HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University students brought home 25 awards from the American Advertising Federation (Ad Fed) Fort Wayne 2024 Annual Advertising Honors on February 24, including the Best in Show and Judge’s Choice student awards. Collectively, HU students earned more awards than any other educational institution in this year’s Fort Wayne competition.
Additionally, Visiting Instructor of Graphic Design Yue Wang received two professional awards, bringing the total number of awards for Huntington University to 27, an increase from 2023.
This year’s award-winning students represent six academic programs from two departments in Huntington University’s School of the Arts. The Department of Art & Design, which includes undergraduates majoring in graphic design, studio art, and visual art education, earned a total of 12 student awards and two professional awards. The Department of Digital Media Arts, encompassing undergraduates majoring in animation, film production, and television production, received a total of 13 student awards.
Awards Summary:
Altogether, Huntington University students and faculty returned from the awards show with a Best in Show, a Judge’s Choice, 10 Gold, 7 Silver and 8 Bronze awards to their credit.
Submitting her entries under the name Yue’s Studio, HU professor Yue Wang received the following professional awards:
Silver Professional Elements of Advertising: Infographic “Silkworm to Silk Infographic Design”
Bronze Professional Cross Platform: Integrated Campaign “Dunhuang City Brand Identity Design”
Students from the Department of Art & Design received the following awards:
Gold Student Sales Promotion: Packaging Wendy Beatriz Mejia “Espresso Americano Package Redesign”
Sales Promotion: Packaging Allese DeYoung “Celsius Packaging Redesign”
Out of Home & Ambient Media: Poster Leah R. Docea “Fantasy World Building Infographic”
Integrated Brand Identity Campaign Morgan Watts “Brand Design – All Around Bakery”
Elements of Advertising: Illustration Solomon Rangel “Space Debris Infographic”
Silver Student Integrated Brand Identity Campaign Mallory Carver “Chick-Fil-A Brand Campaign”
Integrated Brand Identity Campaign Leah R. Docea “Adaptive by Design Rebrand”
Elements of Advertising: Logo Design Wendy Beatriz Mejia “Espresso Americano Logo Design”
Bronze Student Collateral Material: Event Materials Elizabeth Kruse “These Shining Lives Poster”
Online/Interactive: Social Media Campaign Josey Reineman “Huntington University T&F Meet Day”
Integrated Brand Identity Campaign Solomon Rangel “Dry Gentlemen Brand Design”
Elements of Advertising: Logo Design Wendy Beatriz Mejia “Duli Logo Design”
Students from the Department of Digital Media Arts received the following awards:
Best in Show Student Elements of Advertising: Animation Rheanna Jones, Joy Heisey, Rachel Scobey “Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie”
Judge’s Choice Student Online/Interactive: Social Media Elliot Martin “Cinematography Reel”
Gold Student Online/Interactive: Social Media Elliot Martin “Cinematography Reel”
Television Advertising Ericka Whitman “‘In the Beginning’ Promo”
Elements of Advertising: Animation Rheanna Jones, Joy Heisey, Rachel Scobey “Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie”
Elements of Advertising: Animation Cameron Wray, Seth Lecheler, Taylor Stickan “Subliminal”
Elements of Advertising: Animation Joy Purcell, Carrie Runyan, Anna Houser, Alyssa Smith “Jupiter Flights at Conner Prairie”
Silver Student Online/Interactive: Social Media Rebekah Steffen “I Remain”
Television Advertising Jaron Sustar, Hadlee Mertz, Smey Him “Ott’s Coffee”
Elements of Advertising: Art Direction Mason Hyslop, Tyler Bradley, Sam Mann “Scene Recreation Last of Us”
Bronze Student Television Advertising Megan Hostetler “Gold: Live at Huntington University”
Integrated Advertising Campaign Ericka Whitman “‘In the Beginning’ Event Campaign”
Elements of Advertising: Animation Ericka Whitman “#UCanCrushHunger FDN Graphics PKG”
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 nonprofit university’s locations include the original home campus and the UB Launch 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).
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — On February 17, Huntington University hosted 68 top high school seniors in the fourth Spirit of a Forester Scholarship Competition.
