Lauren Dunne Astley attended Elon’s spring 2011 orientation and was to have been a member of Elon’s Class of 2015. In July 2011, Lauren was murdered by her former boyfriend, who was sentenced to life in prison for his crime. Lauren’s name stands for the 3-4 women who are killed by their partners every day in the United States.

The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture is a gift from the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund, started by Lauren’s parents, Malcolm Astley and Mary Dunne. The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture will educate and inform the Elon University community about mutually effective relationships, emphasizing preventing boys’ and men’s violence against girls and women and other boys and men.

Directed by Elon’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies program in partnership with other University offices and programs, the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture may feature speakers, workshops, or any educational program formats that speak to the mission of the gift.Through this gift and the programs it supports, Lauren and her story will have meaningful impact on Elon’s community.