Huntington University marketing and management alum Mzatiwathu Banda, Class of 2021, has self-published Eye x Foot, his first manga in a Japanese comic book style, on Amazon.
The story's plot consists of two players — Keisuke and Dieudonne — on the same team using their skills to work together to win in futsal, a soccer-like game played mainly indoors on a hard court smaller than a football pitch. Keisuke is better at thinking about their way around the court (eye), while Dieudonne is better at the game's fundamentals (foot). This helps the two players come together to meet the desired end goal: playing the game they love and learning more about each other.
Banda came to the United States in 2017 from Malawi to pursue his dream of earning a college education while continuing his passion for writing comic books. Having played soccer at Huntington University for four years, Malawi has a passion for futsal that he reveals as the story develops in Eye x Foot.
As a child, Banda wanted to write comic books, but that passion began to disappear as he got older. Then, Banda was attacked by two robbers with a machete his sophomore year of high school. Following the incident, he said, "You know, maybe I should get serious about writing." It was an eye-opener for Banda because his desire to write was always next to him. Banda and his writing took off.
After Banda's accident, Eye x Foot was one of the first ideas that came to him. The characters in Eye x Foot are based on people in his life. The main character, who has Banda's middle name, Dieudonne, is based on Banda himself. Dieudonne's best friend in the story, Keisuke, is based on Banda's high school best friend, Sam. The dog, Peaches, is based on the memory of Banda’s dog back home. The coach, Mr. Komoto, is based on one of the head teachers Banda had in high school.
"The fact that many people in the book are similar to real-life people made it a story I had to finish," said Banda.
In the first three months of its release, there have been over 200 copies of Eye x Foot sold, and sales continue to rise. Writing helped Banda through high school, and his end goal is to reach out to others through this comic book and future ones. Banda encourages others to keep trying and pushing to achieve their dreams even when difficult times occur in life — just like he was able to overcome. Additionally, of course, he wants to entertain his readers.
Huntington University was pleased to be a host site for the 2021 Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Summer Workshop on June 1, 2021.
AITC is an agricultural outreach program for school children in grades Pre-K through 12, facilitated by Indiana Farm Bureau and coordinated nationwide by the United States Department of Agriculture. The program teaches students where the food they eat is grown and how important farmers are to their daily lives. The June 1 AITC Summer Workshop offered a variety of learning opportunities for volunteers and educators and was hosted by some of HU’s own faculty and alumni.
“I appreciated the opportunity to participate in a variety of program topics as well as the flexibility to apply information learned across multiple grade levels. It was also great to visit with other educators and volunteers that have a passion to tell agriculture's story to our future consumers. The afternoon hands-on learning sessions offered valuable tools to add to project-based curriculum development,” said Kelley Sheiss, agriculture instructor at Whitko Career Academy. Sheiss also mentioned that the day allowed a chance to recharge after a long school year and spark inspiration. “It offered additional resources for classroom instruction and the chance to connect and collaborate with other participants, allowing for idea and information exchange. Huntington University [Department] of Agriculture served as an ideal location for the event, allowing us to take advantage of the many resources their program and campus facilities have available.”
Workshops included “Conducting a ‘Pet Plant Project’” with Natalie Porter, greenhouse and lab manager, “Helping Students Think about GMOs” with Dr. Raymie Porter, associate professor of agriculture and director of academic programs for the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies, and “Erosion — Battling the Age-Old Menace” with Joelle Neff, Class of 2020.
The Department of History and Political Science at Huntington University is pleased to announce that Ashley Spirek is the winner of the 2021 S.G. Whittle Johnston Memorial Award. Ashley is from Kiev, Ukraine, and is a 2021 summa cum laude graduate of Huntington University with majors in history, philosophy, and political science.
Spirek’s award-winning research paper was chosen by a competitive process, and her project, “The Transformation of the Southern Ukrainian Steppe,” detailed the modern agricultural development of Ukraine’s rich chernozem, or black soil region, under tsarist and later communist rule. It was completed under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey B. Webb in his advanced seminar in environmental history.
The Johnston Memorial Award is given annually to the author of a research paper written in the Department of History and Political Science. Nominations for the award demonstrate the highest level of intellectual engagement and adherence to the standards of professional scholarship.
