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October brought the sights and sounds of fall to 麻豆视频, with a month full of celebrations, traditions and opportunities for connection. From welcoming alumni back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, launching the new School of Engineering, to the changing colors of autumn, the 麻豆视频 community embraced all that the season had to offer.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from October through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

‘Everybody’

麻豆视频 Performing Arts presented “Everybody,”聽聽a modern adaptation of the 15th-century morality play Everyman, one of the first recorded plays in the English language.

A transformational education

An opening celebration for the Roberts Academy, the university鈥檚 new elementary school for children with dyslexia, featured a special student performance on Oct. 2, and a ribbon-cutting with Marjorie and Hal Roberts, whose generosity helped establish the school in 2025.

The Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining Vanderbilt University, Mercer University, and Florida Southern College in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

Tiny shelf concert

麻豆视频’s Musical Theatre department hosted a “Tiny Shelf Concert on Oct. 2 in Belk Library.

The ‘biggest’ Rock the Block yet

The Office of Alumni聽Engagement聽and聽the聽Student Union Board collaborated once again to聽host聽the Homecoming concert with DJ Diesel (Shaquille O鈥橬eal) bringing approximately 5,000 attendees to the annual Rock the Block concert on Oct. 9.

Learning everywhere

Assistant Professor of Management Jose Cerecedo Lopez teaches a class outside near the Koury Business Center.

Engineering excellence

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina鈥檚 secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of 麻豆视频鈥檚 new School of Engineering and Computing.

Pumpkin playfulness

The 麻豆视频 Community Garden Club and the Garden Studio course hosted the 18th annual聽Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 30, uniting students, organizations, faculty, staff and聽community members with fall festivities, including聽live music, fun crafting activities and food at the 麻豆视频 Community Garden.

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

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

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

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�03

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

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

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.

Classical studies faculty members Kristina Meinking, Tedd Wimperis, and Brandon Baker hosted the festivities, which featured student-designed commemorative t-shirts, gift bags for attending alumni and a cake celebrating 10 years of the Classical Studies major. Current majors and minors, including members of the Eta Sigma Phi honor society, contributed to planning the event and welcoming the alumni back to campus.

Classical Studies was inaugurated聽as an interdisciplinary minor by Rosemary Haskell and the late Russ Gill in 2000, housed within the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Megan Sweeney 鈥�16 was awarded the university’s first Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies through the independent major program; she was soon followed by several other students who sought to foreground the study of antiquity in their 麻豆视频 education. A dedicated major and revised minor were successfully proposed and approved in 2020-21, and first appeared in the 2021-22 academic catalogue.

The visiting alumni have gone on to a wide range of career paths after 麻豆视频, including accounting, operations, software engineering, medicine, marine research, university advancement and graduate study in chemistry, communications, library science and public history. For all the diverse post-graduation journeys these alumni have taken, they will always have a home under the oaks.

“The Classical Studies program helped me decide what I want to do with the rest of my life, and will always be a part of me,” said Ash Crouse 鈥�26

Despite rainy weather, Phoenix pride shone through as 麻豆视频 welcomed alumni back to campus for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 9-10.

The weekend kicked off with the biggest Homecoming concert artist in university history 鈥� at least in height. DJ Diesel, also known as NBA legend Shaquille O鈥橬eal, performed a high-energy DJ set for Rock the Block on Young Commons with a crowd of 5,000 alumni, students and community members. The performance included several memorable moments, including fans joining DJ Diesel onstage, among them 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book.

鈥淚t was the exact same as when we were here,鈥� said Suzanne Wirt 鈥�06, reflecting on the DJ Diesel performance on Young Commons. 鈥淗e was yelling 鈥楬ands up!鈥� at us, and we put our hands up. It was great.鈥�

‘It’s like we never left’

Saturday brought steady rain, but the wet weather did little to dampen the excitement as alumni gathered for food, fellowship and opportunities to reconnect with classmates and friends.

