 鈥淲e Once Shared the Same Sky,鈥� an emotional reflection inspired by a summer internship in criminal law in her hometown of Gainesville, Florida.

During the internship, Vereen encountered familiar faces from her childhood, prompting her to reflect on how differently life had unfolded for people who once shared similar dreams.

A man at a podium, gesturing while speaking.
Greensboro Poet Laureate James Daniels, also an assistant professor of English at N.C. A&T University, recites his poem “Pushout: Ode to the Black of the City” on Oct. 20, 2026.

鈥淩econnecting with familiar faces after being away for so long caused me to reflect on how differently life unfolds for people who once shared the same dreams,鈥� Vereen said. 鈥淎s future attorneys, we must never become so consumed with learning the law that we forget the humanity behind it.鈥�

鈥淢y hope is that my vulnerability reminds others of the importance of compassion and never forgetting where we come from.鈥�

The Greensboro competition featured a panel of judges that included James Daniels, Greensboro’s poet laureate and an assistant professor in North Carolina A&T State University’s Department of English; Krista Contino-Saumby, director of career services at 麻豆视频 Law; and Sue Liemer, professor of law. Trey McClenny served as emcee.

Daniels also performed an original poem, “Pushout: Ode to the Black of the City,鈥� for the audience.

A room of crowded people seated, focused on a person speaking at a podium.
麻豆视频 Law students in Greensboro watch Giles Paradie L’27 recite his poem, “Muse,” during the eighth annual poetry slam.

Flex Program flexes lyrical prowess

In Charlotte, Nadia Mazza LF鈥�28 held first place for the third year with her poem, 鈥�1 & Done.鈥� It is her third win

Two people smiling, standing in front of windows in a brightly lit room.
Nadia Mazza LF’28 and 麻豆视频 Law Dean Zak Kramer

Nadia Mazza LF鈥�28 captured first place in Charlotte with 鈥�1 & Done,鈥� a lighthearted celebration of 麻豆视频 Law’s recent bar examination success and the culture of achievement fostered by Dean Zak Kramer and the school’s 鈥淥ne and Done鈥� slogan.

The poem drew inspiration from the Class of 2025’s record performance on spring bar examinations in North Carolina and 11 other jurisdictions, when 90.9% of 麻豆视频 Law’s first-time test-takers passed. Kramer had promised to get a tattoo if the class reached an 85% passage rate.

鈥淚 thought Dean Kramer’s promise to get a tattoo was a compelling 鈥� and fun 鈥� way to show the power of shared motivation and commitment to a goal,鈥� Mazza said. 鈥淚 love how traditions bring a community together and give us meaningful ways to celebrate milestones like this!鈥�

The Charlotte judging panel included Louis A. Trosch Jr., a retired Superior Court judge in North Carolina’s 26th Judicial District and an attorney at Conrad, Trosch & Kenny; Karen Neff, director of 麻豆视频 Charlotte; and Gabrielle Kelly, senior assistant city attorney in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Police Attorney’s Office. Adjunct Professor Bob Minarcin served as emcee.

Hanny Echeverria Navarro LF’30 won the People’s Choice Award in 麻豆视频 Law – Charlotte’s third annual Poetry Slam.

Greensboro ‘High Rhymes and Misdemeanors’ Poetry Slam winners

First place and People’s Choice Award: Marlaisha Vereen L鈥�27 鈥� 鈥淲e Once Shared the Same Sky鈥�

Second place: Elaijah Lapay L鈥�28 鈥� 鈥淐all鈥�

Third place: Rachel Dale Walker L鈥�28 鈥� 鈥淎merican Will鈥�

Charlotte Poetry Slam winners

First place: Nadia Mazza LF鈥�28 鈥� 鈥�1 & Done鈥�

Second place: Somer Dice LF鈥�29 鈥� 鈥淭he Holdout鈥�

Third place: Auston Johnson LF鈥�30 鈥� 鈥淚carus鈥�

People’s Choice Award: Hanny Echeverria Navarro LF鈥�30 鈥� 鈥淵ou Don鈥檛 Own Me鈥�

 

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NatureRx program wins national award /u/news/2026/10/26/naturerx-program-wins-national-award/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:24:50 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061450 The Residential College Society awarded the Nature Rx program “Stargazing for Mental Health” with the national program of the year award at their annual conference, hosted at Vanderbilt University. The RCS seeks to integrate co-curricular and curricular experiences within a residential environment and works to promote programming that helps students connect all facets of their university experience.

