EJP’s Immersion cohort exhibits tenacity and curiosity

The feverish pace of the Emerging Journalists Program’s 12-day Immersion experience this summer began on the first night as the 20 high school students – hailing from 11 states – received their initial story assignments.

While the rising seniors all have an interest in journalism, their formal writing and reporting backgrounds varied greatly, including a few with no prior experience at all. Nevertheless, the students were tasked with producing a broadcast news show, newspaper and website during their time on campus, as well as balancing an itinerary jam-packed with company visits to WXII 12 News and Trailblazer Studios, as well as an interview with state Rep. Renée Price at the North Carolina State Capitol.

Two students talk with a mentor while sitting at a TV news desk.

Britt Mobley ‘24 (left), a mentor for the Emerging Journalists Program, prepares Brett Germani (center) and Roman Sibaja to anchor the EJP broadcast on June 28 in the Jane and Brian Williams Studio.

“All of the Emerging Journalists Program, but especially the Immersion experience, is designed to inspire high school students to think about what a career in journalism might look like,” said Senior Lecturer in Journalism Kelly Furnas, who serves as EJP’s curriculum coordinator.

And the best way to learn is to do.

“EJP is a case study in tenacity and teamwork, chemistry and connectedness,” said Instructor of Journalism Colin Donohue, who oversees the summer program’s logistics. “There’s something magical about watching a group of 20 students from throughout the United States who don’t know each other bond almost instantly and then get to work on reporting and writing. We put their feet to the fire immediately, and the easy response would be to wilt from the heat. But these students instead stood tall and got to work. It was thrilling and inspiring.”

Despite conducting numerous interviews, shooting video, taking photos and writing stories – all with deadlines approaching – the students seemed to gain energy with each passing day, marveled Donohue.

Furnas was struck by the cohort’s remarkable curiosity, noting how students peppered lecturers with question after question. “That desire for information — and the unabashed ability to seek it — will serve these students remarkably well in their storytelling careers,” he said.

A professor stands surrounded by students and camera equipment.

Assistant Professor of Journalism Israel Balderas leads a camera workshop with the 2023 Immersion cohort on the second floor of Dwight C. Schar Hall.

Miles Hayter, who lives in Potomac, Maryland, noted that he had never visited a college campus before he applied for EJP’s Immersion experience. And the prospect of working with university professors, surrounded by unfamiliar peers, seemed daunting at first. Yet, he said he was met with support and warmth that he will long remember.

“I have gained a lot of close friends and relationships during our time together. And those will continue, and that is extremely meaningful to me,” he said. “While I initially came to Elon to study journalism, I made real friendships as well.”

Thanks to his relationships with peers, professors and counselors, as well as the company visits with Elon alumni, Hayter said he more clearly sees his path to working professionally in social media, marketing and communications.

“I am in awe of what can be and what I can possibly do,” he said. “What I have seen around me, what I have been shown, has been really inspiring.”

The School of Communications established the Emerging Journalists Program in 2021 through a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Scripps Howard Fund. More than 100 students successfully completed the program’s virtual Exposure experience earlier this year, and participants were invited to apply for the summer Immersion workshop on Elon’s campus.

Elon Drone Day welcomes aviation enthusiasts

Nearly 140 recreational and commercial pilots, transportation and safety officials, educators, students and community members interested in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) visited Elon’s campus on Nov. 18 for the second annual Elon Drone Day.

A crowd of students looks on as a drone instructor holds up a drone.

Roger Bess of the Raleigh Rotor Racers discusses one of his racing drones with a group of visiting high school students during the 2022 Elon Drone Day.

As part of the daylong program that consisted of keynote talks, a vendor expo and an afternoon flight demonstration, pilots, educators and officials discussed regulations, safety, job opportunities and trends in the drone industry. This year’s program focused heavily on education, inviting representatives from a variety of fields.

“The goal of this year’s program was to broaden the focus to include more areas across campus and within the community,” said Senior Lecturer of Communication Design Randy Piland, who organizes the annual event. “Therefore, we provided a connection to computer science, engineering, communication and global community outreach as they relate to UAVs. Beyond the speakers, we brought even more excitement by having drone racing league representatives and a demonstration.”

The 2022 Elon Drone Day was financially supported by a grant from the Elon Innovation Council.

NASCAR President highlights Sport Management Symposium

Steve Phelps, president of NASCAR, provided a thoughtful and candid keynote on April 19 to a standing-room-only audience in Turner Theatre, kicking off the fourth annual Sport Management Symposium.

Two men sit in front of a crowded theater.

During the 2023 Sport Management Symposium, NASCAR President Steve Phelps (right) detailed his role overseeing the operations, competition and commercial endeavors for the country’s largest auto racing sanctioning body. Also pictured is Assistant Professor of Sport Management Bill Squadron, who organizes the annual symposium.

As head of one of the most popular sports sanctioning and operating companies in the world, Phelps initiated a conversation around the event’s theme, “Sport Sponsorship and Branding in the Digital Age,” discussing how sponsorships, marketing and branding have changed and will continue to evolve in today’s marketplace.

Phelps offered his unique perspective to a crowd of more than 200 individuals detailing the strengths and areas of growth for NASCAR. In recent years, Phelps has been credited for being at the “forefront of stock car racing’s turnaround,” helping introduce the Next Gen car, one of the sanctioning body’s most ambitious projects.

Following Phelps’ keynote, the symposium shifted to panel discussions titled “Technology and Social Media: New Paths for Sport Sponsorship” and “The New World of NIL and College Athletes as Brands.” The latter featured Jon Seaton ’23, a defensive lineman for the Phoenix football team, and Ericka Link ’24, a member of the Elon volleyball team, who have successfully leveraged their name, image, and likeness rights.

Outstanding Alumni Award

Kenn Gaither, Patrick Rees and Rees' daughter pose for a photo.Patrick Rees ’05, an accomplished sports communications leader, was recognized during Homecoming Weekend with the School of Communications’ Outstanding Alumnus Award, which celebrates alumni who have achieved significant professional success. He is the 12th recipient of the honor. The 2005 graduate has steadily risen through the ranks of several prominent NBA franchises, overseeing strategic and crisis communications efforts for the parent organizations of the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards. Also pictured are Dean Kenn Gaither and Rees’ daughter.