The student-run public relations agency was honored with the 2012 Pinnacle Award Best of Show Student Awards during the PRSA’s awards ceremony on May 16 for its partnership with the Anderson University Office of University Communications. Since 2009, Fifth Street Communications^™ has highlighted important events and activities on campus through news releases provided to the Office of University Communications. These releases are shared broadly through the Anderson University website and through AU social media, as well as local media outlets.

[Photo: AU communication arts students Jonathon Hosea and Eva McKnight were on hand to receive a Best of Show award during the PRSA’s 2012 Pinnacle Awards ceremony in Indianapolis on May 16, 2012. Hosea is an associate of Fifth Street Communications^™ and McKnight was an account manager in 2011-12 and will be director of the student-run agency in 2012-13.]

“The partnership between University Communications and Fifth Street has been extraordinary,” said Chris Williams, director of university communications and community relations. “The work produced by the student associates extends the reach of my office and results in quality stories showcasing student and faculty examples of the university’s five guiding values: responsibility, integrity, excellence, servant leadership, and generosity. This relationship has been beneficial and one that I look forward continuing into the foreseeable future.”

The Public Relations Society of America Hoosier Chapter represents public relations professionals throughout Indiana, including employees of associations, agencies, corporations, universities, nonprofits, government, and independent practitioners. With more than 400 members, it is one of the largest chapters in the United States. The Hoosier Chapter provides its members with various programs and events, along with accreditation training and news and information.

“The state chapter of PRSA is made up of professionals doing the kind of work our students hope to be doing when they graduate,” said Rebecca Fuller Beeler, assistant professor of communication and chair of the Department of Communication Arts. “To have the students’ work recognized by this group of professionals is confirmation that our PR students are talented, and that the partnership with AU’s communications office is something special.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Founded in 2006, the Anderson University Honors Program has always tried to provide outlets for sharing the work that the scholars complete within the program. In the past, some students have been able to share their projects at outside meetings, but this was the first time they presented them on campus to more than just classmates and faculty members.

[Photo: 2012 Anderson University grad Stephanie Stichter, an Honors Program student, presents on her capstone project during Scholars' SOAR.]

Dr. Kimberly Lyle-Ippolito, co-director of the Honors Program, has worked very closely with the Office of Admissions to create a new way for the seniors to present their work. “We wanted to not only advertise what our student can do, but show prospective students who attended Scholar’s SOAR what it looks like to be a senior Honors student,” said Lyle-Ippolito.

“The Honors Senior Capstone is the culmination of undergraduate Honors work,” the syllabus for the class reads. It creates an opportunity for the students to not only reflect on their three years of experience in the Honors Program but also to consider the topics that they have studied in their major more formally.

“In this course, they design and implement their own projects,” said Dr. Linda Swindell, who recently retired as professor of psychology. Swindell taught the senior seminar since its introduction. “It is not your typical regurgitation of information. It is an analysis, and then we expect them to answer a question or to present an idea that is groundbreaking at some level.”

The students were not expected to execute the project completely on their own, though. “Each student has a sponsor, and you become very involved in working with your student,” said Lyle-Ippolito, who served as a sponsor this year as well. The sponsors also evaluated the final project and provided the student’s grade to Swindell.

Senior Stephanie Stichter, an athletic training major, selected a topic that was both of interest to her and applicable to her major. “My project looked at the relationship between the hygiene practices of athletes and the contraction of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). I chose this topic because it was a condition that we deal with as athletic trainers, and I did not know much about it.”

Daniel Kelsey, a Christian ministries major with a youth leadership-development complementary major, is also a senior in the Honors Program. His project used the knowledge of the Christian faith that he has been developing through his major to study the concept of time in relation to Christianity. “I looked at some of the different ways time has been conceptualized around the world and what some of the benefits could be for Christians if they choose to look at time both linearly and cyclically.”

Melissa Tucker, a senior education major, observed a classroom during her first semester teaching practicum and found an area that needed improvement. “In this instance, it was the use of problem-solving by high ability 3rd and 4th grade students,” she said. She based the idea on a project from another class, which is relatively common in the senior seminar, but she went more in-depth for the Honors project. “In the next several weeks, I completed a literature review of research currently in the field, collected baseline data, created a plan of action, implemented my action plan for two weeks, and then completed a full analysis of the whole experience.”

The seniors meet once a week during fall semester, and spend a lot of time meeting with their sponsors both in the fall and the spring. Kelsey, Stichter, and Tucker all enjoyed this class set up for their senior year. “I enjoyed being able to spend one last semester with my cohort. I also liked that the schedule was flexible to work around our busy senior schedules,” said Stichter.

During Scholars’ SOAR, the prospective students had the opportunity to choose which projects they would like to hear about. Additionally, the presentations were open for public viewing.

— Marissa Phillips is a junior from Brookville, Ohio, majoring in communication arts. Phillips is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Similar to the CowParade in Chicago and the Major League Baseball statues on parade in New York City, the Walking Man Project is a community display of 10-foot Walking Man statues with an emphasis on moving and thinking forward.

Walking Man statues are purchased by local businesses as blank prototypes and then sponsored by local artists who create unique designs on their Walking Man. The statues will be displayed around town for three months and then sold in an auction with the money going to local charities. The Walking Man Project allows citizens the opportunity to participate in a treasure hunt along with a photo contest. More than 30 statues are being designed.

[Photo: AU students Jason Quinn, Joy Kang, YeJin Ha, and Xavier Walton work on their interpretation of the Walking Man statue.]

AU became involved with this project through the motivation of Levi Rinker, creator of the Walking Man Project. “Anderson is my hometown,” said Rinker. “My parents attended Anderson College, which makes me a project of AU. I wanted to give back to the community and bring a sense of energy to the town. I came up with the idea while looking at a scrap pile of wood. I decided I could either build something of it or burn it, which I soon realized was a symbol of our economy. This project psychologically and metaphysically cleanses the town and creates an icon.”

Students in the Department of Art+Design created the design for AU’s Walking Man. Freshman visual communication design major Xavier Walton is excited about the design choice. “We wanted our Walking Man to have a purpose and reach out to the community,” said Walton. “Therefore, one side of our design will represent AU and the campus, and the other side will represent the faith and service that AU strives to carry out in the community.”

At the end of the auction, the money AU receives will go toward student financial aid. “I am happy the money will be going toward student aid. It feels good to know this project will help students with tuition costs and loans,” said Walton.

Chris Williams, director of university communications and community relations, believes this project will bring AU one step closer to the community. “This project is in line with what we strive to do at AU: educate for a life of service. One aspect of that is being a part of the community,” said Williams. “There is a lot of evidence of this partnership. AU has a deep rich history in the arts, which can be seen through the outdoor art on our campus such as Helios and the Eternal Flame. AU is always interested in partnering with organizations in the community because AU is here for the community just as the community is here for AU.”

AU hopes to work with more local organizations in the future. “Any time organizations come together to promote the community, it is better for all of us,” said Williams. “It is exciting to be able to partner with the community again. AU would not be here without the city of Anderson.”

For more information visit The Walking Man Project website.

— Kelli Oxley is a sophomore at Anderson University, majoring in communication arts. Oxley is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Accounting majors may choose a concentration in forensic accounting. This emerging discipline in accounting will be one of the first programs of its type in Indiana and among the Council for Christian College and Universities.

Another growing opportunity for graduates is that of event planning. Anderson University’s close proximity to Indianapolis and its presence in the Flagship Enterprise Center in Anderson offer unique opportunities for students interested in event and project planning. This new concentration will give marketing and management students valuable experience while learning the field of study.

Marketing majors with an interest in sports may choose the new concentration in sport marketing. Experts in sport marketing suggest that the best way to get into the world of sport is to become effective in sport marketing sales. This new program will focus on sport marketing sales and will connect students with opportunities in professional and amateur sports.

“These concentrations build off of strong majors giving students expanded opportunities to serve in exciting and fulfilling careers,” said Dr. Michael Wiese, professor of marketing and director of undergraduate studies. “The Anderson University Falls School of Business continues to grow in size and reputation as a leader in Christ-centered business education.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology. The Falls School of Business is one of Anderson University’s largest academic departments offering eight undergraduate majors as well as MBA and DBA programs. The school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is a member of the Christian Business Faculty Association (CBFA).

Pi Sigma Alpha began in 1920 to encourage interest in the area of political science for college students and to promote honesty and integrity in the field. AU is now the 738th chapter.

Dr. Daniel Allen, assistant professor of political science and member of Pi Sigma Alpha, and Dr. Michael Frank, associate professor of political science, established the chapter.

“Dr. Frank got the whole process started. It took just under a year from start to finish,” said Allen. “Provost Marie Morris and President James Edwards helped us out extensively, along with many other faculty and staff members. Dr. Frank and I have added several course offerings to the major in the past couple years and decided to add this chapter as the next step in building our program.”

On Tuesday, March 22, five AU students were inducted into the new chapter.

[Photo: Anderson University recently inducted five students into Pi Sigma Alpha, the newest honor society on campus. Pictured from left: Mackenzie Scholte, Erin Ladd, Brittany Stafford, and Ben Herrick. Not pictured: Ryan Daugherty. Photo credit: Lauren Freitas]

“Dr. Allen spoke to us about honor and how it is not something easily achieved, but it is desirable,” said Erin Ladd, junior political science and history major. “He also reminded us of the high standards the honor society holds and that we should be proud of ourselves for attaining those. It not only shows that we put forth effort in our political science classes, but all of our classes at AU.”

AU administrators were supportive throughout the process. “I was fully confident AU would be supportive,” said Allen. “I knew that the administration would feel as we do, that it’s a great thing to recognize the academic accomplishments of our political science students.”

As a member himself, Allen saw the benefit that Pi Sigma Alpha will bring to the political science students. Allen joined as a graduate student, where he experienced the profession of political science and attended his first academic conference.

“The first major benefit for me was it allowed me to learn more about the research and teaching that political scientists actually engage in,” said Allen “The second major benefit is being around people who value hard work and academic excellence. When you surround yourself with strong students, your appreciation for giving your best effort grows and you are more likely to excel at whatever you set out to do.”

Ben Herrick, a junior political science major, is looking into the possibility of publishing one of his journals to the Pi Sigma Alpha database. “I’ve been working on a paper regarding the death penalty for over a year now. I started writing it for Dr. Frank for the political science research methods class,” said Herrick. “Dr. Allen has been encouraging me to submit it to the Pi Sigma Alpha undergraduate academic journals. I am really excited to see what this opportunity could lead to.”

Ladd is also taking advantage of the significant benefits of Pi Sigma Alpha. “There are academic journals that members have access to and ways to connect with members who are now professionals. I am excited that AU has given us this opportunity to have a chapter in this honor society. It might even help me get a job someday,” said Ladd.

Pi Sigma Alpha has stimulated a lot of excitement for both students and faculty. “Overall, I think this honor society will open a lot of doors for all of us,” said Herrick. “I’m so excited about the relationships I will build through Pi Sigma Alpha with students, professors, and members in other chapters. I’m also excited about the opportunities that may arise. I feel so honored to be a part of a group that values honesty, integrity, and good character.”

— Kelli Oxley is a sophomore from Muncie, Ind., majoring in communication arts. Oxley is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“With a combined total of 123 years of service, these individuals have invested their lives in Anderson University and its students,” said Dr. Blake Janutolo, dean of the College of Science and Humanities. “Each one has served as an exemplary faculty member, and each will be missed as they begin a new chapter in their lives.”

[Photo: Anderson University recently honored retiring faculty (pictured from left) Prof. Paul Gray, Dr. Linda Swindell, Prof. Zola Noble, and Dr. Ken Turner.]

Paul Gray, professor of kinesiology, joined the AU faculty in 1978 and has served the university for 34 years. He received his B.A. from Anderson University, his M.A. from Ball State University, and is currently finishing his doctorate at Ball State.

At AU, Gray coached football, wrestling, and golf. He is an expert in adaptive physical education and is known within his department for his expertise in using technology in the classroom. He has also been a long-time advocate for Special Olympics.

“As director of the Madison County Chapter of Special Olympics, Paul took a struggling program and, with the help of others in the community and university, turned it into a model of what a local chapter of Special Olympics should be,” said Janutolo. “In the process, he introduced hundreds of AU students to Special Olympians and by doing so changed their perception of what it means to work with persons who have special needs.”

