Five recognized with LGBTQIA Community Enrichment Awards

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Ally (LGBTQIA) Alumni Network strives to improve the campus climate for members of the Elon community by advocating on behalf of LGBTQIA issues and partnering with others to build an inclusive and respectful community.

“Receiving the 2016 Community Enrichment Award means so much me for so many reasons. Elon is the first place where I felt safe to come out to friends and loved ones, and it’s because of that inclusive and welcoming environment that I was able to thrive at Elon academically and in student life,” said Michael Brumby ’07, one of this year’s award winners. “I am who I am, large in part, thanks to Elon, and I’m very thankful for this humbling recognition by the LGBTQIA alumni affinity network and the University.”

Established in 2012, the awards honor Elon community members who have made a positive impact on the LGBTQIA community, as well as LGBTQIA alumni who are bettering their local communities. These awards also highlight individuals who serve as partners, advocates and investors in Elon University. This year’s honorees included:

Joshua McIntosh ’97

Joshua began serving as the vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Bates College in 2014. In this capacity, he provides vision, leadership and direction to a variety of student services offices. Prior to going to Bates, Joshua served as the dean of academic services at Johns Hopkins University and served as the associate dean of Harvard College at Harvard University. Joshua’s work in higher education has included overseeing student services, financial management and planning, human resource management, policy development, and assessment and research. He earned his doctoral degree from Syracuse University and serves on the Elon Alumni Board.

Michael Bumbry ’07

A native of Ashland, Virginia, Michael started his higher education administration career as a resident director at North Carolina State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in higher education in 2009. Since then Michael has worked in a variety of student affairs and university advancement positions. After earning a doctorate in higher education from Loyola University Chicago, Michael assumed the role in August of associate director of development at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies. In that role, he cultivates relationships with alumni and friends of the school and supports efforts for the Johns Hopkins “Rising to the Challenge” campaign. Throughout his career, Michael has remained a loyal Elon alumnus, serving as youth trustee, vice president of the Philadelphia alumni chapter, president of the Young Alumni Council and president and vice president of the LGBTQIA Alumni Network. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Lee Buono ’16 (in absentia)

Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Lee was a part of the Teaching Fellows program at Elon and an active part of the School of Education. Specifically, Lee worked with members of the School of Education to shed light on the experience of non-gender binary students in practicum settings. Lee’s experience and advocacy work have allowed faculty in the School of Education to begin conversations about opportunities to create more welcoming practicum environments and also develop impactful mentoring experiences. Today, Lee teaches seventh grade writing in Las Vegas and is adjusting to life as a new college graduate.

Laurin Kier

Laurin has worked at Elon University for 20 years and serves as director of tutorial services, assistant professor of sociology and member of the executive board of Alamance Pride. She has two grown children and two beautiful granddaughters. Laurin is a native North Carolinian who mourns what has become of her beautiful state politically in the last several years, but feels Elon University is a bright, progressive island that gives her hope. Over the years, Laurin has taught many of the members of the Elon LGBTQIA alumni group and especially treasures the memories from 12 years as the adviser for Elon’s Women’s Rugby club team and two years as a co-adviser of Spectrum.

Elizabeth Rogers (in absentia)

Elizabeth joined Elon in October 1996, when she moved from Loma Linda, California, to be the founding chair and program director for the then-master of physical therapy program. She was named the founding dean of Elon’s School of Health Science in April 2011 and a year later, the school moved to the newly remodeled Gerald L. Francis Center. In expanding the scope of the school, she played a critical role in the development of Elon’s physician assistant studies master’s program, which enrolled its first class in January 2013. After retiring in 2016, she moved back to Loma Linda with her spouse, Marianne, and daughter Brittany. She looks forward to travelling and hopes to visit every national park in the United States.