Three Huntington University alumni recently had their senior psychology study published in the Undergraduate Journal of Psychology at Berkeley. The study focuses on the correlation between meeting the fundamental needs of college students and students persisting in the completion of a college degree.
“This research comes at a perfect time,” said Dr. Rebekah Benjamin, associate professor of psychology at Huntington University and supervising professor for the project. “When many colleges and universities are struggling to find ways to help students succeed and persist, it’s critically important to consult empirical research that tests theories related to motivation and well-being in the college context.”
The study was the work of three psychology students – Quintin Graves, Kathleen Morrical, and Brant Shelby – and was based upon a research proposal originally presented by Graves. The trio saw the study as filling a hole in the scope of previous research; while many researchers had studied fundamental needs of college students and persistence in completing a degree separately, the two topics had rarely been combined and compared with each other.
“Having our students publish research in highly selective undergraduate journals like this one makes me very proud,” said Benjamin. “It was a joy to supervise this research project. These students were dedicated to completing this project with excellence, and their hard work has paid off.”
The study was published in the Undergraduate Journal of Psychology at Berkeley, published by the University of California, Berkeley. It is available in Volume XII, Fall 2018-Spring 2019, or online at ujpb.org.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On January 20, 2020, Huntington University is doing something that might seem controversial or even racially insensitive. We have invited a white male police officer to speak at our annual MLK Jr. Convocation.
You read that correctly: Chief Keirsh Cochran, a white male dressed in law enforcement blue, will stand onstage where prolific men and women of color have stood before him, and he will talk about social justice and racial equality.
Who was the mastermind behind this idea? Rev. Arthur Wilson, campus pastor and dean of spiritual life at Huntington University. Rev. Wilson is an African American man who has always had a strong connection to the works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other key civil rights leaders. Rev. Wilson approaches life through the lens of “What contribution can I make to improve the status of people?” And that’s how he approached the 2020 MLK Jr. Convocation.
“I prayed about it,” said Rev. Wilson. “I prayed and God said, ‘Ask Keirsh.’ When God speaks, I act.”
A conversation with Rev. Wilson and Officer Cochran sheds some much-needed light on the vision for the 2020 MLK Jr. Convocation.
Why is someone like Officer Cochran ideal to speak at this service? Rev. Wilson: We’re in 2020, many years since Dr. King first gave us his dream of what he envisioned our nation becoming, and I know that an aspect of that dream has to be many people of different nationalities speaking to the causes he felt so passionate about. When he marched, there were people of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds with him. When he was beaten, he wasn’t just beaten with other African Americans; he wasn’t just imprisoned with other African Americans. African Americans weren’t the only ones to lose their lives in his movement for justice and liberty. And I think that is important for us to remember and reflect on. To show that his dream has continued in the process of being fulfilled. Part of the evidence of that is that we have many people in our cities, in our communities, in our churches, and in our universities who share his vision. Because Dr. King’s vision wasn’t just about minorities – it was about all God’s children, black man and white man; that’s what he said and that’s the reason why I feel it’s necessary.
There may be people who judge Huntington University for its choice in speakers for this service because Officer Cochran is white. What would you say to those people? Rev. Wilson: To suspect that it has to be a minority, and I can only speak for myself as a minority, is one of the greatest insults to me as a minority. It is an insult to me to suspect a minority to always be the one to carry a message of reconciliation. But to have somebody who is of that same culture saying ‘hey, we have a different message.’ We do have representation. Our speaker happens to be white, we happen to have a white singer, but we also happen to have a biracial rapper, we also happen have a black gospel singer, we also happen to have a black dean of spiritual life who is going to provide the welcome, we also have a black multicultural affairs director who is providing the prayer, we also will have a Hispanic student doing the scripture reading. The fact that the focus is getting stuck on this white speaker, no. This is definitely intentional, intentional to have representation, because representation is important, but representation of all. And what people have done is excluded white people from MLK Jr. Day because it’s this us vs them perspective and that has to end. It’s us vs evil.