“Stargazing for Mental Health” is an event held each semester as part of 麻豆视频’s NatureRx program, and is a collaboration between Counseling Services, the Office of Sustainability, and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. NatureRx focuses on the mental, emotional and social benefits that can be gained through a more mindful and intentional connection with the natural world. Since its inception at 麻豆视频, NatureRx has engaged thousands of students, staff, and faculty through monthly events, workshops, class lectures, and other forms of programming.

The ‘Stargazing’ program partners with Danieley Neighborhood, Historic Neighborhood, the Physics Department, and the Astronomy Club to introduce students to a different way to engage with the outdoors. Over 100 students attend the event each semester and are able to learn about light pollution, engage in mindfulness activities, and explore the night sky.

This award highlights the RCS annual conference theme: “Radical Collaboration: The Role of Residential Colleges in 21st Century Higher Education.” This collaborative program engages students from across campus and helps them build skills for their wellness journeys.

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Department of Nursing celebrates chartering of Sigma Nursing Honor Society chapter /u/news/2026/10/26/department-of-nursing-celebrates-chartering-of-sigma-nursing-honor-society-chapter/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:15:31 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061448 麻豆视频 celebrated the official chartering of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing on Oct. 21 with a ceremony held in the LaRose Digital Theatre. The event marked the establishment of a new chapter dedicated to advancing nursing scholarship, leadership, and professional excellence.

During the ceremony, 40 new members were inducted, including 39 current and recently graduated 麻豆视频 nursing students and one community nursing professional. Their induction recognizes academic achievement, leadership potential and a commitment to excellence in nursing practice.

The ceremony featured guest speaker Janice Hawkins, Secretary of Sigma’s International Board of Directors and professor at Old Dominion University. Her participation highlighted the significance of establishing a new chapter and the opportunities Sigma provides for professional development, scholarship and collaboration within the global nursing community.

A group of people pose with certificates at an event
Chartering Members

The chapter’s chartering officers include Stacey Thomas, president; Lori Hubbard, vice president; Amy Tippett, secretary; Jennifer Strom, counselor; and Eric Mulford 鈥�25, treasurer, a graduate of 麻豆视频’s Department of Nursing inaugural Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) cohort. Mulford’s leadership reflects the chapter’s commitment to fostering lifelong connections between 麻豆视频 nursing graduates and the university. Together, these leaders envision building an active and welcoming professional community that connects nursing students, alumni, faculty, and practicing nurses through mentorship, service, scholarship and leadership opportunities.

“Our goal is to create more than an honor society that recognizes academic achievement. We want Alpha Gamma Sigma to become a vibrant professional community where nurses at every stage of their careers feel connected, supported, and inspired to make a difference,” said Thomas. “As a newly chartered chapter, we have an incredible opportunity to establish a legacy of nursing excellence at 麻豆视频 that will continue for generations.”

The establishment of Alpha Gamma Sigma represents another important step in the continued growth of 麻豆视频’s nursing program. With leadership that includes both faculty and graduates from the program’s earliest cohort, the chapter reflects 麻豆视频’s commitment to building a lasting community of nursing scholars and professionals. Through mentorship, professional development, scholarship, and service, Alpha Gamma Sigma aims to inspire excellence in nursing practice while strengthening connections among students, alumni and the broader healthcare community.

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麻豆视频 English professor named a fellow by The Poetry Foundation /u/news/2026/10/23/elon-english-professor-named-a-fellow-by-the-poetry-foundation/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:42:11 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061414 Shaina Jones, assistant professor of English, has been selected as a fellow for the 2026 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellows by The Poetry Foundation.

