Huntington University continues to feel the community’s support for University growth. Most recently, this feeling of investment and community connection came in the form of a $100,000 commitment from Lake City Bank to the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center and the Huntington University Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.
“Like Lake City Bank, Huntington University recognizes the critical importance of the agricultural community in Northeast Indiana and throughout the Midwest. Huntington’s practical, hands-on program brings students directly into the ag sector throughout their academic experience,” said David M. Findlay, president and chief executive officer of Lake City Bank.
The construction and naming of the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center was announced in December of 2019, and construction began in spring of 2020. Named in honor of the late Don Strauss, a fourth-generation member of the Strauss family in North Manchester and founder of Strauss Veal Feeds and Midwest Poultry Services, the 10,000-square-foot space will house many of the key livestock elements of HU’s agriculture degrees.
“We covet the gifts and support of community partners like Lake City Bank,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Their investment in this space is an investment in HU’s ag and biology students today and in the future.”
This investment in agriculture isn’t a first for Lake City Bank. In fact, it’s part of its pedigree.
“Lake City Bank has a proud history of banking the agricultural community,” said Findlay. “Since our founding in 1872, we’ve been banking Hoosier farmers and agricultural related businesses. We are one of the largest agricultural lenders in the state of Indiana and are very proud of our expertise in the ag sector and the strong relationships we have across the industry.”
The $100,000 gift will be made over four years, with $10,000 committed to support HU’s department of agriculture and $15,000 committed to the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center each year.
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).
Lake City Bank, a $5.4 billion bank headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, is the sixth largest bank headquartered in the state, and the largest bank 100% invested in Indiana. Lake City Bank operates 50 branch offices in northern and central Indiana, delivering technology-driven solutions in a client-centric way to individuals and businesses. The bank is the single bank subsidiary of Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select/LKFN). For more information visit lakecitybank.com.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University appreciates the support of the Huntington County Swine Boosters, whose gift of $2,500 toward the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center will amplify the University’s impact on and investment in agriculture students.
“The Swine Boosters are committed to making things better for local youth in Agriculture,” said Matt Buckland, president, Huntington County Swine Boosters. “When approached by HU about being part of this project, we were happy to contribute. With this facility being used for animal education for kids from kindergarten through college, we were happy to support the cause and the Agriculture Industry in our community.”
Buckland also pointed out that having the option to obtain a degree in agriculture from a local university is a great opportunity for area youth. Huntington University’s strong program is an attractive option for those who want to remain close to home, and its location in the heart of the greater Huntington area’s agriculture community is an asset.
Launched in the fall of 2014, the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies at Huntington University promotes a Christian perspective on agriculture, which recognizes a responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation and to examine questions of sustainability and justice. The program is intended to meet the growing need for agribusiness innovation and entrepreneurship, communication and public policy, crop production, agricultural education and ministry and missions. For more information about HU’s ag program, visit huntington.edu/Agriculture.
PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has granted Huntington University’s Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD program) in Arizona candidacy status.
Candidacy status for the Arizona location of the OTD program means that the program can admit students and begin the self-study process to apply for accreditation. According to Evelyn Andersson, PhD, OTR/L, and OTD program director in Arizona, the self-study is due in March of 2022, with an onsite visit to come in November 2022. ACOTE will announce its accreditation decision in 2023.
“There is a great need for occupational therapy practitioners in Arizona and many opportunities to practice in urban, suburban and rural areas,” said Andersson. “The greater Phoenix metro area is experiencing population growth, with both young families and retirees moving here. There is also a large immigrant population and several American Indian reservations who would benefit from occupation-based and culturally sensitive interventions. Need for occupational therapy services is great across the lifespan. There is an enormous need for occupational therapy practitioners in rural Arizona. Rural practice will offer opportunities to expand on innovative service delivery models such as telehealth to reach clients with a variety of needs: pediatric to geriatric; physical and/or mental health.”
HU’s Christian foundation will foster OT practitioners who are prepared for compassionate, culturally relevant practice and serve in the communities where people live, from urban to suburban to rural. The OTD program in Arizona will address the specific occupational needs of the populations of the Southwest, with the missions component of the program specifically developed for underserved populations both in Arizona and across the border to Mexico in addition to other international missions. With a maximum of 32 students in each cohort, the program will offer an individualized education model serving students who thrive in a smaller university with smaller classes.
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.
PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University Arizona has adopted a test optional admissions process, making the submission of scores from common standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT optional for Huntington University admission.