Officer Cochran, what about you? What would you say to those people? Officer Cochran: Believe me, I understand the optics of a white police officer speaking at an MLK Jr. Day service. However, I want to emphasize that my commitment to civil rights has taken me to Dr. King’s childhood home, the first church he pastored, his office, his pulpit, and his grave. I celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King on a personal level. His photo is in my office. I believe if he knew there was a white police officer standing up for the cause and advocating for racial unity, he would be nothing short of overjoyed. I believe it’s a piece of his dream realized.
Why is Officer Cochran uniquely suited to speak on this topic? Rev. Wilson: To want to step into an occupation where there is already a negative perception of members of that community, to go into that as a white male to prove there are some good among the men who wear blue, that’s a bold effort. By doing this, this really gives us an opportunity to examine where we are – how far we’ve come. Because by selecting a speaker who is Caucasian, there might be some who would become a little bit nervous or anxious because it appears as if Caucasians have organized this event. And part of the strategy behind this is to have us really think clearly about why we are doing this. I think one of the things we need to continue to build on is reconciliation, unity, diversity efforts, and initiative beyond a day.
Please join us on Monday, January 20, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. in Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his message of equality, social justice, and reconciliation. This event is free and open to the public.
Step Forward, Huntington University’s comprehensive campaign, continues to grow and gather support from alumni and friends of the University. This was particularly evident in a recent $1,000,000 anonymous estate gift to the University in connection with Step Forward.
“The overwhelming support of the Forester Family continues to amaze us,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “This gift will make a significant impact both toward our goals for the comprehensive campaign and for the University.”
Officially launched in October of last year, Step Forward is a $40,000,000 comprehensive campaign which will take Huntington University to the next level as an institution. Since 2014, the comprehensive campaign has instituted new programs and built state-of-the-art facilities. It has added a doctoral program in occupational therapy, an agricultural studies program, an undergraduate occupational therapy assistant program, a Master of Business Administration program and the Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts in Peoria, Arizona. Through Step Forward, Huntington University has also renovated Forest Glen Park, built the Welcome Center and Office of Admissions space and added the Ware Plant Science Production Facility to the Dowden Science Hall.
“We are grateful for the faith others are putting in the University and its leadership,” said Stephen Weingart, vice president for university advancement. “As always, we are dedicated to our mission of educating students who are committed to Christ, scholarship and service. It is encouraging to have strong support in that mission as we enter a new decade.”
Effective January 1, 2020, Luke Fetters, EdD, will have a new title: vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. He was named interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty on August 1, 2019. The decision to make this position permanent was reached after consultation with University faculty and the Senior Leadership Team, and upon a recommendation from the President, the University’s Trustees unanimously approved the title change.
“Serving as the vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty for my alma mater is an honor,” said Fetters. “I’m excited to have a role in recruiting and developing a world-class faculty that will continue to honor Christ in scholarship and service. As a native of the City of Huntington, I’m honored to have a leadership role in our local University. As a lifelong member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, I’m humbled to help shape the academic program of the denomination’s only institution of higher learning.”
Fetters earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and religion (1982) and his Master of Christian Ministry degree (1984) from Huntington University. He then served for a number of years as a pastor and missionary in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, the historic faith home of the University. Returning to Huntington University in 1997, he served as executive assistant to the President until 1999, which led to the opportunity to teach in the Department of Ministry & Missions for the next 20 years. In 2018-2019, he served Huntington University as dean of graduate & professional programs.
“Dr. Fetters’ rich experiences as a faculty member, academic leader, and ongoing service to the UB denomination makes him uniquely qualified to assume the full-time position of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty is the senior administrator of the University’s academic programs. This role includes the following responsibilities within the academic area: supervision of faculty as well as assistant and associate deans, planning and operating all academic programs, preparation of the academic budget, supervision of the library and academic registration, and oversight of the academic facilities.
