Numen Lumen

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Elizabeth Crouse ‘22, Multifaith Intern, Truitt Center (65)

Hear from Becky Olive-Taylor, Executive director of the Koenigsberger Learning Center, Director of Academic Advising, and Assistant Professor of English speaks on the theme The Meaning of the Journey: Personal Stories of Change. (51)

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Hear from Becky Olive-Taylor, Executive director of the Koenigsberger Learning Center, Director of Academic Advising, and Assistant Professor of English speaks on the theme The Meaning of the Journey: Personal Stories of Change. (39)

The Reverend Dr. Joel Harter, Associate University Chaplain speaking to the theme– the Meaning of the Journey; Personal Stories of Change. Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration is a space and intentional moment in the calendar dedicated to building community, wellness, and meaning-making one personal story at a time. We are dedicated to being a gathering

Multifaith Coordinator Allison Pelyhes shares personal stories about a major family revelation and her observations of shifting sands. Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration is a space and intentional moment in the calendar dedicated to building community, wellness, and meaning-making one personal story at a time. We are dedicated to being a gathering where vulnerability is

Hannah Podhorzer is a senior from Atlanta, Georgia. She is pursuing majors in Public Health and Communication Design and a minor in African & African-American Studies. Some of her favorite things include: the sky after it rains when it becomes a deep yellow at sunset, time spent outdoors, art, and soul-fueling conversations with others. Hannah

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Kenneth Brown, Jr. is a senior Human Service Studies major from Greensboro, NC. The oldest of eight siblings, Kenneth is passionate about people and helping them reach their full potential. This has been displayed as a mentor for the Odyssey Program, Special Events Coordinator for the Black Student Union, walking around Moseley Center, and more

Lauren Silverman is a senior at Elon University. She is from just outside of Philadelphia (Yardley, PA) and is pursuing majors in Public Health and Statistics, as well as a minor in Spanish. Interested in community health and wellness, she has worked as a peer health educator and advocate for the past four years at

Amy Belfer is a senior majoring in Human Service Studies with minors in Theater Arts, Poverty and Social Justice, and Peace and Conflict Studies. She intends to work with immigrants and refugees when she graduates. She has been honored to work at the Truitt Center for the last four years, and has also been heavily

Mariatu Okonofua ‘19 offers her thoughts on this year’s theme “Authenticity and Identity.” Join us in the Sacred Space every Thursday for Numen Lumen – a time for rejuvenation, inspiration, coffee, story-telling, and time spent together in campus community. (98)

Sally Jacoby-Murphy, the fabulous Community Director for the Colonnades Neighborhood, offers her thoughts on this year’s theme “Authenticity and Identity.” Join us in the Sacred Space every Thursday for Numen Lumen – a time for rejuvenation, inspiration, coffee, story-telling, and time spent together in campus community. (78)

Alonzo Cee is a first year graduate student in the Master’s of Arts in Higher Education program at Elon University, and currently works in the Center for Leadership. Before graduate school, he obtained his Bachelor’s of Science in Statistics from Elon as well. This talk was given as part of the Numen Lumen series at

Faith Shearer has served as associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator since joining the Elon Athletics Department in 2002. Shearer oversees the Phoenix Women’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, cross country, track and field and volleyball programs. In addition, she oversees the department’s student services efforts, and serves as a deputy Title IX coordinator. In

Mussa Idris tells his story about growing up in a multi-cultural environment, discovering the internet, how education literally saved his life, maintaining a long-distance relationship, and escaping Eritrea to become a U.S. citizen. Dr. Mussa Idris is an Assistant Professor in the department of Sociology and Anthropology at Elon University. This talk was given as

Libby Coyner shares her archivist roots, tracing her vocation to childhood visits to Cold Comfort Farm, a family homestead characterized by screened porch firefly shows and whiskey in the knitting basket, where she unearthed letters between her grandparents and began recognizing the value of old papers. Coyner goes on to talk about fulfilling Portland stereotypes,

Elon’s Rabbi Sandra Lawson talks about the impact of recent violent acts of hatred and bigotry, shares her personal faith journey, and expresses hope for /olam chesed yibaneh/, “building a world of love.” Recorded 2018-11-01 at Elon University (93)

Lara Sruckman ’21 offers her thoughts on this year’s Numen Lumen theme “Authentic Identities.” She talks about being “in the middle,” a silent four-day Buddhist retreat, and a lost journal. Lara is a multifaith intern and kickboxing and yoga instructor here at Elon. She is studying Public Health with minors in German, Women’s Gender &

Mirella Cisneros is a senior at Elon University. She is a first-generation college student majoring in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in Math. She is from Mexico and resides in Snow Hill, NC. Mirella is part of Latinx-Hispanic Union and Immigrant Realities. She is passionate about social justice education and advocating for immigrant rights.

