Patrick Murphy G’01

Assistant vice president for financial aid

Patrick Murphy joined Elon at the beginning of 1994 as bursar for Elon College to find a career that would, as he put it, add positivity to his day. Retiring at the end of the month, Murphy has served in a myriad of roles at Elon, including director of financial aid, senior associate dean and director of financial aid and assistant vice president for financial aid.

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Greg Zaiser, vice president for enrollment, credited Murphy with quietly and deliberately supporting �����Dz�’s growth from a regional college to national and international distinction.

“What I know now is because of Pat’s patience, accessibility and strong desire for success,” added Zaiser.

After retirement, Murphy looks forward to spending more time with his wife and his five grandchildren, who are all under the age of six. He says his favorite memory at Elon was picking up astronaut and former senator John Glenn and his wife from the airport and guiding them across campus to multiple events.

“I will miss the people I work with,” he said. “Elon has been the only place I worked where my friends are also people I work with.”

Beth McCain

Assistant teaching professor of accounting

Beth McCain joined Elon in 2016 teaching part-time as an adjunct after teaching at a community college. She was hired permanently in 2021 as a lecturer and also served as the director of the Master of Science accounting program. She retired on December 31, 2025.

While at Elon, McCain led January Term study abroad courses to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and was the inaugural faculty member for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business study abroad program in Singapore.

At the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Catherine Chiang, professor of accounting and chair of the department of accounting, described McCain as one of the most dedicated and student-centered educators she had the privilege of knowing. “Your decade of service has shaped careers, strengthened our programs and raised the standards for what it means to be an Elon educator,” said Chiang.

McCain returned the compliments to her department chair and gave a shoutout to Linda Poulson, who gave McCain “a chance” and also to her husband, who was in attendance.

Now retired, McCain is volunteering for Guilford County Animal Services in Greensboro and taking a French course at Elon in preparation for a three-month trip to France in the fall. Reflecting on her time at Elon, McCain said, “I will greatly miss the amazing faculty and staff that I worked with as well as relationships that I developed with my students over the years.”

Linda Niedziela

Associate professor of biology and chair of the Department of Biology

Linda Niedziela joined Elon in 2001 excited to teach courses in genetics and biotechnology. She was attracted to the university’s strengths in undergraduate education and undergraduate research. She will retire at the end of May after serving in a myriad of roles, including biology department chair, assistant professor, associate professor, director of the science branch of Elon College Fellows and the Japheth E. Rawls chair for undergraduate research in science.

Niedziela said she will miss what she calls the “daily therapy sessions.” She shared that every day during the semester, whoever is able will meet for lunch on the first floor of McMichael and discuss wide-ranging topics, including teaching tips, research reports, personal stories about families and pets and anything else that is on the mind of lunch attendees.

She said, “I will miss the wonderful faculty and staff colleagues in the biology department who have become like family to me.”

After retirement, Niedziela and her husband, Carl, an adjunct assistant professor of biology at Elon, who will also be retiring, will travel with their dogs in an airstream travel trailer and spend time in their woodworking shop. She will also be devoting more time training and competing with her Shetland sheepdog in performance dog sports.

Anthony Hatcher

Professor of journalism and chair of the Journalism Department

Anthony Hatcher joined Elon in 2002 and has served as associate professor of journalism, full professor of journalism and the inaugural chair of the Department of Journalism.

Hatcher said he did not have a passport until he joined Elon in his early 40’s. “Since 2004, I have taken students to Hong Kong, South Africa and multiple European countries,” he reflected. Hatcher also created a religion and media course in his first year, which he taught every year since.

One of those colleagues, Harlen Makemson, professor of communication design, praised Hatcher at the Faculty/Staff Luncheon for Hatcher’s empathy and humanity during what he described as a time of upheaval in the media world, brought on by new technologies. “And while it’s true that Anthony Hatcher serves on virtually every major standing committee at Elon, it’s his humanity, his warmth and his care, that is his most impactful service to his university.”

“I will miss being with students, and I will miss seeing my colleagues – my friends – daily or weekly,” said Hatcher. During the ceremony, he added, “I hope in addition to teaching all those wonderful students I’ve had over the past nearly quarter century, I hope in some small way, I made their lives a little better because God knows they helped me be better.

After retirement, Hatcher looks forward to biking, hiking, travel and spending time with his granddaughter. “Writing will be part of retirement as well, since I can’t sing or paint,” he added.