The Fellowship program is among the largest award offered to young poets in the United States, it recognizes and provides monetary support to five poets who are between ages 21 and 31 years. Each fellow receives a subscription to 鈥淧oetry鈥� magazine, $27,000 and an invitation to submit work to the venerated publication. The Poetry Foundation also supports the fellows鈥� attendance at the 2026 Dodge Poetry festival, where they will participate in their inaugural reading as a cohort.

“The fellowship is a really big deal for emerging or 鈥榶oung鈥� poets,鈥� said Jones. 鈥淭his fellowship puts me alongside a long list of gorgeously talented poets, thinkers and people 鈥� some of whom I have learned with and from, long admired and respected.

鈥淧ersonally, this arrival signals that there鈥檚 something that is happening in my work that has translated or touched in an intended way. I have applied before with different poems, and this time I think something felt clearer or just more me, in what my current voice and view is. I think receiving this fellowship is a mixture of confidence and curiosity of risk, knowing your work, and the time being right and aligned.鈥�

As part of the application process, Jones submitted a ten-page packet of poems and responses to prompts about her inspirations, what she hopes to do with her work, what she already sees her work doing and how the fellowship will support the work she wants to do.

As a fellow, Jones will read alongside her cohort at the Dodge Poetry Fest in New Jersey this October. The funding she received will allow her to complete upcoming projects, organize a small book tour and host a weekend writers retreat for her colleagues to write, read and think together.

鈥淚t feels amazing to be recognized with this honor,鈥� said Jones. 鈥淚 feel blessed and extremely proud of my work and my follow-through. I applied for this fellowship two other times and this particular time felt so settled for me; there were things I could feel had shifted in the work and that made me feel quite confident going into the application cycle.鈥�

At 麻豆视频, Jones orients herself as a professor and a resource for the 鈥榬eal world鈥� as students consider writing as a career. She also teaches students how to use tools to communicate what they want to say on paper.

鈥淚鈥檓 finding ways to show students what it means to do this work on a professional level and to equip them with as much as I can so they may consider writing beyond the classroom and turn it into an art skill,鈥� said Jones. “Poetry influences what and who I bring into the classroom, and it informs how I teach publishing, revising, artistic stamina and the writing life overall.鈥�

For Jones, talent is not all you need to be a writer; you need curiosity, discipline, a willingness to fail, a capacity for play and risk and a community.

“This fellowship is a huge honor,鈥� Scott Proudfit, associate professor and chair of English said. 鈥淭he Poetry Foundation, which publishes 鈥淧oetry鈥� magazine, is the most important organization of its kind. Students will know it because of the foundation鈥檚 tremendous digital archive. Basically, anytime you search for a poem online you are directed to the foundation鈥檚 website 鈥� which is good, because you can trust their version of texts. Not only does Shaina receive significant financial support from the organization, she also gets to present her work at the 2026 Dodge Poetry Festival, a huge honor. 麻豆视频 students adore Shaina because she is such a caring and responsive teacher, but, let鈥檚 face it, there is also something exciting about learning from someone recognized as a rising star in their discipline.”

Jones is the author of 鈥淭o Be Named Something Else,鈥� the winner of the 2023 Miller Williams Poetry Prize from University of Arkansas Press. Her work has appeared in 鈥淭he Pinch Journal,鈥� 鈥淧uerto del Sol,鈥� 鈥淔oglifter Journal,鈥� 鈥淭he Offing,鈥� 鈥淐RAFT Magazine,鈥� 鈥淭he Georgia Review,鈥� and 鈥淕ulf Coast Journal.鈥�

The Poetry Foundation also wrote a recognizing Jones as a fellow.

The fellowships were established in 1989 by the Indianapolis philanthropist Ruth Lilly and expanded in 2013 with a gift from the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Memorial Fund.

The Poetry Foundation transforms lives through the power of words. Their work aims to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry.