Zola Noble, associate professor English, joined the AU faculty in 1993, but taught as a full-time adjunct for five years prior to this. In all, she has served the university for 24 years. Noble received her B.S. from Anderson University, M.S. from St. Francis College, and MFA from Spaulding University.

Noble is an accomplished author, with articles appearing in several journals and magazines. Some of her articles include “Back Roads Attractions,” published in The New Southerner, “An Ordinary Woman: Sarah McIntyre of Saltville, Virginia,” published in The Smithfield Review, and “Sitting in Church,” published in 94 Creations.

“Zola has put in many hours grading papers and helping our students become better writers,” said Janutolo. “She has made a difference in the lives of so many of our students.”

Dr. Linda Swindell, professor of psychology, joined the AU faculty in 1993 and has served the university for 19 years. She received her B.A. from the University of Hawaii, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Arizona State University.

Swindell came to AU after teaching at the University of Mississippi. At AU, she served as director of the Liberal Arts Seminar Program from 2000-2006 and as chair of the Psychology Department since 2009.

“Dr. Swindell is recognized by her students and peers and a master teacher,” said Janutolo. “She cares deeply about her students and has invested large amounts of time in preparing them for graduate school or careers in psychology. Loved and respected by her students, Linda is a role model for what it means to be a professor.”

Dr. Ken Turner, professor of mathematics, director of statistics, and chair of the Math Department, joined the AU faculty in 1966 and has served the university for 46 years. He received his B.A. from Anderson University, M.A. from Ball State University, and Ph.D. from Purdue University.

During his time at AU, Turner developed a strong statistics program and authored or coauthored three major statistics textbooks. His Fundamental Concepts in Design of Experiments has been adopted at schools including Cornell University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and is often used a reference text by those in industry.

“Over the years I have greatly appreciated Ken’s insight into the workings of the university,” said Janutolo. “In his own gentle way, he has always been willing to point out our flaws and inconsistencies with constructive suggestions for improvement, and at the same time congratulating us on our strengths and accomplishments.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

It had been a lot of hard work, but the Mishawaka women said there was much fun mixed in with that dedication and they would miss their experiences from college.

They were just two of 645 who graduated from AU on Saturday afternoon at the Kardatzke Wellness Center.

“It’s scary but awesome,” Elizabeth Barwick said of her feelings about graduation. “I don’t want to leave everyone, but I’m excited about all the opportunities ahead of me.”

Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees while majoring in mathematics education. Elizabeth wants to move back closer to the Mishawaka area, while Katherine plans to look for a teaching job in the Anderson area.

[Photo: Carl Erskine addresses graduates during commencement on Saturday, May 5.]

“We got a really, really good education,” Katherine Barwick said. “I’m grateful for that. I know people are looking for AU graduates for education jobs.”

Bracken Henry of Mount Gilead, Ohio, and David Herron of St. Louis were both graduating with master’s degrees in business administration. Henry had graduated with his undergraduate degree from AU, while Herron, 38, came through the program as a nontraditional student.

“I took my time to get this, and I’m very satisfied to be here today,” Herron said. “I was impressed with the program and staff. Everything was outstanding.”

Henry said he “loved” the program. His advice to future students would be to be ready to work hard.

“It is not easy, and it’s a lot of hard work,” he said.

Herron’s advice, he said, may seem silly but is sincere.

“Take advantage of as many experiences as you can so you can get the most out of the program as you possibly can,” he said.

The graduates weren’t the only ones who were having a hard time hiding their glee. Friends and family of the students packed the Wellness Center, many lining up outside, camera in hand, waiting for the graduates to march past.

Michael and Dawn Anderson — AU grads themselves — came from Akron, Ohio, to see a former co-worker and friend graduate with her doctorate.

“She has worked so hard to get here,” Michael Anderson said. “We wanted to show our support for all of that hard work.”

Dawn Anderson said she did a lot of pushing and supporting of her friend, especially in the beginning.

“I strongly believe in education, and I knew it was something that was important for her to do,” she said. “I really just helped her know she could do it. And she did, yea!”

Terry and Ruth Canfield, of Akron, came to see their son Nate Canfield graduate with a bachelor’s. He majored in business management with a concentration on nonprofits.

“We love the school and are so glad they chose Anderson,” Ruth Canfield said.

Terry Canfield, a Church of God pastor, said having both sons graduate from AU was an “answered” prayer.

“I’m so proud and excited,” he said. “We are just thrilled.”

Commencement speaker Carl Erskine — former Major League Baseball player and sports legend of Anderson — focused on taking leaps. In this Leap Year, the graduating class is about to take the biggest leap of their lives, he said.

Erskine talked at length about the leaps taken by his team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, in recruiting Jackie Robinson — the MLB’s first black player. Erskine related many of the benefits of that risk. Later, Erskine recalled how friends and family took a leap of faith when it came to the birth of Betty and his son Jimmy, born with Down Syndrome.

“The world was no more ready for Jimmy than it was for Jackie (Robinson),” Erskine said. But quickly he noticed a change and said he continues to see the change today.

At the end of his address, Erskine showed his World Series ring and a gold medal Jimmy had won swimming in the Special Olympics, an organization he continues to champion.

Erskine asked the graduates which one meant more. Are you getting the most out of what you’ve been given, he asked.

“As you leap into your next life class,” Erskine said, “you will find something — others may not remember what you said, others may not remember what you did, but everybody will remember how you made them feel.”

AU President James Edwards reminded students that graduation was a time to count your blessings but also a time to count your debts. And while his statement was followed with laughter, Edwards was quick to say he wasn’t just talking about student loans.

— Abbey Doyle is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Reposted with permission. Photo credit: Don Knight.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

During Christmas break, the brothers came up with the idea and began to plan, but soon realized that a weeklong trip could be quite costly. Staying in hotels would be far too expensive, but camping at campgrounds would also cost money and would require the brothers to carry the necessary camping supplies on their backs. Their father, who had biked across the country at age 20, suggested that they ask the AU Alumni Office for help.

[Photo: Brothers Jeremiah (left) and Adam Stichter hope to promote Anderson University and enjoy alumni connections during their 800-mile bicycle trip to Florida this summer. Credit: Lauren Freitas]

“Jeremiah came to me with the idea of contacting alumni along the route they will be traveling,” said Ben Davis, director of alumni relations. Davis contacted alumni, asking if they would be willing to house the brothers. “We have a couple already, and we are still working on gaining more,” said Davis.

Adam and Jeremiah plan to leave on Friday, May 11, and should arrive in Panama City on May 18 or 19. “When you are biking, it’s easier to take stops because it’s so flexible,” said Adam. “And you have to take stops since you are powering yourself.” The trip will be about 800 miles, so they will average about 115 miles each day.

The brothers have high hopes for the trip, both personally and for the university. “It is going to be interesting to see how AU will be able to help us out, and in return how we can help AU by getting their name out,” said Jeremiah. The Alumni Office plans to make T-shirts for the brothers that will advertise the university as they bike.

Jeremiah also hopes to achieve a personal goal, “a good tan.” Both Jeremiah and Adam also hope to grow closer and bond during the trip, as well as accomplish a few other personal goals. “I am going to have the pride of completing the trip,” said Adam. “It’s no small feat to accomplish, and it definitely has an adventure aspect to it.”

According to Davis, a trip like this has never been attempted at AU, especially with the large number of alumni who will be reached throughout the brothers’ route. However, many students and recent graduates do contact the Alumni Office to reach out to others in areas where they may be moving or taking an internship. “Almost always we are able to connect them with some sort of ‘warm lead,’” said Davis. “We try to keep people connected so that they network with each other, have fellowship, and share memories.”

Jeremiah and Adam are encouraging everyone to follow their travels as they share details from the trip and their time with alumni. “We have an idea of taking an AU water bottle and filling it with water from the Helios fountain, taking pictures with it along the way, and then dumping it into the Gulf of Mexico,” said Jeremiah. Their travels can be followed on Facebook and Twitter; Jeremiah’s Twitter username is @ja_reemstichter and Adam’s is @ajstichter, and they hope to popularize the hashtags #IN2Florida and #AUBikeTrip.

— Marissa Phillips is a junior from Brookville, Ohio, majoring in communication arts. Phillips is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

The John A. Morrison Awards recognize faculty and staff who go beyond excellence in performance and have demonstrated a commitment to something larger than self. Each year, one staff and one faculty member are selected from nominations by their colleagues and announced at the annual recognition luncheon. Nominees for the Morrison Award should demonstrate a commitment to the university’s mission and core values. Dr. John A. Morrison was Anderson University’s first president, serving in that role from 1925-1958.

The MOSAIC Team at Anderson University established the MOSAIC award in 2012 to recognize individuals within the university who embody the ideal of “modeling and promoting a work-learning environment in which all persons feel welcomed and affirmed on the journey toward intercultural competence.”

Tom Bruce has served Anderson University for 35 years. “Called” to service at AU in 1977 by then-President Robert H. Reardon, Bruce has served with three of the university’s four presidents, and has filled many roles, including assistant director of development, director of information services, director of university relations, executive director of university relations and alumni affairs, and currently as executive director of university advancement. In his current role, Bruce manages a wide range of programs in the areas of public relations; electronic, print, and mass media; church relations; development; and alumni relations.

[Photo: Tom Bruce (left) with his wife, Marlyne, and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

In addition to his service at Anderson University, Bruce has served on many local community boards and committees, including the Madison County Leadership Academy, Anderson Fine Arts Center, Boy Scouts of America, Wilson’s Boys and Girls Club, Saint John’s Hospice Program, Junior Achievement, Madison County Management Club, the Mayor’s Human Needs Commission, Anderson Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Anderson YMCA, United Way drives, WIPB-TV, and Visiting Nurse Health Care.

Bruce earned a degree in business administration from Anderson University in 1971, a Master of Science in mass communications in 1977, and a master’s degree in business administration in 1987.

In nominating Bruce for the award, his colleagues shared that “his years of quality service to Anderson University, the community, the church, and individuals has been a unique form of ministry. Tom Bruce, with a ‘blessed quietness,’ has managed to infuse his many campus activities with a contagious spirit of warmth and sensitivity that lingers in one’s memory.” Another colleague stated that Bruce “serves fully and without reservation wherever needed. He is a man who engenders trust and respect. His very life and personality embody what Anderson University values most — faith, service, generosity, excellence, and humility.”

Dr. Linda Swindell, professor of psychology, has served Anderson University for 19 years and recently announced her retirement this spring. Over the years, Swindell has demonstrated a commitment to research and scholarship, and a deep caring for the long-term good of Anderson University. She has provided leadership of the Liberal Arts Seminar and Honors Program, and founded and developed an honor society on campus.

[Photo: Dr. Linda Swindell (center) with Provost Dr. Marie Morris and President Edwards.]

Swindell has served as an example to her colleagues of perseverance and courage through great personal trials, intellectual rigor combined with a strong Christian faith, modeling and encouragement of professional development, generosity of time and resources in helping colleagues and students grow intellectually, helping to create a sense of community on the AU campus, and diligent committee work that has contributed to a revitalized mission of the university.

Embodying the institution’s core values of excellence, integrity, servant leadership, responsibility, and generosity, Swindell daily strives to seek truth, live faithfully, and to be useful as a servant of God.

Swindell holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawaii, and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from Arizona State University.

Dr. Donald Boggs, professor of communication and general manager of Covenant Productions^®, came to Anderson University in 1978. During his tenure he has traveled to more than 40 countries, providing consultation in the area of communications. Boggs directed the award-winning documentary, A Ripple of Hope, which tells the powerful story of race relations, leadership, and the nonviolent impact in Indianapolis of boldly acknowledging the tragedy of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. His most recent trip was to Haiti to expose the weaknesses in Haiti’s infrastructure and to work with the Haitian people in improving communications through a nine-station network.

[Photo: Dr. Donald Boggs with Dr. Marie Morris and President Edwards.]

Over the years, Boggs has impacted the lives of countless members of the community and his own students in following the truth in a story wherever it may lead and always respecting the people group with whom he is working. In this process of storytelling, Boggs actively enlists his students, giving them “real world” professional experience.

Chris Witt, a 2003 AU graduate and award-winning film editor, traveled to Honduras and Brazil with Boggs on a documentary project. Witt said, “I was able to work on my storytelling and I gained perspective on cultures outside of AU.” Darcy Noonan, a 2009 AU graduate, traveled to the Philippines in 2008 to produce a documentary for Children of Promise. Noonan said, “When you tell someone’s story, it changes how you look at where you are and what you’re doing.”

