HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to recognize four exemplary individuals — Marcy Hawkins, Ann McPherren, Mark Wickersham and Nick Alwine — who have made notable contributions to their communities.
Marcy Hawkins was recognized with the Alumna of the Year award. Hawkins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management in 2003 and later earned a Master of Business Administration in 2020. This award recognizes not only Hawkins’ exceptional achievement in her career, but also the lasting impact she has had on others, particularly during her time working at HU. Comments shared about Hawkins highlighted her work ethic, innovative mind, compassion for others and love for her Alma mater.
Ann McPherren and Mark Wickersham were both recognized with Distinguished Alumni of the Year awards.
McPherren graduated first in her class in 1978, but her impact on the University was only beginning. For approximately 45 years, McPherren has faithfully served Huntington University as a professor, administrator, mentor and leader. She has helped shape new academic programs, expand graduate education, secure important grants and guide the University through seasons of tremendous growth and change. Through it all, McPherren has remained one of HU’s greatest advocates and a familiar face at countless University and athletic events. She is a servant leader in every sense of the word — selfless, thoughtful, dependable and always willing to step in wherever she is needed.
Wickersham earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1978. Wickersham has spent his career driving growth across Huntington County and supporting Huntington University. Working in the political sphere for Dan Coats and Mark Souder, he consistently upheld a personal standard of dignity and respect for all people. As a key liaison between the public and government offices, Wickersham helped local constituents navigate federal challenges and ensured their voices were heard. Comments shared about Wickersham highlighted his faith, dedication to family, loyalty, investment in his community and ability to understand and navigate complex processes.
Nick Alwine was presented with the Huntington University Foundation Distinguished Service Award. The award is given to a community member who has been a model of the connection between the University and Huntington community at large. A Purdue University alum, Alwine and his family have become engaged in the Huntington community and Huntington University since they made Huntington home in 2012. As president of FCI Construction, Alwine has been very involved with the construction of many buildings on campus, including renovations of the Dining Commons, the HUB and the PLEX. Alwine currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council for Excellence at Huntington University. In the community, Alwine is involved in Faith Chapel Church, is part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters lunch buddy program and is an executive board member of Huntington County United Economic Development. He is a volunteer with the DadCamp ministry, and, in his spare time, he has taught Sunday school, coached youth soccer, Pal baseball and Huntington United Soccer.
PEORIA, Ariz. — Huntington University Arizona students were recognized for outstanding creative work at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter Student Production Awards, earning awards across HU Arizona’s digital media arts programs.
The Student Production Awards recognize excellence in student-produced media and are presented by the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
HU Arizona students received awards in the following categories:
The recognition is especially meaningful for HU Arizona, with winning work representing each of the University’s three undergraduate digital media arts programs.
“I’m incredibly proud of both our nominees and award winners,” said Jonathan Vinson, co-program director and professor of film production at HU Arizona. “The amazing hard work of our students is a testament to the commitment to excellence here at Huntington University Arizona, especially considering the incredibly competitive field here at the Rocky Mountain Student Production Awards.”
In addition to the three award-winning entries, HU Arizona students received a total of 14 nominations in this year’s Student Production Awards, highlighting the breadth of creative work being produced by students across the digital media arts programs.
HU Arizona’s digital media arts programs emphasize hands-on, industry-focused education, giving students opportunities to develop professional-level work in animation, film production and graphic design while learning alongside faculty with professional experience in their fields.
The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences serves television professionals and students throughout the region and presents the Student Production Awards to recognize excellence in student media production.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University announced today it has joined the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards® Consortium, a national network of more than 435 private colleges and universities that offer guaranteed tuition discounts to families who have accumulated Tuition Rewards points. The partnership, formalized through a College Enrollment Consortium Agreement with SAGE Scholars, Inc. and signed September 15, 2026, takes effect for incoming undergraduate students.
Tuition Rewards is a free loyalty-points program in which families earn points — through participating employers, banks and 529 college savings plans — that convert into guaranteed tuition discounts at consortium colleges, at no cost to the family or the institution. As a new Consortium member, Huntington University will accept Tuition Rewards as a credit toward a qualified student’s tuition, up to the lesser of the student’s accumulated points or one year’s tuition, applied evenly across four years of undergraduate study — effectively capped at 25% of freshman-year tuition per year.
“Joining the SAGE Scholars Consortium gives families one more way to make a Huntington University education more affordable and predictable,” said Susie Carr, vice president of enrollment management and marketing. “We’re excited to welcome students who have been planning and saving for college through this program.”
