About 300 people at the Anderson University Heritage Dinner sang together in honor of David Coolidge and his wife, Shirley.

“God our maker, God most holy” rang through the L-shaped Shield Dining Room. The song was most appropriate since the verses were written by David Coolidge in 1962.

The School of Music at Anderson University is pleased to host distinguished guest faculty member Jean Ashworth Bartle, June 9-13, 2008, teaching the graduate course, The Child Voice: Developing Literacy in the Young Singer.

Ashworth Bartle is founder and director of the Toronto Children’s Chorus. Her contribution to the art of choral music for children has evolved over three decades into one of international distinction.

Anderson University is looking ahead to a full slate of classes offered this summer for interested students. AU will offer four, 4-week sessions that provide flexibility and variety. Sessions provide both introductory and advanced courses on campus for specific majors and enrichment purposes. Classes began May 12.

“Service and selflessness” was the message of the 90th commencement ceremony at Anderson University.

Thousands of people still hustled to find their seats in Ward Fieldhouse as the color guard presented the flags to begin the ceremony.

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Friends and family members of all ages, dressed in all kinds of attire, sat among each other for the joyous day—to celebrate the graduation of the university’s class of 2008.

AU announced the addition of several new majors with the release of the 2008-2010 Academic Catalog, including the addition of a Global Business major, an Entrepreneurship major and a Youth Ministry major. Other changes include the restructuring of the Department of Communication Arts and the option for dual licensing through the English as a New Language (ENL) program.

Anderson University recently announced that James T. Morris, Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and President for Pacers Sports and Entertainment and former Executive Director for the United Nations World Food Programme, will address the graduating class of 2008 during commencement exercises, May 10. The 3 p.m. EDT program will be conducted in the Ward Fieldhouse of the Kardatzke Wellness Center. Speaking during Anderson University’s baccalaureate service will be Rev. Kimberly Majeski, campus pastor at Anderson University. Baccalaureate will take place earlier that day in Reardon Auditorium at 10 a.m. All events are free and open to the public.

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.

The Anderson University School of Music is pleased to present Dr. Kate Boyd of Butler University in recital on Monday evening, March 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place in Austin Performance Hall of Anderson University’s Krannert Fine Arts Center. The program will feature Handel’s E Major Keyboard Suite, Beethoven’s Sonata in A-flat major Op. 110, and Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel by Johannes Brahms. Earlier on Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Boyd will work with AU piano students in a masterclass, also in Austin Performance Hall. The public is cordially invited to both events free of charge.

The AU Chorale has set the schedule for its 2008 spring tour March 7-16 in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Composed of 47 singers from many academic disciplines, the Anderson University Chorale has received national and international recognition, performing throughout the United States and abroad during its 62-year history.

AU alum and Hoosier recording artist Jon McLaughlin had an audience in more than 200 countries on Feb. 24 as he sang “So Close” during the Academy Awards ceremony. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2007 were presented on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and were televised live by the ABC Television Network. The show was hosted by comedian Jon Stewart.