INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Huntington bowling program wrapped up the regular season over the weekend at the Backhaul Direct Hoosier Classic. The tournament is one of the largest and oldest tournaments of the year and featured 78 men's and 65 women's teams competing for one of collegiate bowling's most prestigious titles.The two-day event included six traditional team games on Saturday and 15 baker games on Sunday with completely different lane oil patterns each day.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – After being named the Crossroads League Indoor Track Athlete of the Week earlier this week, HU junior Hannah Stoffel was tabbed the National Indoor Track Athlete of the Week as announced by the NAIA earlier today.Stoffel had several epic performances at the Crossroads League Championships over the weekend to garner the national attention. On Friday, she easily won the 600 meters by clocking in at 1:31.56 and then anchored the winning distance medley relay team.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Playing in Platt Arena for the last time this season, the Forester women's basketball team made sure it was a battle not soon to be forgotten as they took #7 Taylor (26-3, 14-3) to a pair of overtimes before succumbing to an 83-78 loss to the Trojans Wednesday night.It was an evening Coach Culler challenged her team to play with toughness and they did just that. They limited their visitors to just 60 points in regulation, 17 below TU's season average. The main key to their defensive success was forcing Taylor into 24 turnovers, at least two of which were shot clock violations, which Huntington converted into 32 points at the other end of the court.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. - In tonight's contest against Taylor University, Huntington University sophomore Caleb Middlesworth reached a significant milestone in his basketball career by becoming the 50th Forester to eclipse the 1,000-point mark.The 6-8 forward entered the night with 988 career points. He scored eight points through the first 20 minutes, added a pair of freebies early in the second half and then scored in transition at the 14:06 mark to join the exclusive club. He was fouled on the play and canned the freebie to complete the traditional three-point play for his 1,001st career point.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – While it wasn't the outcome the HU men's basketball team had hoped for, no one in Platt Arena would fault their effort Tuesday night in a 75-72 battle that favored Taylor University (16-13, 8-9).Down 72-60 with five minutes remaining, the Foresters reeled off ten straight points to creep within two with :42 seconds remaining when Konner Platt buried a pair of freebies. Huntington's run was fueled at the charity stripe. Including Platt's two free tosses, four different Foresters combined to go 8-for-10 from the line.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Huntington junior Hannah Stoffel was dominant at the Crossroads League Indoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend and for her efforts was picked as this week's CL Women's Track Athlete of the Week as announced earlier today.Stoffel was a conference champion four times over. Individually, the Huntington native blew away the competition in the 600, 800 and 1000 meters in addition to anchoring the winning distance medley relay team.
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Forester baseball team opened up its 2020 season by splitting with Bethel (Tenn.), 3-1, 1-2, Saturday afternoon Kahlden Complex. The Wildcats came into the doubleheader with seven games under their belt as they move to 5-4 on the year while HU starts off 1-1. Senior Alex McCutcheon picked up where he left off last spring by allowing just three hits and one run in 5.2 innings of work to pick up the season-opening win. The southpaw fanned seven players while giving up just one walk after which Camden Dice made his debut in Forester green. The junior transfer tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless and hitless relief to pick up the save.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — The Huntington University Art + Design department is currently hosting its largest gallery show of the year in the Robert E. Wilson Gallery. The 15th Annual High School Art Exhibit features 125 works by area 9-12 grade students from 12 different high schools, as well as home school students.
Ashley Hall, a junior Art Education major, is this year's High School Exhibit Show Coordinator. She was elected into this position last year and is also the Vice President of HU's Art Ed Association.
"While working on this exhibit I really learned just how much work goes into organizing dates, contacting schools, and coordinating with everyone else working to put this show together," Hall said, "It has been a fun experience, and the evidence of our hard work is in the gallery."
"Under Ashley's leadership, this year's is the largest HU High School Art Exhibit we've had since it started 15 years ago," said Department Chair and Associate Professor of Art, Barb Michael, "She has been a superstar."
But Ashley didn't put the show together alone. Megan Duckworth, also a Junior Art Education major, is the Student Assistant Gallery Director for the Department of Art + Design and helped put together this gallery.
