While Chaplain Green spreads comfort at the hospital, his son Scott serves as a physician at the nearby Roby Building.

And Chris works in the Saint John’s emergency room where he prepares himself for the unexpected to happen at any given moment.

“The best way to describe the ER is up and down,” Chris Green said. “We had a Code Blue today and I had to step right in and do my job. Then there are times that are not so busy but that can change in a minute.”

Though the Greens have never worked on the same case together, Chris has taken care of his father’s patients in the emergency room.

“The three of us have never assisted with a patient at the same time,” Chaplain Green said. “But I have talked with patients that Chris has worked with in the ER. And yes, some of them are patients of my son, Scott. So indirectly we have all helped with certain patients at different times.”

Chaplain Green spends most of his time giving spiritual guidance to families at Saint John’s with loved ones who are sick. He has been employed at the hospital for 11 years and wouldn’t change his job for anything in the world.

“I love what I do,” Chaplain Green said. “A great challenge is working with a patient with a bad diagnosis. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I work the whole hospital and help patients in a crisis. It means alot when I see someone outside of the hospital and they remember how I helped their sick grandmother. That makes this job very meaningful.”

The Greens may cross paths through Saint John’s but they see one another more often at the Middletown Christian Church where Larry Green is pastor. The Greens love to take family vacations together in Minnesota where they fish for crappie and catfish.

“I grew up in Minnesota,” Chaplain Green said. “My gosh, it gets so cold. I remember one time it got to 50 below zero and I had to take a snowmobile to my job at a paper mill. Boy, that was many years ago.”

In January of 2008, Larry, Scott, and Chris traveled to Salem, India, where they cared for destitute individuals in small towns and villages. With health care an ongoing issue in this country, Scott Green said Americans should be happy with what they have.

“We worked at a clinic in a village plagued with leprosy,” Scott Green said. “Poor people in these villages have no access to hospitals or emergency care. They have no health care at all. The water is contaminated, the people are malnourished, and there are no food inspectors.

“There are things going on in India that you would never see here.”

Larry and Scott Green are alumni from Anderson College, and Chris will carry on the family tradition when he graduates from Anderson University next spring.

After receiving a physician assistant degree in public health care, Chris plans on working for a year as an emergency medical technician before gaining employment in the private sector. But for now, he is content with working at Saint John’s Health System with his dad and grandpa.

“It’s really nice,” Chris Green said. “We are a very close family.”

“From my perspective there is value to roots and a legacy,” Scott Green added. “There is a connection here that we are very proud of. We all show our compassion differently while carrying on a family tradition. You want to leave a legacy for your kids that they will be proud of.”

– by David Humphrey for The Herald Bulletin. Photo credit: David Humphrey. Story republished with permission.

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.

“We are pleased to be listed among the top schools in our category,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “Universities that are achieving their mission especially in these very challenging times deserve this recognition and we are proud to be among them. When a student finds the right college of quality that is an excellent fit in terms of culture, programs and degrees, and overall mission, the future opens in such powerful ways, and for that student, the selected school is the best in the nation. We intend to be such a school for so many.”

The 2010 America’s Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 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 graduation rate performance (National Universities and Liberal Art Colleges).

Over the past 26 years, the U.S. News college rankings, which groups 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. The America’s Best Colleges ranking package, which includes extensive editorial content and multimedia resources, has helped families navigate the difficult decisions involved throughout the college process, from college admission and selection to financing options.

The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available today at www.usnews.com/colleges, will also be published in the September issue of the U.S.News & World Report magazine, on newsstands starting August 20.

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.

“We chose Anderson University and the other terrific schools we recommend as our ‘regional best’ colleges primarily for their excellent academic programs,” said Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s Vice President of Publishing. “We also work to have our roster of ‘regional best’ colleges feature a range of institutions by size, selectivity, character and locale. We choose the schools based on institutional data we collect from several hundred schools in each region, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of independent and high school-based college advisors whose recommendations we invite. We also take into account what each school’s customers – their students – report to us about their campus experiences at them on our 80-question student survey.”

