Six rising juniors have been named members of the tenth class of Multifaith Scholars, a two-year fellows program for juniors and seniors that offers a closely mentored, experientially rich and intellectually rigorous educational opportunity for students with significant potential.

After a highly selective application and interview process, students are awarded $5,000 annually to support research and study in global contexts connected with religious diversity and multi-religious societies. Students who show great potential as academically curious and socially engaged leaders committed to their own ongoing development and the enhancement of their local and global communities are selected each spring.

“I am delighted to welcome these six impressive rising juniors into the Multifaith Scholars program and look forward to supporting their compelling projects over the next two years,” said Amy Allocco, director of the Multifaith Scholars program. “Their research interests include music and Christian religious experience, linguistic anthropology and the vocabulary of faith, religious diversity in clinical settings, gender and religious roles in Asian art, the intersection of biomedicine and traditional healing practices and the history of Black churches here in Alamance County.”

In addition to pursuing their faculty-mentored undergraduate research projects and undertaking academic coursework in religious studies and interreligious studies, the scholars will extend the program’s ongoing community partnership with the Burlington Masjid. Through the partnership, scholars teach English classes, participate in youth and social events with the local Muslim community, join community garden workdays, volunteer with the food pantry and take part in potlucks and iftar meals during Ramadan.

“It is wonderful to welcome such a strong class with such diverse academic interests,” reflected Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society, which supports the Multifaith Scholars program. “As we approach the tenth anniversary of the MFS, it is gratifying to see so many clear signs of the program’s maturity and significance: our largest class ever, the inclusion of seven new faculty mentors, and students majoring in three disciplines never before represented in MFS.”

The 2026-2028 Multifaith Scholars

Addison Anderson

Majors: History, Sociology

Minors: Museum Studies, Public History, and Interreligious Studies

Mentor: Amanda Kleintop (History and Geography)

Project Title: History and Memory of Alamance County’s Black Churches

Proposed Research: Examine the relationship between Alamance County African American churches and local politics in North Carolina from Reconstruction through 1900.

Blair Berenson

Major: Anthropology

Minors: Jewish Studies, Sociology, Philosophy and Interreligious Studies

Mentors: Amy Allocco (Religious Studies) and Devin Proctor (Sociology & Anthropology)

Project Title: An Anthropological Approach to Cross-Generational Shifts in Hindu and Jewish Perspectives of Faith in the US

Proposed Research: Conduct fieldwork in Jewish and Hindu communities in Atlanta to understand how different generations articulate the concept of faith.

Katie Castelo

Major: Biochemistry

Minors: Neuroscience, Spanish, and Interreligious Studies

Mentor: Cathy Quay (Nursing)

Project Title: Bridging Faith and Medicine: Improving Cultural Awareness of Religious Practices in the Healthcare System

Proposed Research: Explore the healthcare industry’s approach to death and ways it can be more open to diverse religious practices.

Faith Elliott

Major: Neuroscience

Minors: Expressive Arts and Interreligious Studies

Mentors: Lynn Huber (Religious Studies) and Morgan Patrick (Music Theory)

Project Title: Neurotheology: An Interdisciplinary Study into Sacred Music and Feelings of Well-Being

Proposed Research: Examine the historical significance of music and understand and measure the behavioral impact associated with an emotional, transcendent spiritual experience and the well-being that results from listening.

Mariama Jalloh

Major: Public Health

Minors: Biology and Interreligious Studies

Mentor: Sandra Darfour-Oduro (Public Health)

Project Title: Faith, Healers, and Health: How Religious Beliefs and Community Trust Shape Healthcare Decisions in West African Communities

Proposed Research: Examine how religious leaders and traditional healers influence healthcare decisions in communities in Ghana, and how public health programs can partner with these practitioners to improve health education outcomes.

Ryleigh Rouse

Majors: Art History, Religious Studies

Minors: Museum Studies and Public History and Asian Studies

Mentor: Kirstin Ringelberg (Art History)

Project Title: Religion’s Impact on Japanese Women: Through an Art Historical Lens

Proposed Research: Employ art as a lens to examine how religion shaped gender perceptions and Japanese women’s roles.

Otten and Zito’s research examined how gender and sexual orientation shape public perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV). Using a nationally representative survey experiment with more than 1,600 U.S. adults, participants were shown the same IPV scenario, but with the perpetrator’s gender and sexual orientation changed across versions. They found that people judged heterosexual male perpetrators most harshly, while gay male perpetrators and heterosexual female perpetrators were seen as less culpable, less dangerous and less deserving of punishment. Lesbian perpetrators fell in between, suggesting that judgments about violence are shaped by assumptions about who is capable of causing harm and who is seen as a “real” victim.