On Wednesday, January 8, the Huntington University Foundation will host the third breakfast in its 2019-2020 Foundation Breakfast series. The focus of the breakfast will be a presentation from Jim O’Donnell, who will once again provide his economic forecast and a review of the 2019 economy. O’Donnell is a familiar face at Foundation Breakfasts as the executive-in-residence emeritus at Huntington University, annually providing a review of the economy.
O’Donnell was appointed to the first named faculty chair at Huntington University in 2010. In 2012, the Board of Trustees granted him emeritus status in recognition of his 19 years as a faculty member. He continues to speak, write and travel for the University, as well as many other organizations.
The Foundation Breakfast Series is held on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May, excluding December, and is open to the public. Breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. in the upper Habecker Dining Commons and concludes by 9:00 a.m. The cost of the breakfast is $10, a portion of which will help support area students attending HU through the Huntington County Grant. First-time attendees enjoy a complimentary breakfast courtesy of Chris and Janelle Love of Bailey-Love Mortuary.
More information and the opportunity to RSVP for the January breakfast can be found online at huntington.edu/FoundationRSVP. RSVPs are appreciated by January 2.
Founded in 1938, the Huntington University Foundation exists to support the mission of the University by promoting education and fostering a synergistic relationship between the University and the Huntington County community and surrounding area. To learn more about the Foundation’s history and ways to support its goals, visit huntington.edu/foundation.
Dr. Tim Smith, professor of history at Huntington University, recently published his latest peer-reviewed article, entitled “Gulab Singh and Ang Duong: a preliminary reflection on the problems and benefits of analysing statecraft in Kashmir and Cambodia (middle of the 19th Century).”
The article, which appears in Historical Yearbook, considers ritualized violence in Kashmir and Cambodia as a vital symbolic precondition for societal solidity and modern statecraft. Using case studies about the policies of the Maharaja of Kashmir, Gulab Singh, and the Cambodian King, Ang Duong, the article offers a preliminary reflection on the problems and benefits for historians of analyzing state formation in Kashmir and Cambodia in the middle of the 19th century.
In doing so, the article argues that the monarchs were able to successfully position their dynasties and their kingdoms between their non-western regional rivals and the arrival of European colonialism. The states created kingdom spaces whereby their respective statecraft (cultural, economic, political, and social) could thrive under the naïve patronage of western imperialism.
According to Smith, the long-term consequences of these actions are still fully evident, even more than a century later.
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce that Tiffany Swartz has joined the University team as a full-time admissions counselor. Swartz has been working with the University part-time since the summer of 2019.
“We are thrilled to bring Tiffany into the Huntington University Arizona crew,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “She has a very strong background in admissions, having previously worked for a private Christian college and a large state university, both in Arizona. Tiffany is a natural for this position based on her love for students, her interest in the arts and her wonderfully winsome persona.”
That passion for working with students and higher education has been with Swartz since she was a peer counselor as a sophomore in high school, where she witnessed the Ironwood High School counseling staff daily encouraging and guiding students. Her experience helped guide her choice to become an admissions counselor after graduating from Arizona Christian University in 2016.
Swartz firmly believes that working with higher education provides her with an opportunity to fulfill the command of 1 Peter 4:10, serving as a good steward of God’s grace and helping others use their gifts to the fullest extent. She feels honored that her profession allows her to encourage students and to be a daily witness of God’s grace.
Huntington University’s agriculture footprint continues to grow as plans are finalized for the latest capital addition to the institution: The Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center.
The development of the nearly 10,000-square-foot structure was made possible thanks to a generous lead gift from Strauss Veal Feeds and Midwest Poultry Services.
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 animal science education center will house many of the key livestock elements of HU’s agriculture degrees.