Boggs holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from the University of Akron, and a Ph.D. from Kent State University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

After graduating from nursing school in 1980, Tharp (Anderson University AS ’80, MBA ’05) returned to Community where she has worked her way from third-shift nurse to vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer.

When she first started at Community, Tharp looked up to her nursing supervisor and decided that was her dream job. More than three decades ago she never expected she’d be named Nurse of the Year out of more than 900 nominees from across the state.

“I was thrilled,” she said of the award. “It is such an honor.”

Across the state, nurses are nominated to The Indianapolis Star’s Salute to Nurses award program. Once nominated, a selection committee names one nurse to five different categories — advancement of nursing, community outreach, inspiration, lifetime of compassion, and educator of the year.

One of the five picked in those categories is then named nurse of the year. Community never had a winner before Tharp.

“Those that have had the opportunity to work with Beth can see her talent and dedication in action over and over again, as well as the strong results that she achieves year after year,” said Leah Campbell, Community’s director of marketing and community relations. “She is an exemplar of nursing leadership, fully committed to providing the best care and experience for our patients and employees. The award is a fitting testimony to Beth.”

Tharp has held several positions during her tenure at Community including director of women and children’s services. She helped that program grow and then later assumed responsibility for medical/surgical and intensive care.

“From there I have grown so much,” Tharp said. “I’ve had added responsibility and have helped create some things like the Clinical Research Center, the Advanced Wound Healing Center and Cancer Center. I love my job; the sky’s the limit. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to see a need and help fulfill it.”

Tharp stressed that much of what she’s been given credit for, especially with this award, wouldn’t have been possible without support from the hospital and her support staff.

“All I did was clear the path and stay out of the way so they could do it,” she said. “We are a team here. Nothing happens without all of us working together. I consider everybody in this hospital to be an unbelievably wonderful family.”

Tharp said she has several fond and memorable moments from throughout her 32-year career. But most important is the impact she felt she’s been able to make, both with her patients and in creating programming like the wound and research centers.

She recalled a night she was working as a bedside nurse spending hours with a family overnight after their loved one passed away under her care.

“Years later I ran into one of the family members and they came up to me and hugged me,” Tharp said. “It was really special. It makes you stop and think about the impact you can have on peoples’ lives without even knowing it.”

Nursing, she said, isn’t a job or even a career, it’s a calling.

“The wonderful part of my job now is that I have the opportunity to look at the big picture and have an impact on an even larger level,” Tharp said. “There have been points in my career where I’ve thought, ‘I wish I could be taking care of patients,’ because I really loved doing that. But I can have an even greater impact now.”

Keith Trent, Community vice president and chief foundation officer, said Tharp has accomplished much at Community.

“She has the respect of her staff, really of all the hospital’s staff,” he said. “She is well-liked and knowledgeable. While she would quickly give credit to others, most understand she is the one responsible for starting the Clinical Research Center and Center for Advanced Wound Healing. I believe neither would be here today without Beth and her determination to make those things happen.”

Tharp was also given the Advancement of Nursing award, fitting for her, Trent said as she is supportive of the nurses at the hospital and has created several opportunities for them to advance, achieve and do things they might not have otherwise been able to do.

Also nominated from Community for nurse of the year was Debra Maddy, Licensed Practical Nurse.

— Abbey Doyle is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission. Photo credit: John P. Cleary/The Herald Bulletin.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Considering her options, Francis, an accounting and youth leadership-development major, decided that selling her laptop computer would be the best way to raise the needed funds. She contacted AU alumna Suahil Housholder, accountant at AU and Anderson Dining Services, and asked if a “for sale” email could be sent to faculty and staff.

[Photo, from left: Latoya Francis, Suahil Housholder, and Nelda Ely.]

Housholder, also originally from Grand Cayman, was happy to assist, and sent out the email on the AU classifieds email list on Wednesday, April 25.

One of the first to respond was Nelda Ely, graduate student counselor.

“I was still at home that morning when I saw the email, and I immediately felt it was so sad that she had to give up her laptop, because I know how important they are,” said Ely. “I paused a moment to pray, because I thought, ‘Okay, I know there a lot of needs on campus. Is this really appropriate?’ And I didn’t feel any halt in my spirit.”

Ely sent an email response to the classifieds list, asking if it might be possible to contribute funds so that Francis would not have to sell her computer. By the time she arrived at the office around 8 a.m., Ely was surprised to find she had already received 8 to 10 responses from others who wanted to contribute.

Housholder, too, was floored by the immediate response.

“I work from home and didn’t have the opportunity to check my email until about 10:30 in the morning, and when I did I was just blown out of the water.” she said.

Housholder agreed to coordinate the collection, and by May 1, $1,255 had been contributed by more than 35 faculty and staff on campus.

For Francis, the contributions help assure not only her return home but also a major part of her work with TAPP in Uganda over the summer.

TAPP was founded by Church of God missionary Colleen Stevenson in 2004 as a response to the AIDS crisis in Uganda. According to TAPP’s Facebook page, TAPP finds hope and compassion by seeking solidarity with individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS through creating opportunities for sustainable income.

“With TAPP women, most of them don’t have enough money to send their children to proper schools, so I’ve been researching a private school for the poor,” said Francis. “They have a couple of these in Africa and India that have been quite successful, so I was researching how we can use this model and tailor it to the needs that are currently in Uganda.”

With the support she has received from AU faculty and staff, Francis will be able to take her research further than she had anticipated.

“It actually means that I get to not only go, but I get to finish the business plan and have a chance to see it come to fruition,” said Francis. “I can write and say all the things I think need to be said, but to make it successful, you need to actually sit down with the administrators and teachers to come up with a curriculum that fits the needs of the families and students in Uganda.”

Housholder and Ely both expressed their appreciation for those who contributed.

“I think this demonstrates the true heart of Anderson University, that we are a God-loving people and we seek opportunities to help others,” said Housholder.

“It’s been exciting for me to see the faces of those who have contributed,” said Ely. “ I think all of us have been blessed as much as Latoya has been.”

Francis also shared her appreciation.

“As a student, one of the things that has been instilled from Day One has been the idea of servant-leadership,” she said. “To see that faculty and staff would go out of their way to help a student this way, it just shows me that servant-leadership is not just talk, but it’s actually something that’s lived on this campus.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“Since our performing arts overlap in several different ways with facilities, equipment, and especially students, it has called for coordination among departments,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wright, dean of the College of the Arts and co-chair of the School of Music. “It has become a natural evolution of relationships, and the arts need to be housed together under one name.”

With the school’s new name and new major, the relationships between the programs will continue to grow stronger.

“The idea of launching a musical theatre major has been discussed for quite some time,” said Wright. “We already have a music program, dance program, and theatre program. It makes sense to bring all those programs together in one package.”

The new major will give prospective students, especially those who are not sure if they should do music, theatre, or dance, another option to consider. Now, they have the choice of studying all three in a single major.

“This addition will help grow the student body,” said Laurel Goetzinger, associate professor of music. “AU will be able to offer students and prospective students what they have requested.”

With the recent changes, AU continues to advance with other schools around the nation.

“A number of other colleges are moving into the direction of combining their performing arts,” said Wright. “It is good if we keep pace with what other schools are doing so we can prepare and offer students what they need for success.”

The 80-hour major has been carefully planned by several faculty members from all three programs and by Provost Dr. Marie Morris. The major was recently approved by the full university faculty and will be officially introduced into the curriculum this fall.

“This major and name change suits what we have in place,” said Goetzinger. “When prospective students ask about a musical theatre major, we finally get to say yes.”

The 18-month process of introducing a name change and an additional major is a sign of growth for AU.

“This has been a stressful time but a fun time as well,” said Wright. “It is a healthy sign that AU is exploring new possibilities for majors and new possibilities to structure the performing arts.”

— Kayla Meid is a junior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts and theatre arts. Meid is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“Each year we have the privilege to honor an outstanding senior in biology with the Stevenson Outstanding Student Award,” said Dr. Blake Janutolo, dean of the College of Science and Humanities and chair of the Biology Department. “This award makes it easier for our best students to pursue further experiences in biology or help meet the expenses of that first year in graduate school.”

[Photo (l-r): Dr. Daniel Ippolito, professor of biology; Dr. Kimberly Lyle-Ippolito, professor of biology; Dr. Jerry Stevenson; Kelly Frye; Patricia Stevenson; Dr. Michael Bailey, assistant professor of biology; and Dr. Blake Janutolo, dean of the College of Science and Humanities.]

Frye, from Elhart, Ind., majored in biology and communication arts. She will spend the next year teaching at a boarding school in Ghana, and also hopes to spend time in the local health clinic. Following her time in Ghana, Frye intends to pursue graduate studies toward a master’s in public health.

While at AU, Frye was a member of the Honors Program, the Center for Public Service, Alpha Chi, Sigma Zeta (also serving as secretary), and the AU debate team. She has worked as a teacher’s assistant for several biology labs and as a biology tutor at the Kissinger Learning Center. She was a staff writer for the Anderson Media Group, a student assistant for the Center for Public Service, a social media intern for the MBA program, and a copy and project editor with Fifth Street Communications^™.

“The Stevenson Award has been a huge blessing to me. I’m honored that my biology professors selected me for this prestigious award,” said Frye. “I’ve combined two disciplines — biology and communication — so that I can pursue a career in public health. Specifically, I want to tackle issues of infectious disease control and containment, which require a unique blend of scientific, communication, and leadership skills. My time at AU — and the Stevenson Award along with it — has shown me that this type of career is possible to pursue, but the support from this award is outstanding. I am encouraged and energized for my experience abroad next year, and the education that will follow it.”

Dr. Jerry Stevenson received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Findlay in 1953, a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University in 1956, and an M.D. from The Ohio State University in 1960. In addition, Stevenson served as a corporal in the Army and a lieutenant commander for the United States Public Health Service.

[Photo (l-r): Dr. Jerry Stevenson, Patricia Stevenson, Kelly Frye, Melody Frye, and Richard Frye.]

Patricia Stevenson attended both Anderson University and The Ohio State University, where she pursued an interest in occupational therapy and worked as a technician in the university’s Pathology Department.

From 1965-1970, Dr. Stevenson served as chair of the Biology Department at Anderson University. He was instrumental in building the current curriculum for the department and bringing distinction to the university’s pre-medical program. He worked full-time in the Pathology Department at St. John’s Hospital in Anderson from about 1970 to 1997.

The Stevensons currently reside in Estes Park, Colo. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Aleza Beverly, dean of the School of Adult Learning, has been the director of summer classes since the mid 1990s. She is an advocate for taking summer classes. “It gives students a chance to jump ahead on hours or to make up hours that they have not been able to do during the regular semester,” said Beverly.

Summer classes can work for any student, even those who cannot stay at AU for the summer. “Reading courses are a type of independent study where the instructor gives the student the syllabus and then they turn the work in later,” said Beverly. They also require a GPA of at least 2.5. Tutorial classes do not require minimum GPA, but they require the instructor and the student to remain in contact throughout the summer. “Tutorial courses give more structure to the independent study,” said Beverly.

Dr. Jaye Rogers, associate professor of history, has been teaching summer classes since she started working at AU 16 years ago. However, when she began her college career, these types of classes were hard to find. “When I started college at 26, with two small children, there were no online courses anywhere,” said Rogers. “It was enormously difficult and expensive to arrange childcare to fit with my class schedule.” She is now very supportive of online classes. “They offer all students — but especially nontraditional students — a way to fulfill academic requirements while also juggling their many other responsibilities.”

Rogers also enjoys the opportunity summer classes offer to get to know her students in a more personal way. “I find that I get to know a little more about my students during summer courses because a face-to-face class that lasts four weeks is a little more intimate,” said Rogers. “We are all just more relaxed, and that allows all of us to be more engaged in the classroom.”

Summer classes also offer many benefits for traditional students, many of whom may have a hard time finishing their major in just four years. Summer classes allow them to lighten their schedule during the school year or to add another major or minor before they graduate. Many students are even able to graduate early because of summer classes. Christie Combs, who majored in accounting and minored in finance and management at AU, was able to graduate early in December 2011 because of the summer classes she took throughout her college career. “It would have been nearly impossible to graduate in three and a half years with 150 credit hours without taking summer classes,” said Combs.

