Six Elon University faculty members awarded endowed professorships

Elon University officially opened the 2025–26 academic year on Aug. 18 with a ceremony that blended tradition, reflection and inspiration, awarding six faculty members with endowed professorships.

President Connie Ledoux Book welcomed faculty and staff to Alumni Gym, expressing excitement for the year ahead and the arrival of the Class of 2029. Book emphasized Elon’s commitment to transformational learning and acknowledged reaching the midpoint of the Boldly Elon Strategic Plan for 2030.

“Boldly Elon is about taking informed risk and creating a strategy for headwinds, and the headwinds are here,” said Book. “Our strategy is in motion, and in this second half of Boldy Elon, we are entering some of the most challenging and most rewarding work ahead.”

Ringing in the academic year

The ceremony began with the ringing of Elon’s historic bell, a tradition that marks the start of each academic year. The bell, which arrived in North Carolina in 1854 atop one of the state’s earliest railroad locomotives, was once housed at Graham College, Elon’s predecessor institution. This year, Student Government Association President Anya Bratić, a double major in international and global studies and public health, rang the bell on behalf of the student body.

Rev. Kirsten Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, offered an invocation that called for patience in the face of uncertainty, creativity in moments of challenge and the wisdom of turning the page to a chapter yet written.

The ceremony concluded with a keynote address from Allen E. Gant Jr., CEO of Glen Raven and a member of Elon’s Board of Trustees. Gant reflected on leadership, innovation and resilience, drawing from his experience transforming Glen Raven during a time of uncertainty after 2001. He emphasized the importance of embracing change and reminded the audience that the world will be a better place with more Elon graduates.

Six Endowed Professorships Awarded

Six Elon University faculty members were honored with endowed professorships during the Opening Day ceremony. Each faculty member was recognized for their passion in their field, commitment to students and service to the university.

Lauren Kearns –Maude Sharpe Powell Professor

Lauren Kearns, professor of dance, an internationally recognized choreographer, author and dance scholar, was awarded the Maude Sharpe Powell Professorship. Since joining Elon in 2006, Kearns has transformed the university’s dance program, leading the creation of the BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography and co-creating the nationally recognized BS program in Dance Science. She also developed study abroad programs in Israel and Florence, expanding the global reach of Elon’s dance curriculum.

Kearns is known for pushing her students to be their very best and is considered a prolific mentor sought out by students for everything from undergraduate research projects to college fellows, honors and Lumen Prize scholars.

“I would be more comfortable performing an interpretive dance for you,” Kearns joked during her remarks. “But as I often remind my students, stepping outside of our comfort zone is an opportunity for growth. So I grow.”

Kearns expressed gratitude to the Powell family and emphasized the importance of embodied experience in her interdisciplinary work, which bridges art and science.

Casey DiRienzo – Sheldon and Christine Gordon Professorship in Entrepreneurship

Cassandra DiRienzo, professor and department chair of economics, was honored as the Sheldon and Christine Gordon Endowed Professor in Entrepreneurship. A faculty member at Elon since 2002, DiRienzo has led curriculum redesigns, mentored over 50 advisees and published research that bridges economics with social justice. Her work on human trafficking awareness has influenced Elon’s business curriculum and garnered international recognition.

DiRienzo’s scholarship has led to invitations for book chapters and journal articles, including a forthcoming contribution to a corruption and gender handbook to be launched at a United Nations conference. Her innovative teaching includes gamified learning platforms and inclusive course design, and she is known for her strategic thinking and compassionate mentorship.

“My research is not mainstream economics,” DiRienzo said. “Yet trafficking awareness is part of our business curriculum, and a stream of trafficking resources research exists in far-reaching outlets. This is only possible because I work at Elon University.”

She thanked her family, colleagues and co-author Tina Das, and shared her excitement for continuing this work with the support of the professorship.

Titch Madzima – Japheth E. Rawls Professorship for Undergraduate Research in Science

Titch Madzima, associate professor and chair of exercise science, was awarded the Japheth E. Rawls Professorship for Undergraduate Research in Science. Madzima has mentored more than 40 students, co-led a research seminar on mentoring and contributed to a forthcoming co-edited book. In 2021, his leadership and scholarship earned him the Elon College Excellence in Teaching Award.

Madzima’s research in exercise physiology includes collaborative projects on cardiovascular and mental health benefits of West African dance. His students regularly present at top conferences and pursue careers in health care, education and academia. He is also a campus leader, serving on committees such as the Institutional Review Board and the Data Competency Committee.

“This recognition reflects not only my work, but the incredible students, colleagues and mentors who have shaped my journey here at Elon,” Madzima said. He credited his wife, Katrina, and colleagues for their support and highlighted Elon’s commitment to research and mentorship.

Nancy Scherich – A.L. Hook Emerging Professor in Science and Mathematics

Nancy Scherich, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics, was honored as the A.L. Hook Emerging Professor in Science and Mathematics. Her research in algebra and topology, particularly knot theory and its applications in quantum computing, has led to 10 publications in three years, including four co-authored with Elon students.

Scherich’s work has been featured on the cover of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society and she has developed a wide range of math-dance outreach activities, live performances, performative lectures, YouTube videos and published research, using dance as a medium to communicate mathematical ideas to the public.

“I do a lot of non-traditional math and dance work, and I was looking for a home at an institution that would value this,” said Scherich. “I’m so grateful to have found Elon, where nontraditional interdisciplinary work is highly valued and recognized and counts as part of my scholarship.”

She thanked her department chair, colleagues, and partner Joel for their support, and expressed appreciation to the Hook family for funding the award.

Smaraki Mohanty – Doherty Emerging Professor for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Smaraki Mohanty, assistant professor of marketing, was honored as the Doherty Emerging Professor for Entrepreneurial Leadership. She is a consumer behaviorist whose area of study is perception, where she examines a range of cues addressing issues and matters both topical and contributory. She has published extensively and contributed to faculty development initiatives across campus.

Mohanty’s recent work includes studies that explore brand perceptions created by green energy branding, ways that plural brand names favorably affect attitude towards brands and consumer responses to politically active companies. She has received multiple awards for scholarship and currently serves as a Love-Faculty Excellence Fellow. Her leadership includes founding the Consumer Research Behavioral Lab and mentoring undergraduate research.

“To all my friends, mentors, co-authors and students, thank you for always pushing me and making sure I don’t settle for less,” Mohanty said. She also thanked her family in attendance and those rooting for her back home.

Dave Gammon – T.E. Powell Jr. Professor

Dave Gammon, professor of biology, is known for his work in vocal mimicry and science literacy, received the T.E. Powell Jr. Professorship. Gammon has mentored over 20 students in research and is a prominent advocate for public science education through community events and media outreach.

Gammon is deeply involved in mentoring students in a variety of projects related to how birds learn their songs. He is known for dedicating early mornings walks with students around campus to collect data from the resident bird population and even more hours spent listening to and analyzing recorded bird song.

Since he joined Elon in 2006, Gammon has taught science to non-majors in innovative courses like “A Journey through Time” and “Science without Borders.” He coordinates interdisciplinary science courses and organizes Tectonic Plates, a monthly science café. His service includes roles on Academic Council, Promotion and Tenure, and the STEM advisory board.

In his remarks, Gammon spotlighted unnamed colleagues whose courage and community engagement inspired him. “They did it anyway,” he said, referencing their commitment despite challenges. “And I admire that.”