“The Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center will provide an outstanding opportunity for our students to expand their knowledge of animals as it relates to their key role in the agricultural sector,” said Nate Perry, coordinator of ag operations and external relations. “We are confident the observations done by our students alongside our faculty will be very rewarding to those majoring in agriculture. In this season of Thanksgiving, we are filled with joy and appreciation for the donors as they have contributed mightily to the continued growth of the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.”
The structure will house a large flexible pen space and an on-site classroom and will act as a living learning space for students interested in animal science. The adaptable space will be equipped to host a variety of livestock to allow students up-close and personal, hands-on learning experiences.
“The lead gift from Strauss Veal Feeds and Midwest Poultry Services was exactly what we needed to move this dream closer to a reality,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “We still eagerly anticipate forming additional partnerships to make the Animal Science Education Center everything it can be for our students. This opportunity builds on our early program success, and doubles down on our efforts to provide a quality experiential animal science curriculum.”
For the second year in a row, Huntington University Arizona was pleased to partner with and sponsor the Peoria Film Fest. The Peoria Film Fest is the work of nonprofit arts organizations the Phoenix Film Festival and the Phoenix Film Foundation.
In addition to HU Arizona’s partnership with the Festival, the University also hosted an interactive workshop and provided tours of their facilities to the community.
Additionally, four short films from HU Arizona students and faculty were screened at the Festival:
Huntington University Arizona opened its doors in 2016, welcoming students seeking a degree in digital media arts. The facility, a 30,000 square-foot building, houses bachelor’s degree programs in animation, film production, broadcast media and graphic design. The facility features film and TV studios, high-end computer classroom/labs, private editing suites, a state-of-the-art TV control room, Foley pit, a host of EFP and cinema cameras, and lighting gear for student production work.
On Thursday, November 21, Huntington University hosted its third annual Day of Giving and raised $101,527.97. The goal was $100,000. All gifts to the University on November 21 went to the Forester Fund, which directly provides student scholarships for current and future students.
“With 100% of each gift directly benefiting students, I am so grateful for the Forester Family and their commitment to support fellow Foresters through HU's student scholarship program,” said Marcy Hawkins, director of the Forester Fund. With the help of 171 donors (up from 142 in 2018) from 28 states and the unlocking of several challenges, the 24-hour event was a huge success. The funds raised have a direct impact on this and the next generation of Foresters; 93 percent of Huntington University’s student body receives funding from the Forester Fund.
“The wonderful donors who participated on Day of Giving are helping to grow a Forest of Foresters in Christ, Scholarship, and Service,” said Hawkins.
The 4th annual Day of Giving will take place on November 19, 2020. To learn more about Day of Giving at Huntington University and to view the student-produced thank you video, visit huntington.edu/DayOfGiving.
Gifts to Huntington University qualify donors for a special Indiana state income tax credit. Depending on the size of the gift, an amount of up to 50 percent of the gift comes back to givers in the form of a credit on their Indiana state income taxes. Visit huntington.edu/Give to learn more about giving opportunities at Huntington University.
The Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies will host its fourth annual Harvest Celebration on December 3. This year, there is something extra to celebrate: the first corn harvest from the Forester Farms plot at Thornhill Nature Preserve.
The Harvest Celebration will also include a presentation from special guest Johnny Park, PhD, and a silent auction that will benefit Huntington University’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter.
Park is the CEO of Wabash Heartland Innovative Network, a consortium of ten counties across north-central Indiana devoted to developing the region through digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing.
His previous experience includes the founding and management of Spensa, an agriculture technology company focused on smart IoT devices and data analytics to help growers better manage agronomic pests such as insects, weeds and disease. Forbes named Spensa one of the Top 25 Most Innovative Ag-Tech Startups in 2017. Park has also worked as a member of the faculty in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University.
The Harvest Celebration is a part of the Corteva Agriscience Lecture Series and will take place on Tuesday, December 3, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the upper level of Huntington University’s Habecker Dining Commons. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by November 26 to Michelle Bolton at (260) 359-4069 or online.
The Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies opened in the fall of 2015 and promotes a Christian perspective on agriculture which recognizes the responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation. The Institute is intended to help meet the growing need for agriculture professionals and offers eight concentrations in agribusiness as well as an agricultural education degree.
Huntington University is pleased to announce the hiring of Keirsh Cochran as chief of campus police and security. Cochran returns to Huntington University only one month after accepting the 2019 Young Alumnus Award during Homecoming Weekend.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in broadcast media from Huntington University and starting his career as a broadcaster, Cochran joined the Fort Wayne Police Department in 2015. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree and was awarded a meritorious service citation in 2017 from the Fort Wayne Police Department.
“We are so pleased to have Keirsh as our chief of campus police,” said Dr. Ron Coffey, vice president for student life. “His experience as a Fort Wayne police officer and his philosophy of ‘community’ police work made him a great choice for HU. Also, as an alum of HU, Keirsh has great understanding of the University and its constituents.”
Cochran is a third-generation law enforcement officer with a strong family background in law enforcement administration. He looks forward to bringing his natural talents and skills in law enforcement to the Huntington University Police Department (HUPD).
“My vision for the HUPD is to develop an approachable and service-minded police department,” said Cochran. “I plan to utilize community-oriented policing strategies to connect with students, faculty and staff in a way that promotes trust and familiarity. We can stop crime before it starts with a positive community partnership.”
In addition to overseeing campus safety and security through a team of campus police officers, Cochran will teach in the University’s criminal justice program and has plans to grow the program.
“The opportunity to shape the next generation of Christian police officers is something I am especially excited about,” said Cochran.
Raiders of the Lost Ark had Indiana Jones, but The Last Apostle has Indiana Mark. Most know him as Dr. Mark Fairchild, professor of Bible and religion at Huntington University, but his breakthroughs as a world-renowned archeologist might make the former name more fitting. On November 19, Huntington University is pleased to host the premiere of The Last Apostle, a full-length documentary that follows Dr. Fairchild as he explores ancient Turkey. In his more than 20 years of exploration, Dr. Fairchild has discovered several previously lost cities as well as his crowning achievement, the oldest synagogue in the world. The documentary is the work of Huntington University alumni Logan Bush and Matt Whitney, who served as producers and traveled with Fairchild to Turkey and Cyprus.
As children, Bush and Whitney were inspired by the adventures of Indiana Jones but were disappointed “that no real Indiana Jones walked dusty roads and explored ancient tombs, looking for lost treasures.”
And then they met Dr. Fairchild and felt like they met their childhood cinematic idol.
Dr. Fairchild has spent over 20 years exploring Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Greece and Egypt. He can read ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. He has trekked into the jungle to discover ancient cities and hidden ruins. He unearthed the oldest synagogue in the world.
Bush and Whitney agree that “if all that doesn't convince you that this legend of a man is a walking embodiment of Indiana Jones, he actually hails from Indiana, where he teaches archeology, language, and theology.”
Logan Bush graduated from Huntington University in 2015 with a degree in film production. Since then, he has worked for Paramount Pictures, an Amazon Prime series and independent films. Bush is currently a freelance editor, sells stock photography and periodically produces travel videos around the Holy Lands for Tutku Tours.
Matt Whitney graduated from Huntington University in 2015 with a degree in film production. After graduation, he briefly worked in Los Angeles as a production accountant before returning to the Midwest to film his debut feature film 4.0.
Most recently, Whitney directed the original musical comedy Moondance, which is scheduled for a limited theatrical release March 13, 2020.
