Anderson University mourns the recent passing of Dr. Gilbert Stafford, professor emeritus of Theology and former director of the Doctor of Ministry program within the School of Theology. Dr. Stafford passed away on Sunday, March 30, following an extended struggle with cancer. He retired at the end of the 2006-07 academic year after 31 years of service.

Anderson University announces the resignation of Michael Zapolski, Athletic Director for Anderson University. Zapolski recently accepted a position as Athletic Director of Augustana College located in Rock Island, Ill. He came to Anderson University during the 2003-04 school year replacing Barrett Bates, longtime coach and Athletic Director.

School of Theology student Shannon New-Spangler was named the inaugural recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship in Archaeology.

“I am pleased that Shannon New-Spangler is the 2008 recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship,” said David Sebastian, Dean of the School of Theology. “Shannon is an outstanding scholar and will make a positive contribution in biblical archaeology. We are grateful to the Jeeninga family for making such an experience possible.”

New-Spangler plans to spend three weeks on an archaeological dig in Tel Dan, about twenty miles north of the Sea of Galilee on the Jordan River.

“I am terribly excited about this opportunity,” New-Spangler said. “This is not something that I could have done with my own resources. This fellowship is an opportunity for me to further my education with hands on experience.”

In addition to her time in Tel Dan, New-Spangler will spend about a week in Jerusalem, visiting holy sites such as the Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, the Wailing Wall, the temple mount, Mt. Zion and others. She also plans to travel to the Dead Sea, Jericho and other places in Israel.

David Neidert, Jeeninga Museum Director and Fellowship Committee member, said, “As a student deeply interested in biblical studies, we are excited that Shannon will spend several weeks in Israel learning the culture and studying archeology. It is our belief that Shannon has a bright future in teaching and sharing her expertise in biblical studies. We are pleased she will have this opportunity to grow through this Fellowship.”

Students, faculty and staff will have an opportunity in the coming months to hear a report of her research and experiences.

The Fellowship was established by the late Dr. Gustav Jeeninga, founder and former director of the Bible Museum, for assisting students to study up to four weeks in the Mediterranean basin around archaeology or personalized research in periods from the Early Bronze Age to 1000 A.D.

The Selection Committee for the Fellowship consists of Dr. Blake Janutolo, Dean College of Science and Humanities; David Neidert, Jeeninga Museum Director; Dr. Alan Overstreet, Chair, Religious Studies Department; and Dr. Barry Ross, Professor of Old Testament in the School of Theology.

—David Hynds is the Web Content Specialist for 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 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 60 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Covenant Productions at Anderson University (Anderson, Ind.) will offer free premieres of A Ripple of Hope, an independent documentary which captures one poignant day in the life of Robert Kennedy and explores a little known act of personal courage and responsibility. The premieres will occur in Anderson and Indianapolis on April 3 and April 4. The confirmed screening schedule is as follows:

Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil will speak in Chapel on Tuesday and Thursday, March 18 and 20 at 10 a.m. In addition, she will be speaking in an evening service in Reardon Auditorium on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

The English as a New Language (ENL) program is now able to provide students with an ENL license, training educators to assist English language learners in the classroom.

Through the federal National Professional Development grant, the ENL program at AU is able to offer ENL licensing and professional development to education students and practitioners.

Senior Xen Riggs from Beaverton, Mich. was the first recipient of the Rev. Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship Award Fund. The $5,400 scholarship was presented to Riggs outside of the Religious Studies Department on Wednesday, March 5 [photo: Xen Riggs accepts awards from Dr. Alan Overstreet as Rev. Billie Roy Smith (left) looks on].

The Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Memorial Christian Education Lecture Series was funded by Rev. Billie Roy Smith in memory of Pearl who passed away in January, 1995 after 54 years of marriage. Between 1997 and 2007 ten lectureships were conducted.