Graduating early is typically a significant reason for students to participate in summer classes, and many may complete internships for credit in the summer. Scheduling hours to complete an internship with a business is often easier in the summer, and for some students this may even lead to a full-time job.

“The internships I did over the past summers for credit led to my internship last summer, which eventually helped me obtain my current full-time job,” said Combs. She now works for Defense Finance and Accounting Services, where she interned during the summer of 2011 and worked part-time during her final semester at AU.

Summer classes can be scheduled with the registrar through May 7, the first day of summer classes.

— Marissa Phillips is a junior from Brookville, Ohio, majoring in communication arts. Phillips is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

But it’s always intriguing to see where these seniors come up with their concepts whether it’s a 3-D dragon head sticking out of a wall or a music-accompanied video of circles and lines.

One is influenced by diversity. Another yearns to make order out of chaos. One likes comedy. And yet another finds art in her hometown images.

The exhibition, titled “Menagerie,” runs through May 3 at the Wilson Galleries in the Krannert Fine Arts Center.

[Photo: AU student Kenton Pratt (right) explains his glass work to Kevin McClung.]

A standout is the work of Anna C. Allen. “Inhale” is a porcelain bowl surrounded by off-white leaves with the curves of potato chips but they look too fragile to touch. “Exhale” is a similar piece with leaves surrounding a serene, small lake setting. Her “Blossoming Burst” is a tantalizing aqua and gray porcelain tray. Though hanging on a wall, the work would be an art piece at any angle.

In her self-penned notes, Allen writes, “I make everyday objects that in time become special or sacred. A special bowl that you love to use or a one-of-a-kind piece that has a special place in the home.” In essence, moments that we generally take for granted can really be precious.

Samantha Deatrick shows respect and admiration for her Owen County home with four posters. Each features a historical or tourist scene such as the digital print, “Patriotism,” an iconic sculpture of a World War I doughboy by Spencer artist Ernest Viquesney. In another, she depicts a scenic walk in McCormick’s Creek. Deatrick should approach other Hoosier communities for similar posters.

Dominating one exhibition room are eight large hanging posters by Tiernae Salley who shows the uniqueness of a close-up as each of her subject’s reacts to the presence of the camera lens.

[Photo: AU student Cody Linn photographs exhibits as he is framed by a pair of portraits by Tiernae Salley.]

Jonathan Tapp’s video/music piece, “Where Do We Come From?” combines a soothing Middle Eastern chant with pulsating circles and rotating lines. Tapp works from the idea that percussion, harmony, and melody can be expressions of one’s spiritual being in Christ. But viewers might wish there was a chair nearby to enhance the dreamy atmosphere.

Thankfully, there’s a chair in another room next to Sadie Frey’s written proposal for a student lounge in the art department. The chair is made with help from Jeffrey Jackson from discarded wood pallets.

If you visit, gaze at the artist biographies on an entry wall then walk through the four exhibition areas first. Return to read the bios and go back to see what new insight you might gain. And the whole experience won’t take 15 minutes.

— Scott L. Miley is features editor for The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission. Photo credit: Don Knight/The Herald Bulletin.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“At Anderson University, we believe experiential learning is important,” said chemistry professor and Scholars’ Day organizer Dr. Chad Wallace. “We believe that learning is best accomplished by doing. What does real scholarship look like? You will find it in these presentations.”

[Photo: Student Chelsea Whyte discusses her research during Scholars’ Day on April 24, 2012.]

Participants created abstracts of their research, which were compiled into a program booklet.

See Scholars’ Day Abstracts [PDF]

Senior Kirsten Milliron developed a 60-page screenplay adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy. This was a significant undertaking for Milliron, who has had more experience writing shorter pieces.

“Doing this project was a dream I had had for several years,” Milliron said. “I feel really accomplished that I did something like this. … If I ever have a film company hire me to do an adaptation, I have experience under my belt now.”

Senior psychology major Matthew Danskey presented research on lucid dream recall. While the subject itself is fascinating for him, the entire research and presentation process was equally important.

“Taking a piece of research from beginning to end and coming out with something finished and polished is pretty fun,” Danskey said. “My plans are to get a doctorate in psychology, so being familiar with research and presenting is definitely going to be handy.”

Senior nursing major Katelyn Veal collected data for her research before and during an international nursing trip to the United Kingdom. She studied the national health care system in the UK and the ways in which nurses are beginning to participate in clinical commissioning groups.

“I’m really interested in public health, and I want nurses to be more aware of opportunities to stay involved on a national level within their health care system,” said Veal. “This research will definitely be applied to my nursing practice as I graduate and work as a bedside nurse, staying aware of opportunities to impact on a bigger level than just at the bedside.”

Senior chemistry major Brandon Hensley analyzed water samples to detect levels of benzyl benzoate using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The highlight for Hensley was using the GC-MS machine.

“I was curious to see what was in the water, and I got to analyze that,” he said. “It was interesting to be able to run my own experiments and find something out that I don’t think anyone [at AU] has looked at before.”

Scholars’ Day 2012 participants included:

• Kayla Lighty (Psychology): “Adult sibling relationships and communications”
• Samantha Holder (Nursing): “Gender’s impact on prenatal care in India”
• Ryan Bowser, Kent Shilts (Chemistry/Physics): “Metal diethenoylmethanates and tetrathenoylethanates as microporous metal-organic frameworks”
• Emily Thalls (Psychology): “Effects of gender and body mass index on body image”
• Wes Becker, Jeremy Redman (Business): “Raven Investment Fund”
• Samantha Anderson (English): “The history of swing dancing and why it’s important to know it”
• Chelsea Whyte (Honors): “A Christian ethical reflection on the community’s response to the Chicago housing crisis”
• Alisha Sink (Psychology): “Investigating the effects of environmental stimuli on affective responses and perceptions”
• Jared Bickle (Kinesiology): “The effects of mode exercise on stress levels”
• Kelly E. Frye (Honors): “An age-old epidemic: Cholera outbreaks in the past decade”
• Kirsten Milliron (English): “The Horse and His Boy: A screenplay adaptation”
• Daniel Kelsey (Religious Studies): “The effect of the concept of time on the practice of Christianity”
• Andrea Whitacre (English): “Social ethics and the fall of heroism: Myth, magic, and religion in Gisla Saga Surssonar”
• Abbie Mason (Psychology): “The effect of birth order on preferred study environment”
• Matthew Danskey (Psychology): “The effects of a two-week reflection-intention training program on lucid dream recall frequency: A replication”
• Katelyn Veal (Nursing): “Clinical commissioning in the United Kingdom and the involvement of nurses”
• Meredith Tarplee (Psychology): “The impact of mentoring on the emotional intelligence of middle school girls”
• Sin Hea Yeom (Chemistry/Physics): “X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and art”
• Matthew Bursley (Biology): “The anti-bacterial of Carica papaya leaf extracts”
• Neil Eliason (Psychology): “Personality differences among nursing, psychology, and computer science”
• Brandon Hensley (Chemistry/Physics): “Analysis of benzyl benzoate in water samples by solid phase extraction and GC-MS analysis”
• Ryan Petter (Business): “Economic consequences of recent conflict in Liberia”
• Charles Goodrich (Chemistry/Physics): “X-ray fluorescence analysis of pottery”
• Sarah Conway (Psychology): “Growth from pain: The effects of counseling, spirituality, and gender on posttraumatic growth”
• Kim Lundstrom (Nursing): “Unmet expectations of internationally recruited nurses working in Britain’s National Health Service (NHS)”
• Melissa Tucker (Education): “Increasing creative and critical thinking of gifted and talented students”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Simmons, novelist and mother of two boys, has been writing since her middle-school days. She began writing poetry and later developed an interest in short stories and novels after excelling in a creative writing class in the 1990s. Along with publishing her novel, her accomplishments include publishing two poems and being ranked in the top 100 winners in the 1995 Writer’s Digest Writing Competition.

Cantrell and Simmons met in a creative writing class. In the class, Simmons wrote a short story that would later be the inspiration for her novel. One day, Cantrell approached Simmons and said that she had a dream about her story and that they needed to write together.

Cantrell and Simmons began to meet weekly to work on the story. They would write separately and then bring their ideas together to create scenes for the novel. The pair started working together in 2000 and finished the novel by 2002, when they began the editing process. The novel was then shelved for a few years, but the story was submitted and accepted for publication in 2010 by Bellfire Press. Their debut novel, Like Him With Friends Possess’d, was published last November.

According to Simmons, the title is taken from a line in Shakespeare’s 29th sonnet. “There are references to other sonnets interspersed throughout the novel, and the chapter titles are lines from the sonnets also,” said Simmons. “But the 29th fits the theme of the story the best, and it provides a common tie to the two main characters.”

After the novel was published, Simmons and Cantrell attended multiple book signings and fairs including the 4th Annual Local Author Book Fair and Signing at the Anderson Public Library, and Moneyhun’s Fine Gifts and Furnishings also hosted a signing for them.

“I loved the novel! It was intriguing and attention-grabbing,” said Inge Baird, assistant professor of German and Spanish at AU. “For me, what was really neat was that there was a big chunk of the story that took place on a farm. I could relate to that. The novel was very vivid in the respect that I felt like I was actually there and could easily visualize what was happening.”

Dr. Timothy Fox, professor of Spanish and co-chair of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages, had nothing but good things to say about Simmons. “I can’t say enough about what Bea means to us in this department,” said Fox. “A lot of us consider her a dear friend.”

Simmons’ novel may be purchased through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, among other places. She is currently working on a few stories and plans to continue writing. “I would eventually like to publish more novels,” said Simmons.

— Tiffany Vega is a junior from Valparaiso, Ind., majoring in public relations and minoring in marketing. Vega is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Laflamme will graduate May 5 with a management major and a concentration in nonprofit leadership. She is a member of Delta Mu Delta, has been on the Dean’s List every semester, and was active in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

The Wall Street Journal award is presented each year to an outstanding senior and is the highest honor an FSB student can receive. Laflamme’s name will be engraved on a plaque in Hardacre Hall with past winners. In addition to this, each year’s winner is also presented with the Larry and Dorothy Morrison Thomas Award, a $5,000 cash award to the selected student. Dorothy Morrison Thomas is the daughter of Dr. John A. Morrison, who served as the president of Anderson University from 1923-1958.

Also recognized at the banquet were outstanding students in each area of study. Awards were given to the following students:

• Kathryn L. (Albers) Fortkamp, accounting
• Ryan J. Petter, economics
• Eva Tan, finance
• Keegan R. Hazen, management
• Monica L. Crowe, marketing
• Andrew T. Harper, global business
• Ashley Ledford, SIFE Leadership
• Aubren E. Cressley, Indiana CPA

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology. The Falls School of Business is one of Anderson University’s largest academic departments offering eight undergraduate majors as well as MBA and DBA programs. The school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is a member of the Christian Business Faculty Association (CBFA).

That’s why Anderson University junior nursing students practiced a tornado disaster scenario and then hung out with St. Vincent’s StatFlight Team this week.

The students were out at Saint John’s Medical Center on Thursday afternoon to receive a quick lesson from flight nurse Shelby Wray and check out the equipment used.

“It’s just awesome,” nursing student Jane Krick said. “This is the epitome of nursing.”

[Photo: AU nursing students stopped at the StatFlight medical helicopter this week when they visited Saint John's Hospital.]

Wray explained how a nurse really needs intensive care and emergency room experience to learn how to treat all sorts of patients from trauma to cardiac to pediatric patients because they never know who they’ll get.

A StatFlight team is made up of the pilot, obviously, and a critical care nurse and critical care paramedic who must have extensive experience in their fields, receive a variety of certifications, and complete hundreds of hours of continued education every year.

“I feel like you should always have a bit of flutter in your chest, be a little nervous, a little shaky because these patients are really sick,” Wray told the students. And they’re depending on a flight team to get them where they need to be safely.

Sarah Neal, professor of nursing, said AU brings the students out to the helicopter once every year; this year after a tornado disaster scenario.

“It allows them to put into practice what they learn in the classroom,” she said.

It’s a med surge class that teaches them how to react to critical patients such as those in an ICU or ER and teaches them a little bit of the psychology needed to deal with disasters, Neal said. Similar courses were implemented in many colleges’ curriculum after Sept. 11, 2001, she said.

“We’re learning what we need to know in a disaster area,” Krick said. How to get people out quickly and safely in those sort of scenarios.