“Ashley’s research drew from current literature in the fields of environmental history and geography, and it demonstrated keen insight in the problems of conservation and environmental rehabilitation,” said Dr. Webb.
The S.G. Whittle Johnston Memorial Award honors the memory of S.G. Whittle Johnston, professor at the University of Virginia, and carries a cash award of $1,000 dollars. It is funded by the S.G. Whittle Johnston Memorial Award Fund, which was established by an HU alumnus and former faculty member to encourage students to strive for excellence in research in the fields of history and political science.
Huntington University is pleased to welcome Michelle Caulk, LPC (MO), LPHC (FL), NCC, as an assistant professor and director of clinical experiences in the clinical mental health counseling program, effective August 1, 2021.
Caulk has founded a counseling center, worked with many clients to help them live in hope and wholeness and taught counseling students as an adjunct professor for John Brown University and Missouri Baptist University. She has an established history of writing and speaking passionately and effectively on topics such as mental health in the church and counseling the bereaved. She partners with community churches to create “relational homes” in which those with mental illness may find community, advocacy and understanding.
Currently a doctoral candidate within the Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) program with Regent University, Caulk’s research interests include spirituality in grief, creating trauma-informed churches and the experiences of the Christian childfree by choice population. Caulk is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, the University of Illinois with a Master of Science degree in library and information science, and Argosy University with a Master of Arts degree in mental health counseling.
Founding director of HU’s clinical mental health counseling program Jerry Davis, PhD, is excited about Caulk’s transition to Huntington University, saying that she has “excellent teaching experience” at the graduate level, is involved in her own counseling practices and plans to continue practicing.
When asked how she feels about joining the HU faculty, Caulk responded that “optimistic and grateful are the two words that come to mind. Optimistic about the people I will get to serve alongside and grateful that God has opened this door. The care that the staff and faculty showed me during the interview process speaks highly about the importance of relationship; of caring for one another deeply; and for moving forward together in creating the best learning environment that we can for our counseling students. I am so excited to build upon the strong foundation upon which the counseling [program] resides, while contributing to a future that reflects the changing nature of how, when, and why we do the work of counseling. There is much to be done to achieve our goals, yet I feel that we are seeking God's Kingdom first, and all else will be provided (Matthew 6:33).”
To learn more about Huntington University’s clinical mental health counseling program, visit huntington.edu/Counseling.
Huntington University is pleased to welcome Elijah Lee, PhD, LPC/LCPC (MO/KS), NCC, as the program director and assistant professor for HU’s clinical mental health counseling program, effective July 1, 2021.
Lee is a licensed professional counselor and counselor educator who “seeks to advance the Kingdom of God through equipping shepherds in the field of counseling.” As well as receiving clinical training from MidAmerica Nazarene University (Master of Arts degree in counseling, spiritual formation) and Regent University (PhD in counselor education and supervision), Lee is an ordained minister with the River Fellowship and counsels out of his private practice, Hope Healing LLC.
“There is great excitement in joining Huntington University in the role of program director of the counseling [program] as well as a deep sense of honor,” said Lee. “I join Huntington University with an anticipation of God’s faithfulness in all of our lives and the hope of many shepherds being released into the field.”
Founding director of HU’s clinical mental health counseling program, Jerry Davis, PhD, is excited about the new director, saying that he is “outstanding in the counseling field. [He has] excellent teaching and clinical experience. [He] teaches and practices from a broad theoretical approach, which means our students will continue to be taught a variety of empirically validated treatments with a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, the key contributor to positive client outcomes.”
Lee’s passion for training counselors is clear when he discusses his own reasoning for pursing this career path.
“Henri Nouwen writes about the ‘wounded healer’ as an archetype of the counselor. A dynamic that exists within the nature of a counselor is that our own wounds often produce the empathy to sit with the pain of humanity, to facilitate healing. This truth may be echoed in those seeking to become counselors, and it is part of my story as well. In the field of counseling, I have found both the poison and antidote of humankind’s ‘sickness’: authentic relationship. My pursuit of counseling involves both looking for this cure and the hopes of offering it to a world seeking it out.”