“We’re pleased to welcome Huntington University to the SAGE Scholars College Consortium,” said SAGE Scholars CEO Michael Hall. “Huntington’s addition gives families across the country another outstanding private university to consider, where Tuition Rewards can help make a quality education more affordable.”
Through the partnership, Huntington University also gains access to SAGE Scholars’ database of Scholars in grades nine through twelve, along with basic demographic information shared by participating families — a resource the University’s enrollment team will use to connect with prospective students already engaged in college planning.
Tuition Rewards points apply to undergraduate tuition only and are available to students who have not yet applied to Huntington University as of this announcement. Students should present a current Tuition Rewards statement to the Office of Admissions within 10 days of submitting their application to be considered for the credit.
Families can check whether they are already accumulating Tuition Rewards, or enroll a student for free, at tuitionrewards.com.
About Huntington University:
Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering award-winning graduate, undergraduate and online programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. Founded in Huntington, Indiana, in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University has over a century of experience educating graduates who are ready to impact the world for Christ through scholarship and service. The quality of education is high as reflected in Huntington’s top quartile ranking in the 2026 U.S. News Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings. The nonprofit university’s locations include the original home campus in Huntington, a doctoral program in occupational therapy and an accelerated baccalaureate nursing program in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and an undergraduate and doctoral program location in Peoria, Arizona. Huntington University’s home campus offers 18 official men’s and women’s athletic programs, and the university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
About SAGE Scholars, Inc. / Tuition Rewards:
Founded in 1995, SAGE Scholars, Inc. is the nation’s oldest and largest private college preparation and funding organization. Its Tuition Rewards® program allows families to accumulate points — through employer benefits, participating banks and 529 plans — that guarantee tuition discounts, worth up to 25% of tuition annually, at more than 435 participating private colleges and universities nationwide. Learn more at tuitionrewards.com.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce it has welcomed 308 new students for the fall 2026 semester on the Huntington campus. The number marks a 16-year high for new-student enrollment.
The 308 new students represent an 8.8% increase over 2025. Among the new students are 255 first-time freshmen and 53 transfer and readmitted students. Included in the first-time freshman count are 29 students accepted into Huntington University’s Honors Program.
“Our largest new-student class in 16 years is a reflection of the people who make Huntington University home,” said Susie Carr, vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing. “Today's students and families are looking for an institution where they will be seen, heard and known, and Huntington University continues to deliver on that promise.”
This year’s growth is fueled by strong counts in both the first-time freshman and transfer and readmitted categories, with first-time freshman enrollment up 5.37% for the highest total since 2010 and transfer and readmitted enrollment up 20.45% for the highest total since 2023.
The incoming class boasts high geographical diversity, with 17 states represented plus 29 new international students — a new record high — representing 18 countries.
Academically, the top programs represented by the incoming class are business, digital media arts, agricultural studies, nursing and kinesiology, with the top individual majors represented being nursing, film production capstone, management, exercise & movement science and occupational therapy assistant.
Beyond the Huntington campus, enrollment numbers for the Fort Wayne Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program reached a new high with 77 students, up 6.94%, with enrollment for the spring open now. Additionally, Huntington University Arizona welcomed 36 new students, including one international student.
“We are equally encouraged by the growth we are seeing beyond our Huntington campus, which speaks to the strength of our programs and the reach of our mission,” Carr said. “This success reflects a collaborative effort across the University, and we look forward to the impact this class will have in our community.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Fresh off a memorable week in Hollywood, Huntington University and Forester Film are bringing SENIORS home to the Heartland.
The feature film, starring John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones) and Paris Brosnan, was awarded the Grand Prize for Best Feature Film at the 2026 Indiewood Film Festival last week in Hollywood. The honor followed a special screening of SENIORS at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, complete with a red-carpet premiere attended by cast members, filmmakers, industry guests and supporters.
Produced through Huntington University’s nationally recognized capstone film program, SENIORS stars legendary actor John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones) and rising talent Paris Brosnan. The film represents a unique production model that blends seasoned Hollywood professionals with student filmmakers, giving over 40 Huntington University students hands-on experience at the highest level of feature film production.
SENIORS tells a powerful, heartwarming story about mentorship, purpose and redemption. The narrative follows a rebellious high school senior (Brosnan) who is completing court-ordered community service at a retirement home. There, he forms an unlikely friendship with a troubled war veteran (Rhys-Davies). What begins as an obligation transforms into a life-changing journey for both characters, revealing that it is never too late to find meaning, healing and hope.