Krick said they had to go into the lab in the dark and find bodies. It was stressful and felt realistic as they ran around with flashlights and cellphones for light, she said.

Student Emily Williams was especially excited because she wants to be a flight nurse someday.

Williams said they can do more than many other nurses can and that she likes the idea of going out to a disaster zone and helping people.

“I like the adrenaline rush,” she said. “I’m an adrenaline junkie.”

She actually started off wanting to be in pediatrics or oncology, but after she got into rotations, said she now wants to get into the ER and then flight.

Wray herself said she wanted a job where a doctor wasn’t always telling her what to do because she felt she had worked hard enough and had the knowledge to do what was needed.

She works two days a week for 24 hours at a time and typically sees a flight a day, but there are obviously slow days and fast days, as well.

Some students were supposed to visit the helicopter Tuesday, but didn’t get the chance because the flight team had to go out on a run. They could, however, head to Saint John’s Thursday if they didn’t have clinicals.

— Dani Palmer is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission. Photo credit: John P. Cleary/The Herald Bulletin

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

But once Johnstone, who is director of theater at Anderson University, begins to quote Truman in a one-man stage show, he fully envelops the persona of the 33rd president.

Give ‘em Hell, Harry is a strong, touching interpretation of Samuel Gallu’s hit play from 1975. The show became a national in-theater film release with actor James Whitmore portraying Truman. Truman, of course, succeeded to the presidency with the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt and served as the nation’s leader from 1945 to 1953. He died in 1972.

[Give 'em Hell Harry opens Thursday in Anderson University's Byrum Hall. Performances will run April 19-21 and 26-28 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances at 2:30 p.m. on April 28 and 29. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military, and $5 for students. For tickets or inquiries, contact Beth Doub at badoub@anderson.edu or (765) 641-4351.]

Johnstone has long wanted to play Truman. But Harry, which takes place as a series of reflections, requires an actor to have physical resemblances to Truman; previously, Johnstone was just too young. As he reached 50, Johnstone felt the time was right for his looks, expertise and, perhaps, comprehension of Truman to take on the feisty, headstrong role.

Johnstone turns Harry into a personal experience for himself and the audience. For example, a recurring, emotional challenge is Truman’s acceptance of his role as the only man to approve the dropping of atomic bombs which in turn forced Japan’s World War II surrender. Johnstone’s reflections are deeply moving — pausing mid-thought to capture the inhumanity of atomic weapons while noting that his action had to be taken to save the lives of American soldiers. As an undertone to the tragic nature of war, the play shifts to happier moments of Truman’s home life whenever the bomb is mentioned.

Stage lighting, running from warm to chilly, by Christian McKinney and sparse set design by Kathleen Warner complement Johnstone’s performance as does the pinstripe suit, suspenders and wire-rim glasses by costumer Cameron Bourquein.

Harry is not solely for those who remember Truman, or for war veterans, as one might expect. There are deep comparisons between Truman of the 1940s and today’s Washington, D.C. Truman was faced with the anti-communism tirades of Joseph McCarthy, attacks on social security, and issues of American drilling for oil — themes that never seem to be resolved in this country.

Thankfully, Ronn Johnstone waited years to “Give ’em Hell, Harry.” His range as an actor rolls naturally to encompass Truman as statesman and family man. But Johnstone’s years also enhance the honesty and directness that defined Harry Truman for one generation and continue to be relevant today.

— Scott L. Miley is features editor for The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission. Performance information added by AU. Photo credit: Scott L. Miley/The Herald Bulletin.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Michael Heckendorn, a psychology major from Charlevoix, Mi., has been an active participant in the AmeriCorps program on campus, contributing more than 300 hours of community service between September 2011 and September 2012. He has volunteered at the Christian Center, the Neighbors campus ministry, Man 4 Man ministries, and Operation Foundation. He also served as an MLK Service Day site coordinator.

[Photo, from left: Falls School of Business Dean Dr. Terry Truitt, Associate Professor of History Dr. Jaye Rogers, Michael Heckendorn, Benjamin Herrick, Associate Professor of History Dr. Joel Shrock, AU alum Jeffrey D. Claflin.]

“It was an honor and a humbling experience to be selected as the inaugural recipient of the Eisenhower Scholarship,” said Heckendorn. “The scholarship came at a time of financial struggle, and it reminded me of God’s providence for my life and my future.”

Heckendorn will graduate from AU this spring. He has been interviewing for positions with social service agencies in Indiana. After working for a year, Heckendorn plans to return to school for a Master of Social Work, with the goal of becoming a school social worker.

Benjamin Herrick, a political science major and history minor from Holts Summit, Mo., has also been active in service. In high school, he worked as an intern for a state senator and volunteered at a local hospital. At Anderson University, Herrick has volunteered with the Prison Ministry group for three years. He co-founded a day camp for children of incarcerated parents and helped start a tutoring program for boys in the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility.

“Being granted the Eisenhower Scholarship is a humbling privilege for me,” said Herrick. “Not only does it remind me of how privileged my time at Anderson University has been, but it also affirms that my hard work is paying off in many ways. I hope to continue upholding the standards set by the scholarship and that potential candidates in the future will embrace the challenge as well to live a life of hard work and of service.”

Herrick hopes to pursue law school after graduating from AU, with the goal of living a life of public service in legal and political circles.

The Eisenhower Endowed Scholarship Fund at Anderson University was established in 2010 with initial funding from the Eisenhower Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The foundation was created in the late 1960s by leading Indiana business men and women, including members of the Tarzian, Honeywell, Ball, and Lilly families. The purpose of the foundation was to promote free enterprise, patriotism, faith, and conservative values consistent with those of the foundation’s namesake, President Dwight David Eisenhower. Over its life, the foundation awarded more than 220 four-year undergraduate scholarships to be used in private liberal arts colleges across Indiana and Michigan. Upon dissolution of the foundation, its remaining assets were distributed among several institutions, including Anderson University.

[Photo, from left: Michael Heckendorn, Jeffrey D. Claflin, and Benjamin Herrick.]

The Eisenhower Scholarship Award at AU is granted annually to a qualifying junior or senior majoring in political science or business, or a member of the Center for Public Service (CPS). Faculty recommend candidates for the award, and the recipient is chosen by a selection committee comprised of representatives from CPS, the History and Political Science Department, and the Falls School of Business.

Jeffrey D. Claflin was an Eisenhower Scholar during his years at Anderson University, where he majored in business administration and history, graduating in 1981. He attended the AU School of Theology from 1982 to 1985, and earned a JD from IUPUI in 1990. Claflin is currently a partner in the law firm of Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, LLP, managing the firm’s office in South Bend.

Claflin served as a member of the board of the Eisenhower Memorial Scholarship Foundation and was instrumental in establishing the new scholarship at AU and acquiring the initial funding from the foundation.

“Jeff knows the value of education, and Anderson University appreciates his investment personally and his being instrumental in establishing a fund that will benefit students for many years,” said AU Development Officer H. L. Baker.

“I wanted to continue with the good work of the original foundation, in at least some manner,” said Claflin, “and this is a way for me to give back to both the university and to the people at the foundation who were so generous with me. I’m happy to have been a part of the effort to bring the scholarship to AU, and just as happy that AU was, and is, willing to step up to administer the scholarship program consistent with the values of those who founded the original Eisenhower Foundation.

“When you put free enterprise ideas into the hands of those who are well-grounded in a sense of what’s good and right, and those who are concerned for the welfare of others, then I think you also have a very powerful tool for doing a great many good things,” continued Claflin. “By bringing this scholarship to AU, I’m hoping, in a small way, to do just that, and I hope that the recipients of the scholarship will, in turn, carry these ideas forward in their careers and beyond.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“Truman often said that he never saw himself as president, but rather as just an ordinary man,” said Director of Theatre Ronn Johnstone, who portrays Truman. “And it seems that’s just what the country needed in the challenging days after World War Two. Harry is a wonderful examination of this ordinary man from Missouri, who wasn’t afraid to ‘shoot from the lip’ and put himself on the line for what he believed in, not for what was necessary to win an election.”

Harry is an inviting and personal audience experience, like spending an evening with the president. We share in his greatest triumphs — over the KKK and organized greed — and his deepest challenges — The Bomb, MacArthur, McCarthy, and the “Red Scare.” More than history, Harry is an opportunity to meet the man and spend a few hours “back in the day” when someone had the courage to make “the buck stop here.”

Harry runs Thursday though Saturday, April 19-21 and April 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. each night, with matinee performances available the second weekend (Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.). Performances will be in Byrum Hall on the Anderson University campus. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military, and $5 for students. For tickets or inquiries, contact Beth Doub at badoud@anderson.edu or (765) 641-4351.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Daniel Kelsey will graduate in May with a major in Christian ministries and a complementary major in youth leadership-development. He is a member of the Honors Program and the Center for Public Service at Anderson University. Earlier this year, he was recognized as the 2012 recipient of the Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship Award. After graduation, he hopes to work as a youth pastor or with a nonprofit organization or residential home in the Louisville, Ky., area.

[Photo: Daniel Kelsey with AU President Dr. James L. Edwards and Provost Dr. Marie Morris.]

Doris Elliott graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in December, majoring in theatre studies and minoring in history and psychology. She was a member of the Honors Program and the Center for Public Service. Through CPS funding, Elliott became a member of the National Association for Drama Therapy. For her Senior Theatre Capstone Experience, she began a theatre program at Park Place Community Center in Anderson. She hopes to continue her studies to become a licensed drama therapist.

Candace DeLong, a biology and history double major from Anderson, Ind., is the 2012 Outstanding Senior Female Athlete. As a four-year member of the cross country and track teams, DeLong earned many honors. In cross country, she was named the 2008 HCAC Freshman of the year and received All-HCAC honors in 2010 and 2011. Last fall she finished 2nd overall at the 2011 HCAC Cross Country Championship Meet. In outdoor track and field, DeLong was the 2011 HCAC 3,000m steeplechase champion, and holds both HCAC and AU records in this event. Her best competitive time in the steeplechase this spring ranked her in the top 10 in the nation. During the 2012 indoor track season, DeLong was the HCAC Mile Champion, earning her All-Conference honors.

[Photo: AU Outstanding senior athletes Candace DeLong and Michael Tucker, pictured with Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Brent Baker (left), Athletic Director Marcie Taylor, and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

Michael Tucker, a business management major from Zionsville, Ind., is the 2012 Outstanding Senior Male Athlete. As a four-year member of the baseball team, he has earned numerous honors. He was named HCAC All-Conference in both 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he was named the HCAC MVP and a 1st Team All-American by both the American Baseball Coaches Association and D-3 Baseball. He holds three school records, most notably 47 career home runs.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“We spent a lot of time trying to truly understand the many characteristics and personality of AU,” said Chris Williams, director of university communications and community relations. “We are looking to foster and nurture that dialogue, and we think these visual reminders encourage that conversation.”

The first of these reminders appeared in the form of a mural painted in the southeast stairwell by Greg Hojnacki, a junior from Hudson, Ohio. The mural depicts icons such as the Eternal Flame and the spire of Park Place Church of God above the five core values of AU: integrity, excellence, servant leadership, responsibility, and generosity.

“Chris Williams and Joe Davis approached me about six months ago and commissioned me for this piece after viewing some of my other work,” said Hojnacki. “Using only the four-color palate of the university, I really tried to represent the contrast of where AU has been and where we are going, all the while remembering what we hold on to.”

[Photo: AU student Greg Hojnacki's mural, located in the southeast stairwell of Decker Hall.]

As a part of a junior-level graphic design course, eight students also created conceptual posters, which bring many of AU’s new “We Don’t Believe” statements to life. The posters will be hung in the Kane Dining Room in Olt Student Center, a room where nearly 1,000 prospective students and families visit each year.

“We weren’t just looking for store-bought pieces of art,” said Joe Davis, director of admissions. “We wanted to showcase the talent of our students by creating a space reflective of our community. We want parents and students to not only see, but truly understand what we are all about and make them think about what they are looking for in a university.”

The course itself was built around providing students with professional practice through client interaction. Professor of Art Kevin Rudynski led the students through this experience.

[Photo: A conceptual poster designed by AU student Melissa Strich, one of eight posters providing a visual representation of the university's "We Don't Believe" statements. The posters will be displayed in the Kane Dining Room in the Olt Student Center.]

“They each were tasked with choosing one of the many ‘We Don’t Believe’ statements and designing a visual representation of that concept,” said Rudynski. “Through their work they were able to present another dimension to the reader.”

