HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s January 2021 Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD program) class will be welcomed into the occupational therapy profession on January 22 with a White Coat Ceremony. This event will be a joint experience for HU’s Fort Wayne-based doctoral program in occupational therapy cohort and the inaugural HU Arizona doctoral program cohort. The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. (MST) and 3:00 p.m. (EST) and will stream live via YouTube.
The White Coat Ceremony signifies each student’s commitment to deliver the best care to their patients, with compassion and empathy as the hallmark of their clinical practice. HU’s occupational therapy program equips students for professional service, promoting the development of skills in leadership, advanced practice, and research while encouraging growth in faith.
Huntington University’s OTD program was one of the first of its kind in the country, and HU’s occupational therapy assistant program is the first bachelor’s-level program in the country. Occupational therapy was the first doctoral program offered at Huntington University and has been graduating impressive cohorts of students since May 2017.
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).
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to welcome Ray Chang, ministry associate for discipleship at Wheaton College, and Michelle Loyd-Paige, executive associate to the President for Diversity and Inclusion at Calvin University, as panelists for Huntington University’s 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Convocation on January 18. Chynna Presley, director of intercultural enrichment at Huntington University, will join Chang and Loyd-Paige on the panel as they discuss “The Road to Restoration — A conversation on cultural competency in action.”
As Huntington University strives to educate and prepare students for a world riddled with a variety of pandemics and spiritual adversities, it’s important to seize the opportunity to draw students’ attention to the significance of protecting the truth they glean while navigating through Christian higher education.
“I believe that the HU community is primed for such a time as this to focus on safeguarding the treasures that God has given us through His spoken Word,” said Presley. “Our University is committed to being a culturally competent institution. As we continue to examine our policies and practices, we are working to ensure that all we do aligns with our Declaration of Unity & Diversity, which states, ‘…Therefore in obedience to Christ and as Foresters, we will love, learn from, respect, stand alongside, protect, rejoice with, and grieve with one another. We reject biased apathy, willful ignorance and silent fear. We acknowledge our fallen nature and the failures that divide us; therefore, we seek God’s grace and mercy and we strive to embody the example of Christ. It is our purpose and responsibility to foster an environment that reflects the unity of the Boy of Christ and honors the eternal value of all people.’”
PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce its first animation graduates: Alexa Bland, Realiti Ibsen, and Kesmine Hickman.
HU Arizona added animation to its list of degree offerings in May 2017, and current and prospective students welcomed the program with enthusiasm. In the summer of 2018, Christian Washington, a 2013 graduate of HU’s Indiana campus, joined the HU Arizona team as the assistant professor of animation. His credentials and work experience added instant oomph to the young but growing program.
Of the three animation graduates, Washington was quick to say that “they're very hard workers and passionate artists, which has made them a joy to teach.”
During their time at HU Arizona, the graduates worked on a grand total of five animated films, including Bubble , which was featured in the Phoenix Film Festival, Tobeus and Tobey , which won Best of Fest at the National BEA Conference, and The Cactus Cat, which was a semi-finalist at the Student Los Angeles Film Awards. They've also worked on a number of freelance projects through HU Arizona for companies including Theaterworks, AquaScooter, and the Maryvale Community School System.
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, Ind. — Dr. Tim Smith, FRHistS, professor of Non-Western History at Huntington University, has published an article concerning Cambodian Elephant Diplomacy.
The peer-reviewed article considers the many ways in which Cambodia (and similar kingdoms) have historically used elephants and elephant-related paraphernalia as diplomatic gifts to legitimize their international statecraft. The paper mentions an example during the American Civil War of elephant-based diplomacy being enacted by Siam towards President Lincoln. However, the main focus of the study is upon the period immediately following the Second World War, when the Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk relied upon romantic notions of the exotic — including elephant diplomacy — to navigate the dangerous diplomatic waters of decolonization and the early Cold War. In doing so, he used the allure of the exotic to entice the senior British diplomat Malcolm MacDonald into falling for the charms of the orient. This entangled Britain in the affairs of a non-British decolonization.
The article is titled “Malcolm MacDonald and King Norodom Sihanouk: a British diplomat and the allure of Cambodian elephant diplomacy” and was published in the Historical Yearbook (vol.17, 2020, pages 53-72).
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s Department of Nursing students and faculty are pleased to participate in the facilitation of the COVID-19 vaccine for frontline healthcare staff in northeast Indiana.
“This is an exciting time in the history of health care, and our aspiring nurses are being given the opportunity to be a part of that history,” said Jodi Eckert, MSN, RN, CNE, assistant professor of nursing and director of nursing.
