Emmanuel Morgan ’19 arrived at Elon with a mission: become the best reporter he can be.
The day after he moved into Smith Hall as a first-year student, Emmanuel Morgan ’19 headed straight to The Pendulum’s office, ready to begin reporting. Two years later, he serves as editor-in-chief of the student-run newspaper. As one of the few black editors in The Pendulum’s history, he says he hopes he can be an inspiration for new staffers to see what a person of color is able to achieve. “Paving the way for other people who look like me was something I couldn’t pass up. It’s a challenge, but I love it.”
Emmanuel is very cognizant of the men who have made a difference in his life, both past and present. Besides his father, he points to Kenn Gaither, a professor and associate dean in the School of Communications, and Associate Vice President for Campus Engagement Randy Williams as important mentors at Elon whose leadership positions on campus inspire him.
Following a family tradition, Emmanuel is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “Being able to have that circle of friends alongside the others I made in my first two years is cool,” he says. “We’re involved in civic engagement, such as working with the Boys & Girls Club of Alamance County. Seeing the kids and how they’re so full of energy is enlightening and brings up your spirit.”
Emmanuel says learning from the School of Communications faculty is one of his favorite experiences so far at Elon. “They never do it for me, but they always give me the tools so that I can do it for myself. My heart and soul is in writing, and that’s what I want to do,” he says. “I try to be the best I can every single day.”
Emmanuel is Elon. Visit www.elon.edu/magazine to see more of his story, part of our “I Am Elon” multimedia series featuring Elon students in their own words.