Anderson University » Religious Studies

Bonte receives 2012 Nicholson Servant Leader award

leiter — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:40:24 +0000

Anderson University junior Raleigh Bonte recently received the 2012 Nicholson Student Servant Leadership Award for his servant leadership on campus and in the community. The award was made possible by funds directed to the university by Anderson University donors.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Robert A. Nicholson, president emeritus of Anderson University. Bonte was selected by the Department of Student Life to receive this award because of his involvement in service activities. He will receive $750 and be able to designate a charity of his choice to receive an additional $250. Bonte has chosen The Christian Center in Anderson, Ind. [Photo on left: President James L. Edwards; Brent Baker, vice president for student affairs; Raleigh Bonte; and Mike Bonte.]

Bonte is a Bible and Religion major from Shelbyville, Ind. As a student at Anderson University, he has participated in many service opportunities such as the Christian Center, Prison Ministry, Frontline Ministry Tutoring and several work projects during his sophomore and junior years. He has also served as a Campus Ministry Christian Center Student Coordinator. Bonte attends South Meridian Church of God in Anderson and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in his hometown.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. 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.

Dr. Marie Morris named provost at Anderson University

leiter — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:12:35 +0000

The Anderson University Board of Trustees recently announced that Dr. Marie S. Morris has been named provost for the university, effective immediately. As provost, Morris reports to the president and will serve as chief academic officer for academic programs (excluding the School of Theology) and provide administrative oversight for areas including educational support services, information technology services, intercultural studies, Nicholson Library, registrar’s office, institutional strategic planning, and institutional research and effectiveness.

“We are pleased to make this strategic appointment at this time in the life of the university,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “This title is appropriate to her comprehensive role and her leadership. Dr. Morris is highly regarded on campus and in the wider academic community.”

In her role as provost, Morris will provide leadership and vision for internal functions of the university developing collaborative relationships between university programs, departments, and divisions. Along with the president, the provost assists in representing the university to various constituent groups: church, community, and education. The provost serves in place of the president in the president’s absence.

In March of 2009, Morris was named vice president for academic affairs and dean at Anderson University. She is only the sixth person to serve in the role. She previously served as vice president and undergraduate academic dean at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.

While at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), Morris served as a faculty member in the Nursing Department, chair of the Nursing Department, Honors Program director, self-study director for EMU’s reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, associate academic dean, and vice president and undergraduate academic dean.

Morris earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Eastern Mennonite University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in nursing administration from George Mason University. Her dissertation was entitled, Voices of Women: A Qualitative Study of Effective Female Nurse Faculty.

Senior studies abroad in Australia

leiter — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:00:59 +0000

Enrich, expose, and expand are three components of the study abroad program offered at Anderson University. Traditionally, academic learning is done in the classroom with a teacher and textbooks. However, learning is not limited to a classroom. Most essential life lessons extend beyond the institution’s buildings. At AU the administration encourages students to break through classroom limitations and embrace the world that lies around them.

Senior Bible and religion major Liisa Kilmer has always been intrigued by travel. Wanting to experience an overseas trip, she found International Student Services. The International Student Association is an organization on campus that unites students from countries all over the world. By planning dinners and several international events each year, the ISA strives to make AU feel like home for its international students. Understanding the impact of international experience, the ISA encourages all AU students to travel to destinations outside of the United States. After looking into the program, Kilmer was very interested and immediately began looking into her credits and degree requirements.

Kilmer first scheduled a meeting with Shane Kirkpatrick, associate professor of religion and her academic mentor, to discuss the program’s credits and registration. The logistics of the trip were handled by her advisor, but Kilmer took the initiative when it came to planning and choosing the destination — Australia. “It was a great example of approaching education actively, not passively, and taking the initiative to make your education your own,” said Kirkpatrick.

Australia was not Kilmer’s first choice, but she based her decision on the curriculum rather than the destination. “Originally, I wanted to go somewhere in Asia, because I have always been fascinated with that culture,” said Kilmer. “Unfortunately they didn’t offer the programs I was looking for. Then I came across a Christian arts school in Australia that offered classes in graphic design, dance, drama, music, and theology. I have always been passionate about Christian worship as well as the arts. This program gave me an opportunity to tie the two together. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Australia and its coastal culture.”

Kilmer and 25 other American students met in Los Angeles, where they boarded a plane to Australia. When they first arrived, all of the students went on a scavenger hunt in the heart of Sydney. The students were divided into teams and ran throughout Sydney, searching for monuments and several other tourist attractions. While traveling home from the scavenger hunt, the American students encountered a disgruntled older man, who clearly wasn’t fond of the United States. “There is a really big gap between generations in Australia when it comes to attitudes toward Americans,” said Kilmer. “Younger Australians love Americans, but older Australians tend to be bitter and cynical toward us. The older generation watches America’s international affairs very closely. They may know more than we do.”

Kilmer was the only student from AU. The other students were from schools spread throughout the United States. For four months, Kilmer stayed with an Australian host family and attended school in Drummoyne, a suburb of Sydney. She and another American student shared a house with a family of five.

Embracing a new country and home, Kilmer was also exposed to life in a crowded household. “I grew up as an only child, so sharing a house with six people took some adjusting,” said Kilmer. “The schooling and grading systems are really different from ours too, so that was probably the hardest adjustment.”

Living with Australians not only taught her to adapt culturally, but challenged her religiously. “None of them were Christians, which created an unusual household dynamic, but made for stimulating conversation,” said Kilmer.

Studying abroad not only introduces students to a new culture, but allows students to see their own culture from others’ vantage points. Embracing a new culture, new friends, and new family would make anyone nervous. Kilmer is no exception. “Before I left, I was feeling restless,” said Kilmer. “For people who are afraid of traveling, I would recommend Australia. The culture is unlike any other, yet it’s not overwhelmingly different.”

Kilmer encourages students to take advantage of AU’s International Student Services. “I knew it would either satisfy my thirst for travel and get it out of my system, or it would just make me want to travel more, said Kilmer. “Now that I’m home, I can say it definitely did the latter.”

— Kristen Schaap is a senior from Chicago, Ill., majoring in communication arts. Schaap is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Kahl to present research from Jeeninga Fellowship

leiter — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:00:19 +0000

Before graduating in May from Anderson University, Lisa Kahl, a double major in Christian Ministries and Bible and Religion, was named the fourth recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship in Archaeology. Students, faculty, and staff will have an opportunity on Monday, Sept. 26, to hear a report of her research and experiences in Decker 133 from 6-8:45 p.m.

Kahl, originally from Richfield, N.C., traveled in August to Khirbet Qeiyafa in the Elah Valley, Israel. “I applied for this fellowship for many reasons, the most straightforward being for the adventure,” said Kahl. “As a student of the Bible and religions, this opportunity fit into my passion for learning more about myself as a Christian and about a few of the religions I spent my time at AU studying.”

After the dig, Kahl spent a lot of time in Jerusalem, with her favorite location being the Mount of Olives. She also enjoyed going to Qumran, the Dead Sea, the Sun Rise tour of Masada, Hazor, Megiddo, Dan, Korizim, Caesarea, Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Banias. Kahl said, “The highlights to each of these places was when I could relate them to a specific event that happened in the Bible.”

“AU helped me prepare for this dig, historically get my bearings, and not be lost when the directors would throw out different time periods, people, or events. This experience has given me a new appreciation for the Bible, my studies, my faith, and has given me a new passion to learn,” added Kahl.

Kahl is currently working at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, Ariz., as the children and family education director. She hopes to continue her education in graduate school in a few years.

The Jeeninga Fellowship in Archaeology was established by the late Dr. Gustav Jeeninga, founder and former director of the Bible Museum, for assisting students with study for 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 includes Dr. Blake Janutolo, dean of the College of Science and Humanities; David Neidert, Jeeninga Museum director; Dr. Alan Overstreet, chair, Religious Studies Department; and Dr. Kimberly Majeski, assistant professor of Biblical Studies, School of Theology.

“I remember when Lisa began the application process,” said Neidert. “She was nervous about the venture and the writing of the essays. But that work and courage gave her the opportunity of a lifetime. Lisa has gained a knowledge of things she only read about in the past. This Fellowship changes people’s lives, and for that I am grateful.”

Kahl’s presentation on Sept. 26 is free and does not require reservation. Contact David Neidert at dlneidert@anderson.edu or (765) 641-4526 for more information.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the eighth 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 Anderson University School of Theology is the seminary of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). The SOT offers a number of seminary degree programs for women and men, including the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.), the Master of Arts in Intercultural Service (M.A.I.S.), and the Online Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (M.A.C.M.).

U.S. News and World Report ranks AU among top Midwest universities

randalroy — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:24:20 +0000

Anderson University (Anderson, Ind.) once again earned a place in the top tier among Regional Universities – Midwest in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2012 guidebook. The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available today online, and will also be published in U.S. News & World Report, on newsstands starting September 20. This marks the eighth consecutive year AU has been ranked among the nation’s best colleges.

“While we are grateful to be included among the best of Midwest universities, we want most of all to be measured by our quality and our student success,” said Anderson University President Dr. James L. Edwards. “Our mission to transform lives through education will be met by nothing less.”

The 2012 Best Colleges guidebook provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 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, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, “graduation rate performance” and high school counselor ratings of colleges.

For more information on the rankings, visit www.usnews.com/colleges/.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. News & World Report college rankings, which group 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.

Shivelys continue to share Tri-S experience with students

leiter — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:00:25 +0000

Dr. Fred Shively, professor of religion, is known for being knowledgeable and soft spoken. What people may not know is that over his many years at Anderson University he has hosted more than 60 trips around the world through Tri-S. For many of these trips he has been accompanied by his wife, Kay.

“I started doing missions trips before I came to AU, which were all amazing experiences, but I found out taking adults is very different than students,” said Fred. “I like taking students better.” [Photo on left: 2008 Uganda trip]

“He has been very committed,” said Fred’s wife and adjunct instructor in English, Kay Shively. “A lot of people think ‘oh how great to travel the world,’ but a lot of the situations that he gets into are physically demanding, and he’s not always that comfortable.”

Kay has traveled on more than 30 trips with Fred. “At the beginning it was exciting to go to some place we had never been,” said Kay. “But mainly it is to give students the opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures, to develop a new appreciation for parts of the world, and to see our own country in a new perspective.”

For Fred and Kay, the Tri-S experience offers more just a vacation from everyday life.“I think that the Tri-S experience is the best thing we do to help the students think about giving their lives in service,” said Fred. “We do so many things in that regard, of course, but this is the piece that really attracts me.”

Communication arts major Jonathon Hosea has been to Costa Rica and Greece through Tri-S. The most recent trip was to Greece with the Shivelys. “Dr. Shively added his incredible knowledge and experience to the trip,” said Hosea. “I can’t think of anyone that would have been a better leader for that trip than him. … I learned so much from him. I gained more knowledge than I expected to on the trip.”

Kay explained that traveling overseas is different from traveling within the United States. “One of the things that we have noticed about traveling overseas is that the cities we stay in are much safer than most cities in the United States would be,” said Kay. “I felt freer to walk around in Greece than I would in parts of Chicago.”

“Language is a real love for me,” said Fred. “Everywhere I go I try to learn a little bit more from that area and teach it to the students.”

Fred’s knowledge of Greece helped to make the recent trip a learning experience for the students who attended.

“Dr. Shively’s connections there were another thing he added to make the trip so memorable,” said Hosea. “He knew the history and a ton of facts about all of the places we were seeing. He knew the information and he presented it in a fun, fascinating way. He’s a great teacher.”

Fred has traveled to many countries, but there are many places he would still like to go. He has been scheduled to go to Kolkata, India, three times but has yet to go. The first time the airline wouldn’t fly the group to the country, the second there was a disease outbreak, and the third time, Fred ended up leading a trip to Uganda while his brother led the Kolkata group.

“That year my brother got to have communion with Mother Theresa, had his picture taken with her, and spent a lot of time with her,” said Fred. “He got to experience an amazing opportunity.”

Fred said that if he were a freshman, he would get a brochure and begin planning how many trips he could take while at AU. “We are providing an opportunity that you cannot get anywhere else,” he said.

“The cost is really underwritten by AU and by endowment money, so students don’t pay nearly as much as the trip would normally cost,” said Kay.