The invitation-only semi-annual competition includes students with a 3.7 grade point average or higher. Through an onsite extemporaneous essay and an interview with faculty and staff, students compete for scholarships ranging from $16,000 per year to full tuition for four years.
In addition to gathering together students who excel academically, the competition is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the Spirit of a Forester, the set of traits that characterize Huntington University students: chasing truth, defying complacency, remaining curious, caring completely, embracing interconnectedness, having grit and exploring creativity.
The recipient of the full tuition scholarship from the February 17 competition is Heavyn Craft of Southfield, Michigan.
Additional scholarship recipients include the following:
For more information about upcoming Spirit of a Forester Scholarship Competition events, visit huntington.edu/Admissions or email admissions@huntington.edu.
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 nonprofit university’s locations include the original home campus and the UB Launch 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).
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Business students at Huntington University will benefit from a gift from the estate of longtime Huntington businessman J.T. Brennan.
Brennan, known for his interest in the stock market, designated funds to support the Department of Business at HU. The funds are being used to establish the Forester Acorn Fund.
“We are thankful for J.T. Brennan remembering the HU Department of Business in his estate,” said Dr. Ann McPherren, Department of Business chair. “The Forester Acorn Fund will provide business students with the real-world opportunity to actively invest and manage funds in the market.”
"I am excited about the experiential learning opportunity this fund will provide for our students,” said Dr. Brock Zehr, associate professor of business, who teaches courses in investing and personal finance. “They will gain experience in investment research, portfolio management, and investment decision-making. I am hopeful it will further career exploration in the financial services industry."
Pictured: Dr. Brock Zehr, associate professor of business, Mr. Jim Brennan, brother of J.T. Brennan and representative of the estate, Dr. Ann McPherren, professor of business, and Mr. Jim O’Donnell, emeriti professor of business.
Sixty-eight high school seniors from around the country attended the Huntington University Spirit of a Forester Scholarship Competition on Saturday, February 17. The competition is an invitation-only event for which HU-admitted high school seniors qualify with a 3.7 grade point average or higher and compete for four-year scholarships ranging from $16,000 to full tuition.
During the Saturday competition, finalists participated in interviews with HU faculty and staff and an extemporaneous writing session. Bonus points that counted toward the overall score were available for additional projects based on the seven traits collectively called the Spirit of a Forester: chasing truth, defying complacency, remaining curious, caring completely, embracing interconnectedness, having grit and exploring creativity.
“I submitted extra credit for [defying] complacency,” said student Katie Bolinger. “In the last year, I’ve tried to grow and make changes to make sure I'm growing in my faith and to not be stagnant.”
Her father, Brian Bolinger, offered a parent’s perspective on the scholarship competition and what it means for families of future Foresters.
“Knowing that there's other people who are specifically donating to grow the next Forester, I think it makes you feel the need to use it more than other scholarships,” he said. “It makes it more meaningful knowing that it's coming from somebody who wants to invest in the future generation.”
Parents were invited to attend a panel discussion consisting of HU’s president and senior leaders. The discussion focused on HU’s commitment to its mission and how that mission shapes strategic initiatives, how those initiatives benefit HU students and how HU offers a value that is worth the costs.
Scholarships offered through the Spirit of a Forester Scholarship Competition are a part of that value, making the HU experience possible for new generations of students.
“I'm a pastor,” said Steve Boyd, whose son Brian took part in the competition, as he reflected on how a scholarship would impact his family. “We’ve already made sacrifices to not be in the corporate world and choose to follow God's calling. We will have two kids in college in the next two years. So it obviously would mean a lot; it would be just great!”
Volunteer faculty, staff and HU students made the scholarship competition possible by setting up spaces around campus, greeting students and parents, planning and support, completing interviews and reviewing essays and extra credit packages.
Student Heavyn Craft, when asked how she felt about the competition and how it went for her, said, “I feel like it went well. It was very smooth. Everyone's super nice. Honestly, they took extra care of us. They made sure that we weren't nervous, and they just wanted to help.”