"I have loved seeing all the artistic talent that is in the surrounding high schools. I would say this year's show is by far the most outstanding high school show I have seen since being here at HU," she said. "There is such a wide range of style and media within the exhibit, and I know there will be multiple pieces that will catch people's eyes. It is so exciting to see all the artistic talent and creativity in this generation of artists."
Art Education majors plan this show from beginning to end. It helps students to learn things like, setting or revising exhibit criteria, contacting area art teachers to invite them to submit student work, overseeing the marketing of the show, accepting the artwork from art teachers, installing the work in the gallery, announcing and handing out awards at the reception, and so much more. They've been planning this show since last August.
"The experience gives them a good idea of all the work that goes into a large exhibit from the planning side of things," Michel said.
Along with helping students learn how to put on a gallery, Professor Michael believes that showcasing art is an important reason to put on this gallery. "As future art teachers, it is a great way for them to experience an exhibit from the planning side," she said.
"We enjoy the opportunity to showcase talented high school art in a professional setting. This work deserves to be in the public eye," She said. She also expressed how much hard work the High School teachers put in to make this happen too, "We appreciate the art teachers who use their own gas money and time outside of school, to participate in the show. They are vital to the success of the exhibit. These are dedicated educators, and people we want our own future art teachers to get to know."
Not only to the high school teachers spend time and money on this gallery, but they also have the daunting task of choosing which art makes it into the show. Each school can enter ten pieces of art into the gallery. This can prove difficult when coming from a larger school, maybe with multiple art teachers.
The show runs through February 21, and there is an awards reception Saturday, February 15, from 6-7:30.
Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America’s Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution a “Best Midwestern College.” Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The non-profit university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce the promotion of three faculty members: Professor Matt Webb, Dr. Kevin Drury, and Dr. Brock Zehr.
"Promotions are one way that the University recognizes their efforts and contributions inside the classroom, in the University community, and in their larger academic disciplines,” said Dr. Luke Fetters, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
Between the three professors, promotions will include from Instructor to Assistant Professor and from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor.
"Faculty members moving from instructor to assistant professor have made significant progress toward a terminal degree and have demonstrated a high degree of competence as teachers," adds Fetters. "Faculty members moving from assistant professor to associate professor have completed their terminal degrees, have been in higher education for at least five years, have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, and are making contributions that extend beyond the classroom and Huntington University."
Professor Matt Webb has been promoted from instructor of film production to assistant professor of film production. Webb is a Huntington University grad from the Class of 1998, earned his Master of Arts degree in theology and arts from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and has been teaching at Huntington University since 2016.
Dr. Kevin Drury has been promoted from assistant professor of mathematics to associate professor of mathematics. Drury has studied at Virginia Tech, Yale, and the University of Chicago. He has also conducted math research at the University of California Santa Barbara and the University of Notre Dame.
Dr. Brock Zehr has been promoted from assistant professor of business and director of the MBA program to associate professor of business and director of the MBA program. Before coming to Huntington University, Zehr worked in the banking and financial services industries and even owned his own specialty finance company and a vending services business. Zehr started as an adjunct professor in 2009 and was offered the assistant professor of business position in 2015.
Along with these three promotions, the University has announced that Dr. Tim Smith and Dr. Todd Martin will be taking sabbaticals within the next few semesters.
"A sabbatical is an opportunity for faculty members to step away from the classroom for a semester to focus on their scholarly activities," said Fetters. "Both Dr. Smith and Dr. Martin are world-class scholars in their specific areas of study."
Sabbaticals offer faculty members focused attention on research that will then enhance their portfolio, add value to their teaching, and even expand Huntington University's reputation.
Dr. Tim Smith, professor of history, will be taking a sabbatical during the fall semester of 2020. Smith has been with Huntington University since 2007 and has a record of many accomplishments. He has written four books on the imperial and diplomatic history in Asia. Before coming to Huntington University, Smith taught in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Todd Martin, professor of English, will be taking a sabbatical in the spring of 2021. Martin’s scholarly interests and publications currently include a passion for the short fiction of Katherine Mansfield, and he has presented research on Mansfield around the world.
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce that Evelyn Andersson, PhD, OTR/L, has joined the team as the program director in Arizona for Huntington University’s Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy.