— Kristyn Rhynard is a senior from Ithaca, Mich., majoring in communication arts. Rhynard is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Anderson University unveils new logo, brand direction

leiter — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:00:52 +0000

Anderson University unveiled a new logo and matching web designs today during the opening faculty and staff session to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year. This is the first major redesign of the logo since 1994. In addition, the university unveiled a new communication strategy to distinguish Anderson University through a variety of media—such as billboard and television commercials—that will be available in the fall.

“Anderson University is a distinct place often described in the past by our alumni and others as ‘very special.’ We want to bring greater distinction and clarity to that idea that will gain wide affirmation from those who are a part of the AU family and those who will come to know us,” said Anderson University President Dr. James L. Edwards.

The process began more than two years ago. The new logo and font were designed and developed by Kerry Shaw, director of Publications at Anderson University. The logo features the university’s name with an overarching base and orange flame. Students and alumni will associate this graphic with the Eternal Flame landmark located in front of Decker Hall. Edwards added that the goal of this long and very widely involved process is “clarity and distinction.”

Dr. Marie Morris, vice president of academic affairs, said, “I don’t really view this as a ‘brand direction’ but rather clarifying the AU story – its rich heritage and its bright future. I’m thrilled to be at AU at this time for this very important clarifying moment. Our world is changing and how we educate and prepare students must also keep pace with the times. It’s a new day for us at AU.”

Established in 1992 to mark the university’s 75th anniversary, the Eternal Flame echoes the university’s mission to educate and prepare individuals for lives of faith and service in their families, churches, and society. The new logo is a visual stepping stone to help define the bigger story among the countless experiences yet to be told about AU.

“Many on campus know that we provide students with something spectacular at Anderson University,” said Chris Williams, director of university communications. “We need to learn to share the story of Anderson University with others. The new logo is just one of the many ways we will be sharing this story with a variety of audiences in the future.”

Forbes.com names Anderson University one of America’s Top Colleges

randalroy — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:55:24 +0000

For the first time, Forbes.com has named Anderson University one of America’s Top Colleges.

Forbes.com included only the top 20 percent of all undergraduate institutions in the 2011 rankings. The rankings were prepared by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP).

“We have one more indication just how special Anderson University is, based on achievement of our students and graduates,” said Anderson University President Dr. James. L. Edwards. “The story of quality is another vote of confidence for a truly remarkable faculty. We are grateful for this recognition.”

Forbes executive editor Michael Noer explained the ranking process in an article on Forbes.com.

“Our annual ranking of the 650 best undergraduate institutions focuses on the things that matter the most to students: quality of teaching, great career prospects, graduation rates, and low levels of debt. … We try and evaluate the college purchase as a consumer would,” said Noer.

The rankings are based on five general categories: post graduate success (30%), student satisfaction (27.5%), debt (17.5%), four-year graduation rate (17.5%), and competitive awards (7.5). A complete ranking methodology may be viewed at http://blogs.forbes.com/michaelnoer/2011/08/03/americas-top-colleges/.

Data collected by Forbes is corroborated by data from the Student Satisfaction Inventory and the National Survey of Student Engagement. Data from the SSI, for example, shows that students rank Anderson University above the mean on a large battery of questions ranging from classroom instruction to campus safety.

Anderson University has been recognized for its quality programs in recent years. AU has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of America’s best colleges and universities for seven consecutive years. The Princeton Review also has recognized Anderson University as one of the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for 2011.

AU celebrates academics with Scholars’ Day

leiter — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:21:51 +0000

Anderson University celebrated student academic work at the second annual Scholars’ Day on April 26. The event in Reardon Auditorium featured poster presentations from more than 20 students, representing various academic departments on campus.

“AU Scholars’ Day shows the incredible work that our students can do,” said chemistry professor and Scholars’ Day organizer Dr. Chad Wallace. “It is a way to share this good news between our various academic departments, with the student body at large, and with the community outside of AU.”

Each participant put together an abstract about what they worked on for the academic year or their college career. The abstracts were then put together in a program and separated in two presentation groups. Viewers at the event could easily locate each student’s work in the program and also visit each group’s presentations. Visitors were welcome to engage the students and ask questions about their research.

Many students presenting at Scholars’ Day are taking a required class or independent study. But sophomore J. Alex Karel, a chemistry and physics double major, was anxious to get hands-on experience researching. He spent 500 hours over the summer of 2010 doing a noncredit independent research study on “Investigating the Durability and Leaching of an Antimicrobial Agent.” With the help of Dr. Scott Kennedy, professor of chemistry, Karel was able to work with Aurum Consulting, LLC and Coeus Technology at the Flagship Enterprise Center. This summer, Karel will continue his research.

Senior Bible and religion and psychology double major Rachel Miller took a capstone year-long class at AU where she was able to conduct research on a topic she was interested in: mythology. Through interviews and literature, Miller studied the collective mythology of Anderson University students.

“It is special to see people interested in something I have researched and invested time in for the academic year,” said Miller.

Miller plans to attend Emery University for graduate school this fall to combine her passion for religion with psychology. She hopes eventually to teach at the collegiate level.

Though many students presented individually, the Raven Investment Fund was a group of 10 students from the Falls School of Business portfolio management class. This class provides students real-world investment experience. Started in 2007, the fund began with $10,000 and each January increases an additional $100,000 through an endowment fund. Over the years, the class has made an 18 percent return for Anderson University.

“It is exciting to see AU students become life-long learners. We have many students who have begun to apply what they learn in the classroom into practice in the real world,” said Wallace. “Many of these students have worked very closely with AU professors and are learning first-hand the lasting benefits of being part of the academy by doing careful research and sharing that information.”

For more information about the event, see the Anderson University Scholars’ Day program (PDF). To view photos from the event, see the 2011 Scholars’ Day Flickr album.

Anderson University student recalls semester at Oxford

leiter — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:40 +0000

The University of Oxford, in England, is widely considered one of the best higher-education institutions in the world. More than 17,000 college hopefuls apply to this prestigious university each year, yet only 3,200 are admitted. Among the elite attending Oxford last spring was Anderson University student Melissa Reginelli.

When Reginelli, a senior Bible and religion major, considered studying abroad during the second semester of her junior year, she wanted to attend a school with a great reputation. She saw Oxford as a challenge, and it was the only school she applied to. [Photo on left: Reginelli walks along Pullens Lane, on her way to the city of Oxford. She had about a 40 minute walk in and out of the city every day.]

A member of the Honors Program at AU, Reginelli chose Oxford because classes there are challenging. “I knew that Oxford would not only help me excel in my studies, but would help me stand out when I applied for graduate school,” she said.

Reginelli applied to Oxford with little hope that she would be accepted. However, to her surprise she was admitted and invited to begin her studies in the spring of 2010. Reginelli was on a Tri-S trip in Greece when she received the news.

“Living on my own in a different country was amazing,” Reginelli said. “I became more independent. I became more comfortable with going off on my own and doing things by myself in Oxford.” Reginelli lived with 30 students, all from other Christian colleges in the U.S. “I remember staying up late with the other students discussing all types of topics. Each person brought an interesting thought to the table, whether it was from philosophy, religion, or literature,” she said.

Reginelli knew going to a different country to study would be a challenge, but she never knew how different the learning style would be. She explained that Oxford students are taught in tutorials, not classes. Instead of being taught in a classroom with 50 other students they are taught one-on-one with a professor.

“The one-on-one time with my professors made me take initiative to learn in my own way,” Reginelli said. “This was more challenging and a completely different learning environment than what I was used to at AU. The topics we discussed were really deep, which caused the students to debate and helped me learn more.”

Dr. David Murphy, a history professor and Reginelli’s honors advisor, believes that studying abroad is a great experience for any student. “Melissa was a great candidate to study abroad; she is smart, has great analytical skills and is a great representative of AU,” Murphy said. “Studying abroad gives students a different perspective on the world and allows students to appreciate their own university’s structure.”

Reginelli said her experience at Oxford was life changing and believes studying broad is a great choice for students. Her experiences both in and out of the classroom provided her with a unique world perspective that she will always carry with her.

— Matt Dougherty is a junior from Breese, Ill., majoring in communication arts and marketing. Dougherty is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

AU students recognized for academic achievement

randalroy — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:44:59 +0000

Six Anderson University seniors were recognized during honors chapel/convocation on April 19, 2011, for achieving a 4.0 cumulative GPA during their years at AU. Renee Bader, Elizabeth Barrow, Ambrosia Davidson, Keith Sayer, Joanna Tilley, and Samantha Toeller received awards for their outstanding academic achievement. Gabe Miller and Ellen Thompson were also recognized with the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award for their academic and athletic achievement, campus involvement, and leadership.

Dr. Beverley Pitts, president of the University of Indianapolis and a 1968 graduate of Anderson University, received an honorary Doctor of Letters during the chapel. Honorary degrees will also be awarded to AU alumni Steven Curtis Chapman and Charles Myricks, Jr., during the May 7 commencement ceremony at Anderson University.

[Photo: Dr. Beverley Pitts and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

During her address, Pitts reflected on her experience at Anderson University and on those who made her education possible. She encouraged students to consider with gratitude those who made their own journeys possible.

“We are all part of a shared culture at AU,” Pitts said. “Faculty, administrators, and graduates long before us built an institution based on the Christian values of personal responsibility and concern for others, high quality learning, and a commitment to service. You don’t even know who they are, but much of what you are now experiencing, the privilege of an excellent education in a faith-based institution, is based on their humble beginnings. … Stand high on the shoulders of those who brought you to this point. Be grateful for the privilege that they have given you. I hope you will take great advantage of this privilege and do good with what you know.”

Students recognized during chapel:

Renee Bader, a psychology major, is a member and officer in Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi, and Psi Chi. She is also a Center for Public Service Fellow. Bader anticipates getting married and starting graduate school this summer. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to earn a master’s degree in school counseling.

Elizabeth Barrow, a biology major and chemistry minor, served as president of Sigma Zeta, president of Alpha Chi, president of the Pre-Professional Health Society, and was co-founder of Operation Foundation: Project Anderson. She served as a TA in a number of science classes and as a tutor in Organic Chemistry. She is also a Center for Public Service Fellow and an officer in Phi Eta Sigma. Barrow is active in a number of campus groups and participated in Tri-S trips to Australia, London, and Honduras. She plans to attend IU Medical School to obtain her M.D.

[Photo, from left: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Dr. Marie Morris, Ambrosia Davidson, Joanna Tilley, Keith Sayer, Samantha Toeller, Beth Barrow, Renee Bader, and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

Ambrosia Davidson, a marketing major and Spanish minor, is a member of the AU Honors Program, Delta Mu Delta, Alpha Mu Gamma, Alpha Chi, Phi Eta Sigma, and the Center for Public Service. During her time at AU, she participated in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), worked with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and served an internship at Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie. After graduation, Davidson plans to finalize details for her wedding and pursue employment in marketing communications or public relations.

Keith Sayer, a Bible/religion and English double-major, is a member of Alpha Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, and the AU Honors Program. He plans to attend either Vanderbilt Divinity School or Duke Divinity School this fall to pursue graduate studies in religion. Sayer hopes to teach religion at the undergraduate level and participate in teaching ministries of the church through research, writing, and possibly serving as a teaching minister.

Joanna Tilley, a pre-med biology major with minors in chemistry and Christian ministries, is a member of Alpha Chi, Sigma Zeta, Pre-Professional Health Society, Alacritas, and the Center for Public Service. She plans to pursue medical school this fall at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va.

Samantha Toeller, an elementary education/special education major and applied music minor, has served in Kappa Delta Pi and Alpha Chi. She is completing her full-year student teaching experience, with classroom experience in 2nd and 6th grades as well as in intermediate special education resource. Toeller hopes to receive a teaching position at a school in Indianapolis or Chicago, and to teach within a multicultural setting in the intermediate grades.

Gabe Miller, an exercise science major, is this year’s Outstanding Senior Male Athlete. As a four-year starter for the men’s basketball team, he received 1st Team All-HCAC honors following both his junior and senior seasons. Miller led the Ravens in assist over the past four seasons and led in steals the past two years. He played a key role on the 2009-10 team that won the HCAC season championship and made it to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. He was the team captain during his junior and senior years.

[Photo, from left: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean Dr. Marie Morris, Athletic Director Marcie Taylor, Gabe Miller, Ellen Thompson, and AU President Dr. James L. Edwards.]

