You may not have heard of his band, but you’ve probably heard of him. Todd Edwards, son of Anderson University President James Edwards, graduate of AU and creator of the animated film “Hoodwinked,” is returning to town to shoot a music video. And he wants the community to be a part of the excitement. Edwards’ band Blick Van Glory will be filming a video this weekend to accompany the song “The Sophomores” off the debut album titled “The Search for Quest,” due out by the end of the year. The shoot will take place at Pendleton Heights High School beginning Saturday morning [September 30] and continue through Monday evening.

[Editor's Note: Retired FBI agent and AU alum Bob Hamer discusses his undercover work to capture criminals on 'Oprah']. Bob Hamer has been a contract killer, a degenerate gambler and a sexual predator. Now he has added talk show guest to his resume. Hamer, a graduate of Anderson University and a retired Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, will appear today (September 28) on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Anderson University dedicated the first phase of York Seminary Village south of Decker Hall on Wednesday, August 16. The dedication was conducted at the site of Phase I, consisting of 4 buildings, located on the west side of Walnut Street, between 6^th and 7^th Streets, in Anderson. York Seminary Village is made possible through the generous support of Dr. James and Elizabeth York. The project will provide apartment units for students studying through the Anderson University School of Theology and their families (photo–l to r: President Edwards, Dr. James York, Elizabeth York, Dr. David Sebastian).

“York Seminary Village adds an exciting new dimension to the nature of seminary education at the School of Theology,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “Housing is more than a convenient necessity. It adds the dimension of a living and learning community to the seminary experience. We believe this residential element will greatly enhance the breadth and depth of students and families preparing for ministry.”

The project is being developed in phases. Phases II will be located on the east side of Walnut Street, a mirror image of Phase I. Construction of Phase II will begin as the need and demand arise. The total project will consist of 20 apartments in 8 buildings, plus a community building.

“Through the generosity of the Yorks, we have been able to accelerate the time frame for fulfilling a long-standing institutional dream,” said Bob Coffman, vice-president for Advancement. “Their support for this project is the most recent of many gifts that are making a significant difference in the lives of our students.

Dr. James and Elizabeth York have given of their time and resources to make a difference in people’s lives. Their giving spirit was what convinced the couple that Dr. York should retire early from his practice of orthopedic surgery so that they could work in mission hospitals throughout Africa. It also prompted them to contribute to the Harry L. and Henrietta Harp Endowed Memorial Fund at Anderson University. And it is one of the primary reasons they created the James M. York, M.D., and Elizabeth H. York Endowed Scholarship Fund through the Anderson University School of Theology.

Mrs. York’s parents, Rev. Harry and Henrietta Harp, were active in the Church of God, and it was in their honor that their children established the Harp Endowed Memorial Fund. The fund supports the Harp Lectures in Christian Theology and Leadership at Anderson University and provides an annual award (known as the Harry L. and Henrietta Harp Memorial Award) to a graduating seminary student who has made the most outstanding accomplishment in congregational ministries. Future plans for the fund include support of a visiting professorship.

Advocates of lifelong learning, the Yorks recently established the York Endowed Scholarship Fund through the Anderson University School of Theology that is designed to reduce tuition expenses for deserving seminary students and promote a healthy diversity within the seminary community.

Mrs. York came to Anderson University in 1949. She later married Dr. James M. York, a graduate of Johns Hopkins University Medical School, and they spent the next several years in various locations as Dr. York completed his orthopedic surgery training. As they traveled, Elizabeth continued her undergraduate studies, graduating from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Dr. York took early retirement after 32 years of practice and volunteered his surgical skills at mission hospitals throughout Africa. The couple served hospitals in Kenya, Cameroon, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. In all, they served as short term missionaries for six years.

The Yorks have given generously to the Anderson University School of Theology and the university is grateful they have committed resources for the construction of the new seminary housing project on the south side of the campus.

Anderson University is a private, four-year, Christian liberal arts institution of approximately 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, the university offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Anderson University will welcome Shane Claiborne to the campus for Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW), October 17-19. Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way, a radical faith community that lives and serves in Kensington, Philadelphia. The Anderson University office of Spiritual Life and Counseling Services sponsors SEW once each year to offer students and the community an opportunity for worship and study with an off-campus speaker.