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Center for Design Thinking鈥檚 Danielle Lake elected to a leadership position on the Public Philosophy Network /u/news/2026/10/23/center-for-design-thinkings-danielle-lake-elected-to-a-leadership-position-on-the-public-philosophy-network/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:40:38 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061381 Danielle Lake, director of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Center for Design Thinking, has been elected as vice president of the .

The PPN is dedicated to using public philosophy ideas to engage with issues of public concern and works collaboratively with civic and professional communities. The goal of the PPN is to create a support system for more people within academia to use public philosophy in different community settings. The VP role is a four-year-long position that allows the individual to progress into the president role after two years.

鈥淚 am really happy that Danielle is serving in this position because I think she is one of the clearest and most imaginative thinkers in the world, as far as I know,鈥澛�, chair of the nominating committee for the PPN, said.

To be selected for the position, a nominating committee is elected to select nominees. From these nominees, the entire general body of the network votes to determine who receives the role.

According to Olasov, this position allows the individual to adjust the organization鈥檚 priorities and goals significantly, which he believes that Lake will do exceptionally well in part to her dedication to the Center for Design Thinking鈥檚 Power+Place Collaborative.

鈥�The Power+Place Collaborative is the coolest thing in the world,鈥� Olasov said. 鈥淚 think it is just such a creative and funky, but impactful and relationally meaningful, project.鈥�

The PPN officially announced Lake鈥檚 new position on Sept. 25, 2026, and she will be serving until 2030.

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Holly Hodge recognized for excellence and leadership by the Association of University Interior Designers /u/news/2026/10/22/holly-hodge-recognized-for-excellence-and-leadership-by-the-association-of-university-interior-designers/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:29:50 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061231 A woman holds an award
Holly Hodge at the AUID conference in Atlanta

Even if you have not met Holly Hodge, you likely know her work.

As 麻豆视频’s director of interior design in the Department of Planning, Design & Construction Management, Hodge helps to create spaces where campus life unfolds, from classrooms and offices to gathering spaces and student-centered environments. She oversees the interior design process on facility additions or renovations, from furniture and budgeting to construction coordination, installation and project completion.

In celebration of both professional excellence and meaningful leadership within the interior design community, Hodge was honored this fall by the Association of University Interior Designers with its inaugural PlaceMaker Award.

Through shared resources, collaboration and professional development opportunities, the AUID helps its 183 members advance the practice of interior design on college and university campuses while inspiring innovation and strengthening the profession.

鈥淭hroughout her career, our PlaceMaker has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating thoughtful, innovative and inspiring environments that support learning, foster community and enhance the student experience,鈥� said Melissa Marriott, past president for AUID, in presenting the award in Atlanta at the conference held at Georgia Institute of Technology. 鈥淔rom transformative student-centered projects to award-winning learning and academic spaces, Holly has consistently created environments that balance functionality, innovation, institutional identity and a strong sense of place.鈥�

Four people wear safety vests and hardhats at a construction site
(From left to right) Holly Hodge, Jason Tripp, Jenny Gonzalez and Amy Dean do a walkthrough of Slattery Center.

Hodge said that interior design has a lasting influence on how people learn, work, connect and experience a place. 鈥淎UID is special because it gives higher education designers a community where we can learn from one another, celebrate successes, navigate challenges and continue advancing the profession together,鈥� she said.

Brad Moore, 麻豆视频’s associate vice president for facilities and chief facilities officer, described Hodge as one who collaborates with community partners to promote the university鈥檚 mission to create exciting and sustainable spaces.