The Department of History and Political Science at Huntington University is pleased to announce that Lucy Landon and Aaron Hendryx are winners of the 2020-2021 Jack P. Barlow, Sr., History Book Prize.
Landon is from Roanoke, Indiana, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree with majors in history and English, and Hendryx is from Huntington, Indiana, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree with majors in history and political science.
The Barlow Prize is given to outstanding students in the department’s advanced research seminars. Landon was recognized by Dr. Jeffrey Webb, professor of American history at Huntington University.
“Lucy is a passionate student and an enthusiastic collaborator in class; she personifies the active engagement encouraged by the Barlow Award program,” said Webb.
Hendryx was recognized by Dr. Timothy Smith, professor of non-Western history at Huntington University.
“Aaron’s nuanced and scholarly analysis of British decolonization policy vis-a-vis its international critics displayed a highly sophisticated understanding of the decline of the British Empire,” said Smith.
The Jack P. Barlow, Sr., Book Prize honors the memory of Professor Barlow, who served for over three decades as professor of American history at Huntington University. The prize carries a cash award sponsored by the Ron Frank Fund, which rewards academic achievement and student participation at professional academic conferences. The fund was established in 1973 in honor of Ron Frank, a former student at Huntington University.
Huntington University and Kinema Pictures, LLC are partnering to film promotional footage for an upcoming feature film entitled, “Glenn Frank.” The film will be the first feature film project from HU’s Digital Media Arts program, and the launch of the new Film Production Capstone major, which will culminate in a large film project every year. The first film, slated for production in May 2022, is “Glenn Frank.” Inspired by a true story set in rural Michigan in 1973, it tells how a young pastor’s kid with a dream to play guitar and his father, desperate to unite four small churches under one new roof, find the one person who can help them both – Glenn Frank – a washed-up, alcoholic country singer who happens to be a carpenter. As the pastor and Glenn work together on the church, Glenn secretly teaches the boy guitar, and the entire community comes together to find healing and unity through tragedy and redemption. Kinema Pictures is a local production company started by Dr. Lance Clark and Professor Matt Webb, both of HU’s Digital Media Arts faculty. Both Clark and Webb have experience in corporate media, music videos and independent feature films. This will be their first feature film co-directed and produced together. “We are excited to bring to Huntington a handful of film professionals from around the country, many of them HU alums, to mentor our students on this large-scale film project,” said Dr. Lance Clark, dean of the School of the Arts at Huntington University.
This May, professional cast and crew from Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix and Philadelphia will join students to create a trailer, music video, and several other promotional projects for the film. The promotional materials will be used to raise additional funding for this film and others to follow.
To learn more about Huntington University’s film program, visit www.huntington.edu/Film. You can also explore HU’s new Film Certificate at www.huntington.edu/Create.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian Jaworski, dean of students, has been named the 2021 Staff Member of the Year. This peer-nominated award is given each year to an exceptional staff member as a public acknowledgement that they represent what it means to be a Forester.
In his nominations, Jaworski’s coworkers said: “Brian has been especially helpful in dealing with others. He has been a first responder implementer in all things relating to COVID-19 and student safety and concerns. He and his team have done an incredible job. Brian … has been an all-around positive influence to others on campus. [He] represents the University well and is fully supportive of the University's best interests and an advocate for students.”
“I nominate Brian Jaworski for his diligence with helping care for our quarantined students. He has coordinated the meal ministry, hauled out trash from Hardy Hall many times, and went above the call of duty with buying them snacks and creating a wellness/health form for students to complete while they are staying in ‘Hardy Hotel.’ … He [even] cleaned the bathrooms! … [Brian] has a heart for students and ‘can do’ spirit, and I am grateful he serves on our student life staff.”