The 158 colleges The Princeton Review chose for this year’s “Best in the Midwest” designations are located in twelve states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Princeton Review also designated 218 colleges in the Northeast, 123 in the West, and 141 in the Southeast as best in their locales on the company’s 2010 Best Colleges: Region by Region section on its Web site. The 640 colleges named “regional best(s)” represent only about 25% (one out of four) of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges.

The Princeton Review does not rank the colleges in its 2010 Best Colleges Region by Region Web site section. The Princeton Review survey for this project asks students to rate their own schools on several issues — from the accessibility of their professors to quality of the campus food — and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and their campus life.

The Princeton Review is known for its tutoring and classroom test preparation courses, books, and college and graduate school admission services. Its corporate headquarters is in Framingham, MA, and editorial offices are in New York City. It is not affiliated with Princeton University and it is not a magazine.

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.

For many incoming students at AU, there is a strong family or church connection, but for Barwinska, there was no prior connection. But in the course of her online research, she discovered a personal touch at Anderson University that led her to this campus.

“I was sending a lot of e-mails to Scott Martin, who was the director of international students at the time, probably at least one a day,” she says. “I had a lot of questions, being an international student. And he was patient enough to respond every single day. I decided to come to AU thinking it would be a really good school, and it turned out to be.”

From the moment she stepped off the plane at Indianapolis International Airport, Barwinska was greeted by fellow AU international students, forming connections that remain strong today.

And among those connections, her friendship with fellow 2009 graduate Emily Wasonga was key to Barwinska’s decision to go to Africa in May 2007 and eventually to write her book, To Be … in Africa.

A native of Kenya, Wasonga was familiar with the work of Frida and Paul Enane, who had established the Frepals Clinic in Kibera, Kenya, where they served the medical needs of some of Kenya’s poorest citizens.

Wasonga felt a calling to do something to support the work at Frepals, and the idea that emerged was to hold a pageant that would focus not on the external beauty of the contestants, but on the beauty of their ideas for service in East Africa. This program is now known as the AU-East Africa Ambassador Initiative.

Although she was involved in the planning of the pageant, Barwinska had no plans to go on the trip … until she was approached by Wasonga.

“One day, Emily came to me and said, ‘I know the project is going to work out, and I’m going to go home, and I want you to come with me,’” Barwinska recalls. She began thinking about all the reasons why such a trip would be difficult to arrange. But that personal challenge from her good friend outweighed those concerns, and Barwinska agreed to go.

The main focus of the trip, coordinated through AU-East Africa, was to provide support and resources to the Frepals Clinic. However, an equally important aspect of the trip, according to Barwinska, was for the participants to simply “be” in Africa, to be present and form relationships with Kenyans.

Barwinska maintained a journal during her trip, and at times she would share some of her writings with Martin for feedback. She says, “I remember Scott telling me one day, ‘You know, you should be more detailed, because when you go back to it and read it after a few years, it will all come back to you.’” So, she recorded as much detail as she could, details about the environment, the people she met, and the emotional impact the experience had on her.

After her return to campus, Barwinska referred back to her journal as she began sharing her experiences with family and friends. In the process, she began wondering if her writings could be turned into a book. So she consulted Martin once again.

“I thought maybe I could just write it and publish a copy for myself, maybe for a couple of friends,” she recalls, “but Scott said, ‘You could actually get this published.’ And I thought it just sounded so impossible, so improbable. How do you even go about doing it? And Scott said, ‘Just do it. We’ll figure out a way.’”

When the manuscript was finished, Martin realized the book was a perfect fit for Global Student Solutions (GSS), an organization he had established to serve the needs of international students studying abroad in the United States.

“GSS has been planning to serve global students through publications, and we wanted to do books,” he says, “so when Daria’s book came along, it was a great fit. This blending and exploration of culture and life-changing experiences is what we are all about. Here is a Polish student who is studying in America and is further challenged to examine her life through another global student from Kenya. The book walks with her into Kenya, where she tries to be ‘present’ and really feel another culture.

