Kemple’s time of 35:57 was 22 seconds faster than the previous record, held by Monica Hostetler. Her previous best time was 36:36 earlier in the year and her current mark is one of the top eight times in the country and automatically qualifies her for the national meet.

The 1,600 relay team of Mark Price, Nic Huffman, Tony Pryor and Garrett Zick ran a season-best time of 3:18 at North Central, which is just two seconds off a national provisional qualifying time.

Other competitors for the Ravens were Kyle Carey in the 1,500 (4:01) and Jenny Loerop in the 3,000 steeplechase (12:20).

Summer school students also have the opportunity to select offerings such as reading courses of assigned textbooks, journals and research documents; flexible online study; tutorial courses which regularly meet with an arranged instructor; or special Tri-S courses that provide academic credit through study abroad.

Registration continues until the first day of each scheduled class. View the Schedule of Undergraduate Classes for the summer of 2008 [PDF]. Tuition for summer school at AU in2008 is $310 per semester hour. All current AU students enrolled in the spring semester are automatically admitted for Summer School. New and former students wishing to enroll should contact the AU Admissions Department at 1-800-428-6414.

For further information and details about Summer School 2008, please contact Aleza Beverly, Dean of the School of Adult Learning and director of Summer School, at 765-641-4251.

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.

In high school, her older brother started a program to give meals to the homeless, so Allen helped with that and other social projects. Since she started at Anderson University, she has gone on several mission trips within the United States, and one to Nairobi, Kenya.

Today, Allen will be one of the 640 students to graduate from Anderson University.

But shortly after that, she will leave on her next adventure: an 11-month internship in Ethiopia.

“I think when I have some time to sit down and think about it, there will be some fears, especially with leaving everyone here, but right now, I’m very excited and I’m awaiting what will come,” the 22-year-old said.

Allen, who calls Lexington, Ky., home, said she had learned a lot of skills during her four years at AU that she could bring with her when she goes to Africa.

Allen will work for Remember the Poorest Community, a group started by an evangelical church in Ethiopia. As a project manager for RPC, Allen will write for the newsletter of the organization, as well as work on site with women and children on the street.

“Part of what I’ll be doing in Ethiopia is writing stories of women and children that the organization helps,” she said.

Before Allen goes off to Africa, she will spend two weeks in Costa Rica with a social organization at AU.

“We’ll be helping to do some painting work at a homeless shelter,” she said.

While Allen is excited to graduate, she said she would miss some aspects of college.

“There are parts of it I’ll miss a lot,” she said. “I’m glad to not have papers or tests, but I’ll miss the people. I’ll miss the community we’ve developed. I’ll miss the activities provided for us, all the things to do in the community and on campus.”

—Jessica Kerman is a reporter for the Herald Bulletin in Anderson. 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 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.

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.

The ceremony hasn’t changed much over the years, said sisters Nicole Fischer, 26, and Kate Lintondo, 31.

The two women sat with their grandparents in the audience as their mother, Katrinna Fischer, 49, received her master’s degree in teaching.

Katrinna Fischer teaches at Eastside Elementary School in Anderson. Her family has sat through several commencement ceremonies at Anderson University as other family members have graduated: Nicole; Kate; Kate’s husband; and Katrinna.

“We just like education,” said Nicole, who is now in law school.

Katrinna Fischer earned her bachelor’s degree from Anderson University not too long before she started the graduate program. Next year, she’ll start at Ball State University to earn her doctorate.

“She’s excited,” Kate Lintondo said. “She’s looking forward to it.”

All of the graduates, and their teachers, seemed excited for the future.

Commencement speaker James T. Morris, who was given an honorary doctor of law degree, said he was told this group of students was the most prepared class for public service from the university.

“The world is eager for you to make your mark, to do what you can,” he said.

Morris, executive director for the United Nations World Food Programme, talked about Myanmar and the world’s efforts to help the country, which was recently hit with a disastrous cyclone. He also spoke about efforts to eradicate world hunger and help the children of the world.

“Spending time on a team of people, seeking a common cause for a common good, that is the most rewarding experience that a human being can have,” Morris said. “This is a Christian university. This is a university with global outreach. … The practical application of our faith, whether you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist, brings us together in a common ground.”

Coming together is how the world will rid itself of hunger, Morris said.

“You never feel so good about yourself with someone else working for someone else,” he said. “Leadership and being an effective person is about seeing your calling in its biggest context.”

The joyous occasion ended as most do—some were laughing and some were crying, but all were ready to go on to another adventure.

—Jessica Kerman is a reporter for the Herald Bulletin in Anderson. 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 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.

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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology claimed the Commissioner’s Cup, as the Engineers amassed a total of 103 points. Anderson was second with a total of 93.5 points, followed by Franklin College with 91.5 points and Manchester College with 84.5 points.

Anderson won the 2006-07 Commissioner’s Cup trophy, edging Rose-Hulman by one-half point in the final standings.

“The overall success of our intercollegiate athletic program can be directly attributed to the commitment, dedication and hard work put forth on a daily basis by our coaches and student-athletes,” said Michael Zapolski, Anderson University’s Director of Athletics. “I am constantly amazed by the overall body of work registered by our programs, particularly when you consider the competitiveness of the recruiting environment. Anderson University is blessed to be represented by coaches and student-athletes who value the experience of participating in intercollegiate athletics.”

Franklin and Rose-Hulman shared the HCAC’s Men’s All-Sports trophy, as both schools accumulated 53.5 points. Anderson placed third with 46.5 points. Manchester earned the Women’s All-Sports award with 51 points. Rose-Hulman was second with 49.5 points while Anderson placed third with 47 points.

The men’s cross country program finished third at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and advanced to the NCAA Championships as a team for the second time in the last three seasons.