Robert Moorman

Frank S. Holt, Jr. professor of business leadership and professor of organizational behavior

Robert Moorman joined Elon as the Frank Holt Jr professor of business leadership in 2011, a title he held throughout his time at Elon. Retiring in May, Moorman has also served as the department chair for the Department of Management, Entrepreneurship and International Business.

During the Faculty, Staff Awards Luncheon, Haya Ajjan, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and professor of management information systems, shared that Moorman has a gift few others do – the ability to ask the types of questions that “make you stop walking, look around at where you actually are and suddenly see it…a question that stays with you for the rest of your life.” Ajjan offered Moorman a golf club afterwards in the spirit of his retirement.

During the ceremony, Moorman shared that education is so much more than reading books and looking at stats. “It’s really about the relationships we have,” he said. “It’s the relationships with our students and the utter joy of seeing people cycle through during this really important time of their lives, you know, touching you and stepping in and stepping out and then seeing them grow as they go.”

Moorman said his favorite memories are those involving friendships with colleagues and partnerships with students. “I have fond memories of a few colleagues congregating in my office talking about the joys and frustrations of the day,” he said.  “I also have fond memories of holding classes that just seemed to ‘work’ that day and then talking with students afterward about how they continued thinking about our discussions.”

After retiring at the end of this month, Moorman looks forward to what he calls unstructured adventure. “I am looking forward to a time of boredom that then grows into something new, unplanned and adventurous. What fun!”

Charity Johansson

Professor of physical therapy education and chair of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Department.

In 1999, Charity Johnsson joined what would become the Doctor of Physical Therapy program as one of its first faculty. She retired in December 2025 after decades of service in which she held positions of associate professor, full professor, faculty administrative fellow, interim associate department chair, interim department chair and program director, department chair and program director and university parliamentarian.

Johansson said she is already missing the “daily exchanges with colleagues whose brilliant minds and genuinely kind hearts” have shaped her over nearly three decades. Likewise, she will miss the students, and their “infectious enthusiasm, their compassion and the joy of watching them transform in ways they hadn’t even imagined possible.”

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Crystal Ramsey praised Johansson as a “cornerstone of the Elon academic community, whose legacy is defined not just by the position she has held, but by the enduring way she has nurtured the hearts, minds and professional identities of future healthcare providers.” Ramsey is an associate professor of physical therapy education and a former student of Johansson’s.

At the ceremony, Johansson reflected on the retirement of Gerry Francis, who served as professor emeritus of mathematics and provost emeritus.

“Gerry Francis told me he doesn’t miss the work, but he really misses the people – and I get that,” she said.

She also said it was a privilege working with so many in the Elon community who have encouraged her, challenged her and made her laugh to help her be a better a human. “Fred Rubeck, you’re among those,” Johansson added, honoring the late professor of performing arts and chair of the Department of Performing Arts.

Now retired, Johansson said she is enjoying time outdoors with family and close friends, planning travel and trying new ventures, including fiction writing.

Marcia Dodson

Program assistant for the Station at Mill Point Neighborhood

Marcia Dodson joined Elon in 2015 and is the proud mother of three sons who graduated from Elon. She will be retiring at the end of May and has served as a service desk analyst for facilities management, program assistant in the Danieley Neighborhood and Station at Mill Point.

A favorite memory of Dodson’s while at Elon is joining the London Experience for staff, where she built relationships with colleagues she had not yet had the opportunity to meet while working at Elon. “What an awesome experience!” she reflected.

After retirement, Dodson looks forward to being a traveling grandparent with her husband.

Rosemary Haskell

Professor of English

Rosemary Haskell joined Elon in 1985 and will be retiring in August. She has held the roles of temporary instructor and assistant, associate and later, full professor of English.

Haskell said she will most miss her kind and interesting colleagues, as well as the “energizing power of the new class of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first-years each August.”

One of Haskell’s favorite memories at Elon is during the transition of the Fighting Christians to the Phoenix. She enjoyed the papier-mache birds and eggs in trees around campus that offered a clue to the new mascot.

After retirement, Haskell said she plans to spend time with her family and do some home improvement work.

Cheryl Riley

Custodian

Cheryl Riley joined Elon in 2013 as a custodian and will retire at the end of May. “I will miss the people I work with,” she said. “And I look forward to spending time with my grandkids.”

