Huntington University is pleased to announce that the University has received a grant from AWS Foundation in the amount of $160,000. This grant will support a pilot program that will explore options for students in the ABLE Program to participate in various levels of residence life at Huntington University.
“This generous AWS Foundation grant makes it possible for Huntington University to explore greater inclusion of students in the ABLE program into the full-range of student life experience, including an initial pilot program related to residence life,” said Dr. Luke Fetters, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.
AWS Foundation gave their support for HU’s ABLE program and its ability to “grow to include this inclusive model of campus living.”
“Navigating the independent living skills required to live in a dorm setting is a needed growing experience for ALL students. AWS Foundation funding will help the students in the ABLE program access that experience at a supported level,” said Patti Hays, chief executive officer of AWS Foundation.
Hays went on to state that AWS Foundation focuses on building inclusive communities that support individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities to reach their highest potential.
“[HU’s] ABLE program provides a unique opportunity for students with disabilities to engage in a complete college experience; one that includes peers and community,” said Hays. “By adding a residential component to the program, students attending ABLE can go from a commuter experience to a full campus experience.”
The Huntington University ABLE (Achieving Balance in Life through Education) program has been providing individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 18-24 with the opportunity to be part of a university campus since the fall of 2014. Students, both independently and with support from peers, attend/audit classes, work on campus, take supportive classes in understanding finances, social skill needs and independent living, and participate in extracurricular activities. The program not only supports the students with disabilities but provides an equally important opportunity for all typical students, faculty and staff to more fully understand the potential of individuals with disabilities.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that the University has received a grant from Farm Credit Mid-America in the amount of $10,000. This grant will go toward the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.
“The continued support from Farm Credit Mid America allows the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies to offer meaningful events to area FFA students, HU’s ag students and the broader ag community within the region,” said Nate Perry, managing director for the Institute. “Each of these events brings expert keynote speakers onto campus to discuss the hot topics of agriculture while providing insights into the ever-changing industry. As well, this support is a direct investment into the future generation of agricultural leaders.”
The FCMA grant will directly benefit students and programs in HU’s Department of Agriculture by supporting the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies Lecture Series. This series is open to current students, HU graduates and the greater Huntington and agriculture community.
“One of Indiana’s greatest resources is the young people entering the agriculture industry, and FCMA wants to be a part of educating those young people and helping them succeed,” said Gary Coleman, regional vice president at FCMA. “At FCMA we want to help the next generation of agricultural learners remain at the forefront of an evolving, growing and critical industry.”
Farm Credit Mid-America is a financial services cooperative that offers financial security to rural communities and agriculture whose purpose is “to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture – one home, one farm and one business at a time.” Their services include, but are not limited to, agriculture real estate loans, leasing, equipment financing and crop insurance, as well as financing for subcategories in food and agribusiness. Specializing in ag lending, Farm Credit Mid-America is localized to Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. FCMA oversees more than 80,000 customers across those four states and handles $28.8 billion in assets.
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.
Huntington University is pleased to announce the results of its 5th Annual Day of Giving. Through God’s faithfulness, 269 participants raised $175,334 for the Forester Fund, the University’s scholarship fund.
“Day of Giving provides an opportunity for those who know the impact of a Huntington University experience to pay it forward for current and future students,” said Marcy Hawkins, director of the Forester Fund. “Every dollar contributed during Day of Giving is directly distributed back to students in the form of scholarships.”
Hawkins went on to point out that “these scholarships might be exactly what a student needs to say yes to Huntington University. Somehow, somewhere, and in some way, the Forester Family continues to make it possible for students to attend this great institution.”
It was also exciting to see students give back: Approximately 260 students participated during Day of Giving by writing thank you notes to donors.
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce the hiring of two new faculty members, Dr. Heidi Carpenter and Dr. Emily Reilly, as well as one new staff member, Mr. Sean Harris, in the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD program).
Dr. Heidi Carpenter is an assistant professor of OTD and the academic fieldwork coordinator for HU Arizona. Carpenter earned her doctoral degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has been an active member of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association (ArizOTA) since 2016 and is currently serving as the Association’s president.
