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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

During commencement, Anderson University will award four honorary degrees. Anderson University will award John E. Wilson, AU alum and basketball legend, with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters; Lois A. Settlemeyer, former scientist with Dow Chemical and past member of the Anderson University Board of Trustees, with an honorary Doctor of Letters; Dr. Frank Campbell, longtime Anderson physician, with the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters; and Charles Dickmann, renowned Anderson attorney and community philanthropist with the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

A live webcast of the full commencement program will be streamed at www.anderson.edu/commencement/webcast. Coverage will begin at 3 p.m. EDT.

Other events scheduled during Anderson University’s commencement day on May 5 include the Falls School of Business hooding ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in Byrum Hall for candidates of both Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees.

Related events scheduled prior to commencement include the School of Theology Senior Recognition and Awards Chapel on Tuesday, April 24, at 11 a.m. in Miller Chapel. The hooding ceremony for the Doctor of Ministry graduates will take place on Friday, May 4, at 6 p.m. in Miller Chapel.

The hooding ceremony for the Master of Education and the Master of Music Education will be conducted on Thursday, May 3, at 6 p.m. in the Reardon Auditorium Lobby. The certification ceremony for the Teach for Indiana Program (TIP) will be conducted on Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m. in Decker Hall, Room 133.

A special pinning ceremony for the Anderson University School of Nursing will be conducted on Friday, May 4, at 6 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium.

Carl Erskine was a pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 through 1959. He was a pitching mainstay on Dodger teams that won five National League pennants, peaking with a 1953 season in which he won 20 games and set a World Series record with 14 strikeouts. He pitched two no-hitters during his career. A native of Anderson, Ind., he returned to the community after his baseball career. He coached the Anderson University baseball team for 12 years, guiding them through four championship seasons. He retired from an executive position at STAR Financial Bank. He is a trustee emeritus of the Board of Trustees for Anderson University where he served for many years. He continues to devote time to Anderson University and the Anderson community. Included among the books Erskine has authored is What I Learned From Jackie Robinson: A Teammate’s Reflections On and Off the Field.

John E. Wilson, known on the Anderson University campus in the 1940s as “Jumpin’ Johnny,” made his mark on the sports of basketball and baseball. After high school, Wilson came to Anderson University and quickly became a star player. He earned 11 letters, was selected All-conference three times, team MVP three times, named an All-American twice, and once finished third in the nation in scoring. Wilson still holds the school record for career scoring average and season scoring average. After leaving AU, Wilson played baseball for one year with the Chicago American Giants in the Negro Leagues before playing basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1949 to 1954. Wilson returned to AU in 1970 to finish his bachelor’s degree in education. He earned a master’s degree in education from Indiana State University and has coached at the high school and college levels. He is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the Anderson Black Expo Basketball Hall of Fame, and the AU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Lois Settlemeyer earned a bachelor’s degree from Anderson University in 1966 and a Master of Ministry from the Anderson University School of Theology in 1978. Relying on her undergraduate studies in chemistry and mathematics, she worked for Dow Chemical Company for 31 years using her skills in research, analysis, and technical problem solving. Retiring from her work as a development scientist, Lois moved to the Northwest. She expanded her interest in photography and is now an award-winning photographer of macro and landscape photos. Lois also dedicated 15 years as a trustee for Anderson University.

Dr. Frank Campbell earned his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He worked in a private medical practice in Anderson, Ind., for 30 years and served as chief of staff at Community Hospital. In 1996, he took time away from his practice to care for his aging father. He returned to practice in 2007 at the Madison County Community Health Center, where he continues to serve as medical director. He also serves on the Saint John’s Health System’s Foundation Board. Last fall, the Anderson University School of Nursing honored Campbell with the 2011 Friend of Nursing Award.

Charles Dickmann served as an attorney in the Anderson community for 62 years with Sansberry Dickmann Freeman & Builta. He continues to provide counsel for the firm. A native of Hancock County, Ind., he holds bachelor and law degrees from Indiana University. Before pursuing his education, Dickmann served in the military during World War II. He was drafted as a private in December 1941 and served in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy during the war. By end of the war, he was promoted to the rank of captain. Since coming to Anderson in the early 1950s, Dickmann has remained active in the community, providing leadership on countless boards. He was named the Anderson Herald Bulletin “Man of the Year” in 1985 and was inducted into the Madison County Junior Achievement Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 1986.

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 event, the first of its kind at AU, will offer prospective students the opportunity to interact with professors and current students, tour departments, and explore different areas of study at AU.

See the Academic Departmental Open House Flyer [PDF].

The Admissions Office traditionally offers visit days year-round and individual departmental visit days in the fall. The creation of this event was a response to departmental requests for an additional visit day in the spring semester and research from other colleges.

“Our hope is to bring a lot of potential students and families to campus and enable them to make those final decisions by facilitating interactions between them and key people in the departments,” said Admissions Event Coordinator Audrey Weiger.

The event is designed especially for prospective students who have already been accepted to the university. The invitation has been extended to these students and their families as way to get a more in-depth look into key programs and facilities offered at AU. “One of the best ways to make a final college decision is to hone in on different departments,” said Weiger.

The Academic Departmental Open House will take place in the following locations on campus:

• Art and Design – Krannert Fine Arts Building
• Biology – Hartung (Second Floor)
• Falls School of Business – Hardacre Hall
• Chemistry and Physics – Hartung Hall (Third Floor)
• Communication – Broadcasting Center
• Computer Science – Decker Hall (Third Floor)
• School of Education – Decker Hall (Third Floor)
• English – Decker Hall (Third Floor)
• History and Political Science – Decker Hall (Third Floor)
• Kinesiology – Kardatzke Wellness Center
• Mathematics – Decker Hall (Third Floor)
• Modern Foreign Languages – Decker Hall (Third Floor)
• School of Music – Krannert Fine Arts Building
• School of Nursing – Hartung Hall (Third Floor)
• Psychology – Hartung Hall (First Floor)
• Religious Studies – Hartung Hall (First Floor)
• Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Family Science – Decker Hall (Second Floor)

Parking will be available near the soccer fields (location 31 on the AU campus map) and shuttle transportation will be available to and from the academic location(s). Admissions personnel will be present to provide assistance. Registration is not required to attend the event.

To learn more about the Academic Departmental Open House, contact the AU Office of Admissions by phone at (765) 641-4080 or by email at info@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.

Students participating in the global studies program must complete an 18-hour core of interdisciplinary courses. These classes provide an introduction to a broad spectrum of topics such as economics, politics, geography, and intercultural competence. After completing the global studies core, majors must obtain advanced training in a foreign language and a 12-hour area of concentration in one of four categories. Topics available include international affairs and human security, community health with an emphasis on food, nutrition and hunger, community development with a focus on economics and social growth, and culture, which concentrates on humanities. [Photo: Dr. Leroy Quashie (left) and Dr. Daniel Allen are among the faculty members who developed the new global studies major.]

An interdisciplinary team of faculty spent the last two years researching and developing the program. “Its inception recognizes that globalization involves links across the traditional academic departments,” said program director Dr. Daniel Allen, assistant professor of political science. “Students wishing to fully engage with a globalized world need to develop an understanding of the political, economic, social, cultural, spiritual, and geographic forces that shape our world.”

Advisors for the concentrations include Allen; Dr. Jerry Fox, professor of management at the Falls School of Business; Dr. Leroy Quashie, associate professor of family science; Sally Shulmistras, professor of French; and Willi Kant, director of international studies and Tri-S.

Each student involved in this program must complete a capstone course that requires an intercultural experience. Because the program can be tailored to fit individual goals and vocations, this capstone experience will be molded by the advisors based on each student’s needs and interests. For some, this will require a Tri-S trip. For others, it will require a study abroad program. In some cases, students will be allowed to do an intercultural exchange within the United States.

“The most exciting part about this major is its diversity,” said senior sociology major Meredith Tarplee. “This major could be applied to anything from sociology to nursing to ministry. It really opens up a new world of opportunity for students that most other schools don’t offer.”

Development of this program is guided by the dean of the College of Science and Humanities, Dr. Blake Janutolo. “At no time in history has it been truer that we are all one global family interconnected in most of what we do,” said Janutolo. “A major in global studies will help a student understand how we are interconnected with each other and how that interconnectedness affects our lives. It should prepare the student to interact and work in a global setting and value cultures different from his or her own.”

— 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.

“We are pleased to make this strategic appointment at this time in the life of the university,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “This title is appropriate to her comprehensive role and her leadership. Dr. Morris is highly regarded on campus and in the wider academic community.”

In her role as provost, Morris will provide leadership and vision for internal functions of the university developing collaborative relationships between university programs, departments, and divisions. Along with the president, the provost assists in representing the university to various constituent groups: church, community, and education. The provost serves in place of the president in the president’s absence.

In March of 2009, Morris was named vice president for academic affairs and dean at Anderson University. She is only the sixth person to serve in the role. She previously served as vice president and undergraduate academic dean at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.

While at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), Morris served as a faculty member in the Nursing Department, chair of the Nursing Department, Honors Program director, self-study director for EMU’s reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, associate academic dean, and vice president and undergraduate academic dean.

Morris earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Eastern Mennonite University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in nursing administration from George Mason University. Her dissertation was entitled, Voices of Women: A Qualitative Study of Effective Female Nurse Faculty.

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 historic document — signed 224 years ago on Sept. 17, 1787 — was read from start to finish by AU students, faculty, staff, and alumni at Helios Plaza on Friday, the day when schools across the country observed the holiday.

“We are both very patriotic, and I think the Constitution is an important thing to be highlighted every so often,” Adam Harris said. “Listening to it gives us a better understanding of where our country came from and where it has come since the Constitution was written and signed.”