Linda Dunn

Adjunct assistant professor of Peace and Conflict Studies

Linda Dunn joined Elon in 1998 as the director of the Alamance County Dispute Settlement Center, where she trained a group of students and returned to train several faculty members in mediation skills, who later became volunteer mediators for the center. Dunn’s official start date on record is 2001, when she taught a two-credit mediation and conflict resolution skills course as part of a new minor called Nonviolent Studies. She retired at the end of December, 2025.

Federico Pous spoke on behalf of Dunn during the Faculty/Staff Awards luncheon, praising Dunn’s ability to teach hands-on peaceful conflict resolution skills and strategies across different social backgrounds.

“Linda’s way of teaching and interacting with students, staff and professors, makes you feel that you are equal to her in the same community space,” he shared.

“I will miss the students and their passion the things I teach,” said Dunn. Two of her students attended the luncheon.

After retirement, she plans to attend cultural events on campus and potentially assist in future facilitated discussions on campus. She will also continue to volunteer as a mediator at the Alamance County District court, continue restorative circle skills and mediation and training skills with Restorative Justice Durham and the Orange County District County District court.

“I will continue to be an activist for restorative justice and peacemaking organizations as we navigate the chaos and violence in our world,” she added.

Elizabeth Bailey

Assistant teaching professor of exercise science

Elizabeth Bailey began her career at Elon in 2004 and, enjoying the vibe of the community, wanted to be “part of it all.” She started as a lecturer for the required wellness course, lectured for the School of Education before joining Exercise Science.

Retiring at the end of Spring semester, Bailey said she will most miss her colleagues and all the “friends among the faculty and staff” she has made while at Elon.

“I will also miss the opportunities to continue to learn that are available at Elon, whether it be through taking classes or participating in workshops or going abroad,” she added. She said, while at Elon, he has learned a lot.

Bailey said her retirement plans continue to evolve, and she still intends to exercise classes and do some research on the side.

Kim Giles, ’11 G’16

Associate director of communications for the Student Professional Development Center

Since her first role in 1995, Kim Giles has served in various roles at the university, including data entry in admissions and accounting, budget clerk in the physical plant, program assistant for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics, and assistant director of communications in the Student Professional Development Center.

Giles retired during the summer of 2025. She said she cherishes the opportunity to earn an MBA at Elon along with her daughter. She said about the experience, “what an unforgettable experience that was in crossing the stage along with my daughter to get our MBA’s together – it was quite surreal.”

Giles also reflected on traveling with peers and faculty to Vietnam and Singapore, the many evolutions of Staff Appreciation Day, and being honored as the staff member of the year – an experience she said she will cherish forever.

Since retiring, Giles has taken nine cruises and has done kayaking, camping and gardening. She looks forward to continuing to spend time with family.

Sharon Moss LaRocco

University accompanist and instructor in music

Sharon Moss LaRocco was recognized at the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon by Hallie Hogan, associate professor of music. LaRocco joined the Elon Music Department in 1988 as a pianist for musical theater productions, music ensembles and student recitals.

Hogan shared, “Although she kept a very low profile, there was never any doubt about this, because she never missed a beat, much less a note, and maintained high quality for every performance she gave,” Hogan said.

She shared that students developed a strong admiration for LaRocco’s talent and a deep love for her kind and understanding nature.

Beyond Elon, Sharon has devoted herself to advocating for people with autism, through her work as a leader in the Office of Society of North Carolina, notably promoting autism awareness for the Native American communities of Western North Carolina.

At the awards ceremony, LaRocco shared that one of her favorite memories was the construction of Rhodes Stadium, which signaled to her the emergence of a marching band.

“Who doesn’t love a marching band?” asked LaRocco to the audience. “And the spirit and the energy it creates walking through the campus, en route to the games.”

Jana Lynn Patterson

Associate vice president for Student Life/dean of student health & well-being/assistant professor

During the Faculty/Staff Awards Luncheon, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life and associate professor of education, described Patterson as someone who is consistent in how she shows up for others, patient when a young leader makes a mistake, honest with students and colleagues even when it is hard and someone who not only believes in others, and one who helps others believe in themselves.

“She supported students in college through tragedy, advised student organizations, and celebrated their success,” said Dooley. “She has created spaces of welcome and belonging, and met the students in their darkest hours, helping them piece together on plans to move forward.”

Patterson was also recognized for her 40 years of service and held back tears while addressing the audience. A first-generation student from Hope Mills, North Carolina, Patterson said her parents could have never dreamed where she is today.

“To my staff and colleagues, you are the A-Team,” she shared. “But to everyone in this community, I want you to know that every day has been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this community and to have worked with you.”