“This is more than just a movie; it's a celebration of story, mentorship and the next generation of filmmakers,” said Lance Clark, dean of the School of the Arts at Huntington University and director of SENIORS. “We set out to create a film that speaks across generations. At its core, SENIORS is about the power of unlikely relationships and how wisdom and purpose can be passed down in the most unexpected ways.”
The film's journey to the Heartland Film Festival, a prestigious event recently named the #1 Best Film Festival by the USA TODAY 10 BEST Readers' Choice Awards, marks a major milestone for Forester Film and the University's film program. This screening offers local and regional audiences a chance to experience the acclaimed feature fresh off its Hollywood debut.
“SENIORS is really about redemption,” Clark continued. “It shows that when we take the time to invest in someone else, especially across generations, something powerful happens that can change both lives. SENIORS reminds us that no one is too far gone, and no season of life is wasted.”
For more information on screening times, locations and ticket availability for SENIORS at the Heartland Film Festival, please visit the festival's official website at heartlandfilmfestival.org. Learn more about SENIORS by visiting seniorsthemovie.com. A trailer for the film is available on YouTube.
About Huntington University and Forester Film: Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering award-winning graduate, undergraduate and online programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. Founded in Huntington, Indiana, in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University has over a century of experience educating graduates who are ready to impact the world for Christ through scholarship and service. The quality of education is high as reflected in Huntington’s top quartile ranking in the 2026 U.S. News Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings. The nonprofit university’s locations include the original home campus in Huntington, a doctoral program in occupational therapy and an accelerated baccalaureate nursing program in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and an undergraduate and doctoral program location in Peoria, Arizona. Huntington University’s home campus offers 18 official men’s and women’s athletic programs, and the university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
Forester Film is the University’s feature film production arm, designed to provide capstone film students with immersive, professional and on-set experience by pairing them alongside Screen Actors Guild cast members and industry-veteran crew.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has launched its Pre-Law Advisory Council (PAC) dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and mentoring Huntington University students pursuing law school or careers in related fields.
The PAC is comprised of Huntington University alumni who practice law, or utilize their law degree in a variety of professions, and are committed to the University mission, including the integration of Christian faith and learning across all academic disciplines. Council members are passionate about investing in the next generation of legal professionals by building valuable connections with students and developing a robust network of Christian legal practitioners.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to celebrate the decades of success Huntington University has had in preparing students for law school and successful careers in the legal profession, and to share the stories of alumni who are making a meaningful difference through their work,” said HU President Dr. Rob Pepper. “The Pre-Law Advisory Council brings together our alumni to invest in the next generation of students by providing mentorship and guidance as they pursue excellence in the legal profession and discern what it means to lead and serve as Christ-centered professionals.”
Key goals for the PAC include providing insight into various legal career paths and daily practices, supporting students in navigating moral and ethical challenges within the profession and enhancing Huntington University’s strong track record in preparing students for law school and impactful careers.
“When I was considering law school, I would have benefited tremendously from having practicing attorneys who could help demystify the profession and expose me to the many paths a legal career can take,” said Chad Pryor, chair of the PAC and a 2005 HU alum. “That is what excites me most about the Pre-Law Advisory Council: giving HU students that resource — mentors, real-world experiences and relationships that can help them discern their calling and prepare to pursue it. Law is a profession with a tremendous capacity to serve others and positively impact our communities, and we hope this council helps students pursue that calling with purpose and become salt and light within the legal profession.”
A steering committee has been formed to guide the direction of the PAC, and a meeting was held this spring to identify the vision for the PAC.
“I’m thrilled to see the planning for the Pre-Law Advisory Council come to fruition,” said Dr. Jeff Webb, professor of American history and pre-law advisor. “I believe HU’s students will benefit greatly from it because we ask them to thoroughly explore their vocation as future members of the legal profession. The education and training required for legal careers requires an enormous commitment of time, energy and money, making vocational exploration essential for success. The council provides students with access to a group of alumni who work in the legal profession and are willing and available to act as mentors. These mentoring relationships will be a high-value, high-impact resource for HU students as they cultivate their sense of vocation and belonging as they prepare themselves for careers after graduation.”
The PAC will have three primary focuses: student engagement, exposure to the field and providing targeted financial support for HU students facing barriers for entry into law school. Student engagement will come in the form of programming, mentorship and law school admission support, while exposure to the field will come through professional networking and experiential learning opportunities. Examples of opportunities available to students will include networking events, workshops, job shadowing, LSAT assistance, guest speakers and internships.
