Anderson University is one of the best colleges and universities in the Midwest according to The Princeton Review. Posted July 27, 2009, the education services company selected the school as one of 158 institutions it profiles in its “Best in the Midwest” section of its Web site feature 2010 Best Colleges: Region by Region.

With each of them drawing from more than 80 years of unique and interesting life experiences, Anderson University alums Johnny Wilson (BA ‘56) and Carl Erskine (Honorary Degree ‘84) will bring those lives into focus in a series of videos that began on Monday on The Herald Bulletin Web site.

In difficult economic times, a number of AU students are providing needed assistance and gaining valuable experience through summer internships. Through the INvision program, students are able to complete such internships which help them develop the necessary skills and professional relationships, giving them the edge in an increasingly competitive job market.

INvision AU partners with companies and organizations from government, health care, technology, social services, arts and culture, religious, service providing conglomerates, and other sectors in order to provide opportunities to AU students.

After Attending the Anderson University Falls School of Business, I moved to Fishers, Indiana, and started a music business including playing guitars and piano tuning and repair. One of the things I learned in the FSB was that networking was key when building a business from scratch. When I was involved in market research classes or advertising-related classes, we always worked alongside a community organization or a real entity where connections and relationships were made and the local business world was symbiotic. We learned much from them and they received a tangible service from us as working, open-minded students. This has been adapted in my business.

I started a company in June of 2007 with Brandon Coon (2005 finance grad). We now have a company of five people and complete branding, web design, and social media marketing projects for clients. I guess you could say we are making a difference because we are employing people in a down economy.

One of the valuable experiences I had was at Orangehaus Records out of the School of Music. The number one influence in my life when I was attending FSB had to be Dr. Michael Bruce. He was the most difficult professor I had in any class throughout my college career. He had the tendency to fail me. The one thing I appreciate about Dr. Bruce is his willingness to teach, listen, and learn from his students. I spent many hours in his office throwing business ideas at him and trying not to fail marketing research. His willingness to help his students far surpasses anything I have and will experience from a teacher. The people I met at Anderson University are by far what I will always remember.

The Falls School of Business has truly equipped me in my position in marketing and sales for Bright Automotive, a new American automotive company producing fuel efficient vehicles, and the headquarters are here in Anderson, Indiana!

My plan after graduation was to move back to my hometown in Vero Beach, Florida, but thanks to INvision AU, I won a business plan competition that provided grant money to start my own company, Spontaneity Designs, LLC.

Coming to Anderson University to study social work, 2007 graduate Kristin Flaugh was a long way from Meadville, Pa. Little did Flaugh know, her time at AU would prepare her for five international abroad experiences, including her recent trip over 6,400 miles away from home.

OrangeHaus Records will host the second annual OrangeHaus Music Business Camp at Anderson University, July 6 – 11. The camp is designed to instruct teenagers from across the country on the various facets of the music business industry.

“A Ripple of Hope,” an award-winning documentary film created by Covenant Productions at Anderson University, has been named an official selection in the 2009 Indianapolis International Film Festival (July 15-25). The screening days and times for the film will be Wed. and Thurs., July 22 and 23, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. (respectively) at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (The Toby Theater).