Susanne Wirt 鈥�06 returned to campus to celebrate her 20-year reunion with friends she met during her time at 麻豆视频. Two decades later, those friendships remain an important part of her life.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been friends forever, and it feels like I would not have met them had I not come to 麻豆视频,鈥� said Wirt. 鈥淚t felt like home when I first walked onto campus, and I was like, 鈥極K, this is it. Once I saw 麻豆视频, I did not consider other schools.鈥�

For Ann Evory 鈥�86, Homecoming offered an opportunity to reconnect with classmates she had not seen in 40 years.

鈥淎ll of our kids are grown now, and we鈥檝e started to have grandkids, and it鈥檚 a different season of life where we can all be together. It鈥檚 like we never left each other,鈥� Evory said.

This year marked the first time sisters Darcy Steele 鈥�91 and Melissa Snyder 鈥�92 returned to 麻豆视频 together for Homecoming. Both had visited campus in the years since graduation and continued to be impressed by the university鈥檚 growth and transformation.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see, as an alum, that when you鈥檙e investing, they actually invest back into the school,鈥� said Snyder, who earned a degree in psychology.

While the campus has changed significantly over the decades, the personal connections and mentorship that define the 麻豆视频 experience remain familiar to returning alumni.

鈥淚 babysat for one of my professors and our professors knew us by name, and it was very cool, because at the time 麻豆视频 was smaller than the high school I graduated from, so that was a different experience,鈥� said Steele, who earned a degree in education.

Phoenix on the field

On the field, in Saturday鈥檚 Homecoming football game, falling 16-0. Despite outgaining Wofford, 麻豆视频 was unable to score in the rainy conditions. The Terriers forced five turnovers and stopped the Phoenix twice on fourth down to keep 麻豆视频 off the scoreboard.

Homecoming Royalty was also selected during Saturday’s game. The voting process, hosted by the Student Government Association, is聽designed to honor members of the senior class who have made a significant contribution to the life of the University. Applications are reviewed by a faculty/staff panel nominated by students

The nominees selected鈥攂ased on their leadership, commitment to service, involvement, and school spirit鈥攕erve on the Homecoming Court. Based on a vote of the student body, two members of the court are honored as Homecoming royalty during the Homecoming football game. Selena Bautista 鈥�27 and Trinity Wilson 鈥�27 were crowned Homecoming royalty.

The weekend also brought former Phoenix athletes back to campus, including Robert 鈥淏ubba鈥� Burnett 鈥�95, who reunited with fellow members of the 麻豆视频 football program. Burnett, who earned a degree in psychology, was inducted into the 麻豆视频 Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.

鈥淚t鈥檚 cool seeing everybody from the past,鈥� said Burnett. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 go back, but it seems like we are.鈥�

‘It feels like home’

Other signature events for the weekend included the Golden Alumni Luncheon & Class of 1976 Induction Ceremony, a special Welcome Home College Coffee, along with several Greek reunions and Affinity Network Events.

For Eric Hernandez 鈥�16 and Audrey Bakhach 鈥�16, the weekend marked their 10-year reunion and an opportunity to reflect on how their 麻豆视频 experiences shaped their lives and careers.

Bakhach, who earned a degree in communications and now owns a marketing agency in Charleston, South Carolina, recalled how her connection to 麻豆视频 ultimately brought her back to the university after spending her first year of college elsewhere.

鈥淢y heart was so set on 麻豆视频. For some reason, it just feels right to me,鈥� she said of her college experience. 鈥淪o, I transferred back in my sophomore year. I loved every minute of it. I wouldn鈥檛 change a thing. I鈥檓 glad I transferred, and it was always where I had my eyes and heart set, just from the campus and the people.鈥�

Hernandez also credits 麻豆视频 with helping launch his career in the entertainment industry. In 2016, he was named one of three finalists in the Coca-Cola Regal Films Competition, receiving $15,000 to turn a script into a 30-second commercial. That opportunity helped open doors to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment.

鈥淔rom there, I鈥檝e worked with companies like PBS, Paramount and Netflix, and I owe that all to my experience here,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good being back. It feels like home.鈥�

• Vote on the E鈥檚! 鈥� Come out to vote on your favorite E. Voting will take place at different locations throughout the week鈥攄on鈥檛 miss your chance to be part of the excitement.
• SGA Royalty Court Voting 鈥� Don鈥檛 forget to vote for the 2026 SGA Homecoming Royalty Court. Cast your ballot on PhoenixCONNECT any time this week before voting closes Friday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m.