Ellen Thompson, a biology major, is this year’s Outstanding Senior Female Athlete. She was a member of the women’s basketball team the past four seasons, a member of the women’s golf team during her freshman and sophomore years, and a member of the softball team the past two seasons. In basketball, Thompson earned HCAC All-Conference and team MVP honors during the 2010-11 season. She is the ninth leading scorer in school history with 965 points, second in free throws made (281) and free throws attempted (381), and fourth in free throw percentage at 73.8 percent. She was team captain during her senior season.

Students venture to cities for urban ministry experience

randalroy — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:55:59 +0000

A handful of Anderson University and AU School of Theology students will travel to two of our nation’s largest cities in May to serve and minister among those in need. Students who have participated in past urban ministry trips, which occur every other year, say it is a life-changing experience.

Dr. James Lewis, associate dean of the School of Theology and professor of theology and ethics, has led this urban ministry trip eight times and will lead one this summer as well. He enjoys participating in the trips to New York City and Washington, D.C. and seeing the experience change students for the better. “It is a great opportunity to learn more about the world that God has created and the significance of diversity,” he said.

[Photo: Dr. James Lewis (far right) and students participating in the 2009 urban ministry trip cross the Brooklyn Bridge during a prayer walk.]

The urban ministry trip is a three-week course worth three credit hours. The first week after finals in May, participating students attend a week of class to learn about the dynamics they will experience in the cities. The students then travel to New York City for the second week and serve in Washington, D.C., the third.

While in New York City and Washington D.C., the group works with the Center for Student Missions, which organizes all of the mission sites for the team in both cities. The trip typically begins with a prayer walk through the city. The team then serves at a variety of mission sites, including soup kitchens, after-school programs, food pantries, and night classes that teach English as a new language.

Students often find that in the process of ministering to others, they are ministered to as well. “I learned about patience and compassion,” said Erin Kennedy, a senior Christian ministries major who participated in the 2009 trip. “I learned more about the person I was and who I wanted to be, and it really did change me for the better.”

“I learned that a person’s attitude is so important. No matter who you are dealing with, people are drawn to a positive attitude,” said Josh Lentscher, a junior biology major who also participated in 2009. “I have learned compassion for the poor, yet still struggle with how best to meet their needs.”

Junior art major Katie Price also went on the 2009 trip. “Having to work in a variety of environments and unfamiliar areas stretched me and often forced me out of my comfort zone. It was probably the most strenuous two weeks I have ever experienced, but it allowed me to gain a whole new perspective,” she said. “It especially made me realize how necessary it is to not only be conscious of global issues, but also remember the needs that exist in our own cities and neighborhoods in the United States.”

[Photo: The 2009 urban ministry group traveled primarily by subway while in New York City.]

Even though Dr. Lewis has been on this trip multiple times, the experience is always unique for him. “You learn to minister to others where they are, not where you hope they would be. By promoting discipleship, we can begin breaking down walls and enter the lives of others,” he said. “You always learn about yourself and the hidden fears and prejudices you have. It can be surprising to learn how you feel about certain things.”

The trip may be a new and challenging encounter for some, but the students who have already experienced it agree that it was one of the best decisions they made. “I think that any student can benefit from this experience and really gain a greater understanding of poverty and homelessness in America,” said Lentscher.

“It gives you a new perspective, especially if you have lived in the Midwest your whole life,” said Price. “This trip allows you to truly experience what ministry can look like outside the four walls of the church.”

— Alyssa Applegate is a junior from Dayton, Ohio, majoring in communication arts and minoring in Spanish. Applegate is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Eight students present at Alpha Chi National Convention

leiter — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:00:30 +0000

Eight Anderson University students presented papers at the Alpha Chi National Convention in San Diego, Calif., March 31-April 2. Four of the students were awarded scholarships or presentation prizes.

To be a member of Alpha Chi, students have to be of junior or senior status and in the top ten percent of their class maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.70.

Melissa Carlson was awarded one of ten $2,500 Graduate Fellowships given by the national Alpha Chi organization and Gina Farmer won the regional $1,000 Graduate Fellowship. Jacqueline Burgher was first runner-up for the $200 regional scholarship and Matt Barton won the $200 presentation prize for having the best paper in Exercise Science. Listed below are the names of the eight students and the titles of their presentations.

Senior exercise science major, Matt Barton
“Do College Students Accurately Perceive Moderate and Vigorous Exercise Intensities Based Upon the ACSM Guidelines”

Senior chemistry and mathematics/economics double major, Jacqueline Burgher
“Interactions of Interfaces: Absorption of Polyacrylic Acid, Cetyl Trimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB), and Nanoparticles on an Oil”

Senior chemistry major, Melissa Carlson
“Reverse Phase HPLC Determination of L-DOPA in Mucuna Pruriens Nutritional Supplements”

Senior history major, Gina Farmer
“Theodore Roosevelt Imperialism: ‘Big Stick’ Policy in Latin America”

Senior finance major, Rose Hirschy
“Father of Conservation”

Senior bible and religion major, Melissa Reginelli
“Messages of Hope in Ezekiel”

Junior finance and mathematics/economics double major, Eva Tan
“The Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989″

Senior biology major, Joanna Tilley
“Antibacterial Properties of Golden Seal”

AU reaches out to youth ministers through conference

leiter — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:00:44 +0000

The majority of youth ministry students give credit for their decision to enter ministry to youth ministers themselves, according to Dr. Fredrick H. Shively, professor of religion and director of the Anderson University Center for Ministry Education (AUCME). As a way to offer support to youth ministers, Anderson University recently hosted a conference titled “Grit: Leadership Through Transition.”

When AU began offering the youth ministries major and the youth leadership and development complimentary major, Shively wanted to find a way to promote these new additions. “As I thought about these two majors, I thought ‘people need to know what we have to offer,’” said Shively. “The driving forces in my mind were to let the church know that these things are available for youth leaders and to build a stronger relationship with the church.”

The primary purpose of the youth leader conference is to reach out to adult youth leaders by aiding and supporting them in their ministry. The conference provided opportunities for networking so that youth leaders can find resources and further their training and make connections with each other.

Leanne Torres, early connections coordinator for AU admissions, was instrumental in the planning for the conference. With six years of experience working in youth ministry, Torres worked to recruit the speakers, organize the schedule, and discuss topics for the conference.

“I worked to lay the foundation and get everything organized and planned,” said Torres. “I then passed it on to Professor Shively to communicate with the rest of the team.” She continued her role as a planner during the conference, as well as a host.

In addition to Shively, Faulkner, and Torres, many faculty and community ministers were involved in planning for the inaugural conference. They made connections with several local congregations and organizations in order to prepare for a quality event.

The conference at AU featured two speakers, Doug Fields and Steve Gerali, while faculty members held workshops throughout the conference.

Doug Fields is a pastor, communicator, resource-provider, writer, and leadership mentor. He is the author of more than 50 books and is currently working with Simply Youth Ministry and Azusa Pacific University (HomeWord’s Center for Youth/Family). More information about Doug is available at www.dougfields.com.

Dr. Steve Gerali is a speaker, author, professor, clinical counselor, consultant, and mentor who is recognized around the world as an expert in the field of adolescence, mentoring, and youth ministry. Over the years Steve has challenged teenagers and those who touch the lives of teenagers to find wholeness, fulfillment, and a deeper relationship in Jesus Christ. He firmly believes that life change happens in the context of intentionally loving relationships with Christ and others. Steve and his wife, Jan, are “empty-nesters” and currently live in southern California.

— Joshua Mifflin is a senior from Anderson, Ind., majoring in communication arts and Spanish. Mifflin is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

Sayer receives Smith Scholarship

leiter — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:14:29 +0000

Keith Sayer, a senior at Anderson University double majoring in Bible and Religion and English, from Mooresville, Ind. was recently selected as the 2011 recipient of the Rev. Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship Award. The $5,700 scholarship was presented to Sayer on March 21 by the Religious Studies Department during a special luncheon in the Olt Student Center.

“Mr. Sayer is a worthy recipient of this year’s award. His work within the department has been outstanding and his application was impressive,” said Dr. Alan Overstreet, associate professor of Christian education/ministry and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Anderson University. [Photo, from left: Dr. Merle Strege, Dr. Marie Morris, Keith Sayer, Dr. Fred Burnett, Dr. Alan Overstreet, Sheila MacMurray.]

After graduation, Sayer plans to spend the summer working at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. In the fall, he will attend either Vanderbilt Divinity School or Duke Divinity School in pursuit of a professional degree in religion. Sayer hopes to teach and write for the church and eventually plans to pursue further doctoral study to prepare to be a professor.

“The Rev. Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship represents the wonderful life and years of Christian service of a truly exceptional woman; the bulk of the honor involved in receiving this award is a recognition that I am following in her legacy, which is a humbling thought,” said Sayer. “I am so thankful for the confidence that the Anderson University faculty have demonstrated toward me by choosing me for the Smith award.”

In addition to the Scholarship Award, the Smith family also supported The Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Memorial Christian Education Lecture Series, funded by the Rev. Billie Roy Smith in memory of his late wife Pearl, who passed away in January 1995 after 54 years of marriage. The first lecture series was held in 1997.

In March 2007, the Smith family converted the endowment to a scholarship fund to honor Pearl’s love of Christian education. The annual award recognizes an outstanding senior in Christian Education. [Photo: Keith Sayer and parents Larry and Julia Sayer.]

“Keith thinks carefully about issues of interpretation and has worked to make meaningful connections between his academic pursuits and his ministry opportunities,” said Overstreet. “It is gratifying to know that this award will help to launch the next phase of his academic career and that it will support his ongoing work.”

Past recipients include Xen Riggs, Hannah Adams, and Suzanne (Drayer) Kellam.

Originally from Alabama, the Rev. Billie Roy Smith (BTh ‘49) felt a call to ministry in 1946 and moved with Pearl and their young daughter to Anderson, Ind., where he enrolled at Anderson University. Pearl supported the family by working second shift at Guide Lamp. The family attended Park Place Church of God where Pearl was touched by the teaching of Carl Kardatzke in their Sunday school class. Kardatzke’s classes created a desire in Pearl to study Christian education, so she decided to take several classes sponsored by the Church of God. Over the years, Pearl taught Sunday school and served on the state board of Christian education for the Alabama Women of the Church of God.

“It is always a privilege to present the Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Memorial Christian Education Scholarship Award. The Smith and Stephens families have provided valuable support to the university community, both through the scholarship and the preceding lecture series, and the Department of Religious Studies is appreciative of the benefits that continue to come to students through the generous vision of the families,” said Overstreet. [Photo: Ken and Arlene Hall, Christie Smith Stephens, Keith Sayer, Ron Moore.]

The Rev. Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship Award is a part of the $110 million Dreams. Discovery. Direction. campaign for Anderson University. The campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history. To date the campaign has raised $97 million. Major components of the campaign include $51 million for capital projects, $34 million for endowment, and $25 million for operational support.

Lisa Kahl named 2011 Jeeninga Fellow for Archaeology

randalroy — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:05:27 +0000

Lisa Kahl, an Anderson University Bible and Religion/Christian Ministries major, is the 2011 Gustav Jeeninga Museum Fellow for Archaeology. Kahl will be digging at Khirbet Qeiyafa near Jerusalem this summer.

“My heart jumped as I sat in Professor Neidert’s archaeology course listening to him explain the Jeeninga Fellowship,” said Kahl. “I had heard about the program in the past, but never really understood it. As a Bible major, I realized applying for the Fellowship was an opportunity to bring together my course work, reading, and passion for scripture.”

Kahl eventually applied for the Fellowship after listening to the presentation by 2010 Fellow Nicole Rech, a student at the Anderson University School of Theology. The next step, however, was deciding where to study. “I selected Khirbet Qeiyafa for three reasons: the time period of the dig, the location of the site to Jerusalem, and the hostel used by the project,” says Kahl. “The hostel was a big factor, since it is a Jewish community. We have to leave the hostel every weekend because of Sabbath and stay in Jerusalem. It will be exciting to learn about this Jewish community and experience Jerusalem every week.”

Khirbet Qeiyafa (khirbet is the Arabic for “ruin”) is a site focusing on the time period between the 10th Century BC and the Early Hellenistic Period (around the time of Alexander the Great). The dig project is associated with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and coordinated by Prof. Yosef Garfinkel.