[Photo: Anderson University students, faculty, staff, and alumni observe Constitution Day. Credit: Don Knight/The Herald Bulletin]

AU political science professor Dr. Michael Frank said the public reading not only fulfilled the school’s obligation of meeting a requirement set forth by Congress for educational institutions receiving public money. It also helps combat the country’s declining level of civic knowledge.

“In order for our government to operate correctly, including the way we as citizens relate to public officials, we really need to have a proper understanding of the Constitution,” Frank said.

The event, attracted about 75 and was open to anyone on campus. Copies of the Constitution, courtesy of U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, were distributed to attendees.

Kily Gaskill, an AU political science and history graduate, read Article 1, Section 8 during the public reading. She said she enjoys still being a part of the AU community and was happy to help with the program.

“It isn’t often you hear about the Constitution,” Gaskill joked. “And I think it is important to get students engaged in it. The Constitution isn’t read enough. Every time I go through it, something new pops out to me. People can learn about how the government works and what powers it has.”

AU senior Nicole Newell said she found out about the event through class.

“It gives you a chance to see how the country was laid out,” she said. “It shows you how laws came to be and how our founding fathers came together and created one constitution that we’ve stuck to (for) hundreds of years.”

— Abbey Doyle is a report for The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the eighth consecutive year. 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.

“While we are grateful to be included among the best of Midwest universities, we want most of all to be measured by our quality and our student success,” said Anderson University President Dr. James L. Edwards. “Our mission to transform lives through education will be met by nothing less.”

The 2012 Best Colleges guidebook provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, “graduation rate performance” and high school counselor ratings of colleges.

For more information on the rankings, visit www.usnews.com/colleges/.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. News & World Report college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the eighth consecutive year. 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 is a distinct place often described in the past by our alumni and others as ‘very special.’ We want to bring greater distinction and clarity to that idea that will gain wide affirmation from those who are a part of the AU family and those who will come to know us,” said Anderson University President Dr. James L. Edwards.

The process began more than two years ago. The new logo and font were designed and developed by Kerry Shaw, director of Publications at Anderson University. The logo features the university’s name with an overarching base and orange flame. Students and alumni will associate this graphic with the Eternal Flame landmark located in front of Decker Hall. Edwards added that the goal of this long and very widely involved process is “clarity and distinction.”

Dr. Marie Morris, vice president of academic affairs, said, “I don’t really view this as a ‘brand direction’ but rather clarifying the AU story – its rich heritage and its bright future. I’m thrilled to be at AU at this time for this very important clarifying moment. Our world is changing and how we educate and prepare students must also keep pace with the times. It’s a new day for us at AU.”

Established in 1992 to mark the university’s 75th anniversary, the Eternal Flame echoes the university’s mission to educate and prepare individuals for lives of faith and service in their families, churches, and society. The new logo is a visual stepping stone to help define the bigger story among the countless experiences yet to be told about AU.

“Many on campus know that we provide students with something spectacular at Anderson University,” said Chris Williams, director of university communications. “We need to learn to share the story of Anderson University with others. The new logo is just one of the many ways we will be sharing this story with a variety of audiences in the future.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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 focus of Shrock’s paper is The Rover Boys, a 20-book series that began in 1899. The books were written for children ages 10 through 17. “The stuff I am looking at is considered to be the precursor to what most people know, which is The Hardy Boys,” said Shrock.

“What I was looking for is the way in which gender operated in the books, and I noticed a lot of gun use,” said Shrock. “No one ever talks about this. It is one thing to have a gun in a story, but it is something entirely different to have the gun specifically pointed at someone’s head.”

According to Shrock, guns are present in 17 of the 20 Rover Boys books, people are threatened with guns in 60 percent of the books, and a person is shot 30 percent of the time.

“So often we get caught up in the thought that the present is so much more violent than the past, but that is almost never true,” said Shrock. “If these books were aimed at ages 10 through 17 today, people would be outraged.”

Shrock said the university has been very supportive of his research. He received a Distinguished Scholar Release Time award from AU to assist him in his work. The special collections section in the AU library has also assisted Shrock by purchasing a magazine he uses, St. Nicholas Magazine.

Shrock is known for his attention to detail and focus on the relevance of history. “He humanizes the people of the past,” said junior history minor Kaitlin Burch. “Instead of viewing people from a different time period as a caricature, I now view them as real people, who had the same kind of ideas, feelings, and problems that I face in today’s world.”

“Dr. Shrock is very enthusiastic and can make any subject easy to understand,” said junior theatre arts major Danielle Gilford. “He can easily spark people’s curiosity, and he has the support of not only the faculty but his students as well.”

Shrock began researching for “Boys with Guns” in 2007. Once it is published, he hopes to rework his research in a book form.

— 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 continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the eighth consecutive year. 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.

Forbes.com included only the top 20 percent of all undergraduate institutions in the 2011 rankings. The rankings were prepared by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP).

“We have one more indication just how special Anderson University is, based on achievement of our students and graduates,” said Anderson University President Dr. James. L. Edwards. “The story of quality is another vote of confidence for a truly remarkable faculty. We are grateful for this recognition.”

Forbes executive editor Michael Noer explained the ranking process in an article on Forbes.com.

“Our annual ranking of the 650 best undergraduate institutions focuses on the things that matter the most to students: quality of teaching, great career prospects, graduation rates, and low levels of debt. … We try and evaluate the college purchase as a consumer would,” said Noer.

The rankings are based on five general categories: post graduate success (30%), student satisfaction (27.5%), debt (17.5%), four-year graduation rate (17.5%), and competitive awards (7.5). A complete ranking methodology may be viewed at http://blogs.forbes.com/michaelnoer/2011/08/03/americas-top-colleges/.

Data collected by Forbes is corroborated by data from the Student Satisfaction Inventory and the National Survey of Student Engagement. Data from the SSI, for example, shows that students rank Anderson University above the mean on a large battery of questions ranging from classroom instruction to campus safety.

Anderson University has been recognized for its quality programs in recent years. AU has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of America’s best colleges and universities for seven consecutive years. The Princeton Review also has recognized Anderson University as one of the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for 2011.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2011, US News & World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the eighth consecutive year. 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.

Vincent and Frisby are just two of many students to continue their education in law school after earning degrees from AU. In the past five years, AU graduates have attended law school at Duke University, Georgetown University, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt University. According to Dr. Michael Frank, associate professor of political science and advisor for pre-law students, AU’s placement for pre-law students is above average. [Photo: Elizabeth Vincent, Dr. Michael Frank, and Jon Frisby.]

Frank is one of several professors who helped both Vincent and Frisby as they planned to apply to law school. Both took relevant and challenging undergraduate classes in their respective majors and also underwent a rigorous application process.

“I think the thing about AU that people do not realize is that interactions with professors are so influential,” said Frisby. “Some of our professors, like Dr. Frank, teach us to think in ways we had never thought of. It’s just an extra touch — something you can’t get at big schools.”

When Frisby entered AU, he considered law school, but began his freshman year focusing on science. His sophomore year, he took a government class taught by Frank, prompting him to change his major to political science. During his senior year, Frisby applied to law school. He has been accepted but has not committed to a school yet. Frisby wants to use his future law degree to work with hospitals by handling malpractice suits.

Vincent’s journey toward law school took a similar path. She also considered becoming a lawyer at a young age, but changed her career path during high school. When she came to AU as a freshman, she specialized in public relations. After taking an introductory course, she learned about public relations in litigation. This prompted her to declare a political science minor her sophomore year and make plans to prepare for law school.

Vincent will attend Indiana University in Indianapolis for several reasons, including its location and professional opportunities. “Not only is it near home, but I was offered a generous scholarship through the Resident Excellence Award,” said Vincent. “There are also many professional opportunities in Indianapolis, including the IU Indy Center for Intellectual Property, several law firms, and the court system. It seemed like a perfect fit.”

Vincent intends to work with a law firm or corporation handling brand protection, as she plans to specialize in intellectual property. She would eventually like to consult with businesses during crisis situations, using both legal and public relations approaches. “A lot of times PR professionals and lawyers can’t see eye to eye,” said Vincent.

One influence in Vincent’s undergraduate development was Model UN, a program where students research and report on assigned countries. Their task is to represent their countries as ambassadors and debate about current issues affecting them. Vincent participated in multiple Model UN competitions as an undergraduate, and this past spring served on the international press delegation. Next year, Vincent intends to participate in moot court, an extracurricular in law school that simulates court trials.

— Kelly Frye is a senior from Elkhart, Ind., majoring in biology and communication arts. Frye 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 continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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 IAH brings together educators, genealogists, and public historians statewide. The organization consists of 18 historians from 15 universities in the state of Indiana. This year, two AU faculty members are serving in positions of leadership within the organization. In addition to Shrock, Dr. David Murphy, professor of history and chair of the Department of History and Political Science, is serving as the vice president of the IAH.

As president, Shrock is responsible to find a host location for the annual IAH conference, as well as organizing fundraising efforts. This year the annual conference will be held at Hanover College.

Shrock believes it is important for students to know faculty are active outside of the classroom. “It’s important that our students view us as historians, not just teachers,” he said. “It is part of our ongoing strive for excellence to maintain relevance and raise Anderson University’s profile. We can model for students how we as professionals continually strive to improve at our profession.”

Dr. Marie Morris, vice president for academic affairs and dean, believes that Shrock’s appointment was timely for the university. “The university has been looking for ways to get our name out there,” said Morris. “AU is a remarkable institution and having scholars like Dr. Shrock and Dr. Murphy associated with our university is an excellent way to make ourselves better known.”

Shrock teaches several history classes at AU. His passion for history and teaching is recognized by the students in his classes, including sophomore Tara Akers.