Dr. Fairchild received his PhD in New Testament Studies from Drew University. He also completed PhD coursework at Union Theological Seminary (NY) and Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Fairchild has twice received research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Fairchild’s recent discovery of two previously unknown ancient synagogues in Turkey (including the world’s oldest known synagogue) was published in the Biblical Archaeology Review in 2012. Research at this ancient synagogue was also published in the Journal of Ancient Judaism in 2014. The Biblical Archaeology Review also published Fairchild’s research on St. Paul’s first mission from Perga to Antioch (2013) and another article on the biblical city of Laodicea (2017). Fairchild’s book on Christian Origins in Ephesus and Asia Minor (originally published in 2015) has been expanded, and a second edition is currently available with Hendrickson Publishers (2017).
The Last Apostle will premiere at Huntington University in Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. A Q&A with the filmmakers and Dr. Fairchild will follow. This event is free and open to the public.
On November 13, join the Huntington University Foundation for the next installment of the 2019-20 Foundation Breakfast Series, starting at 7:45 a.m. in Habecker Dining Commons at Huntington University. This month’s featured speakers will be the University’s own Stephen Weingart and Dr. Russ Degitz, who will provide insights into Huntington University’s vision for the future.
Weingart serves as Huntington University’s vice president for university advancement, and Degitz is the University’s chief operating officer. The two will share information about new developments, projects and goals at Huntington University.
It is a very exciting time at Huntington University,” said Michael Zahn, president of the Huntington University Foundation. “Join us in November as executives from HU share the ‘Vision for the Future.’”
Open to all who wish to attend, the Foundation Breakfast Series is held on the second Wednesday of each month, October-November and January-May. Each breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. and concludes by 9:00 a.m. in Habecker Dining Commons.
The cost of the breakfast is $10, a portion of which will help support area students attending HU through the Huntington County Grant. First-time attendees enjoy a complimentary breakfast courtesy of Chris and Janelle Love of Bailey-Love Mortuary.
To attend the November 13 breakfast session, please RSVP to Michelle Bolton at (260) 359-4069 or mbolton@huntington.edu, or by going online to huntington.edu/FoundationRSVP.
The Huntington University Theatre Company is proud to present its performance of Angel Street (Gaslight) November 14-16. Angel Street (Gaslight) is a mystery set in 19th century Victorian London; despite its initial appearance of tranquility, the story unfolds to reveal that things are not always what they seem.
Huntington University’s performances will star Nicholas Robinson as Mr. Manningham, Justine Hensley as Mrs. Manningham, Alex Koontz as Detective Rough, Amanda Fielding as Nancy, Eleni Hanson as Elizabeth and Carson Cunningham and Daniel Isaacs as police officers.
“Gaslighting is a term that has been in the common consciousness lately as our discussions about abusive situations have become more open,” said Ryan Long, assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director. “Because this show is where it originated, I thought it was very timely and relevant. I hope the audience enjoys the thrilling ride this show takes them on as they try to figure out what the truth is; I also hope they realize how subtle certain types of abuse can be and how many abuse victims cannot see what is happening to them. But, ultimately, I want them to experience hope as they witness Mrs. Manningham’s journey through the course of this play.”
Long also sees the value of Angel Street (Gaslight) as a tool for training her students in their craft.
“Written in the 1930s and set in the late 1800s, there is a distinctive acting style to this play,” said Long. “Learning to act in this more melodramatic style adds to our students’ repertoire and gives them more versatility as a performer. We are also utilizing various British accents in this performance, so students are getting the opportunity to learn that skill as well.”
Angel Street (Gaslight) will have four performances: November 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and November 16 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. All performances will be held at the Merillat Centre for the Arts in Zurcher Auditorium. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, $6 for children, $10 for HU faculty/staff and $5 for HU students. They can be purchased in person at the Huntington University Box Office, by phone at (260) 359-4261, or by going to huntington.edu/AngelStreet.
Parental discretion is advised for young viewers, as some scenes may be intimidating for children.