Also retiring

Retiring staff members will be recognized on May 29 as part of Staff Appreciation Day.

• Joan Barnatt
• Mona DeVries
• Chris Dockrill, head women’s golf coach
• Sharon Hodge
• John Chinnici, community service officer
• David “DD” Donohue, painter
• Kelly Elliston
• Gloria Graves, custodian
• William “Tom” Hall, telecommunications technician
• Rhonda Kosusko, associate director of career services, education and Elon
• Katherine Rodriguez, assistant director for application processing
• Michelle Stephens, custodian
• Ed Williams, service desk analyst
• Donna Wood , electronic services/ acquisitions librarian

More than 50 students and several teachers from ABSS CTEC Burlington joined �����Dz�’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Department of Exercise Science and Performing Arts to celebrate National Biomechanics Day, an annual global event held since 2016. All of the CTEC students were on the health science track, making the experience an opportunity to connect their academic interests with potential future pathways.

Students rotated through six stations focused on different aspects of biomechanics, each designed to highlight both fundamental concepts and practical applications.

At the static balance station, participants completed variations of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), testing their ability to maintain stability in double-leg, single-leg and tandem stances on both firm and foam surfaces. The neuromotor station focused on coordination and motor learning through activities like mirror tracing, maze completion and target-based drawing tasks. At the strength station, students measured grip strength using handheld dynamometers and observed muscle activation through electromyography (EMG).

Movement was further explored at the tandem gait station, where students walked heel-to-toe along a straight line. As they progressed from forward to backwards walking and added cognitive challenges like counting or spelling backwards, the tasks became increasingly difficult. At the jump station, participants measured their vertical and horizontal jumping ability, learning how lower-body power is assessed in sports and exercise settings. The final station challenged students to think like engineers. Using simple materials, groups built functional models of an elbow joint, aiming to replicate natural movement. The activity highlighted the relationship between biomechanics and design, with connections to prosthetics and rehabilitation technology.

Faculty from exercise science, performing arts and physical therapy, along with student volunteers, led the stations and guided discussions throughout the day. Their involvement created a collaborative environment where participants could ask questions, test ideas and explore new interests.

By the end of the event, students were left with a deeper understanding of how biomechanics applies to everyday movement, health, and performance; as well as a clearer picture of how those interests could shape their future.

“My dad would put me in any recreational sport that was happening in our town. I played softball, basketball, and even track. But I’ve always loved to dance,” Harrison said.

In the summer of her junior year of high school, Harrison attended a summer dance program at Radford University, where she met Elon West African Dance professor Keshia Gee.

“She told me about �����Dz�’s dance science program, and I did my research and decided to apply,” she said. “I cried tears of joy when I got admitted.”

Combining her passions for dance and physical therapy, Harrison decided to enroll at Elon for the opportunities that come with the dance science major.

“I saw that the dance science program was a way for me to open the door for physical therapy. I found that there was more opportunity in this major rather than a typical path,” she said. “This major gives me the background to solidify trust with a patient because I know the body and know how to alleviate the pain they may feel, so they can get back to playing a sport or doing their art.”

Harrison is also pursuing minors in exercise science, African studies and dance. Later in her Elon career, she aspires to conduct undergraduate research involving West African dance with Assistant Professor of Dance Keshia Gee. She has also had her sights set on planning a Winter Term study abroad program to broaden her studies on a global scale.

One of �����Dz�’s opportunities she is using to her advantage is the EMT-Basic certification course done in collaboration with Alamance Community College. Aligned with her physical therapy aspirations, Harrison is excited to complete the course and take the final exam to earn her official EMT certification.

“The aspect of helping people is why I want to do sports physical therapy. I get to incorporate that into my EMT work,” she said. “I’m already getting more confident with labs and learning skills from the practice.”

Eager to learn more and advance her career as much as possible, Harrison has connected with Elon’s athletic trainer for club sports and performing arts, Christina Yanakis. Harrison recently attended a club hockey game alongside Yanakis, where she saw a professional in action.

“I was able to observe her scope of practice and see the different dynamics of hockey players and their pain points. It helped me realize that I want to do both sports and performing arts, which is why I think physical therapy is my correct path,” said Harrison.

When asked about what she is most proud of, Harrison replied, “I’m proud of how committed I am to the career path I’m on. I’ve stayed with it, and there have been times where I’ve debated changing, but as I advance, I realize more and more that this is what I want to do.”