“I’ve never really enjoyed history classes. However, after having Dr. Shrock as a professor, I began to further understand the importance of it. His enthusiasm and passion for the subject was contagious and continuously kept me engaged,” said Akers. “Dr. Shrock is one of the many professors at AU who has passion for not just what they teach, but who they teach.”

— Kristen Schaap is a junior from Chicago, Ill., majoring in communication arts. Schaap 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 continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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 participating university sent a delegation representing a country assigned prior to the event. Members of each country’s delegation represented the country on a committee specified by the conference. The committees were similar to the committees in the United Nations, such as the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as well as historical committees. The present committees debated current issues in the world and worked toward resolutions, while the historical committees took the outcome of the international incident into consideration to find a different resolution. At the conference, students could only provide the views of their assigned country and not personal views.

[Photo: Anderson University's delegation at the Model UN in Boston included students Ryan Daugherty, Ben Herrick, Colleen Dillon, Haley Bartlett, Moreblessing Ndana, Elizabeth Cox, Elizabeth Vincent, and Oscar Ndao.]

Ryan Daugherty, a sophomore history and political science major, was the head delegate for AU. “I was involved in Model UN in high school, and this is my second year of Model UN in college. More than 150 universities attended, which means 300 students per committee,” Daugherty said. “Having that many people representing different ideas can get crazy, but the conference makes the debate very organized. The conference had time limits for each country to state their position on a topic.”

[Read delegate Colleen Dillon's first-person account of her Model UN Experience.]

The conference hosted universities from all over the world. Daugherty recalled other universities from Indiana and others from as far as London, China, Paris, and South Africa. “My favorite part of the conference was meeting students from all over the world,” Daugherty said.

While Daugherty may be a veteran to Model UN, Haley Bartlett, a junior history and political science major, was attending her first conference.

“This was my first year in Model UN and my first conference, and it was a lot to take in once we got there,” Bartlett said. “During the debates it was hard to recall all the information I learned about the Republic of Chad. It was also rather difficult to ignore my American views.”

Bartlett was on the social humanitarian and cultural committee. She explained that delegates often passed notes concerning the issue at hand to form relationships and see where other countries stood on the issue.

“I never thought about getting involved with Model UN until my advisor encouraged me to sign up for the class,” Bartlett said. I am glad I did it. It has been a great experience and I have learned a lot.”

Dr. Daniel Allen, assistant professor of political science, is the faculty advisor for Model UN at Anderson University. “Model UN allows students to build and develop leaderships, allowing them to gain confidence to lead. It teaches students how to research and debate, it also helps interpersonal skills,” said Dr. Allen. “The Model UN is not just for history or political science majors. This year we had a variety of students from all types of majors.”

Daugherty has learned skills he will take with him after college. “Model UN has taught me many different skills, such as learning to work with others that have different views,” he said. “It also has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and carry myself in a professional manor. Making quick decisions during the debate allowed me to think on my feet.”

The Anderson University Model UN group will attend the Chicago Model UN conference in the fall.

— Matt Dougherty is a junior from Breese, Ill., majoring in communication arts and marketing. Dougherty 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 continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Dr. Beverley Pitts, president of the University of Indianapolis and a 1968 graduate of Anderson University, received an honorary Doctor of Letters during the chapel. Honorary degrees will also be awarded to AU alumni Steven Curtis Chapman and Charles Myricks, Jr., during the May 7 commencement ceremony at Anderson University.

[Photo: Dr. Beverley Pitts and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

During her address, Pitts reflected on her experience at Anderson University and on those who made her education possible. She encouraged students to consider with gratitude those who made their own journeys possible.

“We are all part of a shared culture at AU,” Pitts said. “Faculty, administrators, and graduates long before us built an institution based on the Christian values of personal responsibility and concern for others, high quality learning, and a commitment to service. You don’t even know who they are, but much of what you are now experiencing, the privilege of an excellent education in a faith-based institution, is based on their humble beginnings. … Stand high on the shoulders of those who brought you to this point. Be grateful for the privilege that they have given you. I hope you will take great advantage of this privilege and do good with what you know.”

Students recognized during chapel:

Renee Bader, a psychology major, is a member and officer in Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi, and Psi Chi. She is also a Center for Public Service Fellow. Bader anticipates getting married and starting graduate school this summer. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to earn a master’s degree in school counseling.

Elizabeth Barrow, a biology major and chemistry minor, served as president of Sigma Zeta, president of Alpha Chi, president of the Pre-Professional Health Society, and was co-founder of Operation Foundation: Project Anderson. She served as a TA in a number of science classes and as a tutor in Organic Chemistry. She is also a Center for Public Service Fellow and an officer in Phi Eta Sigma. Barrow is active in a number of campus groups and participated in Tri-S trips to Australia, London, and Honduras. She plans to attend IU Medical School to obtain her M.D.

[Photo, from left: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Dr. Marie Morris, Ambrosia Davidson, Joanna Tilley, Keith Sayer, Samantha Toeller, Beth Barrow, Renee Bader, and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

Ambrosia Davidson, a marketing major and Spanish minor, is a member of the AU Honors Program, Delta Mu Delta, Alpha Mu Gamma, Alpha Chi, Phi Eta Sigma, and the Center for Public Service. During her time at AU, she participated in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), worked with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and served an internship at Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie. After graduation, Davidson plans to finalize details for her wedding and pursue employment in marketing communications or public relations.

Keith Sayer, a Bible/religion and English double-major, is a member of Alpha Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, and the AU Honors Program. He plans to attend either Vanderbilt Divinity School or Duke Divinity School this fall to pursue graduate studies in religion. Sayer hopes to teach religion at the undergraduate level and participate in teaching ministries of the church through research, writing, and possibly serving as a teaching minister.

Joanna Tilley, a pre-med biology major with minors in chemistry and Christian ministries, is a member of Alpha Chi, Sigma Zeta, Pre-Professional Health Society, Alacritas, and the Center for Public Service. She plans to pursue medical school this fall at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va.

Samantha Toeller, an elementary education/special education major and applied music minor, has served in Kappa Delta Pi and Alpha Chi. She is completing her full-year student teaching experience, with classroom experience in 2nd and 6th grades as well as in intermediate special education resource. Toeller hopes to receive a teaching position at a school in Indianapolis or Chicago, and to teach within a multicultural setting in the intermediate grades.

Gabe Miller, an exercise science major, is this year’s Outstanding Senior Male Athlete. As a four-year starter for the men’s basketball team, he received 1st Team All-HCAC honors following both his junior and senior seasons. Miller led the Ravens in assist over the past four seasons and led in steals the past two years. He played a key role on the 2009-10 team that won the HCAC season championship and made it to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. He was the team captain during his junior and senior years.

[Photo, from left: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Dr. Marie Morris, Athletic Director Marcie Taylor, Gabe Miller, Ellen Thompson, and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

Ellen Thompson, a biology major, is this year’s Outstanding Senior Female Athlete. She was a member of the women’s basketball team the past four seasons, a member of the women’s golf team during her freshman and sophomore years, and a member of the softball team the past two seasons. In basketball, Thompson earned HCAC All-Conference and team MVP honors during the 2010-11 season. She is the ninth leading scorer in school history with 965 points, second in free throws made (281) and free throws attempted (381), and fourth in free throw percentage at 73.8 percent. She was team captain during her senior season.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Mayor Kris Ockomon accepted the award for the City of Anderson as the 2010-2011 Community Partner of the Year. The City of Anderson has continued to support the work of the students in the community, creating opportunities for freshman orientation service projects, and inclusion in events like Martin Luther King Jr. City Wide Celebration and the We Can Care Food Drive. [Photo on left: AU alum Cliff Ritchey from Commonway Church leads worship.]

AU alum Cliff Ritchey led chapel worship and Pastor Matt Carder of Commonway Church in Muncie challenged those in attendance to look for to make a difference in the world by noticing opportunities to impact the world and community you live in by showing up in the simple and ordinary ways of daily living.

Jennifer Randonis, assistant professor of English, received a faculty award for partnering AU with the College Against Cancer-Relay for Life. This was the second year she has led the fight against cancer on campus.

“Randonis is sensitive to a need and condition that has impacted the lives of many students and community members and rallied a group of students to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Stephanie Moran, Director of the Community Partnership Center.

Falls School of Business professor of management, Dr. Wendell Seaborne, was rewarded for his work with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and his dedication to the excellent programs they put forth as a service to the community. Moran said, “He is committed to the development of students through direct creative application of their skills and talents.”

Lolly Bargerstock-Oyler, assistant professor of social work, received a faculty award for her work with the Park Place Community Center. This center meets many needs in the Park Place community and gives students an opportunity to serve. [Photo on right: Pastor Matt Carder from Commonway Church speaks at chapel.]

“She has had a vision for the Park Place Community Center that will have positive impact on the neighborhood and campus for years to come,” said Moran.

This is the second year that students were awarded for their service to the community

• Senior psychology major, Renee Bader, for her work with the Girls Scouts of America. She was an integral part of the development of a relationship with the Girl Scouts which allowed for members to come to campus and learn about communication skills through Anderson University student led interventions.
• Junior family science major, Alyssa Martin, for her service at the Christian Center. She has been dedicated to the residents there and been able to share her faith through relationship and service in a very transparent way.
• Junior elementary education major, Kenton Mahoney, for his work with the College Against Cancer Relay for Life Event. He put many hours and energy into making that event a success.
• Senior finance major, Rose Hirschy, for her work with Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) for the past 3 years. She has participated in many volunteer opportunities, but has been very faithful to her commitment of assisting those in the community that need help with their taxes yet have no means to enlist the help of accountants or prep services.

