US News and World Report has again ranked Anderson University among the best universities in the Midwest offering master’s level degree programs. Institutions in this category offer a full range of both undergraduate and master’s level degree programs.  The magazine’s 2008 guide to “America’s Best Colleges” marks the fifth consecutive year that Anderson University has been listed among the best in its class.

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.

VIEW PHOTOS OF GRADUATION ON FLICKR

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.

Six students were in honored in Reardon Auditorium on April 22 for achieving a 4.0 cumulative GPA during their years at Anderson University. Eric Davis, Michelle Deal, Alex Erwin, Aaron Kaczmarek, Mark Price and Melissa Miller all received awards for their outstanding academic achievement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anderson University juniors Sara Peard and Michael Douglass recently received the 2008 Nicholson Student Servant Leadership Award for services on campus and in the community. The awards were made possible by a grant from the Moore Foundation and Barney II Foundation as well as matching funds directed to the university by Anderson University donors.