Seven Elon faculty members awarded endowed professorships

Elon University honored seven faculty members, a record for the university, with endowed professorships during the Opening Day ceremony in Alumni Gym on Monday, Aug. 19. Each faculty member was presented with their award from a member of university, college and departmental leadership.

Rissa Trachman – J. Earl Danieley Distinguished Professorship

Rissa Trachman, professor of anthropology, has been honored with the J. Early Danieley Distinguished Professorship.

“Since joining Elon University in 2008, Dr. Trachman has been a dedicated teacher, scholar, and mentor who engages students, including many undergraduate researchers, in meaningful learning experiences in the classroom, the laboratory and through participation in field data collection and analysis,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn, about Trachman.

Kohn noted Trachman’s dedication to students – mentoring several through research projects, dissemination of research findings at professional anthropology and archeology meetings and publications with student co-authors. She has also received the Elon College Excellence in Mentoring Award.

Her research centers on the everyday life of the ancient Maya, specifically those daily activities related to the political, ritual, economic and social aspects of the ancient city of Dos Hombres.

The J. Earl Danieley Distinguished Professorship was created by the university’s board of trustees in 1997 to honor 50 years of service to Elon by the university’s sixth president. Trachman is the fourth faculty member to receive the honor. The professorship is awarded to an outstanding professor in any field.

When Trachman received the call from President Connie Ledoux Book notifying her that she’d be awarded the professorship, she was in Belize doing field school teaching with her longtime mentor from the University of Texas at Austin. She then called her longest mentor at Elon — Anne Bolin, professor of anthropology emeritus.

“I knew immediately the magnitude of the coalescence of events,” said Trachman after receiving the award. “Anne is a friend, my mentor and family here in North Carolina. These are enduring relationships indeed. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible colleagues and many mentors here at Elon past and present and I’m so grateful to have landed in a department, college and an institution that has supported me absolutely, where we focus on students and share the values of the teacher, scholar, mentor.”

Her service to the university includes the Undergraduate Research Program Advisory Committee, the Budget Committee, the Presidential Search Committee, the search committee for recently appointed dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and as the current Academic Council chair.

Trachman earned a bachelor of arts, master of arts and doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Qian Xu – A.J. Fletcher Professorship

Qian Xu, professor of strategic communications, has been honored with the A.J. Fletcher Professorship in Communications.

Xu joined Elon in 2010 and her research focuses on the social and psychological effects of online technology as they relate to perception, information seeking and cognition in the context of both computer-mediated communication and human-computer interaction. Her research has been published in more than a dozen journals and she has authored and/or co-authored several book chapters.

“Dr. Xu is the epitome of what an Elon faculty member should be. She is visible in the campus community and active in service. Her research productivity has few peers. She is well-liked and respected. Her commitment to her teaching and her work are infectious. She is the Lumen — a ray of light — upholding the Elon motto of Numen Lumen,” said Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications and previous A.J. Fletcher Professor.

At Elon, Xu has served as the associate director of the Undergraduate Research Program, and editor-in-chief of Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring. She has also served on the graduate council, mentored honors fellows, served on the Elon Strategic Planning Committee and Innovation Council.

“This recognition is not just a reflection of my work but a testament to the incredible support and encouragement I have received from my colleagues within the School of Communications and beyond,” Xu said. “They are not just coworkers, but also mentors, sounding boards and sources of inspiration. Their dedication to excellence pushes me to continuously improve as a teacher, scholar and mentor.”

Prior to Gaither and Xu, Professor David Copeland, who retired in May 2021, served as the A.J. Fletcher Professor for 20 years.

Xu earned a bachelor of arts and masters of arts in journalism from Nanjing University in China in 2005 and 2010, respectively. She earned a doctorate in mass communications from Pennsylvania State University in 2010.

Jeffrey Carpenter – William S. Long Professorship

Professor of Education Jeffrey Carpenter is the recipient of the William S. Long Professorship.

“Dr. Carpenter exemplifies excellence in teaching, scholarship, and mentoring,” said Kohn. “With over 100 publications, he is established as a thought leader in his area of expertise, currently focusing on how professional development and student learning are enhanced by social media.”

Carpenter came to Elon in 2010 where he has served as the director of the Elon Teaching Fellows program since 2014. He has received the Elon University School of Education Scholarship Award twice, the Elon University Distinguished Scholar Award and the Teacher Education Network’s Research Paper Award from the International Society for Technology in Education. Carpenter also serves on the University Curriculum Committee, the Academic Council and the Global Education Curriculum Committee.

“To those of you in this room who have been my colleagues and collaborators, I owe you deep gratitude and I hope you know that I appreciate the energy that you’ve poured into me,” said Carpenter while accepting the award Monday.

Carpenter also gave special recognition to Jennifer Fish, the former associate director of the Teaching Fellows program, who passed away in May.

“I would not be on this stage today if it wasn’t for a collaborator of the past ten years, during my time as Teaching Fellows director, Jennifer Fish,” said Carpenter “I really wish that she was here to see me receive this award because she poured a lot into me and I miss you, Jennifer. Long live Elon.”

Prior to coming to Elon, Carpenter taught English and ESOL in public and private schools in Japan, Honduras, Boston, Virginia and North Carolina. He earned a bachelor of arts from Rice University, a master of education from Harvard University and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia.

The William S. Long Professorship, named for the university’s first president, was first awarded in 1968 to Robert Blake, an English faculty member who held the position until his retirement from the full-time faculty in 2008.

Rod Clare – William J. Story Sr. Professorship

Rod Clare, associate professor of history and chair of Elon’s Department of History, has been awarded the William S. Long Professorship in History, endowed by Hatcher P. Story ’38 and his sister Louise in honor of their father.