New to this year’s Celebration of Service Chapel was the eight AmeriCorps Service Engagement Award recipients. These awards were made possible through AU’s association with Indiana Campus Compact. Each of these eight students has served over 300 hours of service to the community during their 2010-2011 term of service. The recipients included:

• Junior global business major, Ashley Ledford, for her award winning work with SIFE as a program director.
• Senior management major, Bradley Miller, for his work with SIFE as the President of SIFE.
• Senior psychology major, Austin Boon, for his work with Dove Harbor, Alternative School, Girls Scouts, “Lil Sibs” Weekend, among other opportunities to provide leadership in the area of teaching communication skills.
• Sophomore political science major, Benjamin Herrick, for his work with Prison Ministry and Grace and Action.
• Senior psychology major, Jackie Hammond, for her work with Prison Ministry, Grace and Action, Aspire, and tutoring
• Junior psychology major, Emily Thalls, for volunteering weekly at Dove Harbor where she teaches Interpersonal Communications skills to the women who reside there. She has also taught Interpersonal Communications skills to AU Resident Assistants, Girl Scouts, children of the Madison County Youth Center, students at AU, “Lil Sibs” of AU students and alumni, and attendees of the annual Day of Healing Convention.
• Senior social work major, Breann Patuzzi, for her work at the Christian Center, AU-East Africa, Neighbors, and S.T.A.R. where she currently volunteers as a tutor at Shadeland Tutoring and Recreation. She has also been interning and serving at the Department of Child Services.
• Senior management and sociology major, Kristina Feltham, for her work with seniors and the Generation to Generation Ministry. Kristina has also been involved in many various service learning opportunities and volunteer experiences on campus. She also serves as the Indiana Campus Compact student representative for the AU campus.

View photos from the Celebration of Service Chapel on the Anderson University Flickr album.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

To be a member of Alpha Chi, students have to be of junior or senior status and in the top ten percent of their class maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.70.

Melissa Carlson was awarded one of ten $2,500 Graduate Fellowships given by the national Alpha Chi organization and Gina Farmer won the regional $1,000 Graduate Fellowship. Jacqueline Burgher was first runner-up for the $200 regional scholarship and Matt Barton won the $200 presentation prize for having the best paper in Exercise Science. Listed below are the names of the eight students and the titles of their presentations.

• Senior exercise science major, Matt Barton
  “Do College Students Accurately Perceive Moderate and Vigorous Exercise Intensities Based Upon the ACSM Guidelines”

• Senior chemistry and mathematics/economics double major, Jacqueline Burgher
  “Interactions of Interfaces: Absorption of Polyacrylic Acid, Cetyl Trimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB), and Nanoparticles on an Oil”

• Senior chemistry major, Melissa Carlson
  “Reverse Phase HPLC Determination of L-DOPA in Mucuna Pruriens Nutritional Supplements”

• Senior history major, Gina Farmer
  “Theodore Roosevelt Imperialism: ‘Big Stick’ Policy in Latin America”

• Senior finance major, Rose Hirschy
  “Father of Conservation”

• Senior bible and religion major, Melissa Reginelli
  “Messages of Hope in Ezekiel”

• Junior finance and mathematics/economics double major, Eva Tan
  “The Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989″

• Senior biology major, Joanna Tilley
  “Antibacterial Properties of Golden Seal”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

“I wanted to give our community an opportunity to voice their opinions about what’s been happening in the area,” said Murphy.

A range of voices were represented at Thursday night’s forum, from retirees to current Anderson University students. Murphy was pleased with the turnout.

“It speaks to our intellectual seriousness of our community when we have a showing like this the day before spring break,” said Murphy.

The panel consisted of Donna Albrecht, a former teacher in Egypt; her husband, Eric Fricke; Dr. Carl Caldwell, a retired AU professor; Jordan Clark, an AU senior studying political science; Dr. Daniel Allen, AU professor of political science; and Hussain Alhashem, an AU student from Saudi Arabia.

[Photo: From left, Hussain Alhasem, Eric Fricke, and Donna Albrecht speak to Anderson University students and members of the community at a seminar and discussion on the events happening in the Middle East.]

Allen began the discussion by offering his synopsis of the region.

“It’s been enthralling, but this is just the ending of chapter one. It’s very hard to build a democracy,” said Allen.

Clark, who spent a semester in Cairo last year, said there were two common responses to Hosni Mubarak’s regime in Egypt; one was apathetic, the second was the lively engagement that has been broadcast around the world. He also stated that those who were active in the protests showed a “remarkable” sense of unity, as Muslims and Christians shared in their frustration with the government.

“It was a microcosm of their vision of the Egypt of the future, where class and religion are no longer barriers,” said Clark.

Social media have played a major role in how people from around the world follow the uprisings. Albrecht said that before 2011, she was never that involved with Facebook, but once her friends in Egypt started posting comments and videos she says she became an “addict.” She said one of her former students posted a video while he was being teargassed. He has not posted since, which leaves Albrecht to worry about his status.

One of the first questions from the audience was “what is the U.S.’s role?”

Caldwell answered by stating President Barack Obama is in a “difficult” position, because what is happening in the Middle East espouses many of the values Americans hold, and it seems like we ought to support the activists. However, if Obama does interfere, he will be seen throughout the global community as “meddling.”

“There’s a prevailing opinion in the region that the U.S. is too involved, but I think that will change,” said Caldwell.

Fricke said there is a feeling of self-reliance in places like Egypt and Libya, where protesters are saying to the international community “We started this, we’ll finish it.”

Following the 90-minute discussion, Murphy said he was pleased with the dialogue between panelists and the audience.

“It started off a little slow, but once we started introducing some controversial topics I think it really got going,” said Murphy.

— Sam Brattain is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Story reposted with permission.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Chapman will address the graduating class of 2011 during the 3 p.m. (EDT) program and will receive an honorary doctorate along with the Rev. Charles Myricks, chief operating development officer for the National Association of the Church of God, and Dr. Beverley Pitts, president of the University of Indianapolis. Anderson University’s commencement will be conducted in the Ward Fieldhouse of the Kardatzke Wellness Center. Myricks will speak earlier in the day during Anderson University’s baccalaureate service at 10 a.m in Reardon Auditorium. All events are free and open to the public. AU will offer a live webcast during Commencement starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT.

Other events scheduled during Anderson University’s commencement day on May 7 include the Falls School of Business hooding ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in Byrum Hall for candidates of both Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees.

The hooding ceremony for the Master of Education and the Master of Music Education will be conducted at noon in Schield Dining Room, Olt Student Center. The certification ceremony for the Teach for Indiana Program (TIP) will be conducted at 10 a.m. in Decker Hall, Room 133.

Events earlier in the week include the School of Theology Senior Recognition and Awards Chapel on Tuesday, April 26, at 11 a.m. in Miller Chapel. The hooding ceremony for the Doctor of Ministry graduates will take place on Friday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Miller Chapel. In addition, a special pinning ceremony for the Anderson University School of Nursing will be conducted on Friday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Byrum Hall.

Individuals receiving honorary degrees during the May 7 commencement ceremony at Anderson University include the following:

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN — DOCTOR OF MUSIC

Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and author. He attended Anderson University in the early 1980s while starting his career as a songwriter. Chapman has developed into one of the most prolific singers in the genre, releasing more than 20 albums to date. Chapman has also won five Grammy awards and 56 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, more than any other artist in history. His seven “Artist of the Year” Dove Awards — his latest in 2009 — are also an industry record. In addition to his music career, Chapman, along with his wife Mary Beth (also an AU alum), established a nonprofit foundation called Show Hope (formerly called Shaohannah’s Hope) to mobilize individuals and communities to care for orphans through its international orphan care work as well as adoption aid grants. Chapman plans a summer 2011 album release for his new project titled re:creation.

CHARLES MYRICKS — DOCTOR OF DIVINITY

Charles Myricks, Jr., is a gifted musician and playwright with a deep love of music. He graduated from Anderson University in 1982 and went on to receive his Master of Arts degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. He has served as vice president and general manager of Word Gospel Records. Under his leadership, Word Gospel artists received 3 Grammy Awards, 8 Dove Awards, and 12 Stellar Awards. He has served as a trustee at Anderson University and in ministry with the Arlington Church of God in Akron, Ohio. He currently works as chief operating development officer for the National Association of the Church of God.

DR. BEVERLEY PITTS — DOCTOR OF LETTERS

Dr. Beverley Pitts serves as president of the University of Indianapolis. In that capacity, she oversees an institution with 4,500 students, including a branch campus in Athens, Greece, and doctoral programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and clinical psychology. She earned a BA from Anderson University in 1968 and an MA in journalism and doctorate in higher education from Ball State University. Prior to becoming provost at Ball State University, she held positions of associate provost, assistant provost, director of academic assessment, and director of general studies at Ball State. She was also founding chair of the Department of Communication at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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 is, hands down, my favorite class to teach,” said Rogers, assistant professor of history at AU. “There isn’t a single topic in class that I don’t enjoy.” Rogers emphasizes in class that half of those who shaped the world today are women, and they have important lessons to teach us.

Rogers said many students do not know much about this particular area of history. “Women’s history is less visible unless you look closely,” she said. “For example, women didn’t sign the Declaration of Independence, but they were just as much a part of the American Revolution as the men. If the American colonists chose to boycott tea and British-made products, who do you think had to come up with the substitutes? Women.”

Students mirror Rogers’ enthusiasm for the class. “Beyond taking the class out of interest, I have learned to look at history from a different perspective,” said senior social work major Amanda Gilliam. “It has challenged my thinking and the way I look at history.”

[Photo: Dr. Jaye Rogers assists senior Frank Ebels with preparation for an assignment to interview a woman over the age of 60.]

Rebekah Shirar, a senior communication arts major, said the class was instrumental in her decision to pursue a history minor. “I have always enjoyed history and seem to soak in the information easier than in other classes,” Shirar said. “This class, in particular, was the extra encouragement to officially declare my history minor. I thoroughly enjoy the lectures, assignments, and discussion.”