For Craft and her peers, the scholarship competition is a significant step toward a bright future that is only just beginning.
“For me to win even the smallest of scholarships would mean everything,” she said, adding that “being able to just go to school and not have to worry about the financial aspect of it, being able to just get my education and then focus on everything else that comes after that” would be a blessing.
As Craft and others noted, this is the true goal of the Spirit of a Forester Scholarship Competition: To help students pursue their calling at Huntington University and impact the world for Christ through scholarship and service.
The Office of Academic Affairs at Huntington University has named 435 students to the Dean’s List for fall semester 2023, including 410 students on our Huntington, Indiana, campus and 25 students at Huntington University Arizona in Peoria, Arizona.
To achieve designation on the Dean’s List, students must be classified as regular students, have been enrolled full-time with a load of 12 hours or more in graded courses, and earned at least 42 grade points with a semester GPA of at least 3.50.
“Students named to the Dean's List at Huntington University have demonstrated much more than intelligence,” said Dr. Luke Fetters, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty. “They have shown that they manage their time, analyze complex material, communicate at a high level, and desire to make the most of the talents and abilities that God has given them. While many of these students are involved in student organizations, athletics, outside employment, and various other time-consuming activities, they are also performing at a high level in the classroom. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to celebrating their future contributions at Huntington University, in graduate school, in meaningful careers, and in community leadership wherever God leads them.”
The Department of History and Political Science at Huntington University is pleased to announce that Jace Gilman, Rebecca Luckey and Karson Miller have received the fall semester 2023 Jack P. Barlow, Sr., History Book Prizes. The Barlow Prizes are given to outstanding students in the department’s upper-level research- and writing-intensive courses.
Miller is from Edgerton, Indiana, and graduated from Woodlan High School. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history, political science and international and development studies. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Master of Arts degree in history. Miller was recognized by Dr. Jeffrey Webb, professor of American history at Huntington University, for his performance in the course American Environmental History.
“Karson made substantial contributions to our seminar discussions, reflecting a deep engagement with the subject matter and related issues,” said Webb. “His research project on New Deal-era conservation and infrastructure far exceeded standards for undergraduate scholarship.”
About the Jack P. Barlow, Sr., Book Prize:
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, and carries a prize of $250 worth of academic books. It is 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.
Luckey is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and graduated from Homestead High School. She is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in history education, international and development studies, history, and political science. She plans to teach at the secondary level and pursue graduate study in history. Luckey was recognized by Dr. Dwight Brautigam, professor of European history at Huntington University, for her performance in the course European Nation-States in Conflict.
“Rebecca was a stalwart leader and constant source of intellectual accountability for herself and her classmates,” said Brautigam. “She is a fantastic example of how commitment to her academic improvement raises the level of everyone in the room. She is a most worthy recipient of the Barlow Prize.”
Gilman is from Summitville, Indiana, and graduated from Madison-Grant High School. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history, international and development studies, and political science and is a member of the HU tennis team. After graduation, he plans to attend law school and pursue a career in the legal profession. Gilman was recognized by Dr. Timothy Smith, professor of non-Western history at Huntington University, for his performance in the course America and Vietnam.
“Jace displayed a high level of critical engagement with the subject matter of the course and emerged as a leader in our discussions and debates,” Smith said. “His commitment to his own personal, academic, and professional growth is highly commendable.”
True stories are often more heartbreaking than fiction. The Huntington University Theatre Company presents These Shining Lives, a play written by Melanie Marnich and based on the true story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company, a watch factory based in Ottawa, Illinois.
The play, which was called “Perfect, touching and wistful…beautifully tragic” by Talkin’ Broadway, chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, it’s true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits — or endanger the lives of those who come after them.
Director Ryan Long said she’s excited about how the cast and crew have come together to create an ensemble piece where each person contributes to make the whole production shine.
“It’s amazing how these cast members have latched on to each of their characters and really made them their own,” said Long. “In other productions I’ve worked on, it’s taken months to create this type of synergy. This cast has been in rehearsals less than a month and they’ve already got incredible insight and connectivity.”