“High school students are dealing with a lot due to COVID-19,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “One of the ways the pandemic has affected students is the disruption of the normal SAT and ACT testing. Arizona students have taken the ACT for free at their high school in the late spring of their junior year for some time. With the planned pathway to the ACT cancelled for the Class of 2021 and limited availability for Arizona students to take a standardized test since, eliminating the test from our admissions process will give students some peace of mind during an uncertain time.”
Berggren also pointed out that standardized tests are just one factor the University considers in the college admission process.
Moving forward, admission to Huntington University will rely on a student’s high school curriculum, academic performance, extracurricular activities and essay to make an admission decision.
According to Berggren, studies have shown that students’ high school grade point average and academic record are a better indicator of academic success than standardized test scores.
“By adopting a test optional admission policy, Huntington University will be removing a barrier in the college admission process. This change will allow us to continue providing access and equity in the admission process during COVID-19 and beyond,” said Berggren.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has adopted a test optional admissions process, making the submission of scores from common standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT optional for Huntington University admission.
“High school students are dealing with a lot due to COVID-19,” said Susanne Watson, director of undergraduate admissions. “One of the ways the pandemic has affected students is the disruption of the normal SAT and ACT testing. With limited availability for students to take a standardized test since March, eliminating the test from our admissions process will give students some peace of mind during an uncertain time.”
Watson also pointed out that standardized tests are just one factor the University considers in the college admission process.
According to Watson, studies have shown that students’ high school grade point average and academic record are a better indicator of academic success than standardized test scores.
“By adopting a test optional admission policy, Huntington University will be removing a barrier in the college admission process. This change will allow us to continue providing access and equity in the admission process during COVID-19 and beyond,” said Watson.
For over a decade, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has hosted the Regional College Student Production Awards for Excellence. These Awards are intended to recognize excellence in the academic pursuit of skills necessary to produce outstanding quality multimedia content for the television industry.
This year, Huntington University Arizona students were the recipients of a record 7 Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards. These awards, also known as the Rocky Mountain Student Emmys, were announced during a livestream event on September 19. For the first time ever, HU Arizona tied with Arizona State University for the most overall Student Emmy awards.
HU Arizona received 12 nominations, the second highest number of nominations among all universities represented. Additionally, in the top five universities with most nominations, the average enrollment is 30,000 students. HU Arizona, which was established in 2016 out of the success of the Huntington University home campus Digital Media Arts program in Huntington, Indiana, has a total enrollment of 140 students.
Huntington University Arizona awards:
College Short Form – Nonfiction “Stranger” Chloe Caufield, Director
College Short Form – Fiction “The Cactus Cat” Sarah Wickenhauser, Director
College Long Form – Fiction “What We Become” Stephen Davis, Director
College Craft: Animation/Graphics/Special Effects “Starry Eyed” Haley Wheeler, Lead Artist AND “Tobeus & Toby” Alyssa Alley, Lead Artist
College Craft: Editor “Coffee” Mathew Molyneux, Editor
College Commercial “Promusica Promo” Olivya Bryant, Director
Huntington University is pleased to be a recipient of a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part Lilly Endowment’s initiative, Charting the Future for Indiana’s Colleges and Universities.
The initiative is designed to help Indiana’s 38 public and private higher education institutions further develop strategies to strengthen their effectiveness and sustainability. Lilly Endowment is making $108.2 million in grants available to Indiana colleges and universities throughout the three-phase initiative.
At Huntington University, the grant will assist in the further development of and growth in HU’s health sciences programs, including undergraduate nursing, undergraduate occupational therapy assistant, the master’s degree program in clinical mental health counseling and the doctoral program in occupational therapy.
Specifically, the grant funds will help Huntington University
· Upgrade and add to HU’s health facilities, equipment and programming for nursing and occupational therapy assistant to expand enrollment and reach underrepresented populations and emerging markets
· Underwrite expenses related to external accreditation of the master’s programs in counseling (CACREP) and occupational therapy programs (ACOTE)
· Provide funding for OTD program development and collaboration to open an additional program location
“It is essential to the future of the University that it takes advantage of its unique strengths and opportunities,” said Dr. Ann McPherren, assistant to the President for program development. “HU’s best future will be to focus on areas of strength in programs where socio-emotional and cognitive skill development is essential, where collaboration with partners is possible, where emphasis on service is strongest and where return on financial investment is highest.”