Both Gilliam and Shirar mentioned their favorite assignment in the class was a written biography of a woman over the age of 60. The biography is an assignment that Rogers always implements.

“I love reading the biographies, which average to be approximately 100 student biographies a year, meaning my students have interviewed 1,000 women: their grandmothers, women in their church, even some of the professors and administrators of AU,” Rogers said. “Those are a lot of stories that might not otherwise be heard. I have had students who found out that their grandmother dated James Dean in high school or had an aunt that worked for the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.”

“I hope students walk away from all history classes seeing their connection to the past, understanding that they are a product of what has occurred before them, and that they in turn will have an impact on the generations that will follow them,” said Rogers.

— Joseph Matas is a senior from Anderson, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in marketing. Matas 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 continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Adcock, along with fellow AU alumni Andrew Janutolo and Amy Davis, are among the recent 2010 graduates of Indiana University’s School of Law to have passed the Indiana Bar exam. After passing the bar, students are able to practice law in the state of Indiana. [Photo on left: Adcock with friends at her graduation.]

The law offices of Richard, Boje, Pikening, Benner and Becker, based in Noblesville, Ind., recently hired Adcock. The firm specializes in various legal situations and serves the counties of Hamilton, Marion, Tipton, Madison, and Boone. Always looking for what’s next, Adcock hopes to become a full-fledged partner with the firm in the not too distant future.

Adcock credited Anderson University with playing a role in her recent accomplishments. “The professors really challenged me to think critically and apply what took place in the classroom to everyday life,” said Adcock. She specifically named Dr. Michael Frank and Dr. Joel Shrock of the history and political science department and Dr. Fred Burnett of the religious studies department as being strong influences throughout her academic journey.

“My time at AU taught me a few things that got me where I am today,” Adcock said. “Above all, always work hard, never think you’ve arrived, and always thank the people around you who encouraged you along the way.”

Andrew Janutolo, a 2007 AU graduate, was recently hired by the Indianapolis firm Goodin, Abernathy LLP, a full-service law firm specializing in litigation and protecting individual rights. Janutolo credited AU’s smaller class sizes as one of the keys to his success, as it allowed for more intense conversation among students than a conventional system of lecture.

“The critical thinking skills taught by my AU instructors led me to a career in law,” said Janutolo, “but they also taught me the importance of being outspoken in classes and engaging with other students. I was encouraged to throw out my ideas, even if I was wrong, because it contributed to the mutually beneficial educational atmosphere that I came to love.”

Amy Davis, a 2005 AU graduate, passed the Indiana bar with Janutolo and Adcock. After passing the bar, Davis was hired by the law offices of Hausmann-McNally in Indianapolis, a law firm that represents those who have been injured in accidents that happened through no fault of their own. Davis believes the close relationships she made with the students and faculty of AU made for a more personal educational experience and helped her decide to pursue a career in law.

“Wanting to further my education after AU wasn’t a light bulb that immediately went off in my head,” explained Davis. “It was after a careful consideration of all the experiences I had been through, the step-by-step education that was instilled in me by Dr. Michael Frank and Dr. Joel Shrock, and the relationships that followed because of it, that made me decide to take my education to the next level. For that, I am so very grateful.”

— Cameron Ward is a senior from Kalamazoo, Mich., majoring in Communication Arts. Ward 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 continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

“If you are interested in a career in foreign affairs,” said Ponce, “I’ve been in your shoes. Let me tell you now — you can do it from Anderson.”

Ponce, a 1998 AU grad, spoke to history and political science students about the time he spent working for the U.S. Department of State as a foreign service officer in places such as the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Qatar.

[Photo: Timothy Ponce is pictured in Jerusalem with fellow AU students during a study abroad experience.]

Serving primarily in a consular role, Ponce was charged with protecting and promoting American citizens and their interests abroad. At times, Americans find themselves needing assistance dealing with local authorities or getting in touch with a loved one back home. His office helped those citizens.

Ponce said it was a great experience to live and work abroad, but that it also had its challenges. He came into contact with poverty, crime, and the threat of terrorism every day. Ultimately, those experiences helped him to better understand the many differences that separated him from the people of those regions, but the experiences also allowed him to live life from their perspective. “Sharing those daily experiences helped all of us in my department to become stronger global leaders,” he said.

Ponce said AU provided him with opportunities to develop essential skills, such as diplomacy and compromise, through practical learning in the Model United Nations program.

“Most importantly,” said Ponce, “through participation in any of the Model United Nations programs, you realize that the education you get at Anderson is every bit as good as the kids that are there from Harvard and Yale. It is a program that any one with interest in a foreign affairs career should get involved in, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Additionally, Ponce’s semester studying abroad in Syria through AU’s partnership with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities broadened his cultural insight and prepared him for a career abroad. Ponce said every student should consider a study abroad program, because it is important to understand other cultures and how they relate to all facets of life.

He explained that the cultural connections he made during his study abroad, along with the liberal arts background he gained from Anderson, helped him score highly on the Foreign Service Exam — a requirement to become a foreign service officer with the State Department.

Ponce continues to work within the U.S. State Department.

Dr. Joel Shrock, associate professor of history at AU, noted that while Ponce is not the first AU grad to become a foreign service officer, he is one of the more recent examples of how the AU experience directly translates into a career.

“It’s just so much more effective when successful graduates can illustrate how their AU degrees and their experiences on campus have influenced them,” Shrock said. “The one thing I hope students heard is that what they are doing now matters for their future. The work now, although it may not seem like it matters, is creating the basis of skills that will ultimately determine success or failure.”

— Charles Holcomb is a sophomore from Westfield, Ind., majoring in communication arts and 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 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Murphy published Murder in Their Hearts, his third book, in July; the first two books contained subject matter concerning German history and were published in 1997 and 2002.

Born in 1960 in Rockford, Ill., Murphy grew up loving to write but never thought he was creative enough to write professionally. His thoughts shifted after he took a World Civilization class taught by a Jesuit priest during his freshman year of high school. “He was older, well-traveled and well-read, and he provided the inspiration for my history career,” Murphy said.

After high school, Murphy stayed in his home state to earn degrees from the University of Southern Illinois and University of Illinois. His doctorate, however, came from time spent at the Free University of Berlin, the city’s largest university. While he enjoyed traveling and being in Europe, Murphy now refers to the old adage that one can see the universe from a grain of sand. Holding on to this wisdom, Murphy has less desire to travel and relishes the opportunity to study and learn from his local grain of sand in Indiana. This increased his desire to write and learn about the story of the Fall Creek Massacre.

The story of the Fall Creek Massacre concerns a group of white men in 1824 who murdered nine Indians in Madison County, Ind. Murphy explained that while single, unattached men dominated the “wild west” with violent and reckless behavior, Indiana had “frontier families,” which included women and children, and a relatively low murder rate. This family focus and low homicide rate increased public awareness following the murder of the nine Indians. For the first time in American history, white men were brought to justice for murdering Native Americans.

“The fear of Native American backlash was a major reason for the harsh punishment these men received,” explained Murphy. The punishment was death by hanging. White settlers numbered only a few hundred in the area at that time, but thousands of Indians still resided in what is now central Indiana, which caused settlers to worry about retribution and the consequential effect on property values. Murphy reports that the federal agent assigned to the duty of interacting with the local Native Americans used the executions to send the message that vengeance was unnecessary as the men’s actions were unacceptable and not supported by the settlers.

Researching and writing the book took approximately four years, and the most difficult issue was determining fact from myth. “It took digging and thought. That was hard,” Murphy said. Part of the problem was that some of the most basic records were wrong. “Even official documents on the case were off by an entire month,” recalled Murphy. The inaccuracies were attributed to a county clerk who, according to Murphy and other accounts, was “next to illiterate.”

Murphy also noted the support shown to him by the university, which included a sabbatical leave. Murphy enjoyed working locally because the sources for the story were so close. Murphy reported he could get “a lot” accomplished in just one week.

Again staying local, Murphy chose the Indiana Historical Society as his publisher. “They really were the best fit,” Murphy said, because they provided illustrations and spent a great deal of money advertising and drawing attention to the book.

An Indiana University course has already adopted Murphy’s book as required reading, and it has appeared twice as Amazon’s bestselling book on Indiana history. When asked how many copies have sold to date, Murphy said he will not know until after the holidays. After a brief pause, an optimistic smile came across his face, and he added, “Many, I hope.”

— Kyle Beckman is a junior from Auburn, Ind., majoring in communication arts and business-information systems and minoring in political science. Beckman is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. 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.

Dr. David Murphy, a professor in the Department of History and Political Science at Anderson University, has been teaching about the Jewish Holocaust for nearly a decade. Murphy explores elements not traditionally studied about the time period. “In the 1990s, there was a great surge of interest in classes about many aspects of the Holocaust, versus just studying the historical literature about it,” said Dr. Murphy. He thought it would be good to build a course on the topic because it produced questions for Christians and the Christian faith.

The Jewish Holocaust class utilizes a book entitled Ordinary Men by author Christopher Browning, which attempts to understand the minds of those seemingly ordinary people who perpetuated the killing of Jewish people. The book also calls attention to a specific German police unit that committed other heinous acts. “A big question students ask themselves in the class is how the Nazis, who called themselves Christians, justified committing the horrible things they did to people,” said Dr. Murphy. “It makes people wonder how this justification might happen today in our lives.”

Dr. Murphy said that what students learn from the course varies. Sophomore Ryan Daugherty agreed with this, saying that after he got the chance to see both Nazi and Jewish perception of the Holocaust, he understood a side of the history he never saw before. “I enjoyed that I was able to learn the actual mechanisms of the Holocaust. It puts a lot of perspective on the situation,” said Daugherty.