Check out the full lineup of events happening this week and make the most of Homecoming 2026!

Homecoming Week College Coffee and E Voting

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 9:40 a.m. – 10:20 a.m., Medallion Plaza

Join us for a special Homecoming edition of College Coffee as we celebrate with treats and prizes! The Homecoming E鈥檚 will be on display for voting. Note that voting for your favorite E design takes place throughout the week in various locations.

Celebrate with SUB at the Student Homecoming Celebration

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Phi Beta Kappa Commons (Rain location: Alumni Gym)

Join the Student Union Board for food and activities at the Wednesday Homecoming Week Celebration. Visit for more details.

NPHC Homecoming Step Show

Thursday, Oct. 8,聽 8 p.m., Alumni Gym

Join the member organizations of the 麻豆视频 National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) as they take the stage in a series of intricate dance steps, vibrant music selections and elaborate show themes. Hosted by Dannay Sellers, Class of 2014, the doors open at 7 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m.

Rock the Block & Homecoming Concert featuring DJ Diesel (Shaquille O鈥橬eal)

Friday, Oct. 9, 6-9 p.m., Young Commons

Don鈥檛 miss this annual celebration and community block party kicking off Homecoming weekend. Enjoy food trucks, yard games, inflatables and a fireworks show. We are excited to have DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O鈥橬eal) with us for the Homecoming Concert 鈥� it will be a fun evening for everyone! Here are a few details to help you prepare for the concert:

• Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the concert will take place rain or shine at 7:30 pm.
• The concert has a 5,000-person maximum capacity. Once capacity is reached, additional guests will not be admitted into the concert area.聽 Re-entry is not guaranteed. If you leave the concert area, you may not be able to re-enter.
• There are two entrances, both on the north end of Young Commons: one between Koury Gym and Moseley Student Center, and the other between Belk Library and Moseley Student Center.

Visit the for more information.

Cheer on the Phoenix

Saturday, Oct. 10

Student Tailgate

9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hunt B (back parking lot of the Schar Center)

Before the football game, get ready to tailgate Phoenix-style! Visit the (or stop by Moseley 205) for more information.

麻豆视频 v. Wofford College

2 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

Get ready to cheer on the Phoenix as 麻豆视频 football takes on Wofford College. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

Have a great Homecoming Week, Phoenix!

Family Weekend 2026 will be held from Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27, with the Phoenix football team set to face off against the University of Maine in Rhodes Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, through Saturday Oct. 10, with the Phoenix hosting Wofford College on Saturday in Rhodes Stadium.

More details, including full schedules and registration information, will be shared this summer.

痴颈蝉颈迟听 and for additional information.

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The Fall 2025 semester is flying by, and as the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, 麻豆视频 students, faculty and staff are embracing every opportunity to learn, grow and celebrate together.

View some of the most impactful moments of the past month through the eyes of staff in the Office of University Communications.

Here Ye! Here Ye!

Student celebrated News Engagement Day at 麻豆视频’s Oct. 7 College Coffee. Student journalists rang bells and delivered headlines to students, faculty and staff gathered on the Moseley Lakeside patio, encouraging the campus community to read, watch, listen to and discuss the news 鈥� and to share how they engage with journalism using #NewsEngagementDay.

Established in 2014 by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), News Engagement Day promotes informed citizenship and highlights the importance of consuming and discussing credible news.

A dedication to Toshio Sato

麻豆视频 leaders dedicated Toshio Sato Commons on Oct. 10, 2025, as part of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend in a ceremony that recognized the university鈥檚 first international student and first four-year graduate from outside the United States.

Homecoming happiness

麻豆视频鈥檚 2025 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff onto campus for a dynamic slate of weekend events.