This implementation grant was awarded under the second phase of Lilly Endowment’s three-phase Charting the Future initiative. In this phase, Lilly Endowment invited proposals that presented promising strategies that will result in economies of scale and other cost efficiencies to enhance the viability and financial condition of the institutions and prepare graduates for rewarding employment and to live engaged and meaningful lives, especially in Indiana. Grants under a third phase, which is competitive, will be awarded in 2021. Those grants will support collaborative efforts that seek to have large-scale impact on the ability of higher education institutions in Indiana to fulfill their educational missions.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr., 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 the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
Five students are lighting up the Silent Sky stage to kick off the 2020-2021 Huntington University Theatre Company season – virtually. The performances will be livestreamed online from Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts on October 9-10 at 7:30 p.m. and October 10 at 2:00 p.m.
This powerful play tells the story of Henrietta Leavitt and a group of other female astronomers who worked as human “computers” at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. Despite not being allowed to touch a telescope and discouraged from expressing any original ideas, Leavitt works diligently toward a breakthrough in measuring stars. Along the way, she struggles to make similar breakthroughs in her relationships and family life. Based on the amazing true story, this play shows how one woman can cause us to look at an entire galaxy from a new perspective.
The cast includes
Under the direction of Ryan Long, assistant professor of theatre, Paris Dirscherl is the stage manager and Carson Cunningham is the assistant stage manager.
For more information about the show and for ticketing details, visit huntington.edu/SilentSky.
Huntington University has, once again, shattered enrollment records. In a year fraught with any number of challenges, HU is pleased to report a total enrollment of 1,402 students. This is the first time in history that the University’s enrollment has topped 1,400 students.
“We are thrilled that our enrollment has reached the 1,400 mark. We celebrate every student because it’s a life and they are a future leader, but surpassing a marker like 1,400 is a special moment for the campus community,” said Daniel Solms, vice president for enrollment management and marketing.
Since 2016, HU has had overall enrollment increase from 1,300 to over 1,400 students, seeing a steady increase in students each year. This year is also the eighth consecutive year of increased U.S. minorities student enrollment, with 16% of the HU population identifying as a U.S. minority. At HU Arizona, the University has seen incredible enrollment growth, starting with 18 students in 2016 (the inaugural year of the HU Arizona location) to 145 students in 2020.
“We are so excited about the opportunity to provide a record number of students with access to Christian higher education at Huntington University,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president. “Our entire campus community, at all three geographic locations, worked diligently through the pandemic recess to offer the residential educational experience for our students in fall of 2020. Growing our institution remains a key pillar of our strategic plan, Faith Forward 2022.”
In addition to an increase in U.S. minority representation, the number of states the student population represents has increased for the fifth year in a row. HU welcomed Foresters from 34 states this year, including Maine, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, California, New Hampshire, Vermont, Oregon and Washington.
For fall 2020, Huntington University is waiving the fees associated with dual credit courses. HU’s concurrent credit courses are university-level college credit classes offered to students enrolled in certain high school courses taught at the high school by university-approved instructors. Credits earned count toward high school graduation, but students also receive credit for the university-level course.
“Huntington University knows that many are experiencing financial challenge due to COVID-19,” said Susanne Watson, director of undergraduate admissions at Huntington University. “We wanted eligible Huntington North High School students to receive college credit for their college-level coursework, regardless of their family circumstances. We felt that waiving our dual credit fees this semester is a good way we could give back to our community and collaborate with Huntington County Community Schools.”
Dual credit courses for the fall of 2020 include:
HNHS Course Term Huntington University Course
Human & Socl Services IA Fall PY 107 Human & Social Services IA
Human & Socl Services IIA Fall PY 109 Human & Social Services IIA
Radio & TV IA Fall DM 196MRADI Media Overview: Radio I
Speech Fall CO 215 Public Speaking
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s Department of Nursing is pleased to announce the following 2020-2021 scholarship recipients.
The Indiana Center for Nursing Scholarship goes to nursing students at Huntington University who meet requirements including GPA, Indiana residency, and commitment to working as a registered nurse in Indiana. The Department of Nursing announces the number of scholarship awards each year; this year, there are three recipients.
The Winter Nursing Scholarship criteria include being a sophomore enrolled full-time, GPA, and commitment to HU and Department of Nursing standards.