Dr. Andersson brings 24 years of full-time practice as an occupational therapist and 14 years of full-time academic experience from several universities to the Huntington University Arizona team. In her role as occupational therapy faculty, Dr. Andersson has been involved in different formats of occupational therapy education such as entry-level master’s, five-year bachelor’s to master’s, occupational assistant to occupational therapist bridge, post-professional master’s and PhD programs in occupational therapy. She has taught in traditional classroom settings as well as online formats on many topics such as theory development, research methods, neuroscience, pediatrics, health and wellness and mentorship of research in master’s and doctoral level occupational therapy programs. At her other university appointments Dr. Andersson has participated in preparing accreditation for occupational therapy programs and PhD program reviews. She has presented on a variety of pediatric and education related topics nationally and internationally.
“Being given the opportunity to develop and launch a new program is a dream job for me,” said Dr. Andersson. “To do it with the support and Christian compassion of Huntington University is more than I ever could ask for!”
Dr. Andersson completed her initial occupational therapy and faculty education training at Munksjoskolan and Uppsala University, Sweden. She earned a post-professional master’s degree in occupational therapy from Columbia University with a focus on administration and pediatrics, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Andersson is currently serving as the president of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association.
“The Phoenix metroplex is experiencing strong population growth, and the rural areas continue to be in need of occupational therapists,” said Dr. Andersson of the role occupational therapy plays in Arizona. “Employers cannot find therapists to fill their positions. Arizona is going to continue to be a strong job market for occupational therapists.”
Dr. Andersson has practiced in hospitals, clinics, home health, primary care, and school systems for pediatric, adult and aging populations both in Sweden and the United States. She is currently exploring wellness interventions using qigong, tai chi and yoga therapy with foci on trauma, aging and autism.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Charlie Brown and his beloved band of Peanuts characters are coming to life on the Huntington University stage. Based on the classic comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this musical features Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, and Snoopy in a charming revue of vignettes and songs. The characters tackle the challenges of friendship, the highs and lows of sibling relationships, the pitfalls of elementary school, and other life lessons with the wit and humor that have charmed readers and audiences for over 65 years.
Though the comic strip is many years older than any of these young thespians, they are all energized by the idea of “creating three-dimensional character out of these two-dimensional creations,” as senior Eleni Hanson, the theatre performance major who is portraying Lucy, put it.
“Everybody in the cast is more than five years old, but our characters are supposed to be around that age,” said Andrew Bower, senior theatre performance major, who is portraying Charlie Brown. “We’re playing kids, so we have to figure out what that means physically and vocally since it’s a musical.”
Even the lovable beagle Snoopy is inspiring bourgeoning actors to get into character.
“I’m been eating kibble for the last two weeks to get into character,” joked freshman film major Brody Bowman, who will be playing the canine. “Just kidding. But really, it has been incredibly fun to pretend. As a kid you pretend to be an animal all the time, so to be able to be these characters that are so unapologetically childlike, it’s great!”
Since it first premiered off-Broadway at Theatre 80 in 1967 to its 2016 off-Broadway revival, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album as well as Tony awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Direction of a Musical, and it has won the Drama Desk Award for Best Performer and Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, and Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a musical, to name a few.
The show opens on February 27 at 7:30 p.m. with additional shows on February 28, 29 and March 5, 6, and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and February 29 and March 7 at 2:00 p.m. All shows will take place in the Studio Theatre in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. Tickets are on sale now at the Huntington University Box Office or online at huntington.edu/CharlieBrown. Tickets range from $5 to $13.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! is presented by arrangement with Tams-Witmark, a Concord Theatricals Company. It is based on The Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz; book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner; additional dialogue by Michael Mayer; additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa; original direction for this version of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” by Michael Mayer; originally produced in New York by Arthur Whitelaw and Gene Persson
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to welcome Ted and Sarah Trout and Anna (Trout) Jones as speakers for the February Foundation Breakfast. This breakfast will take place on Wednesday, February 12, in the upper level of the Habecker Dining Commons.
In 2015, Anna’s sister Becca (class of 2014) was killed in a tragic farming accident. Anna and Becca are the third generation of Trout farmers who have a strong love for the earth and an ever-strong faith in the Lord. Though the tragedy of losing Becca at such a young age (she was only 23) was a blow to the family, they did not let the accident keep them from continuing to plant seeds on their farm and in the community for Christ.