“I think people should come see this play because it is an all-around well-written story and a beautiful, tragic picture of how our actions matter and can make a difference for good or bad,” said cast member Elisa Hobbs.
Public performances will be on Thursday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. An educational matinee for middle/high school students, including homeschool students, will be held on Thursday, February 15 at 9:30 a.m. Tickets for all public performances may be purchased online at huntington.edu/BoxOffice, by phone at (260) 359-4261, or at the Huntington University Box Office beginning one hour prior to show time. Please contact the Box Office regarding ticketing for the educational matinee.
Performances are in the Studio Theatre inside the Merillat Centre for the Arts on the campus of Huntington University; seating opens 30 minutes prior to show time. For more information, visit huntington.edu/Shining.
These Shining Lives is the second production of the Huntington University Theatre Company’s 2023-2024 season. For more information, visit huntington.edu/Theatre, email theatre@huntington.edu, or call the Huntington University Box Office at (260) 359-4261. Follow the Huntington University Theatre Company on Facebook to keep up with the latest program news and events.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Huntington University sophomore Addy Wiley recently announced her decision to turn pro. The track sensation signed a deal with Adidas and will be making her professional debut this coming weekend. Wiley will toe the line of the 800 meters at the PNC Lenny Lyle Invitational in Louisville this weekend. “I couldn’t be more excited for Addy and what the future holds for her,” said Austin Roark, HU Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. “I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish in her professional career.” The timing is right for the Huntington native as she has her sights set on Paris - home of the 2024 Summer Olympics. “I'm so thankful for Coach Roark and his guidance over the past year,” said Wiley. “He's done a great job of showing how you can blend the collegiate system with world athletics for the betterment of the athlete. He truly broke the mold with the environment he created and it's cool to have been a part of that.
“Going forward I'm excited to continue earning my law degree and I'm thankful that Adidas supports my academic goals just as much as my athletic ones.” Wiley has left an indelible mark on Huntington University athletics. Her most recent accomplishment in Forester Green was this fall when she was crowned the 2023 Cross Country National Champion. It proved her only 6K of the season and she blew away the competition to win the individual title in 21:04.2, beating her nearest competitor by 12 seconds. As a rookie last season, Wiley finished second at the national meet. Wiley’s most epic performance as a Forester was last spring at the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Brookings, S.D. where she captured four individual titles and anchored HU’s winning DMR team. She piled up 42.5 points on the final day of the meet to will her team to a runner-up finish and be deemed the Most Valuable Performer. Within a four-hour span, Wiley won the mile, 600 meters, 800 meters, 3000 meters and then wrapped up her jaw-dropping performance by running the 1600-meter leg of the DMR. As the anchor, she received the baton with her team in ninth place but within her first 600 meters had claimed the lead and continued pulling away from the competition. Wiley wrapped up last year at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships where she picked up two more national titles which included winning the 800 meters and 1500 meters. During her time at HU, Wiley earned ten All-American praises, seven of which were national titles. She also holds six school records including the: indoor 600M (1:29.47), indoor 800M (2:02.33), indoor mile (4:32.15), indoor 4x400M relay (3:59.5), outdoor 800M (2:04.29) and outdoor 1500M (4:03.22). The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 154 NAIA All-America honors and 501 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. 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.
Dr. Jerry Davis, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, professor emeritus of counseling and founder of the clinical mental health counseling master’s degree program at Huntington University, published his first book in December 2023. Entitled “Grow in Grace Grow in Strength: Practical Wisdom from the Bible and Psychology,” the book is a devotional focused on self-care.
“For several years, many of the students in the graduate counseling program had encouraged me to write out the devotional thoughts I would share at the beginning of classes,” said Davis. “I have also had some of my mental health clients tell me the same. When I retired from HU, I began to take these requests more seriously. I now had more time and effort to put into the book.”
Although the idea originated in a counseling context, Davis notes that the devotional has a broad appeal for anyone who is serious about self-care, healing and growth — especially for anyone who is interested in practical instructions for improving self-care built on biblical principles.
Consisting of 52 devotions, the book is a collection of wisdom from the Bible and from psychology, drawing on Davis’ expertise he has accumulated over decades of work in higher education and clinical counseling settings.