The Department of Nursing awards the Bruce and Linda Myers Nursing Scholarship on behalf of the Myers family. Bruce and Linda Myers are the former owners of Myers Funeral Homes in Huntington and Markle. During their 25 years in business, they developed close ties with the people of Huntington and Wells Counties and with Huntington University, where Bruce served on the Huntington University Foundation Board and the Fine Arts Council. Linda is a retired registered nurse with 30 years of medical-surgical and critical care experience. Their professional and personal lives have always been founded on a deep faith in and love for their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Their desire in giving the scholarship is twofold: to support the mission Huntington University and the Department of Nursing and to aid serious students of the nursing field in achieving their educational goals by providing financial assistance. Criteria to receive this scholarship include being a current junior nursing major or sophomore accepted into the program and GPA as well as an essay and demonstrated financial need.
The Huntington University Nursing Scholarship was established to provide encouragement and financial support to students at Huntington University in the nursing program. Criteria include being a sophomore enrolled full-time and GPA.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that artist Katherine Dean will bring her art for exhibit to the Robert E. Wilson Gallery on September 29. Titled Preservation Corrosion, the exhibit will remain on display through November 30.
Dean is a visual artist based in Indiana. According to her website, she describes her work as existing “at the merger of traditional and contemporary photography. By exploring modern ideas and imagery with historic and/or manipulated traditional processes, Dean addresses the ideas of time, memory, and space.”
According to Julie Dungan, director of the Robert E. Wilson Gallery, the importance of an exhibit like Dean’s at Huntington University is threefold:
Barb Michel, associate professor of art and chair of the Department of Art + Design, concurs.
“It is important for our students to learn from and be exposed to professionals who specialize in areas we cover in the various HU art programs. Bringing a professional photographer to campus this semester is intentional since half of our art majors are currently taking a photography class. In addition to sharing a current body of work in the gallery, Dean will put on a workshop for all of the art students. Both of these experiences will give our students a deeper understanding of contemporary photography and what it looks like on a professional level,” says Michel.
Dean earned an MFA in photography in 2017 from Memphis College of Art and also holds a BFA in photography from the University of North Florida. The abrupt transition from the landscape of Florida to Tennessee influenced the manner in which Dean approaches the creative process. In addition to lecturing, Dean has also spent time working with a small group of artists in Memphis, Tennessee, creating large scale public sculptures. Her work has been exhibited nationally in a number of juried shows. Currently Dean lives in Lafayette, Indiana, where she is working on a new body of work exploring the dissolution of memory and time.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Dr. Carl Zurcher, professor emeritus of speech, beloved teacher, and theatre director to hundreds of Huntington University students, passed to his eternal reward on September 11, 2020. Born on a farm near Berne, Indiana, to Fred F. and Martha (Valentine) Zurcher, Carl graduated as valedictorian from Geneva High School.
Zurcher began his college education at Huntington University (then College) in 1942 but was interrupted by World War II, where he served with the 104th Infantry (Timberwolf) Division in Holland, France. Returning to HU after the war, he began dating Mabel (Alpaugh) Thompson his senior year and graduated with a degree in speech and history in 1948. He taught at Huntington Township High School for a year and completed a master’s degree at Northwestern University.
In 1950, a position opened in the Speech Department at HU, and Zurcher stated that he “was flattered to be invited to teach at his alma mater.” He accepted the position and began a lifelong devotion to Huntington University, where he taught for 39 years. After completing his first year of teaching at Huntington he married Mabel Thompson in 1951, a marriage of mutual devotion that lasted until her death in 2018. The Zurchers have two daughters, Beverly Ann (Dan) Brauchler and Carla Jeanne Zurcher, both Huntington alumni.
Among the many positions and chairmanships Zurcher held at the institution was his service as registrar from 1953 to 1964 and chair of the Division of Humanities and Bible from 1965 until his retirement. Zurcher was one of the principle faculty members who worked tenaciously for national accreditation in 1961. Zurcher often cited this as one of the highlights of his service to Huntington University. One of the leading members of the faculty, he was always spoken of highly by his colleagues. Dr. Gerald Smith described him as “teacher … exemplar” and “persuasive” in faculty meetings. Dr. William Hasker states, “He was there with a lot of wisdom and judgement, and he would always take the time to work through the problem.”