From open houses and an evening step show through a Saturday football game against Villanova University, highlights included the return of the Rock the Block Homecoming concert featuring 鈥淭he Plain White Ts,鈥� the Golden Alumni Luncheon, campus and academic department receptions, oral history booths, affinity group award celebrations, leadership and networking conversations across schools, themed tailgates, tours, and wellness events.

Molecular moves

Given the option to film a video or write a paper for a chemistry course, Bailey Skinner put her moves to the test.

Learning at Loy

Students took class outside at 麻豆视频’s Loy Farm on Oct. 14, 2025.

A Health Promoting University

麻豆视频 has adopted the Okanagan Charter as a member of the U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network, pledging to nurture a campus culture that prioritizes health, belonging and well-being for students, faculty and staff.聽The university marked the milestone with an institutional adoption ceremony on Oct. 29, 2025.

Cross Country CAA champs

麻豆视频 continued its run of dominance in the Coastal Athletic Association on Oct. 31, claiming its in the past seven years.聽麻豆视频 bested runner-up William & Mary by 40 points, marking the most lopsided CAA women’s cross country championship victory since the Phoenix bested the field by 51 points to win the 2020 title.

Halloween in the garden

An 麻豆视频 tradition, the annual Pumpkin Festival was held on Halloween with the addition of trick-or-treaters for the first time.

麻豆视频鈥檚 2025 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff onto campus for a dynamic slate of weekend events.

From open houses and an evening step show through a Saturday football game against Villanova University, highlights included the return of the Rock the Block Homecoming concert featuring “The Plain White Ts”, the Golden Alumni Luncheon, campus and academic department receptions, oral history booths, affinity group award celebrations, leadership and networking conversations across schools, themed tailgates, tours, and wellness events.

Against that backdrop, alumni were asked to share stories of mentorship from their 麻豆视频 years. Voices reflected how encouraging guidance 鈥� from professors, staff or fellow students 鈥� helped launch careers, build confidence and shape leadership styles.

What follows is a curated series of reflections that capture those moments.

鈥淢elissa Jordan was an incredible mentor. My first year here, I had a difficult class and she helped me process my emotions, think through solutions, and gave me the confidence to approach my professor. Now that I work in higher education, I try to give my students that same support and encouragement that she gave me.鈥�
鈥� Alicia Carter 鈥�15, Strategic Communications

鈥淢ary Kate Brogan in the Class of 2014 mentored me through The Pendulum. She showed me what it means to be there for others coming up behind you. I was introverted and hesitant to reach out, but she pulled me out of my shell and taught me the importance of being that person for someone else 鈥� giving them the little push that can change their life.鈥�
鈥� Kaitlin Dunn 鈥�16, Journalism

鈥淭om Nelson taught me that it鈥檚 important to be yourself and to find environments where you can thrive. You spend 40 hours a week with the people you work with 鈥� you have to be happy being yourself around them. Learning to understand who you are helps you build those environments where everyone can be authentic and successful.鈥�
鈥� Mary Kate Brogan 鈥�14, Journalism

鈥淎t 麻豆视频, I learned from professors like Jeffrey Carpenter and Bernard Curry that education is about being comfortable in all sorts of environments. I try to teach my high school students that same lesson: you can be academic, creative, athletic, and belong to many different communities. Learning to be comfortable in different settings helps us live together as a society.鈥�
鈥� Will Frauenfelder 鈥�15, History and Education

鈥淓van Small in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning was always motivating me to do things outside my comfort zone, whether that was a service trip or an adventure class like the ropes course. That encouragement to try new things stuck with me. I started out teaching, moved into human resources, and I鈥檓 still pushing myself to keep life exciting.鈥�
鈥� Rachel Gilman Yahyapoor 鈥�15, Education

鈥淒r. Gronowski in the psychology department was an outstanding professor 鈥� very engaged and always keeping students involved in the learning process. As I went on to earn my Ph.D. and teach at the university level, I鈥檝e seen how involving students actively in their education really improves their experience.鈥�
鈥� Jack LoCicero 鈥�81, Psychology

鈥淲hen I was an RA, my supervisor Sylvia Wade noticed I was struggling in the winter and introduced me to sunlamps. I still use one today when I鈥檓 feeling low 鈥� it helps so much. I never would have known to do that without her.鈥�
鈥� Aileen Bell 鈥�20, Political Science