Senior Gina Farmer took Dr. Murphy’s Jewish Holocaust Class last summer and said the best part of the class was experiencing Dr. Murphy’s plethora of knowledge on the subject. “Dr. Murphy is an amazing resource. He’s been to Germany and talked to Holocaust survivors, so when he applies the experiences he’s had that you don’t find in textbooks, it’s enlightening to be a part of,” said Farmer.

Murphy’s Jewish Holocaust class is just one example of an in-depth, non-traditional learning experience that Anderson University offers to its student body, and students respond to this style of teaching as it is one of the first to fill up each time it’s offered. Students who take Murphy’s class quickly learn that it’s about more than fulfilling a liberal arts requirement; it’s about seeing history in a whole new light.

— Cameron Ward is a senior from Kalamazoo, Mich., majoring in communication arts. Ward is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. 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.

Spearheaded by members of the tea party, the original document that established the U.S. government has once again entered the national conversation as citizens react to current events.

On Monday, Anderson University alumnus and University of Cincinnati law professor Darrell Miller warned of two dangers in idolizing the Constitution.

In a speech before a small crowd at Reardon Auditorium, Miller said the first danger is observed in Americans who revere the document as the answer to the American democracy.

[Watch video of Darrell Miller's Constitution Day address.]

Miller said many who believe strongly in the Constitution have a tendency to hold it up as if it were written by the Holy Spirit.

It is not perfect, or infallible, he explained.

“It is an instrument devised by men for the benefit of men,” he said.

In fact, Miller called the document “defective” because it failed to address key issues — including slavery. [AU Editor's Note: In this reference, Miller was citing a statement by Thurgood Marshall in which the late Supreme Court Justice called the U.S. Constitution in its original form defective for its failure to address slavery. This statement became a talking point during the recent hearings for Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court.]

The guidelines set by the Constitution are important and warrant a healthy respect, he said. “To call them divine, perhaps, is too much.”

The second danger comes in a completely different package, he said.

Rather than revere the Constitution as a holy document inappropriately, some are using it in a trivial, unnecessary way, especially at the state level, he said.

In the case of state constitutions, Miller said, states have looked to the constitution as the answer to all legal matters, and in doing so, have added laws to the documents that have no business being added.

In Ohio, he said, state lawmakers added an amendment to the state constitution establishing a casino, and then added a second amendment determining the address of the casino.

The constitution also features an amendment regarding the proper housing of chickens, he said.

There are a few misconceptions about the Constitution’s power, he explained.

In the case of freedom of religion, he explained, the Constitution does not protect Americans completely.

The Constitution states that no Congress shall impose religion, he explained, but it does not say that the state of Utah can’t force its residents to attend church.

It is the role of judges to determine these modern-day questions, resulting in the rights and laws that protect Americans, he explained.

Erin Billstrom said she was guilty of believing things that weren’t true about the Constitution, including the belief that it gives her certain rights that it doesn’t actually contain. “I honestly interpreted it the way he said it shouldn’t be interpreted.”

Kevin Radaker said the country sometimes falls into a pattern of using the Constitution to address modern issues. “In times of high stress, we often refer to the Constitution. We want the Constitution to solve our problems rather than debating them.”

Spencer Spaulding said he’s witnessed instances where people use the Constitution to back up their arguments, but the strength of the argument suffers. “A lot of what I hear now seems to be yelling rather than thinking.”

—Brandi Watters is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Photo credit: Aaron Piper. Story republished with permission.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Miller is an associate professor of law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law and will present on the topic “Idolizing the Constitution.” His scholarship, which touches on issues of civil rights, constitutional law, and civil procedure, has appeared in prestigious law reviews and in a recent Supreme Court opinion.

A 1994 graduate of Anderson University, Miller studied history and English at Oxford University as a British Marshall Scholar before earning his JD cum laude from Harvard Law School. Prior to joining the academy, Miller practiced complex commercial litigation in Columbus, Ohio, and clerked for a federal judge. In 2004, Miller was honored with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award by Anderson University.

Most Americans recognize July 4, 1776, as the date of the nation’s birth. Far fewer know that Sept. 17, 1787, is the birth date of the government, when delegates to the Philadelphia Convention signed the U.S. Constitution. In commemoration, the United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day. The ideals on which America was founded are embodied in the Constitution, the oldest written constitution of any nation on Earth.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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 event will be from noon – 1 p.m. in the Elizabeth York and James York Reading Room, on the first floor of the Nicholson Library. The discussion is free and open to the public. Those who attend are encouraged to bring their own lunches.

Murphy’s book, which will be available for purchase during the Brown Bag Lunch, focuses on the March 1824 murder of nine Native Americans by a group of angry, intoxicated settlers. The event, which occurred along Fall Creek in Central Indiana, was significant in part because it was the first documented case under American law in which white settlers were convicted and executed for the murder of Native Americans. In an interview with the Indiana Historical Society, Murphy credits a former student with raising awareness of the massacre, which led to his interest in researching and writing the book.

The Brown Bag Lunch Series will continue on Thursday, Sept. 30, with “Iraq Through our Eyes,” a discussion led by Dr. Carl and Carolyn Caldwell. The couple retired from Anderson University last year, Carl as vice president for academic affairs and dean, and Carolyn as a faculty member in the Falls School of Business. They spent the past year teaching at American University of Iraq in Sulaimani, a city in the northern part of the country.

Deborah Miller Fox, professor of English, will conclude the fall Brown Bag Lunch Series on Wednesday, Oct. 27, with a discussion of her recently published book A Star for Robbins Chapel. Her book will be available for purchase during the event. Miller Fox teaches creative writing, composition, and literature at AU. She regularly advises the Literary Arts Magazine staff and directs the annual creative writing contests.

The Brown Bag Lunch Series began in 2005 as an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and the public to gather in an informal setting to discuss topics of interest. Discussions typically draw about 15-20 attendees, said Dr. Janet Brewer, director of the Nicholson Library, though some events have drawn larger crowds.

Past discussions have at times revolved around particular themes, such as the Remnant Trust and the Great Decisions Global Affairs Discussion Program.

“This time there is no theme,” said Brewer, “but it just so happens that we have two professors with books that are out, so it’s a good way to celebrate with them and let everybody know about their accomplishments. And, of course, Carl and Carolyn’s experience has sparked broad interest.”

Each Brown Bag Lunch will begin at noon and conclude by 1 p.m. The events typically include opportunity for questions and answers after the main presentation.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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 are honored to continue to be ranked as a top tier institution by U.S. News and World Report,” said Dr. Michael Collette, vice president for Marketing and Strategic Planning.  “It is even more fulfilling to know this ranking is based greatly on the strength of AU’s academic reputation, respect for our quality faculty and wide recognition the many programs of academic distinction.”

The 2011 Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, “graduation rate performance” and high school counselor ratings of colleges. U.S. News has made some significant changes to the 2011 Best Colleges’ ranking methodology and presentation. For more details on these changes, go to www.usnews.com/collegemeth.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. News college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh consecutive year. 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.

Strege attended Anderson University’s undergraduate program from 1965-69, majoring in history and minoring in English and Bible. He then attended seminary at AU from 1969-72. Strege has been on faculty for 30 years and has been publishing for 25.

Strege has published and written many books including a published collection of articles and essays of the Church of God called “Tell Me the Tale” and the sequel “Tell Me Another Tale.” He then wrote a book titled “I Saw the Church” about the history on the inner-life of the Church of God. He co-authored the book “God’s Redeeming Story” and revised and enlarged the standard history of the Church of God called “Quest for Holiness and Unity.” Strege has a passion for writing about the history of the Church of God and Anderson University. He thinks historical writing is a moral and political art. “Moral not in the sense of telling people what to do, but moral in the sense of helping people understand their identity,” said Strege.

When writing the history of a university, the genre is called institutional history. This genre has a reputation for being dull reading because it is very factual and timeline-oriented. Fortunately, Strege read a few examples of institutional history, which has shaped his idea for the direction of his book. He intends to tell the story of the Church of God, the people and personalities of the administration, presidents, faculty and students over time.

“When I went to school here I heard over and over again from Dr. Reardon, ‘An institution is its people, not the building,’ so if that’s the case, if you’re going to tell the story of an institution like Anderson, you need to tell the story of its people,” said Strege.

In writing the history of AU, Strege hopes to contribute to a community understanding, and if they understand who they are, then it helps them know who they are, ultimately who the people ought to be in the community.

“When I think of this particular project I have told a few people the project of writing the history of AU is very exciting for me. I’ve written about higher education, education as moral foundation, about the Church of God and the institution,” said Strege. “A sense in which many of my interests are coming together to make his project one that I’ve been thinking and writing for the past 30 years. I am prepared to work on this.”

Strege plans to use stories of people to show what kind of moral standards AU holds. A few individuals will be highlighted in his book because it conveys and tells the story of AU’s character. Galen Smith known as “Coach Smith,” was a son of the editor of the “Gospel Trumpet” at the Church of God who impacted and played a major role in the athletic events at Anderson during the years when Strege was in school.

“Smith showed up at every athletic contest and intramural, sat at the end of the team bench for basketball games, stood along the sidelines at football games and was at the baseball games as well,” said Strege. He had become ill as a child and it resulted in sustained damage to his mental abilities, but he could function in society. He always got in free to every game and was a mainstay here at the college. “The fact that the institution made a place for Galen, says something about what kind of institution Anderson is,” said Strege.

Strege’s book is scheduled to come out in 2017 during the centennial anniversary of the founding of the institution.

Dr. Brian Dirck came to AU in 1998 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a Ph.D. Dirck enjoys the liberal arts atmosphere at AU where he gets to know his colleagues and students. He enjoys being able to interact with more than just the history department due to the liberal arts requirements.