For more information about Huntington University’s performances of Angel Street (Gaslight), visit huntington.edu/Theatre. Angel Street (Gaslight) is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
On Saturday, November 2, the 30th annual Realizing the Dream banquet celebrated 30 students from Indiana’s private non-profit colleges and universities. Among the award recipients was Huntington University student Brooke Bolinger, who hails from Fort Wayne.
Now sophomores, Bolinger and the other award recipients have realized the dream of being the first in their families to go to college, have been selected by their colleges for outstanding achievement in the freshman year, and are successfully advancing towards completing their bachelor’s degrees.
Made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the event recognizes first-generation students attending ICI campuses, along with their inspirational teachers and families. The event took place at Sheraton Indianapolis at Keystone Crossing and included a reception, dinner and a keynote address from Sally Reasoner, the vice president of talent identification at Ascend Indiana.
Each honored student received a $3,000 check to help with college costs, and each student’s selected “most influential” teacher/mentor received a $1,000 professional development grant. Bollinger named Amy Swartz of Greenfield Intermediate School in Greenfield as her most influential teacher/mentor. Martha Smith, dean of student services and director of career development and counseling, also attended the event with Bolinger as the Huntington University campus liaison.
One out of every three students on ICI campuses is a first-generation college student. Generous financial aid provided by the campuses themselves, combined with state and federal grants, makes a private college education a possibility for all students in Indiana.
“We are so grateful to the Lilly Endowment for making this inspirational program possible,” said David W. Wantz, ICI president & CEO. “We are proud, too, that because of the higher graduation rates of our ICI colleges and universities, these students are significantly more likely to realize the dream of completing their degrees in four years.”
Independent Colleges of Indiana serves as the collective voice for the state’s 30 private, non-profit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates. More information about ICI is available at icindiana.org.
It’s time, once again, for Huntington University and five other area universities to do battle in a fun competition to crush hunger in northeast Indiana. #UCanCrushHunger 2019, sponsored by the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Inc., began on October 21 and runs through November 5.
“It’s important for students to understand that our campus is an extension of our community,” said Dr. Norris Friesen, director of volunteer service and outreach ministry. “That is, 1 in 7 people in northeast Indiana are food insecure. We can have an impact in our immediate community by helping meet the needs of our neighbors. The food we collect during the campaign and the money we raise will be donated to Love INC to help provide immediate assistance.”
The purpose of this intercollegiate competition is to collect food to be distributed to the over 84,000 people in northeast Indiana who are food insecure. Huntington University’s collected food will go directly to Love INC. Last year, Huntington University collected 3,536 pounds of food for Love INC and came in fourth place in the competition; combined, the area colleges collected 40,704 pounds in 2018. HU’s Friesen Center is asking students, faculty, staff and friends to donate cans or dollars ($1 = 4 pounds) for the cause. Needed items include peanut butter, canned meat, canned tuna, canned vegetables and canned fruit.
“For many students, I’m not sure they realize how diverse Huntington is. We seek to get students involved in local agencies, and this is another way students can see how they can have an impact,” said Friesen. “As a Christian liberal arts university, I think we need to reinforce the message of Jesus to feed the poor and care for those who have need. This is a practical and easy way to underscore the importance of this message.”
Huntington University will be collecting food at the men’s basketball scrimmage against DePauw University on October 26 at 2:00 p.m. in Platt Arena at the Merilat Complex & Fieldhouse. Canned food will be accepted in lieu of an admission charge. Monetary donations can also be made online.
Another way the university is contributing to the food drive is through Olympiad, a large campus event hosted by the Student Activities Board where students compete in various activities. There will be a “can-struction” event where teams will compete to build a structure out of canned foods. Teams must collect their own cans, which will all be donated to the food drive. The event will be held on October 26 at 12:30 p.m. in the upper level of Habecker Dining Commons.
For more information about the #UCanCrushHunger food drive, please contact the Friesen Center for Volunteer Service at (260) 358-3696 or friesencenter@huntington.edu.
