HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Students from Huntington University recently received national recognition through Alpha Chi, the University’s highest academic honors society, highlighting achievements in research, scholarship and the arts.
Among those recognized was Morgan Harlan, a junior in the art education major, fine arts minor, whose artwork was selected for publication in Kalo, Alpha Chi’s national journal that celebrates the achievements and excellence of its members. Publication in Kalo is highly competitive, with many submissions not accepted.
Harlan’s work draws inspiration from impressionist artists such as Renoir, aiming to capture a sense of journey while remaining true to the original subject. Reflecting on the honor, Harlan emphasized the importance of creative disciplines within academic spaces.
“Creative endeavors have so much to offer the academic sphere,” Harlan said. “To see art, including my own, being published like this proves that art isn’t ‘lesser than’ other subjects, but that both coexist and help fuel the world.”
In addition to Harlan’s achievement, Olivia Robbins was recognized nationally through Alpha Chi’s Wall of Fame, an honor awarded to only 24 students across the country. This recognition highlights her selection as a recipient of the $3,000 Edwin W. Gaston Scholarship for her research titled “A Brief Review of the Role of Plumage Color in Bird Mating.”
Huntington University students also represented the institution at the Alpha Chi National Convention, where several students presented original research and creative work. Presenters included:
Students also competed for national scholarships, with Emily Huhn earning a $2,000 award.
Several Huntington students received top honors at the conference. Williams earned a presentation prize in the chemistry category, while Moseng received a presentation prize in the mixed humanities category.
“Simply being invited to Alpha Chi is an honor because it is the highest honors society we have on campus,” said Dr. Jeremiah Davis. “Seeing our students have success on the national stage demonstrates just how hard-working and impressive our students are, even when compared to larger universities nation-wide.”
Additionally, Dr. Tanner Babb was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award for his many years of contributions to Alpha Chi.
These accomplishments reflect Huntington University’s continued commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning and the development of students who contribute meaningfully both within and beyond their fields.
Photo provided:
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has hired Dr. Jessica Graves to fill the roles of director of the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies and assistant professor of agriculture. She will begin her duties on June 1, 2026. The selection of Graves concludes a national search due to the impending retirement of current director Dr. Raymie Porter. Graves will provide oversight for an expanding agriculture program currently celebrating its 10th anniversary.
“My first encounter with HU ag was 10 years ago at a National FFA Convention,” Graves said. “For the last decade, I have watched the faculty and staff commit themselves to serving students and the agricultural community in a way that is purpose-driven and intentional. I am often noted as a ‘people person,’ and relationship-building is important to me. As such, I was not only drawn to HU because of the people and the rich HU community, but the University also provides a space for me to live out my faith in Christ while exercising my vocational calling as an educator. “The director role resonated with me as an opportunity to steward the Haupert Institute into its next season of growth and continue the legacy of Christ-centered education where faith and farming intersect — an intersection that has shaped both my personal faith journey and my professional life in agricultural education and international missions.”
Graves earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal and dairy sciences, a Master of Science degree in agriculture (animal nutrition) and a PhD in agricultural and extension education, all from Mississippi State University. Graves served as an academic advisor and instructor at Mississippi State for over 14 years before taking the director of international capacity development position for the M4 Institute in 2023.
Graves specifically serves as an agricultural specialist for M4, which is an international development organization. In 2024, Graves joined Huntington University on a part-time basis as an adjunct professor. In that role, she led the development of the international agriculture track for Huntington’s MBA program and coordinated international mission trips for Huntington’s agriculture program. Graves intends to continue her involvement with M4 alongside her new role at HU.
Huntington University President Dr. Robert Pepper shared his enthusiasm for Graves’ hiring.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Jessica Graves to her new full-time role at Huntington University, where her unique blend of academic expertise and hands-on agricultural experience will strengthen our program and the Haupert Institute,” Pepper said. “Her global perspective and Christ-centered approach to developing students will have a meaningful and lasting impact on our campus and beyond.”
Graves summarized her vision for the agriculture program as being one honoring Christ first and foremost while further deepening the program’s impact on students and the community.
