UNDER THE OAKS
FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT Professor of Physics Pranab Das has been awarded a 200,000 research grant from the John Templeton Foundation to support his research on combining the dynamics of complex systems, the physics of emergent properties and philosophical work on emergence. The overall goal is to provide new insight across disciplines with implications for the study of science and religion.
Pamela Winfield, an assistant professor in Elon University’s Department of Religious Studies, has authored her first book, Japanese Buddhism: Kukai and { Pamela Winfield } Dogen on the Art of Enlightenment. Published this winter by Oxford University Press, the book explores the intersection of art and religion based on the writings and teachings of two Japanese Buddhist masters.
HUNT SOFTBALL PARK AND BB&T FIELD DEDICATED Donors, student-athletes, administrators and friends of the university gathered Feb. 28 on North Williamson Avenue to dedicate Hunt Softball Park and BB&T Field, the new home of the Elon Phoenix softball team. Named for Vicky and Sam Hunt of Burlington, N.C., who gave lead gifts of more than $1.25 million for the project, the stadium has already witnessed record-setting performances by the Phoenix. The field, named BB&T Field in honor of BB&T Corporation, which also made a $500,000 gift for the park, features a natural turf outfield, synthetic turf infield apron and high-tech clay infield with optimal drainage. The new park was also supported by gifts from Zac Walker III ’60 and his wife, Dot, and the estates of Florence Kivette Childress ’37 and Camille Kivette ’41. “All of our donors have made a wonderful thing possible,” said Elon University President Leo M. Lambert. “You help us recruit great coaches … you help us recruit great students. This is an experience these women are having that is going to prepare them for leadership in life, and I don’t know if we’ve ever had a time where we need leadership more than we do right now.” Phase I of Hunt Softball Park includes brick grandstands with seating for 311 fans and a spacious press box; concourse and concessions areas; three batting cages and two bullpens. Work will begin soon on the project’s second phase, which includes a field house complete with a locker room, team lounge, coaches’ offices and training facilities.
6 the magazine of elon
“It’s tough for parents to stop and engage with [bullying]. It can be humiliating for them. They can say, ‘What did I do wrong that my child is being targeted? Did I not give them confidence?’” Cynthia Lowen, co-filmmaker of “Bully,” which documents a year in the life of America’s bullying crisis, during an April 12 lecture to the Elon Teaching Fellows as part of Anti-bullying Week.