Huntington University will be welcoming Daryl Davis as the speaker for the next Forester Lecture, entitled “Klan-Destine Relationships,” on Tuesday, October 29.
Daryl Davis is a nationally acclaimed race relations expert and internationally known musician, actor and author. His work involves applying a wealth of knowledge and experience in transcending racial and cultural barriers, acquired through study and time spent in 51 countries, to the racial issues currently facing the United States.
Davis’ work as a musician and desire to understand the root of racism in the United States has brought him into the inner circles of the Ku Klux Klan. Since first seeking out a meeting with members of the Klan, Davis has found conflict but has also gained the respect and friendship of Klan members. He once received a standing ovation at a Klan Rally. Some members of the Ku Klux Klan, with Davis’ influence, have given Davis their robes and hoods when they voluntarily renounce the Klan and their beliefs.
“Daryl Davis has spent years practicing the nearly lost art of humanizing his enemy,” said Dr. Becky Benjamin, Forester Lecture coordinator. “He has unique life experiences that include sitting down and listening to, laughing with, and considering the perspectives of individuals, even when he strongly disagrees with their views. While there is debate about his methods, the question that Davis’ lecture asks – ‘What does it mean to love my enemy?’ – promises to provide incredible lessons for every person in our community.”
The “Klan-Destine Relationships” Forester Lecture will be held at 7:00 p.m. on October 29 in Zurcher Auditorium, located inside the Merillat Center for the Arts. The Forester Lecture series is free and open to the public.
On October 17, Huntington University officially announced that it is in the midst of a comprehensive $40,000,000 campaign. The campaign, called Step Forward, was the cause for celebration on campus Thursday.
“The comprehensive campaign has already instituted new programs and built state-of-the-art facilities,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Since 2014, we have added a doctoral program in occupational therapy, an agricultural studies program, an undergraduate occupational therapy assistant program and a Master of Business Administration program and have established the Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts in Peoria, Arizona.”
Huntington University has also renovated Forest Glen Park, built the Welcome Center and Office of Admissions space and added the Ware Plant Science Production Facility to the Dowden Science Hall through the campaign.
“The University has experienced considerable momentum in the campaign that has increased the University’s program offerings, brought in new students and enabled us to best serve Foresters in Indiana and Arizona,” said Emberton.
With the campaign ongoing, however, there is even more work still underway.
“With the public launch of the Step Forward campaign, we are ready to take some of our biggest steps yet to usher in the future of Huntington University,” said Stephen Weingart, vice president for university advancement. “Construction will soon begin that will reimagine the Huntington Union Building (HUB), creating a beautiful and inviting gathering space for Foresters for years to come.” The HUB has been at the heart of Huntington University’s campus since the building was completed in 1968. While the space has changed to suit shifting needs over the years, the reimagined HUB will establish the HUB as a student center for organized and impromptu student gatherings, the original intention of the building.
Plans are also underway to transform the Merillat Athletic Complex & Fieldhouse (Plex) into a space with increased accessibility and functionality for athletes, spectators and student, staff and community users. For more information about the Step Forward comprehensive campaign, please visit huntington.edu/StepForward.
Huntington University has once again hosted elementary school students from Huntington County as part of the Huntington County Promise’s Walk into My Future event. This was the sixth year the University has taken part in the event.
The University hosted 450 kindergarten students from the Huntington County Community School Corporation and Huntington Catholic School. Students toured stations hosted by academic departments that introduced them through engaging activities to the discipline of the host department. The event included a “mobile” photo booth, where Norm, the Huntington University mascot, and University athletes took photos with students as a way to commemorate the day.
Huntington University is proud to have had this opportunity to engage with the larger Huntington community through fun and education.
“This event is just a small portion of all of the events, activities, and initiatives planned to encourage students and families to start looking ahead toward their student’s future,” said Tyanne Bailey, Huntington University’s director of graduate and undergraduate teacher education. “This is such a great opportunity for all involved, including our own campus!”