“I am excited to serve on the Pre-Law Advisory Council,” said Adrian Halverstadt, a member of the PAC steering committee and a 2005 HU alum. “I want my fellow Foresters to know that attending law school after HU is a viable choice, that there are many who have done so and we are willing to help in any way that we can. With my practice being close to campus, I hope to help make exposure to the legal profession a component of the undergraduate experience. The Pre-Law Advisory Council will also work to foster opportunities for networking and careers available to Foresters currently in law school or in the early years of their legal career.”
A kick-off event for the PAC is slated for late fall 2026. The event will feature a panel discussion about the integration of Christian faith and the legal profession as well as a broader discussion about the field and various career possibilities. Students of any academic background with an interest in law school are encouraged to attend; there is no requirement to be a pre-law student.
Huntington University has completed five facility upgrade projects throughout the spring and summer, providing the campus with enhanced and refreshed spaces for the campus community ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year.
Spaces included in the upgrades are Forester Studios in the Merillat Centre for the Arts, Habecker Dining Commons and HUB Food Service, Baker Hall, the Baker Hall-Roush Hall lounge and the Department of Education in Loew-Brenn Hall.
Forester Studios in the Merillat Centre for the Arts
The Department of Digital Media Arts recently installed a LED video wall, called “The Volume at Forester Studios,” in the lower level of the Merillat Centre for the Arts.
The Volume at Forester Studios is a 20-by-12-foot curved and expandable LED wall that gives students access to the same kind of virtual production technology being used across today’s film, television, sports media, broadcast, marketing and content creation industries. The Volume at Forester Studios uses an extended reality software that uniquely positions The Volume at Forester Studios as the only of its kind in Northeast Indiana boasting its capabilities.
Funded through a regional development grant from the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission, the project addresses three key strategies identified by the NEISDC: industry and higher education alignment; optimizing the alignment of educational/training program curricula with industry needs; and enhancing collaboration between industry and K-12 school systems. The technology will also strengthen Huntington University’s regional outreach through the SDC certificate grant training program. High school students from across Northeast Indiana will have opportunities to experience virtual production workshops, media training and hands-on demonstrations using The Volume at Forester Studios. Most recently, 62 campers had access to training on The Volume at Forester Studios in July in HU’s School of the Arts camp. These experiences are designed to expose students to emerging career pathways in film, television, media production, animation and digital content creation.
Students in film, television production, sports media, animation, digital media arts, marketing and other creative disciplines will be able to use the space as part of their coursework and project-based learning. The Volume at Forester Studios will support narrative filmmaking, commercial and promotional content, broadcast-style production, admissions and advancement media, athletic and sports media storytelling and other forms of digital content creation including background for live theatrical scenes.
Habecker Dining Commons and HUB Food Service
Habecker Dining Commons has been reimagined with a “One and All” concept, offering personalized menus and functional upgrades of new heat lamps, signage and server uniforms. The DC’s hours have also been expanded on the weekend to offer brunch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and dinner from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Additionally, the DC will be receiving a smoker this month to provide smoked meats.
The HUB has also received updates to its Food Service offerings.
Forest Blend now serves Five Lakes Coffee products and offers expanded healthy snacks and meal-swipe options. New breakfast options include acai bowls and lunch options feature a variety of grab-and-go choices.
The upper HUB dining options offer more variety with weekly limited-time menu items at both the Grill and Wrapped. New menu offerings include chili cheese fries at the Grill and a meatball sub at Wrapped, available all day. Chicken tenders with fries or onion rings are available as a new late-night option. While these new offerings trend toward the comfort food category, the upper HUB’s “Mindful” offerings have also been expanded for additional healthy choices for students, providing a balanced mix of favorites.
Baker Hall and Baker Hall-Roush Hall Lounge
Baker Hall has received new flooring and paint in all bedrooms, giving a revitalized feel to the suite-style residence hall. The lounge joining Baker and Roush Halls features fresh paint, new furniture and a new TV, providing students with a reinvigorated space to enjoy each other’s company. These renovations are part of an ongoing schedule to address residence hall maintenance each summer.
Department of Education Literacy Lodge
This spring, the Department of Education opened its Literacy Lodge, a space created to develop early childhood literacy. The lodge gives Huntington University education students the opportunity to develop local children’s reading skills in a real-world teaching environment.
The space was funded through Lilly Endowment’s Advanced Science of Reading in Indiana program, an initiative to help Indiana colleges and universities expand and enhance the use of evidence-based instructional methods aligned with the Science of Reading in teacher preparation programs.