“I am eager to bring my experiences, vision and passion for encouraging and equipping young people to serve the Kingdom well, locally and globally, through agriculture,” Graves said. “From inter-departmental collaborations to agricultural community partnerships, I look forward to leading the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies in a way that is Christ-honoring and promotes an environment where faculty, students and the HU community can flourish. I am excited to start connecting with farmers, ranchers, agribusiness leaders, ag educators and others to invite them to walk alongside us in this academic space where ‘faith, family and farming’ isn't just a slogan — it's who we are.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University senior Kara Strong has received a substantial research scholarship to continue her history studies in graduate school at the University of Chicago.
Strong, a history education major from Kendallville, Indiana, will also have the opportunity to apply for the University of Chicago’s Dean’s List Scholarship.
Strong credits her time at HU as being instrumental in her development to set her up for success in her next steps in academia.
“I was rather reserved when arriving at HU, and through the extensive courseload undertaken, I not only found my academic voice, but broadened my perspectives and sharpened my analytical skills, research and writing,” Strong said.
Upon encouragement from the Department of History, Strong had the opportunity to study abroad in Oxford, England, during her junior year where she undertook tutorials from professors at the University of Oxford.
That departmental support extended to Strong’s decision to pursue her graduate studies. Strong is grateful for Drs. Dwight Brautigam, Timothy Smith and Jeffrey Webb for the influence they have had on her journey.
Strong was a recipient of the Jack P. Barlow, Sr., History Book Prize in 2025, given to outstanding students in the department’s upper-level, research- and writing-intensive courses.
“Kara has seized every opportunity with swashbuckling elan, both in classroom discussions and written assignments, during her time at HU,” Smith said. “She has fully invested in her education, and Kara’s admittance to the University of Chicago, along with the significant scholarship award, is no less than she deserves. This is just the beginning. Kara has a lot of potential, and the history department eagerly anticipates hearing about her future successful endeavors.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is proud to announce the expansion of its nationally recognized Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Bridge Program with the launch of a second on-site experiential learning lab location in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The addition of the Fort Wayne lab site strengthens HU’s commitment to increasing accessibility for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) nationwide seeking to advance to the doctoral level.
Students in the Bridge Program complete coursework online and participate in required on-site experiential learning labs designed to foster:
With this expansion, students may now complete required on-site labs in either Peoria, Arizona, or Fort Wayne, Indiana, enhancing geographic flexibility while maintaining rigorous academic and experiential standards. The OTD Bridge Program previously operated only out of HU’s Arizona location.
“The launch of our Fort Wayne experiential lab site marks an exciting milestone for the HU Arizona OTD Bridge Program,” said Dr. Tina M. Sauber, director of innovation and OTD Bridge Program. “This expansion strengthens our national reach and reinforces our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality doctoral education for OTA and PTA professionals seeking career advancement. By offering two on-site lab locations, we are removing geographic barriers while preserving the rigorous, hands-on experiential learning that defines our program.”
To ensure an optimal learning experience, a minimum enrollment of six students is required to operate the Fort Wayne lab site. Students declare their preferred lab location upon acceptance. If minimum enrollment is not met, students will complete their experiential labs at the Arizona site
The HU OTD Bridge Program is designed specifically for licensed OTAs and PTAs seeking expanded scope of practice, leadership development and doctoral-level professional advancement. The program integrates flexible hybrid delivery with immersive, on-site experiential learning to support working professionals nationwide.
Applications are now open for upcoming cohorts. For more information, visit huntington.edu/OTDBridge.
Photos provided:
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s Center for Faith Integration and Vocation will host Christian Thinking as Pilgrimage, a one‑day gathering on May 21 exploring what it truly means to think like a Christian in today’s complex world.
In an increasingly post-secular age, faith, learning and personal identity are deeply intertwined. Traditional approaches that sharply contrast Christian and secular thought no longer fully address the realities Christian educators and students face. Instead, the conference frames Christian thinking as an intellectual pilgrimage — a journey marked by intentional self‑reflection and active engagement with differing perspectives.
This model of pilgrimage thinking offers new pathways for participants to better understand themselves, engage constructively in public discourse and contribute meaningfully to the ongoing vocation of Christian academic inquiry.
