Elon Alumni

The senior from Burlington, North Carolina, will become the first Elon student to graduate after completing three signature programs designed to increase access to higher education

From late nights running a student game show at Elon, to writing breaking news segments at CNN –Ryan Buckley’s journey is all about taking chances, seizing opportunities and being open to learning new things.

Elon University celebrated ten remarkable young alumni whose bold leadership, service and creative impact embody the university’s mission and inspire the next generation.

The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards brought together members of the Elon community to honor four alumni whose lives exemplify the university’s values of leadership, global citizenship, service and lifelong connection.

"Evening for Elon" came to the Big Apple on April 30, at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City. Guests came to hear updates on Elon’s campus and celebrate their shared connection to the Elon community.

Nia James says when doctors weren’t taking her pain seriously, her athletic trainer and Elon alum John Lavender ’94 was her lifesaving advocate.

The graduate of Elon University’s human services studies program works on policy advocacy in Washington, D.C., in a prestigious fellowship with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Stephanie Marken '08 arrived at Elon unsure of her path, but thanks to hands-on experiences and the guidance of dedicated professors, she discovered a passion for public opinion polling that shaped her future.

With projects rooted in storytelling, sustainability and community, two communication design majors earned honors in the 2025 Graphis New Talent Annual, showcasing their creativity on a global stage.

Among the evening’s award recipients were Brynja Burton ’25, named Major of the Year, and Will Ferris ’25, who earned the James P. Drummond Service Award.