The study draws attention to how stereotypes about masculinity, femininity and sexuality influence responses to abuse. Because intimate partner violence is often framed as a “women’s issue,” violence against men —  especially gay men — can be minimized or dismissed. In contrast, women perpetrators may be seen as less threatening. These perceptions matter because they affect whether victims seek help, how law enforcement and courts respond and whether survivors are believed in the first place.

Zito also presented a study titled “‘It’s Never Stopped Me Doing Anything I Wanted to Do’: Disability (Dis)Identification in Tourette Syndrome” as part of the Disability & Health session. The research explored how adults with Tourette Syndrome (TS) understand and articulate their condition in relation to disability, including how they position themselves as disabled, non-disabled or in-between. Based on 30 in-depth interviews, Zito found that disability identity is shaped less by how people interpret their experiences rather than simply by tic severity. Some rejected the disability label, equating disability with physical incapacitation and having a limited life, while others embraced it by pointing to chronic pain, workplace barriers, stigma and public scrutiny. Many fell somewhere in between, describing TS as disabling at times but hesitating to claim disability status. The research shows that TS exists in the “borderlands” of disability, where identity is influenced by cultural ideas about normality and what counts as a “real” disability.

The Lumen Prize supported Otten’s research. Zito’s research was supported by an 51±ŹÁÏÍű Summer Research Fellowship.

The highlights of the event included the induction of sociology students into Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Honor Society of Sociology and of anthropology students into Lambda Alpha, the National Anthropology Honor Society.

The department also celebrated Avery Shipp, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Sociology Senior Award, and Kate Burns, recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Anthropology Senior Award. These awards recognize distinguished scholarship and ethical research practices by senior majors.

Shipp was recognized for her mixed-methods research on the impact of the presentation of “bad behavior” in children’s literature on neurodivergent children from the 1980s until the present.

Kate Burns was recognized for her archaeological research and ceramic analysis at the Dos Hombres field site in Belize, research that she will continue to pursue in the Ph.D program in Anthropology at UT-Austin.

Pamela Runestad, assistant professor of anthropology, has been named the 2026-2028 Scholar for the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society (CSRCS). During her term, Runestad will focus on resources for faculty and staff with community engaged experiences in their courses. Additionally, she will help build CSRCS capacity for student research, internships and foster campuswide engagement. Runestad will assume her position on June 1, 2026.

“I’m really excited to bring together expertise from CSRCS and PERCS regarding best practices for class site visits to religious sites so that we have resources for faculty and staff who facilitate community engaged experiences as part of their courses. I hope these will be useful for in-house courses and winter term courses abroad,” Runestad said.

CSRCS Director Brian Pennington says that Runestad’s “expertise in Japan and in medical anthropology will bring new skills and insights to the CSRCS. Her commitments to student learning and to campus culture are well known, and we will be excited to welcome her on board.”

Runestad is a Food Studies faculty member and is a medical anthropologist who began to combine interests in biology, social studies, and culture while teaching in Nagano, Japan, from 2000 to 2006. She moved to Honolulu to study medical anthropology in 2006 and returned to Japan for her doctoral research on HIV/AIDS, supported by Fulbright-Hays and the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation, from 2009 to 2013. She is particularly interested in medical narratives, and biocultural aspects of infectious disease, chronic conditions and nutrition.

“As a medical anthropologist, I’m also excited to contribute to the ‘Bridging Faith and Health’ microcredential and related conversations about interdisciplinary health and human experience on campus. My own research explores socio-cultural and religious components of maternity clinic strategies to engage patient-clients as the birthrate continues to decline in Japan,” said Runestad. “Sometimes religious underpinnings of everyday practices are difficult to discern or are more complicated than they appear at first glance. Attending to those underpinnings can make root causes of social issues clearer.”

This year’s symposium, “Sensorial Cosmologies and Cultural Resistance in Latin America,” explored political strategies, activism, and theoretical interventions for combatting cultural homogenization in Latin America and the Caribbean. Presenters engaged themes such as religion, cosmology and critical theory; gender justice and eco-feminism; and migration from the global south and racial inequality in the USA.

