Kicking things off, the Elon Music Ambassadors will present “Songs of Summer: Celebrating the Music that Makes Every Summer Unforgettable” on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Directed by Virginia Novine-Whittaker, this dynamic vocal and instrumental ensemble blends pop, jazz and contemporary favorites to capture the warmth and energy of the season. The program promises a mix of familiar melodies and feel-good moments that reflect both the memories of summers past and those still to come.

Later that week, audiences can take a step back in time with the Mixed Tape Concert – Music from the 60’s and 70’s on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Life Center at Elon Community Church. Directed by Stephen A. Futrell, Ă©lĂĄn – Elon vocal jazz will perform alongside a rhythm section, bringing to life classic hits from artists like ABBA, The Carpenters, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Diamond. With Beatles and Motown medleys woven throughout the program, the concert invites audiences to sing along and fully immerse themselves in the music.

The celebrations continue into May with the Elon Concert Band’s spring performance, “Visions, Vibes, and Tales,” on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Directed by Michael Phillips, the concert will showcase a wide range of music and feature a graduating senior Production Technology student as an electric guitar soloist. The evening will conclude with an interactive piece, encouraging audience members to join in by singing or whistling along.

Closing out the series, the Elon Wind Ensemble will present its spring concert, “A Semiquincentennial Celebration,” on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Conducted by Jonathan Poquette, the ensemble will perform a variety of Americana works in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The performance will also feature soprano soloist Polly Cornelius, adding another layer of artistry to a program designed to celebrate the richness and diversity of American music.

Related Articles

• SURF Stories 2026: Chris Guider ’29 tackles NFL kickoff rules
• SURF Stories 2026: Ryder Hutchinson ’28 researches how to fight cancer with viruses
• SURF Stories 2026: Catherine Dierker ’27 researches how to get out the youth vote
• SURF Stories 2026: Amanda McGee ’26 designs campaign to spark healthier living

Nearly 400 51±ŹÁÏÍű students will present their work at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) on April 28 in Alumni Gym and other locations across campus. With a total 384 presentations, this will be the largest SURF Day in the events 33 year history.

SURF Day is a time each year where the university suspends other campus activities to celebrate the academically centered creative endeavors and research efforts of Elon students. As one of the five Elon Experiences, undergraduate research is a highly valued part of the academic experience for Elon students.

SURF Day will open with a special College Coffee outside of Koury Center and Alumni Gym at 8:15 a.m.

Highlights for this SURF: 

• A total of 384 presentations, including 229 poster presentations and 155 oral presentations and performances
• Eighty-three presentations self-identified as projects related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Thirty-five presentations self-identified as projects related to sustainability
• One hundred and forty three presentations self-identified as data intensive projects
• An interdisciplinary symposium on “From Crawling to Coding: Embodiment and Learning in Babies and Robots”
• An interdisciplinary symposium on “American Studies Research”
• A student panel on “A Periclean Journey: Rooted Locally, Reaching Globally Through Mutually Beneficial Partnerships and Community Engagement”
• Five poster presentations by student groups from Walter M. Williams High School mentored by Elon faculty

Hosted by the Maker Hub, the 7th Annual Maker Takeover Event will take place on Wednesday, April 29, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Moseley Student Center.

This free, drop-in event is open to students, staff and faculty. With more than 40 student-made projects on display, it’s an opportunity to explore the creativity of the Elon Maker Hub community and make your own projects take home.

Activities taking place include:

• Ice cream made with liquid nitrogen by Elon Dining
• Create your own sun prints using a cyanotype process
• Building a custom picture frame
• Celebrating 10 years of the Maker Hub with a photo gallery
• A brand-new escape room: Escape from Wonderland
• Retro and vintage games to play
• Custom printed t-shirts (while supplies last!)
• And more!

Maker Hub staff members, Addie Whitaker and Gage DeMarco have been able to work closely as they each prepared for this year’s Maker Takeover.

DeMarco created a wooden cabinet dartboard that can open and close. He hopes to encourage others to see that they can also create something through the Maker Hub, regardless of their prior experience.

