Parents

Elon University professors, students and alumni continue to make news this summer through their research and campus activities. Notable in recent weeks was regional media coverage of Elon University School of Law's full accreditation from the American Bar Association, regional stories and broadcasts on Elon's new head women's basketball coach, and mention of the Elon University Poll by the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.

Incoming freshman Lauren Astley '15 of Wayland, Mass., was killed this week in her hometown. As her family, friends and future Elon classmates mourn her loss, Smith Jackson, vice president for student life and dean of students, emailed the university community on July 6, 2011, with reflections on Astley's accomplishments and her service to the community.

Having a job while in high school means extra cash for going to the movies and filling up the gas tank, but is part-time work for high school students a negative thing? Steve DeLoach, professor of economics, examined this long-standing question along with Stephanie Franz ’11, recent Elon graduate, and Jen Platania, associate professor of economics.

Several major campus construction projects outlined in the Elon Commitment strategic plan are under way, with completion expected this summer on some work, while other projects are getting started. Following this spring’s construction bidding process, timelines for several projects have been established.

Each year, gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff sustain and strengthen the hallmarks of an Elon education. During 2010-2011, members of the Elon community contributed $5.3 million in annual gifts to the university, supporting close to 200 programs. Check out this end-of-fiscal-year video message from President Leo M. Lambert.

Bloomberg Businessweek ranks Elon's Martha and Spencer Love School of Business among the nation's top undergraduate business programs in its 2011 rankings, which were released March 3. Elon ranks #26 in academic quality and receives an "A" grade for facilities and services.

Student leaders collected more than $28,000 this year from seniors, their parents, grandparents and friends through the Senior Class Giving Campaign, which asked students to make a gift to the area of campus that meant the most to their experience while at Elon.

UNC-TV, North Carolina's statewide public television network, will broadcast "We Can Be Better: Courageous Voices Confront Our Greatest Challenges," at 10 p.m., Thursday, June 23. The program is an edited version of Elon's April 7 Convocation for Honors moderated by NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams.

Elon University has released its President's List and Dean's List academic recognitions for the 2011 spring semester.

A team of Elon University staff and graduate students led by Ross Wade, assistant director of Career Services in the School of Communications, won an Innovative Excellence Award on June 2 from the National Association of Colleges and Employers at the organization’s national conference in Dallas.