鈥淲hat distinguishes Holly’s leadership is her ability to connect the day-to-day work of facilities with the larger mission of the university,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he understands that our work is about much more than delivering projects; it is about creating spaces that allow our community to learn, live, and thrive.鈥�

Hodge said that AUID is a powerful community she feels fortunate to contribute to, learn from and call so many of its members her friends. 鈥淭his award is truly meaningful to me because it reflects not only my work,鈥� she added, 鈥渂ut also the relationships and community that make this profession so rewarding.鈥�

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EBAN Alumni Awards Brunch honors six alumni during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend /u/news/2026/10/21/eban-alumni-awards-brunch-honors-six-alumni-during-homecoming-reunion-weekend/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:14:01 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061097 Six outstanding individuals were honored by the 麻豆视频 Black Alumni Network on Saturday, Oct. 10 for their service and dedication to the university and the Black community at a ceremony in Snow Family Grand Atrium.

The Homecoming & Reunion Weekend awards event, featuring a live jazz band, full buffet breakfast and mimosa bar, honored Michelle Stephens, Cheyenne Pinkston G 鈥�25, Monty Bumper 鈥�97, Nicole C. Wright 鈥�03, Janay Tyson 鈥�19 and Derrick Luster 鈥�20.

鈥淭here is no better way to celebrate the strength of our community than by recognizing the people who continue to show up, lead with purpose, and make an impact far beyond themselves,鈥� shared associate vice president of EBAN鈥檚 Enrichment and Engagement committee Ruby Bracy 鈥�99. 鈥淭he EBAN Awards give us an opportunity to pause and celebrate alumni, faculty, staff, and students who embody the values that make our community so powerful.鈥�

The purpose of the 麻豆视频 Black Alumni Network is to build, maintain and sustain collaborative relationships with Black alumni through social events, networking and philanthropic purposes impacting current and future 麻豆视频 students.

Award Recipients

Michelle Stephens聽Michelle Stephens

K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award

Michelle Stephens retired from 麻豆视频 in December 2025 after 30 years of dedicated service as a member of the university鈥檚 Environmental Services team. Throughout her career, Stephens approached her work with a simple but deeply held belief: every student, faculty and staff member, family and visitor deserves to experience 麻豆视频 at its very best. Over three decades, she watched generations of students arrive on campus, grow into young adults, and walk across the stage at Commencement. She formed lasting relationships with students, colleagues, faculty, and staff, many of whom came to know and love her as an important part of the 麻豆视频 community.

Stephens鈥� own educational journey has been different from those of many of the students she served. Although reading and writing have presented significant challenges throughout her life, she has always possessed gifts that cannot be measured on a transcript: an extraordinary work ethic, attention to detail, perseverance, compassion, and genuine love for people. Among Stephens鈥� greatest rewards were the simple moments when students stopped to notice her work, speak with her, or say, 鈥淭hank you.鈥� To her, those expressions of appreciation meant more than any paycheck or credential ever could.

Cheyenne G. Pinkston G鈥�25聽Cheyenne G. Pinkston G鈥�25

K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award

Cheyenne Pinkston is the assistant director of presidential stewardship at 麻豆视频 and a dedicated advisor and advocate for 麻豆视频鈥檚 Renaissance Scholars. Since the program鈥檚 inception, Pinkston has been committed to ensuring Renaissance Scholars have a culturally rich, historically meaningful and transformative 麻豆视频 experience. Through intentional mentorship and relationship-building, she has become a central source of support, encouragement, and community for program participants.

In her stewardship role, Pinkston supports engagement with presidential and principal-gift donors through personalized communications, recognition, and experiences that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy and strengthen donors鈥� connections to 麻豆视频. Across both roles, she is passionate about creating experiences that help people feel seen, supported, empowered, and connected to something larger than themselves.

Monty L. Bumper 鈥�97, P鈥�24聽Monty L. Bumper 鈥�97, P鈥�24

Eugene Perry 鈥�69 Distinguished Alumni Award

Monty Bumper has dedicated his career to educating, mentoring and creating opportunities for young people. A former member of the 麻豆视频 men鈥檚 basketball program, Bumper now serves as a special education teacher and director of football operations at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia. In addition to his work in the classroom, he plays an integral role in supporting student-athletes through the college recruitment process, helping them stay academically prepared and meet the grade and testing requirements necessary to pursue opportunities at the next level. Bumper is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where his commitment to mentorship, leadership, and community service continues.