“I can’t overstate the significance of having a voice like Daria’s in the public forum,” he continues. “While this is still a ‘western’ voice on the developing world, I think it offers a different perspective that will be informative to people and help us as we engage cross culturally.”

It has been two years since Barwinska’s trip, but she continues to be active in addressing the needs in East Africa. She and Wasonga are currently working to collect shoes for East Africans, as well as books and toys for orphanages and schools. And she hopes one day to return to Kenya.

Although she graduated from AU this spring, Barwinska remains on campus, working in the Department of Student Life and considering options for her future. As a student at AU, she studied biology and worked for two years as an intern with a contract research organization in Greenfield. In the second year of her internship she conducted independent research, serving as a study director. Now she is looking toward graduate school, with the goal of earning a PhD in genetics and pursuing a career in research. With her experiences at AU, she feels up to the task.

“Just knowing that I could do my internship for the past two years, and that I got to do my own study last year, I think that really shows I was well prepared by the faculty here,” she says.

For more information about Barwinska’s book, or to purchase a copy, visit Global Student Solutions. Contact info@globalstudentweb.org for information on book signings or other opportunities to hear Barwinska share her story.

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.

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

“I’m looking, but …,” said 37-year-old Dawn Vetor, of Madison County, her voice trailing off. “I have some prospects, but nothing fluid.”

Angela Shelton, 30, Anderson, a former paraeducator at East Side Middle School, was a little more upbeat.

“I’m optimistic,” said Shelton, her silver braces shined as she flashed a bright grin. “I’m looking for a job.”

Both women, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in organizational leadership, were among the 700 students going through Anderson University’s 91st commencement.

Like Shelton, many graduates were hopeful of their future job prospects, despite not yet having offers.

“I’m trying to be optimistic,” said Jon Weber, 22, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. “It’s rough.”

Weber, who received a degree in marketing, said he’s had five interviews and applied at 15 to 20 companies. But he’s received no offers.

Emily Wasonga seemed nonplused at her job prospects. The 21-year-old native of Kenya earned degrees in international education and communications on Saturday. She said she had no concrete career plans, but emphasized the university’s aim of instilling a sense of Christian service in its students. She said she wants to work in a humanitarian field.

“If it’s a matter of making money,” Wasonga said, “there are a lot of ways to make money.”

Commencement speaker Carl H. Caldwell touched on the unsettling nature of the times.

“To say you graduate in an uncertain time is an understatement,” he said. “If you’re not worried about this, I guarantee your parents are.”

But Caldwell said there’s a lack of certainty at all times — including when he graduated from Anderson University in 1966 during the Cold War.

“Every graduating class has had to face problems,” he said.

Caldwell, the school’s vice president of academic affairs, retired at the end of the school year. He had been with Anderson University since 1996. He earned his master’s degree in history from Ohio University and his doctorate in history from Indiana University.

Next year, Caldwell and his wife, Carolyn, an accounting professor at AU, will move to the Middle East, where they will teach at American University of Iraq in Sulaimani.

But Caldwell’s speech offered a reassuring tone.

“Seeing you before me, I feel very proud of our future,” he said.

For a full gallery of photos, visit The Herald Bulletin site.

—Shawn McGrath is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Photo credits: Don Knight. Story republished with permission.

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.

Thomas, a Center for Public Service fellow, first gained cross-cultural experience by traveling with Tri-S to London in 2005. Since London, she has participated in five additional Tri-S trips and in May will travel to Australia. [Pictured left with students in Russia.]

“Carrie exemplifies the scholar/leader who is committed to academic excellence, international travel and education, public service, as well as campus and community leadership,” said Joel Shrock, Director of Center for Public Service. “Carrie’s record of accomplishments is beyond impressive, it is dazzling.”

