Ndao grew up in Zambia, where both of his parents are pastors with the Church of God. It wasn’t until after the accident, though, that Ndao truly gave his life to Christ. “My mother said something profound to me that has stayed with me up to now. She quoted Jeremiah 29:11,” reflects Ndao. “She said, ‘Oscar, God has saved you for a purpose and it’s now up to you to find out what that purpose is.’”

He began thinking about his mother’s words. “What if I had died in that accident? It was a real turning point in my life,” he says. Now, as a student leader at Anderson University, Ndao is in pursuit of that purpose.

[PHOTO: Oscar Ndao and his sister spent Christmas break in Maryland. During their trip east, they enjoyed a visit to the nation’s capital.]

It was his mother’s connection with the Church of God that brought him to AU. In 2005 she came to speak at a conference where she met people interested in sponsoring Ndao’s education. Education for college students in Zambia is different than in the United States. While the grade school system works well, universities are rare and not dependable.

“Growing up, I really had a dream of wanting to study outside of Zambia,” says Ndao. “Back home when you hear of people going to study outside of the country, it’s usually reserved for people of higher status and my family was just middle class. So when the opportunity arrived for me to be here I just had to accept it.”

[PHOTO: Oscar Ndao and friends celebrate their differences in culture and heritage during the 2008 International Student Association International Dinner.]

A year later, Ndao left Zambia behind and came to campus for international student orientation. The International Student Association (ISA) helps international students through the transition process and gives them a chance to learn about other cultures.

Some of the most common issues among international students are culture shock and the sudden status of being a minority. He appreciates the important role ISA plays in making international students feel more comfortable.

“The first day [of classes] was a big shock,” remembers Ndao. “A professor actually encouraged students to call her by her fist name. Back home it’s considered rude to call somebody older by their first name.” During his freshman year Ndao had to learn a lot about American culture but was pretty well acclimated by the time he was a sophomore. Now, as a junior business management major, he’s still learning. “It’s a process,” he says with a smile, “but I’m getting there.”

This year Ndao serves as president of the ISA. He meets with the leadership council weekly to organize and plan campus events. Their main purpose is to get rid of the misconception that ISA is only for international students, because everyone is welcome. Ndao is also student coordinator of Anam Cara, where he mentors with individuals.

[PHOTO: Oscar Ndao performs at the 2009 “Spring Into Dance” performance at Anderson University.]

Ndao’s advice for student leaders is to look at leadership not as a position but as a service. “Too often we get caught up in the position and we forget why we are in that position,” he said. “I think if you are a leader you really have to focus on why you are there. If you make that your goal you will have a great experience in leadership.”

— Rebekah Shirar is a student writer for 5th Street Communications at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Dr. Kevin Radaker, chair of the English department at Anderson University, will take his dramatic portrayal of Henry David Thoreau to three Massachusetts cities on Oct. 30, Nov. 2, and Nov. 3. The program commemorates Thoreau’s passionate defense of John Brown’s attack on a federal arsenal in 1859.

[PHOTO: Dr. Kevin Radaker holds a portrait of Henry David Thoreau. Credit: Indianapolis Star/Steve Sanchez. Read the Indianapolis Star story about Radaker's performances.]

Radaker and distinguished scholars Bruce Ronda and David S. Reynolds were asked to speak at the commemorative occasion due to their expertise on Thoreau. Radaker adds a unique dimension to his lectures with entertaining methods of delivering the facts.

Radaker, a 1978 Anderson University graduate, has portrayed Thoreau more than 350 times since 1991. “When I was younger,” says Radaker, “I would grow my beard out long and then shave it just like Henry’s right before a show.” Radaker admits that now, he wears a wig and faux-beard during performances. He takes over an hour to prepare for a show, dressing in costume and full make-up. From the texts Radaker studied about Thoreau’s vocalizations, he has uncovered an accent similar to the one found in New England. “I drop the ‘r’ at the end of a word,” says Radaker. “For example, ‘admire’ sounds like ‘ad-my-ah’.”