As part of the Indiana Department of Health vaccine distribution plan, Parkview Health was selected to receive one of the initial allotments of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19. With many of Parkview’s clinical workers dedicated to patient care, Parkview Health requested the help of students and instructors at Huntington University to administer the vaccine.
“We are pleased to have the Huntington University student nurses and instructors step up to meet the needs of our community,” said Judy Boerger, chief nursing executive, Parkview Health. “Their service is in the tradition of the nursing profession to answer the call when help is needed for the benefit of human kind.”
The administration of the vaccine will take place at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation in Fort Wayne.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2020 Huntington University Foundation Distinguished Service Award is Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
Established in 2002, the Distinguished Service Award honors an individual or an organization whose life or mission embodies the very principles associated with the mission of the University. Each year this award is presented to a person or organization that gives substance and credence to the University’s beliefs, serves as an effective role model for our students and is recognized for the tremendous contribution they make to Huntington County.
Our Sunday Visitor was founded in 1912 by Fr. John Francis Noll, then pastor of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntington, to spread knowledge of the Catholic Faith through periodicals, books and parish resources. For over 108 years, OSV’s mission has been to help Catholics fulfill their calling to discipleship, strengthen their relationship with Christ, deepen their commitment to the Church and contribute to its growth and vitality in the world. Today, OSV is one of the largest Catholic publishing houses in the world and the largest supplier of offering envelopes to Catholic and Protestant churches in the United States. The company serves approximately 10 million people through more than 22,000 churches with over 563 million envelopes printed annually. Through products such as Increased Offertory Programs, Parish Capital Campaigns, Diocesan Appeals, Online Giving, OSV Church Manager, and websites, OSV continues to serve the Church in the United States.
With its dedication to the greater Huntington community, OSV has supported Huntington University through the HU Foundation, Annual Fund, and Capital Campaigns. In addition, OSV has provided employment and internship opportunities for local high school and Huntington University students.
“OSV, under the leadership of Kyle Hamilton, has been a strong supporter to so many organizations in the community for many years,” said Kay Schwob, director of development at Huntington University. “This award is a testament to their commitment to the Huntington Community as well as Huntington University. They do so much within our community, and many times, the work they do is behind the scenes. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to a great partner.”
Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients
2002 Gene Snowden & Harold “Potch” Wheeler 2003 Kay LaMont and Ted Bendall 2004 Steve Zahn 2005 Ned Kiser 2006 Huntington Herald-Press 2007 Robert C. Brown, Jr. 2008 Steve Platt 2009 Emmaline Purviance Henn 2010 Parkview Huntington Hospital 2011 Elizabeth L. O’Donnell (posthumously) 2012 Pathfinder Services 2013 Ralph Johnson 2014 Carol Shuttleworth 2015 Ryan Warner 2016 Marj and Homer Hiner 2017 Brooks Fetters 2018 Dan & Barb Drummond 2019 Ed Vessels
Thank you to the sponsors of the Huntington University Foundation dinner. Due to the recent capacity restrictions, the Huntington University Foundation Board decided to cancel the annual dinner, but that does not diminish the investment of these community partners.
Platinum Dr. Sherilyn Emberton Heartland REMC Novae Corporation Huntington Sheet Metal, Inc. First Federal Savings Bank Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. JJ's Lake City Bank
Gold HRG Law Bippus State Bank
Silver Apollo Caster/Matt Wilcox WalkerHughes Insurance Mettler Agency, Inc. Edward Jones - Nicole Johnson Huntington County Chamber
Recipients of the HU Foundation Distinguished Service Award must be:
PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce that six films created by HU Arizona students were screened at the Phoenix Film Festival, a nationally recognized film festival. This is the fourth consecutive year HU Arizona student work has been accepted in the festival (every year of HU Arizona’s existence), but this is the largest group of accepted films.
“The Phoenix Film Festival has quickly become a fantastic partner for our Huntington University Arizona film program,” said Phil Wilson, program director and assistant professor of film. “Festival Director Jason Carney has come to HU Arizona a number of times, both as a part of the launch of the Peoria Film Fest and as a guest speaker to our Senior Film Production classes.”
The following HU Arizona films will be screened at the Phoenix Film Festival:
“The Legend of Brodan” Written and Directed by Dabney Jackson and starring former American Gladiator Don “Hollywood” Yates
“What We Become” Written and Directed by Stephen Davis
“Stranger” Written and Directed by Chloe Caufield
“Bubble” Written and Directed by Briana Valenzuela
“Be There” Written and Directed by Stephen Davis
“Security Blanket” Written and Directed by HUAZ Senior, Chris Blackford.
