AU School of Theology honored Rev. Adrienne Holmes with the 2008 Distinguished Alumna Award, James Cook with the 2008 Distinguished Ministries Award, and Dr. John Aukerman with the 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

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

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

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

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

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

Anderson University recently announced that 76 percent of the faculty and staff have contributed more than $2.4 million in gifts and pledges to the “Dreams. Discovery. Direction.” campaign. The public phase of the campaign for Anderson University was officially launched on October 5, 2006 and is the largest fundraising effort in the history of the institution. To date, more than $82.3 million has been raised toward the $110 million goal.

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

Anderson University mourns the recent passing of Dr. Gilbert Stafford, professor emeritus of Theology and former director of the Doctor of Ministry program within the School of Theology. Dr. Stafford passed away on Sunday, March 30, following an extended struggle with cancer. He retired at the end of the 2006-07 academic year after 31 years of service.

School of Theology student Shannon New-Spangler was named the inaugural recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship in Archaeology.

“I am pleased that Shannon New-Spangler is the 2008 recipient of the Jeeninga Fellowship,” said David Sebastian, Dean of the School of Theology. “Shannon is an outstanding scholar and will make a positive contribution in biblical archaeology. We are grateful to the Jeeninga family for making such an experience possible.”

New-Spangler plans to spend three weeks on an archaeological dig in Tel Dan, about twenty miles north of the Sea of Galilee on the Jordan River.

“I am terribly excited about this opportunity,” New-Spangler said. “This is not something that I could have done with my own resources. This fellowship is an opportunity for me to further my education with hands on experience.”

In addition to her time in Tel Dan, New-Spangler will spend about a week in Jerusalem, visiting holy sites such as the Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, the Wailing Wall, the temple mount, Mt. Zion and others. She also plans to travel to the Dead Sea, Jericho and other places in Israel.

David Neidert, Jeeninga Museum Director and Fellowship Committee member, said, “As a student deeply interested in biblical studies, we are excited that Shannon will spend several weeks in Israel learning the culture and studying archeology. It is our belief that Shannon has a bright future in teaching and sharing her expertise in biblical studies. We are pleased she will have this opportunity to grow through this Fellowship.”

Students, faculty and staff will have an opportunity in the coming months to hear a report of her research and experiences.

The Fellowship was established by the late Dr. Gustav Jeeninga, founder and former director of the Bible Museum, for assisting students to study up to four weeks in the Mediterranean basin around archaeology or personalized research in periods from the Early Bronze Age to 1000 A.D.

The Selection Committee for the Fellowship consists of Dr. Blake Janutolo, Dean College of Science and Humanities; David Neidert, Jeeninga Museum Director; Dr. Alan Overstreet, Chair, Religious Studies Department; and Dr. Barry Ross, Professor of Old Testament in the School of Theology.

—David Hynds is the Web Content Specialist for Anderson University.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

The English as a New Language (ENL) program is now able to provide students with an ENL license, training educators to assist English language learners in the classroom.

Through the federal National Professional Development grant, the ENL program at AU is able to offer ENL licensing and professional development to education students and practitioners.

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

The Indianapolis Colts recently honored Dr. Mark Motluck, assistant professor of Accounting and Business in the Falls School of Business at Anderson University as a part of their 2007 Colts Community Quarterback Award program. The program is designed to recognize Colts season ticket holders who have demonstrated outstanding service to their community through volunteerism. Anthony Gonzalez, Wide Receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, presented the award to 25 deserving recipients.