“I am most excited to display the woodworking projects that I have been working on for some time. In particular, I wanted to challenge myself with something bigger than anything I’d made before,” said DeMarco ‘28.

“My role is to plan activities for Maker Takeover attendees with three of my fellow Team Leads. I have been working specifically on getting a few activities ready for our guests, such as cyanotypes, t-shirt making, and button making, “ said Whitaker ‘28.

Cyanotype printing uses the sun’s UV light to create a one-of-a-kind deep blue print on photographic paper or fabric. Activities like this are available to give attendees a chance to create a personalized craft with assistance close by.

Maker Takeover will also feature an area for current students to display projects they’ve been working on through Elon Kickbox, a Maker Hub program supporting students in their projects through funding, resources, and mentorship.

The Kickbox projects made by students will be on display at Maker Takeover, and students will be available to discuss their projects and how they went about making them. This year, students made projects ranging from a pop-up projector for their truck bed, to an assistive mobility device to help with injury recovery called NexG8, to a set of motorized wings that can open and close with a remote. They span from passion projects to research and provide a platform to showcase creativity and problem-solving in self-driven projects.

“Maker Takeover is about bringing the Maker Hub out into the open so students, whether they already use the space or have never stepped inside, can experience what’s possible,” said DeMarco.

Maker Takeover highlights the creative and innovative students in Elon’s Maker Hub community and aims to engage the campus community with the Maker Hub. Whether you’re coming for nitrogen ice cream, custom t-shirts, or to support students and their projects, there’s plenty to discover!

Visit the Maker Hub website for more information or follow us on Instagram at .

Held in conjunction with National Health Promoting Campuses Week, the event aligns with Elon’s effort to build a healthier campus community.

“HealthEU Day reflects our commitment to building a campus where well-being is embedded in every aspect of the student experience,” said Jana Lynn Patterson, dean of student health and well-being, associate vice president for Student Life and assistant professor. “It’s about creating an environment where students, faculty and staff are supported in thriving every day.”

HealthEU Day’s design puts that commitment into action, supporting the campus community.

“Well-being is not built in one day, but this event creates space to pause, reflect and try new practices — especially at a time in the semester when students are balancing exams, assignments and other commitments,” said Anu RĂ€isĂ€nen, director of HealthEU initiatives and assistant professor.

Throughout the day, campus partners connected with students, faculty, and staff, fostering connections and highlighting how well-being is supported across the university.

“Our work is centered on helping students find a sense of meaning and belonging,” said Jan Register, administrative assistant in the Truitt Center.

That sense of belonging is strengthened through community.

“Being supported by a community is essential to health and well-being,” said Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement. “Events like this create opportunities to connect with resources and with each other.”

Campus partners hosted activities across campus, including College Coffee with campus partners, opportunities to sample, health-forward food with Elon Dining, sessions with Fleet Feet, Drum, De-Stress and Decompress, CommUnity Field Day, Pickleball Smash and the STARS Celebration.

These activities gave students, faculty and staff space to explore what well-being looks like in practice and the variety of ways to engage with well-being on campus

“HealthEU Day shows how every part of campus contributes to well-being,” said Stephanie Vaughn, practice manager. “It highlights the many ways students, faculty and staff can find support and stay connected.”

While HealthEU Day offered a moment to pause, students also reflected on how to sustain well-being in their daily lives and what it means to them.

“Wellness is about maintaining what you learn, Benji Altmann ‘26 said. “It’s eating well and staying active beyond just days like this.”

Expanding on Altman’s philosophy about wellness, Mindy Monroe ’26 stated, “Wellness is about taking time for yourself and caring for both your mind and body.”

Students also emphasized the importance of maintaining well-being while navigating the demands of college life.

“I think it’s important as a college student to keep up with your personal health and well-being,” Gigi Maiorana ‘29 said. “With classes and extracurriculars, it can get stressful, so having a day like this helps remind us to take care of ourselves.”

Staff members also emphasized that prioritizing well-being extends beyond students.