“Thoreau has a three-fold self,” says Radaker. “And I use all three of those tones in my monologue.” Thoreau’s first personality as the biting social critic is a prevalent character seen sprinkled throughout his many works. Thoreau often shakes his finger at society for their enthusiasm over technologies such as the telegraph. “I admire Thoreau’s warning about this world becoming over-materialistic,” says Radaker.

Thoreau’s second personality as a persuasive activist of nonviolent resistance is timely. “This is the part where Henry and Kevin are not alike,” says Radaker. He finds it odd that Thoreau abandons his pacifist beliefs to defend the violent raid of John Brown. Nevertheless, the show must go on.

[PHOTO: Dr. Kevin Radaker in character as Henry David Thoreau.]

Radaker closes his show with the Thoreau that champions wild lands. Thoreau notes in his written works that he cannot be truly content unless he spends at least four hours each day walking in the woods. Radaker likes to think he shares a similar interest with Thoreau in the outdoors. He has been to almost all of the national parks and went on camping trips every couple of weeks in his 20s.

Radaker’s Thoreau monologue will last 50 minutes. Audience members are then invited to spend 20 minutes interacting with Thoreau and asking questions. During the last 15 minutes, the audience directs questions to Radaker the actor instead of to Radaker as Thoreau.

“This is such an honor for me,” says Radaker, who will perform in three different communities during the anniversary. The Oct. 30 performance in Concord, Mass., will take place in Thoreau’s hometown. A performance in Boston follows on Nov. 2, and on Nov. 3, Radaker will speak in Worcester at the very same podium Thoreau used 150 years prior.

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.

This year’s program does not have a theme, but is choreographed by students who each choose which direction to take their work. “That’s what’s so exciting about Fall into Dance,” said Zelibor. “You’ll see pieces ranging from contemporary love stories to bumpin’ hip hop routines, which creates diversity of dance.” [Photo: Sophomore Callie Zelibor and senior Phillip Crawshaw prepare for the 2009 Fall into Dance program.]

Zelibor is an Elementary Education and Special Education major with minors in Spanish and dance, She is choreographing three dances with the help of a few dance peers. “It’s awesome to work with choreographers by playing a part in their vision,” said Zelibor.

She has been dancing since the age of three and is most excited about choosing the music, costumes and choreography. “I love the thought of creating a piece that might touch just one person sitting in the audience,” said Zelibor.

Zelibor’s goals include trying out for So You Think You Can Dance and touching the hearts of people around the country. But until then, she will stick to performing for AU’s dance department, touching the hearts of the AU community.

Besides Zelibor’s hectic class schedule, she is also involved in intramural football and soccer, Camarada, Lunch Buddies and has two jobs, one off campus and one on. Even though she has a lot going on Callie enjoys making time for dance. “It allows me to freely release my emotions and feelings,” said Zelibor.

Fall into Dance will be held in Reardon Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

— Melissa Powers is a student writer for 5th Street Communications at Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Rudolph “Rudy” R. Pyle III, 39, was appointed Sunday by Gov. Mitch Daniels to fill the vacancy created last month by the resignation of Judge Fredrick R. Spencer. Pyle becomes Madison County’s first black judge.

“I first thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and thank the governor for having the confidence in me to be successful in this important post,” Pyle said Sunday. “I’m very honored and very humbled.”

Pyle said he didn’t feel a burden with his selection as the county’s first black judge. “It’s actually a moment that everyone in Madison County can be proud of. Here we have the first African-American judge in 2009. We as a community have come this far.”

Daniels’ spokesman Brad Rateike noted Pyle’s education and history in announcing the appointment.

“Rudy Pyle’s devotion to public service and diverse range of real world and academic experience show he has the necessary traits to be a great judge,” Rateike said in a statement. “The governor is confident he will bring new energy to the bench and will help establish a more effective and efficient court system in Madison County.”

Pyle said his experience gives him the ability to view cases from the perspective of law-enforcement officers and with an understanding of legal theory. “It gives me a really well-rounded background to be an effective judge.”

The announcement of Pyle’s appointment said he will be sworn in at an unspecified later date. The Indiana Supreme Court appointed retired Judge Jack Brinkman as a temporary judge in Circuit Court days after Spencer’s resignation.