鈥淢y mock trial coach, Kristen Delforge, told me, 鈥楧on鈥檛 do something just to do it 鈥� do it because you love it.鈥� I think about that all the time. Life鈥檚 too short to spend it doing things you don鈥檛 enjoy.鈥�
鈥� Jacob Hayward 鈥�20, Sociology and Policy Studies

鈥淢y orientation leader told me not to spread myself too thin 鈥� to go all in on a few things that matter most. That advice helped me focus my energy on entrepreneurship and innovation. I helped found the AI Club and became lead intern at the Doherty Center. Even now in my QA job and running my own business, I focus on doing a few things well and serving our core clients with excellence.鈥�
鈥� Joshua Mason 鈥�25, Financial Technology

鈥淔rom Dan Reis in the Maker Hub, I learned that failure is part of learning. You shouldn鈥檛 give up when something doesn鈥檛 work. You should learn from it. Now, as an elementary school teacher, I tell my students every day that struggling is part of the process and makes you a better learner.鈥�
鈥� Joshua Donald 鈥�19, Human Service Studies

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2025 included the return of the Homecoming concert, featuring "The Plain White Ts" on Oct. 10.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

麻豆视频 held Homecoming & Reunion Weekend on Oct. 10-11, 2025.

鈥淎 former student body president once told me, 鈥榊ou can be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don鈥檛 like peaches.鈥� That advice reminds me you can鈥檛 please everyone 鈥� and that鈥檚 okay. As long as you鈥檙e doing your best, that鈥檚 what matters. I carry that with me as a teacher and as a leader.鈥�
鈥� Britt Mobley 鈥�24, Strategic Communications and Outdoor Leadership & Education

鈥淒r. Mary Knight-McKenna encouraged us to believe we could rise beyond the acorn and become the Phoenix, to meet every challenge. She taught me to keep a positive, inspiring spirit that motivates not just myself but everyone I encounter, because you never know what lesson will encourage someone else to go even farther.鈥�
鈥� Corey Waters G鈥�23, Master of Education (Innovation in Education)

鈥淎 professor once told me, 鈥極nce you get into business, it鈥檚 just as important to sell yourself as it is to sell your product.鈥� That stuck with me throughout my 33-year career at Unilever. People buy from people they trust, and that鈥檚 advice I still share with younger professionals today.鈥�
鈥� Barry Baucom 鈥�75, Business

鈥淢y advisor, Robert Baxter, taught us the 鈥榮even Ps鈥� 鈥� 鈥榩rior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance.鈥� I still use that every day as a procurement officer. If you鈥檙e prepared and plan ahead, you鈥檒l prevail.鈥�
鈥� Kathy (Berger) Frame 鈥�90, Business Management

鈥淒r. John Sullivan in the philosophy department convinced me to major in philosophy even though I was headed for business. He said philosophy teaches you to think and reason 鈥� skills that prepare you for anything. He was right. Those lessons have guided me throughout my career.鈥�
鈥� Nick Whiting 鈥�90, Philosophy

A detailed schedule and event descriptions can be found on the 麻豆视频 Homecoming 2025 Student Edition website. For questions or additional information, visit , or contact Student Involvement at studentinvolvement@elon.edu, 336-278-7214, or stop by Moseley 205. Also, be sure to follow Student Involvement on social media for updates about student-centered events during Homecoming Week.

Week-long Events

SGA Royalty Court Voting

All Day | PhoenixCONNECT

All students have the opportunity to vote on the 2025 SGA Homecoming Royalty Court. Visit for more details and to cast your vote. Voting ends Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 6

Tree Walk with the Office of Sustainability

Noon 鈥� 1 p.m. |聽 Meet in front of Alamance

Join 麻豆视频鈥檚 arborists on a walk around campus to learn about 麻豆视频鈥檚 trees, including the Tree Trail, the arborist鈥檚 favorite tree and insider information on the maintenance and sustainability of the 麻豆视频 urban forest. .