“This book is absolutely a product of my work in the clinical mental health graduate program,” said Davis. “The university strongly encourages all faculty to integrate their discipline with Biblical thought and practice. The book would not have been written without the support and encouragement of Huntington University, including the administration, faculty and staff.”
Dr. Jerry Davis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lancaster Bible College, a Master of Education degree in counselor education from Millersville University, and a PhD from Purdue University. Prior to his retirement from Huntington University in 2021, his career at HU spanned more than a quarter of a century with various roles in both student development and the classroom. He launched the graduate counseling program in 2007 and was instrumental in shaping a new generation of Christian clinical mental health counselors.
“Grow in Grace Grow in Strength: Practical Wisdom from the Bible and Psychology” is available through Amazon.
Funds will expand teacher preparation and support reading proficiency among Indiana students
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has received a grant of $500,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana. The grant will leverage Huntington University’s current momentum in data-informed literacy instruction, expanding and enhancing the use of evidence-based instructional methods aligned with the Science of Reading in the University’s teacher preparation program.
Huntington University is one of 28 Indiana colleges and universities that received grants from Lilly Endowment to support efforts that integrate Science of Reading-aligned principles into teacher preparation programs.
"I believe that empowering teachers with knowledge is the key to helping students succeed in reading,” said Holly Ehle, assistant professor of education at Huntington University and a reading specialist. “The Science of Reading has demystified the process of how children physiologically learn to read and offers evidence backed by science to confirm that there are specific methodologies that more effectively teach students to read and write. At Huntington University, we seek to teach these important facts and findings to our preservice educators so that they are equipped to go out into Indiana classrooms and effectively teach all students to become proficient readers."
In support of this goal, Huntington University will train all pre-service teachers in methodologies that align with Science of Reading principles. Teacher candidates will receive support through a designated faculty member with specialized knowledge and academic credentials in Reading Science, a new teacher training and material resource center within Huntington University’s Department of Education for teacher candidates and clinical educators and a program-wide comprehensive training sequence on literary instruction. The University’s Science of Reading-aligned curriculum will undergo regular evaluations to ensure it is reflecting best practices, and there is potential for further growth as momentum continues to build, particularly in the area of offering training to current educators.
“This generous funding from Lilly Endowment will further equip Huntington University to fulfill our ongoing commitment to prepare pre-service teacher educators with proven, data-driven Science of Reading strategies,” said Luke Fetters, EdD, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Huntington University. “As part of this project, Huntington University will also come alongside area school systems to offer continuing education and other Science of Reading resources that align with statewide initiatives.”
In addition to supporting HU students, the Science of Reading department specialist will build relationships between HU faculty, Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) support organizations, national Science of Reading experts, regional school districts and local educators. By connecting current educators and teacher candidates with available resources and evidence-based best practices, the University will contribute to Indiana educators’ shared goal of providing the highest quality literacy support and instruction for Indiana children.
“It is imperative that more of Indiana’s elementary students learn to read proficiently, and it is essential that current teachers and the next generation of teachers are prepared to use proven principles to teach reading in their classrooms,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “We are pleased therefore to help Indiana colleges and universities strengthen the use of these research-based principles to teach reading in their teacher preparation programs.”
Lilly Endowment launched the Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana initiative in 2022. It complements a statewide effort undertaken in 2022 by the IDOE to improve reading achievement in K-12 schools by helping current teachers implement Science of Reading-aligned principles in their classrooms. In 2022, the Endowment made a $60 million grant to the IDOE to support that work with school districts and teachers across the Indiana.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.:
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion, and it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
Sherna Alexander Benjamin’s appointment will further her work addressing violence against women
Huntington University alumna Sherna Alexander Benjamin has been named vice president of the Committee of Experts on Violence (CEVI) with the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. The OAS is a regional organization bringing together all 35 independent states of the Americas. Alexander Benjamin is the first representative from Trinidad and Tobago to be elected to the vice presidency in the CEVI.