“Carpenter is bringing her expertise in a wide area of practice, research and volunteer service to the state occupational therapy association to our program,” said Dr. Evelyn Andersson, HU Arizona’s OTD program director. “Dr. Carpenter’s professional network contacts will be very valuable as she continues to develop the HU Arizona OTD fieldwork program in collaboration with the Fort Wayne OTD faculty as well as contribute to our faculty scholarship agenda.”
Dr. Emily Reilly also joins the faculty as an assistant professor of OTD for HU Arizona. Reilly will be developing HU Arizona’s adult-to-older-adult track in the curriculum and contributing to capstone development and faculty scholarship in the areas of community-based occupational therapy interventions and emerging practice. Reilly holds a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida.
“Dr. Emily Reilly brings expertise in home health, aging in place and home modifications and excellent knowledge about the core values and theories of the occupational therapy profession,” said Andersson. As an educator, Reilly “hopes to empower students to gain confidence in defining occupational therapy, networking with stakeholders, and advocating for clients and families.”
Sean Harris joins the HU Arizona staff as the new OTD program administrative assistant. Harris has a degree in history from Arizona State University with an interest in archeology and has experience with digital and online publishing and marketing.
“Harris brings his excellent organizational and digital skills to the OTD program addressing the everyday needs of the program and the students,” said Andersson, “as well as maintaining a substantial record system for accreditation audits.”
A whale of a tale is coming to Huntington University’s stage this week! Big Fish will open on November 18, with additional shows on November 18 and 19.
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart, humor and spectacular stagecraft, Big Fish is an extraordinary Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier and BIGGER than life itself.
Cast Edward Bloom – Carson Cunningham Will Bloom – Josh Thomas Sandra Bloom – Emily Kars Young Will – Jack Hawkins Josephine Bloom – Julia Till Karl/Fisherman/US Soldier – Joseph Landon Amos Callaway/US Soldier – Nick Robinson Don Price/Dr. Bennett/Male Soldier – Dan Isaacs The Witch/Sorority Girl/Karl’s Girlfriend/Cheerleader – Anna Bowland Jenny Hill/USO Dancer – CaSaundra Taulton Girl in the Water/Mermaid/Nurse/Sorority Girl/Alabama Lamb/Witch Ensemble 4/USO Dancer – Rebecca Zorn Zacky Price/Red Fang – Elias Collier Witch Ensemble 1/Alabama Lamb 1/USO Dancer/Sorority Girl/Shepard (Line), Cheerleader/Circus Person – Alli Jennings Amos’s Wife/Witch Ensemble 2/Mayor/Circus Person/USO Dancer/Sorority Girl – Augustia Robinson Witch Ensemble 3/Circus Person/Sorority Girl/Shotgun Totting Cheerleader – Akyra Huguley School Teacher/Sorority Girl/Circus Person – Christine Niccum Share Cropper/Soldier/Frat Guy – John Ulery Little Girl w/Cat/Sorority Girl/Circus Person – Lydia Welch General/Frat Guy/NY Doctor/Circus Person/Barber – Cody Feisel
Crew Director – Adam Sahli (adjunct, guest artist) Music Director – Melanie Carter (adjunct, guest artist) Choreographer – Desiree Jackson (adjunct, guest artist) Assistant Director – Augustia Robinson (senior theatre performance major) Stage Manager – Skye Vadeboncoeur (junior theatre major) Assistant Stage Managers – Lydia Welch (student) and Rose Watson (freshman theatre major) Lighting Designer – Alex Koontz (senior theatre technology major) Costume Designer – Kandra Tenuto Scenic Designer – Andrew Edmonds Sound Designer – Victor Fink (senior theatre minor) Dance captains – ReBecca Zorn (sophomore theatre minor) and Joseph Landon (senior theatre minor) Producer – Ryan Long Assistant Producer – Akyra Huguley (sophomore theatre major)
Get your tickets at www.huntington.edu/BigFish.
Big Fish (School Edition) is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce that HU students are bringing home 12 Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards for 2021!
With 26 nominations (more than double the number of 2020 nominations), HU Arizona received the highest number of Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Award nominations, and with 12 wins, HU Arizona was the winningest school represented. All of the other schools with nominations are significantly larger than HU Arizona, the closest in size being over 121 times larger, and the largest being well over 300 times the size of HU Arizona.