Spencer resigned the judgeship on Sept. 25 amid an investigation of a judicial misconduct complaint. That case was closed with Spencer’s resignation.

A Republican, Pyle will ascend to the bench to fill a short term before he will have to stand for election next year. Given the interest in recent judicial openings, it’s likely that he will face challengers in the 2010 primary and general.

For now though, he said he’s focused on the job ahead.

“One of the biggest challenges will be to make sure the transition is as seamless as possible. We’ll be moving forward with unification of the court system,” Pyle said. Circuit Court is the only court that is not part of the unified court system, which uses the same case-management system, shares resources and is designed to improve overall court administration.

“It’s just an effort to be more efficient and to use taxpayer resources much more efficiently,” Pyle said.

The selection of Pyle to fill the Circuit Court post is the county’s second judicial replacement in recent months. In May, Daniels appointed David Happe, 38, as the new judge of Superior Court 4, filling the vacancy created by the death of Judge David W. Hopper.

Pyle was one of six candidates interviewed to fill the vacancy in Superior Court 4, and Daniels’ office did not solicit applicants for the Circuit Court opening. Along with Happe and Pyle, others who were interviewed were former Prosecutor Rodney Cummings, former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory K. Scott, former Anderson mayoral candidate John M. Blevins, and former Superior Court 5 judicial candidate William C. Davisson.

Pyle said he was appreciative of residents who supported him for the judicial post. “I was just very honored and very humbled by it. … The others in consideration were equally capable also.”

A Rhode Island native, Pyle came to Anderson in 1987, where his father, Rudolph Pyle Jr., was a professor at AU. Pyle’s father, now retired, and mother, Caroline, still live in Anderson, and Pyle said he’s settling into a new home in the city he considers his hometown.

“I’m here to stay,” Pyle said.

A HISTORY-MAKING JUDGE

Rudolph “Rudy” R. Pyle III is the first black judge in Madison County. Here’s a look at the new judge of Madison Circuit Court:

• Age: 39.
• Family: Son, Seth, 1.
• Political affiliation: Republican.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from Anderson University. Law degree from Indiana University. Master’s degree from the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
• Professional: Deputy Madison County prosecutor since 2004; in private practice in 2006. Indiana State Trooper for nearly four years. Served as law clerk for Indiana Court of Appeals. Adjunct professor at AU.

— Dave Stafford is a staff writer for The Herald Bulletin. Story posted with permission.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Jack, of beanstalk fame, can’t be left in his gleeful world after killing his giant; the giant’s wife goes on a revengeful spree.

Cinderella’s prince can’t stay faithful; he gives the royal treatment to another common girl.

And Red Riding Hood, well, she just looks buff wearing a wolf skin jacket.

All meet in the woods, where they tackle their fears of being alone and lost in a world of harrowing tragedy.

So it’s easy for these overlapping plots to jumble together unless there is clear articulation by each character. In the first act of this enjoyable Anderson University production, the enthusiastic orchestra overwhelms dialogue, at least in the rehearsal I visited. Characters’ intentions and back stories are drowned out.

Some performances rise above the din, thanks to the determination of the actors. Matthew Hougland, as Jack, fills his role with tender little moments as a simpleton. Meaghan Sands, as the childless Baker’s wife, fully involves the audience by playing off her own wifely practicality with an all-knowing grin. With an inviting soprano, her performance is as rich as the layers of her aprons. As princes, Joe De Winkle and Seth Rodden, harmonize like true chums for the show-stopping “Agony.” And don’t overlook the sad, trudging walk of Jack’s cow, played moo-vingly by Audrey Brinkley.

By the second act, the band plays softer and sweeter, giving characters the space to reflect on their plights.

The standout is Deborah Mae Fights, taking on the role played on Broadway by Bernadette Peters as the witch. Confident and beguiling, Fights makes a spellbinding transition from hag to beauty. She enlivens the show with a sparkling stage presence and an assured vocal.

The orchestra, led by David Duncan, really connects in the second half, notably with a sparkling flute intro rolling into soothing fullness on “No One is Alone.”

The set is well used with characters rushing across a sundial of a stage; the woods are stark poles, nicely lit in hazy hues (though you’ll want to sit in the center or right sections to see the final act by Jack and the Baker). More of the focus may be on the costumes by Patty Daehn whose intricate patterns define the story’s depth.