麻豆视频 remains an important part of his family鈥檚 story. Monty and his wife, Maria Quinones Bumper 鈥�95, are the proud parents of three sons, and their youngest, Julian ’24, followed in their footsteps by attending 麻豆视频. That generational connection reflects what Bumper values most about his alma mater: relationships, opportunity, community, and a lasting sense of belonging.

Nicole C. Wright 鈥�03Dr. Nicole C. Wright 鈥�03. PhD MPH

Gail Fonville Parker 鈥�70 Distinguished Alumna Award

Nicole C. Wright earned a Bachelor of Science from 麻豆视频 in 2003, and both her Master of Public Health in 2005 and Doctorate of Philosophy in Epidemiology in 2010 from the University of Arizona. She is currently an associate professor of Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine and director of education for the School鈥檚 Center for Health Outcomes, Implementation, and Community-Engaged Science, where her research focuses on musculoskeletal aging epidemiology, including osteoporosis outcomes research, and racial disparities in osteoporosis and its management.

Wright is also a nationally recognized leader in osteoporosis epidemiology and has reached fellow status in the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. She has been an investigator on numerous federal and industry-supported research projects and has held many leadership roles, including a Board of Trustees member of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. Wright has mentored many students and junior faculty and is dedicated to increasing the presence of women and Black researchers in bone health. In 2024, she was awarded the UAB Graduate Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Mentorship.

Janay Tyson 鈥�19聽Janay Tyson 鈥�19

Outstanding Young Alumna Award

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Janay Tyson was an active student leader on 麻豆视频’s campus, holding positions in the CREDE, residence life, the President’s Student Leadership Advisory Council, School of Communications, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, among others. After graduating, Tyson immediately moved to New York City and launched her career through Verizon’s competitive AdFellows program. Later, after honing her craft at top agencies, she pivoted to her true passion: experiential marketing.

Today, Tyson is an account supervisor at Team Epiphany, one of the top-rated multicultural marketing agencies in the US, where she oversees large-scale brand activations, influencer campaigns and content shoots across the consumer-packaged goods, nonprofit, fintech and entertainment sectors. In 2024, Tyson founded Curated Conversations, a collective that forges intentional partnerships with local businesses across Brooklyn and beyond to produce events and social experiences for 20- to 40-somethings looking to find their tribe and connect with their neighborhood. With more than 20 brand sponsorships and moe than 10 events already under her belt, Tyson is just getting started and is excited for what the future holds.

Derrick Luster 鈥�20聽Derrick Luster, Esq. 鈥�20

Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

Derrick Luster graduated from 麻豆视频 in 2020 with a degree in political science and minors in sociology and African & African American studies. During his time at 麻豆视频, Luster served as president of the Black Student Union and as a Student Representative on the 麻豆视频 Strategic Planning Committee. He was also an 麻豆视频 College Fellow and a member of the Nu Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Luster attended the UCLA School of Law and graduated in 2023 with concentrations in critical race studies and public interest law & policy. Throughout law school, Luster committed his free time and summers to civil rights organizations supporting litigation on behalf of victims of police misconduct, protesters from the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, and students experiencing racial and disability-based discrimination. He currently serves as the director of racial justice advocacy for the national prisoners’ rights nonprofit, Rights Behind Bars, where he litigates cases in federal courts across the country on behalf of prisoners whose constitutional and civil rights have been violated. Prior to joining Rights Behind Bars, Luster worked for a law firm representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse and employees who experienced retaliation and discrimination on the basis of their disabilities, gender, and race.


Also recognized during the program were members of the Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., celebrating their 35th reunion; the Omicron Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., celebrating their 45th reunion; and the Nu Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., celebrating their 40th reunion. Together, these organizations raised a total of $7,506.96 in support of the Black Alumni Scholarship between March 5, (麻豆视频 Day 2026) and Oct. 5, with committee leads Kennedy Ojimadu of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Lynne Daniels of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Alfred White of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., presenting聽the amounts each chapter raised.