2021 HU Arizona Student Production Award Winners
College Video Essay “Baked Chemistry” Olivya Bryant, photojournalist College Music Video “Falling” Alex Kennedy, producer/director College Fiction Short Form “Stitched Together” Realiti Ibsen, director, Alexa Bland, animator, Kesmine Hickman, animator College Fiction Short Form “Scorn” Xander Williams, director College Fiction Long Form “Murphy” Chloe Caufield, writer/director, Sam Dorcey, producer, Lisette Perez, cinematographer, Wilson Hickman, editor College Animation/Graphics/Special Effects “Huntington Promo” Nathan Holt, motion graphics lead College Animation/Graphics/Special Effects “Mending Needle” Laurel Zeiler, lead artist College Audio/Sound “Scorn” Xander Williams, sound mixer/designer College Director “Rocket Science” Kenny Gondales, director College Photographer “Standby” Jose “Pepe” Sifuentes, cinematographer College Photographer “By Good Rights” Alexis Lopez, cinematographer College Writer “Scorn” Xander Williams, writer
For over a decade, the Rocky Mountain Southwest 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. For the full list of recipients, visit the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter's website.
Huntington University Arizona opened its doors in 2016, welcoming students seeking a degree in digital media arts. Since that time, students have created regionally and nationally awarded work, including ADDY awards, BEA Best of Fest awards, and Emmy Student Production Awards. The 30,000-square-foot building houses bachelor’s degree programs in animation, film production, broadcast media, and graphic design. The facility features film and TV studios, high-end computer classroom/labs, private editing suites, a state-of-the-art TV control room, a Foley pit, a host of EFP and cinema cameras, and lighting gear for student production work.
Huntington University is pleased to welcome Dr. Steve Bryan to campus on Tuesday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Zurcher Auditorium as he presents a Forester Lecture titled “A Biblical Theology of Ethnicity, Nationality, and Race.” This event is free and open to the public.
Before joining the New Testament faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School near Chicago in the fall of 2016, Bryan served as a missionary in Ethiopia for more than 23 years with SIM. He was the first dean of studies of the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology and taught for many years at the Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa. From 2009–2015, he also served as the director of SIM Ethiopia, leading the work of missionaries and ministry staff from Europe, Australasia, Africa, and North America in a wide variety of church-planting, disciple-making, leadership-development and compassion ministries. Bryan served as part of the Ethiopian delegation to the 2010 Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa. He currently serves as part of the Theological Working Group of the Lausanne movement.
Bryan completed his PhD in New Testament at Cambridge University, and his PhD thesis — Jesus and Israel’s Traditions of Judgement and Restoration — was subsequently published by Cambridge University Press. In addition, he has published a number of articles and reviews in a variety of journals and publications. He is currently working on a commentary on the Gospel of John and a monograph on the theology of John’s Gospel. He is also active in his local church, where he serves as an elder. Bryan and his wife of 30 years have three young adult sons and a daughter-in-law. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys spending time with his wife and family, tending a garden, and reading about culture, history and sports.
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce that 26 student projects have received nominations for the 2021 Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards. This is the largest group of Student Production Award nominations HU Arizona has received to date.
“For a University the size of HU Arizona to garner 26 nominations is truly incredible,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “This is only the fifth year of Rocky Mountain Emmy nominations for HU Arizona, and we are beyond thrilled by the list of nominees. These students are so creative and talented, and their work is so dynamic; I’m blown away.”
This is the second or third nomination for some of the HU Arizona students. In fact, last year Olivya Bryant and Chloe Caufield were Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Award recipients for College Commercial and College Short Form, respectively.
Students whose projects were nominated include Olivia Bryant, Chris Blackford, Alex Payan, Cheyanne Glazier, Alex Kennedy, Realiti Ibsen, Alexa Bland, Kesmine Hickman, Xander Williams, Casey Davis, Trace Avey, Tatyanna Keller, Kenny Gondales, Chloe Evans, Chloe Caufield, Sam Dorcey, Lisette Perez, Wilson Hickman, Cody Cea, Maddy Ingram, Nathan Holt, Laurel Zeiler, Pepe Sifuentes Nunez, and Alexis Lopez.