Tuesday Oct. 7

Homecoming Week College Coffee

9:40 a.m. | Moseley Terrace

Come out to a special Homecoming edition of College Coffee as 麻豆视频 celebrates with treats and prizes! There will also be special performances by the 麻豆视频 Cheer and Dance Teams, and the Homecoming E鈥檚 will be on display.

Voting on the E鈥檚

10 a.m. 鈥� 4 p.m. | Moseley Terrace

Students can vote on their favorite E while enjoying food and music! There will also be opportunities to win Homecoming swag.

SGA Trivia

8:30 鈥� 10 p.m. | McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen

Join the Student Government Association and Royalty Court Nominees in 麻豆视频 trivia! This is a great way to meet those on the Homecoming Court and learn more about 麻豆视频!

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Food Truck Frenzy & the SUB Homecoming Student Celebration

5 鈥� 8 p.m. | Koury Parking Lot

Join 麻豆视频 Dining and SUB, as they celebrate students during Homecoming Week! Food Truck Frenzy tickets can be purchased using Phoenix Cash, Food Dollars, Meal Dollars, cash or credit. The event will include music, swag giveaways and more.

Voting on the E鈥檚

5 鈥� 8 p.m., Koury Parking Lot

鈥淎ll We Do is Step, Stroll, and Hop?: What is a Black Greek?鈥�, sponsored by NPHC

7 p.m. | McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center

Speaker Rasheed Ali Cromwell will lead an inclusive dialogue to provide prospective for both current members and non-members of Black Greek Letter Organizations, increasing their understanding of the culture and context of these organizations.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Voting on the E鈥檚

11 a.m. 鈥� 4 p.m. | Medallion Plaza

NPHC Homecoming Step Show

7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) | McKinnon Hall聽

Join the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) for the return of the NPHC Homecoming Step Show 鈥� an interactive experience that draws the audience into a variety of stories, stunts and steps. Watch Divine 9 fraternities and sororities battle it out on the stage in a series of dance steps, music selections and show themes. Tickets are free for students and $10 for alumni. Tickets can be reserved online.

SUB Coffeehouse featuring Lakin Music

10 p.m. | Irazu

Friday, Oct. 10

Voting on the E鈥檚

10 a.m. 鈥� 4 p.m. | Young Commons

Rock the Block & Homecoming CONCERT featuring the Plain White T鈥檚

6 鈥� 9 p.m. | Young Commons

Don鈥檛 miss this annual celebration and community block party to kick off Homecoming weekend festivities with the entire 麻豆视频 community of students, alumni, and faculty/staff. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, yard games, inflatables and a fireworks show. Plus, the Homecoming Concert returns this year with the Plain White T鈥檚 set to perform at 7:30 p.m.!

SUBCinema: Movie in Turner Theater

10:30 p.m. | Nosferatu

A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Student Tailgating

10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m. | Global Basketball Courts

Join in the pre-game festivities, including food trucks, give-a-ways and music! Food and drinks will be provided.

SGA Crowning of Homecoming Royalty

After the 3rd quarter during the football game in Rhodes Stadium

Celebrate all members of the Homecoming Court and see two students be crowned as this year鈥檚 鈥淗omecoming Royalty.鈥�

SUBCinema: Movie in Turner Theater

8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. |聽 Nosferatu

Academic Additions

麻豆视频 will launch two new majors this fall, including neuroscience, housed in 麻豆视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and digital content management through the School of Communications.

The neuroscience program will offer three options: a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in exercise neuroscience. The digital content management program will help equip students with the creative, strategic and technical skills to lead content creation and strategy across digital platforms.

Campus Refresh

Several construction projects have been underway in summer 2025, including the completion and opening of Acorn Academy, a partnership with Vivvi to provide employer-sponsored child care. The child care facility is housed in the north wing of the psychology and human services studies building, which was originally used for 麻豆视频 Children’s Home.

A new 485-space parking lot for first-year students is also under construction east of the Francis Center. Although the lot will not be completed in time for the start of the fall 2025 semester, it is anticipated to be finished in the 2025-26 academic year.