Harrison’s F.W. Beazley Leadership Scholarship has strengthened her resilience in pursuing her passions.

“With any experience, you get what you put into it, so I am giving it all my might, and I hope I get that in return,” she said.

This mindset has led to sustained motivation and incredible progress within her studies.

She notes that the support through scholarships has given her motivation, adding, “The donors believe in me so much that they will spend their resources and time to make sure that I succeed in my education and career. I am striving for greatness, and I promise to make you proud, and I will always be grateful for the financial help from Elon donors.”

On April 4,  the Elon Engineering Club, Phoenix Racing Club and the Department of Physical Therapy brought the Go Baby Go Initiative to �����Dz�’s campus for the first time. Founded in 2012 at the University of Delaware, Go Bo Baby is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges.

Six young children zipped across the pavement in brightly colored toy cars, laughter trailing behind them. These weren’t ordinary rides; they had been carefully reimagined by those same students inside, transformed into custom vehicles designed just for the kids who drove them.

The collaborative effort between the Elon Engineering Club, Phoenix Racing and the Department of Physical Therapy brought the Go Baby Go Initiative to �����Dz�’s campus for the first time. Founded in 2012 at the University of Delaware, Go Baby Go is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges.

Julianna Millett ’26 spearheaded �����Dz�’s effort with fellow engineering majors Diego Hernandez ’26 and Abigail Johnson ’27, after learning about the program through their Tikkun Olam Makers Fellowship. The TOM Fellowship Program is a nine-month international program that supports campus leaders, students and faculty in leading “communities” of students who use their engineering and design skills to co-create TOM Solutions for problems faced by people with disabilities, the elderly and the poor.

“For a lot of children, this is their first mobility device. Insurance isn’t going to cover a mobility aid because kids grow so fast,” said Millett. “With this car, it’s giving them almost a first experience of having some autonomy over their movement.”

On Saturday, engineering students adapted the car’s gas pedal to be a button on the steering wheel so the children could drive the car more efficiently, and physical therapy students helped adjust five-point harnesses so the children could also ride comfortably.

Sirena Hargrove-Leak, professor of engineering, views this work as an extension of �����Dz�’s Engineering Design for Service course, where students work in small teams to design devices for systems that aid a local community client.

“Now it becomes an extracurricular engagement for students who are really motivated by that type of work to be able to continue it, and it connects them to a much larger organization,” said Hargrove-Leak. “It’s international and several other institutions of higher education are part of this, so just having that connectivity with other people who are doing similar work and moving it into the extracurricular space broadens and deepens that experience.”

Rebekkah Manning’s 4-year-old son, Henry has cerebral palsy and works regularly with the Department of Physical Therapy. Manning says Henry has not been able to play like other children his age due to his condition.

“A lot of options are not open to him. Even the rides at the city park are not adaptable and accessible,” she said. “It’s discouraging to try to be the mother and father of a child who wants to play, and he can’t.”

Henry was fitted into his car on Saturday while his father controlled the driving through a remote control, and Henry was also able to use the steering wheel button to drive.

“It is a dream come true because it’s something that we realized that we couldn’t do with Henry unless we had help,” said Manning. “When he got in, he got a little bit nervous, and everybody was watching, but then after a few laps here, did you see his smile grow? And he started interacting more. So, it is definitely a confidence builder.”

Carrie McCollum heard about the Go Baby Go program through their family’s physical therapist at Cone Health, who is an Elon alum. McCollum’s daughter BillieAnn has cerebral palsy, and while her older brother had driven her in his toy car, McCollum says it’s safer and better for BillieAnn to now drive her own.

“I hope to see her getting outside more often,” said McCollum. “We live on a farm, we have plenty of open space for her to move around on, but the wheelchair does not go well on gravel or rough terrain. I hope that this will be a way for her to drive around and see things out in our yard and on our farm.”

Hargrove-Leak says while this experience has been beneficial for the families involved, the students and her find it rewarding as well.

“It is so fulfilling to be able to serve as a mentor for these students,” said Hargrove-Leak. “I have just enjoyed watching them grow as servant leaders, using their knowledge and skills to help other people. That’s always been my dream as an engineering educator, to try to encourage students to use what they’re learning for good in the world.”