Molly Herman-Gallow is a senior at Elon majoring in Cinema and Television Arts with a minor in Religious Studies. During her time at Elon, she’s loved being a member of LEAF (Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Friends), working for Elon Academy as a College Access Team mentor, and most recently, assisting the Truitt Center in creating digital

Alan Russell, associate professor of Mathematics, offers his thoughts on this year’s Numen Lumen theme “Authentic Identities” in his talk “An Authentic Life: By the Numbers.” Professor Russell is associate professor of Mathematics. His research and publications focus on teaching and learning strategies using multiple software applications as well as origami manipulatives in the mathematics

Moving from her home of Fiji to Oakland, California as a child, Ozelle Bower was faced with change and resilience at a young age. During her early years in the United States, Ozelle hoped to change herself in order to “fit in” with American culture. Now, reflecting on her experiences as a child and the

Reflecting on the people who have shaped her life and her faith, Cherrel Miller Dyce gave a power speech on what resilience means to her. As a Jamaican immigrant raised in Canada, Cherrel was faced with discrimination and hardship at a young age. These challenges, however, helped her to define resilience and show her the

There are many aspects of life that we take for granted, including our vision. C.C Cowan experienced this years ago when he least expected it, and his life has drastically changed since. When C.C. first lost his eyesight, he felt hopeless and frustrated with this immense change brought to his life. Despite this, C.C. was

Mr. Brandon Gregory Bell joined the Elon community as a two-time graduate and employee of UNC Wilmington in June of 2017. Serving as one of the Assistant Directors of the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, Brandon is excited to aid Elon in its unprecedented commitment to diversity and inclusion as advocate, coach, and

Jackie Allred was born and raised on Nantucket Island in MA, a small island 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. She attended and graduated from Elon College in 1994 with a B.S. in Leisure Sports Management and a minor in Business Administration. She worked for 17 years in the claims department of an

Esther Gonzalez Freeman is a Latina educator, speaker, writer, advocate, and certified life and career coach. Esther is passionate about motivating, empowering, and guiding others to create fulfilling, purposeful, and balanced lives. Reflecting on the challenges and lessons from her own life, Esther shares the power of accepting and loving yourself, even when it is

After graduating Elon in 2010 with a degree in communications, Adam Constantine went on to play professional basketball in seven different countries for five seasons. Following an exciting basketball career, he decided to switch gears and return to his interest in communications where he worked at a digital marketing firm in Durham, NC for several

Linda Lashendock is the Video Archive Technologist in the Belk Library Archives. She came to Elon in February of 2003 as the Coordinator of Elon Television. Prior to her beloved Elon, she was a production manager with CNN in Washington DC. She has won several CNN awards, such as the Edward R. Murrow and Emmy

During his speech at Numen Lumen, T.J. Bowie shares how his childhood in a military family contributed to the adaptable nature he prides himself with today as a professional adult. T.J. also credits his caring and supportive community of mentors for his growing achievements and resilience despite a variety of challenges presented throughout his life.

Elon University senior, Olivia Arges, reflects on change and resilience and what these words truly mean. She shares how her perception of resilience has changed over the past few years, and her current view of what resilience means to her. After experiencing extreme PTSD and suffering from a sleep deprived and stress induced seizure, Olivia

During this Numen Lumen lecture for Hispanic Heritage Month, Elon student Sary Martinez shares her story of how change and resilience is linked to living a legacy. Sary explains the impact education has had on her life and the immense role education plays in shaping legacy. Community has also played a key role in shaping

Lucia Jervis, a junior from Quito, Ecuador, talks about lessons in resilience through her work with survivors of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that took place in Ecuador in 2016. Lucia is a Lumen scholar and is majoring in Journalism and Cinema and Television Arts and is pursuing a minor in Music. (80)

Yuko Miyamoto, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, talks about the tricky question, “Where you are you from?” Miyamoto came to Elon in 2005 after finishing her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Texas at Houston-MD Anderson Cancer Center

Iliana Brodsky, a senior majoring in Religious Studies and Music, tells her personal story of Passover. “My story is the story of Passover. It’s the story of oppression, of bondage, and of slavery, and the story of liberation and of joy and of all the work that’s implicated in that, and of all the work