To see a full list of nominated projects, visit the Rocky Mountain Emmy website. The winners of the Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards will be announced in early November.
Huntington University’s fall 2021 enrollment numbers are officially locked in at 1,363 total students. HU Arizona’s contribution to that enrollment total is 157 students, which is up 8% from the previous year. This is HU Arizona’s fifth consecutive year of enrollment growth.
“This area is booming, and our enrollment numbers are booming right along with it,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “We have 101 returning students this year and 56 new students, 28 of whom are first-time freshmen!”
Looking at the makeup of the student population, HU has endeavored to increase diversity, and those efforts have yielded nine years of consistent growth. HU’s students who identify as a U.S. ethnic minority currently make up 17% of the total undergraduate population.
Additionally, this HU Arizona class includes students not only from the Phoenix area but from across all of Arizona and outside of the state. In fact, this current class includes more out-of-state students than ever before, including students from California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Indiana.
Huntington University is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s alumni awards: Paul Hirschy, Brandon Schall, Zachary Keller and Kayla Lane.
The Distinguished Alumni Citation is designed to recognize exceptional service or achievement over a longer period of time — a premise similar to a lifetime achievement award. This year’s recipient is Paul Hirschy.
Hirschy is a 1968 graduate of Huntington University (then College), and he has spent his life serving others, beginning with serving on the student senate for four years and as student body president while at HC. He went on to spend 27 years in varying leadership roles with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, including serving as bishop of the UB denomination from 2001-2005.
“[Paul has] always showed a servant spirit, willing to do whatever was asked of him, and doing it to the best of his ability,” said Steve Dennie, UB director of communications and Hirschy’s coworker from 1978-2005.
Huntington University’s Alumnus of the Year award is designed to recognize an alumnus’ outstanding achievement or recognition. This year’s recipient is Brandon Schall. Schall is a 2003 graduate of Huntington University (then College) and currently serves as the senior vice president of client services at American Specialty. He has worked for the company since 2008. Before this position, he was the senior vice president and chief marketing officer (2014-2020) and vice president of client services (2008-2014).
Friend and coworker Spencer Batt said of Schall that “he looks at his neighbors, coworkers, fellow parents at his children’s school, business clients and anyone else he meets as a person he can love and have a Godly impact upon. Working alongside Brandon for the past 12 years, I have had a front row view of the impact he has on the world, and it is incredible.”
The Young Alumnus of the Year award is designed to recognize alumni who are 30 years old or younger and have made a significant impact on the world since graduation. This year, the University will honor two deserving alumni: Zachary Keller and Kayla Lane.
Keller is a 2012 graduate of Huntington University, and he has spent his career teaching others. Though he currently serves as a math teacher in Jay County High School in Portland, Indiana, as fellow alum Grace Kaufman pointed out, “math teacher” is accurate but doesn’t quite sum it all up.
“Zach is, in short, serving in the mission field of teaching high school math,” said Kaufman. “It is truly so much more than teaching math to teenagers. Zach is serving as a leader… His work qualifies as thankless and selfless in so many ways.”
Lane is a 2015 graduate of Huntington University, and she has spent her young career inspiring others through stories. Lane launched her own business, Studio852, a few years ago as a way to tell the stories that inspire her and to tell stories that matter. While pursuing those stories she found a place on the teams of award-winning films and shows like The Irishman and The Mandalorian. Though her resume is filled with impressive accolades, those who nominated her cite her passion for her faith, friends, family and Foresters as the reason for the nomination.
“[Kayla] has a deep love for Huntington University and understands how the faculty and staff influenced her to be her best,” said Marcy Hawkins, director of the Forester Fund at Huntington University. “She is not afraid to share with others about her faith and values.”
The four honorees will receive their awards during the Davis Hall: Larger Than Life event on October 1 as part of HU’s Homecoming Weekend. The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. in Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts.
Huntington University’s fall 2021 enrollment numbers are officially locked in at 1,363 total students. Though down slightly from last year’s record enrollment, this number is still up overall when looking at the last five years of data.
“While many universities across the country are reporting downward trends over the past few years or small upticks after extremely low enrollment in 2020, Huntington University is pleased to be consistent with steady enrollment growth in key areas,” said Daniel Solms, vice president for enrollment management and marketing.