The late Dr. Gustav Jeeninga, founder and former director of the Museum of Bible and Near Eastern Studies, established the Fellowship. The Fellowship assists a student to study up to four weeks in the Mediterranean basin around archaeology or personalized research from the Early Bronze Age to AD 1000.

The selection committee for the Fellowship consists of Dr. Blake Janutolo, dean of the College of Science and Humanities; Dr. Fred Burnett, professor of religion; Dr. David Sebastian, dean of the School of Theology; and David Neidert, director of the Jeeninga Museum.

“My life will be different in ways I cannot even imagine right now because of being selected for the Fellowship,” Kahl said. “I am humbled by this opportunity and looking forward to what God will teach me through this experience.”

AU welcomes Steven Curtis Chapman as commencement speaker on May 7

randalroy — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:00:17 +0000

Anderson University will welcome Grammy and Dove award-winning Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman as commencement speaker on May 7.

Chapman will address the graduating class of 2011 during the 3 p.m. (EDT) program and will receive an honorary doctorate along with the Rev. Charles Myricks, chief operating development officer for the National Association of the Church of God, and Dr. Beverley Pitts, president of the University of Indianapolis. Anderson University’s commencement will be conducted in the Ward Fieldhouse of the Kardatzke Wellness Center. Myricks will speak earlier in the day during Anderson University’s baccalaureate service at 10 a.m in Reardon Auditorium. All events are free and open to the public. AU will offer a live webcast during Commencement starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT.

Other events scheduled during Anderson University’s commencement day on May 7 include the Falls School of Business hooding ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in Byrum Hall for candidates of both Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees.

The hooding ceremony for the Master of Education and the Master of Music Education will be conducted at noon in Schield Dining Room, Olt Student Center. The certification ceremony for the Teach for Indiana Program (TIP) will be conducted at 10 a.m. in Decker Hall, Room 133.

Events earlier in the week include the School of Theology Senior Recognition and Awards Chapel on Tuesday, April 26, at 11 a.m. in Miller Chapel. The hooding ceremony for the Doctor of Ministry graduates will take place on Friday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Miller Chapel. In addition, a special pinning ceremony for the Anderson University School of Nursing will be conducted on Friday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Byrum Hall.

Individuals receiving honorary degrees during the May 7 commencement ceremony at Anderson University include the following:

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN — DOCTOR OF MUSIC

Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and author. He attended Anderson University in the early 1980s while starting his career as a songwriter. Chapman has developed into one of the most prolific singers in the genre, releasing more than 20 albums to date. Chapman has also won five Grammy awards and 56 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, more than any other artist in history. His seven “Artist of the Year” Dove Awards — his latest in 2009 — are also an industry record. In addition to his music career, Chapman, along with his wife Mary Beth (also an AU alum), established a nonprofit foundation called Show Hope (formerly called Shaohannah’s Hope) to mobilize individuals and communities to care for orphans through its international orphan care work as well as adoption aid grants. Chapman plans a summer 2011 album release for his new project titled re:creation.

CHARLES MYRICKS — DOCTOR OF DIVINITY

Charles Myricks, Jr., is a gifted musician and playwright with a deep love of music. He graduated from Anderson University in 1982 and went on to receive his Master of Arts degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. He has served as vice president and general manager of Word Gospel Records. Under his leadership, Word Gospel artists received 3 Grammy Awards, 8 Dove Awards, and 12 Stellar Awards. He has served as a trustee at Anderson University and in ministry with the Arlington Church of God in Akron, Ohio. He currently works as chief operating development officer for the National Association of the Church of God.

DR. BEVERLEY PITTS — DOCTOR OF LETTERS

Dr. Beverley Pitts serves as president of the University of Indianapolis. In that capacity, she oversees an institution with 4,500 students, including a branch campus in Athens, Greece, and doctoral programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and clinical psychology. She earned a BA from Anderson University in 1968 and an MA in journalism and doctorate in higher education from Ball State University. Prior to becoming provost at Ball State University, she held positions of associate provost, assistant provost, director of academic assessment, and director of general studies at Ball State. She was also founding chair of the Department of Communication at Anderson University.

AU student advanced to semi-final round at regional theatre festival

leiter — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:00:51 +0000

During the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) for Region III at Michigan State University, Anderson University student Kylie Swanson advanced to the semi-final round in the Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions along with her scene partner, Sarah White. Swanson is a junior double majoring in music and biblical studies.

Swanson received the nomination for her work in the October 2010 production of “Children of Eden.” The first round of the Ryan competition includes students nominated from universities all over the five state Region. The semi-final round is made up of less than 40 students chosen from the first round. In the first round, students perform one, 3-minute scene with their scene partner. In the semi-final round, both the 3-minute and a 2-minute scene are performed. [Photo on left: Kylie Swanson played "Yonah" in "Children of Eden." She received the Irene Ryan nomination for her work in this production.]

Also this year, Anderson University was selected to bring a scene from The Boze Lyric Theatre production “Into the Woods” to the Festival’s Evening of Scenes performance. This was the first time that an AU production was so recognized by the KCACTF.

“This was an exciting year for us at the KCACTF Regional Festival in January,” said Laurel Goetzinger, associate professor of music. “Not only did we have our first-ever invited performance on the Evening of Scenes, but one of our Irene Ryan Scholarship Audition nominees, Kylie Swanson made it to the semi-final round of the competition.”

“The Festival offers excellent opportunities for our students to experience and participate in a wide variety of performances, workshops and master classes watching and working with artists, and teachers from throughout the country,” added Goetzinger.

The Region III Festival was held January 4 – 8, 2011 with a performance from AU on January 5 at the Evening of Scenes (The Fringe). This is the highest honor afforded to an Associate Production entry, in which the full production is not competing to be considered for performance at the Regional and National Festivals. This is AU’s first such recognition since participating in ACTF.

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center’s founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.

—Stefanie Leiter is the Web Content Manager in the Office of University Communications at Anderson University.

AU senior recalls internship at Johns Hopkins

randalroy — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:05:16 +0000

Last summer, Anderson University senior Keith Sayer had the opportunity to intern at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) in Chestertown, Md.

The center’s summer program enables qualified students from 2nd to 10th grade to further their love and passion for learning. When Sayer learned of this internship opportunity it resonated with him because he went to a similar program as a child.

Sayer worked as a resident assistant to fifth and sixth graders for three-week increments. One of the boys had apprehensions about CTY and was not enjoying himself in the program. “I had the opportunity to talk to him about what he was worried about, and after a couple days, I saw a complete turnaround in his attitude,” said Sayer.

[Photo: Keith Sayer poses with fellow counselors at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.]

The boy went from not wanting to be a part of anything to being the first in line. That, to Sayer, was the gratification that comes with being a teacher and mentor.

Religious studies secretary Sheila MacMurray mentored Sayer as he worked in the department office for two years. “I think by watching the people around him take advantage of opportunities, it made him more confident in taking an internship so far away,” said MacMurray. “I don’t think he came here as a freshman with a plan of everything he was going to achieve, but the support of his professors and friends gave him the confidence to say ‘I feel ready to do this.’”

Sayer came to AU in 2007. He is the vice president of the swing dance club, active in prison ministries, and is a member of the Avanti Boosters social club. On deciding on what college to attend, Sayer said, “I felt more welcomed (at AU) than the other schools I had visited.”

“In my experience, AU cares more about teaching than other schools I’m familiar with,” he continued. “I have been mentored by my professors, and their Christian service has led the way for me to consider becoming a professor someday.”

Sayer will graduate with a double major in Bible and religion and English. He is looking into furthering his education at Duke University after graduation.

AU alumni pass Indiana bar exam

leiter — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:00:07 +0000

If you told Anderson University alumna Alicia Adcock in the fall of 2003 she was destined to be a lawyer someday, she would have disagreed with you. “I was involved in a lot of things during my time at AU,” said Adcock, “but I never considered a career in law until the very end.”

Adcock, along with fellow AU alumni Andrew Janutolo and Amy Davis, are among the recent 2010 graduates of Indiana University’s School of Law to have passed the Indiana Bar exam. After passing the bar, students are able to practice law in the state of Indiana. [Photo on left: Adcock with friends at her graduation.]

The law offices of Richard, Boje, Pikening, Benner and Becker, based in Noblesville, Ind., recently hired Adcock. The firm specializes in various legal situations and serves the counties of Hamilton, Marion, Tipton, Madison, and Boone. Always looking for what’s next, Adcock hopes to become a full-fledged partner with the firm in the not too distant future.

Adcock credited Anderson University with playing a role in her recent accomplishments. “The professors really challenged me to think critically and apply what took place in the classroom to everyday life,” said Adcock. She specifically named Dr. Michael Frank and Dr. Joel Shrock of the history and political science department and Dr. Fred Burnett of the religious studies department as being strong influences throughout her academic journey.

“My time at AU taught me a few things that got me where I am today,” Adcock said. “Above all, always work hard, never think you’ve arrived, and always thank the people around you who encouraged you along the way.”

Andrew Janutolo, a 2007 AU graduate, was recently hired by the Indianapolis firm Goodin, Abernathy LLP, a full-service law firm specializing in litigation and protecting individual rights. Janutolo credited AU’s smaller class sizes as one of the keys to his success, as it allowed for more intense conversation among students than a conventional system of lecture.

“The critical thinking skills taught by my AU instructors led me to a career in law,” said Janutolo, “but they also taught me the importance of being outspoken in classes and engaging with other students. I was encouraged to throw out my ideas, even if I was wrong, because it contributed to the mutually beneficial educational atmosphere that I came to love.”

Amy Davis, a 2005 AU graduate, passed the Indiana bar with Janutolo and Adcock. After passing the bar, Davis was hired by the law offices of Hausmann-McNally in Indianapolis, a law firm that represents those who have been injured in accidents that happened through no fault of their own. Davis believes the close relationships she made with the students and faculty of AU made for a more personal educational experience and helped her decide to pursue a career in law.

“Wanting to further my education after AU wasn’t a light bulb that immediately went off in my head,” explained Davis. “It was after a careful consideration of all the experiences I had been through, the step-by-step education that was instilled in me by Dr. Michael Frank and Dr. Joel Shrock, and the relationships that followed because of it, that made me decide to take my education to the next level. For that, I am so very grateful.”

— Cameron Ward is a senior from Kalamazoo, Mich., majoring in Communication Arts. Ward is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™ writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

AU student gains new perspective from internship on Indian reservation

Web Student — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:00:54 +0000

Anderon University junior Daniel Kelsey earned class credit, gained a different perspective on the world, and took important steps toward his future when he left Indiana to complete a summer internship.

Kelsey traveled to Allen, S.D., this past summer to intern at Pass Creek Church of God on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The reservation is one of the poorest locations in the U.S. “In the town of Allen, alcohol and drug abuse is the norm,” said Kelsey. “Everyone knew where the drug dealers lived, and taking a drunken guy to the hospital at 4 a.m. wasn’t something out of the ordinary.”

While at the church, Kelsey led work groups from churches and schools across the country that visited the reservation. New groups came to the reservation every two weeks, and Kelsey organized their lesson plans, led vacation Bible school, and helped coordinate evening activities such as kickball or basketball. Kelsey bonded with each new group that came in.

“Kids need someone to watch out and care for them,” said Kelsey. “A lot of those kids are not used to getting any attention and they need someone to love them and teach them about Christ.”

Most of the groups that came through were assigned to different work projects. They would help build or restore buildings on the reservation, and Kelsey was able to teach them certain woodworking skills.

One of the highlights of Kelsey’s internship was the Free Christian Music Festival at the end of the summer. He took a group of teenagers to Rapid City and listened to bands such as the Newsboys, Down Here, Barlow Girl, and Thousand Foot Krutch. “Most of these kids have never left the city of Allen before, which has a population of about 400 people,” said Kelsey. “There were more than 50,000 people at the music festival, so you can only imagine how excited those kids were.”

Prior to his internship, Kelsey had visited South Dakota during a two-week mission trip through AU’s Tri-S program. Willi Kant, director of international education at AU, encourages the South Dakota trip because it gives students an opportunity to engage with the people in work, worship, and cultural learning.

“There is no better way to learn about Native American history and culture than to spend time with the people,” said Kant. Tri-S has been involved with Native American communities since the late 1960s and also works with communities in Oklahoma and Arizona.