The CEVI is comprised of state-appointed independent experts who provide analysis and evaluation of the implementation of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, which was adopted in Brazil in 1994 with the intention of addressing violence against women globally. Alexander Benjamin serves as the principal expert from Trinidad and Tobago on this committee.
“This is another milestone for the movement of justice, the Caribbean, and the excellent display of God's Grace,” said Alexander Benjamin. “Being at HU has shaped aspects of my journey that contributed to this appointment.”
Alexander Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Huntington University (Class of 2023) and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration degree from HU. She has over a decade of experience in the areas of social work, human capital and social development and is dedicated to the work of creating solutions that address, prevent and respond to violence in both public and private settings. She is the founder of the Center for Nonviolence, Research, and Development and a contributing author in “Gender and Domestic Violence in the Caribbean,” published in 2021.
Savannah Hassler recognized at annual awards reception
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that the Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI) has awarded Savannah Hassler the 2023 Outstanding Art Education College Student award. The awards reception took place in Mooresville, Indiana, on November 3. Hassler is a senior art education major.
Other collegiate accomplishments for Hassler include serving in numerous leadership roles for HU’s National Art Education Association chapter and Kappa Pi International Art Society chapter, working as HU’s student assistant gallery director and having her college art exhibited in multiple art shows in the area.
“A call for nominations for the 2023 Outstanding College Art Education Student for the state of Indiana stated candidates for the award needed to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in art education and support the art education community. I thought of Savannah as soon as I read the criteria because she exemplifies both,” said Barb Michel, EdD, professor of art and chair of the Department of Art and Design at Huntington University.
According to its constitution, the purpose of the AEAI is “the promotion, advancement, and improvement of art education in Indiana through professional development, service, advancement of knowledge, and leadership.” More information about the AEAI is available at AEAI.org.
Music, Games, Crafts, and Fun for All Ages
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Forester Radio and the Huntington University Department of Music are bringing the holiday cheer by hosting a Christmas carnival and concert in the Merillat Centre for the Arts on Thursday, December 7. Both events are free and open to the public.
The carnival, sponsored by Forester Radio and geared towards kids ages three and up, runs from 6:00-7:15 p.m. in the lower level of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. It features games such as a snowman ring toss and pin the nose on Rudolph. There will also be Christmas-themed crafts, winter treats and special appearances by beloved holiday characters. For more information about the carnival, visit facebook.com/ForesterRadio.
A Christmas concert by the Huntington University Symphonic Band, composed of HU students and Huntington community members, will immediately follow the carnival. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Zurcher Auditorium and features a variety of holiday favorites to inspire the Christmas spirit.
Carnival and concert attendees should also leave time to check out the ongoing Forester Festival of Trees inside the upper lobby of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. The festival, which runs through December 11, features a display of over 20 lavishly decorated Christmas trees. This event is also free and open to the public and can be viewed during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite tree.
About Forester Radio:
With over 20 years of broadcast history, Forester Radio is a community-focused station that serves as a live classroom for students at Huntington University. The station plays Christian rock and alternative hits from the 1980s through today, featuring artists like DC Talk, Switchfoot, Disciple, Anberlin and Superchick. Forester Radio broadcasts on 105.5 FM in the Huntington, Indiana, area and worldwide at ForesterRadio.com or via the TuneIn Radio app.
Dr. Tim Smith examines mid-20th-century British military officers’ diplomacy and business interests in “Vacation Diplomacy and Business Fracas.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Dr. Tim Smith, professor of history at Huntington University, has published a new article about retired British military officers’ diplomacy and business interests related to Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan.
Smith’s new peer-reviewed article considers the advantages and disadvantages of using retired British military officers to enact “unofficial” soft-power diplomacy in areas of Cold War international turmoil — in particular General Sir Douglas Gracey’s 1951 tours of Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan.
Gracey’s visits to the battlegrounds in Cambodia and Vietnam were highly profitable and provided the British military with valuable insights concerning the French management of the First Vietnam War (1945-54). However, Gracey’s business interests, and a proposed visit to Pakistan, were more contentious, as the legacy of the First Kashmir War (1947-9), and Gracey’s role therein, was still a source of acute tension in Anglo-Indian-Pakistan relations.