Seventeen scholars from across the US joined 51±ŹÁÏÍű faculty conveners Federico Pous (World Languages and Cultures), Leyla Savloff (Sociology and Anthropology), and Juan Leal Ugalde (World Languages and Cultures) to feature work on counternarratives and cultural resistance offered by Indigenous cosmogony and artistic creation. Presentations included  topics such as “Catholic Feminism and Reproductive Justice in Argentina,” “Resistance in Apu Kolki Hirka,” “Revival in the Sikiru Movement,” and “Trans Migrant Women’s Spatial Practices in Queens.”

“The quality of papers presented, and the intellectual conversation we held at the symposium were very stimulating,” said Federico Pous, associate professor of Spanish. “We are currently preparing a dossier for the very well-known journal Acontracorriente, in which most of the participants at the symposium will publish an article on the topic of sensorious cosmologies. I hope to continue organizing academic encounters like this one in the future.”

This year’s keynote presentation, “Contemporary Audiovisuality as a Site of Cosmological Inscription,” was delivered by Ana M. Ochoa, professor of music and ethnomusicology at Tulane University. Her lecture outlined her collaborative work on audio production among indigenous filmmakers in South America.

“The global politics of migration calls us to think how media, audiovisual and sound technologies are not simply a way to broadcast entertainment, art, or events. They have been part of the fabric of a sensorial cosmological transformation in the make-up of life and how we think of it,” said Ochoa. “This is not only the case when, for example, indigenous peoples film their myths, or participate in transnational art events to affirm their cultures and cosmologies, but also as we trace the historical links between extractivism, the soundscape of life, and audiovisual sensoriums.”

CSRCS Director Brian Pennington emphasized that supporting Elon faculty scholarship is a primary purpose of the symposium.

“Symposium participants, led by Drs. Savloff and Pous, have already developed a detailed roadmap for publishing these papers, and we are excited about the important collection that will result,” said Pennington.

For more information, visit the On the Edge Symposium webpage.

The volume is a comprehensive introduction to the essential methods, concepts and practices of conducting ethnographic research in and about digital environments. Written by 60 global contributors across 12 chapters with accompanying case studies and concept explorations, it provides both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for digital ethnographic work. The book also examines ethical challenges specific to digital research environments while maintaining a commitment to reflexive, co-present research that acknowledges how our interactions with digital technologies transcend boundaries of citizenship, race, gender identity, age and ability.

Proctor began this project because he found selecting readings for his courses on internet culture difficult. The classes had constantly been torn between well-researched and theorized but dense and jargon-laden articles on one hand and readable popular “think pieces” without any basis in research or evidence on the other. This left a gap between the two. This book hopes to bridge that divide, seeking to be approachable and useful but also theoretically and methodologically rigorous. The objective is to provide practical advice on the methods, concepts, and themes of digital ethnography, so that students can effectively conduct their own studies, whether in or out of the classroom. To this end, it’s presented in an approachable style ideal for students and researchers in anthropology, media studies, science & technology studies, and communications who seek to understand contemporary hyper-mediated environments, as well as professionals outside academia who need practical, accessible guidance for conducting rigorous digital research.

The main chapters are a deep-dive into themes such as “virtual reality research” or “digital ethics.” These are paired with short “case studies” that feature different digital ethnographic studies being done currently, written by the researchers doing the work. These involve research on shamanic use of selfies in the Amazon, Iranian feminist social media collectives, GIS use in Cameroon and Polish dark net drug markets, along with many others. Each chapter also includes a “micro-chapter” about a central concept, e.g., “affordance,” “platform,” “meme,” and so on.

Rena Zito, associate professor of sociology, discussed Tourette syndrome, both living with the condition and the recent incident at the BAFTA film awards, on CBC Listen’s “” program on Feb. 28, 2026.

At the BAFTA film awards in London on Feb. 22, 2026, John Davidson, whose life inspired the award-winning biopic “I Swear,” involuntarily shouted a racial slur during Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo’s speech. The incident has inspired intense conversation around Tourette syndrome and its symptoms.

Zito says it’s important for people to understand that vocal tics do not signify someone’s internal thoughts and feelings. She says the vocal tic often ends up being the opposite of what someone might say or do.

“It can be really hard for people without Tourette syndrome to wrap their head around saying words that you neither intend nor mean,” said Zito on “Just Asking.” “When it comes to things like simple motor tics like shoulder shrugging or hard blinking, people who don’t have Tourettes, they’ve experienced hiccups, they’ve experienced muscle twitches, so they can really wrap their heads around these kinds of tics, but they don’t really have a comparable frame of reference for those intense vocal tics. They’re not used to having no control over the words that come out of their mouths when they’re sober.”

