At the Peoria Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary and Awards Banquet on June 14, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat announced that this year’s Mayor’s Award recipient is Huntington University Arizona!
The Mayor’s Award is one of several annual awards that honor businesses, organizations and individuals who have a positive impact on the Chamber of Commerce and the Peoria community. Every year, the Chamber asks the mayor of Peoria to select a recipient for and present the Mayor’s Award.
Mayor Carlat selects her chosen recipient by focusing on those businesses, organizations and individuals who have an exceptional impact on the community, elevate the community and serve Peoria’s residents well.
“Receiving the Mayor’s Award on behalf of Huntington University Arizona was really exciting and encouraging,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Huntington University Arizona operations. “Our mission as a Christ-centered university is to be active in our community and partner with a number of organizations to help bring positive changes. This is an important calling even when things are going well, as is the case with Peoria’s leadership and the growth of the city.”
“Huntington University is an incredible community partner,” said Mayor Carlat. “Since opening their doors in Peoria, the HU Arizona team has stepped up and involved themselves in many ways, by supporting our City and supporting many non-profits throughout the Valley. I’m grateful they made the decision to become a part of our Peoria family, and it is an honor to present them with the Mayor’s Award. Congratulations, HUAZ!”
“The city has been such a wonderful partner,” said Berggren, “and to have Mayor Carlat recognize our partnership in this manner is such a meaningful statement to our faculty, staff and students. In fact, it inspires us to do even more!”
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.
The Ware Plant Science Production Facility at Huntington University is expanding its production from soil-grown flora and fauna to plants grown in water, thanks to the addition of an aquaponics system this semester.
“Huntington University continues to look for ways to strengthen the presence of food and agriculture in the northeast Indiana regional economy,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Having an educational aquaponics system located in HU’s Ware Plant Science Production Facility allows faculty and students hands-on experience with the integration of the two.”
The aquaponics system will provide opportunities for students of the natural sciences to learn more about plant life, aquatic life such as fish and bacteria, aquatic agroecosystems and innovations in food production. Students will also be involved in the care and maintenance of the system, planting and harvesting plants and feeding fish.
An aquaponics system replicates what happens in nature when plants grow on the surface of a pond. Each system contains water, fish, naturally-occurring bacteria and plants. Plants grow in a media bed that keeps them afloat but allows roots to float freely in the water below. Although plants and fish in a pond can grow simultaneously without human interference, an aquaponics system in a greenhouse first requires a human to feed the fish. The fish then produce ammonium-rich waste; the bacteria convert the ammonium into nitrates that provide food for the plants. They, in turn, filter the water for the fish. In short, by feeding the fish, agriculturalists are able to raise food for themselves.
Aquaponics systems are similar to hydroponic systems in that they are both soilless ways to grow plants. While hydroponic systems require the addition of a carefully-regulated chemical combination to the water, however, the fish and bacteria in an aquaponics system naturally produce all the nutrients plants need to grow. As a result, an aquaponics system can use less water and requires less regulatory testing than a hydroponics system.
The current educational aquaponics system at Huntington University was donated by Fort Wayne Metals. With the capacity to hold 300 gallons of water, this system has an estimated value of $2,600.
Huntington University is pleased to announce the names of the ten students who will serve as Front Line Foresters in 2019-2020. The upcoming academic year will mark the eighth anniversary of the Front Line Forester program, which began in 2012 as a way to represent the student body and what it means to be a Forester.
“I am very excited to be announcing this new group of Front Line Foresters,” said Kay Schwob, director of development. “They are the student ambassadors to our trustees, alumni and friends of the university. The students serve by hosting and showing appreciation to donors with thank you calls and letters.”
Incumbent Front Line Foresters include:
The goal of the Front Line Forester program is that the Front Line Foresters would grow in character and professional and leadership skills as they interact with various professionals and fulfill their duties as student ambassadors. They will have opportunities to develop gratitude and interpersonal skills and gain an introductory understanding of philanthropy and the workings of the Advancement Office and the university.
“This vibrant group of students will act as hosts and hostesses at events such as HU Foundation breakfasts, participating in prayer ministry luncheons, hosting Homecoming and donor dinners and welcoming the Board of Trustees to meetings,” said Schwob. “They are a very vibrant and talented group of young men and women.”
During the annual Celebration of Service luncheon on May 28, Huntington University President Sherilyn Emberton announced the 2018-19 Staff Member of the Year: Kay Schwob, director of development.
“Kay is a true example of what it means to be a Forester. She excels at everything she tackles,” said Stephen Weingart, vice president for University Advancement. “She played a major role in helping me get up to speed and learn what it means to be a Forester.”
Schwob has been a member of the Huntington University staff for 18 years. Her time as a staff member has encompassed various roles, including director of the Enterprise Resource Center for 14 years, senior director of advancement operations and interim director of advancement. In each role, Schwob has demonstrated strong leadership abilities as well as a willingness to serve others.
Choosing the annual staff member of the year is a joint effort of Huntington University faculty, staff and the senior leadership team. Faculty and staff nominate the recipients who they feel are deserving of the distinction, then the senior leadership team selects the recipient from the list of recommended nominees.