Through each international experience, Thomas learned it was possible to pursue her career outside the traditional American public school system. Along with a strong interest in European culture, Thomas started her international teaching journey at Anderson University by serving on the licensing feasibility committee for adding the English as a New Language Program. She will be receiving a certification in English as a New Language.

“Dr. Nelson encouraged me to think about applying for the Fulbright Scholarship during an international politics class I took in the fall of my junior year,” said Thomas. Thomas started the application process after accepting a position at Dubravushka Boarding School in Obninsk, Russian Federation, as an English Language teacher for students ages 5-17.

Most recently, Thomas was a student teacher in Vienna, Austria, this past semester at the Danube International School. She student taught English A and English as a Second Language, in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for grades 6-10.

“Both Russia and Austria were different opportunities and experiences,” said Thomas. “In Russia, teaching was more difficult because I had few resources and little structure with which to work. In Vienna, I had more support and was paired with a great collaborating teacher as opposed to teaching on my own. I think teaching on my own first was a more backwards approach but one that served as a great opportunity.” [Pictured right in Vienna.]

Thomas’ award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Her responsibilities will include teaching English as a foreign language at Gymnasium Jura Hronca (Grammar and Secondary High School) in Bratislava, Slovakia. She will also work on conducting some independent research on language teaching and the education system of Slovakia.

Thomas is graduating May 9 with a 4.0 GPA and is a Presidential Scholar, Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society) 2007-08 president, Kappa Delti Pi (Education Honors Society) 2007-08 secretary, AU International Education Committee member, AU English as a New Language Committee member and Athletic Committee member. Thomas also started her own Carrie Thomas Youth in Philanthropy Endowed Fund through the Hendricks Community Foundation which provides grants to youth organizations and is a member of AU’s Women’s Golf Team.

She is the only AU English major to have received the Recognition of Excellence for her PRAXIS II English Language, Literature, and Composition exam. This honor is earned by scoring in the top 15 percent of candidates nationwide who took the test in the past five years.

“Carrie is best described as an ambitious academician, intellectually courageous, highly admired by faculty and students, always considerate of the needs of others, and one who works well with people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Dean of the School of Education Diana Ross. “She has been an outstanding student leader at Anderson University.” [Pictured left in Slovakia.]

Thomas’ grant starts in the fall of 2009 and will last 10 months. She plans to start graduate work in the future on comparative and international education along with second language acquisition.

“It is amazing how God places people in your life at the right time and right place,” said Thomas. “ God has blessed me with opportunities like Tri-S, ENL and people like Dr. Nelson, Dr. Shrock, and Dr. Ross who have helped shape and guide my future plans.”

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” With this goal as a starting point, the Fulbright Program has provided almost 300,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

- Stefanie Leiter is the Web Content Manager 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.

Amy Lynn Bader is majoring in Elementary Education and has spent this semester student teaching in first and third grade. After graduation, she will be getting married and moving back to her home state of Ohio, where she is seeking an elementary teaching position.

Andrea C. Brinkley will graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. Following a final Tri-S trip to Romania and Hungary, she hopes to find an elementary teaching position in Indiana next school year.

Katie Ann Kinman will major in Elementary Education with a specialization in Character Education and a minor in Spanish. After graduating, she plans to teach in an elementary school in the central Indiana area beginning this fall. She also hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in the field of education.

Rachel Elizabeth Koontz is double-major in Chemistry and Biology. After graduation, she will work on earning a Doctor of Medicine degree at either Wake Forest University or Indiana University School of Medicine.

Candice Nichole Lane is a double major in Psychology and Spanish. After graduation she will move to Indianapolis and begin a year-long research assistantship with IUPUI. This summer she will get married and apply to psychology graduate programs.

Carrie Anne Thomas is majoring in Language Arts Education and International Education with certification in English as a New Language. She was recently selected for a Fulbright Award through the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. After graduation Carrie will assume her English Teaching Assistantship in the Slovak Republic, teaching English as a Foreign language at Gymnasium Jura Hronca (Grammar and Secondary High School) in Bratislava. While there, she will also conduct independent research on language teaching and the education system of Slovakia and participate in additional school and community activities.