Jason K. Aryeh, assistant professor of dance, tells his story of challenge and transformation as a young African who grew up in a village where LGBT-identified individuals were perceived as deviant, and physical violence against them was commonplace. Aryeh shares experiences of well-intentioned friends who seek to “cure” him rather than accepting his identity. He

Charles F. Irons, Professor of History and the Chair of the Department of History and Geography, talks about the three encounters that were so transformative that they make him cry to this day. Professor Irons teaches courses on slavery, the Civil War, American religious history, and the nineteenth-century South, and his research is on the

Naeemah Clark, associate professor in Elon’s School of Communications, tells her story of transformation when she learned that speaking the truth about your feelings really matters, regardless of what others may think. She explains, “I have learned that I’m allowed to speak my mind about what is sad, troubling, and mentally or physically painful. Even

Amy Wolf is a senior Human Service Studies major from Durham, NC. She is a member of Elonthon Executive Committee and a Student Office Assistant at the Truitt Center. After graduating in May, Amy hopes to work at a nonprofit organization. (67)

Kelsea Johnson is a Washington, DC native and proud member of the Elon community. She serves as Student Government Association’s Senior Class President, and is an active participant in LEAF at Elon. LEAF (Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Friends) has been an important part of Kelsea’s Elon experience since her freshman year. After graduating this May, Kelsea

Dr. Jean P. Rattigan-Rohr is the Executive Director of Community Partnerships, Director of the Center of Access and Success, and Associate Professor of Education at Elon University. She is also the founder and director of Elon University’s “It Takes a Village” Project. Rattigan-Rohr’s research area includes literacy development of traditionally marginalized students, parental involvement and

Charlie Cheema is from Wilmington, NC, but he has lived all over the East Coast. He attended the North Carolina School of Science and Math, a public boarding school in Durham for high school. He is a sophomore Human Services Studies major with a minot in Adventure Based Learning, and is also currently creating an

Jennifer Brigman is a Licensed Professional Counselor, currently serving the students of Elon over on south campus in counseling services. Hailing from rural eastern NC, life has provided Jennifer with many and varied experiences in religion and spirituality, which have converged to form her rich love for diversity. Growing up in the hyper-conservative Bible Belt

Fr. Peter grew up outside of Buffalo, NY in a devoutly Catholic family. He has four brothers, one of whom is a fraternal twin. He spent his academic career studying theology and philosophy and is an avid woodworker and furniture maker. Prior to coming to Elon he was ordained in 2012, served in a parish

Michael is in his 18th year as Director of Campus Center Operations. He is from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Carson-Newman College (TN) and a Master’s Degree in Education from Union College (KY). Michael is active in his church and holds positions as Steward Pro-tem and Sunday

Jaimie Biermann is in her fourth year working at Elon University and is the Community Director for the Oaks Neighborhood. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication studies from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University. On campus, Jaimie is also

Carolyn Rauch is a senior history major at Elon University, with minors in Leadership and Education. Carolyn belongs to Lutherans, Episcopalians and Friends (L.E.A.F) and Epsilon Sigma Alpha service sorority. She also has been an Elon 101 Teaching Assistant for three years. After graduation, Carolyn is planning to attend graduate school to complete a Masters

Mac recently took a three month sabbatical to hike 750 miles of the Appalachian Trail and Camino de Santiago. He is married to Katy and they have four children. Mac loves to walk his dog, read Hafiz & Mary Oliver, tend to his very small garden, learn from his teenage kids, walk labyrinths, cook pies

Jenn Grimmett has been with Elon, services as the Media Services Assistant for Teaching & Learning Technologies, since October 2013. She was wooed to the South, from the arctic land of Boston, with promises of bottomless glasses of sweet tea and woods filled with endless hiking trails. Jenn loves spending time with her student team,

Randy Williams is the Associate Vice President for Campus Engagement at Elon University, where he has worked since 2014. He has a nearly 20-year career as a college administrator, having spent most of that time working closely with students at a variety of higher education institutions. Randy obtained a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and

Emily DeMaioNewton is a junior creative writing major and multi-faith engagement intern at the Truitt Center. She enjoys waking up at 6:30am and spends all her free time reading and writing, which does not necessarily make for a vibrant social life, but her friends are understanding and patient. They also tolerate her eccentricities and mix

Brooke Barnett is a Professor in the School of Communications and Associate Provost for Inclusive Community at Elon University. She came to Elon in 2001. Prior to Elon, she was a journalist and taught at Indiana University. Her publications have appeared in “Journalism & Mass Communication Monographs,” “Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media,” “Visual Communication