Zito also wrote about the condition in a piece for “The Conversation,” and noted that tics can sometimes be “situationally relevant.”

“There are different ways the environment can matter,” said Zito. “One way it can matter is through stress. Any kind of stress, whether it’s positive or negative, can really exacerbate tics or cause tics to emerge. Sometimes you see something in the environment, you see a person, you see something, you hear something and that can set off a tic.”

Since his 2023 arrival at Elon, Kelly has hosted a ‘listening tour’ and spent time with each department to hear directly from faculty and staff about what they value. Kelly said that common themes soon emerged from those conversations and the new statement reflects dozens of discussions.

Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences new vision statement reads: “The Heart of an Elon Education: Ignite Curiosity, Engage Challenges, Transform Worlds.”

The mission statement then declares:

“Upholding the centrality of the liberal arts, we explore and apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge for inquiry, creativity, discovery and problem solving in a complex and changing world.”

The statement lists core values that include accessibility, belonging, critical thinking, diversity, equity and inclusion, integrity, intellectual curiosity, problem-posing and respect for human dignity.

Community Reflections

• “There were several opportunities for different groups, departments, branches, interdisciplinary programs, to discuss versions on the table. It was in those conversations where we might learn how a word or phrase was heard within and across disciplines; where we found convergence, deeper awareness, and respect. The both-and of this process modeled what we value and genuinely captures our shared identity as Elon College.” – Caroline Ketcham, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of exercise science
• “It was always important to us that this wasn’t a process where faculty were just asked to weigh in at the end, after the real decisions had already been made. From start to finish, it was grounded in listening to what faculty across the college say we do well and what values they believe guide our shared work. Our task wasn’t to invent a mission, vision and values, but to clearly articulate what faculty are already living and leading with. I think that’s why faculty can so readily see themselves and their departments represented in the final statements.” – David Buck, associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and an associate professor of psychology
• “Having shared goals and articulated values helps everyone in the college feel connected as a community, value each other’s work and prioritize our energies on initiatives that matter to us.” – Shannon Duvall, interim associate dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of computer science
• “I appreciated the collaborative nature of it all, not just between the dean’s office and department chairs, but also extending to faculty members across Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences. It really did involve all of us. What particularly stood out to me were the conversations in our chairs’ meetings with the dean where we came to agreements on core values. It’s inspiring to see that distinctly different types of disciplines uphold the same core values.” – Joel Karty, chair of the Department of Chemistry and 51±ŹÁÏÍű’s Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of chemistry
• “I appreciated being part of a process that felt genuinely collaborative. Our participation was not merely symbolic. It felt meaningful, and I experienced the dean’s office as truly listening. The process itself was also inspirational, and I feel bolstered in leading my own department through similar work. It was powerful to see such a broad, collective effort take shape into something tangible.” – Samantha DiRosa, chair of the Department of Art and a professor of art and environmental studies
• “The process of creating a new vision statement, mission statement and core values for Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences was both thoughtful and deeply collaborative. Over many months, department chairs worked together to reflect on what makes us distinctive and how best to express those qualities in guiding statements. The process intentionally sought input from across departments, ensuring that everyone in the college had the opportunity to contribute their perspectives. Personally, the time spent reflecting with fellow chairs on what makes each of our departments special fostered a deeper sense of shared purpose and collective commitment.” – Carrie Eaves, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Policy and associate professor of political science and public policy

Kelly said he was pleased the final language resonated with the faculty in the college.

“The true measure of a successful attempt to lead a group or an organization towards a renewed vision, mission and core values is whether the words and sentiments ‘sound like us’,” he said. “When I heard that some faculty believed my presentation of our vision, mission and core values at our spring faculty meeting ‘sound like us,’ I knew that our work together in small and large group settings was a huge success. It means that stakeholders were heard and that the words resonate so much so that the tune or melody is familiar. The vision, mission and core values reflect truly who we are and where we are going with much intention.”

A recent article in The Conversation by Rena Zito, associate professor of sociology at 51±ŹÁÏÍű who lives with Tourette syndrome, is challenging widespread misconceptions about Tourette syndrome, particularly the belief that it commonly involves shouting curses or slurs.

At the BAFTA film awards in London on Feb. 22, 2026, John Davidson, whose life inspired the award-winning biopic “I Swear,” involuntarily shouted a racial slur during Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo’s speech. The incident has inspired intense conversation around Tourette syndrome and its symptoms. 

