New Student Convocation marks the start of the ‘everyday miracle’ at Elon

Elon University’s commitment to student success was front and center at New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 24, as faculty and staff welcomed the Class of 2028, new transfer students and their families Under the Oaks.

“Today commences your college experience, the first day of an educational journey that I often refer to as the ‘everyday miracle’ – the fact that we can learn something new and it changes everything, how we see the world and how we see ourselves and what we can accomplish,” said President Connie Ledoux Book during her remarks on Saturday.

‘Your ascent begins now’

The shade of the oaks and refreshingly cool August weather provided a perfect opportunity for the nearly 1,700 new students including the Class of 2028 and transfer students to begin their Elon career. Students started the ceremony in Alumni Gym, where Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley spoke before the students walked through Alamance Building to Under the Oaks, passing the bell that hung in Main Building before it was destroyed by a fire in 1923.

“Deformed and disfigured by the effects of the fire, that relic is a reminder that even from our darkest days, rebirth and transformation are possible,” said Dooley. “Your ascent begins now. You’ve worked hard to be here, your family is proud of you and we join in their high hopes for your future. Even if you’re feeling a little nervous, uncertain, or fearful, know this: we’ve got you.”

Rev. Kristin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement opened convocation with an invocation, encouraging students to “embrace the challenge ahead” in the new academic year.

“Even in moments of doubt, anxiety or uncertainty, may we remember that we are held by perfectly balanced forces, guiding us to our ultimate good,” Boswell said. “In every decision, may we choose what is right and just and good.”

Student Government Association Executive President Taylor Cote ’25 offered her words of advice to the incoming class, encouraging them to make memories, know their limits, take healthy risks and be patient.

“Remember that your voice matters,“ said Cote. “Mother Teresa said ‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.’ Every drop is important. Your contribution to this world is important.”

Remarkable students and faculty

Vice President and Associate Provost for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams offered the audience a look inside the Class of 2028, including being from 43 states and 16 countries with 195 being first-generation students. Williams highlighted four of the students who are members of the new class, with a “unique set of experiences, accomplishments, abilities, hopes and dreams.”

• Blair Berenson ’28 of Smyrna, Georgia, is the recipient of the William R. Kenan Honors Scholarship, Elon’s highest academic award. His interests and accomplishments are multifaceted, he was a Georgia High School Fencing League member, an Eagle Scout and a magician. Blair plans to study anthropology as an Honors Fellow.
• Ava Branch ’28 from Lake Oswego, Oregon, was a track and field and soccer athlete in high school, an advocate for students’ voices, editor of her school paper and had the opportunity to study abroad in the British Isles. She spent her summers interning at the NBA Summer League and has a passion for creating more space for women in sports. Her background and experiences lead to her interest in pursuing majors in business analytics and sport management at Elon.
• Alana Denby ’28 of Scottsdale, Arizona, brings an entrepreneurial spirit and love of animals to campus. As she was traveling in Mexico, Denby found a way to make a difference by working with a local animal rescue to raise money and find permanent homes for stray dogs. Realizing money isn’t always enough, she partnered with the Mexican organization and created her own nonprofit, Joyful Bone Dog Rescue, that brings dogs from Mexico to Arizona for adoptions. Alana is a psychology major and an Elon College Fellow.
• Addie Gilner ’28 from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was a five-sport athlete during her high school career and is now a member of Elon’s women’s lacrosse team. She has been a member of a competitive jump rope team for 12 years, traveling around the world to compete. Gilner was also a member of the U.S. national team, participating in the 2023 International Jump Rope Union Open Tournament, where she won Gold in the Double Dutch Pairs Freestyle event. Addie will pursue a degree in entrepreneurship & innovation as a Business Fellow.

For the third consecutive year, Elon is ranked No. 1 by U.S. News and World Report for undergraduate teaching. Provost and Executive Vice President Rebecca Kohn introduced Elon’s nearly 500 remarkable faculty who make it happen.

“I am always impressed by the excellence of our faculty, and I know that you will find them to be exceptional teachers, scholars, and mentors during your time at Elon,” said Kohn.

Four outstanding faculty were introduced by Deandra Little, associate provost for faculty affairs. These faculty were recognized this year for excellence in teaching, scholarship, civic engagement and mentoring.

• Charity Johansson, professor of physical therapy, is the recipient of the Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award.
• Shaina Dabbs, associate professor of sport management, is the recipient of the Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award.
• Srikant Vallabhajousa, professor of physical therapy education, is the recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award.
• Tom Arcaro, professor of sociology, is the recipient of the Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility.

“These are just four examples of the many outstanding faculty you will encounter at Elon,” said Kohn. “You will see the distinctiveness of Elon faculty in the classes they teach, the 15 laboratories they guide, the plays they direct, the internships they mentor, the organizations they advise and the many, many other ways they will become a central part of your Elon experience in the next four years.”

Tight-knit community

In her address, President Book acknowledged the difficulty and accomplishment of sending a student off to college – turning to her own experience as a parent.

“We know the work of preparing a young person for the empowering journey of learning and independence that is about to unfold here at Elon took a lifetime and we know in hindsight it feels like the blink of an eye,” said Book.

Getting the new students on their feet, President Book helped them create a “human bar graph,” a physical representation of the uniqueness of attending Elon. Book had the students stand and represent different populations around the world, including entire countries, U.S. public university students, community colleges and finally one student out of them all — Frank DiChristina ’28 — who represented residential colleges and universities like Elon.

“The nation’s most celebrated colleges and universities are residential, tight-knit communities where students develop mentoring relationships with peers, faculty, and staff,” said Book during the exercise. “Students who live and learn together form bonds that enhance their lives and learning forever. Frank, you symbolize the hope expressed in the model we have designed and delivered here at Elon.”

It’s day one

Students Nicole Bazos ’25, Julian Brown ’25 and Lucas McKeown ’25 provided a special musical performance before Adjunct Instructor in Music Gretchen Bruesehoff sang the university’s alma mater and explained the Elon Traditions – including students receiving an acorn following New Student Convocation. The acorn is a symbol of the start of their Elon journey and, in four years, the Class of 2028 will return Under the Oaks for Senior Baccalaureate where they receive an oak sapling, a symbol of their transformation at Elon.

“Place that acorn on your desk as a reminder of the seeds of learning that are taking root while you are a student. Grow deep roots and reach high,” said Book.

After receiving their acorns, new students were excited to be welcomed into the Elon community.

“I have been waiting for this moment for a while,” said Jesse Gerber ’28, who was accepted early decision to Elon and is now a psychology major. “I toured seven schools and Elon was the only school where I didn’t even have to get out of my car, and it felt like home.”

Makai Newman ’28 said the experience of getting his acorn feels like “a new beginning.”

“I’m most excited for connecting with other people and trying to find people who relate to my interests,” said Newman. “Convocation was really nice. I like how it felt very grand.”

President Book also acknowledged that new beginning, ending her speech with a simple message: “Class of 2028, it’s day one.”