Back to Anderson
For all of my life, I have been coming back to Anderson. Originally, we came as a family to Anderson Campmeeting. My father was a pastor in small town Alabama. We learned and tried to live a belief system that was born in this place. It was a
simple Christian story. It was the story of our family. And right next to the campgrounds, we saw and learned about Anderson College, now Anderson University. I was in conference meetings in these buildings before I had college classes here.
Although I have said before that my father stamped Anderson on my forehead in early childhood, I knew it was the place for me. Not too big. Not too small. It is a university born out of my church home, which is the Church of God. This is a place where all are welcome to join in the great experience of higher education.
Over many decades, Anderson University has grown into a great academic institution. I grew up here returning regularly for Campmeeting, and I grew up here as a young adult in college. Anderson allows a person to get away from home, but still support the foundation of faith and a great education. In coming back for homecoming and in serving on the Alumni Council in the last few years, I am reminded that AU has a place for everyone.
I have walked away from Anderson University with a degree and with a foundation for life. It is growing and it is changing, and I always love coming back.
—John Sutton BA ’84
