Elon University Names 2026 Alumni Award Winners, Ceremonies Planned for May

Elon University named its 2026 alumni award class this week, headlining a group that spans Morgan Stanley wealth management, Capitol Hill policy work and the North Carolina General Assembly. The university will recognize five alumni for their leadership, accomplishments and service during this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony on May 1 at Snow Family Grand Atrium. The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Young Alumni Council have also announced the 2026 Top 10 Under 10 award recipients, who will be celebrated during a May 2 ceremony in the same venue.

The award that carries the most resonance for Alamance County goes to a Burlington native. Hon. Stephen M. Ross '73 will receive the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, given to an alumnus or alumna who has provided extraordinary service to his or her community. A political science major, Ross has held a long career in public service: a Burlington native, he served as the city's mayor for two terms and on city council for four terms, and is currently serving his sixth term in the North Carolina House of Representatives, chairing both the Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the Finance Committee. Ross has also been named one of Triad's Most Influential People by the Triangle Business Journal.

Kent Strosnider '91 P'25 will receive the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award. A corporate communications major, Strosnider is the managing director of The Strosnider Dudderar Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. One of his daughters, Sophie, graduated from Elon in 2025 with a degree in strategic communications, and Strosnider served as a Parents Council member from 2022 to 2025 and a member of the Elon Alumni Board from 2012 to 2015.

Joyel Crawford '97 will receive the Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award. A psychology major, theater arts minor and Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow, Crawford is currently the CEO, Founder, Career Coach and Motivational Speaker at Crawford Leadership Strategies, LLC.

On the second day of Alumni Awards Weekend, the Top 10 Under 10 program turns the spotlight to graduates from the past decade. These honorees are described as accomplished alumni who have achieved professional success, continuously work to better their communities and serve as loyal alumni role models. Among the named recipients is Morgan Bodenarain '18, who serves as Policy Director and Counsel for the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, bringing Elon-trained expertise to one of Capitol Hill's most prominent legislative organizations.

The Office of Alumni Engagement will host Alumni Awards Weekend and recognize two distinct and deserving groups of alumni for their accomplishments since graduation. The full list of all five Distinguished Alumni honorees and all ten Top 10 Under 10 recipients is available through the university's Office of Alumni Engagement.