Additionally, pole banners depicting the university’s newly adopted logo and five core values will be hung on Fifth Street outside of Decker Hall and Reardon Auditorium.

“All of these additions reflect the permanence of our story,” said Williams. “We are who we always have been. It’s exciting to see us continue to own our story.”

— Charlie Holcomb is a junior from Westfield, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in political science. Holcomb is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

“This chapel was an opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing work that goes on as our students, staff, and faculty have served our community over the course of the year,” said Stephanie Moran, director of the Community Partnership Center at AU. “As the university continues to commit itself to preparing students for a life of faith and service, this chapel is a way to honor that commitment.”

Individuals recognized for awards include:

• AmeriCorps Student Engagement Award: Lauren Cantrell, Sarah Conway, Heather Gruber, Michael Heckendorn, Ben Herrick, Rachael Huddy, Ashley Ledford, Jon Maxwell, Ruben Orozco, Carmen Oswalt, Meredith Tarplee, Kylene Wilder
• International Students of Service: LaToya Francis, Amrutha Pulikottil, Nabin Timsina
• Community Responder Award: Sarah Russell
• Community Partner of the Year Award: Park Place Community Center
• Faculty awards: Dr. Tim Fox and Dr. Rebecca Hull
• Staff Community Partner Award: Pauletta Swank
• 2012 Newman Civic Fellow: Ryan Petter

Park Place Community Center has provided real-time learning experiences for students in various areas of study including education, social work, kinesiology, ministry, and others. AU students have participated in the Center’s food pantry, after-school programs, mentoring programs, and special events.

Dr. Timothy Fox, professor of Spanish, has been committed to service learning with his students. Fox and his students have translated documents into Spanish for United Way of Madison County, and recently translated the City of Anderson’s bus route. The students also have helped translate birth certificates and driver’s licenses for recent immigrants from Mexico and Central America.

“These translations give our students some real-life experience in translating actual documents and all the nuances involved in translation,” Fox said. “It also gives them the satisfaction of helping the community.”

Dr. Rebecca Hull, professor of kinesiology, has worked with the community for decades, supervising such programs a gym class for home-school children. More than 70 families and 150 children participate each year in the home-school program, which was created by Gertrude Wunsch, professor emerita of physical education.

“The program is a win-win situation,” said Hull. “Our AU students polish their teaching skills while the homeschool children get a well-balanced, physically active, and fun program.”

Hull, along with AU Wellness Program Director Connie Hippensteel, recently acquired grant funding to establish a wellness challenge program for employees at Madison County Community Health Center.

Pauletta Swank, office manager and training coordinator in the Human Resources Office, has worked with community partners and local agencies to provide employment for AU students through the work-study program. She has also worked to coordinate volunteers for Colts Camp at AU. Agencies across the city of Anderson have noted her reputation as a representative of AU and her commitment to service.

Sarah Russell was recognized for the Community Responder Award for her work with Operation Foundation, a student-run, weeklong service project that seeks to bring physical restoration to the city of Anderson. The project is in its fourth year.

The Newman Civic Fellow Award is dedicated to acknowledging and creating opportunity for emerging civic leaders, as nominated by Campus Compact’s member college and university presidents. Nominated by AU President Dr. James L. Edwards, Ryan Petter has developed business applications for an orphanage in Zambia, set up a computer network for a hospital in Ghana, and helped build a home in Mexico, in addition to service involvement in Anderson community.

“Ryan’s commitment to combating poverty through economic development offers long term hope,” said Edwards. “He is both inspired and inspiring.”

The AmeriCorps Student Engagement Award recognizes students who have logged more than 300 hours of service through the AmeriCorps program.

Due to their international status, Francis, Pulikottil, and Timsina did not qualify for the AmeriCorps Award, but they were still committed to community service throughout the year.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

At the end of this semester, Swindell will step down as the chair of the psychology department and retire from AU. At 62, she is ready to set out on a new path. She hopes to experience new opportunities like volunteering with immigrants and getting involved with politics.

“My plan is to continue my master’s work at St. Meinrad School of Theology,” said Swindell. “I want to get involved with a political campaign and volunteer with my church, helping legal immigrants adjust to a life in the United States.”

Swindell sees a need for immigrants in her community to feel accepted into society. Her goal is to educate others about immigration and to further her knowledge in that area. “It’s simple: I see a need and I want to be the one to fill it,” said Swindell.

As Swindell prepares for life beyond AU, she focuses on the reason she is retiring in the first place. “I lost my husband, Bill, three years ago, and something has not been right since,” said Swindell. “I knew that my time here was coming to a close. Life is short and brief. I want to spend it with my parents, my two daughters, and my five grandchildren.”

Swindell has touched the lives of numerous students she has come into contact with in her time at AU. “Dr. Swindell is wonderful,” said Emily Thalls, a senior psychology major. “She’s incredible at what she does as a professor and advisor. She is organized, efficient, and she truly cares.”

Along with the students she teaches, Swindell has blessed her fellow psychology associates through encouraging and helpful words.

“She is a valuable asset to the department and the university,” said Dr. Wayne Priest, colleague and friend of Swindell for five years. “Swindell has excellent knowledge of psychology and theology and consistently puts these into practice, both personally and in her relationships with others.”

Dr. Lee Griffith, professor of psychology, has worked alongside Swindell for all of her years at AU. “She has shown us all how to face sickness, loss, and death with strength, determination, perseverance, and faith,” said Griffith. “Anderson University has been greatly blessed to have her contribution to the spiritual, intellectual, and collegial life of the institution. We will greatly miss her.”

Closing the book on one chapter and starting another is a difficult and rewarding adventure to take. Even though her time at AU is ending, her legacy will remain.

“Leaving here will be difficult,” said Swindell. “I have found redemptive aspects of working here, and it has given my life meaning and structure. I am truly blessed to have participated with this campus.”

With her strength, faith in Christ, and the same butterflies she had 19 years ago, Swindell will set out on a new road full of hope, promise, and family.

— Kayla Meid is a junior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts with a focus on public relations and theatre arts. Meid is an associate of Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Sipka majored in theatre arts and English education during his freshman and sophomore years, but as an aspiring actor, he found speech communication to be the most helpful on his path to Los Angeles. It has rounded out his ability to present himself and understand the various elements of public speaking that will be necessary in his post-graduation life.

Sipka had fulfilled the majority of his liberal arts requirements during his first two years at AU, allowing him to dedicate the bulk of his attention to his communications classes. Sipka’s professors were also willing to exercise some flexibility and work with him to arrange his schedule in such a way that allowed him to complete the speech communication major in just four semesters. “It was challenging, but it was a good fit,” said Sipka. “It saved me these past two years.”

Speech communication is not solely for individuals looking toward the entertainment industry. It can be a helpful skill for students planning to study law or enter the political field, as well as those who hope to be consultants or sales representatives.

“It has many benefits,” said Dr. Virginia Chapman, professor of speech. “You learn to think in classes like Appreciation of Rhetoric where you have to take apart speeches and see why they’re effective. You learn to argue well. It develops your human skills with courses like Interpersonal Communication, and it’s a good general basis for graduate school as well as many careers.” Students are also required to be part of the debate team, where they put those skills to use in public argument.

Dr. Donald Boggs, professor of speech and broadcasting, noted the importance of being able to make an effective speech. “At the core of what we do is this great tradition of speech communication,” he said. The major is built to provide a comprehensive education along the communication core, intended to prepare students for a future career demanding of them the ability to speak convincingly and with authority. “It’s about having the box of tools and knowing which to use, and how to use them.”

This set of tools will serve Sipka well. As an actor, he has to understand the inner workings of communication if he is to portray various characters. Creating a believable persona requires more than reciting lines correctly. It includes body language, tone, diction, and the right delivery. “You have to understand that person well enough to know how they function and what their reaction would be,” said Chapman.

Sipka has had experiences outside his major that have helped to hone his acting skills. He participated in a variety show in Dunn Hall called Shodunn during his sophomore year, in which he performed a comedy routine. He started a regular comedy show, Business Casual, with friends Trent Bruce and Andrew Stewart, and has done solo stand-up shows in Indianapolis. Sipka also presents the morning announcements in chapel on Tuesdays every week. His speech courses have helped him be successful with these extracurricular activities. “You use those skills whether you think about it or not,” he said.

— Amanda Bray is a senior from Sacramento, Calif., majoring in communication arts and writing. Amanda is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Although at first unsure of what major to pursue when he left for college, Tapp explained that, after several helpful conversations with friends and family, he realized he couldn’t ignore his creativity any longer. He chose to major in visual communication design, and shared, “I didn’t know much at all about design at first, but with the help of great teaching faculty and great colleagues, I’ve been privileged to learn more than I ever thought possible.”

When searching for the perfect place to intern, Tapp discovered MediaFuel. He became interested when he learned about the diversity of their projects — and when he arrived, his expectations were more than met. “We literally covered everything at MediaFuel from illustration sketches, to typography, to video and voice recording,” he said. It proved to be a great match for Tapp, whose own design interests include logo design, branding development, illustration, and typography.

Because of the variety of projects at MediaFuel, every day of Tapp’s internship was a little different. Some days he worked strictly on illustrations, while on others he set type and worked with logos. One day he recorded a jingle with his boss for a company commercial.

Of course, there were challenges. When he first started his internship, Tapp found it difficult to adjust to the style of the work he was assigned to do. He asked a lot of questions to be sure he was on the right track and was able to learn from his co-workers, who pushed him to learn how to create quickly and efficiently. They helped him improve his design skills and figure out how to navigate a professional work environment.

By the time his internship was over, Tapp realized he had grown both in personal confidence and in his own design practices. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “My internship helped me to see what my career might be like in the future, and it also helped me to realize some of the things I need to improve as a designer before becoming a true professional. MediaFuel also helped me realize that a positive, Christ-centered workplace really does exist, and that it is possible to be creative, have fun, and work hard all at the same time.”

About the Department of Art+Design

The Department of Art+Design at Anderson University offers majors in the areas of glass, fine arts, visual communication design, and art education. Students gain experience through intensive studio practice, professional internships, and by working closely with a faculty of professional artists and designers.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Heaton believes this Fellowship will provide for him what his current reading cannot capture. “I believe my experience at Tel Hazor will help me experience ancient Israel to a greater extent, and that through my work will be better prepared to lead and teach at both the university level and the church in the future.”

Heaton was motivated to apply for the Fellowship because of his connection with students and faculty who have traveled in the Middle East. “I have seen firsthand how personal experience of traveling in Israel, viewing archaeological sites, and grasping the geography helps a person more fully understand the Bible,” said Heaton. “That excitement was central to my desire to apply for the fellowship.”

The late Dr. Gustav Jeeninga, founder and former director of the Jeeninga Museum of Bible and Near Eastern Studies, established the Fellowship. The Fellowship assists a student to study up to four weeks in the Mediterranean basin around archaeology or personalized research from the Early Bronze Age to AD 1000.

The selection committee for the Fellowship consists of the dean of the College of Science and Humanities, chair of the Department of Religious Studies, biblical studies faculty from the School of Theology, and the director of the Jeeninga Museum.

“Gus and Aletta Jeeninga would be thrilled to see students growing personally and educationally through this Fellowship,” said David Neidert, director of the Jeeninga Museum. “It was their dream to help students. They would be pleased that their endowment gifts to the museum have provided this fifth fellowship recipient.”

The Jeeninga Fellowship in Archeology is a competitive process open to current biblical studies students and seminarians of Anderson University and the School of Theology. For more information, visit the museum website at www.anderson.edu/campus/museum.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Anderson University’s Fifth Street Communications^™, a student-managed public relations firm, is one part of the team promoting the film in cities across the country.

Anderson University alumna Loretta Cooper left AU and thrived as an award-winning network news correspondent. She now runs Clarity Communications and helps organizations excel at communicating with the media.

“I have had the opportunity to work on a number of faith-based film projects, including Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, and October Baby,” Cooper said. “When I was contacted about Blue Like Jazz, I didn’t have the bandwidth to take on the work. Still, I was a fan of Donald Miller’s book, and I felt the film represented an important reframing of some of the significant questions that believers and non-believers alike have to wrestle with if they are to have a meaningful faith. I couldn’t quite bring myself to turn the project down.”