Other construction projects include renovations to Holland House,聽a 4,000-square-foot brick building that once served as the official residence of two 麻豆视频 presidents. The building has been updated to accommodate an expanded golf clubhouse, featuring coaches鈥� offices, locker rooms, and a gathering space for athletes. Work is expected to be complete in fall 2025.

Work has also begun on the HealthEU Center, a 135,000-square-foot facility that will combine academics with recreation, health and wellness offerings along with support for the well-being of members of the university community. The building is expected to open in fall 2026.

The Homecoming concert returns!

The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Student Union Board have collaborated to bring back the Homecoming concert! This year, on Friday, Oct. 10, Plain White T鈥檚 will perform at Rock the Block on Haggard Avenue and Young Commons.

The last Homecoming Concert was hosted three years ago by the Student Union Board in 2022, when Tai Verdes performed.

New Leadership

Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business

Haya Ajjan will begin her first full semester as dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Ajjan previously served as associate dean and professor of management information systems for the Love School of Business and began her new role on June 1, 2025, with an eye toward deepening experiential learning opportunities for students and strengthening partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and the broader community.

鈥溌槎故悠� has nurtured my growth, transforming me from an acorn into a thriving oak,鈥� Ajjan said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited and grateful for the opportunity to give back to an institution that has given me so much by working under the leadership of President Book and Provost Kohn.鈥�

Brian Mathews, dean and university librarian

Brian Mathews began his leadership of the聽Carol Grotnes Belk Library聽on August 1, 2025, where he now manages a team of 22 full-time employees who have greeted more than a quarter million visitors over the past year in the heart of 麻豆视频鈥檚 main campus. With a record of achievement that spans two decades and five prominent national universities, Mathews brings to 麻豆视频 professional interests in the way people engage with information: in his words, their 鈥減ersonal knowledge management.”

鈥淚 look forward to helping shape a library that鈥檚 grounded, strategic, and future-facing 鈥� one that supports human-centered innovation, sparks imagination, and invites students, faculty, and staff to work together in exploring the complex social, political, technological, and informational challenges of our time,鈥� Mathews said. 鈥淚鈥檓 especially looking forward to working with the librarians and staff at Belk Library. They鈥檙e filled with ideas, generosity, and a joyful energy that鈥檚 contagious.鈥�

Whitney Gregory, dean of students

Previously the assistant dean of students at 麻豆视频, Whitney Gregory brings two decades of student affairs experience to her new Student Life leadership role, which began on June 1, 2025. As dean of students, Gregory will provide strategic leadership for student success and welfare initiatives, including supervising the directors of the Student Care and Outreach and Student Conduct departments, the assistant dean of student success and retention, and the assistant dean of students.

鈥淚 am honored and thrilled to step into this new role as dean of students at 麻豆视频, a community I鈥檝e been proud to call home,鈥� said Gregory. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to continue advancing the work I love 鈥� supporting student wellbeing and success 鈥� and am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve as a leader and advocate for student interests and empowerment.鈥�

Heather Packo,聽associate vice president for the Student Professional Development Center

Heather Packo joined 麻豆视频 in June 2025 as the new associate vice president of the Student Professional Development Center. She previously served as head of the聽Career Management Center at DePaul University鈥檚 Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

At 麻豆视频, Packo will lead a team of 22 full-time career professionals who comprise one of the nation鈥檚 best comprehensive career services programs, with a top-20 ranking by The Princeton Review and a #20 ranking for internships by U.S. News & World Report.

She will oversee the continued design and implementation of a comprehensive career services strategy through the聽Student Professional Development Center聽that enhances student employability, fosters employer relationships and integrates career readiness into the university experience.

鈥溌槎故悠碘�檚 commitment to cultivating a career ecosystem in support of both student and alumni career and professional development is both forward-thinking and impressive,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hroughout the recruitment process, this commitment was clearly articulated. In speaking with key stakeholders 鈥� from the SPDC team, campus partners, senior staff and academic deans, and the president 鈥� it was clear that everyone is ready to move the needle from good to great and work together to ensure 麻豆视频 students are career ready at graduation.鈥