Dan Anderson

C. Michael Smith, a faculty member in Elon's English department from 1968 to 1970, will be the next president of The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul. Smith is a longtime leader of international higher education and previously served as president of the American University of Nigeria and oversaw accreditation of 30 universities in the United Arab Emirates. He was recently featured in a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article.

Elon Director of Choral Activities Stephen A. Futrell appeared as guest conductor for the Cleveland County High School All-County Chorus in Kings Mountain, N.C. The two-day clinic culminated with a performance on Feb. 22 at the Kings Mountain High School Auditorium.

Most experts surveyed in a new Elon University/Pew Internet study say the Internet enhances and augments human intelligence. The survey of nearly 900 Internet stakeholders reveals fascinating new perspectives on the way the Internet is affecting human intelligence and the ways that information is being shared and rendered.

The Elon University chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been selected as an Outstanding SPS Chapter for the 2008-09 academic year.

On Feb. 23, Elon University President Leo M. Lambert and Scott Saylor, president of the North Carolina Railroad Company, toured the construction site of a new pedestrian tunnel under the railroad tracks on campus. The underpass is expected to open in late April.

Students in the business communications class led by Betsy Stevens, associate professor of business administration, are using the new Elon BioBus route in Burlington to deliver donated food to Allied Churches of Alamance County, a facility that offers an Emergency Night Shelter, Good Shepherd Community Kitchen, and Christian Assistance Network.

At the deepest point of the 2009 financial woes, a class of Elon philosophy students turned to 19th century American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson to help understand America's response to the economic meltdown. What they found is published in new book titled "The Only Sin is Limitation: Essays on R.W. Emerson's multi-faceted influence on America."

Elon's physical plant workers will be installing enhanced lighting on campus and working with Town of Elon officials to reconfigure two crosswalks on Williamson Avenue.

President Leo M. Lambert has promoted Gerald Whittington to the position of senior vice president for business, finance and technology in recognition of his 18 years of service to Elon University.