Throughout his internship Kelsey learned more about himself and grasped a more tangible idea of what he wants to do after graduation.

“One skill I developed during my internship was being prepared to have an answer when asked the hard questions,” said Kelsey. “I learned how to genuinely love, comfort, and care for people and meet their needs as best as I can.”

Kelsey will earn a degree in Christian ministries and would like to work for a nonprofit organization or work in a social justice setting.

— Laura Overman is a senior from Peru, Ind., majoring in communication arts. Overman is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2010, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the seventh 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.

AU student experiences “rags to riches” summer

leiter — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:43 +0000

Senior Matthew Preston will graduate in May with majors in both Bible and Religion and computer science. He used the skills he developed at Anderson University in two very different experiences this summer. First was a life-changing trip to Uganda, then a career-building internship in Indianapolis.

Experiencing another world
Over the past few years, Preston heard so many stories and positive experiences about Tri-S trips that he was determined to have one of his own before he graduated. “I thought about it, prayed about it, and narrowed it down to at least two or three places, but Uganda always stuck out in my mind,” he said. Preston knew that if he were called to do this, God would provide a way for him. He raised the majority of the cost through the support of his family and friends.

[Photo on left: A group of Matthew Preston's fellow travelers stops at the headwaters of the Nile for a photo.]

The team to Uganda carpooled to Chicago and flew to Amsterdam, which was roughly eight hours, and took yet another 8-hour flight into Entebbe, Uganda. The airport is just a few hours south of the capitol, Kampala, where Church of God missionaries Steve and Colleen Stevenson live and host Tri-S teams.

In Uganda, the team worked with Tumaini Aids Prevention Program (TAPP). TAPP started as a grassroots response to the AIDS Pandemic but has grown to 40 districts of Uganda and has crossed borders into Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Burundi. Tumaini is a Swahili word meaning “hope.” TAPP provides the opportunity for AIDS victims to make hand-crafted beads out of recycled paper and sell them in the United States. The project allows women to make the beads at home so they can care for their children. After the beads are glued, TAPP provides a place for all the members to work together varnishing and stringing the beads to make necklaces, bracelets, and earnings.

“We were able to experience a TAPP training conference with other Ugandans and pastors from Uganda, Congo, and Burundi,” said Preston. “They all came to learn about HIV/AIDS prevention and holistic medicine techniques and care. We did some work projects, but our focus was to come alongside the pastors as they were going through the TAPP training at Kasubi Church of God.”

Preston was able to apply some of his own knowledge and gifts to show the love of God to the Ugandan people.

“One of my projects was to help organize and improve an Internet cafe which had recently been started at one of the TAPP branches. It was neat to share technical skills that I have obtained over the years with a Ugandan who was my brother in Christ,” said Preston.

The team also participated in TAPP’s monthly home visits to HIV/AIDS victims, which provide food, clothing, treatment, prayer, and love. The visits are usually to women abandoned by their husbands due to the social stigma of the disease. The women are left to take care of their children — and often children of other family members who have died of AIDS — without a job, husband, or good health.

“On one of our visits, we went to a home and there was a little boy who smiled the whole time … He just kept smiling when we were there. He didn’t speak English, but you could tell he was overjoyed that we came to visit,” said Preston. “It really just taught me something about joy in meeting these people. They live in and are surrounded by crazy circumstances, yet he could not stop smiling. We just made his day by stopping and blowing bubbles with him.”

Preston fell in love with the smiling little boy who came to be known as “10–year-old John”, the eldest of five brothers and sisters. John’s father left his family when he learned his wife had HIV/AIDS. Their mother is left to take care of the children by working in a rock quarry, smashing rocks all day, even while she is very sick.

“The amount of joy John had shook me. I wanted to be able to give this kid a chance. I asked if I could sponsor him and soon found out I could. The neighbors helped me translate to John and his mother that I wanted to be his sponsor,” said Preston. “Somehow he managed to smile even bigger when he found out he was being sponsored.”

Finding a place in the world
Preston returned home from Uganda thankful for his experiences. He started just a week later as an intern at Interactive Intelligence, located on the northwest side of Indianapolis. Professor Charles Koontz and the computer science department have a connection with Interactive, and Preston was one of the few chosen to intern with the organization over the summer.

Interactive is a telephone software company that writes software for call centers to use phones more efficiently. From June to mid-August, Preston worked in the testing department at Interactive, specifically, on the automation team.

“The testing department is a crucial aspect of Interactive because in many ways the people in the department are some of the last people who see the product before it is shipped worldwide. Thoroughness and accuracy were vital parts of the internship,” said Preston.

Preston is thankful for his opportunity to intern with Interactive. “Along with the work experience, we also were provided with lunches a couple of days a week while we learned about the company and were also invited to the CEO’s house for a few pool parties,” said Preston. “Interactive is known as one of the best internship experiences in Indiana, and I would definitely agree with that accolade.”

Preston was well prepared for the internship and has already received an offer to return to the company as a full-time employee upon graduation.

“I have a skill with computers, but it is not something I could be passionate about long term. So I have been talking to different people and considering grad school with my Bible and religion major, meanwhile using computer skills,” said Preston.

Preston learned a lot about himself through these summer experiences, which he believes could influence the direction he takes in life. “The two big experiences of my summer were made possible by AU,” Preston said. “These experiences not only helped me figure out my immediate future after college but also continue to shape and affect the ‘bigger picture’ in my life.”

— Lydia Smith is a senior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts and and minoring in peace and conflict transformation. Smith is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Professors serve within the community

leiter — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:00:48 +0000

Between lectures, staff meetings, and ungraded exams, many of Anderson University’s faculty devote time and energy to various organizations within the city of Anderson. Whether it’s serving food to those in need, helping the blind learn about God, or working with those who are struggling, many of AU’s faculty put their whole hearts into service and receive more than they give.

Not that different after all
Dr. Fredrick H. Shively, professor of religion and director of the AU Center for Ministry Education, has volunteered at the Christian Center since he was a student at AU in 1955. [Photo: Fred and Kay Shively, pictured with the Peacemakers of the Year award they received earlier this year from the Church of God. Photo credit: Scott L. Miley/The Herald Bulletin]

“Part of our stewardship as Christians is to give back to the community we are in,” said Shively. “By serving at the Christian Center, I’ve become more sensitized around men who are homeless or struggling with drug and alcohol problems. There are many homeless people in this country, and when you see these men, you realize there are commonalities. I’ve always felt called to be involved and help in people’s lives; this is just a small gesture.”

The Christian Center provides food for families, affordable clothing, and offers a chapel service that is open to the public. It also serves as a place for men to stay and provides resources to help them find jobs and relocate. Shively has served as a board member for four years.

Reaching the unreached
Dr. John Aukerman, professor of Christian education and director of distance education and outcomes assessment at the AU School of Theology, serves on the board of directors for Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries.

“This ministry has not only widened my horizon, but has made me more aware of the needs in society,” said Aukerman.

Silent Blessings is an organization that focuses on communication between deaf children and their families. The organization’s biggest project right now is Dr. Wonder’s Workshop, a nationally televised program that teaches children about Christ.

“The deaf population is one of the largest unreached groups in the United States,” said Aukerman. “Hardly anyone is taking the gospel to the deaf population. By giving my time and expertise in leadership, I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that our Dr. Wonder’s Workshop program can take the gospel out to people that I could never have reached otherwise.”

Silent Blessings is located in Anderson, Ind., and has completed three of the five seasons of Dr. Wonder’s Workshop.

Celebrating with those in recovery
Lisa Pay is an assistant professor of social work and has been working with Celebrate Recovery for four years at a community church, The Bridge, in Anderson, Ind. Celebrate Recovery is an international faith-based 12-step recovery program for people of all ages. People dealing with food addictions, loss of loved ones, sexual abuse, and other issues come to be with those going through the same struggles. [Photo: Lisa Pay, a social work professor at AU, speaks at a Celebrate Recovery meeting.]

“It’s not therapy or a self-help group,” said Pay. “We have a set curriculum just like at Alcoholics Anonymous, but instead it’s set on a biblical foundation.” The program provides a safe place for people to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with other people who are seeking a Christ-centered recovery.

“By teaching what I know about recovery and God every week, I’m constantly learning and growing,” said Pay. “I receive so much from the people there because they are humble and broken. There is so much transparency; it looks like a kingdom of God.” The Bridge is just one of many places across the nation where Celebrate Recovery meets every week for two hours.

— Laura Overman is a senior from Anderson, Ind., majoring in communication arts. Overman is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Honors Program to add religious studies course

leiter — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:00:23 +0000

Since beginning in the fall of 2006, the Anderson University Honors Program has made minor changes to the coursework required of its students. Beginning in the spring of 2012, however, a significant change will occur: the addition of a new religious studies course taught by Dr. Merle Strege, professor of historical theology.

“We’re very excited about this evolution in the curriculum,” said Dr. David Murphy, professor of history and co-director of the Honors Program. “It will give our scholars a chance to interact with one of Anderson University’s finest faculty members, and it incorporates an element of spiritual growth into the Honors Program.”

The Honors Program begins for students when they are freshmen, and they take one Honors course each semester through senior year. After completing eight Honors classes (which will total 25 credit hours after the addition of the new class), students receive special recognition at commencement.

The discussion-based classes usually focus on specific themes and include disciplines in English, history, science and sociology. The program has, however, always excluded religious studies—something students feel is necessary for the program’s wholeness.

“This change was something my cohort all felt was important: having a Bible class,” said sophomore Carrie Steinke. “It ties all our academics back together and makes the Honors Program more attractive.”

The Honors Program considered the possibility of adding a religious studies course after previous Honors cohorts suggested a change in the structure of students’ junior years. Two courses currently required of students will be combined to allow time for the new course Dr. Strege will teach.

“In conversations I had with some students, it seemed to me that maybe there was a missing element in the Honors Program,” said Dr. Strege. The original reason for not including a religious studies class was to avoid removing students from second tier liberal arts courses, but the program’s directors eventually asked Dr. Strege to propose a course.

“The idea was to revolve around ‘Christ in Culture,’” said Dr. Strege, describing the theme of his future class by referring to the 1956 book by H. Richard Niebuhr. “Niebuhr presents a typology of five different models of the ways he thought Christians related to the world of culture.”

According to Dr. Strege, Niebuhr’s typologies have been instrumental to Christian thinking for the last 50 years, which is why he chose the text as the foundation of his Honors course.

“This course will introduce Honors students to classic primary sources and allow them to think about Christians relating to culture,” said Dr. Strege.

The course is being finalized before its official launch next spring.

— Kelly Frye is a junior from Elkhart, Ind., majoring in biology and communication arts. Frye is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Alum plays at music festival

leiter — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:00:01 +0000

Nick Stanton, a 2008 Anderson University graduate, played with his band at the Ichthus Music Festival in Fort Wayne, Ind., in September. The Ichthus Music Festival originated in Wilmore, Kent., and has continued for more than 40 years; however, this is the first year for the Ichthus Fort Wayne festival. The festival is a one-day music, media and ministry experience that includes 50 artists and four stages.

The festival included headliners such as Switchfoot, Relient K, Family Force 5, Red, Haste the Day, Barlow Girl and many other national, local and regional artists. Ichthus is known for its music, but it also focuses on community, celebration and challenge. The entirety of the festivals’ focus is on Jesus and the redemptive work he wants to do in and through lives. The use of speakers, a parent and prayer tent, food, merchandise vendors and camping encompasses the theme of this year’s event BeCause. The high-impact speakers and use of ministries challenge and encourage followers to love God fully and live life for his purpose. [Photo on left: Lead guitarist and vocalist Nick Stanton performs at Ichthus Music Festival with his band members Dave Oliver, Jason Fest, Ryan Pannell and Justin Sonafer.]

Stanton used his time in college to prepare for his future. While at AU, he led worship during Chapel and 10:07 (a student-led acoustic worship service on Tuesday nights). These leadership roles, along with his resident assistant position in Dunn Hall, prepared him to lead worship and play for the Glory of God in many different places since graduation. Stanton graduated with a degree in Christian Ministries.