Those “key areas” specifically include the enrollment numbers at Huntington University Arizona, HU’s location in Peoria, Arizona. Total undergraduate enrollment at that location is up over 8%. Additionally, Graduate enrollment numbers are up 4%.
Looking at the makeup of our student population, HU has endeavored to increase diversity, and those efforts have yielded nine years of consistent growth. HU’s students who identify as a U.S. ethnic minority currently make up 17% of the total undergraduate population.
The Huntington University Foundation annual dinner, Burgers, Boots and Blue Jeans, will take place on Thursday, September 16, and will feature Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, and a student panel let by David Dean. The dinner will be held in the Huntington University Fieldhouse (located in the Merillat Complex, or PLEX), with a reception taking place at 5:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 6:15 p.m.
During the event, the Huntington University Foundation will present the Distinguished Service Award to Brent and Darlene Stanley. The award, established in 2002, honors an individual or an organization whose life or mission embodies the principles associated with the mission of the University. The award is given to a person or organization that gives substance and credence to the University’s beliefs, serves as an effective role model for HU students and is recognized as making a tremendous contribution to Huntington County.
“It is a pleasure to honor the Stanleys for their commitment throughout Huntington County and to Huntington University. They love our community, and it shows. We are proud to honor them this way," said Kay Schwob, senior director of development at Huntington University.
The annual dinner is an opportunity to invest in area students as they pursue a Christian education at Huntington University. If you are interested in attending, please reserve your spot by September 9 at huntington.edu/FoundationRSVP.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Mark Fairchild, PhD, professor of Bible and religion, has been selected as a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar for the 2021-2022 year to conduct research in Turkey.
Fairchild will be involved in excavations at an underwater basilica in Iznik (ancient Nicea). Nicea is the site of Christianity’s first ecumenical council, known as the First Council of Nicea. Preliminary evidence suggests that the submerged basilica was the place where over three hundred leaders of the early church met with the emperor Constantine, culminating in the confessional statement known as the Nicene Creed. Fairchild will collaborate with Mustafa Śahin of Uludag University (Turkey), and Julia De Sigoyer from the Université Grenoble Alpes (France). Fairchild published a report on the discovery of the basilica in the Biblical Archaeology Review in 2018.
Fairchild earned his PhD in New Testament studies from Drew University. He also completed PhD coursework at Union Theological Seminary (NY) and Princeton Theological Seminary. Fairchild has twice received research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1992, he collaborated with 11 other scholars at Yeshiva University, exploring the Greek encounter with Judaism during the Hellenistic Period. In 2002, he joined 20 other scholars at the University of Chicago to investigate societal transformations and the legitimization of power in the early Islamic states.
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. Biblical Archaeology Review 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). Additionally, Fairchild authored two chapters in the Lexham Geographic Commentary on Acts through Revelation (2019). 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).
Fairchild is currently the program director for the Ephesus Meeting, an academic conference at the ancient site of Ephesus in Turkey. He annually travels to Turkey, Greece and Israel for research and to conduct study tours.
Huntington University is pleased to welcome Mark Vincenti as a full-time campus pastor effective September 13.
Vincenti will join the Center for Spiritual Formation and Intercultural Enrichment – called The Center – and will tackle the roles of preaching and preparing for the student chapel experience, while spearheading small group efforts and discipleship. The Center works at the center of Huntington University’s mission to impact the world for Christ through scholarship and service. The team works closely with faculty and staff across campus to provide rich opportunities for personal spiritual and intercultural growth, Christian service, and the integration of faith and learning.
“Mark’s addition to our team in The Center is a game changer,” said Rev. Arthur Wilson, vice president for spiritual formation. “As we consider the characteristics of this current generation of young adults, Mark has the creativity, gifts, heart and vision to impact HU students in a way that will inform and inspire their development as followers of Jesus.”
Vincenti has a strong history with HU and the UB church. He earned his bachelor's degree in educational ministries from HU in 1999 and went on to earn his master’s degree in Bible (Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School) in 2010. He became a licensed minister in 2001 and was ordained in 2015 by the United Brethren in Christ Church, USA. He was an adjunct professor at HU from 2019-2020, was an assistant men’s soccer coach for the Foresters from 2011-2015 and has held the position of assistant women’s soccer coach for the Foresters since 2020.
