Martin Hall and Smith Hall are both receiving much-anticipated renovations and upgrades this summer. Martin was completed in 1958, and Smith was completed in 1964. This renovation will be the first that either hall has received.

VIEW A FLICKR SLIDE SHOW OF THE RENOVATIONS.

AU junior Eryn Britt was selected to participate in the 500 Festival Princess Program on Saturday, May 17 for her dedication to academics and service.

Britt was one of 33 selected participants from an applicant pool of over 250 other Indiana collegiate women. Finalists were chosen for their communication skills, poise, academic performance and community and volunteer involvement.

Britt explained why she decided to take part in the program, which helps promote the Indy 500 race. “I grew up five miles from the track. The race has always been a part of my life, and I’ve always been interested in the tradition of the 500.”

Britt is involved in several campus and community service activities. This past year, she was a resident assistant in Martin Hall. She is a fellow in the Center for Public Service, and has volunteered with After School Fun. Additionally, she has traveled to Honduras with Tri-S and Ghana with her church.

Through the program, Britt has taken part in various community outreach and service opportunities. She has read books to elementary school classes, helped with an opening day youth softball event, led tours of the track, helped with a mini-marathon and other events.

Britt is majoring in Biology and Teach Science major and minoring in Chemistry.

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

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

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

VIEW PHOTOS OF GRADUATION ON FLICKR

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

Baby could hardly keep his eyes open by 2 p.m.

The beagle-mix puppy was in high demand at Anderson University during “Rent-a-Puppy,” a fundraising event for social service organization Alacritas.

“It’s good publicity for us and the shelter,” said 20-year-old Samantha Smith, president of the group.

For $1, students could play and pet and cuddle with one of the six puppies out for rent.

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

AU seniors Laura Boltz and Mark Price were recently awarded the Stevenson Outstanding Student Award for their academic achievement. As outstanding students, Boltz and Price were selected for the $2,500 award by Dr. Blake Janutolo, dean of the College of Science and Humanities, and the biology faculty. The Stevenson Award is made possible through a gift by Dr. Jerry and Patricia Stevenson.

Martin Hall hosted a celebration to honor the decades of sisterhood that have been created since the dorm’s construction in 1958. 50 people attended the 50-year celebration in Martin Lobby to share memories, stories and friendships from the hall on the eve of its renovation.

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.

Acclaimed author Elizabeth Royte will speak at chapel sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Transformation (PACT) Program on April 17 in Reardon Auditorium. Immediately after chapel, she will host a book signing for her book, Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash, in the bookstore. A lunchtime question-and-answer conversation will be held in the Kane Dining Room from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Royte looks at recycling, E-waste and the zero waste movement from all sides, and discusses the practical ways in which we can achieve positive change by limiting our waste footprints.

The Department of Modern Foreign Languages is hosting a forum entitled “Unity & Diversity: Immigration in the 21st Century” in Hartung 101 on April 8 and 15.

The forum on April 8 will include a showing of the film Dying to Live at 5:30 p.m. The following Tuesday, on April 15 at 7:30, the forum will host a panel of three experts in Indiana immigration: Angela D. Adams, Dr. John Clark and Father Daniel Groody.

Both events are free, and open to the public.