Dan Anderson

The Office of University Relations received four awards in the 2009 competition sponsored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III. The annual competition recognizes outstanding achievement in concept and execution of programs for institutional advancement.

Ali Ford of the Phoenix women’s basketball team was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year by both the Southern Conference Sports Media Association and the 11 head coaches. Ford became the second straight Elon player to receive the award, after Tiara Gause picked up the honor last season. Ford was also the only underclassman named to the coaches’ All-Southern Conference team.

At its March 3 meeting, the Elon University Board of Trustees approved faculty tenure and promotions and learned about faculty who will receive continuing track and lecture track appointments.

Elon University trustees approved the 2010-11 fiscal year budget in a meeting held March 2. The board’s action places a priority on funding objectives of The Elon Commitment strategic plan, while maintaining Elon's affordable cost in setting next year’s tuition, room and board rates.

Professor Andy Angyal and Professor Emeritus John G. Sullivan presented at a conference, The Legacy of Thomas Berry Continuing His Work, held on Friday and Saturday Feb. 26-27, 2010, in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Christy Benson, assistant professor of business law and ethics, and Gary Palin, executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and senior lecturer of entrepreneurship, presented Feb. 25 in the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Webinar Series.

Two-thirds of North Carolinians believe that religion is losing influence on American life, compared with about 24 percent who believe religion is gaining influence, according to the latest Elon University Poll. Nearly 65 percent say there should be no requirement for elected officials to believe in God.

Half of North Carolinians approve of the way President Barack Obama is handling his job as President, while about 75 percent say they disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job, according to the latest Elon University Poll. President Obama’s favorability rating stands at 53 percent in North Carolina, while 41 percent view him unfavorably.

Elon Director of Choral Activities Stephen A. Futrell, along with vocal music majors Josh Carswell and Jesse Palmer (both members of the Elon Camerata), have been invited to sing in the vocal ensemble appearing with Ben Folds for his performance in Raleigh, NC with the North Carolina Symphony on March 25, 2010 at Maymandi Concert Hall.

Elon University has been recognized for the fourth year in a row as a national leader in service-learning and civic engagement. The Corporation for National & Community Service named the university this week to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction for exemplary service efforts to America's communities.