Zito writes that “fewer than 1 in 5 people with Tourette’s experience taboo tics, such as coprolalia — involuntary obscene or offensive speech.” Despite this, pop culture has cemented the idea that swearing defines the condition. In reality, she explains, most tics are far more ordinary, including “eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, throat clearing or brief sounds.”

Coprolalia, the clinical term for involuntary swearing, affects only about 10–20% of people with Tourette syndrome. Even fewer individuals experience socially taboo words such as racial slurs. Yet these rare symptoms often dominate public perception and media portrayals.

A key misconception, Zito notes, is the belief that “tics reveal what people ‘really’ think and feel.” In fact, she emphasizes, “tics often compel people to say or do precisely what they most wish to avoid.” The neurological urges behind tics are involuntary and do not reflect a person’s beliefs, character or intentions.

Zito writes that “these socially inappropriate tics can draw unwanted attention and lead to exclusion, bullying, hostile encounters and barriers to employment.” The stigma can be as distressing — or more distressing — than the tics themselves.

Her article calls for greater public understanding of Tourette syndrome’s complexity. By recognizing that taboo tics are uncommon and involuntary, communities can move beyond stereotypes and toward empathy, ensuring people with Tourette’s “need understanding and support to participate fully and safely in public life.”

Read Zito’s full piece in .

Community Conversations & Civic Engagement

Deliberative Dialogue – America’s 250: What’s Next America?

Monday, Feb. 23, 4:30 p.m., Lakeside 212

As America marks its 250th year, this dialogue invites reflection on our shared past and the opportunity for diverse voices to share space and ideas to develop a collective vision for the next 250. Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and Political Engagement Work Group

Better Together: Breaking Bread, Building Bridges

Feb. 24 – May 5, every other Tuesday, 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Join us at Better Together this spring for connection and conversation. This time together invites us to live fully in the present and reflect on what makes this moment meaningful. Share stories, explore diverse perspectives, and build community. .

Dr. Habiba Sarabi: Education Rights of Afghan Women

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Alumni Gym

Join a conversation with Dr. Habiba Sarabi on the global impact of Afghanistan’s ban on women’s education and the fight for educational rights and gender equality. Dr. Sarabi, an Afghan politician, women’s rights activist, and medical doctor made history as the first woman to be appointed a provincial governor in Afghanistan, leading Bamyan Province. She previously served as Minister of Women’s Affairs and Minister of Culture and Education, where she focused on expanding education, protecting the environment and advancing the rights of women.

State of the Union Address Watch Party

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 8-10:30 p.m., Moseley 105

Join us for pizza and a live viewing of President Trump’s first State of the Union address of his second term. Come watch, discuss and stay informed. Sponsored by Elon Votes!

Love Your Body, Berry Much

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Lakeside Entrance

Stop by for coconut-lime strawberries and a strawberry mocktail, courtesy of Elon Dining, while also learning tips for mindful eating. Swing through, grab a treat and discover ways to build healthier habits. Visit the for more information.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss – “Man Up: Understanding Misogyny to Prevent Extremism

Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture

Thursday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m., Numen Lumen Pavilion, McBride Gathering Space

Extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss examines how misogyny – online and off – fuels the rise in far-right and mass violence, and offers strategies for interruption and prevention rooted in everyday life. The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture honors Lauren, who was set to join Elon’s Class of 2015 before her murder by a former boyfriend in July 2011. Established in her memory, the fund educates the Elon community on healthy relationships and building a culture free from violence. Visit the Spring Cultural Calendar for more information about upcoming events this semester.

Adventure Time with Elon Outdoors!

Adventures in Leadership Summer Staff Positions Available

Applications are now open for summer Adventures in Leadership staff positions, where you’ll guide incoming first-year students through exciting outdoor experiences. Earn potential internship credit and build leadership skills. Apply today on the Elon Job Network!

Elon Challenge

The Elon Challenge is a great way to help classes, teams, organizations, corporations or cohorts grow through building authentic relationships, learning how to manage resources, developing creative thinking, and applying knowledge in new ways. Visit the Elon Challenge website to review the options, gather your group, and complete the interest form to schedule a customized, no-cost experience.

Last Chance to Become an Orientation Leader

Application Deadline is Friday, Feb. 27

The Orientation Leader application is still live. As an OL, you are an integral part of the orientation process. You will play a pivotal role in the transition of all the new students to Elon, serving as a guide and mentor to new students throughout their transition. by this Friday, Feb. 27.