English

Every teenager experiences it. Most act on it. But adolescent peer influence isn’t what Hollywood makes it out to be, a conclusion drawn by Elon University associate professor Jean Schwind, whose examination of “peer pressure” as portrayed in movies and books is the focus of a recent article in the Journal of Popular Culture.

Nancy Mairs, a contemporary nonfiction writer whose works have received national acclaim, visits Elon University on March 17 for a 7:30 p.m. lecture in Whitley Auditorium sponsored by the Liberal Arts Forum. Mairs will also spend part of her visit to Elon working with students in a creative writing/nonfiction class.

Crystal Anderson, an associate professor of English, presented at an invited panel at the "Evolutionary Momentum in African American Studies: Legacy and Future Directions" conference at Clark University, held Feb. 27-28, 2009.

She started with a 2001 trip to help Habitat for Humanity. Eight years later, Lynn Twitchell runs a nonprofit organization that helps people in Zambia, from installing village wells to building schools. The mother of an Elon alum visited campus this week and shared with students advice for serving others.

Twenty-nine students who spent Winter Term in South Africa collected money this fall to purchase gym uniforms, supplies and books for more than 155 children at a primary school that has worked with Elon University since last year through the Global Links Library and Literacy Campaign.