Highlights

Elon welcomed entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star Daymond John to campus for Fall Convocation on September 29, 2023, and as part of his visit, John listened to business pitches from four Elon students who showcased innovative ideas poised to address personal or societal needs.

John said he was inspired by the students’ passion for solving real-world problems. “If you look at the people here who have pitched, they are trying to solve a problem that exists and no one else is solving,” he said during a subsequent audience Q&A. “All you need is that small group of people who say, ‘I am going to do it, no matter what.’”

Student Pitches

• Diamond Monroe ’25 and Diamond Monroe Organics, which she founded during the pandemic to tackle skin and hair issues.
• Lars Heidenreich ’24 and Stayfull, an app designed to address food insecurity by connecting users with local food pantries.
• Alex McQuilkin ’27 and Local Treasure, an app-based advertising business that uses games to drive potential customers to local small businesses.
• Shriya Baru ’24 and Kolis, a clothing line that blends traditional Indian designs with modern styles.

In a world where finance and technology are increasingly intertwined, the Love School of Business at Elon University is stepping up to the challenge with a new Financial Technology major launched in Fall 2023. The FinTech program addresses the growing demand for professionals who can navigate both the financial and technological aspects of the industry.

“FinTech is at a crossroad of finance and technology,” says Assistant Professor Thibaut Morillon. “Over the past few years, we have seen an economy that is increasingly digitizing. The idea of a new FinTech major is to completely embrace that change and to prepare our students for the future of finance.” Students who pursue a FinTech major explore subjects such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, all of which prepares them for a financial landscape where digital currencies and automated investment platforms are the norm.

“Students take the same core business classes as other business majors, but they also get specialized courses in finance and technology,” says Associate Professor Adam Aiken “This combination prepares them to use new tools and make better financial decisions.”

Elon University’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business ranks No. 40 in the nation and No. 26 among private colleges and universities in the latest Poets&Quants rankings of undergraduate business programs.
“Our dedicated faculty and staff place student learning and success at the heart of what they do,” said Raghu Tadepalli, dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. “And the achievements of our alumni are a testament to the education and experiences they find at Elon.”

The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business is meeting the demand for cybersecurity management expertise with the introduction of a Cybersecurity Management minor.

Designed for students of any academic discipline who want to enhance their understanding of digital security from a managerial perspective, the minor emphasizes strategic oversight and policy development.

The minor covers a broad range of topics throughout its 20 hours of required coursework, including Management Information Systems, Foundations of Business Analytics, and Advanced Cybersecurity Management Techniques. It hones essential knowledge in network security, data privacy, and the ethical and legal considerations of cybersecurity.

Students also can earn an IBM Security Practitioner certificate and various badges, further enhancing their credentials and readiness to tackle cybersecurity challenges in today’s digital landscape.

W. Lee Williams III and James S. “Chip” Mahan III were honored on March 21, 2024, with the Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Bestowed by Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book, the annual award celebrates entrepreneurs who embody Elon’s values of integrity, innovation, creativity, lifelong learning, and community building.

“They are visionaries, they are reformers, and they bring their integrity and their values into their work,” Book said in presenting both men with medals.

Williams and Mahan’s partnership began in 1973 at Wachovia and flourished over the decades. In 2008, the duo launched Live Oak Bancshares to focus on underserved small businesses and leverage digital banking tools to offer faster and more efficient services.

Their innovative approach allowed Live Oak to provide loan approvals in just three days, compared to the industry norm of three weeks or more.

“We took the view that small business America had been orphaned, and so we sought out relationships with small business owners who were unable to find financial options,” Mahan said. “Speed is our weapon. It is amazing what good service will get you.”

Live Oak thrived, growing from a $400 million bank a decade ago to holding $11.2 billion in assets today. At the same time, its commitment to its employees mirrors its dedication to customers. The bank covers 100 percent of health insurance costs for employees and families, offers generous retirement plans, and invests in their professional growth.

Elon University’s Center for Organizational Analytics hosted a mini-conference on April 5, 2024, in the LaRose Digital Theatre to explore the enterprise and legal considerations of generative AI.

Keynote speaker Shiva Kommareddi, managing director at Accenture, discussed the practical applications of AI for businesses. “Many are over-thinking AI and how to use it,” Kommareddi said. “ You need to experience the innovation to figure out how it can work best for you.”

Professor David Levine, a scholar at Elon University School of Law, addressed the legal implications of generative AI. He raised questions about AI and trade secret protection, noting, “That question may not need to be decided until a national security risk is discovered.”