The impact he had on students was immeasurable. Many have commented on his excellent abilities in teaching and directing, but most of his former students have reflected on the impact this humble Christian gentleman had on their lives. Phrases such as “elegance of wisdom and patience,” “cherished his counsel always and his friendship,” “unconditional love and integrity,” and “taught me my work ethic and my high standards” are just a few of the accolades of those former students who looked up to Dr. “Z” as a mentor and friend. Perhaps former Vice President for University Relations John Paff said it best…“Oh, what a true Christian gentleman! He embodied the values and virtues of Huntington College, modeling ‘Christ, Scholarship, and Service’ to generations of HC and HU students.”
During his years at Huntington University, Dr. Zurcher was recognized many times for his talent and contribution. He was elected four times by the student body as Professor of the Year, received the Alumnus of the Year Award in 1974, was awarded a Centennial Medallion in 1996 and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 1989. In 2005, the University further paid tribute to Dr. Zurcher by naming the auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts in his honor.
Dr. Carl Zurcher’s life and work can best be summed up with the verses from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s occupational therapy assistant baccalaureate program has been awarded the maximum years of accreditation possible for a program of its kind. This is a significant accomplishment, as HU is the first occupational therapy assistant baccalaureate program in the country.
Huntington University announced the initial accreditation of its occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program in April.
According to Dr. Nicole Scheiman, department chair/program director/associate professor at Huntington University, this means that the occupational therapy assistant program our OTA students have chosen has achieved the highest level of accreditation possible. Their program accomplished this as a brand-new program for the University, using new accreditation standards, and while being the very first of its kind. This means that the HU OTA program has faculty and staff that are dedicated to their professional fields and the education they provide. They desire to graduate individuals who will be able to practice at the top of their license.
“Receiving a faith-based liberal arts education in addition to their education in occupational therapy will provide our students with the academic preparation to critically and clinically reason, find unique solutions to challenges, and follow a faithful journey to be able to provide a broader, healthier perspective on life for themselves and those they serve,” said Scheiman.
This accreditation is also significant because healthcare is facing challenging times, and future practitioners who are prepared academically, clinically, and professionally will be in high demand to meet global needs. HU’s OTA students will graduate ready to meet these needs and serve others. Achieving accreditation ensures that the program has developed and implemented education to support the preparation of competent occupational therapy practitioners.
“I love OTA at HU,” said OTA student Rebecca Allen, “specifically because it provides me with so many opportunities, tools, and skills needed to serve others effectively and show the love of Christ, not only to the community of Huntington but to other communities as well.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Along with the agricultural industry around the country, Huntington University is celebrating the anniversary of the soybean. According to the American Soybean Association, the First Corn Belt Soybean Field Day was held in Camden, Indiana, on September 3, 1920, and included tours and presentations that led to the formation of the National Soybean Growers’ Association (later renamed the American Soybean Association). This was an historic day in the ag industry, and Huntington University is still feeling those effects today.
Professor Fred Loew is the link that first connected Huntington University (then Huntington College) to the soybean. Not only did Professor Loew play a key role in promoting agriculture in northeast Indiana, but HU archives indicate Loew directed a regional Purdue Experiment Station and credit him with introducing soybeans to northeast Indiana.
According to the August 17, 1923, issue of The Huntington Press, Loew planted soybeans for the first time in 1920, the same year as the soybean field day in Camden. The article went on to say that in 1923 “Fred A. Loew, practical farmer as well as a successful teacher, is fully convinced of the merits of soybeans not only as a soil builder but from a commercial standpoint.” He planted 30 acres of the Manchu variety which looked promising for a large yield. Loew called the planting of soybeans, “a common sense method of building up your soil.”
Loew was a Huntington University (then Central College) graduate who became a botanist. But Loew wasn’t just a fan of plants: He was a collector of plants. In 1903, Loew founded an herbarium, and over the years he built the collection to include some 12,000 plant specimens. This herbarium is one of the oldest and largest herbariums at any Christian college in the Midwest and, in 2014, it was added to The New York Botanical Garden’s Index Herbariorum, a directory allowing researchers from around the world to contact the University to learn more about the collection.
But that’s not all Loew built at Huntington. In 1914 he founded an agricultural research station and created a botanical garden 23 years later at the college. From the herbarium to the botanical garden, Loew was the catalyst that planted the University’s commitment to theoretical science as well as the practical application of scientific research.
Today, we believe the Huntington University ag program would make Loew proud. We planted a 12-acre research plot of soybeans, along with 11 acres of commercial corn and three acres of sweet corn, in 2020.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Chynna Presley has been hired as the director of intercultural enrichment. Presley comes to HU after serving as the program director at Volunteers of America. Presley is a graduate of Huntington University, earning her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2007.