“It’s important to prioritize both student and employee well-being,” said Laura McGuire, admissions counselor. “Events like HealthEU Day highlight the different resources and support systems available across campus.”

That commitment to well-being is shared across the campus community.

“Health and well-being are a shared responsibility across campus,” said Kassidy Puckett, assistant director of admissions for event programming. “Taking time to focus on it, even for a day, helps remind us to carry those practices into our daily lives.”

As the day came to a close, a common theme emerged: well-being at Elon extends beyond a single event. HealthEU Day highlights the university’s commitment to health and well-being, which takes shape through daily habits, personal reflection, and shared care among students, faculty and staff.

Directed by Assistant Professor of Music Alex Heitlinger, the concert centers around the music of Sun Ra, a visionary artist known for blending jazz, philosophy and Afrofuturism into a sound unlike any other. His work blurs the lines between swing and avant-garde, drawing inspiration from ancient Egypt, outer space and beyond. Through this performance, audiences will step into what Sun Ra described as a “universe of sound,” where music becomes both an artistic and conceptual experience.

Throughout his life, Sun Ra—born Herman Poole Blount—crafted a persona as unique as his music. He famously claimed to have been transported to Saturn in the 1930s and instructed by alien beings to share his message through music. Whether symbolic or sincere, this narrative became central to his artistic identity. Beyond the mythology, Sun Ra was a groundbreaking innovator: one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with electronic synthesizers and among the earliest Black artists to establish an independent record label. His ensemble, known as the Sun Ra Arkestra, has continued performing for decades, carrying forward his legacy through electrifying, theatrical performances.

The April 24 concert will reflect that same spirit of creativity and unpredictability. The evening will feature two distinct sets: an opening small group performance showcasing works by Sun Ra and his contemporaries, followed by a high-energy big band set with more than 20 musicians and multiple vocalists. Adding to the immersive experience, Heidi Jo Schiemer, costume designer for Performing Arts, has created intergalactic attire inspired by Sun Ra’s signature style—complete with nods to both ancient Egyptian and cosmic themes.

While Sun Ra’s music is often described as experimental or avant-garde, it remains deeply rooted in the traditions of big band swing. This combination makes the performance both musically sophisticated and highly engaging—equally suited for close listening and pure enjoyment. Audiences can expect a concert that is as entertaining and danceable as it is imaginative.

Sponsored by the Department of Music, this performance promises to be one of the most unique musical events on campus this year. With its fusion of sound, storytelling, and visual spectacle, the Elon Jazz Ensembles’ tribute to Sun Ra invites audiences to embrace the unexpected and experience music in an entirely new way.

Jassal’s research centers on the dynamic relationships among person, place and divinity in South Asia, particularly in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand in northern India. Through years of ethnographic fieldwork, he has explored how Hindu communities actively construct and experience sacred worlds through ritual practices such as shrine-building, pilgrimage, festival celebrations and spirit possession.

A key theme of the lecture was the idea that Hindu deities are not fixed but relational and mobile, often requiring “placemaking” practices to remain connected to human communities. Jassal discussed how rituals—including the relocation of deities to more suitable or accessible sites—serve as what he described as “technologies of healing” that reshape social realities. These practices, he argued, reveal the agency not only of human participants but also of non-human actors, such as deities themselves.

In addition to the lecture, Jassal shared a short documentary film, offering students a vivid, sensory perspective on his research. The film emphasized the importance of sound, movement, and atmosphere—elements that written ethnography alone cannot fully capture. Students noted that this visual component deepened their understanding of the material, making the lived realities of ritual practice more tangible.

The day prior to his lecture, Jassal participated in a casual lunch with students, creating space for informal conversation about his work, academic journey and the role of storytelling in research. Attendees described him as engaging, passionate and genuinely enthusiastic about student curiosity and dialogue. Following lunch, Jassal also visited Amy Allocco’s 4000-level Religious Studies seminar, “Ghosts Demons, and Ancestors in Asian Religions,” where students had been assigned chapters of his book and came prepared to engage directly with his research. During the class, students asked questions about Jassal’s fieldwork, methods, and key concepts like placemaking, creating an interactive and discussion-based environment. The session allowed students to connect course material with a guest scholar, deepening their understanding through conversation and critical engagement. Jassal emphasized the importance of intellectual openness and positionality in ethnographic research. His reflections encouraged students to think critically about how knowledge is produced and whose voices are amplified.