Raymond Joseph Kenney and Erica Christine Narwold were unable to attend.

Jeremiah Townsell is a Criminal Justice major from South Bend, IN. As a four year starter for the Raven football team, Jeremiah twice earned 1st team ALL-HCAC honors. He ranks 10th on the career tackles list, 9th on the career sacks list, and 2nd on the career tackle for a loss list. Jeremiah was the 2008 Defensive MVP, 2007 and 2008 Lineman of the Year and was a Team Captain during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Melenda Hawthore is an exercise science major from Indianapolis, IN. As a four year member of the women’s basketball team, Melenda earned HCAC All-Conference honors in the 2006-2007 and the 2008-2009 seasons. She was a member of the HCAC All-Tournament Teams in the 2006-2007 and 2008 -2009 seasons. In addition, she was a finalist for the HCAC Player of the Year in 2008-09. This past season Melenda became one of only 7 players in the history of AU women’s basketball to score 1,000 points. As a two year member of the track and field team, Hawthorne was twice named to the HCAC –All Conference team; in 2006 in the high jump and in 2007 in the javelin.

—David Hynds is the Web Content Specialist 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.

The competition for the award was tough this year–Spracklen will be one of 16 graduates in biology. According to Janutolo, one of the key decision points was an internship Andrew completed last summer at Penn State University from which he received the highest reviews and evaluation. Andrew plans to get married this summer, then enter into the doctoral program in the area of Molecular Biology at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Jerry Stevenson received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Findlay in 1953, a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University in 1956, and an M.D. from The Ohio State University in 1960. In addition, Dr. Stevenson served as corporal for the Army and a lieutenant commander for the United States Public Health Service.

Patricia Stevenson attended both Anderson University and The Ohio State University, where she pursued an interest in occupational therapy and worked as a technician in the university’s Pathology Department.

From 1965-70, Dr. Stevenson served as Chair of the Biology Department at Anderson University. He was instrumental in building the current curriculum for the department and bringing distinction to the university’s pre-medical program. He worked full-time in the Pathology Department at St. John’s Hospital in Anderson from approximately 1970 to 1997.

Dr. Jerry and Patricia Stevenson currently reside in Estes Park, Colo. The couple has two children and four grandchildren.

—David Hynds is the Web Content Specialist 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.

The Stevenson Outstanding Student Award is a part of the Dreams. Discovery. Direction. campaign for Anderson University.  On October 6, 2006, the university launched a $110 million campaign entitled; Dreams. Discovery. Direction. The campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history. To date the campaign has raised $90 million. Major components of the campaign include $51 million for capital projects, $34 million for endowment and $25 million for operational support.

To be a member for Alpha Chi, students have to be of junior or senior status and in the top ten percent of their class. While all Alpha Chi students on campus are invited to submit a paper or presentation of work in their major for the national competition, Anderson University can only submit two papers for the national scholarship competition. Students compete either as juniors or seniors. This year three Alpha Chi students submitted papers for the scholarship competition. A faculty committee then selected the two students to represent Anderson University. Both students this year competed in the junior category.

Zehner will be serving as student body president next school year on campus and is a triple major in chemistry, biology, and philosophy.

“Anderson University has a long history with Alpha Chi and having our students win national and regional scholarships,” said Blake Janutolo, Dean of College of Science and Humanities.

Senior Heike Baird from Anderson, Ind., was an alternate winner for the Nolle Scholarship and received a $100 award. Baird also served as an alternate for the regional scholarship, a $200 award. Baird is majoring in English with a minor in Spanish. [Photo: Front row, left to right: Jennifer Perry, Heike Baird, Candice Lane. Back row, left to right: Nick Zehner, Blake Janutolo, Trish Janutolo, Marcus Smith, Nathan Turner]

“Nick and Heike have continued that tradition by submitting excellent papers for the scholarship competition and giving dynamic, professional presentations of their work at the National Convention. Watching their presentations made me proud to be part of an university that produces students that excel in their academic achievements,” added Janutolo.