Happiness is fragile, a simple lesson from “Into the Woods.” But Anderson University theater students admirably provide a lasting joy that not only takes us into the woods but gives us lasting lessons to take back out into life.

“Into the Woods”

When: 7:30 p.m. today,; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11.

Where: Byrum Hall, Anderson University

Admission: $12 for adults: $10 for seniors and military, $5 for students.

Director: Laurel Goetzinger
Music Director: David Duncan
Choreographer: Matthew Farmer.

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine.

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

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Dillon applied and was selected to be a summer journalist for Trans World Radio (TWR). Yet, instead of heading to a well known and widely accepted culture, Dillon was to reside in Bratislava, Slovakia; a place many people have barely heard of, let alone would be able to point out on a map.

“I embrace change, I was craving it,” said Dillon. “I never gave any thought of cultural differences before going to the Slovak Republic, I just went.”

But the culture shock was more powerful than she thought it would be. “The first week was tough,” she said, “but knowing God had raised over $4,700 for me to sleep, eat, breathe, walk, and work on that continent all for him, comforted me and gave me true purpose.”

Dillon’s grandmother worked as a teacher with TWR in Bratislava for two years. It was through her that Dillon found the organization and decided to apply. Dillon worked for her supervisor by researching on radio in the days of communism, writing articles and radio scripts, and transcribing interviews. A week of her internship was spent in Vienna, Austria, working with the main TWR European office in the European region.

Tina Valentova, editor of TWR’s InfoServ magazine, housed Dillon in her apartment in downtown Bratislava. Dillon interacted with and became close with Valentova’s family who smuggled Bibles into people’s homes and private churches during communism.

In Vienna, Dillon lived with her co-worker Anne White on the public relations staff. She lived in a small town outside Vienna: Brunn am Gebirge, meaning fountain on the mountain. From there Dillon “went to town every night after work to soak in Vienna,” she said. “Both Bratislava and Vienna are beautiful places, they both feel like home.” [Photo: Downtown Bratislava, Slovakia]

Aside from the time spent interning, Dillon was able to visit Budapest, Hungry; Prague, Czech Republic; Salzburg, Austria; and Munich, Germany. “God is so good,” said Dillon. “The opportunity I had still overwhelms me when I think about it.”

Trans World Radio works to reach lost people with the gospel through the media. Their work in Slovakia is geared mostly toward the modern youth generation and the Roma or “gypsy” people, a people who are mistreated, ill used, and shamed in their Eastern European society. Broadcasts reach these peoples in the far corners of Slovakia, which is a land of mountains, castles, small villages, and quaint beauty that is trying to thrive away from the past plague of communism.

“I think people have perceptions about Eastern Europe: the people are harsh, fierce, cold, and the landscape vacant, dull, and gray,” said Dillon. “There are these realities. But they exist here in the U.S. too. The people I met were some of the most giving, welcoming people I have ever encountered. They look past what communism has left behind in their home land and try to better it, themselves, and see beauty through each other.”

—Colleen Dillon is a junior majoring in communication arts from Hillsboro, Ohio.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

Janet (Short) Mora, a 1983 Anderson University grad and 26-year teaching veteran, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year in the McAllen (Texas) Independent School District, and Jonathan Kline, a 2007 AU grad, was named Teacher of the Year in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township in Indianapolis.

Mora began her teaching career in Rock Valley, Iowa, in 1983, where she taught sixth grade. In 1985, she began her tenure at the Weslaco (Texas) ISD, where she taught kindergarten and first grade, and later served as a reading strategist until her move to the McAllen ISD, where she has served since 1999 as a first grade teacher at Milam Elementary School.

Mora has also served as a state and district trainer and consultant and as a content specialist for the Teach for America Corporation. She co-authored Milam’s first grade International Baccalaureate curriculum and is active in mentoring beginning teachers throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

“I feel strongly that teachers serve not only their students, but also their fellow teachers,” she says. “I try to find ways to mentor in my school, my district, and my region as often as I can. While you might be a beginning teacher, a struggling teacher, or an experienced teacher, amazingly, the greatest benefactor is always yourself. I always come out of the experience a better teacher.”