“[Vincenti] is a relational shepherd who understands the significance of incarnate leadership. This is the kind of influence that students hunger for and are willing to follow. It’s an honor to serve in a community that’s willing to support the needs of students. Mark’s hire is a testimony of that,” said Wilson.
Huntington University welcomes Randy Beck, professor and associate dean at UGA Law School, to the stage for the first Forester Lecture of the fall. The lecture, titled “Pharisees, Herodians and Jesus: The Kingdom of God in a Politically Polarized Culture,” will take place on September 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Zurcher Auditorium in the Merillat Centre for the Arts.
Randy Beck joined the University of Georgia School of Law faculty in 1997 and was named associate dean for academic affairs in 2018. He has held the Justice Thomas O. Marshall Chair of Constitutional Law since 2011 and was the 2016-2017 Garwood Visiting Fellow in Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
Beck’s constitutional law scholarship has appeared in a number of law reviews, including the Notre Dame Law Review, the American Journal of Legal History, and the Northwestern University Law Review. His law and religion scholarship includes the chapter (with D. VanDrunen) “The Biblical Foundations of Law: Creation, Fall, and the Patriarchs” in Law and the Bible: Justice, Mercy and Legal Institutions (InterVarsity Press, 2013) and “God the Judge and Human Justice” in the Journal of Law & Religion (Cambridge University Press, 2016).
A dedicated teacher as well as scholar, Beck has twice received the C. Ronald Ellington Award for Excellence in Teaching and has also been honored by the graduating class on four occasions as the recipient of the John C. O’Byrne Memorial Faculty Award for Furthering Student-Faculty Relations.
Prior to his law school appointment, Beck worked for more than five years as a general litigation associate with the law firm Perkins Coie in Seattle, Washington. He also has government experience from service as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel.
Beck has served as a judicial clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. He graduated first in his class at Southern Methodist University School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree from Baker University.
Huntington University Theatre Company is privileged to present The Guys by Anne Nelson on September 10 and 11 in the Studio Theatre in the Merillat Center of the Arts.
The Guys, based on a true story, is set less than two weeks after the September 11 attacks, and New Yorkers are still in shock. One of them, an editor named Joan, receives an unexpected phone call on behalf of Nick, a fire captain who has lost most of his men in the attack. He’s looking for a writer to help him with the eulogies he must present at their memorial services. Nick and Joan spend a long afternoon together, recalling the fallen men through recounting their virtues and their foibles, and fashioning the stories into memorials of words. As they make their way through the emotional landscape of grief, they draw on humor, tango, the appreciation of craft in all its forms — and the enduring bonds of common humanity.
The show is a poignant peek into the lives of first responders through the lens of 9/11. The Guys isn’t written to force the audience to relive the events of 9/11 and its aftermath; it’s meant to invite the audience to see the stories of the men and women who are on the front lines of disaster on a daily basis. In light of that, Huntington University, the HU Theatre Company, and the Office of Advancement are inviting all first responders to claim two free tickets to any of the three shows and a free dessert reception following the Saturday evening show. For more information about this, please contact Kay Schwob at kschwob@huntington.edu.
Show tickets can be purchased through the Box Office online or by calling (260) 359-4261. Parental guidance is suggested due to tone and potentially sensitive subject matter.
Huntington University’s ABLE program is hosting its first annual Dine & Bid fundraising meal and silent auction on Friday, September 24. The ABLE program (Achieving Balance in Life through Education) is designed to support students with intellectual disabilities in having a college campus experience. HU is one of few universities in Indiana with a program of this kind.
“Students in the ABLE program develop their academic, daily living/independence, social skills, and job skills,” said Amanda Seaman, ABLE program coordinator. “The students in the program audit college classes that they are interested in and that help them reach their future goals. The students work on daily living skills that will help them to become independent — laundry skills, cooking, budgeting, comparison shopping, and many others.”
Through the Dine & Bid event, the ABLE program has two key goals: awareness raising and fundraising.