By the end of the lecture, it was clear that Jassal’s work not only expands scholarly conversations about religion and anthropology but also resonates deeply with students exploring questions of culture, practice, and representation. His visit left a lasting impression the importance of bringing diverse worlds into conversation.

Each spring, the (CEL), the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL), the Center for Research on Global Engagement (CRGE) and the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) co-sponsor this annual showcase of faculty, staff, and student research on teaching and learning. The presenters have all participated in or been supported by SoTL programming across these centers. The event features a poster session and catered reception, offering the campus community an opportunity to engage with studies of innovative pedagogical work and reflect on the impact of SoTL on scholarly teaching practices across disciplines.

This year’s SoTL showcase brings together interdisciplinary projects exploring topics such as students-as-partners collaborations, equity and belonging in STEM, global approaches to intercultural learning and integrating GenAI into teaching and learning.

From CEL, the  will present on their students’ experience co-leading CEL’s. They’ll highlight the multi-institutional inquiry at the heart of three multi-year research seminars, as well as the benefits of student-faculty/staff co-inquiry for both student and faculty/staff partners.

Representing CATL, Kelsey Bitting, assistant professor of environmental studies, and Jessica Merricks, associate professor of biology, will present their 2025-2027 CATL Scholar research on the impacts of community-engaged courses on first-generation students, students of color and women in STEM disciplines. Additionally, Amanda Chunco, associate professor of environmental students and 2024-2026 CATL Scholar, will present her work on grading practices and student belonging in STEM.

From the CRGE, Bill Burress, director of assessment and accreditation for the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and CRGE pre-doctoral scholar, will present research on international mobility in teacher preparation across the United States and Italy. Emily Moser, program coordinator for CEL and CATL; Michael Carignan, professor of history; and Lynn Huber, professor of religious studies, recipients of a CRGE faculty-staff research grant, will present their collaborative project exploring visual inquiry methods as a tool to foster and assess intercultural competence in global contexts.

žé±đ±è°ù±đČő±đČÔłÙŸ±ČÔČ”ÌęłÙłó±đÌęCenter for Writing Excellence, Shannon Duvall, professor of computer science and interim associate dean for College of Arts and Sciences will present her project “Exploring Large Language Models for Teaching and Accessibility.”

All faculty, staff and students are invited to attend and engage with presenters during this celebration of the scholarship of teaching and learning at Elon.

This year’s celebration featured a “Diamond Dust” theme, encouraging sparkling outfits to match ballroom glamour. The event was hosted by local drag performers Honey Z and Giselle Cassidy Carter, who gave energetic and interactive performances, encouraging students to participate in the ball’s various competition categories.

The Kiki Ball is an annual event organized by the GLC to celebrate the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) community on campus and introduce students to the history and traditions of ballroom culture. Rooted in black and LGBTQIA communities, ballroom culture has played a significant role in shaping drag performances and overarching LGBTQIA expression.

Kate Campbell, the GLC’s graduate apprentice, said that the purpose of the evening is to both celebrate and educate the campus community about ballroom culture and the communities that shaped it.

The event also included educational components that allowed attendees to learn about ballroom history. The RISE team, which oversees the GLC’s QTPOC initiative, hosted a table that featured photocards highlighting influential drag performers and important figures in ballroom history. These helped provide context for students who may not have attended the program before or were unfamiliar with ballroom culture.

Beyond the educational focus of the Kiki Ball, students were encouraged to take part in performances and walk the runway. Attendees donned themed outfits and competed in various performance categories in order to show off their flair. Hosts and audience members all cheered as students stepped onto the runway.

Organizers say one of the most important pieces of the night is creating a welcoming environment where students can comfortably express themselves. Maverick Powell, a GLC student employee who helped plan and work the event, said the supportive atmosphere helped participants feel motivated to walk the runway.