Being nominated for and receiving the Teacher of the Year honor has provided Mora an opportunity to reflect on her years of experience in the classroom.

“It was rewarding to understand that after 20-plus years of teaching, the reasons why I became a teacher are still the same reasons why I remain in the classroom,” she says. “I think I was influenced by my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson, who refused to call us ‘kids.’ She wanted us to understand that we would not always be children, but were destined for bigger things.”

Jonathan Kline does not have decades of experience behind him. Yet, just two years after graduating from AU as a social studies teaching major, he has earned the respect of his fellow teachers and the admiration of his students, receiving Teacher of the Year honors in his district.

Kline is currently teaching at the Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center, one of two middle schools that feed into Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.

“It is an honor to be selected to represent a great school,” Kline says. “There are many great teachers in Wayne Township, and I feel privileged to represent them, my school, and the district.”

Lynhurst Principal Dan Wilson notes that in his 15 years in the district, this is the first time the award has been given to a middle school teacher. “It’s a challenge for someone from a middle school to make that achievement,” he says, “but those of us who know Jon are not surprised by it. You can pick five minutes out of any day in his class, and you’ll walk away with something that makes you say, ‘Man, is that a great teacher!’”

Kline, a second-generation AU graduate, has long had a passion for working with youth, and he wanted to pursue a career where he could make a positive difference in the lives of young people, but it wasn’t until midway through his AU experience that he made the decision to pursue a career in the classroom.

“During my junior year of college, I re-evaluated what I wanted to do with my life,” he says. “Teaching was something I always loved to do. I know it sounds cliche, but I have always loved the moment when the lights come on in someone’s mind. At the same time, I discovered an interest in history and politics. I really enjoyed these subjects through my own education, and I was excited with the challenge of making these subjects come alive for students.”

Kline has high regard for his AU experience, both in the School of Education and in the Department of History and Political Science.

“The School of Education gave me very personal attention throughout my schooling,” he says. “I cannot even count the times I spoke to Dr. Diana Ross [dean of the SOE] and gained guidance from her in the direction I wanted to go.”

And of the history and political science faculty, Kline says, “They were fantastic in changing the way I think about and approach history and politics. These classes were some of the most memorable moments for me in college.”

Mora, too, carries fond memories of her years at Anderson University.

“I can never say enough about the education I received at Anderson,” she says. “I was gifted with so many great experiences while I was there: caring professors who would give of their time, a sense of community, a great on-campus life, Tri-S trips, CPS, etc.

“Dr. Barbara Jones [AU professor emerita of education] was a profound influence when it came to developing my teaching philosophy,” she continues. “I still hear her voice today telling us to find a new way, stretch the boundaries, do whatever is needed to help each child learn.”

The Teacher of the Year Award is a highly prestigious honor, according to Ross, particularly in larger districts such as Kline’s, which has 1,026 teachers and 15,696 students.

District-level Teacher of the Year recipients are interviewed for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, says Ross. And winners at the state level compete for the National Teacher of the Year.

Anna Shults, a 1996 AU grad, was named Indiana Teacher of the Year in 2007.

According to Ross, it is difficult to know how many AU grads have received Teacher of the Year honors. Typically, the School of Education learns about these accomplishments directly from the alumni. For that reason, Ross encourages AU education grads to keep in touch with the School of Education, letting the school know of their personal and professional accomplishments.

Education grads may contact the SOE at soeinfo@anderson.edu or call (765) 641-4402.

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

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

A music professor at Anderson University for 23 years, Frieling has naturally studied his craft backward and forward.

His deeper knowledge of Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, however, proves the old adage: It’s not what you know, but who you know.

“Percy Grainger was a pianist of note that Grieg really liked,” Frieling said last week. “Grieg was going to be the conductor, and Grainger was going to be the piano soloist. They were going to tour with an orchestra in 1907, but Grieg died.

“He and Grieg had worked before on ‘Concerto for a Summer,’ and Percy Grainger was my teacher’s teacher. So I studied this as it was handed down to me.”