“General Gracey used various approaches to Allied peacekeeping and peace enforcement as the general responsible for managing the power vacuum in Cambodia and the south of Vietnam at the end of the Second World War,” said Smith. “He was also controversially responsible for the Pakistan Armed forces during the First Kashmir War. Despite several historians taking an interest in Gracey’s role in these conflicts none appear to have spotted his later efforts at ‘unofficial’ retirement diplomacy. This piqued my interest, and it revealed not just the benefits of using a retired general in a conflict zone for British diplomacy but also the inherent weaknesses of doing so depending upon the circumstances.”
Dr. Tim Smith, FRHistS, joined the University faculty in 2007. He previously taught history at the University of East Anglia in the UK. He has produced four books concerning imperial and diplomatic history in Asia.
“Vacation Diplomacy and Business Fracas: General Sir Douglas Gracey’s Tours of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan, in 1951” was published in volume 20 of the Historical Yearbook and is available through the Central and Eastern European Online Library at https://www.ceeol.com/search/journal-detail?id=1073.
Broadway musical brings the novel to life
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — The Huntington University Theatre Company and Department of Music are proud to present “Tuck Everlasting,” a musical based on the novel of the same name by Natalie Babbitt.
“Tuck Everlasting” introduces audiences to eleven-year-old Winnie Foster, who yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence. After she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck family, however, she gets more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tucks’ unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life.
As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.
The novel was originally written for children, but those involved with the Huntington University production are quick to point out that the story offers something for all ages.
“I think everyone is going to love this show, but I think those who appreciate family and have lived life with someone special will be drawn to this story,” said Director Mary Beth Frank.
Originally produced on Broadway, the musical has plenty of spectacular music and choreography and action-packed adventure, but it also raises deeper questions about life, family and forgiveness.
“The story is full of fun adventures, humor and life lessons and is brought to life by an amazing cast of singers and dancers,” said Music Director Melanie Carter. “This show will make people think about and appreciate the different phases of life and be grateful for our memories.”
“A surprising number of people have only seen the movie, which is often described as being serious or heavy,” said Choreographer Amya Floor. “The musical focuses more on the happiness found in life and is much more exciting and upbeat throughout.”
“Tuck Everlasting” opens in Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts on November 16 and runs through November 18. Show times and tickets are available at huntington.edu/Tuck.
About the Production:
TUCK EVERLASTING is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
TUCK EVERLASTING
Book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle
Music by Chris Miller
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Based on the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — On October 20-21, Huntington University hosted its third Spirit of a Forester Scholarship Competition. The competition included an onsite extemporaneous essay and an interview with faculty and staff.
As a result of the competition, Huntington University awarded scholarships ranging from full tuition to $16,000. The recipient of the full tuition scholarship is Elijah Ingle from Bluffton, Indiana.
● Claire Benton; Lowell, Indiana ● Gabrielle Brown; Detroit, Michigan ● Addie Conner; Greentown, Indiana ● Elizabeth Feiock; Brownsburg, Indiana ● Elnora Flores; Bremen, Indiana ● Gracie Gilbert; Garrett, Indiana ● Grace Hammond; Columbia City, Indiana ● Hailey Hardesty; Valparaiso, Indiana ● Cole Hively; Middlebury, Indiana ● Dakota Hudson; Fort Wayne, Indiana ● Annabelle Johnson; Bluffton, Indiana ● Emily Karcher; Van Wert, Ohio ● Lynlee Malkey; Winchester, Indiana ● Lorin Miller; Columbia City, Indiana ● Lillian Norris; Ossian, Indiana ● Ali Riley; Markle, Indiana ● Theoren Twitchell; Elkhart, Indiana ● Kierra Wilson; Wabash, Indiana
Bridge Program Launches for Occupational, Physical Therapy Assistants
PEORIA, Ariz. — Occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physical therapy assistants (PTA) now have the opportunity to continue their education at Huntington University Arizona through the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD) – OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge, a program designed for busy professionals seeking career advancement.