“Everyone was just really happy to be there and encouraging of each other,” Powell said.

For many students, this program provides a rare opportunity on Elon’s campus to experiment with their identities in a supportive setting. Janeeta Smith, manager of RISE, said the event allows students to explore performing in a way that encourages creativity and accessibility.

“I view Kiki Ball as a way students can express themselves through their outfits and performances,” Smith said.

Although attendance was slightly smaller this year than in previous years, the evening maintained a lively, upbeat atmosphere. By combining educational aspects with opportunities for self-expression, the Kiki Ball created a space where students can both learn from and actively participate in a culture rooted in exploration, identity, creativity and community.

As Elon community members converged on the area, Bollywood music played, colorful kites leaned against the brick wall of PBK commons, and hundreds of cups of colored powder lined a white tarp stained with splotches of pink and blue color.

The event opened with an educational presentation, reflections and stories shared by students, and a performance by Surtal, Elon’s Bollywood dance team. After a collective countdown, attendees tossed handfuls of brightly colored powder into the air, marking the official start of the celebration.

This year marked the 14th anniversary of Holi at Elon, a tradition led by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. The center’s mission is to support and engage the Elon community with the wisdom of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, and hosting celebrations like Holi is one way the Truitt Center creates opportunities for celebration, learning, connection, and shared experience.

Students from across backgrounds and identities participated, coming together through music, movement and the shared ritual of color throwing.

Multifaith interns Addison Anderson and Taylor Polonsky played a central role in shaping the program. In preparation, they spent time studying the history of Holi, its cultural and religious significance, and the symbolism of the colors used in the celebration.

“Planning our campus’s Holi celebration was a wonderful challenge for us,” shared Anderson. “Holi is incredibly different than many of the other celebrations we do, and it was important to us to make it the perfect welcome for Spring. Through our time learning and planning the event, my co-coordinator and I learned about the importance of the holiday for over a billion people around the world.”

This year, the celebration began well before the official color toss. Guests arrived early to enjoy Bollywood music, sample Indian appetizers, savor traditional sweets, and participate in hands-on activities such as coloring mandalas, creating rangoli, and applying mehndi (henna). The early energy carried through the afternoon, with dancing starting organically as the crowd gathered.

For members of the campus South Asian community, festivals like Holi and Diwali create a sense of belonging, community, and visibility.

Second year Multifaith intern Ahron Frankel, who helped plan Holi in 2025, and introduced kite-flying to the campus Holi celebration, shared their journey as a South Asian student on campus.

“When I first came to Elon, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the lack of desi students,” said Frankel. “It was very hard to find people that I could connect with on this part of my identity, and there were never any set spaces for the few of us that were here. However, I soon found out that Holi is one of our biggest campus events, which made all the difference. For the past 3 years, I have had the joy of bringing my friends to this celebration while listening to Bollywood tunes and celebrating the coming of spring.”

The Truitt Center’s festival series invited the campus community to experience cultures, traditions, and holidays other than their own, in intentionally shaped spaces that are both educational and celebratory. Members of the cohort of Multifaith Interns plan the festivals alongside Hillary Zaken, director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement.

The exploration of diverse worldviews is an essential part of an Elon education and helps prepare students to respectfully engage in dialogue across difference.  While the celebration of holidays like Holi are reflective of an authentic experience, they are also crafted as a means to teach about the values and practices of the Hindu community.

“Before you celebrate today, I want y’all to remember that this isn’t just about paint throwing,” explained Frankel to the crowd. “It holds deep cultural and religious significance for people across South Asia. In the diaspora, it’s a way to connect back home and ground ourselves in the culture we may rarely get to celebrate visibly.”

By the end of the event, participants left Speaker’s Corner covered in vibrant color, having engaged both the festive and educational dimensions of the holiday, and carrying that energy into the weekend ahead.

As Taylor Polonsky shared: “Holi is a reminder for everyone to take a moment and add some color and joy on your life during hard times, including impending exams or graduation.”