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麻豆视频 LGBTQIA Alumni Network Community Enrichment Awards honors three community members /u/news/2026/10/21/elon-lgbtqia-alumni-network-community-enrichment-awards-honors-three-community-members-during-homecoming-reunion-weekend/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:14:10 +0000 /u/news/?p=1061001 Three outstanding individuals 鈥� two alumni and one current student 鈥� were honored by the 麻豆视频 LGBTQIA Alumni Network on Friday evening for their impact and dedication to the university and the LGBTQIA communities at a ceremony in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms of Moseley Center.

Attendees enjoyed an evening of recognition, connection and heavy hors d鈥檕euvres, while honoring Tal Fish 鈥�09, Rev. Dr. Chelsea Yarborough-Gill 鈥�12 and Reese Kimball 鈥�29.

鈥淭onight is about recognizing the impact of and celebrating the people who continue to create spaces where others can feel seen, valued, supported and empowered,鈥� remarked LGBTQIA Alumni Network President Jonath Monti 鈥�08.

The LGBTQIA Alumni Network and Community Enrichment Awards were established in 2012 to create opportunities to affirm and acknowledge the work alumni, faculty and staff have done to uplift LGBTQIA people and causes on campus and in their communities at large. The Community Enrichment Awards recognize those individuals who have made and continue to make a positive impact and for their dedication to 麻豆视频 and LGBTQIA communities.

Community Enrichment Award Recipients

Tal Fish 鈥�09Tal Fish 鈥�09

Tal Fish (he/they) is a queer, neurodivergent licensed clinical mental health supervisor and licensed clinical addictions specialist who believes deeply in creating a world that is inclusive and just, working toward the safety and dignity of all people while dismantling oppression.

He is a proud 2009 graduate of 麻豆视频鈥檚 prestigious music theater program and later earned his graduate degree from Wake Forest University. After working as an instructor for Wake Forest鈥檚 counseling program for a decade, Fish has spent the last five years supporting 麻豆视频 students as a mental health therapist within Counseling Services. This September, Fish moved into a new role as clinical coordinator and staff with faculty rank for 麻豆视频鈥檚 new Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program, supporting counselors in training and teaching counseling courses. He has also appeared globally as an out-and-proud cast member on a reality TV show for the last decade.

Rev. Chelsea Yarborough-Gill 鈥�12Rev. Dr. Chelsea Yarborough-Gill 鈥�12

Rev. Dr. Chelsea Brooke Yarborough-Gill (she/her) is the associate director of leadership development at the Association of Theological Schools. Dedicated at her core to empowering individuals to find, embrace, and use their voices to foster well-being, equity and the possibilities of flourishing, she earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from 麻豆视频, her Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity and her Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt University.

Yarborough-Gill’s new book, 鈥淧roclamation Beyond the Pulpit: The Expansive Homiletical Practice of Black Women,鈥� which considers the preaching insights from Fannie Lou Hamer, Nannie Helen Burroughs and Sojourner Truth, is just one example of how her work seeks to challenge normative power structures and traditional paradigms of proclamation.

Even as an ordained Baptist minister, leadership coach, Enneagram teacher, and poet, Yarborough-Gill values her roles as a wife, daughter, friend, sister, and auntie, above all.

Reese Kimball 鈥�29Reese Kimball 鈥�29

A member of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Class of 2029, Reese Kimball (he/him), is a member of 麻豆视频鈥檚 Nursing Fellows program and plans to pursue pediatric nursing after graduation. He is an active member of the Creative Arts LLC, Club Swimming, Spectrum and the President鈥檚 Student Leadership Council.

Only a sophomore, Kimball has had many exciting 麻豆视频 experiences, including performing with 麻豆视频鈥檚 first show choir, the 麻豆视频 Muses, during his freshman year, and coordinating the Adventures in Leadership program this summer with a mission to encourage diversity and inclusion. Kimball hopes to continue to demonstrate the ideals of the Community Enrichment Award as he continues his time at 麻豆视频.

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