“The OTD faculty and I are excited to be able to offer this opportunity for practicing OTAs and PTAs,” said Dr. Evelyn Andersson, program director for OTD Arizona. “Since the start of our OTD program, we have received many inquiries about offering a bridge program. We believe our program will be a great opportunity for OTAs and PTAs who want to build on their extensive clinical experience to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy.”
This doctoral program, which has received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and the Higher Learning Commission and licensure from the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, builds on HU Arizona’s current strengths in healthcare education, opening doors for OTAs and PTAs to pursue a doctoral degree in occupational therapy.
The OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge program follows the same rigorous curriculum as the existing Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy. This ensures all students receive a comprehensive and high-quality education, whether in the traditional or bridge cohort, while meeting the unique needs of individuals with prior experience as OTAs or PTAs.
Key features of the new program include: 1. Nine-Semester Duration: Unlike the traditional program, which is completed in eight semesters, the bridge program spans nine semesters to help students balance their academic and professional responsibilities. 2. Online Learning: Didactic content is delivered through the user-friendly Moodle teaching platform, allowing students to access course materials conveniently. 3. In-Person Labs: To enhance practical skills and ensure a well-rounded education, students in the bridge program will gather in person for three weekends per didactic semester. These weekends will include laboratory sessions, practical exams, and presentation skills training, all delivered by experienced HU Arizona OTD faculty.
Admission criteria for the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy – OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge are as follows: ● Graduate with an associate degree as an occupational or physical therapy assistant ● Initial certification as an occupational therapy assistant or successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination or a state-specific exam for physical therapy assistants ● One year of experience as an occupational therapy assistant or physical therapy assistant ● Completion of 90 undergraduate credits or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA ● Attainment of a grade of B- or higher in all prerequisite courses, which may be met from the OTA or PTA associates degree programs ● Prerequisite courses, including Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Lab Science (Biology, Physics, or Chemistry), Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Social Science, Statistics or Research, and Medical Terminology
Expanding educational offerings underscores Huntington University’s commitment to advancing healthcare education and ensuring students from diverse backgrounds and experiences access high-quality learning opportunities.
The inaugural cohort of the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy – OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge begins in January 2024.
To learn more about the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy – OTA/PTA to OTD Bridge, visit huntington.edu/OTDBridge or request information here.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has received a $100,000 gift toward the transformation of the Merillat Complex & Fieldhouse (PLEX) from Bippus State Bank.
“A strong and vibrant University is key to our local economy,” said Eric Fawcett, president and chief executive officer of Bippus State Bank. “Huntington University and Bippus State Bank have partnered together numerous times over the years. Both of our institutions know the importance of collaboration, and that collaboration is vital to both of our successes going forward.”
He continued, “This gift shows our commitment to not only the University but to our community. The bank is grateful for the opportunity to financially assist with this project. The newly renovated PLEX will certainly be something our entire community can be proud of.”
Work began on the PLEX transformation in 2022. The $18.7 million project will upgrade the 90,000-plus-square-foot facility to a best-in-class venue. Once complete, the PLEX will feature three large arena and gym spaces, substantially expanded weight and cardio areas, a large entry lobby, hospitality suites, a pro shop, a hall of fame and larger classrooms, serving not just Huntington University student-athletes but all HU students and the greater Huntington community.
“We are grateful for the significant support of Bippus State Bank,” said Stephen Weingart, vice president for university advancement. “The community aspect of the PLEX project makes support from community partners all the more significant for Huntington University.”
To learn more about the PLEX project or to be a part of the PLEX campaign, visit www.huntington.edu/PLEX.
About Huntington University
Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering award-winning graduate and undergraduate 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 nonprofit university operates at three academic locations, including the original home campus in Huntington, a doctoral program in occupational therapy location in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and an undergraduate and doctoral program location in Peoria, Arizona. Online programs are also available. Huntington University’s home campus offers 17 men’s and women’s athletic programs, and the university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). For more information, visit the website www.huntington.edu.
About Bippus State Bank
Bippus State Bank is a community bank that creates meaningful customer relationships, fosters employee development and maintains shareholder confidence by providing premium financial products and services. For more information, visit the website www.bippusbank.com.