In addition to the four conference championships, the men’s basketball and men’s track and field teams finished second in the league standings, while the men’s golf and women’s volleyball programs placed third.

The men’s basketball program showed the biggest improvement in 2007-08, posting a 10-6 mark in league play and finishing in a three-way tie for second place in the league standings after finishing last in 2006-07. After finishing fourth in the final conference standings in 2006-07, the women’s basketball team notched a 12-4 conference mark this year and shared the regular season league title with Manchester.

Marcie Taylor was tabbed the HCAC’s 2007-08 “Coach of the Year” for women’s basketball, while Scott Wilson earned similar recognition for men and women’s cross country and women’s track and field.

In the sports of men’s and women’s cross country, seniors Sean Hudson and Gwen Kemple earned “Most Outstanding Runner” honors at the conference championship, while Kemple and senior Amanda Nagy were tabbed the “Co-Most Valuable Track” performers at the recent HCAC Championships. Junior Kayla Martin was named the HCAC’s “Most Valuable Player” for women’s basketball, while senior Denny Kimmel was the league’s “Co-Special Teams Player of the Year” in football.

Garrity led the Ravens in hitting with a .393 average, 46 hits, 29 RBI, 60 total bases and a .513 slugging percentage. She also had 19 runs, nine doubles, one triple, one home run and five stolen bases.

Louzon was second on the team in hitting with a .345 average to go with 38 hits, eight doubles, one home run, 15 runs scored and 10 RBI. On the mound, she was 5-7 with a 3.17 earned run average and eight complete games, including two shutouts. She had 63 strikeouts in 84 innings.

Haines was third on the team in hitting with a .339 average to go with 38 hits, 21 runs, 12 doubles, one home run, 18 RBI and a team-high eight stolen bases. She was one of three Ravens to start all 38 games this season.

Thompson was fourth on the team in hitting with a 324 average to go with 35 hits, a team-high 13 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 14 runs scored and 19 RBI. On the mound, she was 7-10 with a 2.01 ERA and a team-best 80 strikeouts in 97 innings pitched. She also had 13 complete games and two shutouts.
AU finished the season 16-22 overall and 9-7 in the HCAC, good for fifth place.

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.

“I’m part of Alacritas, so I was just coming to help out,” Jaime Kuhnle, 22, said as she lay on the grass while Baby slept on her chest. “It’s really creative idea to raise money for the club and also to raise awareness.”

Jessica Combs, 21, fundraising officer for Alacritas coordinated the effort with Terri Kelley from the shelter. Combs said she found the idea on Web sites for other colleges and approached Anderson Animal Care and Control about doing it.

“We wanted to raise money for Alacritas, but we’re getting something for the shelter, too,” she said. “There was no goal amount. We’re just attempting to raise whatever we could.”

Almost 100 students participated in the program, which started early because of a crowd ready to rent. From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., students played in the “valley” on campus with the puppies.

“This was incredibly positive,” said Claudia Smith, a contracted employee with the city shelter.

“And it makes college students more aware of volunteer opportunities,” Kelley added.

A few people expressed interest in adopting the puppies — Derby, Foxy, Marvin, Rudy, Baby and Pumpkin. Some said they would be lining up Monday morning in front of the shelter to get to Baby first.

“The dogs are so happy,” Claudia Smith said. “It’ll be hard to take them back (to the shelter).”

—Jessica Kerman is a reporter for the Herald Bulletin in Anderson. Story republished with permission. Photos by John P. Cleary.

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

Senior Eric Smith earned the victory in his final game as a Raven, allowing six hits and three runs over 8.1 innings of work, striking out nine and walking two. Senior Brandon Meadows pitched the final two outs in the win.

Senior Stephen Jones led the offense with four hits, two runs and three RBI, including a pair of doubles. The final senior, Ryne Foster, finished with a hit and two RBI - both on sacrifice flies.

Cody Young also had two hits in the game and David Addington added a double and two runs scored. Chris Jarrett tied a school record with four walks, scoring three runs.

AU won seven of its final eight games, but needed Rose-Hulman to defeat Transylvania on the last day of the season to make the four-team HCAC post-season tournament field. However, Transy rallied from behind to beat Rose 5-3 ending the Ravens’ season.

The Ravens finished 24-14 overall and 14-8 in the HCAC, good for fifth place in the conference standings.

The victories keep alive the Ravens hopes of making the HCAC post-season tournament. The Ravens trail Transylvania by one game for the final spot in the four-team field with one game remaining. An AU victory at Bluffton on Sunday combined with a Pioneer loss to Rose-Hulman would clinch a spot in the tournament.

In the first game, Brad Schnepp tossed a four-hit shutout, walking two and striking out seven to earn his third victory of the season. Schnepp also had two hits and two RBI, including his first career home run at the plate.

Stephen Jones led the Raven offense with three hits, two runs and an RBI, including a home run. Eric Smith also had three hits, two runs and two RBI, including a double and Chris Jarrett had two hits, two runs and four RBI, including a grand slam.

Daniel Hiatt had two hits, three RBI and Cody Young added two hits.

In the second game, Hiatt led the Ravens with three hits, two runs and three RBI, including a triple and a home run. Schnepp had three more hits and an RBI.

Smith had two hits, two runs and Brad Lantz added an RBI double. David Addington had the Ravens 34th triple and scored a run.

Kyle Dillon earned the victory on the mound, allowing four hits and one earned run in 7.1 innings of work, walking one and striking out eight. Brandon Meadows pitched a shutout inning of relief and Smith got the final two outs of the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

AU (23-14, 13-8 HCAC) finishes the regular season at Bluffton on Sunday. The game will be carried live on the internet broadcast at 4:30 p.m.