Barbara G. Boyette, assistant athletics director, director of academic progress/life skills development

Barbara brings an extensive background in college athletics to her new position at Elon, where she will monitor the progress of almost 400 student-athletes. Previously, she served as associate director of student academic services at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and she also worked for the University of Maryland.

Originally from York, Pa., Barbara earned a bachelor's degree from Washington University, a master's degree from Miami University and a doctorate from the University of Maryland.

Barbara says she got hooked on running a few years ago. She enjoys it so much that she recently completed her second marathon! She and her husband, Alan, enjoy traveling with her three stepchildren, Chris, Sarah and Emily.

Rob Brown, director of purchasing

Rob held a variety of positions at the University of Kentucky before accepting his new position at Elon. As UK's assistant director of purchasing, Rob managed the department's staff, administered contracts and interpreted purchasing laws and regulations. He also worked as central manager of the university's departmental store system from 1993-1999.

A Virginia Tech graduate, Rob also has a background in sales, including six years as a retail sales manager with Lowe's stores in Virginia and Kentucky.

Rob is excited about his new position at Elon for several reasons, especially the fact that it puts him closer to his hometown of Roanoke, Va. He says he's been "overwhelmed" by the warm and friendly welcome he's received on campus.

Nora Driver, assistant business manager and ticket manager for athletics

Nora says she has wanted to get back into college athletics since she graduated from Elon in 1998. As an undergraduate, she held a work-study job in the athletics department and says she fell in love with the atmosphere.

Nora was able to stay around athletics at her previous job as a social studies teacher at Williams High School in Burlington. Nora served as the athletic trainer for all varsity and junior varsity teams at the school, a position which fit right in with her love of the outdoors and spectator sports. She also enjoys camping, hiking and building campfires.

An avid reader, Nora has just finished "The Venetian's Wife" by Nick Bantock and J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Nora also looks forward to October every year, when you can find her at the Halloween horror haunts around town.

Pat House, director of development support

Pat's background in higher education will serve her well in her new role in institutional advancement. Before coming to Elon, Pat worked as director of Seton Hall University's institutional image campaign, and before that, she was associate vice president for enrollment management at Seton Hall.

Pat holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College, a master's degree from Fairfield University and a doctorate from Seton Hall. She says receiving her doctorate was one of the most gratifying moments in her life for one simple reason: "I had been working on that for more than 10 years!"

A frequent visitor to museums and art galleries, Pat and her husband, Steven (dean of the College of Arts and Sciences), also enjoy sporting events. She says they thoroughly enjoyed spending time at Rhodes Stadium this fall, and they look forward to basketball games in Alumni Gym. Pat also enjoys drawing and painting, and says she wants to learn to play golf.

Pat says a bowl of pasta always sounds appetizing, along with any type of cheese. And while she enjoys all types of music, she says, "I am beginning to show my age by listening to music of the 70s and 80s more often!"

Mark Rumley, director of school outreach programs

Mark will have little trouble adjusting to his new surroundings, because they're really not that new. A Burlington native, Mark graduated from Elon in 1984 before earning a master's degree from North Carolina A&T State University.

He joins Elon after serving as a principal in the Alamance-Burlington school system, most recently at Audrey Garrett Elementary School. He also holds the distinction as one of the youngest high school principals in the state; he was just 30 years old when he became principal of Southern Alamance High School.

Mark will have several responsibilities in his role as director of school outreach programs, a new position in the School of Education. He will work closely with the state department of public instruction, documenting services and seminars Elon provides for public schools. He will also handle placements for student teachers and will teach in the School of Education.

Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Cathy, and their four children, Caroline, 19, Chadbourne, 15, Catherine, 13, and Christopher, 11. He also enjoys listening to a variety of music, including classical, beach and French romantic organ music. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists. You can also find Mark winding down with a good book, taking a walk or traveling in his spare time.