The Anderson University men’s golf team finished eighth in the two-day 10-team Franklin College Fall Invitational on Monday at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course.

Anderson University will honor four alumni during the Homecoming chapel/convocation on Thursday, October 5, at 10 a.m. in Reardon Auditorium. Persons to be honored are Dr. Scott Green, M.D. (Distinguished Alumni Award); Dr. J. Douglas Nelson (Distinguished Service Award); Sarah Cook (Distinguished Young Alumni Award); Dorothy Blevins-Dicus and Mona Hoffman (John H. Kane Loyalty Award); and Christopher Green (Alumni Council Scholarship). Anderson University’s 2006 Homecoming celebration is scheduled for October 6-7.

The lights come up on an amusement park scene set in New England in the late 1800s. The stage is filled with fishermen, sailors and maids dancing and taking in the sights. With the upbeat and cheerful carnival-type music flowing from the orchestra pit, it’s enough to make anyone in the audience get up and dance. This is the opening to “Carousel” presented by the Boze Lyric Theatre at Anderson University that opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Byrum Hall [photo: Nettie Fowler, played by Catherine Miller, sings as she explains why it is important to feed a group of hungry sailors that have just returned from their first clam dig of the season. Photo credit -- Jennifer Goldsmith].

Anderson University broke ground to begin construction on a new 53,000 square-foot Flagship Education Center to be located on the southwest end of the Flagship Enterprise Center at I-69 and Pendleton Avenue (exit 22) in Anderson. Projected to be completed by summer, 2007, the Flagship Education Center will provide space to support education initiatives of both Anderson University and Purdue [pictured—l-r: Charles Staley, Dr. Niaz Latif, Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith, Dr. Terry Truitt, Dr. Dennis Depew, and Dr. James Edwards].

Speaking during the event was Dr. James Edwards, president of Anderson University; Kevin Smith, mayor of the City of Anderson; Dr. Dennis Depew, dean of the College of Technology at Purdue University; Charles Staley, president and CEO of the Flagship Enterprise Center; and Dr. Terry Truiit, dean of the Falls School of Business At Anderson University [watch Dr. James Edwards make remarks during groundbreaking event--requires Windows Media Player 9].

“This educational facility will provide access to Anderson University’s programs for many growing communities along the I-69 corridor,” said President James L. Edwards, Anderson University. “We will continue to provide collaborative leadership at this important site to enhance the educational and economic development of the region.

The new facility will be built for a cost of approximately $7 million and will be divided into three floors of operational space. The first floor will provide approximately 27,000 square-feet for classrooms, faculty and staff offices and a professional development center accommodating 150 persons. The second floor will provide 16,400 square-feet for the Purdue College of Technology statewide location in Anderson, as well as classrooms and breakout spaces. The third floor will provide 9,700 square-feet for efficiency apartments to house daytime MBA students and/or upper-division entrepreneurship students.

“Through this initiative and continued partnership with Anderson University, Purdue University students will have the best possible educational experience,” said Dr. Niaz Latif, assistant dean for Administration and Budget for Purdue’s Statewide Technology. “In addition, the new facility will allow us to better meet the educational needs our citizens by engaging the region’s business and industry.

“This new endeavor helps set the table for continued economic growth,” said Dr. Terry Truitt, dean of the Falls School of Business at Anderson University. “Adding the academic ingredient to the existing economic activity stirs the entrepreneurial pot. “This Education Center is further evidence that the greater Anderson community is on the right track toward building the foundation for strong economic growth.”

“The success of a business incubator, such as the Flagship Enterprise Center, is increased exponentially by a close working relationship to a university,” said Charles Staley, CEO of the Flagship Enterprise Center. “The presence of Anderson University and Purdue University will insure that success, anchor both universities on the I-69 corridor and continue to link Anderson and Madison County to the rapidly growing Northern Indianapolis area.”

The architectural firm of K.R. Montgomery and Associates in Anderson will design the project in coordination with GDI Construction Corp., the primary contractor for the project. Funding for construction of the education center will come from tax-exempt debt financing.

Anderson University is a private, four-year, Christian liberal arts institution of approximately 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, the university offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, music, nursing, education and theology.

The Anderson University men’s golf team won the three-team AU Fall Invitational on Monday in a tiebreaker over Franklin College at the Anderson Country Club.