While all of that sounds inordinately impressive, Frieling quickly sticks a pin in it.

“Not to say that I’ve got the only way to play it,” said Frieling, 47. “But I heard a lot of things from Percy Grainger, who of course got them from Grieg, through my teacher. It’s all (a game of) Telephone, but it’s still kind of fun.”

The Grieg, he said, is a familiar work that many don’t know by name.

“It’s a piece that I think people will recognize, especially the opening chords, because a lot of them have heard it on ‘Hooked on Classics,’” he said. “They’ll know the opening chords and go, ‘Oh, yeah,’ but they won’t know the whole concerto.”

Third meeting

Richard Sowers, ASO’s musical director and conductor, said he will enjoy sharing the stage with Frieling once more.

“This is the third time I’ve worked with Randy,” Sowers said. “He’s just a really fine pianist. The audience is in for a real treat. He plays this piece so beautifully.”

The concert also features Dvorak’s “In Nature’s Realm” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, The Pastoral.

“All of the pieces have to do with nature in some way or other,” Sowers said. “The Grieg, of course, captures Norwegian scenes with mountains and fjords and that kind of stuff.”

“I love the concerto, and the last movement is really fun and dance-like,” Frieling added. “It sort of keeps that two-step going. It’s a toe-tapper.

“Grieg was so attached to nature that you just sort of hear an overlapping of lots of bird calls, especially in the second movement. You know, it’s grand and majestic.”

A Chicago native, Frieling earned his doctorate at Ball State University. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a soloist and accompanist, with a long list of credits.

Frieling spends his free time as music director and organist at Central Christian Church and pianist for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.

He’s glad to be back on stage with Sowers and the ASO.

“Last time I played with them, I did ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and the Gottschalk ‘Grand Tarantelle,’” Frieling said. “It was just a blast.

“It’s an excellent orchestra. I’ve played with other orchestras, but this one is very, very fine.”

‘In Nature’s Realm’

What: Season-opening concert by the Anderson Symphony Orchestra

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19

Where: Paramount Theatre, 1124 Meridian Plaza, Anderson

Program:

• “In Nature’s Realm,” Antonin Dvorak
• Piano Concerto, Edvard Grieg
• Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”), Ludwig van Beethoven

Tickets: $18-$25, with student and senior discounts available

Information: 644-2111, (888) 644-9490 or online at www.andersonsymphony.org.

—Rodney Richey is a reporter for The Herald Bulletin. Photo credits: John P. Cleary. Story republished with permission.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Sayler grew up in Iowa and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Carlton College in 1976. He moved on to receive his MBA from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania in 1980. Sayler spent 20 years in the business world, including a stint with GE. “My last position with GE was as CFO for a GE subsidiary in southern California,” says Sayler. “While I enjoyed my time in business, my passion was to teach at a Christian college.” In the fall of 2000, Sayler became a full time professor in Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. He became the first graduate of the Anderson University Falls School of Business Doctor of Business Administration program in 2005, majoring in Finance.

Like the more well known Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, to earn CMA certification, Sayler had to pass a series of four tests. Each test lasts three to four hours, and each has a pass rate of only 50% to 60%. While the CPA is narrowly focused on accounting, the CMA is broader in scope.

“In addition to accounting and internal controls,” explains Sayler, “I was tested on such topics as decision analysis, economics, financial statement analysis, global business, marketing, and strategic planning.” For achieving the top score, Sayler will be presented with the Johnson & Johnson Gold Medal.

In Sayler’s opinion, his years of experience, both in the field and in front of the classroom, helped him achieve such an outstanding score.

“Most accounting and business majors will have been exposed to almost all of the material that is included on the test,” he states, “but perhaps they have not yet fully internalized it. Being in my fifties, I had the advantage of using most of this material for 20 years and then teaching it for 10 years.” He adds, “Earning my DBA at the FSB was certainly a real help in that it forced me to study and re-study many of the areas included on the CMA test.”

—Senior Graham Brown is the Executive Director of Anderson Media Group.

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. Falls School of Business is one of Anderson University’s largest academic departments offering eight undergraduate majors as well as MBA and DBA programs. The school is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is a member of the Christian Business Faculty Association (CBFA).