Laura Goldstein started piano lessons at age four, but became fascinated by the Irish harp during college. She earned a master’s degree in harp performance from Ball State University. Laura teaches lessons, performs with various ensembles, and plays the harp in therapeutic settings as a Certified Clinical Musician. Kevin Coyne is a senior English major

Cole Harbur is a graduating senior who has spent his four years at Elon studying entrepreneurship and creative problem solving. He is originally from Kansas City, KS where he lived for his entire childhood. Two summers ago, Cole started his journey of spiritual exploration when he met a senior level student of the Shambhala Buddhist

Emily DeMaioNewton is a sophomore English major and multi-faith engagement intern at the Truitt Center. She enjoys waking up at 6:30am and spends all her free time reading and writing, which does not necessarily make for a vibrant social life, but her friends are understanding and patient. They also tolerate her eccentricities and mix of

Kerianne Durkin is a senior from Horsham, PA studying Political Science. She is a Periclean Scholar Class of 2016, a captain of the Women’s Ultimate Team, Wild Rumpus, and a student worker for the Philosophy Department and Campus Recreation. In her free time, she can be found at Dollar Slice Night at Pandora’s and badly

Allison Ginsburg is a fourth-year Elon student with an independent major in Jewish Professional Leadership, and minors in Creative Writing and Middle-East Studies. When she’s not participating in Hillel, giving tours, or scrawling poems on her receipts, she’s singing – meaning, generally in the car or shower. After graduating from Elon this May, Allison will

Dr. Cara McFadden earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with an emphasis in Higher Education from Virginia Tech, a M.A. in Recreation Administration from Central Michigan University and a B.S. in Sport Management from Elon University. She has 15 combined years of experience in collegiate recreation. Dr. McFadden is an Assistant Professor

Shelby Lewis is an intern at the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. As a religious Studies major, Shelby strives to understand how religion can foster hospitality for and among marginalized communities. She has been named the LGBTQIA Alumni Association Student of the Year, and is eager to continue her advocacy for LGBTQIA people

Eric has been working in the Physical Plant Department at Elon for ten years. He is married to Kim and they have three kids, Brendon, Hanna, and Lily. Some of Eric’s hobbies include fishing, kayaking, camping, reading, and stained glass and mosaics. (47)

Anna Torres-Zeb is from San Diego, CA where she worked as a middle school English and History teacher at the Islamic School of San Diego. She has served on the Interfaith Outreach Committee of the Islamic Center of San Diego and as a youth leader and mentor through the Muslim American Society. Anna has organized

Mary Morrison currently serves as the Director of the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement. Prior to her arrival at Elon, Mary worked in service-learning programs at UNC Chapel Hill and was a 4-H agent for the Orange County Cooperative Extension Service. Mary has a long history of community engagement and is passionate

Rabbi Meir Goldstein attended the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University where he earned an MA in Rabbinic letters in 2003 and Rabbinic Ordination in 2006. He has led congregations and been on the leadership team at a Jewish day school. Rabbi Meir’s passion for learning, community building and justice have

Maggie Liston is a senior at Elon majoring in French and International Studies with minors in Political Science and Middle East Studies. She studied abroad for two semesters of her undergraduate career in Montpellier, France and Rabat, Morocco. Maggie is a Multi-faith Engagement Intern at the Truitt Center and presented at the Parliament of the

Adam Constantine graduated from Elon University in 2010 with a degree in communications. After graduating, he played professional basketball in seven different countries for five seasons. Following his basketball career, he worked at a digital marketing firm in Raleigh, NC and then returned to his alma mater as the school’s social media manager. FUN FACT:

As a student at Elon University, Jensen Roll took the opportunity to create an independent major where he could focus on his passion of social enterprise and the future of the purpose driven economy. He is a Social Entrepreneurship Major and Leadership Minor has had a very unique academic experience which has connected the social

Kirstin Ringelberg is a Professor of Art History; they have been at Elon for just over a decade—it seems both longer and shorter than that, which makes sense because time is not linear. Ringelberg was born in Eritrea to parents from Detroit and raised in Chile, El Salvador, and Tunisia as well as Michigan, Virginia,

Jessica Bast is a Senior Environmental Studies major with a minor in Religious Studies.  She began working at the Truitt Center as an Interfaith Engagement Intern her Sophomore year, and has been a student worker since she returned from Copenhagen, Denmark her Junior year.  Jessica hopes to return to Copenhagen after graduation to intern with

Henry Walling is the Assistant Director of Campus Center Operations at the Moseley Center. Before coming to Elon, Henry completed his undergraduate work at Bowling Green State University where he received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Lightning Design and a BA in Sociology. Following graduation, Henry starting working on his Master’s in Higher Education