That’s when Cooper thought of Fifth Street Communications^™. In August, she contacted AU Professor Rebecca Fuller Beeler, advisor for Fifth Street Communications^™ and an AU alumna. The two put together a proposal that would connect public relations students to a national promotional effort.

It was nearly four months later when Cooper and Fuller Beeler got word that it was time for their work to begin. But that delay was only part of the story of this “little film that could.”

Fifth Street Communications^™ associates working on the Blue Like Jazz project, all juniors and seniors, reached out to college and university leadership and organizations working with college-aged young adults. First, they worked to build attendance at events held during a bus tour crisscrossing the country to host screenings of the film and opportunities for people to meet the filmmakers and the book’s author. Then, as the April 13 opening date approached, they began working to secure commitments from many of the same groups to promote the film and bring groups of students to view the film when it opened.

“The challenges in this project meant that our student associates were researching, developing resources, and acting on their research in a very short period of time. In a way few other projects could have, working on Blue Like Jazz has simulated what public relations work often is: fast-paced and deadline-driven,” said Fuller Beeler. “I think the team, almost unanimously, experienced the knee-jerk reaction of being overwhelmed by the juggling required to stay on top of this project, classes, extracurricular activities, work, and everything else going on in their lives. But, I think this has also proven to them just how much they are capable of.”

The students working on this project are gaining professional experience that cannot be replicated in the classroom. Jonathon Hosea is a junior majoring in communication arts. “Promoting Blue Like Jazz has given me some really unique experience that I’m sure PR students at many other schools don’t receive,” said Hosea. “I’ve learned effective ways to research and reach out to specific audiences. I’m also hopeful this experience will help my résumé stand out when I begin applying for jobs next year.”

[Photo: Justin Welborn as the Pope and Marshall Allman as Don in Blue Like Jazz.]

“The issues raised in Donald Miller’s book (and in the film) are the kind of developmental issues that college students and young adults in our culture are increasingly forced to wrestle with on the journey to ‘own’ their faith,” Cooper said. “I hoped this would be not only a great professional experience for students but also an encouragement for them to take personal ownership of some of the deeper level thinking Miller approaches in his books.”

“My responsibility is to prepare my students for life after graduation, but my responsibility is also to help them develop as human beings,” Fuller Beeler said. “This project has stretched them academically and professionally, but I hope that it’s also stretched their minds and forced them to think about where they belong and what their faith means to them.”

Back at Propeller, Merrell is one of those people who thinks highly of AU’s Fifth Street Communications^™ associates. “We were looking for fresh eyes, young minds, and adventurous hearts to catch our vision and make it happen,” he said. “We could not be more thrilled then to have gone back to school with the student associates at Anderson University as we worked together on building the awareness for Blue Like Jazz the Movie. They’ve been terrific, and we look forward to the college audience responding well on opening day thanks to their efforts.”

Blue Like Jazz is meant to reflect the world as it is — not as people would like it to be. That, for Cooper, is part of the value. “Life very rarely has simplistic answers. AU is not the kind of place that hands you a script and says, ‘Here you go. Memorize and repeat after me, and you’re set for life,’” she said. AU is the kind of place that acknowledges the complexity of living in God’s beautiful creation, all the while navigating the stuff that is just plain old messed over by sin and brokenness. That is real life. My experience at Anderson was filled with people who helped me develop a tolerance for ambiguity and imperfection … all the while reminding me that I am invited to join in the redemptive process of bringing about that coming Kingdom.”

As April 13 and opening day near, Fifth Street Communications^™ is wrapping up their work on Blue Like Jazz. The impact the student associates have had and the lessons they’ve learned is just beginning.

“I’m really proud of this group of young people,” Fuller Beeler said. “On multiple occasions I’ve been told by people all over the country in the film and public relations industries how competent and professional our students are. I knew they were great, but I’m especially glad that now other people know they’re great.”

For more information about the film and opening weekend locations, visit: www.bluelikejazzthemovie.com.

— Kyle Beckman, a senior from Auburn, Ind., contributed to this story.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

The grant, submitted on March 26, was awarded on April 3 in the amount of $1,021.00 to cover community partner gifts and recognition, hospitality, and other expenses.

[Photo: Dr. Rebecca Haskett, professor of management at the Anderson University Falls School of Business.]

“The ICC grant provides a platform for Anderson University to ask the local nonprofit community, ‘How can we help you?’ Our intent is to bring together the service opportunities of our local nonprofits and the energy, enthusiasm, and ability of our students,” said Dr. Terry Truitt, dean of the Anderson University Falls School of Business.

Experiential learning is an important part of education at the Falls School of Business and Listening to Communities seeks to provide greater experiential opportunities for all students and especially for nonprofit majors. “We are so pleased Indiana Campus Compact chose to support this community effort,” added Truitt, “It is our hope that this conversation will lead to a stronger partnership between Anderson University and the greater Anderson community.”

In addition to establishing the role of the Falls School of Business within their ICC chapter and determining the roles of the AU FSB in the future, Listening to Communities will provide discussion and networking opportunities. Truitt and Haskett, as well as the Students in Free Enterprise club at Anderson University, will represent the Falls School of Business. Stephanie Moran, director of the Community Partnership Center will also be a facilitator for the event and an integral part of networking activity.

“Becky Haskett and Stephanie Moran have a heart for the needs in this community and a heart for students,” said Truitt. “Together, they have developed a platform on which to launch a partnership between those two loves — their community and their students.”

The Indiana Campus Compact is a consortium of 42 Indiana campuses committed to community service, service learning, and service engagement for the public good. ICC funding for Listening to Communities comes from the Lilly Endowment Inc., and the meeting is modeled after the national project of the same name developed by the American Council on Education with funds from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

The City of Anderson is the only city in the Midwest to host the special piano recital series underwritten by the Adams Foundation. The Adams Foundation Recital Series is dedicated to the revival of solo piano concerts in cities and smaller towns across the United States, through funding by businessman and philanthropist Stephen Adams. The program for this recital will include the Liszt Piano Sonata in B minor and shorter works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann.

Born in Pittsburgh, Awadagin Pratt began studying piano at the age of six. Three years later, having moved to Normal, Illinois with his family, he also began studying violin. At the age of 16 he entered the University of Illinois where he studied piano, violin, and conducting. He subsequently enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he became the first student in the school’s history to receive diplomas in three performance areas – piano, violin, and conducting.

In 1992, Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition and two years later was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant. He has played numerous recitals throughout the U.S. including performances at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, and Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. His many orchestral performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Baltimore, St. Louis, National, Detroit, and New Jersey symphonies among many others. Pratt is also the artistic director of the Next Generation Festival, a two-week chamber music festival in Lancaster, Pa., and appears with cellist Zuill Bailey in duo recitals throughout the US.

As a conductor, Pratt has participated in the American Symphony Orchestra League and Conductor’s Guild workshops and the National Conducting Institute, where he worked closely with Leonard Slatkin and conducted the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center. A great favorite on college and university performing arts series and a strong advocate of music education, Awadagin Pratt participates in numerous residency and outreach activities wherever he appears; these activities may include master classes, children’s recitals, play/talk demonstrations and question/answer sessions for students of all ages.

Pratt has been the subject of numerous articles in the national press and was named one of the 50 Leaders of Tomorrow in Ebony Magazine’s special 50th anniversary issue. He has also been featured on National Public Radio’s Performance Today, Saint Paul Sunday, and Weekend Edition. On television, Pratt has performed on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Sesame Street. He has been profiled on CBS Sunday Morning and was one of the featured soloists on PBS’s “Live from the Kennedy Center – A Salute to Slava.” In November 2009, Pratt was one of four artists selected to perform at a White House classical music event that included student workshops hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama, and performed in concert for guests including President Obama.

Pratt is currently an associate professor of piano and artist in residence at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

The Adams family has established this special forum in which the public can experience the extraordinary solo piano repertoire of fine American pianists. Tickets for the recital will be sold at Central Christian Church and Anderson University’s box office annex in the Krannert Fine Arts Center, room 137. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the church the day of the concert. Individuals wishing to purchase tickets in advance may call (765) 641-4543 or (800) 619-3047.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Brandon has been the primary initiator of making AU a certification site. Brandon, who is currently working on her doctorate through Boston University, is focusing her dissertation on the historical background of Orff-Schulwerk.

“Professor Brandon has had a huge effect on the School of Music,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wright, dean of the College of the Arts. “She has helped to develop and guide the Orff-Schulwerk program we host in the summer.” Each summer, music educators travel to AU to receive this highly regarded certification.
Brandon has received numerous awards and recognition for her dedication to music. “Having the opportunity to present at the national convention and write about this topic is a way to give back to the profession,” Brandon said about being named to the National History Committee for the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. “I like filling in this gap in the research. I feel very blessed to have been awarded a faculty development grant [from AU] to assist with this work.”

In addition to her work with the Orff-Schulwerk Association, Brandon will be serving as a clinician for the Indiana Kodaly Workshop in Indianapolis this October. Brandon was initially trained as a Kodaly music teacher after her three-summer certification process in 2002. The Kodaly method focuses on both music literacy and vocal performance. “These workshops give teachers the opportunity to learn new games and activities that they can turn around and use in their own classrooms,” said Brandon. “They help provide a network for building relationships with other teachers and similar training interests.”

Brandon has a true passion for music. Brandon believes she inherited her love of music from her mother, who was both a choir director and a piano teacher. “From the time I was a child, I knew this was what I wanted to do,” said Brandon. “In middle school and high school, I had the opportunity to be part of strong music programs that gave me opportunities to sing, play an instrument, cadet teach, and accompany ensembles.”

Wright has seen Brandon implement these teaching methods as an AU professor. “Brandon has had a great vision for this program,” said Wright. “She also incorporates this vast knowledge of the Orff-Schulwerk program to her students, putting them ahead of the game and giving them a large advantage.”

Even with all of her recent success, there is no end in sight for Brandon. As she finishes her dissertation this year, she plans to readdress her focus on other research interests, including the historical development of the Kodaly teacher training in the United States.

–Kimberly Werline is a junior from Anderson, Ind., majoring in communication arts. Werline is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Petter was nominated for the award by Dr. Joel Shrock, associate professor history. In his recommendation letter, Shrock stated that “Ryan is not only in our academic Honors Program but also gained entrance into our competitive Center for Public Service, which is reserved for the most academically talented and most committed to public service. Throughout his academic career he has sought out opportunities to help those in developing nations to build business capacity to solve their problems.”

Petter was grateful to be nomination for the award. “I appreciate the recognition and the recommendation for the Newman Award,” Petter said. “This award is a great honor to receive. I believe AU has helped shape me into the person I am today. Being able to branch out and get involved in student government, campus ministries, and Students in Free Enterprise was one reason I came to AU.”

Shrock said schools do not just nominate someone for the Newman Award just to have representation. They nominate someone who shows outstanding qualities. “Ryan is an exceptionally talented and motivated leader who has always found a way to harness his abilities for the benefit of others,” Shrock said. “His commitment to helping people combat poverty can truly change the fate of many who are mired in economic distress throughout the developing world.”

Petter will join a network of Newman Civic Fellows around the country. Together — sharing ideas and tools through online networking — the Fellows will leverage an even greater capacity for service and change, and will continue to set examples for their classmates and others.

“These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can — and does — play in building a better world,” noted Campus Compact Board Chair James B. Dworkin, chancellor at Purdue University North Central.

Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community engagement, colleges are developing students’ public problem-solving skills, such as the ability to analyze community needs, the willingness to participate in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about challenges, and the ability to inspire others to become part of solutions.

“Dr. Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, had a tremendous impact on American education and its role in the development of citizens who are eager and prepared to make a difference,” explained Campus Compact President Maureen Curley. “He dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform and this new group of Newman Civic Fellows would have inspired him. They are reflections and affirmations of his life’s work.”

Campus Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents — representing some 6 million+ students — who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education, that is, to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For more information about the organization and the award, visit www.compact.org.

— Matt Daughtery, a senior from Breese, Ill., contributed to this story. Daugherty, a communication arts and marketing major, is an associate with Fifth Street Communications^™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Not everyone who applies for this grant receives it. “It’s a competitive grant, so there are usually less than five schools that get it in a year,” said Hull. “It’s also a matching grant, so the hope is that whoever gets this grant will find another group who matches it dollar for dollar. The grant maxes out at $2,000 so that’s what we received, and MCCHC had to match the $2,000.”