“Bubble” is the first animated short film from the Huntington University Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts to receive this honor. “Stranger,” “What We Become,” “Bubble” and “Be There” are all BEA award-winning films. “Stranger” and “What We Become” have won Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards.
The Phoenix Film Festival will take place at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre from November 12-22, 2020.
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to announce that William May, Class of 2020, has been hired as an admissions counselor.
“We are so excited to have Will join our team at HU Arizona, not only because of his personal accomplishments and skills but also because he is an actual HU Arizona alumnus. We are now established enough to have our second class of graduates this past spring, and the experiences Will has had as a member of our community as a student will help him tell our story more effectively to potential students,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations.
May is a long-time West Valley resident who, upon high school graduation, became an Arizona Department of Corrections Officer (yep, prison guard!) for five years while serving as a Wildland Fire Fighter with his father’s company. He attended Estrella Mountain Community College for art and design, met Jamie Sanfilippo, associate director of student services, at a transfer fair, and the rest is HU Arizona history. For the past three years he has worked at the Apple Store in the nearby mall as a tech expert and team leader, which means he has both his customer service and tech skills well honed — and he will utilize them both at Huntington University!
“May is a talented artist and designer who not only will continue to work with outside clients but will certainly be utilized as a creative resource at HU Arizona,” said Berggren. “Will and his wife Rachel are proud parents of a new baby girl named Rose, so we are pleased to officially have the entire May family as part of our HU Arizona crew.”
On November 13 and 14, 2020, the Huntington University Theatre Company performed Fuente Ovejuna by Lope de Vega, translated by Adrian Mitchell and directed by Adam Sahli. Featuring 15 students and one professor, the group brought one of the best-known Spanish Golden Age plays to the stage for two performances in person and via livestream..
Originally published in 1619, Fuente Ovejuna tells the story of an oppressed village banding together to escape from their tyrannical commander. When the military leader, The Commander, tries to use his power to obtain women from the village and threatens Laurencia’s life, Laurencia’s soon-to-be fiancé threatens to kill him if he doesn’t let her go. The story follows the village as they come together to kill The Commander, even gaining the attention of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and causing the monarchs to reconsider their leadership responsibility. The play was made into a movie in 1948.
The cast list for the Huntington University Theatre Company production of Fuente Ovejuna included:
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to welcome Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb to campus today for the official ribbon cutting of the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center.
Joining Governor Holcomb at this historic event are Bob Krouse, chief executive officer of MPS Egg Farms; Marty Songer, executive director of AVIS Foundation, Inc.; David Findlay, president and chief executive officer of Lake City Bank; Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture; Richard Strick, mayor of Huntington (class of 2011); Madison Riggle, field sales representative, DEKALB Asgrow (class of 2018); Nate Perry, managing director of the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies; and Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University.
The construction of the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center was announced in December 2019, and construction officially began in early 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, including large flexible pen space and an on-site classroom. The adaptable space will be equipped to host a variety of livestock to allow students up-close and personal hands-on learning experiences.
Launched in the fall of 2014, Huntington University’s Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies 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 institute welcomed its first students in the fall of 2015 and as of fall 2020 Huntington University has over 50 students pursuing degrees in the agriculture industry.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University is pleased to announce that Janelle Taylor has been named the Director of Alumni and Foundation Relations. Taylor joined the HU Office of Advancement team in October of 2018 as a development officer. Her new role remains within the Office of Advancement but offers her an even greater opportunity for professional and personal growth.
“This is a great fit for her skillset,” said Stephen Weingart, vice president for University advancement. “Janelle graduated from HU in 1997, as did her husband, Jonathon, so her passion for Huntington University is strong and her roots are deep. This role gives her the opportunity to connect with the community in an even deeper way. Dr. Emberton and the advancement team are very excited and supportive of this transition.”
Taylor said that while working for the past two years at HU she has enjoyed meeting Foresters all over the country and hearing stories of how Huntington University impacted their lives. She looks forward to carrying on much-beloved traditions and creating new opportunities with the Alumni Board for alumni to engage with one another and the University.
“I am excited to transition into the newly formed role of Director of Alumni and Foundation Relations,” said Taylor. “I will continue to cultivate relationships with foundations and seek new opportunities for HU grants and oversee alumni engagement.”
An HU alum, Taylor (1997) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary English education. Taylor has worked as an English teacher and in nonprofit management and fundraising for True Life Choices (under Youth for Christ). In 2009, Taylor and her husband, who reside in Fort Wayne, started their own music entertainment business. The couple travel around the Midwest singing for audiences of all sizes as the cover duo The J Taylors. They also adopted the name The Holy Rebels in 2015 and began writing and performing their own original music.