Clare has taught at Elon since 2004 and specializes in women’s history, African American history and the U.S. during the early 20^th century. On Monday, Professor of History and Distinguished University Professor Mary Jo Festle noted Clare is always willing to jump in wherever needed. Described as passionate about conducting research and guiding students, Clare has arranged trips with student to archival collections.

“(Rod) is a beloved teacher, with students rushing to sign up for his classes. As an instructor, he exudes warmth and positive energy – while insisting that students realize the complexity of people’s experiences in the past,” said Festle in a pre-recorded message. “Students also appreciate Rod as an advisor. Whether or not a student is his official advisee, Rod’s office door is literally always open, and he stops whatever he’s doing to cheerfully assist any student who drops by.”

Clare earned a bachelor of arts in history from Howard University and a doctorate and master of art in history from Duke University. He was unable to attend the Opening Day event.

Jonathan Poquette – Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands Jonathan Poquette is the recipient of the Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar award.

Poquette joined Elon in 2019 with the goal of “building the band,” but the COVID-19 pandemic created some challenges. However, it didn’t stop Poquette from continuing his work, developing creative rehearsal tactics, recruitment, alumni engagement and planning. His efforts resulted in a strong and exciting marching back for fall 2022.

“With his positive personality and his energetic drive, Jonathan lifted the Elon band program to new heights, eventually doubling the size of the marching band and delivering a musically proficient wind ensemble that boasts a growing membership beyond 50 students,” said Hallie Hogan, associate professor of music and chair of the Music Department. “He captured the attention of his concert band with creative and relevant interdisciplinary programming featuring world premieres and music by composers from marginalized communities.”

Expanding his work beyond the Elon campus, Poquette has directed ensembles and provided lectures at several high schools and universities. He also created The Elon Contemporary Chamber Ensemble made up of faculty and area musicians.

Poquette thanked his family for their support, noting that his parents drove from Wisconsin to attend the Opening Day ceremony.

“It’s the foundation that you’ve provided that has really helped me become the person I am today, both as an individual and a teacher and scholar,” said Poquette. “My mentors, both here on campus and throughout all of my education, thank you so much for helping me to learn the Elon way so that we could eventually and continue to build the band, because yes, it is a passion of mine. If you haven’t seen me around with the marching band, you will come Friday, because we are eagerly awaiting our performance for Move-In Day.”

Poquette earned a bachelor of music from Southern Illinois University and a master of arts in instrumental conducting from University of Central Missouri. He holds a doctorate in musical arts, conducting from the University of Georgia.

The Fletcher Moore Distinguished Emerging Scholar Professorship was established in 2023 by alumnus Wayne T. Moore ’49 and his wife Elizabeth to support faculty and honor the achievements of Moore’s late brother, Fletcher Moore ‘34. A member of Elon’s music faculty for more than 40 years, Fletcher Moore passed away in 2022. The professorship supports the teaching and research of an emerging scholar in the arts, humanities or social sciences.

Stephanie Hernandez Rivera – Dr. Jo Watts Williams Emerging Professor

Assistant Professor of Education Stephanie Hernandez Rivera is the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams Emerging Professorship, in honor of the late Dr. Jo Watts Williams, vice president emerita and professor of education emerita.

The award is given to an outstanding pre-tenure faculty member who demonstrates emerging outstanding teaching, provides evidence of emerging outstanding and impactful scholarship, contributes to the life of the university and has shown evidence of being a goodwill ambassador for the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the university.

“(Hernandez Rivera) builds excellent relationships with her students and challenges them to explore and evaluate higher education from many dimensions, specifically focusing on social justice and diversity aspects of the content,” said Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

Hernandez Rivera is in her second year as a faculty member at Elon, primarily teaching in the master of higher education program. Students praise her use of guest speakers and her ability to bring students at ease in the classroom when working through challenging course content.

“I would be remiss if I did not thank my incredible students who not only motivate me to be the best educator, but also be the best version of myself,” said Hernandez Rivera during the Opening Day ceremony. “I truly believe my life’s purpose is to be an educator and to create meaningful work that uplifts how marginalized people resist oppressive conditions in education, especially how women of color do it.”

Hernandez Rivera earned a bachelor of arts in women’s and gender studies, early childhood education and psychology from William Patterson University in 2012, a master of arts in women’s and gender studies from Rutgers University in 2014 and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri in 2021. Before coming to Elon, she served as the assistant director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Kean University and as a visiting professor of instruction at the University of South Florida.

Yidi Wu – Stella S. and John C. O’Briant Developing Professor in History

Yidi Wu, assistant professor of history, was awarded the Stella S. and John C. O’Briant Developing Professorship in History in 2023 but was unable to attend the Opening Day ceremony at that time. President Connie Book presented Wu with the award during Monday’s ceremony.

“Dr. Wu employs new and exciting teaching pedagogies in her classes, utilizing graphic nonfiction and role-playing game scenarios,” said Book. “Students have remarked about Dr. Wu’s innovative pedagogy and her passion for her class subjects.”

Her scholarly interests include student activism, social movements, higher education, documentary film, democracy and authoritarianism. In 2021, Wu was selected as a National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow supporting her research and writing about student protest movements in 1950s China.

The Stella S. and John C. O’Briant Developing Professorship in History was established through a gift from the estate of John Conrad O’Briant ’75 that was made in honor of O’Briant and his mother. Michael Matthews, associate professor of history, was selected as the inaugural recipient of the professorship in 2015.

“I really appreciate the institutional support and recognition,” said Wu. “I appreciate all my colleagues and thank you Elon.”

Wu received her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of California, Irvine.