“Chynna fits our vision for what we’re hoping to become and do in the life of our community,” said Rev. Arthur Wilson, dean of spiritual life and campus pastor. “In Chynna we have somebody who is raised up from here; she’s a student here, she’s accomplished much here and outside of this context and when I think of leadership that our minority students and our international students need to see, they are seeing leadership full circle.”
Wilson pointed out that Presley’s role at HU will be not only to foster the Horizon Leadership program and its students but also to foster conversations on cultural unity and diversity.
“To be able to support students of color, for me to be able to step into a role that not only just supports but advocates and helps create an environment of change and just a better culture,” said Presley. “I’m excited about being able to be a part of a movement and that’s what I see when I dream about this. This opportunity, I see a movement happening, there’s already been steps laid before me, but I just get in my spirit this sense that there is something bigger than any of us can even imagine, and not just on the campus, but that we can become a model for other schools.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that Courtney Kingery, CEO of the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, has joined the Huntington University Agriculture Advisory Council.
“The intent with launching the Ag Advisory Council was to bring industry leaders together to guide HU's decisions and work in developing and maintaining viable degrees for our students. Courtney's expertise will be a valuable addition to our strong group of leaders who work towards providing great learning outcomes for our students as they prepare for graduate school and employment,” said Nate Perry, Managing Director, Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.
In leading the state’s corn and soybean checkoff programs, Kingery’s focus is on building domestic and global demand for corn and soybeans, funding practical research projects that benefit production agriculture and educating both farmers and consumers about the benefits of farm products.
Kingery brings a broad level of experience and expertise from the grain industry that is of great value to our corn and soybean checkoff programs. She has executive management experience in the grain industry. She served as global director of health and wellness innovation for Tate and Lyle in Chicago. Earlier in her career she was a grain trader and marketing manager for oilseeds and food ingredients for ADM. Kingery’s family has a farm in White County, Ind. She graduated from Kutztown University with a Master of Business Administration degree and Hanover College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
“I wanted to offer up my expertise and 20+ years in ag industry in processing, food supply chain and international trade to the advisory board. Looking at other board members, you have broad expertise in production, and I would be happy to share my experience in commodity trading, ag processing, food production and international trade to the Council,” said Kingery.
She went on to note that “agriculture in Indiana is a $13 billion industry. For the agricultural industry in Indiana to continue to grow and meet the needs of international markets, we need graduates with strong foundations in stewardship, productivity, sustainability and business management. Agribusiness programs like Huntington’s agriculture studies programs meet the growing need for agribusiness professionals.”
To learn more about the Huntington University Agriculture Advisory Council or HU’s agriculture program, visit huntington.edu/Ag.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Ruth A. Merillat, co-benefactor, along with her husband, Orville Merillat, of Huntington University as well as many other educational and Christian institutions, went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 19, 2020.
“Ruth Merillat exemplified the importance of a life lived well,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “She will be remembered for her generosity, kindness and grace, but mostly for how she loved Jesus. Her faithful support of her family, her church and the United Brethren in Christ denomination, and Huntington University will be the legacy that lives on. We are forever blessed by the work that the Merillat family has done for Kingdom impact."
Born January 18, 1921, to Wilber and Edna Meller, Ruth married the love of her life, Orville Merillat, on January 19, 1941, after making him wait two years until she turned twenty. With Ruth’s encouragement, Orville took up the profession of carpentry while still early in their marriage. When Orville was serving in the Coast Guard during WWII, Ruth began to be concerned for Orville’s salvation. She prayed and beseeched God with extra devotion, and her faith began to grow stronger. While Orville was home on leave in 1943, Ruth took him to a revival meeting at a United Brethren Church where he committed his life to Jesus Christ.
During the war, Orville sent most of his pay back to Ruth so they could build up their savings to establish a carpentry business. With that, and with what Ruth could contribute from her job in the defense industry, they were able to open the Merillat Woodworking Company in 1946 that would eventually evolve into Merillat Industries. All along the way as the company developed Ruth worked at Orville’s side as wife, mother, helpmate, and bookkeeper for the business. In his biography, Orville credits Ruth with making the financial side of the business a success and even working in the shop with him when it was necessary.