Dirck has written and published several books over the years. First, his dissertation, which is a composition of the two civil war presidents, a reference book about legal issues of waging war and “Lincoln the Lawyer,” which won the Barondess Award for best Abraham Lincoln book in 2007. He is currently working on two books: “New Study on Abe and Race” and “The Everyman’s Library on Abraham Lincoln.”

Scholar Phil Paladin served as Dirck’s advisor and research assistant. Paladin encouraged him to get published. Dirck was turned down by three publishers before finally landing one. “Once you have your foot in the door, they start asking you for more work,” said Dirck.

“New Study on Abe and Race” focuses on Lincoln’s perception of race, what he thought of African Americans and Native Americans, how many blacks he actually knew and what his identity as a white man did for his opinions. It’s ironic that Dirck’s grandmother was pro-confederate and would not even speak of Lincoln, considering Dirck has such a unique interest in Lincoln’s life. Dirck is more than halfway finished with this book and is traveling the summer of 2010 to do further research in Illinois and Washington, D.C. The book will be approximately 300 pages and is due February 2011 and will be published by the University of Kansas.

“The Everyman’s Library on Abraham Lincoln” is scholarly yet comprehendible for the average person to find readable. The book portrays Lincoln as a man discussing his marriage and being commander in chief. The book is going to be around 200 pages, published by Southern Illinois University Press and will be finished in its entirety by the end of the year.

— Lydia Smith is a senior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in peace and conflict transformation. Smith 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 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. 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.

While at AU, Mark studied history, political science and English. She now uses all of these skills while working under the guidance of Legislative Assistant Caitlin Gamble. Gamble deals directly with three representatives: Matt Bell, District 83; Bill Davis, District 33; and Phyllis Pond, District 85. “I get to communicate with constituents, prepare the representatives’ calendars and manage their daily schedules,” said Mark. “In addition, I get to watch committee hearings and organize bills that will be heard daily on the House floor.” [Photo to Left: Alumna and House Republican Caucus Intern Brooke Mark looks over schedules with Indiana Representative Phyllis Pond, District 85. Photo courtesy of Brooke Mark]

The daily atmosphere in Mark’s office is hectic due to the Indiana General Assembly’s shorter session this year. While this impacts the legislation, this also impacts Mark’s experience. “The internship typically goes until the end of May, but mine will end mid-March at the end of session,” said Mark.

However, her hard work has paid off. “This internship with the Republican Caucus has led to another paid internship with the House Republican Campaign Committee,” said Mark. This next internship picked at the end of this session mid-March and will last until the November 2010 election. Mark has high hopes for herself after November to either find a job at the state house or within the Republican Party.

AU Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Michael Frank believes she has what it takes to succeed. “Given that there are more applicants than positions available, the fact that Brooke was chosen for this internship speaks highly of her abilities,” said Frank. Mark also notes AU Associate Professor of History Dr. Joel Shrock as another helpful mentor. “They advised me in my academic decisions and helped me determine which paths would best guide my future,” said Mark.

Most of Mark’s co-workers are in their 20s and 30s, and she advises students interested in politics to apply for the offered internship opportunities. There is also a communications internship available to those students interested in news and media. Both opportunities offer current students the option of earning course credits.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. 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 AU, many of our students, from many disciplines, experience the joys of creating works of self-expression, researching important ideas, and discovering new knowledge.  Scholars’ day is an opportunity for our students to showcase that work,” said chemistry professor and scholars’ day organizer Chad Wallace.

The idea came to Wallace as his students presented their research at various chemistry conferences.  He realized that these discoveries are often shared within their discipline-specific community, but go unnoticed by the larger academic community.  He thought it would be a great idea to share that work with the rest of Anderson University.  He also realized that he did not know what other departments do. Wallace approached Dr. Marie Morris, vice president for academic affairs and dean, about hosting the event at the end of the school year.  He then formed a committee to bring the idea to life.  That committee contacted department chairs to nominate or ask students to participate in Scholars’ Day.

Each participant put together an abstract about what they worked on for the academic year or their college careers. The physical plant, Wallace, and retired professor Dale Bales collectively constructed the presentation boards for the students. The abstracts were then put together in a program so viewers could locate each student’s work the day of the event. Visitors to the event were welcome to engage the students and ask questions about their research.

Senior history and political science major, Courtney Bettner, tied in her love of research with her other passion of French history and culture. Bettner studied “Africa’s Triple Heritage and West African Francophone Literature” for her class with modern foreign language French Professor Sally Shulmistras. Though many students, faculty and staff passing Bettner’s projects did not speak French, the opportunity behind Scholars’ Day is to help make others on campus aware of each major’s unique differences.

“Scholars’ day is very interdisciplinary,” added Bettner. “This event creates an interesting atmosphere since so many majors are represented and helps each major explain what they have been working towards for their degree.”

Another project presented from senior psychology student Kristin Bradley was titled “Parenting Styles in Relation to Academic Performance and Academic Stress.” Bradley focused on these parenting styles and their effects on college age students. Bradley felt this experience with Professor Linda Swindell was meaningful and hopes AU develops Scholars’ Day to help represent more majors in the future.

Though many students worked on their projects for an assigned class, junior Melissa Carlson felt the independent studies she has taken separate from required classes in her chemistry major as invaluable. Carlson has completed one previous independent study in the fall and plans to research over the summer what she will focus on in the fall for her senior seminar.

For the spring semester, Wallace suggested to Carlson a study through an article from ECHO, a non-profit organization whose vision is “to bring glory to God and a blessing to mankind by using science and technology to help the poor.” Her project titled “Helping the World’s Poorest Farmers: HPLC Determination of L-Dopa in Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Beans)” involved research to expel a harmful chemical from the beans while leaving the nutritious protein behind in the bean.  Velvet beans could be an important crop for farmers to grow in third-world nations. This was Carlson’s first independent study without the help of other students and believes the opportunity to present was a “stepping stone” towards future studies.

“It is impressive to see how the undergraduate students not only working on independent studies and various research but how well they can help explain these studies in a way others can understand,” added Morris.

“The first AU Scholars’ Day was a huge success,” said Wallace. ”It was exciting to see the interactions of our presenters with their fellow classmates and professors. I am thankful for the hard work of the many individuals who helped make this event so successful.”

To receive more information about the event, visit the Anderson University Scholars’ Day event program. To view photos from the event, visit the 2010 Scholars’ Day Flickr album.

- Stefanie Leiter is the Web Content Manager in the Office of University Communcations at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. 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.

CLICK HERE FOR A CAMPUS MAP AND DIRECTIONS TO AU.

During commencement, Anderson University will award two honorary degrees. Anderson University will award Dr. William G. Enright (the 2010 Anderson University commencement speaker) with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and Dr. Mark W. Fulton (an Anderson-area dentist and the co-founder and President of Mission Haiti, Inc.) with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Other events scheduled on Anderson University’s May 8 commencement day include the Falls School of Business hooding ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in Byrum Hall for candidates of both Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees.

The hooding ceremony for the Master of Education and the Master of Music Education will be conducted at 12 noon on May 8 in Shield dining room, Olt Student Center. The certification ceremony for the Teach in Indiana Program (TIP) will be conducted in Decker Hall, room 133, at 12 noon.

Events earlier in the week associated with commencement weekend include the School of Theology Senior Recognition and Awards Chapel on Tuesday, April 20, at 11 a.m. E.D.T. in Miller Chapel. In addition, a special pinning ceremony for the Anderson University School of Nursing will be conducted on Friday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium.

William G. Enright, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and former Senior Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis.

He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California and McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. His Ph.D. is from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He also holds two D.D. (honorary) degrees from Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana and Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.

Dr. Enright is currently a director of the Lilly Endowment, Inc, The Wishard Hospital Foundation Board and a trustee of Hanover College. His most recent appointment was as “Advisor for the National Cathedral Association” of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. His civic involvement in Indianapolis has included serving as a member of Envisioning Indianapolis, the Police Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the Central Indiana Council on Aging, and the St. Vincent Hospital Advisory Board. In addition, he served as co-chair of The Mayor’s Taskforce on Racism. He is co-founder of the Celebration of Hope, a program for racial reconciliation, which was recognized by President Clinton as one of ten national programs to be honored at the White House. He has also been honored by two governors with a Sagamore of the Wabash.

He has authored several books, the latest being Channel Markers, and lectured at numerous colleges, universities and theological institutions as well as business associations such as The Young Presidents and World Presidents organizations. In July, 2005, he served as “preacher and chaplain” for the Chautauqua Institution in New York.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. 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 simulation included eight committees that worked to write resolutions or reports on current international issues. Each delegation sent one or two representatives to the committees their countries are in. At the end of the conference, the committees came together and brought their resolutions to the General Assembly to pass them into action.

[PHOTO: Anderson University senior Adam Renner looks over a resolution while sitting in committee.]

Model UN advisor Dr. Daniel Allen, assistant professor of political science at Anderson University, said he was “extremely impressed by our Model UN students. Their successes result from a deep commitment to study, plan, and work with others to craft quality solutions to global problems.” New to AU this year, Allen said he learned that AU students are “creative and have a great deal to offer their communities in terms of their service and leadership abilities.”

Senior and head delegate Adam Renner won the Best Delegate award for his committee. The Best Delegate award is voted on by each committee and is based on which delegate most effectively maintains the persona of a foreign nation’s diplomat. It is a recognition of charisma, knowledge, and the ability to play a role outside the typical viewpoint of a Western individual. “The award in itself is not the goal of the event, but rather the experience is the goal,” Renner said. “It is a sense of accomplishment though, in knowing that the committee I was in thought that I was well prepared, a competent debater and speaker, and personable enough to sway delegates in resolutions.”