Jaworski joined Huntington University in the fall of 2017 as the dean of students. Originally from Waterford, Michigan, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in pastoral studies from Moody Bible Institute, a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in higher education from Azusa Pacific University. The focu
The Huntington University Board of Trustees has approved a $13.1 million project that will transform the Merillat Complex & Fieldhouse (PLEX) into a best-in-class athletics complex, adding a third additional performance gym, updating Platt Arena, creating new training and wellness spaces and recreating the lobby footprint. The vote and its subsequent approval took place prior to the spring board meeting on April 15-16, 2021. Originally part of the Step Forward Comprehensive Campaign, the transformation of the PLEX became a popular area of engagement for donors and friends. This created the space for HU to rethink the scope of the PLEX project, expanding it from its original $4.6 million investment to a significantly larger investment that will impact the entire campus community. “Through extended conversations with University athletic staff and students, alumni and community members, it became clear the importance of this project to many of our constituents. This will be the largest campus expansion project since the completion of Dowden Science Hall in 2005,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “The Forester athletic program has grown to nearly 300 student-athletes and competes in 18 NAIA programs. The expansion of the existing health and wellness facility meets current as well as anticipates future needs for students at Huntington University at the Huntington, Indiana, location." Herb Schumm, the chairman of the board, showed his support for the decision, pointing out the 32 percent increase in HU’s student-athletes in the past decade.
“I think the growth of our athletic programs and success of our student-athletes necessitates the expansion of the PLEX,” he said. In addition, the April board meeting included the approval of a $40 million operating budget for 2021-2022. This represents a 5 percent increase of last year’s financials, which is the result of record enrollment for 2020-2021 and increased donor participation in Step Forward.
Additionally, the board voted on and granted tenure to Dr. Fred Miller, professor of exercise science, and Dr. Nathan Short, associate professor of occupational therapy, and bestowed the title of professor emeritus on Dr. Jerry Davis, professor of clinical mental health counseling, who will be retiring at the end of this academic year. The board also welcomed Dr. Sue Miller as a new Trustee to serve a four-year term. Miller has spent over 50 years developing restaurants and resort campuses that feature Amish and Mennonite hospitality. Her family currently operates resorts in Middlebury, Indiana, Sarasota, Florida, and five locations in Ohio, with approximately 2,000 employees.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that the HU chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society was well represented at the 2021 Alpha Chi National Convention, which took place virtually on April 8-10, 2021.
Presentation at a National Convention with the top ten percent of students across the nation is an honor as well as a time for students’ continued development, encouragement and growth in their academic pursuits.
At the 2021 National Convention:
Additionally, Onalivia Smith presented an artistic video and Erika James presented a paper.
“The Huntington University chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society has been blessed with excellent student leadership and membership during the pandemic years of 2019-20 and 2020-21,” said Alpha Chi Faculty Sponsor Dr. Ruth Nalliah. “These students have maintained their positive energy and have found creative ways to promote academic excellence and enjoyment on campus during times when we have to think outside the box in terms of structuring our interaction differently. I’m often amazed at students’ resilience, creativity, and love of learning, which manifests itself in unique ways during times like these.”
The Huntington University chapter of Alpha Chi, Indiana Beta, was founded in 1967, making it the second Alpha Chi chapter in Indiana. At the April 2015 Alpha Chi National Convention, the Huntington University chapter was nationally recognized as the year's outstanding chapter with The President's Cup. This is the second time HU won this distinction, having also been chosen to receive the honor in 2001. The chapter has a historic record as a Star Chapter of Alpha Chi.
Student members of Alpha Chi have opportunities to serve as leaders in scholarly activities and have won regional and national scholarships for their academic work. In addition, the Paul and Jean Michelson Alpha Chi Outstanding Scholar Award is given annually to an outstanding Huntington University Alpha Chi student. As the Indiana Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi continues its fifth decade of existence, we pledge ourselves to continue to be diligent in scholarship and in service.
Huntington University is pleased to announce the formation of a partnership with Coach Approach Skill Training LLC (CAST) to create a curriculum that is geared toward the leader who is ready for the next step.
By combining the established methods and training of the CAST team and the historied success and rigorous curriculum of Huntington University, HU has developed a Leadership Coaching Certificate designed to prepare the next generation of leadership coaches.
“This partnership aligns with everything that Huntington University stands for,” said Wendy Speakman, director of graduate and online programs. “Having gone through the CAST training, I am even more excited about this partnership and what it means for our students. The CAST curriculum provides a great mix of learning a coaching skill and immediately putting that skill into practice.”