Stanton was raised in Liberty, Ind., on a cattle and horse farm where he began to utilize music as his escape from family struggles. Music has been a part of Stanton’s life since he began to play the piano at age 7. A few years later, he picked up a guitar and began practicing for countless hours in his room. During his childhood on the farm, he began to realize the impact music would have on his life.

“I remember I was listening to Garth Brooks’, Thunder Rolls, and I decided I wanted to be just like that guy…So I started playing country music, and I lived on a farm so it seemed fitting to play,” said Stanton. “This is when I started using music as my outlet to escape from my home struggles.”

Stanton gave his life to the Lord in eighth grade and began to lead worship. This decision changed his life in many ways, and as a result, he decided to write Christian music opposed to secular.

Over the years, Stanton has led worship, spoken and performed at 60 churches across the U.S. and Mexico. He is currently on staff leading worship at Warsaw Community Church. Regardless of where Stanton is worshiping, he incorporates a message of “hope, to show that we are all humans struggling with different aspects of life and to know that God is with us.”

While playing on an outside stage at Ichthus Music Festival this fall, Stanton focused on songs that related to the crowd. Many songs he has written incorporate the theme of hope, forgiveness and love. He took time to pray with the crowd, so the focus was on God.

“In the next five years, my dream is to keep recording in the studio that was built in my home, to air my music on mainstream radio stations, help others with their music career and keep pursuing my leadership role in the church,” said Stanton.

- Lydia Smith is a senior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in peace and conflict transformation. Smith is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

AU ranked as a top school by U.S. News and World Report

leiter — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:09:47 +0000

Anderson University (Anderson, Ind. ) earned a place in the top tier among Regional Universities – Midwest in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report. The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available today online, and will also be published in the September issue of U.S. News & World Report, on newsstands starting August 31. This marks the seventh consecutive year AU has been named to the top tier.

“We are honored to continue to be ranked as a top tier institution by U.S. News and World Report,” said Dr. Michael Collette, vice president for Marketing and Strategic Planning. “It is even more fulfilling to know this ranking is based greatly on the strength of AU’s academic reputation, respect for our quality faculty and wide recognition the many programs of academic distinction.”

The 2011 Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 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, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, “graduation rate performance” and high school counselor ratings of colleges. U.S. News has made some significant changes to the 2011 Best Colleges’ ranking methodology and presentation. For more details on these changes, go to www.usnews.com/collegemeth.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. News college rankings, which group 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.

Historical books to be published by two professors

Web Student — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:00:54 +0000

Dr. Merle Strege, professor of historical theology, and Dr. Brian Dirck, professor of history, are both currently writing accounts of history. Strege’s focus is on the history of Anderson University, while Dirck is focusing on two books: one about Abe Lincoln’s perception on race and the other on Lincoln and the Constitution.

Strege attended Anderson University’s undergraduate program from 1965-69, majoring in history and minoring in English and Bible. He then attended seminary at AU from 1969-72. Strege has been on faculty for 30 years and has been publishing for 25.

Strege has published and written many books including a published collection of articles and essays of the Church of God called “Tell Me the Tale” and the sequel “Tell Me Another Tale.” He then wrote a book titled “I Saw the Church” about the history on the inner-life of the Church of God. He co-authored the book “God’s Redeeming Story” and revised and enlarged the standard history of the Church of God called “Quest for Holiness and Unity.” Strege has a passion for writing about the history of the Church of God and Anderson University. He thinks historical writing is a moral and political art. “Moral not in the sense of telling people what to do, but moral in the sense of helping people understand their identity,” said Strege.

When writing the history of a university, the genre is called institutional history. This genre has a reputation for being dull reading because it is very factual and timeline-oriented. Fortunately, Strege read a few examples of institutional history, which has shaped his idea for the direction of his book. He intends to tell the story of the Church of God, the people and personalities of the administration, presidents, faculty and students over time.

“When I went to school here I heard over and over again from Dr. Reardon, ‘An institution is its people, not the building,’ so if that’s the case, if you’re going to tell the story of an institution like Anderson, you need to tell the story of its people,” said Strege.

In writing the history of AU, Strege hopes to contribute to a community understanding, and if they understand who they are, then it helps them know who they are, ultimately who the people ought to be in the community.

“When I think of this particular project I have told a few people the project of writing the history of AU is very exciting for me. I’ve written about higher education, education as moral foundation, about the Church of God and the institution,” said Strege. “A sense in which many of my interests are coming together to make his project one that I’ve been thinking and writing for the past 30 years. I am prepared to work on this.”

Strege plans to use stories of people to show what kind of moral standards AU holds. A few individuals will be highlighted in his book because it conveys and tells the story of AU’s character. Galen Smith known as “Coach Smith,” was a son of the editor of the “Gospel Trumpet” at the Church of God who impacted and played a major role in the athletic events at Anderson during the years when Strege was in school.

“Smith showed up at every athletic contest and intramural, sat at the end of the team bench for basketball games, stood along the sidelines at football games and was at the baseball games as well,” said Strege. He had become ill as a child and it resulted in sustained damage to his mental abilities, but he could function in society. He always got in free to every game and was a mainstay here at the college. “The fact that the institution made a place for Galen, says something about what kind of institution Anderson is,” said Strege.

Strege’s book is scheduled to come out in 2017 during the centennial anniversary of the founding of the institution.

Dr. Brian Dirck came to AU in 1998 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a Ph.D. Dirck enjoys the liberal arts atmosphere at AU where he gets to know his colleagues and students. He enjoys being able to interact with more than just the history department due to the liberal arts requirements.

Dirck has written and published several books over the years. First, his dissertation, which is a composition of the two civil war presidents, a reference book about legal issues of waging war and “Lincoln the Lawyer,” which won the Barondess Award for best Abraham Lincoln book in 2007. He is currently working on two books: “New Study on Abe and Race” and “The Everyman’s Library on Abraham Lincoln.”

Scholar Phil Paladin served as Dirck’s advisor and research assistant. Paladin encouraged him to get published. Dirck was turned down by three publishers before finally landing one. “Once you have your foot in the door, they start asking you for more work,” said Dirck.

“New Study on Abe and Race” focuses on Lincoln’s perception of race, what he thought of African Americans and Native Americans, how many blacks he actually knew and what his identity as a white man did for his opinions. It’s ironic that Dirck’s grandmother was pro-confederate and would not even speak of Lincoln, considering Dirck has such a unique interest in Lincoln’s life. Dirck is more than halfway finished with this book and is traveling the summer of 2010 to do further research in Illinois and Washington, D.C. The book will be approximately 300 pages and is due February 2011 and will be published by the University of Kansas.

“The Everyman’s Library on Abraham Lincoln” is scholarly yet comprehendible for the average person to find readable. The book portrays Lincoln as a man discussing his marriage and being commander in chief. The book is going to be around 200 pages, published by Southern Illinois University Press and will be finished in its entirety by the end of the year.

— Lydia Smith is a senior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in peace and conflict transformation. Smith is an associate with Fifth Street Communications, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Shivelys honored by Church of God for 45 years of work

leiter — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:00:17 +0000

Their journey began in Springfield, Ohio, where both Fred and Kay Shively were born and grew up in the Church of God.

Fred and Kay were chosen as Peacemakers of the Year 2010 at the Church of God North American Conference, recently held in Anderson.

Fred and Kay have been members of the Peace Fellowship of the Church of God for approximately 45 years, serving on the steering committee for many of those years.

They say they did not expect to be chosen for the award themselves, but they accepted the honor at the insistence of the committee.

Kay is retired from teaching high school English but continues to teach freshman writing part-time at Anderson University.

Fred is professor of religion and director of ministry education at Anderson University.

“We both were born in Springfield, Ohio, and we both grew up in the Church of God there,” Kay began.

“We knew each other a long time, from the time Kay was 9 and I was 10,” Fred added.

They started dating in college, and after Fred graduated, they married. After Kay graduated, they moved to California.

Kay started out as a high school English teacher and Fred, a minister. While in California they had their two sons, Kevin and Mark.

In 1973, Fred was asked to join the faculty at Anderson University School of Theology, so the Shively family moved from California to Indiana. Their sons were 3 and 5 at the time. Kevin and Mark ended up playing trumpet in the Highland band and graduating from Highland High School.

One can tell that both Fred and Kay are committed to being peacemakers in their daily lives. Fred states that “as an example, Jesus is all-important, when we think of how to respond to violence in the world. Jesus said to love your enemies and he did not strike back.”

“We are opposed to war,” Kay added, “but we also believe that nonviolence takes in more than just opposition to war.”

Kay has worked with Women of the Church of God and for task forces against child abuse and domestic violence for many years. From 1985 to 1994, she served on the Church of God’s Commission on Social Concerns. She is a founding member of the Mayor’s Commission Against Domestic Violence in Anderson and a case manager for Indiana Ministries on clergy sexual misconduct, a position she has held since 1994.

Fred helped initiate the peace and conflict transformation studies component at Anderson University, including work on a minor in peace studies. He has served as director of 68 seminars and work camps throughout the world. Fred just returned in May from his eighth trip to Uganda.

It seems appropriate that today Fred and Kay have an international family of their own. Their son Kevin married to Tanya, who is Chinese. They have two children, a boy, Julian, 10, and a girl, Alison, 8. They live in Connecticut. Their second son, Mark, married Sunshine, who is from the Philippines, and they have a 9-month-old daughter, Leilani, and live in Southern California. All of their family are committed peacemakers, both agreed.

“I don’t believe that we’re going to have peace in the world, until we have peace among the religions,” stated Fred.

“That’s the first thing. And I also believe that when a person chooses to follow Jesus — and that’s the way I state it, I choose to follow Jesus as a servant of the world — that peacemaking comes automatically with that choice. Because Jesus was indeed a peacemaker, so for me to be a follower of Jesus, that means I automatically become a peacemaker. It is something we cannot do alone. It is something we must do together.”

—Margaret Maynard is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Photo credits: Scott L. Miley. Story republished with permission.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

AU, SOT students serving in Berlin

randalroy — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:05:50 +0000

Six students from Anderson University and the AU School of Theology are currently in Germany, where they are participating in urban ministry in a variety of settings.

The students, enrolled in Dr. MaryAnn Hawkins’ class Christian Mission and the Urban Church, are partnering with Gateway Berlin, an organization that seeks to minister to a post-Christian population in a diverse urban context.

“If you have a heart for marginalized, urban people or a heart for those who have left Christianity, then you need to know how to reach out and how to represent Christ in an authentic relationship,” said Hawkins, associate professor of intercultural studies at the School of Theology.

[Photo: Back, from left: Jack Haines, Jael Tang; Middle: Amity Rees, Ann Bartlett, Daniel Kihm; Front: MaryAnn Hawkins, Rachel Lockhart]

The course, which runs from May 10-27, is focused on a number of aspects. These include “the importance of ministry in the urban centers of the world, understanding diversity and reconciliation, ministry leadership, and historical context,” Hawkins said.

The students are applying these concepts through several ministries, including food distribution centers, an elementary school, an inner-city mission, and a coffee house that provides a refuge for prostitutes, said Hawkins.

In preparation for the ministry experience, the students met with Hawkins four times, where they discussed issues of urban ministry. They also held a meeting via Skype with the leader of Gateway Berlin. While in Berlin the students are taking a class that delves deep into the service-learning components. In all, the students will read about 1,200 pages and will write an integration paper based on their experiences and readings, said Hawkins.

“One of our assigned textbooks, The Forgotten Ways, by Alan Hirsch, has really accentuated the importance for the church to truly be mission-minded by engaging the culture on its own turf, as opposed to waiting for them to come to us,” said SOT student Daniel Kihm. “As a pastor, I can attest that this is an ongoing challenge for the church, yet one that must remain on the front burner.”

The ministry of Gateway Berlin is co-sponsored by the Church of God in Germany and Church of God Ministries in the United States.

Funding for the course was provided by the Collins Family Intercultural Education Endowed Fund, established by Don and Gloria Collins. Don Collins served as campus pastor at Anderson University from 1978 to 1997.

The couple recently established a new fund, the International Urban Education Endowment, that will help provide funding for future courses in Germany. “Our goal is to fund this endowment with $100,000. It currently has $10,000 to supplement student costs,” Don Collins said.

For more information about the International Urban Education Endowment, please contact Karen Roller at kdroller@anderson.edu, or call (800) 421-1025 or (765) 641-4056.