Go Baby Go is a national initiative that modifies ride-on toy cars to meet the individual physical needs of young children who experience mobility challenges. At Elon, the program brings together students from physical therapy and engineering along with members of the Elon Phoenix racing team, to combine clinical insight, technical design, and hands-on fabrication skills. Before cars are built, the team is focused on recruiting student volunteers and connecting with local families for evaluation. These evaluations help determine each child’s specific mobility needs and guide design decisions for the custom ride-on cars.

Sirena Hargrove-Leak, professor in the department of engineering, is co-mentoring the Go Baby Go project with engineering students Julianna Millett, Diego Hernandez and Abbey Johnson, who initiated the project as part of the TOM Fellowship Program.

Paula DiBiasio, associate professor in the department of physical therapy education and a pediatric physical therapist, has run Go Baby Go projects in the past and is co-mentoring the project and is leading efforts to recruit families, and providing the physical therapy evaluations to assess the mobility, seating, and switch needs for the children. For each evaluation, PT and engineering students are working with DiBiasio to gather data, engage with the children/families, and problem-solve the buildout. Together with DiBiasio, the team plans the equipment needed for each individual child’s car.

Physical therapy students play a key role in assessing trunk stability, limb movement and safety consideration, while engineering students contribute to design, electronics, and fabrication planning. Members of the Phoenix Racing team add technical expertise and hands-on problem-solving on the day of the event.

The program not only supports children and families in the surrounding community, but also gives students a unique opportunity to apply classroom learning to a real-world challenge with meaningful impact. By working across disciplines, students gain experience in teamwork, human-centered design, and problem solving.

Students interested in learning more about the program or getting involved can reach out to jmillett@elon.edu  or 410-812-8770.

The program began with an introduction from Robert Nithman, program director of physical therapy education, followed by a message from Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Rebecca Kohn. She refreshed the student’s memory on 51������’s mission statement in connection to the mission and duties of a physical therapy career.

“51������ embraces its founder’s vision of an academic community that transforms mind, body and spirit,” said Kohn. “It encourages freedom of thought and liberty of conscience. As I reflected on your ceremony, it was apparent that for physical therapists, through the holistic care you provide your patients, you are actively transforming minds, bodies and spirits. To achieve this, you must rely heavily on the core values of caring, compassion, inclusion and social responsibility.”

The ceremony, held in Lakeside, symbolized the students next steps in committing to a career that demands humility, resiliency and empathy.

“You’re stepping into a role where people trust you with their pain, their fears and their hopes,” said Nithman. “You will earn that trust through your actions every day. Through your work, you will give many the chance to reclaim parts of their lives that they feared were lost.”

Srikant Vallabhajosula, professor of physical therapy education, and Alys Giordano, assistant professor of physical therapy education, serve as the cohort advisors for the DPT class of 2028, and they began the introduction of the signees. Students posed while writing their signature, along with taking a headshot photo after they completed their walk.

Before starting the Physical Therapy Pledge, class leaders Marisa Santamauro G’28 and Chimeri Anazia G’28 were invited to the podium to lead their peers in reciting the pledge. After the pledge concluded, Nithman finished the ceremony with some closing remarks.

“Students, on behalf of our faculty, staff and administration, we are very proud of you. We are honored to guide you, and we look forward to watching you grow into the clinicians and leaders that our communities desperately need,” Nithman said.

�����Dz�’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program emphasizes a patient-centered approach to the profession. The program includes science, research and 48 weeks of hands-on clinical practicums to reinforce what students learn in the classrooms to everyday life.

Together, they performed a minute-long hip-hop routine to the Black Eyed Peas song Boom Boom Pow choreographed by Meghan McGarrigle. After the performance, the audience voted for their favorite faculty/staff dancer, crowning Melissa Scales the audience favorite for the second year in a row!

Follow the Elon Dance Team on Instagram @eudanceteam to learn about upcoming performances and events.

And as she prepares to retire from the university having influenced many hundreds of graduates and earning in 2024 the university’s highest faculty honor, the Daniels-Danieley Award for Excellence in Teaching, Johansson sought to share her wisdom in a Commencement address to some of the newest members of the healthcare profession.

Her key takeaways on Dec. 12, 2025, for 51������ students conferred with degrees in nursing, physician assistant studies and physical therapy included:

• Prioritize human connection over individual achievement in both career and life.
• Practice compassion with boundaries to sustain caring without burnout.
• Treat yourself with self-compassion and accept help as part of belonging.