CAST was developed by Chris Holmes — founder of Holmes Coaching Group — and George Howard and is an approved training program of the International Coach Federation (ICF), which is the leading global organization for coaches and coaching.
According to Homes Coaching Group, CAST “is a series of trainings developed specifically to teach the ‘coach approach’ in ministry to leaders, pastors and laypersons. The training prepares participants for certification in the field of coaching.” By adding this established series that has trained over 1,000 leaders, pastors, and laypersons so far with the academic rigor of Huntington University’s programs, certificate participants are positioning themselves well for success in coaching within the arena of ministry and in the secular environment. Additionally, students who earn a Leadership Coaching Certificate at Huntington University will also earn nine graduate-level college credits.
The Huntington University Theatre Company is proud to present Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. Directed by returning guest director Adam Sahli, this show is the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical; a contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It's Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” alongside an up-to-date, hilarious and romantic libretto by Tony Award-nominee Douglas Carter Beane.
“This show is a joy to me,” said Sahli. “I love doing Rodgers + Hammerstein productions because they were so ahead of their time particularly in terms of social issues. This version of Cinderella is with a new script where Ella is the catalyst for change not only in her own life but for the community in which she lives. This new script paired with the incredible music places Cinderella where it, and she, belongs in the musical theatre cannon.”
The characters and crew couldn’t agree more.
Rachel Geders (Ella) and Carson Cunningham (Prince Topher) both cited the joy it has been for them to embrace these iconic roles. While Elizabeth Hancock (Madame) is thoroughly enjoying the chance to play the story’s villain. Traditionally one to play “softer roles,” Hancock is excited to play a role that she says makes her feel “powerful.”
For Sahli, this is exactly the type of passion and energy he thrives on when directing a show. “The greatest joy is always when I see an actor lose themselves in the moment. This happens throughout this piece these actors are each so committed to what they are doing that they each have moments where I see them lose themselves in for a second or a minute and they are nothing but joyfully lost in their character. When we have audiences coming to see the show they will be in for a treat watching these incredible young people do something they love in such a meaningful way.”
Cinderella will be on stage on April 15, 16, & 17 at 7:30 p.m., and April 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the Merillat Centre for the Arts - Zurcher Auditorium and streamed live via ShowTix4U.com.
Tickets can be purchased at huntington.edu/Cinderella.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Lynette Fager, director of communication, was the recipient of the March Spirit of a Forester award. This peer-nominated award is bestowed monthly upon a Huntington University employee who demonstrates the characteristics of a Forester.
Fager’s peers emphasized the ways she brings the Spirit of a Forester to each project she is involved in, stating that “Lynette understands the work and meaning behind a project. Her goal is not to check it off her to-do list. Her goal is to finish the project so well that alumni and friends desire to have a deeper relationship with Huntington University.” Moreover, “under her Lynette’s leadership, Huntington University is consistently branded more than ever before and is being noticed in the community/region because of the different marketing projects of which she has been a part.”
What is a Forester? The simple answer is that a Forester is a Huntington University student. Any student at any location and any age. But the truer answer is that a Forester is a lifetime appointment of chasing truth, defying complacency, remaining curious, caring completely, embracing interconnectedness and demonstrating grit and creativity. Together, these traits come together to point others toward Christ. We take great pride in being Foresters, but we realize that we are fallible. That doesn’t negate our efforts. Instead, our fallibility highlights our reliance on Christ, the importance of our relationship with Him, and our potential for growth.
Huntington University is extending Easter Break by an additional day to include Tuesday, April 6. This will allow all Huntington University students at all three locations (Huntington, Fort Wayne and Arizona) to take a five-day weekend. “We know that this has been a tough year for students,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “While we are thrilled that we’ve been able to have face-to-face classes, we also realize that you have had many extra stresses to navigate. Hopefully a five-day weekend will allow you to refresh and regain focus for the final push to the end of the semester.”
Huntington University’s complete academic calendar can be found online at huntington.edu/Events.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Professor Phil Wilson, Arizona digital media arts program director, has earned two Best of Competition nominations in the 2021 Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts. Wilson was nominated in the categories of Sound Engineering and Design and Commercial or PSA for his work on Show Trailer: Curiouser & Curiouser.