—Kate McCollum is a 2010 Anderson University graduate. McCollum majored in communication arts and was an associate with Fifth Street Communications, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

The International Urban Education Endowment is a part of the $110 million Dreams. Discovery. Direction. campaign for Anderson University. The campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university’s history. To date the campaign has raised $95 million. Major components of the campaign include $51 million for capital projects, $34 million for endowment, and $25 million for operational support.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Drayer receives Smith Scholarship

leiter — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:17:00 +0000

Suzanne Drayer, a senior at Anderson University majoring in Christian Ministries, from Uniondale, Ind. was recently selected as the 2010 recipient of the Rev. Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship Award. The $5,700 scholarship was presented to Drayer today, April 23, by the Religious Studies Department during a special luncheon in the Olt Student Center.

“Suzanne demonstrated on more than one occasion both the desire to understand and to represent well her own ministry contexts as well as a concern to address significant issues with profound ministry implications, ” said Dr. Alan Overstreet, associate professor of Christian Education/Ministry and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Anderson University. [Photo on left: Christie Smith Stephens, Suzanne Drayer and Stan Stephens]

Drayer plans to pursue a Master of Arts in Higher Education at Indiana Wesleyan University this coming fall.

“My pursuit in ministry has definitely been confirmed through my experiences at AU as well as my supportive professors and I look forward to the opportunities I will accrue as I continue my educational journey,” added Drayer. “I want to thank the Religious Studies Department faculty and especially to the Smith family for this incredible honor.”

In addition to the Scholarship Award, the family also supported The Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Memorial Christian Education Lecture Series funded by Rev. Billie Roy Smith in memory of his late wife Pearl who passed away in January, 1995 after 54 years of marriage. The first lecture series was held in 1997. [Photo on right: Troy and Mindy Drayer with daughter Suzanne, her fiance Ryan Kellam and President James L. Edwards]

In March, 2007, the Smith family decided to convert the endowment to a scholarship fund to honor Pearl’s love of Christian education. The annual award recognizes an outstanding senior in Christian Education.

Past recipients include Xen Riggs, who is continuing his work at the School of Theology at Anderson University and Hannah Adams, who is studying at Candler School of Theology.

Originally from Alabama, Rev. Billie Roy (BTh ‘49) felt a call to ministry in 1946 and moved with Pearl and their toddler daughter to Anderson, Ind.,where he enrolled at Anderson University. Pearl supported the family by working second shift at Guide Lamp. The family attended Park Place Church of God where Pearl was touched by the teaching of Carl Kardatzke in their Sunday school class. Kardatzke’s classes created a desire in Pearl to study Christian education so she decided to take several classes sponsored by the Church of God. Over the years, Pearl taught Sunday school and served on the state board of Christian education for the Alabama Women of the Church of God.

The Rev. Billie Roy and Pearl Toon Smith Endowed Christian Education Scholarship 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 over $95 million. Major components of the campaign include $51 million for capital projects, $34 million for endowment and $25 million for operational support. [Photo on left: Merle Strege, Suzanne Drayer, Alan Overstreet]

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

AU prepares for commencement weekend, May 8

leiter — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:15:27 +0000

Anderson University recently announced that Dr. William G. Enright, Executive Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and former Senior Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, will address the graduating class of 2010 during commencement exercises, May 8. The 3 p.m. (E.D.T.) program will be conducted in the Ward Fieldhouse of the Kardatzke Wellness Center. Speaking during Anderson University’s baccalaureate service will be Dr. David Sebastian, dean of the School of Theology. Baccalaureate will take place earlier that day in Reardon Auditorium at 10 a.m. All events are free and open to the public.

CLICK HERE FOR A CAMPUS MAP AND DIRECTIONS TO AU.

During commencement, Anderson University will award two honorary degrees. Anderson University will award Dr. William G. Enright (the 2010 Anderson University commencement speaker) with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and Dr. Mark W. Fulton (an Anderson-area dentist and the co-founder and President of Mission Haiti, Inc.) with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Other events scheduled on Anderson University’s May 8 commencement day include the Falls School of Business hooding ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in Byrum Hall for candidates of both Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees.

The hooding ceremony for the Master of Education and the Master of Music Education will be conducted at 12 noon on May 8 in Shield dining room, Olt Student Center. The certification ceremony for the Teach in Indiana Program (TIP) will be conducted in Decker Hall, room 133, at 12 noon.

Events earlier in the week associated with commencement weekend include the School of Theology Senior Recognition and Awards Chapel on Tuesday, April 20, at 11 a.m. E.D.T. in Miller Chapel. In addition, a special pinning ceremony for the Anderson University School of Nursing will be conducted on Friday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium.

William G. Enright, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and former Senior Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis.

He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California and McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. His Ph.D. is from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He also holds two D.D. (honorary) degrees from Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana and Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.

Dr. Enright is currently a director of the Lilly Endowment, Inc, The Wishard Hospital Foundation Board and a trustee of Hanover College. His most recent appointment was as “Advisor for the National Cathedral Association” of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. His civic involvement in Indianapolis has included serving as a member of Envisioning Indianapolis, the Police Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the Central Indiana Council on Aging, and the St. Vincent Hospital Advisory Board. In addition, he served as co-chair of The Mayor’s Taskforce on Racism. He is co-founder of the Celebration of Hope, a program for racial reconciliation, which was recognized by President Clinton as one of ten national programs to be honored at the White House. He has also been honored by two governors with a Sagamore of the Wabash.

He has authored several books, the latest being Channel Markers, and lectured at numerous colleges, universities and theological institutions as well as business associations such as The Young Presidents and World Presidents organizations. In July, 2005, he served as “preacher and chaplain” for the Chautauqua Institution in New York.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Mission fair helps students find summer jobs and internships

randalroy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:01:37 +0000

Anderson University Center for Ministry Education (AUCME) presented Anderson University’s 28th annual missions fair on Feb. 2 and 3. Eighteen ministries were represented at the fair.

“The purpose of the missions fair is for agencies to have the opportunity to share with students about internships, service, placement, and job opportunity,” said Dr. Fred Shively, professor of religion and director of ministry education. “We do everything we can to help students.”

Shively wanted to start a program to educate students on how to become engaged in ministry. In 1982, AUCME was created. The program organizes students into different mission teams specific to their individual spiritual gifts. “The purpose of AUCME is to teach students how to serve,” said Shively.

Students have the opportunity to be a part of worship teams, chapel services, and urban emergence experiences. This ministry has even supported students in their own mission endeavors. AUCME continues to teach and has impacted many different students over the past 28 years.

[PHOTO ABOVE: Anderson University senior Tyler Nussbaum talks with representatives from Student Venture and Athletes in Action.]

Many students have found their summer jobs, internships, or post-graduation jobs due to the organizations attending the missions fair each year. Senior Bradley Schnepp worked with Athletes in Action (AIA).

“As soon as I heard who they were and what they were about I was sold and put my application in for the summer league the next day,” said Schnepp. AIA is a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ and was founded on society’s great love of sports. Its mission is to utilize the platform given to athletes to reach the world for Jesus Christ.

“The main thing I got out of the summer was realizing that I wasn’t alone on my walk with Christ,” Schnepp said. “Guys just like myself loved God and wanted Him to play a role in each of their lives.”

Another ministry at the fair was Hope Hill Children’s Home, located in Kentucky. It serves as a residential treatment facility focusing on the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of neglected and abused teenage girls in crisis. Kathy Hedge, a 2005 AU grad, went on three Tri-S trips to Hope Hill during her time as a student. After graduation Hedge and her husband continued to have a heart for these girls.

“We both had no job, no kids, and things just really fell into place,” said Hedge. “It’s been really enjoyable. I never thought a work camp would open the door to where we started our family just five years later.”

[PHOTO: Ryan Ernst represented Inner City Impact, one of 18 ministry organizations at Anderson University's 28th annual missions fair in February.]

Many students’ most memorable summers are at camp, whether they are the camper or the counselor. Spring Hill Camp is a Christ-centered church camp located in both Indiana and Michigan. “AU has a big turnout for us every summer,” said Carey Edgren, Inpursuit Camp Director. Spring Hill focuses on creating life-impacting experiences that enable young people to know and to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Spring Hill has extreme sports and many outdoor adventures all integrated with a faith-filled experience.

“My favorite part of camp was ‘Wacky Wednesdays’ because everyone would dress crazy and go to a fun evening program. Afterwards we would have our serious campfire where tons of kids would give their lives to Christ,” said Adrienne Willacker, an AU senior. “Every Wednesday was a humbling experience where God showed his love and grace.”

Ryan Ernst, of Inner City Impact in Chicago, is looking for interns to love and disciple the youth of the Logan Square Neighborhood. “We present the living Christ to primarily unchurched urban youth. Our goals are to disciple and integrate them into the Church. We live with them, mourn with them and try to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” said Ernst. Inner City Impact does Bible studies, camping trips, and leadership development to integrate youth that benefit from this program back into the mission once they grow up. It is a family cycle they hope for.

— Lydia Smith is a junior from Indianapolis, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in peace and conflict transformation. Smith is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.

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 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth 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.

Doing it the write way – how one AU student makes her dreams come true

leiter — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:22 +0000

“All through high school I never considered myself a good writer,” said Bible and Religion major Melissa Reginelli. “It was just something I enjoyed.” In fact, she decided ministry was her calling at the young age of 13. It wasn’t until later, after leaving Bloomington, Ill., to attend AU, that she realized she was meant to write – and inspire.

After searching for months, filling out online applications and submitting writing samples, Reginelli signed a contributing freelance writing contract with Suite101.com in mid-October. “I feel so lucky to have landed a job like this, but I really made it happen for myself,” said Reginelli. [Photo to left: Melissa Reginelli works on her articles for Suite101.com on her comfy couch. Because of her skills in writing and passion for ministry, Melissa is working as a freelance writer for Suite101.com. (Fifth Street Communications Photo/Emilee Hammond)]

Her contract states that she must write a minimum of 10 educational/academic articles every three months for the “Mind and Soul” category of Suite101. More specifically, her particular beat is Protestantism. “I’ve found a way to combine my passions by ministering to and inspiring people through my writing,” said Reginelli. “And I have a lot of freedom to write about topics that interest me within my category.” Her first three articles cover Christian universalism, feminist liberation on theology and New Monasticism.

Reginelli started experimenting with her writing two years ago. “I was standing in the young-adult section of [a bookstore] and couldn’t help but notice all the negative images and attitudes in teen books,” she said. “So I started to write my own.” And hers has a more impactful message with inspiring role models. “None of that flimsy, pointless reading,” she adds.

“My writing is inspired by both classic and contemporary authors,” she said. Some of those include Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronté, Nicholas Sparks, Rob Bell and J.K. Rowling. “At one point, I was reading one of J.K. Rowling’s books, and I stopped writing for a few days,” said Reginelli. “I felt like no other writer stood a chance because she’s that good.”

But Reginelli credits her success in landing a freelance writing job and finding her direction to two faculty members. “Dr. Marian Berky and Dr. Fredrick Shively mentored me in theology and advised me toward my dreams,” said Reginelli.

Reginelli is also an active member of the social club Camarada, a barista at Mocha Joe’s, and was a resident assistant in Rice Hall last year. She frequently attends worship services at 10:07 and the MercyHouse in Anderson, Ind.

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 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Anderson University joins NetVUE as founding member

randalroy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:15:40 +0000

Anderson University (Anderson, Indiana) announced today that it has joined as a founding member the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a nationwide campus-supported network whose purpose is to expand and extend the intellectual and theological exploration of vocation on campuses. NetVUE is a new initiative of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), a national association of more than 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities.

Through national and regional conferences, the development and exchange of resources, and participation in online networking, NetVUE will help institutions deepen vocational exploration by their students. The goals of the network are to share knowledge, best practices, and reflection on experiences among campuses while facilitating the incorporation of additional independent colleges and universities into this enterprise.

In announcing the launch of NetVUE, CIC President Richard Ekman said, “Over the past several years, the Council of Independent Colleges has made a commitment to advancing vocational exploration as a guiding force in American independent higher education. The concept of vocation emerged as a significant factor from various sources and has been applied in different ways for different campus constituencies. CIC hopes that NetVUE will capitalize on what has been learned about the theological exploration of vocation and how it can be adapted and developed to strengthen colleges and universities, their leadership, and the education they provide for their students.”