“We would like for this event to be a chance for stakeholders, community members, and others invested in the ABLE program to see first-hand how the program is impacting the students, peer mentors, campus, and community,” said Seaman.
She continued by saying that “ABLE provides so many opportunities for students to grow in independence and confidence and to create lasting relationships with other students in the program and on campus. The genuine relationships the students build with the peer mentors are such a valuable part of their experience on campus, for students and the mentors. Many past and current families would say that the program is life changing and that their student is learning skills and taking ownership of their independence journey.”
To RSVP for the Dine & Bid Fundraising Meal and Silent Action, visit huntington.edu/ABLE-RSVP. To give directly to the ABLE program, visit huntington.edu/GiveToABLE.
The ABLE program provides individuals ages 18-24 with the opportunity to be part of a university campus. Students, both independently and with support from peers, attend/audit classes, work on campus, take supportive classes in understanding finances, social skill needs and independent living, and participate in extracurricular activities. The program not only supports the students with disabilities but provides an equally important opportunity for all typical students, faculty, and staff to more fully understand the potential of individuals with disabilities.
If you have questions about the ABLE program, please contact Amanda Seaman at (260) 359-4106 or at aseaman@huntington.edu.
Huntington University’s Department of Nursing is pleased to announce the following 2021-2022 scholarship recipients:
Molly Burton, Raylynn Johnson, and Kayla Sparling are recipients of the Indiana Center for Nursing Scholarship
Catherine Neese is the recipient of the Winter Nursing Scholarship
Christine Harber is the recipient of the Bruce and Linda Myers Nursing Scholarship
Danielle Cummins is the recipient of the Nursing Scholarship
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 of 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.
On Thursday, August 26, from 3:00-5:30 p.m., Huntington University’s Office of Graduate Admissions and graduate faculty will co-host a meet and greet event for incoming Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling degree program students.
The event will include a meet-and-greet experience with the new and returning counseling faculty as well as face-to-face time with the new program director, a campus tour, and a Q&A panel with counseling graduates.
This special visit event will enable those interested to discuss credit transfer options, admissions requirements, and program specifics with HU experts.
“Huntington University’s Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling has a multi-decade track record of success,” said Wendy Speakman, director of graduate and online programs. “We look forward to serving aspiring counselors in any way we can to move them toward the career of their dreams.”
Financial aid is available depending on a student’s chosen program. Huntington University offers several financial aid opportunities, including grants, academic awards and work study programs.
To learn more, contact Wade Finicle in HU’s Office of Graduate Admissions at (800) 600-4888. To RSVP to the Meet & Greet, email graduateandonline@huntington.edu.
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Susanne Watson, director of undergraduate admissions, has been recognized with the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals’ (NACCAP’s) Outstanding Achievement Award. This award honors those who work diligently to advance the cause of Christian higher education and demonstrate a commitment to growing their institution.
“Susanne was nominated by her peers for being an enabler, a creative force within the office and one who comes alongside to help other team members be successful in pursuit in their goals and objectives,” said Chant Thompson, executive director of NACCAP.
Danny Solms, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, concurred with this assessment, saying that “Susanne has a big heart; she genuinely cares for people and wants to see them succeed. You see that when she engages with prospective students and as a leader of her team. Susanne is also diligent and possesses strong administrative skills that she uses to make us more efficient and to strengthen the foundation of activity that supports us connecting with future students.”
He credits Watson with being a big part of HU’s record enrollment in 2020, stating that “she was here every day, constantly thinking about how we could connect with students and keeping the counselors up to date and encouraged as they worked from home. She created new programs to maximize our student workers and worked tirelessly to make the most of our technology.”
“It is such an honor to receive an award from NACCAP, an organization that does so much to further Christian higher education and support Christian admissions professionals,” said Watson. “I am humbled by the recognition, knowing that I have a great team around me here at Huntington University and that any accomplishments are a team effort. I'm proud to represent HU!”
Susanne Watson began working as an admissions counselor at HU in 2013. Prior to joining the Huntington team, she worked in enrollment at Harrison College for two years. She is a 2011 graduate of Huntington University with degrees in history and entrepreneurial small business management. She was named senior admissions counselor in 2015, assistant director of admissions in 2016 and director of undergraduate admissions in 2019.