Delivering her afternoon remarks in Alumni Gym to School of Health Sciences graduates, Johansson challenged the familiar advice to “follow your bliss,” calling it inconsistent with both evidence and lived experience. She cited the , which has tracked participants for the better part of a century and found that strong relationships matter more to long-term happiness than wealth or physical health.

“If you want to pursue an evidence-informed approach to happiness, you have to focus on other people and not just yourself,” Johansson said. “I suspect that most of you sitting here came to healthcare because you already care about relationships. It’s quite possibly also why you chose to study at Elon.

“So it’s good to know that relationships are also the key to professional success and happiness. Studies indicate that the more people focus solely on themselves, the worse off they are likely to be—physically, mentally, and professionally.”

For healthcare professionals, Johansson said, those connections may be brief but still lasting. Even short encounters, including supportive words offered in moments of care, can leave a lifelong impact. Research was cited showing that compassion improves patient experiences and protects providers from burnout, a condition marked by emotional exhaustion and detachment that disproportionately affects healthcare workers.

Johansson emphasized that compassion differs from empathy alone because it moves people to action while reducing personal emotional distress. Studies of compassion training show increased activity in brain regions associated with reward and belonging rather than pain.

Sustaining compassion over time, she reminded graduates, requires boundaries, self-compassion and a willingness to accept help. Johansson also stressed that fulfillment depends on connecting to something greater than oneself, often experienced through relationships with patients, colleagues and communities.

“When we think of relationships, we tend to imagine longevity,” Johansson said. “Yet for many of us, our intersections with patients may last only a few minutes and we never see those people again. But your supportive words and your moments of caring can stay with a person for a lifetime.”

The Commencement program welcomed families, friends and mentors of 45 candidates for the Doctor of Physical Therapy, 38 candidates for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and 25 candidates for the university’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Maha Lund, dean of the School of Health Sciences, in her welcoming remarks thanked clinical partners who provided practical learning experiences for students, and she shared her gratitude for loved ones who supported graduates throughout their academic journeys. Lund also spoke directly to those about to enter the healthcare profession.

“Graduates, know that you are needed!” Lund said. “Today our communities face significant healthcare challenges and inequities. You have worked hard to develop clinical and leadership skills that can help you address these challenges and reduce healthcare inequities.

“Congratulations on your accomplishments. We wish you continued success and happiness as you apply your learning to serve those around you.”

In a charge to graduates to conclude the ceremony, 51������ President Connie Ledoux Book cautioned about the world in which healthcare workers now practice where science, once an unquestioned foundation, is too often dismissed or distorted.

Graduates will also practice in systems where business models shift rapidly, Book said, and the pressures on clinicians and the needs of patients are growing ever more complex.

“Go forth with compassion. Be a steady presence in spaces where uncertainty and instability can distract from the heart of healing,” she said. “Serve with integrity when you face difficult decisions, and let your training guide you toward what is just and wise.

“Be advocates for your patients, for your communities, and for a healthcare system that honors each and every person. And hold fast to the belief that your work matters deeply, especially in times when the world needs compassionate clinicians more than ever.”

Candidates for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• Layla Abumayaleh
• Sarah Allison Acu:
• Ashley Emelda Banegas
• Kiara Lyniece Batts
• Joshua Isaiah Brower
• Abigail Chester
• Claire Elizabeth Cummings
• Jessica Claire Davis
• Emily Anne Easthom
• Samantha Page Eldredge
• Abigail Heath Franklin
• Cyntasia Dene’ Hammonds
• Sarah Jenkins
• Caroline Grace Maness
• Carmen Mesa
• Shania Brianna Oyler
• Alexa Porter
• Avery Lane Riley
• Mia Gabrielle Rose
• Haley Josephine Savastano
• Lillie Grace Shamblin
• Lauryn Alexandra Smith
• Madison Jaycee Steele
• Suleyma Torres-Garcia
• Anna Josie Wheat

Candidates for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

• Sarah Lane Edwards Adams
• Fatema Alhajeri
• Haley Brooke Brennan
• Brianna Laurel Bromley
• Mia Cameron Cleary
• Cynthia Chisom Dimgba
• Devron John Felder
• Samir Halalou
• Chandler Reid Halvorsen
• Grace FuJia Huisking
• Katrina Anastasija Jackson
• Nadia Zein Ja:al
• Lillian Rae Kerchinsky
• Blessed Kisakye Wiele
• Michael Richard McCormack
• Lina Concetta Meikle
• Danielle Martine Meyen
• Jordan-Lee Napolitano
• Sarah Michelle Newman
• Sydney Marie Noldin
• Brian Walter O’Hare Jr.
• Dylan James Paracka
• Robert Arthur Plagmann
• Gabriela Jazmin Quintanilla
• Patricia Lourdes Raj
• Joshua Lewis Rambeaut
• Yeimi Lizbeth Reyna Romero
• Savannah Joyce Richardson
• Andrea Leigh Robertson
• Dakota Austin Sampson
• Erin Elizabeth Schiemann
• Laura Staeheli
• Savannah Cherie Summy
• Douglas James Thompson
• Vivian Chau Tiet
• Eddie Dean Tyler White
• Julia Christine Wyner
• Ellie Christine Yakubu