Dr. Marie Morris, vice president for academic affairs and dean stated that “Anderson University has a long and rich history of changing students’ lives through its commitment to educate students for a life of faith and service, through its focus on academic and Christian discovery and opportunities for experiential learning. We thought it important to join with others who share a commitment to fostering discovery and exploration in vocation as we prepare students for this ever changing world. As a member of NetVUE we look forward to increased opportunities for collegial sharing and to the future impact we anticipate in furthering our school’s mission.”

NetVUE is generously supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., which has funded similar programs over the years. “We have discovered,” said Craig Dykstra, Lilly Endowment’s senior vice president for religion, “that structured programs that encourage and guide students in the theological exploration of vocation do indeed help them draw on the wisdom of their religious traditions as they make decisions about their futures and figure out how to lead lives that really matter. We have been approached by hundreds of colleges and universities seeking to enhance their educational programs by incorporating vocational reflection more intentionally into their curricular and co-curricular activities. We are delighted that CIC is committed to sustaining and extending this important conversation and helping colleges across the country to advance their educational missions in this way.”

For more information about NetVUE, visit www.cic.edu/NetVUE.

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of more than 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.

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.

AU 2009 Grad Haley McCracken’s Journey to Jerusalem

leiter — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:15:22 +0000

Haley McCracken looked at the seat she had been sitting in just one year before — before she graduated from Anderson University, before her mother passed away and before she even thought of going to Israel with the Jeeninga Fellowship of Archeology. A year ago she sat in the seat in front of her, listening to Shannon New-Spangler share about her experience in Israel. Little did McCracken know then about the trials and triumphs the year held for her. In one year she would be standing in front of Dr. David Niedert’s archeology class at sharing about her own experience in Israel.

McCracken listened to New-Spangler, the first recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship of Archeology, relate her experience to her Christian walk and biblical understanding. “That was when I started thinking about applying for the fellowship,” McCracken said. Once her archeology class visited the Oriental Museum in Chicago, she knew for sure. [Photo to left: McCracken explores a Syrian bunker discovered by the team she worked with. It was used between 1967 and 1973 and is on the edge of the Bethsaida property.]

McCracken studied Christian ministries at Anderson University. “I knew I wanted to do overseas ministry,” she explained. She thought the trip would help her discover more about her faith and be more relevant overseas. McCracken also explained, “I wanted to go on the fellowship to have a better understanding of the history and culture surrounding the biblical text.”

Along with the educational, spiritual and cultural experience, McCracken was most looking forward to inviting her father on the second half of her trip. She and her father always shared a love of history, so exploring ancient lands with him was a once in a lifetime experience.

McCracken was only hesitant about one thing, her mother was very sick with cancer. “I prayed that God would make this an easy decision for me,” McCracken said. “Either my mom would be fine and I could go, or she would be gone.” When she called her mother to tell her about the trip, her mother was excited for her and encouraged her to apply.

“When I opened the letter, it said ‘Congratulations, you have been selected to go to Bethsaida, Israel, as the 2009 Jeeninga Fellowship of Archeology recipient,’” McCracken remembered. “At first I was ecstatic, but then my heart sank. I knew my mom would be gone soon.” Her friends and family encouraged her to be happy and enjoy the opportunity. However, she approached the faculty members who selected her for the fellowship about her situation. She let them know she might have to drop out at the last minute, depending on her mom’s condition. They reassured her that the fellowship was hers whenever she wanted to take it.

In April McCracken’s mother passed away. “Everyone at home was wonderful to my family, but one part of Israel I looked forward to was the joy of not being known,” said McCracken. “No one would ask how I was or make me think or talk about my mom because they did not know my story.” [Photo to right: McCracken explored a 17th century Druze fortress built into a cave along the side of Mount Arbel.]

In the beginning of June, McCracken arrived in Bethsaida, Israel, where disciples Peter, Andrew and Philip were born. It is thought to be the place where Jesus fed thousands by multiplying fish and bread and also where He healed the blind man.

The first two weeks of her trip McCracken worked on the dig. All day the group dug, discovered, photographed, excavated, photographed again and cleaned artifacts only to repeat the process. Mostly McCracken found dirt, rocks and pottery shards. “You might think pottery is boring, and I did too,” she said. “Then I touched a piece and realized no one had touched it in over 2,000 years. Maybe a woman made dinner for her family with it, or a child carried water in it. Either way it was cool.”

One night McCracken and another girl in the group sat by the Dead Sea. “We went down there to lay and read, but as usual we spent the entire time talking and never even cracked open our books,” McCracken said. “As we talked about our lives, eventually my family came up in conversation. I told her about how my mom died five weeks earlier through tears streaming down my face.” McCracken’s new friend was moved by the story and encouraged her to share it with the rest of the group. Eventually she did and found what she called, “the joy of being known.”

The second part of her trip started with an adventure to Jerusalem. “A group had gone without a guide the weekend before, so I took a taxi to the bus station, got on a bus and thought I would be fine. I got off the bus and everyone dispersed… I soon realized I was lost in Jerusalem,” she remembered. McCracken quickly found another cab and asked for a ride to her hotel.

Finally, her father came and spent two weeks sightseeing with her. “Each morning we got up and read the scriptures that pertained to where we were going that day. It really brought the scripture to life and made me read the Bible completely differently,” McCracken explained. “Being able to have my dad there with me meant the world.”

McCracken said her journey to Jerusalem taught her a lot about our place in the world. At the end of her presentation she displayed a picture of herself in Israel on the screen. As the picture of McCracken faded into a picture of the world, she stood at the front of the room and explained, “There is so much more than this and so much more than us.” [Photo below: McCracken had the opportunity to see historic sites she had only imagined. Here, the Sea of Galilee is visible from the McCracken’s perch on the top of Mount Arbel.]

— Elizabeth Vincent is a junior from Greenfield, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in political science. Vincent is an associate with Fifth Street Communications, writing on behalf of Anderson University Communications.

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 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

AU ranked as top school by U.S. News and World Report

leiter — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:00:27 +0000

U.S. 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 2010 guide to “America’s Best Colleges” marks the sixth consecutive year that Anderson University has been listed among the best in its class.

“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.

Princeton Review selects AU as one of the best colleges in the Midwest

leiter — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:36:02 +0000

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.

“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.

McCracken receives Jeeninga Fellowship

leiter — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:47:39 +0000

Bible major Haley McCracken was named the 2008-09 recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship in Archeology.

McCracken’s archeological focus will be conducted via The Bethsaida Excavations Project–a creation of the University of Nebraska at Omaha–in Israel. After her dig with Bethsaid, McCracken plans to tour the country and visit other dig locations at major cities in Israel while traveling June 2 to July 3. [Photo: Haley McCracken on the right in Israel.]

McCracken is the second recipient of the award. Last year, School of Theology student Shannon New-Spangler received the award and spent several weeks at Tel-Dan for her dig and spent a week touring the country.

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.

To receive the Jeeninga Fellowship reward, prospective students must be of sophomore status, major in Biblical studies and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 After these criteria are fulfilled, the student must create a proposal, including the area the student wishes to excavate along with a financial estimate. The proposed archeological site must be relevant to the Mediterranean basin and must focus on a time period limited up to the end of the Byzantine Period or 1000 AD. After the archeological trip is finished, the recipient must produce a report, both orally and in writing.

According to David Neidert, Jeeninga Museum Director, McCracken was chosen because of her precise choice in excavation: the Sea of Galilee. After her presentation, McCracken’s works may be archived in Nicholson Library.

The Selection Committee for the Fellowship consists of Neidert; Dr. Blake Janutolo, Dean College of Science and Humanities; Dr. Alan Overstreet, Chair, Religious Studies Department; Dr. Barry Ross, Professor of Old Testament in the School of Theology; and Dr. Kimberly Majeski, Instructor of Bible for the Seminary.

—John Tapley is a senior majoring in Mass Communications at Anderson University.

Anderson University Student Receives Prestigious National Fellowship

leiter — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:59:18 +0000

Bible and Religion major Kayla N. Robinson, a senior this fall, has been selected to receive a 2009 Fund for Theological Education (FTE) Undergraduate Fellowship. FTE Undergraduate Fellowships recognize students who have gifts for leadership and are exploring the possibility of ministry as a vocation. As an FTE Undergraduate Fellow, Robinson will receive $2,000 for tuition, other educational expenses or a self-designed experience related to the exploration of ministry. She will also attend the 2009 FTE Conference on Excellence in Ministry, “Becoming Rich toward God: Pastoral Leadership and Economic Justice,” June 17-21 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va.

Dr. Todd Faulkner, campus pastor for Anderson University, nominated Robinson for the fellowship award, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.

FTE Undergraduate Fellows are selected competitively from a pool of applicants from across the U.S. and Canada. They must be nominated by a professor, school administrator, pastor or campus minister; hold a minimum 3.0 grade point average; have an interest in exploring ministry as a vocation; and demonstrate leadership in a church or school community. The 2009 FTE Undergraduate Fellows were chosen by a national committee of theological educators and church leaders. FTE awards the fellowships to increase the number of highly capable young people exploring or preparing for ordained ministry as a profession. Fewer than seven percent of clergy in most denominations today are under age 35, and interest among seminary students in congregational ministry has declined over the past five years.

“In today’s economy, the need to support young people who aspire to serve the church and the common good is an essential investment,” said the Rev. Ellen Echols Purdum, director of FTE Ministry Fellowships. “Congregations and entire communities need the intellect, leadership gifts and compassion that these candidates will bring to local challenges, spiritual, social and economic.”

The Fund for Theological Education is an ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in pastoral ministry and theological scholarship. It supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually providing $1.5 million in fellowships and support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with those committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. For more information about FTE fellowships, visit www.thefund.org.

Service awards presented to Strege and Steiner

randalroy — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:15:19 +0000

Anderson University recently gave John A. Morrison Awards to Dr. Merle Strege and Jennifer Steiner for their commitment and diligent service to AU.

Strege has been on the faculty of Anderson University since 1980, coming first to the School of Theology and then moving to the undergraduate Department of Religious Studies in 1992. He is a great teacher, able administrator, and capable scholar and author, who cares deeply about his students and Anderson University.

Strege exemplifies what it means to be a professor. Whether talking about his Liberal Arts Seminar or his upper level courses in history and Biblical interpretation, his students regard his classes as being very demanding, but also very rewarding. Inspired by him, a number of alumni have gone on to graduate school to prepare to teach at the university level. Strege’s name is consistently among those names cited by students when asked who has had the greatest impact on them.

Strege takes seriously his role as a senior professor. He has served on many university committees and recently was a member of the search committee for the new Vice President of Academic Affairs. When asked, he is always ready to take on new assignments for the university. His wisdom and advice are sought by many members of the faculty and administration.

Strege is not only a professional role model for his colleagues and students, but he is a spiritual role model as well. He is active in his local church where he teaches an adult Sunday School class. He has served the Church of God through the books he has authored and through the writing of Sunday School curricula used in Church of God congregations around the world.

Strege’s scholarly abilities, honed in graduate school, have served him well as he writes about the history of the Church of God and Anderson University. He serves as the Historian for the Church of God, and is active in the Church of God Historical Society. In these capacities he strives to keep alive the legacy of those who have gone before in the church and university. Presently he is updating the late Dr. John W. V. Smith’s book on the history of the Church of God. Once this book is finished, he will begin the preparation and writing of the history of Anderson University that will be published in 1917, on the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the university.

Jennifer Steiner, this year’s Morrison Award staff recipient, is an AU alumna and has served Anderson University for nearly 30 years in various support roles. She began in the Tri-S Office, served in the IMC, the Purchasing and Personnel office, and is currently the Development Office Manager of Gift Records and Research.

During her time with the university, Steiner has been setting standards of service and professionalism wherever she goes. In her current role, she has built a remarkable base of knowledge about the constituents of the institution bringing invaluable assistance to staff and academic departments as they serve the students, parents, donors, alumni, and friends of Anderson University. Steiner is known for going the extra mile. Instead she has demonstrated a steadiness, an optimistic word to co-workers, and the tenacity to see that no detail goes unaddressed. Her work ethic is amazing.

Those who are privileged to spend time with Steiner know her to be a compassionate listener who will always makes time for friends. Steiner has clearly earned the respect, admiration, and affection of all those she works with and all those she has served so well.