Curiouser & Curiouser was an immersive, multi-sensory theater experience that ran in the fall of 2020. Up to 10 audience members per performance explored the fantastical world of Wonderland, the world of Alice in Wonderland, through every theater, rehearsal space and hallway in the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. Audience members experienced Wonderland as Alice would, exploring rooms, discovering scenes, meeting the inhabitants of Wonderland, enjoying performances and immersing themselves in a new way to experience live theater.
The Curiouser & Curiouser trailer Wilson created is an example of the ongoing partnership between the City of Peoria’s TheaterWorks organization and HU Arizona.
“I’ve done some of the best and most satisfying creative work that I’ve ever done in collaborative partnership with TheaterWorks,” said Wilson. “There is just this real and tangible love and mutual respect for one another between us. In many ways they reflect our [HU Arizona] culture; they are this creative hub for outsiders, misfits, and dreamers — just like we are — and we both try to bring light into the world in our own unique ways.”
For the fifth year in a row, Huntington University has emerged as the top private digital media arts program in the country through the Festival of Media Arts. Earning 19 awards total, the HU digital media arts program ranks second in the nation among both private and public universities, second only to Arizona State. This is the third year in a row that HU has been ranked second overall for Festival of Media Arts awards.
“At TheaterWorks, we are a theater of the community. Embracing local talent is a major component of what we do as a theater of the community. We believe there are incredibly talented people right here in our backyards. We believe in fostering that local talent, showcasing them and celebrating their gifts,” said Cate Hinkle, managing director of TheaterWorks. “With Phil and Huntington, we have developed a strong relationship filled with trust. We know that every project we work on will be spectacular. We see them as experts who can help us accomplish what we want to accomplish, push the creative limits and help us bring the joy and magic of theater to our community. It is very important to us to have those relationships within our community to strengthen the fabric that weaves us all together.”
Huntington University students and faculty from the home campus and HU’s Peoria, Arizona, location garnered awards in the categories of Sound Engineering and Design (1), Commercial or PSA (1), Promotional Video (1), Comedy or Drama (2), Sound Engineering/Production (1), Animation/Experimental/Mixed (3), Instructional/Educational (1), Narrative (3), Spots (2), Television Long Feature Reporting (1), Short Subject (1), Feature (1), and Original Television Series Pilot (1).
Additionally, two faculty projects and two student projects have been named finalists for the Best of Festival awards, which will be announced on March 29. In 2019, HU won the BEA Chairman’s Award, the top student award in the entire BEA Festival of Media Arts, which had more than 1,500 submissions that year.
The Broadcast Education Association is the premier international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production, and career advancement for educators, students, and professionals. Over 2,500 professors, students and media professionals are currently individual members, and approximately 275 college and university departments and schools are institutional members. Each year, there are over 1,300 submissions from schools around the world, with only around 22% of entries receiving awards.
To see the full BEA awards list, visit beaweb.org/festival/2021-winners.
TheaterWorks at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is entering into its 35th season of providing exceptional theater to the West Valley. Theater Works is a non-profit 501(c)(3) theater of the community whose mission is to provide opportunities for children, patrons and artists to experience theater that inspires, enriches and enlightens through the experience of the performing arts with programming for every age and ability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TheaterWorks devised an immersive theater experience to continue live theater experiences to the community safely, receiving national acclaim. Theater Works acts as the managing tenant for the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts which features more than 200 events a year including: live theater, music concerts, storytelling, dance, comedy, cultural events, festivals, and much more. For more information, call 623.815.7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.
Huntington University Arizona opened its doors in 2016, welcoming students seeking a degree in digital media arts. Since that time, students have created regionally and nationally awarded work, including ADDY awards, BEA Best of Fest awards, and Emmy Student Production Awards. The 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, a Foley pit, a host of EFP and cinema cameras, and lighting gear for student production work.
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. 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 nonprofit university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
With the 2021 Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts underway, Huntington University has emerged as the top private digital media arts program in the country — for the fifth year in a row. Earning 19 awards total, the HU digital media arts program ranks second in the nation among both private and public universities, second only to Arizona State. This is the third year in a row that HU has been ranked second overall for Festival of Media Arts awards.
