Keren Rivas

Understanding the relations that unite us and tearing down the barriers that separate us is crucial to maintaining Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of equality in America. That was the message Ronald L. Carter, president of Johnson C. Smith University, told those gathered at Whitley Auditorium Jan. 13 as part of Elon University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program.

Editor’s Note: @ Elon editor Keren Rivas is a native of Peru. In this column, she reflects on the different New Year’s traditions she observed growing up on the other side of the equator.

Shopping for the holidays? Faculty and staff may purchase discount movie tickets for the new Alamance Crossing Carousel Cinemas in Burlington or the Carousel Grande in Greensboro at the matinee price of $6.25 each. Simply pay for the number of tickets you would like to purchase in the Bursar’s Office. Bring your receipt to the Office of Human Resources to pick up the tickets.

A couple of weeks ago, @Elon asked you to share your favorite holiday recipes and holiday memories. From funny stories involving siblings and friends to how to make "Goat Balls," here's what you told us.

The holidays are an opportunity to be with family and loved ones. But for many students who cannot make it back during those times, faculty and staff provide them with a home away from home.

The 2010-2011 Faculty/Staff Campaign is off to its best start ever with donors contributing more than $234,000 in gifts and pledges to the annual giving drive. That total is approximately $48,000 higher than what faculty and staff contributed in gifts and pledges at this time last year. More than 40 percent of faculty and staff have made a gift or pledge to this year’s campaign.