Hull enlisted the help of AU Wellness Program Director Connie Hippensteel for the project. “I quickly realized this was something that would be a great opportunity for our students and Connie oversees our students in teaching group exercise, so bringing her in to ask her opinions on ideas has been very beneficial,” said Hull.
Hippensteel was eager to work on the program because of the benefit for students. “I was interested because I teach in the exercise science department and we’re always looking for internships for our students and this would be a good possibility. And I’m looking for places for students to get an opportunity to teach group exercise,” said Hippensteel. “We are starting the program, but we really want to get the AU students involved.”

Hull and Hippensteel began writing the grant proposal in March 2011 and submitted it in May. They got final notification that they had received the grant in November and quickly put the program together so they could start in January 2012.

The program they designed is a free six-week series for MCCHC employees that educates and demonstrates wellness. On Mondays, the focus of the session is education, which covers a different topic every week. “The six weeks will cover the benefits of wellness, the basics of strength training, healthy backs, healthy eating, sensible weight loss, and stress reduction,” said Hull.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the sessions’ focus is physical exercise, which includes a range of cardio and strength training exercises. For the first half hour, participants do a cardio workout, such as Zumba, and for the second half hour they do muscle exercises. Each time, a different set of muscles will be targeted, including arms, abs, and legs.

Hull and Hippensteel teach the education sessions while AU students lead the workouts. Senior fine arts studio major Tiernae Salley and senior psychology major Courtney Redman lead the Zumba workout while junior exercise science major Ashley Kern will lead the core-strengthening exercises.

So far, 13 of MCCHC’s 50 employees have registered for the program. “We were hoping for one-third to one-half of their employees,” said Hull. “We hope that we’ll have a different group of 13 to 15 people for our second six-week session. If we get 30 out of 50 of their staff, that’s over 50 percent and that would be above the averages we would expect.”

According to statistics included in their grant, Indiana has nearly 3.7 million overweight or obese adults and Madison County has one of the highest rates of obesity in the state. “Madison County is ranked one of the lowest in health indicators in the state of Indiana. There’s a high amount of smokers,” said Hippensteel. Hull added, “Madison County is ranked 75 out of 92 in health outcomes and 84 out of 92 in health factors. So we proposed this program to see if we could make a difference.”

For those eight people who braved the snow and ice on Jan. 19, this program certainly is making a difference. “We introduced pedometers to the group and the challenge was to see if you could get a mile of activity in our time frame. And most of them did,” said Hull. “It was like they were electrified when they put those pedometers on. They just started moving and they didn’t stop! Even when the session ended, one lady just kept walking and walking. I said, ‘It’s okay if you stop now because our session for the evening is over.’ And she said, ‘Oh no! I have to get to 2,000 steps at least!’ So she stayed until she got them done. It was a fun, pleasant, inviting, exercise session.”

–Alyssa Applegate is a senior from Dayton, Ohio, majoring in communication arts and minoring in Spanish. Applegate is an associate with Fifth Street CommunicationsTM, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Kutz is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in 2012-2013.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The Program operates in over 155 countries worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has given approximately 300,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in government, science, the arts, business, philanthropy, education, and athletics. Forty-three Fulbright alumni from 11 countries have been awarded the Nobel Prize, and 75 alumni have received Pulitzer Prizes, and many other prestigious honors, awards, and positions.

Fulbright recipients are among over 40,000 individuals participating in U.S. Department of State exchange programs each year. For more than sixty years, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has funded and supported programs that seek to promote mutual understanding and respect between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, a division of the Institute of International Education.
For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, please visit our website at http://fulbright.state.gov or contact James A. Lawrence, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, telephone 202-632-3241 or e-mail fulbright@state.gov.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

The fictional movie tells the story of a not-too-distant future in which society has collapsed. In its place, is a country divided into 12 districts and a capital. Once every year, each district chooses two young representatives to participate in The Hunger Games.

Okeniyi will play the role of Thresh, the representative selected from District 11 to partake in The Hunger Games. “Thresh is definitely the strong, silent type and does more speaking with his actions than his words,” said Okeniyi. “However, he does have a gentle side to go along with his rough exterior.” Director Gary Ross often told Okeniyi to think of his character as a gentle giant.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Okeniyi came to AU with plans to become a graphic designer, not an actor. “I have always enjoyed performing, whether it be acting, singing, or dancing,” said Okeniyi. “When I initially moved to the United States, I put performing on hold because it was now time to ‘grow up and be realistic,’ but the longer I put it on hold, the more the passion festered and grew inside of me.”

During his time at AU, Okeniyi participated in step dancing, “Cheap Thrills,” and the university production of “Nickel and Dimed.” His true passion, however, was discovered when he took an introductory acting course during his senior year. The class was taught by an AU alumnus, Steven Pierce. “Instead of treating the class like an intro class,” said Okeniyi, “Steve took us on as serious acting students. Through his teachings, he inspired me and reignited the fire for acting within me.”

“The purpose of this class is to create actors who can honestly and deeply relate to each other,” said Ronald Johnstone, director of theatre arts. “It doesn’t matter if you are a beginning student or a world-renowned actor. That is the essence of acting.”

After graduation, Okeniyi moved Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. He now lives with AU alumni and fellow actors Marcus York and Alex Davis. “Living with close friends who are fellow actors, you are able to share the weight of your stresses, concerns, and success,” said Okeniyi. “They keep me very grounded.”

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Okeniyi enrolled in acting workshops and learned about the film industry by working as an extra in various films. “Learning your craft is the job,” said Okeniyi. “As an actor, you have to stay sharp and really be on top of your game.”

According to Okeniyi, his experience between projects includes a lot of time reading scripts for potential projects which then lead to numerous meetings with casting directors and directors, auditioning for projects, and promoting upcoming projects like “The Hunger Games” for various events. “One day I may be going on an audition, another day it might be a meeting for a project, or another day it may be some kind of event,” said Okeniyi.

Okeniyi’s first acting jobs were the lead role in an independent film called “Slew Hampshire,” followed by the co-lead role in a short film titled “Lions Among Men.”

According to Okeniyi, finding out that he had landed his first major role in “The Hunger Games” was a surreal moment. Barely over the excitement of his newly found success, the exciting news sent him into a mild shock. “It was not until I called my family that the moment became real to me,” said Okeniyi.

Although he is working alongside many famous actors, Okeniyi was never made to feel excluded or isolated by his fellow cast members. “Everyone involved in the movie was extremely welcoming to me,” said Okeniyi. “They really made the newcomers feel important and necessary to the success of the film.”

Although he cannot currently release the details, there are several other exciting projects lining up in Okeniyi’s future. His career is quickly growing, yet he has never lost sight of God and relationships with friends and family.

“You really have to want it within yourself. It can’t be about fame or money. It has to be for the passion of acting. Everything begins with a vision and you have to be willing to work hard to fulfill that vision,” said Okeniyi. “There are definitely going to be hard times involved when anyone chases a dream, but this experience is different. So many things can cause difficulties: money, missing friends and family, people telling you what you can’t do, etc. You really have to be confident in yourself and develop thick skin in order to protect that dream.”

— Kelly Gualdoni is a junior from Fort Wayne, Ind., majoring in communication arts. Gualdoni is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

This spring’s exhibition will feature the work of senior Art+Design students Anna Allen, Bailey Hunt, Christopher Russell, Jacob Lockhart, Jeffrey Jackson, Jonathan Tapp, Jordan Arnold, Kameron Robinson, Katie Price, Kenton Pratt, Krista Diamond, Luke McClung, Sadie Frey, Samantha Jo Deatrick, and Tiernae Salley.

A menagerie is a collection of diverse and/or eclectic people, animals, or things not typically placed together but held in one place in preparation before the performance in the big top. The “Menagerie” exhibit represents 15 individuals who have come together to display a diverse and unique culmination of art and design work. All have gone through Anderson University’s Department of Art+Design, but have emerged with unique experiences that will lead them in a multitude of directions.

The show will remain open on weekdays through May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seniors will be presenting their gallery talks on April 10th and 12th from 6 to 9 p.m. in Wilson Galleries. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Tai Lipan, director of Wilson Galleries at (765) 641-4320 or talipan@anderson.edu.

— Katie Price is a senior from Kokomo, Ind., majoring in fine arts and minoring in public relations. Price is writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

The City of Anderson Transit System (CATS) recently published about 1,000 of its brochures in Spanish with information on bus routes, hours, fares, and other information, said department director Stephon Blackwell.

The Spanish brochures were placed everywhere that the English ones are located about two weeks ago, including at the main downtown terminal and inside stores like Walmart and Meijer, which have popular bus stops outside, he said.

“The Hispanic population is growing,” Blackwell said. “Communication and information is key. We want to try to eliminate that barrier with the brochures. Not being dependent on someone to give them information makes everyone more comfortable.”

Blackwell said the transportation department has not collected statistics that would show what percentage of their ridership is from the Hispanic community, but he knows that many Spanish-speakers do use the buses.

Dr. Tim Fox, co-chair of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Professor of Spanish at Anderson University, enlisted five of his students to help the city with the translation project. Students Layne Oncks, Whitney Wright, Alex Coffey, David Naffie and Drew Kidd each translated one of the brochures, which were then edited by Fox.

One of the requirements for students in the advanced Spanish conversation class is to do some sort of community service project in Spanish, such as working as an interpreter or helping a church with a Hispanic ministry.

“When this brochure request came up, it isn’t exactly what they usually do, but it was a fantastic opportunity for students,” Fox said.

The professor and students did the translation for free, which saved the city money, Blackwell said. The new brochures were printed in-house, he said.

“There has been a growing Hispanic or Latino presence in the city for a long time, going back to the late 1970s and certainly early 1980s,” Fox said. “They have been contributing members to the Anderson community so it’s nice to be able to offer this service (bus brochures) to them. To make them available in their native language is one way of saying we are glad you are here.”

The transportation department is also working on creating brochures in braille, and Blackwell hopes to have that project completed by mid-summer.

According to a city news release, another project under way meant for better communication with the Hispanic community is the creation of a City of Anderson website in Spanish.

— Melanie D. Hayes is a reporter with The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission. Photo credit: Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

The performances will take place at Reardon Auditorium on the campus of Anderson University, and are open to the campus community and the general public. The performance on Friday, March 23 will be at 7:30 p.m., and the performance on Saturday, March 24 will be at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, AU faculty and staff, and alumni; and $5 for AU students and children ages 6-10 years (children 6 and under are free). Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (765) 641-4543 or (800) 619-3047.

Audience members will experience contemporary modern dance set to Bach’s classical Cello Suite #1 through this year’s guest artist, Corinne Imberski. Her work, Variations on an Echo explores how movement modernizes over time but retains its basic aesthetic. By the time Bach wrote this suite of dance music, the dances themselves had already undergone many changes over time. The basic steps of many of these dances were already in place decades, and in some cases centuries, before the Baroque era. For each dance in Variations on an Echo, the flavor or the intent of the historical dance is maintained but reinterpreted with a contemporary twist.

Imberski is the co-founder of the Hobbs/Imberski Experience based outside Detroit, Mich. As a dancer, Imberski has performed with Detroit Dance Collective and has worked as a freelance choreographer, dancer, and instructor since 1999.

Works from other choreographers include ballet, modern, dance theatre, jazz, and tap works. The tone of works ranges from sublime and thought provoking to satire and comedy. There is something for the entire family.

Shauna Steele’s ghostlight takes its inspiration from the idea of a “ghost light,” a single work light left on the stage floor in a theatre for safety when all performance and props have been removed or the theatre has gone dark for the night. It is a beacon to prevent injury in a dark theatre but also an isolated light that stands alone in the dark. It is an exploration of how light and dark affect how we perceive the world and how the world perceives us.

Oybek Tashpulatov’s Double Date is set in 19th century Vienna. The war has just ended and peace, happiness, and love are ruling Vienna. This comedy explores the silliness that ensues when a young soldier mistakenly makes a date with two ladies for the same time and day, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Primarily a choreographer for musical theatre, Kenny Shepard’s Bobby, Carrie, Mallory incorporates storytelling elements in this original piece. Inspired by and named for women in his own family, Bobbie, Carrie, Mallory examines the relationships between three generations. As with many families, time, choices and circumstance cause a sometimes seamless evolution of character as one generation replaces the next.

Other works include excerpts from the Cinderella ballet, a jazz work by Doug King set to music by Carlos Santana, and an avante garde modern work choreographed by Debra Silveus.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.