A nominee for the Nolle Scholarships must be planning to be a senior in the fall semester of the award year.

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.

Director of the Career Development Center Maryann Coty shared that over 700 current undergraduate students have utilized the center’s resources and services.

“Using our office resources, meeting with our staff, or simply viewing the Career Development Center web site can help direct students with their internship and employment search,” said Coty.

Alumni contacting the Career Development Center for career advice, resume help, or connecting them to other alumni has increased due to layoffs and the current economy since the fall of 2008. Through a new intuitive headed by the Alumni office, the Alumni Mentoring Program creates a connection with students and alumni, and even alumni with other alumni to network professionally in their given industry and region.

“Connecting with our office is important either as a student, an alumni, or serving as an Alumni Mentor,” said Coty. “Industry networking connects students to the organizations they wish to pursue in an effort to research the job market, how the economy affects the industry, and the different sectors to their career choice.”

One example was the recent April 3 Media Career Day the Career Development Center, INvision AU and the Dept. of Communications and Theatre Arts hosted in Reardon Auditorium. The Career Development Center brought in alumni from a television station, radio station, reporters, a publishing company, and newspapers to allow students to see all the job opportunities and majors encompassed in the media industry. This not only helps with networking efforts but helps undeclared students to see the vast opportunities in the media field. [Media Day pictured left.]

INvision AU is another tool the Career Development Center offers in finding paid internships for students. The Lilly Endowment grant allows AU to place interns in an organization with an agreement that the company matches the grant for future interns.

“This is a great opportunity to help students find internships, to gain experience, build required soft skills, connect students with an organization, and build a foundation for their career plan,” said Coty.

Coty breaks down each class year below to prepare students for internships and employment:

Senior Year

• Make sure your resume clearly identifies the education and skills you’ve obtained. When apply for a job, target your resume toward the organization and the job description.
• Actively get in touch with your network list. Contact everyone you know, relationships built over your time at AU, alumni connections, internships, part time jobs, volunteering in the community, etc.
• Let your network know what field you are interested in and that you are graduating.
• Attend job fairs to learn about organizations and job opportunities, and to make connections.
• At the start of your senior year have a good understanding as to when organizations within your field of interest recruit for employment. Some organizations may recruit in the fall for the following summer. This requires a great deal of researching of organizations. With today’s economy be open to taking internships.
• Follow up with the organizations in which you’ve applied for employment.

Junior Year

• Actively search for a summer internship. Talk to your faculty advisor, an alumni mentor, your network, and the career center.
• Contact the career center to prepare for interviews.
• Research the different skills you will need to develop and/or improve upon within your field of interest. Internships are a great way to develop communication, organizational, team building, leadership, and other skills organizations seek in entry level employees.
• Determine your strengths versus your weaknesses.
• Prepare to be competitive in the job market.

Sophomore Year

• Connect with alumni. Learn about the job opportunities available within your field of interest. Alumni can help educate you on what is current in the industry.
• Begin to create your network list. Include family, friends, faculty, alumni, and other professionals.
• Start networking early with alumni and everyone you know. Connections are the key to building lasting professional relationships.

Freshman Year

• Develop a short- and long-term career plan that meets your career goals with the assistance of a career counselor.
• Your resume allows you to see the knowledge and skills you currently possess.
• Sign up for LART 1200, Career and Life Planning, if undeclared. The class encourages those students who are undecided to determine interests relative to the current job market.

To view further information on a student timeline, click here.

“I wish employers knew how much we desire to have jobs and how eager we are to enter the work force - that’s a charisma not a lot of employees can say they still have,” said senior art major Dane Benton on today’s economy and job market search.

The CDC assists students and alumni with applying their academic and life experiences to attain career goals; provides them with the services and resources necessary to make better informed career decisions; and develops the skills necessary to implement their career plans.

—Stefanie Leiter is the Web Content Manager at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,750 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.