“At Huntington University, we are committed to fostering thoughtful, Christ-centered teaching and scholarship,” said HU President Dr. Rob Pepper. “This conference reflects that commitment by inviting faculty from a wide range of higher education contexts and traditions who are interested in the integration of faith and learning. We are grateful for the support of the CCCU and NetVue, as with their help, we believe this gathering will create space for rich dialogue, mutual learning and a shared pursuit of truth across diverse academic disciplines and communities.”
Attendees will hear from Douglas Jacobsen and Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen, authors of Christianity and Intellectual Inquiry: Thinking as Pilgrimage (Oxford University Press, 2025). Together with scholars from a variety of Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) institutions and disciplines, they will lead a lively, thought‑provoking conversation on what it means to be a Christian intellectual pilgrim.
The conference is sponsored by the CCCU with additional support from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a program of the Council of Independent Colleges.
Featured speakers and participants:
Attendees are encouraged to register online. Additional details (agenda, session descriptions and logistics) are available on the Huntington University event page.
Register Today Learn More
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Shoshannah Hernandez, assistant professor of education and associate director of teacher education – graduate, has been selected as an English language specialist for a virtual teacher development project supporting secondary science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educators in Ukraine. Hernandez presented her webinar on February 17.
The U.S. Department of State administers the competitive English Language Specialist Program in partnership with Regional English Language Offices at U.S. Embassies worldwide.
Hernandez has more than 20 years of teaching and teacher development experience in the field of TESOL. She has participated in regional and international teacher training programs, served as an EL and mathematics subject matter expert for the Indiana Department of Education and has presented widely about approaches to engaging and supporting English learners in content-based settings.
Hernandez has collaborated with an international team to design and deliver a series of webinars and follow-up discussion sessions aimed at equipping Ukrainian teachers with innovative, inquiry-based instructional strategies. The project focuses on helping secondary STEM educators teach subject content while also strengthening English language proficiency among teachers and students. More than 100 Ukrainian teachers have participated so far.
According to the program’s website, the English Language Specialist Program is the premier opportunity for leaders in the field of English teaching to engage teachers in meaningful and sustainable professional development. English Language Specialists have participated in projects developed by U.S. Embassies in more than 80 countries. These projects partner with local educational leaders and officials to exchange knowledge and foster relationships between the U.S. and communities around the world.
The project is conducted entirely online, with team members located around the world. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, teachers continue to log in each week to pursue professional development and collaborate with peers.
“I am honored to have been selected to work on this unique project and provide teacher development that focuses on inquiry-based methods for STEM that foster collaboration and develop English language proficiency among students and teachers,” Hernandez said. “Apart from my excitement about the topic itself, I recognize what a humbling privilege it is to come alongside Ukrainian teachers at this particular time in history. Despite limited resources, war-related trauma, loss of power and heat and a multitude of daily uncertainties, teachers log in each week to improve their practice, collaborate and learn. Their spirit and dedication are inspiring.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is proud to name Christopher “Toph” Sluka as the recipient of the full‑tuition scholarship from the February 13, 2026, HU Scholars Day competition.
The HU Scholars Day competition highlights high-achieving academic students and offers participants the opportunity to engage with the Honors Program on campus.
Sluka plans to major in exercise and movement science and be involved in bowling and theatre at HU.
“Toph reflects the heart, curiosity and character we value at Huntington University,” said Susie Carr, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. “His authenticity, leadership and commitment to community make him an excellent representative of the HU Scholars award. We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the impact he will make.”
Sluka his authenticity and his ability to connect his experiences with his values as key factors in the competition. He encourages future participants to be confident, stay authentic and trust that your story matters.
Sluka’s interest in HU began with family ties — his mother is an alumna — but his first campus visit solidified his decision, as he immediately felt at home. As he prepares for his freshman year, he looks forward to joining HU’s supportive community and participating in campus traditions. Currently, he is enjoying his senior year and starring as Shrek in his school’s musical.
“Winning the HU Scholars full-tuition scholarship still feels surreal,” Sluka said. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and deeply thankful to everyone who supported me along the way. It’s truly an honor to be recognized in this way, and I’m excited for what this next chapter has to offer.”