Junior Elizabeth Vincent played a different role in the conference by being part of the International Press Delegation instead of representing Oman in a committee. “We produced two or three papers a day covering the developments in the different committees and feature stories,” Vincent explained. “It was the fastest turnaround time I have ever worked with, but it was great experience.”

[PHOTO: Anderson University students Marcus Smith and Oscar Ndao discuss their committee's issues at the Model UN.]

Paul Rusesabagina was the 2009 keynote speaker for the conference. The real-life hero saved more than 1,200 lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and his story inspired the film Hotel Rwanda. He is also the president and founder of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, which Rusesabagina says “provides a voice to the victims of genocide and supports peace efforts in Rwanda and throughout the world.”

Each participant took away a different lesson. “My favorite part was the intense debates between other delegates,” said freshman Paige Warnock in agreement with several other participants who expressed the same feelings. “I learned a lot about how people in the real United Nations represent their countries, and it taught me to respect the people who control certain aspects of the nation I live in.”

— Elizabeth Vincent is a junior from Greenfield, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in political science. Vincent 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 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. 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.

Through national and regional conferences, the development and exchange of resources, and participation in online networking, NetVUE will help institutions deepen vocational exploration by their students. The goals of the network are to share knowledge, best practices, and reflection on experiences among campuses while facilitating the incorporation of additional independent colleges and universities into this enterprise.

In announcing the launch of NetVUE, CIC President Richard Ekman said, “Over the past several years, the Council of Independent Colleges has made a commitment to advancing vocational exploration as a guiding force in American independent higher education. The concept of vocation emerged as a significant factor from various sources and has been applied in different ways for different campus constituencies. CIC hopes that NetVUE will capitalize on what has been learned about the theological exploration of vocation and how it can be adapted and developed to strengthen colleges and universities, their leadership, and the education they provide for their students.”

Dr. Marie Morris, vice president for academic affairs and dean stated that “Anderson University has a long and rich history of changing students’ lives through its commitment to educate students for a life of faith and service, through its focus on academic and Christian discovery and opportunities for experiential learning. We thought it important to join with others who share a commitment to fostering discovery and exploration in vocation as we prepare students for this ever changing world. As a member of NetVUE we look forward to increased opportunities for collegial sharing and to the future impact we anticipate in furthering our school’s mission.”

NetVUE is generously supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., which has funded similar programs over the years. “We have discovered,” said Craig Dykstra, Lilly Endowment’s senior vice president for religion, “that structured programs that encourage and guide students in the theological exploration of vocation do indeed help them draw on the wisdom of their religious traditions as they make decisions about their futures and figure out how to lead lives that really matter. We have been approached by hundreds of colleges and universities seeking to enhance their educational programs by incorporating vocational reflection more intentionally into their curricular and co-curricular activities. We are delighted that CIC is committed to sustaining and extending this important conversation and helping colleges across the country to advance their educational missions in this way.”

For more information about NetVUE, visit www.cic.edu/NetVUE.

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of more than 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. 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.

Janet (Short) Mora, a 1983 Anderson University grad and 26-year teaching veteran, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year in the McAllen (Texas) Independent School District, and Jonathan Kline, a 2007 AU grad, was named Teacher of the Year in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township in Indianapolis.

Mora began her teaching career in Rock Valley, Iowa, in 1983, where she taught sixth grade. In 1985, she began her tenure at the Weslaco (Texas) ISD, where she taught kindergarten and first grade, and later served as a reading strategist until her move to the McAllen ISD, where she has served since 1999 as a first grade teacher at Milam Elementary School.

Mora has also served as a state and district trainer and consultant and as a content specialist for the Teach for America Corporation. She co-authored Milam’s first grade International Baccalaureate curriculum and is active in mentoring beginning teachers throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

“I feel strongly that teachers serve not only their students, but also their fellow teachers,” she says. “I try to find ways to mentor in my school, my district, and my region as often as I can. While you might be a beginning teacher, a struggling teacher, or an experienced teacher, amazingly, the greatest benefactor is always yourself. I always come out of the experience a better teacher.”

Being nominated for and receiving the Teacher of the Year honor has provided Mora an opportunity to reflect on her years of experience in the classroom.

“It was rewarding to understand that after 20-plus years of teaching, the reasons why I became a teacher are still the same reasons why I remain in the classroom,” she says. “I think I was influenced by my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson, who refused to call us ‘kids.’ She wanted us to understand that we would not always be children, but were destined for bigger things.”

Jonathan Kline does not have decades of experience behind him. Yet, just two years after graduating from AU as a social studies teaching major, he has earned the respect of his fellow teachers and the admiration of his students, receiving Teacher of the Year honors in his district.

Kline is currently teaching at the Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center, one of two middle schools that feed into Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.

“It is an honor to be selected to represent a great school,” Kline says. “There are many great teachers in Wayne Township, and I feel privileged to represent them, my school, and the district.”

Lynhurst Principal Dan Wilson notes that in his 15 years in the district, this is the first time the award has been given to a middle school teacher. “It’s a challenge for someone from a middle school to make that achievement,” he says, “but those of us who know Jon are not surprised by it. You can pick five minutes out of any day in his class, and you’ll walk away with something that makes you say, ‘Man, is that a great teacher!’”

Kline, a second-generation AU graduate, has long had a passion for working with youth, and he wanted to pursue a career where he could make a positive difference in the lives of young people, but it wasn’t until midway through his AU experience that he made the decision to pursue a career in the classroom.

“During my junior year of college, I re-evaluated what I wanted to do with my life,” he says. “Teaching was something I always loved to do. I know it sounds cliche, but I have always loved the moment when the lights come on in someone’s mind. At the same time, I discovered an interest in history and politics. I really enjoyed these subjects through my own education, and I was excited with the challenge of making these subjects come alive for students.”

Kline has high regard for his AU experience, both in the School of Education and in the Department of History and Political Science.

“The School of Education gave me very personal attention throughout my schooling,” he says. “I cannot even count the times I spoke to Dr. Diana Ross [dean of the SOE] and gained guidance from her in the direction I wanted to go.”

And of the history and political science faculty, Kline says, “They were fantastic in changing the way I think about and approach history and politics. These classes were some of the most memorable moments for me in college.”

Mora, too, carries fond memories of her years at Anderson University.

“I can never say enough about the education I received at Anderson,” she says. “I was gifted with so many great experiences while I was there: caring professors who would give of their time, a sense of community, a great on-campus life, Tri-S trips, CPS, etc.

“Dr. Barbara Jones [AU professor emerita of education] was a profound influence when it came to developing my teaching philosophy,” she continues. “I still hear her voice today telling us to find a new way, stretch the boundaries, do whatever is needed to help each child learn.”

The Teacher of the Year Award is a highly prestigious honor, according to Ross, particularly in larger districts such as Kline’s, which has 1,026 teachers and 15,696 students.

District-level Teacher of the Year recipients are interviewed for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, says Ross. And winners at the state level compete for the National Teacher of the Year.

Anna Shults, a 1996 AU grad, was named Indiana Teacher of the Year in 2007.

According to Ross, it is difficult to know how many AU grads have received Teacher of the Year honors. Typically, the School of Education learns about these accomplishments directly from the alumni. For that reason, Ross encourages AU education grads to keep in touch with the School of Education, letting the school know of their personal and professional accomplishments.

Education grads may contact the SOE at soeinfo@anderson.edu or call (765) 641-4402.

– Randy Dillinger serves as Web Content Editor and SEO Manager in the office of University Communications at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. 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.

Gamble formerly taught in the Honors Program at Palm Beach Atlantic University. His essays and reviews have appeared in The Journal of Southern History, Orbis, Humanitas, The Intercollegiate Review and The Independent Review.

Professor Gamble is the author of the highly-acclaimed The War for Righteousness: Progressive Christianity, the Great War, and the Rise of the Messianic Nation (ISI Books, 2003). He is also editor of the new anthology, The Great Tradition: Classic Readings on What It Means to Be an Educated Human Being.

Most Americans know that July 4th is our nation’s birthday. Far fewer Americans know that September 17th is the birthday of our government, the date in 1787 on which delegates to the Philadelphia Convention completed and signed the U.S. Constitution. The ideas on which America was founded–commitments to the rule of law, limited government and the ideals of liberty, equality and justice–are embodied in the Constitution, the oldest written constitution of any nation on Earth. Constitution Day is intended to celebrate not only the birthday of our government, but the ideas that make us Americans. The United States Congress designated September 17 as Constitution Day.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. 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.

According to their Web site, NGA, “is a Department of Defense combat support agency and a member of the national Intelligence Community (IC). NGA develops imagery and map-based intelligence solutions for U.S. national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation.”

Unis said, “The individuals I interned for set aside specific collections that could be completed during my time at the agency. NGA’s internship program strives for their interns to have a good understanding of the agency and how it runs in hopes that they will return upon graduation.”

Unis’ day included taking inventory of historical collections, cataloging items for the collection, filing archival materials, preparing finding aids for the collections and assisting with exhibit and display installations.

The internship was not an easy one to obtain. “After nine months of an extensive application and an extensive background check I was finally cleared and able to start my internship with NGA’s Historian… and it was worth it all,” said Unis.

Unis said that her classes at AU, “taught me a set of skills, skills that include reading, writing, and analyzing. In this internship, I was able to take the knowledge and skills and apply them towards a whole new set of skills and knowledge that I learned from my internship.”

Unis believes that her experiences gave her an advantage when finding employment. “Now that I have security clearance it will be easier for me to obtain a job within the intelligence community. I have also had shadowing experiences with the other groups within the agency, and been able to visit another agency within the Intelligence Community. These experiences have opened my eyes to other employment possibilities.”

—David Hynds is a freelance writer for Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. 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.