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University invites the community to join us for the first Foundation Breakfast of the season. COVID-19 has limited our ability to gather in a large group, so this first breakfast event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The Zoom room will open at 7:45 a.m., with the program beginning at 8:00 a.m.
The speakers for this event will be the Forester track and field and cross country coaches, who will review the exceptional achievements of the 2019-2020 teams.
To register for the November Foundation Breakfast, visit huntington.edu/FoundationRSVP.
The Huntington University Foundation Breakfast Series is held on the second Wednesday of each month, November through April, and is open to the public. Breakfast events begin at 7:45 a.m. and conclude by 9:00 a.m.
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. Learn more about the Foundation’s history and ways to support its goals at huntington.edu/Foundation.
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. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution a “Best Midwestern College.” 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 non-profit university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University’s leadership and Trustees have announced changes to the spring 2021 academic semester. The dates below reflect the updated academic calendar. The spring semester will begin on January 25, 2021, as originally planned.
“Two Reading Days have been built into the spring schedule for use by students and faculty during the 15 consecutive weeks of classes,” said Luke S. Fetters, EdD, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. Fetters explained that the addition of the Reading Days will give students and faculty at least one day each month of the semester to rest, catch up on reading and writing, or do some other life-giving activity. “It is our hope that this will help relieve some of the stress that students and faculty are experiencing during this unusual academic year.”
For spring of 2021, Huntington University – like most comparable universities in the region – is forgoing spring break.
“Our experience this fall has helped us understand that when our students stay on or close to campus, HU experiences lower numbers of COVID positive cases. Taking spring break off the calendar was a decision directed at the well-being of our campus,” said Ron L. Coffey, PhD, vice president for student life at Huntington University. “The campus leadership wanted to ensure that we could create a calendar that would give us the best chance to successfully complete the spring semester without interruption. Not having our campus community members travel for spring break seemed to make the most sense.”
HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University and the Board of Trustees are pleased to announce that Reverend Arthur Wilson has been promoted to Vice President for Spiritual Formation. Wilson is the first person of color to be named a vice president at Huntington University.
He began his tenure with Huntington University in 2009 as director of the Horizon Leadership Program.
“I came here under a vision of making this place more diverse, more reflective of the Kingdom of heaven,” said Wilson. “The fact that I'm here today doing what I'm doing is evidence of the fact that that was a dream realized.”
Wilson continued, saying that this opportunity is “a combination of so many different things that are part of my journey where I'm able to be a steward for God and help young people develop their faith in a way that inspires them to continue making differences not only in their own lives but in the lives of others.” But Wilson doesn’t consider this to be a personal achievement as much as a step in the right direction for Huntington University and a story of hope and opportunity for his community in Fort Wayne.
“I understand that the opportunities God provides me, they're not only meant for me, they're meant for so many others who look to me for inspiration” said Wilson, reflecting on his experience as a teenager growing up in Fort Wayne’s inner city. “I can't help but appreciate the opportunity that I have and the role that I get to play in the lives of young people who look like me. I'm making an impact in Huntington through this role, but that impact extends itself to the southeast side of Fort Wayne where I continued to reside, and I hope that when young people see my example they see that, wow, if Arthur can be used in such a place while growing up in this place then maybe, just maybe, God has a plan for me.”
Along with his team, Wilson and the Center for Spiritual Formation and Intercultural Enrichment will continue to foster the spiritual and cultural growth and development of the University as well as steer Huntington University’s spiritual formation plan, In Stride. In Stride, the 2019-2023 Spiritual Formation Plan, was developed in part from a longitudinal study that looked closely at the needs of Huntington University students. From that study, it was evident that students desire relational ministry and that faculty, staff, and student peers each have significant influence on spiritual development.
“The University is privileged to have such a dynamic and committed leader as Arthur Wilson,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Throughout his leadership journey at Huntington University, he has provided excellent and innovative oversight at every level.”
Wilson joined the Senior Leadership Team in April 2016 as a dean of spiritual life. He began his tenure with Huntington University in 2009 as director of the Horizon Leadership Program.
Wilson formerly served as the City Life coordinator for Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ and represented Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ on a national level by serving as a camp speaker and member of the City Life National Team. In 2004, Wilson graduated from Taylor University Fort Wayne with a Bachelor of Science degree in pastoral ministries. In 2012, he earned a Master of Arts degree in youth ministry leadership from Huntington University.
Wilson and his family reside in Fort Wayne. Wilson serves as the vice-chair for the Northeast Indiana Youth for Christ, is an assistant pastor at Imani Baptist Chapel in Fort Wayne, and is as an assistant coach for the Forester track and field program, working primarily with sprinters.
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.
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.
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.