Both Ruth and Orville served the United Brethren Church faithfully. Ruth helped in the music and junior church ministries and Orville taught Sunday School and served as a lay leader. As their business grew so did their support for the church and other Christian and educational causes. They played a major role in the construction of Trenton Hills United Brethren Church in Adrian, Michigan, and in time helped many other United Brethren churches with building and development projects.
President E. Dewitt Baker credited them with turning the tide for the college in the early 1970s after some difficult years. Orville and Ruth Merillat were able to completely finance the new physical education facility which opened in 1973 and was named in their honor. This in turn raised the profile of the institution and attracted more students to the University. In the 1980s, with their generous support, the campus was transformed, including about 19 different projects and renovations the Merillats financed in some measure. Students and faculty also benefited from their support. The Merillat Scholarship helped many students realize the goal of Christian higher education at Huntington. The Merillats also supported several faculty development projects that bolstered the University’s faculty and raised the quality of education. Former Board of Trustees Chair Bishop Ray Miller indicates that the University’s “reputation and enrollment would not have grown if it were not for [their] interest and substantial gifts.” In 1978 Huntington awarded the Merillats an honorary Doctor of Humanities for their support of numerous Christian and civic organizations. They also received the Huntington College Centennial Medallion in 1996.
When Orville and Ruth sold their business in 1985, they used the money to establish the Christian Family Centre in Adrian, Michigan. This and numerous other related projects and causes demonstrated their devotion to God and family. Dr. G. Blair Dowden noted that they viewed the money they so generously donated as “God’s money.”
In Orville’s biography, Ruth was given the final say. He quotes her saying,
“God has given Orville and my wealth and influence, and yet, everything we own belongs to God. We stand firmly on that principle, and refuse to budge from it … I think this is the reason why I cherish this two-line poem … I believe it sums up why Orville and I have lived our lives the way we have.” Just one life, ‘twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — On August 14 and August 15, 2020, Huntington University will host graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020.
On Friday, August 14, ceremonies will be held for master’s degree recipients at 5:30 p.m. and doctoral degree recipients at 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, August 15, ceremonies will be held at 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for sections of the baccalaureate degree recipients.
All ceremonies will be held in Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts, and each graduate is permitted three guests. All graduates and groups of guests will be socially distanced and are required to wear masks. Zurcher Auditorium will undergo sanitation between each ceremony.
As part of the graduation experience, Mike Packnett, president and chief executive officer of Parkview Health, Jim Carr, JD, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and Shirley Hoogstra, JD, president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, have prepared special video messages for the ceremonies. Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, will offer brief remarks; Dr. Herb Schumm, chair of the Huntington University Board of Trustees, will offer the invocation and Rev. Arthur Wilson, dean of spiritual life and campus pastor, will offer the benediction and commissioning of the graduates.
All ceremonies will be live-streamed. Links can be found online at huntington.edu/Graduation.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that Isaac Barber has been hired as the director of student success. Barber will succeed Scott Raymond, who announced his retirement earlier this year, effective August 15.
Barber comes to Huntington with six years of experience in higher education, first as a resident director, then as area coordinator of freshmen curriculum followed by director of residence life and graduate admissions.
“I was a history education major during my undergraduate time at Greenville University, and I loved the classes, but by the end, I had zero intention of being a teacher,” said Barber. “I got more involved with higher education beyond my RA job and eventually landed a job as a residential director and fell in love.”
With roots already in the Midwest, Barber is, in some ways, returning home. He was born and raised in Chicago and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Greenville College in Illinois. His education then took him to Virginia, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree with a specialization in leadership from Liberty University.
Daniel Solms, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, pointed out that Barber’s background in ministry leadership and student life has positioned him well for this new role. The focus of the Office of Student Success is serving students, often when they are at their most vulnerable.
“Everyone who interviewed Isaac loved him. He’s a gifted connector who genuinely cares for people — those attributes make him a natural for the Forester Nation,” said Solms. “On top of that, he’s a good strategist and a problem-solver. Isaac will no doubt become a leader at Huntington.”
Barber describes himself as a “big-time extrovert, with a big-time nerdy side when it comes to data and trends in higher education,” which sets him up well to lead the Office of Student Success.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to serve students in this way. At an early age we are taught that we could be whatever we want to be,” said Barber. “We are also taught that there is nothing that is impossible with the help of God. Huntington is a place that sees those promises and seeks to create an environment that allows those things to be true. I am excited to be a part of that. I also love to be able to support students in their own arena outside of the classroom. I love attending students’ concerts, sporting events, and being a part of tradition.”