At the February Foundation Breakfast, Becca’s family will share their journey of grief and of God’s faithfulness. They will also share how opening Board and Brush has been a way for Anna and Sarah to help others complete sentimental projects.
The Foundation Breakfast Series is held on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May, excluding December, and is open to the public. Breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. in the upper Habecker Dining Commons and concludes by 9:00 a.m. The cost of the breakfast is $10, a portion of which will help support area students attending Huntington University through the Huntington County Grant. First-time attendees enjoy a complimentary breakfast courtesy of Chris and Janelle Love of Bailey-Love Mortuary.
More information and the opportunity to RSVP for the February breakfast is available online at huntington.edu/FoundationRSVP.
Founded in 1938, the Huntington University Foundation exists to support the mission of the University by promoting education and fostering a synergistic relationship between the University and the Huntington County community and surrounding area. To learn more about the Foundation’s history and ways to support its goals, visit huntington.edu/Foundation.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that the Huntington University Theatre Company has received five Certificates of Merit from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for excellence in Design and Technology.
“This type of recognition comes from our peers at the collegiate level, so it means a lot,” said Ryan Long, Assistant Professor of Theatre. “It means that out of other collegiate theatre programs and productions, we are doing things that make us stand out among the crowd and showcase the excellence of our program. It also showcases the high caliber work that our students and staff are doing.”
The number of Certificates of Merit awarded are determined by a respondent who views and provides feedback for the show. A Certificate of Merit is not guaranteed to any show. By presenting a Certificate of Merit, the respondent is acknowledging that he or she sees a designer, crew member, or technician who is going above and beyond what the show requires and who stands out among peer institutions.
Respondents who see productions from Huntington University are also responding to productions from Ball State University, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Taylor University, Bethel University, Goshen College, Indiana Wesleyan University and several other institutions with large theatre programs.
“The work that the HUTC does is outstanding,” said Long. “We have exceptional students and staff working on these productions. Awards like these demonstrate that excellence to those outside our University.”
The Huntington University Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts is pleased to announce that “Bubble,” one of its animated short films, has been accepted by the Phoenix Film Festival, a nationally recognized film festival. “Bubble” is the first animated short film from the Huntington University Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts to receive this honor.
The animated film will join five other short films produced by the HU Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts film program in the 20th Annual Phoenix Film Festival, which is held every year in April at Harkins Theatres in Scottsdale.
“Bubble,” directed by Briana Valenzuela, tells the story of a lone betta fish who, after a tragic accident, isolates herself from the rest of the world inside of a bubble to remain as safe as possible. During this time, she meets a kind piranha who does everything he can to befriend her. When the piranha swims after a fishing hook to retrieve a worm as a gift, the betta fish puts herself in harm’s way to save the piranha, popping her bubble in the effort. Although the hook catches the betta, the piranha makes a daring attempt to free her, and the two become newfound friends.
“The Phoenix Film Festival has quickly become a fantastic partner for our Huntington University Arizona film program,” said Phil Wilson, program director and assistant professor of film. “Festival Director Jason Carney has come to the Center a number of times, both as a part of the launch of the Peoria Film Fest and as a Guest Speaker to our Senior Film Production classes.
"Having this many films selected to one of the most prestigious film festivals in the state of Arizona just validates the hard work of our students, the quality of our programs, and, hopefully, says to everyone in the state, ‘Hey, Huntington is here in the Valley, and our students are doing really strong work.’ We mean to have a strong presence in the Arizona film community for many, many years.'”
“Bubble” is the first finished short film to be written and animated by Huntington University Arizona students and was completed in only eight weeks.
“As an instructor, I'm grateful and excited to have the opportunity to mentor such incredible young talent, as well as help students tell stories that are both personal and honor the incredibly awesome God we serve,” said Christian Washington, assistant professor of animation.
Huntington University Arizona opened its doors in 2016, welcoming students seeking a degree in digital media arts. The facility, a 30,000 square-foot building, houses bachelor’s degree programs in animation, film production, broadcast media and graphic design. The facility features film and TV studios, high-end computer classroom/labs, private editing suites, a state-of-the-art TV control room, Foley pit, a host of EFP and cinema cameras, and lighting gear for student production work.