Laura Arroyo works in Residence Life as the Associate Director for Residential Education. She is a firm believer in the power of the human experience and the strength that comes from mistakes made along the journey. Also, puppies. (142)

L. D. Russell is a Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at Elon University, where he has taught in the areas of world religions and religion and culture since 1993.  He is coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies minor and chair of the Residentially Linked Faculty Subcommittee of the Global Neighborhood Association.  He is also

Obituaries Are About Life Elon journalism professor Anthony Hatcher, a former newspaper reporter, addresses an audience at Numen Lumen on the theme of “The Company We Keep.” Hatcher talked about writing obituaries as a reporter, and how they became a celebration of a life instead of just an announcement of a death. (105)

Our theme for Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration speaks to the Company We Keep and focuses on welcoming and hospitality in community. Elon Assistant Director of Residence LIfe, Sean Rollolazo, delivers his story, “My Life as a Unicorn.” (82)

Our theme for Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration speaks to the Company We Keep and focuses on welcoming and hospitality in community. Chaplain Jan Fuller grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, where, by the time she was 22, she had lived through four Middle Eastern wars and had become an expert in artillery. She is bilingual

To conclude this year of Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration and the theme of Enduring Questions we have a panel of senior students exploring their time at Elon and the enduring questions they have encountered. Matt Johnston Pamela Gutermuth Rachel Lewis Maria Restuccio Chris Essman Numen Lumen is a time and space to take a

Asher Weinstein is a senior from Haddonfield, New Jersey with a Management and Marketing Major and a Leadership Minor. A Philly boy at heart, Asher has spent his time at Elon as a Leadership Fellow, Truitt Center Intern and Office Assistant, and Vice President of Sigma Phi Epsilon to name a few. His favorite quote

Miranda Baker is a 2014-2015 Multifaith Intern at Elon University’s Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. She is currently majoring in religious studies and English, with a minor in leadership studies. Miranda is also deeply involved in her local Unity Church and held many leadership positions within the Youth of Unity during her high

Clarisse Abayisenga is an Elon University senior, majoring in Sociology with a minor in communications. During her time at Elon, Clarisse has been very active on campus and has held multiple leadership roles that focus on diversity and multiculturalism. She currently serves as a Diversity Peer Educator in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity education.

Morgan Redmond is a graduating senior here at Elon University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Service Studies. She is a multifaith intern at the Truitt Center. This past year, she has planned and implemented large interfaith events such Eid al-Adha and Diwali and helped facilitate a winter term series on The Sexy

Pamela D. Winfield is Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Coordinator of the Asian Studies Program at Elon. She is the author of the award-winning Icons and Iconoclasm in Japanese Buddhism: Kūkai and Dōgen on the Art of Enlightenment (Oxford University Press, 2013), and teaches numerous courses at Elon on religion and visual culture. Numen

Aidan Dyer is a junior Industrial Organizational Psychology major with minors in Biology and Leadership. In addition, he is a Periclean and Civic Engagement Scholar, a Moseley Center of Operations Facility Assistant and the Director of Downtown Engagement at the Kernoodle Center. His future plans are to pursue a career in Industrial Organizational Psychology and

Tom Arcaro is a Professor of Sociology at Elon University. David Cooper and Michael Goy make their Elon musical debut as Red Nucleus. Numen Lumen is a time and space to take a break from the busyness of the week and refresh the spirit. It is not a worship service, rather a time of reflection

Emily McCachren, Senior Religious Studies major with minors in Peace and Conflict Studies, Poverty and Social Justice, and Jewish Studies. Numen Lumen is a time and space to take a break from the busyness of the week and refresh the spirit. It is not a worship service, rather a time of reflection and inspiration offered

Nina Namaste, Associate Professor of Spanish Numen Lumen is a time and space to take a break from the busyness of the week and refresh the spirit. It is not a worship service, rather a time of reflection and inspiration offered by a member of the Elon community or a guest speaker. Learn more at

Danielle Biggs `15, a Truitt Center student worker, shares her thoughts on another of life’s enduring questions. Numen Lumen is a time and space to take a break from the busyness of the week and refresh the spirit. It is not a worship service, rather a time of reflection and inspiration offered by a member

Steve Mencarini interprets the theme of Enduring Questions by sharing a talk entitled “Why Should I Bother?” Numen Lumen is a time and space to take a break from the busyness of the week and refresh the spirit. It is not a worship service, rather a time of reflection and inspiration offered by a member