“When asked, ‘Why Huntington?’ students can safely know they are choosing one of the top award-winning universities in the country to study digital media arts,” said Dr. Lance Clark, dean of the School of the Arts at Huntington University. “In addition to personalized, hands-on attention and a holistic view of education through faith integration, Huntington University should be on the radar for any high school student looking to study film, television, and animation.”
The Huntington University award winners:
2021 Faculty Festival of Media Arts Winners Sound Engineering and Design Best of Competition: Phil Wilson, Huntington University Arizona; Show Trailer: Curiouser & Curiouser Commercial or PSA Best of Competition: Phil Wilson, Huntington University Arizona; Show Trailer: Curiouser & Curiouser Promotional Video Award of Excellence: Lance Clark, Ben Crane, Rachel Hart & Brian Farrell, Huntington University; Crossroads Farm Promotional Film
2021 Student Festival of Media Arts Winners Comedy or Drama 1st Place: Jacob Douglass, Callie McKeown & Travis Szelis, Huntington University; The Game Changer 3rd Place (tie): Brody Bowman, Aubrey Fink, Ben Schomber & Ashley Harmon, Huntington University; The Princess Prize Sound Engineering/Production 2nd Place (tie): Carlos Hermosillo, Huntington University; Reflections Animation/Experimental/Mixed 2nd Place (tie): Sarah Wickenhauser, Allysa Alley, Kesmine Hickman & Sabrina Hirsch, Huntington University Arizona; The Cactus Cat 2nd Place (tie): Laurel Zeiler, Itzel Alvarez & Zack Turner, Huntington University Arizona; Mending Needle Award of Excellence: 2019-20 HU Junior Animation Class, Huntington University; History of the World Instructional/Educational 1st Place (tie): Linus Obenhaus, Huntington University; More than an Election 2nd Place (tie): Jenna Sackett, Becca Malott, Katie Sell & Paris Dirscherl, Huntington University; Trust Award of Excellence: Chloe Caufield & Sam Dorcey, Huntington University; Murphy Award of Excellence: BethAnn Bleemel, Marissa Cobb, Jon Dieken & Genesis Reed, Huntington University; Sock Thief Spots 3rd Place: Chloe Jacobson, Sean Eitniear & Kayla Knop, Huntington University; Conner Prairie Historical Food Festival Award of Excellence: Josiah Bout, Brady Doorn, Caleb Drake & Jonathan Nelson, Huntington University; Conner Prairie Nature Festival Animated Spot Television Long Feature Reporting 1st Place: Olivya Bryant, Huntington University Arizona; Baked Chemistry Short Subject Award of Excellence: Hannah Taylor, Huntington University; Dear Love Feature Award of Excellence: Linus Obenhaus, Huntington University; Theo’s World Original Television Series Pilot 3rd Place: Jared Weber, Huntington University; Jack of All Trades
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to offer our congratulations to Chynna Presley on being named to Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2021! Presley is a graduate of Huntington University, earning her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2007. She earned her Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership in 2018 and returned to her alma mater in 2020 as the director of intercultural enrichment. Prior to returning to Huntington University, Presley used her skills as a family specialist, community education coordinator, director of women’s ministries and volunteer services, home-based supervisor, director of programming and client services, and program director.
Nominated by Huntington University and Reverend Arthur Wilson, vice president for spiritual formation, Presley said that she is “humbled to be in the mix with people who are well accomplished and inspired to do great work. Iron sharpens iron, and you can never be too sharp.”
“Nominating Chynna for this distinguished award was a no-brainer,” said Wilson. “Since the moment that she graduated from HU, Chynna has tirelessly served marginalized populations with compassion, humility and wisdom. Throughout Fort Wayne and surrounding communities, her leadership has been contagious. So many young men and women have developed a thirst for demonstrating effective leadership because of the tremendous example provided to them by Chynna.”
In her role as Director of Intercultural Enrichment, Presley runs the Horizon Program and supports and advocates for all minority and international students. She also works with faculty and staff to help create a culturally competent environment that emulates the Kingdom of God. Her work is driven by a passion to see unity in diversity flourish and social barriers crumble.