Candidates for the Doctor of Physical Therapy

• Nicholas Michael Bush
• Katelyn Brooke Carpenter
• Emiliano Chirigliano
• Raya Imani Coley
• Kasey Copeland
• John Carl Daniels
• Jazmyne Nechole Davis
• Rachel Laurel Davis
• Logan Gregory Deese
• Danielle Sanford Essex
• Michaela Faith Fitzgerald
• Gabrielle M. Flocco
• Josephine Freeman
• Madison Leigh Friday
• Taylor Marie Grikis
• Terris Hightower
• William Huie
• Kaleigh Iris Jenkins
• Samantha Rose Kosmacki
• Kyle Matthew Langworthy
• Breanna M. Lanouette
• Kieran Best Mahoney
• Katherine Briana Messikomer
• Alex Miller
• Andrew G. Miller
• Jamshed K. Mistry
• Sara Moore
• Isaac Murdock
• Alexis Nowell
• Airiann Marie Page
• Ashlyn Wolfe Panagrosso
• Chaney Leigh Patton
• Samantha Nichole Pawlovich
• Wesley Allen Roberson
• Veronica Romero-Perozo
• Jacob Dean Rosengarten
• Milani Denise Lavarias Saldon
• Virginia Royal Shafer
• Anthony William Shea
• Charles Fairbank Sigloh
• Addison Kay Swo:ord
• Alannah Marie Thomas
• Matthew L Urrutia
• Thomas Ryan Van Dorp
• Hannah Michelle Wright

“I’m so proud of our students,” said Maha Lund, dean of 51������’s School of Health Sciences. “Their research topics and the depth of the work are impressive. What it shows me is that they have learned how to access original research and resources that will help them take care of their patients.”

Twenty 3rd year DPT students presented 12 posters on topics related to their personal and professional growth while learning and exploring culturally unique healthcare settings across the world. As part of the DPTE Global Learning Opportunities program, students took DPT courses in locations across the US and around the world, including Peru, Italy, Australia, Belize and various US locations.

“We are celebrating students’ development of intercultural skills necessary to effectively work across differences, with the ultimate goal of delivering equitable, culturally responsive, and individualized healthcare,” said Paula DiBiasio, associate professor and director of the Global Learning Opportunities Program in the Department of Physical Therapy Education.

ABSN students showcased their research via eight evidence-based poster presentations on important topics, including management of pediatric migraines, family involvement in diabetic foot care, technology innovations to improve medication safety and many others. The students completed this research work as part of their “Evidence-based Nursing Practice” course.

“As these students prepare to begin professional nursing practice, it is essential that they are able to use the current research literature to provide evidence-based support for their practice,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Elizabeth Van Horn. “The students have done an excellent job of exploring and analyzing the research literature to make sound recommendations for nursing practice to improve patient care. We are all very proud of their accomplishments.”

Thirty-eight 2nd year PA students each presented their research findings at the Forum. The students presented on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to research regarding drug trials, surgical options, and new treatments for emerging medical concerns.

“These students are ready to move into their professional role as PAs and will bring this knowledge of the latest research with them in order to practice evidence-based patient care,” said Antoinette Polito, associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Forty-six 1st year DPT students presented their research via 17 posters from their “Research Design III” course. The research project topics ranged from pediatric-, cardiovascular-, neurologic- and sports-physical therapy.

“These presentations are a culmination of more than 6 months of quantitative, hands-on research experience,” said Srikant Vallabhajosula, professor and research coordinator for the Department of Physical Therapy, who also teaches the course. “Each group has gone through a different journey but culminated in this wonderful conference-like experience! I am proud of their hard work and thankful to the faculty members who mentored these groups in their research endeavors. I am hoping many of these will go to national conferences to give these students a richer exposure to research and evidence-informed practice.”