Eric Townsend

Andi Cochran wanted to spend her final months before college investing in a worthwhile project, so when the incoming Elon University freshman used her high school graduation money to buy toys for patients at Duke Children’s Hospital, she knew her actions represented more than a gift – they were a “thank you” to an institution that touched her own life.

The Elon University community gathered Thursday morning for the first time on the brick plaza in front of the Academic Village, where faculty and staff held a special College Coffee before the official start of the academic year.

Work by Elon University students and professors took center stage Tuesday morning in the opening hours of SURF 2009. More than 30 faculty members presented research in the second annual "Celebration of Faculty Scholarship," which segued into a special College Coffee in the Koury Business Center for dozens of students to share their research findings in a poster session that packed the building's concourse.

The (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record reported Aug. 26 on work by associate professor Mat Gendle and his undergraduate researchers into the effects, or lack thereof, of the popular Red Bull energy drink.

Tom Nelson, an associate professor in the School of Communications, hosted this month a private prevue of his recent DVD documentary "Prisoners of Plenty" in Concordia, Kansas.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has recognized the campus chapter at Elon University as a Chapter of Merit. The award is given to chapters that not only comply with the Society’s national standards, but also demonstrate an active commitment to excellence.

Maggie Mial, a sophomore music theatre major, received the Gregory Hines Scholarship Award this summer during her participation in the Broadway Theatre Project, a musical arts education program for high school and college students held each year in Tampa.

Elon’s Zipcar fleet is expanding to three vehicles this fall with the addition of a Honda Civic to provide more availability to more than 350 people who take part in the program.

Curious about what makes Lindner Hall ‘green'? If so, come to one of the sustainability tours of Lindner Hall during planning week and the first two weeks of classes.

Alan White, who had a 35-year career leading Elon athletics, and A. Hope Williams, president of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, received Elon Medallions at the Aug. 24 ceremonies marking the beginning of 2009 Planning Week.