“What I hope people understand about that work, whether it be internal or systemic, is that the root of change must be love. Why? Because it is the greatest commandment. What is love? It’s an action. It’s a decision. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us what it looks like to operate out of love. If our thoughts, actions, policies and practices do not align, then we are not following God’s commandment and we will not see the changes we say we want to see,” said Presley.
This passion for justice isn’t new to Presley. Twyla Lee, associate professor, lead faculty and director of online social work at Indiana Wesleyan University and former professor at Huntington University, said that Presley “was passionate about social justice and living out faith in ways that are very tangible as you involve yourself in people’s lives.” Lee taught in the budding social work program when Presley was a student at Huntington University and saw firsthand Presley’s heart for people and relationship.
“One of the things I saw her grow in so much during those years in the program was being able to get beyond herself and to see the world from other people’s perspectives that were different from herself,” said Lee. “She also helped people become more open to examining differences and seeing how we see things differently, but then also to find the common ground that we have from which we function as a unit with unity.”
In honor of Presley’s dedication to her community and the work of reconciliation and social justice, Huntington University is pleased to be the title sponsor for the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly 40 Under 40 recognition event on March 18.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that Joe Pretorius, controller at HU, has received the inaugural Spirit of a Forester award. This peer-nominated award is bestowed monthly upon a Huntington University employee who demonstrates the characteristics of a Forester.
What is a Forester? The simple answer is that a Forester is a Huntington University student. Any student at any location and any age. But the truer answer is that a Forester is a lifetime appointment of chasing truth, defying complacency, remaining curious, caring completely, embracing interconnectedness, and demonstrating grit and creativity. Together, these traits come together to point others toward Christ. We take great pride in being Foresters, but we realize that we are fallible. That doesn’t negate our efforts. Instead, our fallibility highlights our reliance on Christ, the importance of our relationship with Him, and our potential for growth.
In their nominations, Joe’s fellow HU employees said that “Joe’s care for Huntington University and commitment to fulfilling the mission of Christ, scholarship and service is clear. He humbly and quietly takes care of his responsibilities in a first-class manner,” and “Joe has worked countless hours since he started here in 2019, learning his job, finding ways to simplify and perfect other areas in the Office of Business and Finance, working diligently on the PPE loan — learning how to be a “Forester” and still taking the hours required to complete courses for his doctoral degree. Even though he’s just been here not quite two years, Joe has stepped up to the plate and has filled his role above and beyond what could have been expected, especially during this pandemic.”
PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University Arizona is pleased to welcome Lauren Lee to the Forester Family. Lee joins HU Arizona as the associate director of student services; she will work with current students in every aspect of their journey at Huntington, including academic advising, creating personalized success plans, planning campus events, and more.
“We are looking forward to having Lauren as part of the HU Arizona team in part because she checks so many boxes that make her a great fit with our university community of creatives,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “Lauren has a broad background in many forms of higher education like student support, counseling, mentoring, programming, and student success strategies. The energy and caring personality she brings to the role will be fully enjoyed by our HU Arizona students. Plus, she is an artist herself and a strong Christ-follower, so she embraces our Created to Create culture on all levels.”
Lee comes to HU Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and a Master of Education degree in counseling and personnel services with a concentration in college student personnel.
PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University’s Arizona location welcomed its first cohort of Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy students on January 22 with a White Coat Ceremony. This event was a joint experience for HU’s Fort Wayne-based doctoral program in occupational therapy cohort and the inaugural HU Arizona doctoral program cohort. To see the full event, visit huntington.edu/whitecoat_January2021.
The inaugural class includes:
The White Coat Ceremony signifies each student’s commitment to deliver the best care to their patients, with compassion and empathy as the hallmark of their clinical practice. HU’s occupational therapy program equips students for professional service, promoting the development of skills in leadership, advanced practice and research while encouraging growth in faith.
Huntington University’s OTD program was one of the first of its kind in the country, and HU’s occupational therapy assistant program is the first bachelor’s-level program in the country. Occupational therapy was the first doctoral program offered at Huntington University and has been graduating impressive cohorts of students since May 2017.