Psychology, social work, sociology and criminal justice students from Huntington University recently attended the annual Butler Undergraduate Research Conference in Indianapolis. On April 12, these students presented research projects alongside fellow undergraduates from a variety of disciplines and universities.
The HU students presented research projects they had designed and conducted in teams as part of a two-semester social sciences research methods course. This year’s research topics included fundamentalist religiosity and mental health, pornography use and relationships, altruism and empathetic concern, bullying, birth and spiritual disciplines.
“While this was the first experience these students had with designing, conducting, and presenting research, they represented HU well and learned a lot in the process,” said Dr. Rebekah Benjamin, associate professor of psychology. “It was great for students to see what other students across the state and country were doing as well.”
Lake Sno-Tip is even more beautiful after the addition of two new fountains over the summer, bringing the total number of fountains on the lake to three.
There are ecological benefits to having three fountains on the lake, in addition to the aesthetic benefits. Fountains provide aeration, improving oxygen levels in the water that will benefit the creatures and plants that live there.
“Fountains aren't just a decorative addition to small lakes like Sno-Tip,” said Adrienne Funderburg, Huntington University biology alumna and current Research Coordinator for the Lily Center for Lakes and Streams. “They can also positively impact the lake's health. Fountains circulate deep water to the surface, replenishing oxygen at the lake bottom and keeping surface water in motion to discourage algae growth.”
Funderburg conducted research on the health of Lake Sno-Tip last year and concluded that fountains would be a worthwhile investment.
“In the lake health study I performed in 2017,” said Funderburg, “I saw evidence that deeper points in Lake Sno-Tip are low in oxygen, which allows muck to build up and reduces living space for fish and other animals. I hope the additional fountain will help combat these effects and be a blessing to Sno-Tip and all that live in and around it.”
One of the brand-new fountains was made possible through the generous donation of Dr. Lars and Kathy Andersen, longtime supporters of Huntington University. Both Andersens attended Huntington University, and Lars is a 1969 alum.
The Andersens’ 50-year romance began at Huntington University when they met on the first day they were on campus together. Although they are both from Lansing, Michigan, they attended separate United Brethren churches and had not knowingly crossed paths. From that day on, however, their lives would never be the same. In addition to a budding relationship with each other, they were building a relationship with their university.
Today, Huntington University holds a special place in both of their hearts, and they think other alums feel the same way. No matter how long a Forester has been away from campus, memories come flooding back the moment alumni catch a glimpse of familiar sights like Becker Hall and Lake Sno-Tip.
“We feel a connection with it every time we’re here,” said Lars. “There’s such a great atmosphere when you get to campus – you can feel the Christian atmosphere.”
“It’s always a nice place to come back to,” added Kathy. “Anyone who attended here feels a connectedness here.”
After studying at Huntington, the Andersens moved back to Michigan and were not closely connected to the university for a few years. By the 1990s, they had become more active in the university’s governing societies. Lars joined the President’s Advisory Council on Excellence (PACE) and later served as Alumni Board president for two years. Today, he is a member of the Board of Trustees.
Returning to campus for the October 2018 Trustees meeting, the Andersens had their first opportunity to see the fountain at work on Lake Sno-Tip. They were pleased to see all three fountains on the water.
“They make the lake look very inviting,” said Lars.
Although not everyone has the opportunity to donate a fountain to their alma mater, the Andersens believe supporting Huntington University is important because it allows the university’s mission to endure. As a result, students will continue to graduate and impact the world for Christ through scholarship and service.
Being a Forester, the Andersens agree, means that you are part of a family that will stick with you no matter where life takes you after graduation.
“[Huntington University’s] size allows you to be involved in more activities,” said Lars. “On a big campus, that doesn’t happen.”
“It’s more like a family,” said Kathy. “When you come back, you see a lot of familiar faces.”
Lars, for example, bumped into one of his former coaches on a previous trip to campus. Such spontaneous reunions have taken place between Foresters across the glove for generations, and with the continued support of alumni and friends like the Andersens, they will continue long into the future.
“As an HU alum,” said Funderburg, “I'm thankful to see my alma mater supported in its growth and development, and as an alum now working in environmental science, I'm especially excited to see this support extended not only to HU's academic programs, but to campus's natural spaces as well.”
Lars has a similar perspective.
“It’s nice to see how people support the university,” said Lars. “I want to see it keep going and see more alumni involved.”
Two years ago, unusual circumstances prompted a group of transfer students to become lifelong members of the Forester Family. When ITT Technical Institute closed in September 2016, Huntington University announced that it would accept transfer credits from students wanting to complete their degrees. Several former ITT Tech students who had been pursuing associate degrees in nursing decided to take HU up on its offer and enrolled in the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
This May, nine members of the nursing graduates from the Class of 2019 will be former transfer students from ITT Tech: Elena Andorfer, Courtney Boley, Ariana Ellis, Eunice Hahn, Tammy Hamilton, Katina Kline, Daphne Musser, Karissa Oldham and Malorie Thompson.
“I can’t express how happy I am that God guided my path to attend HU,” said Hamilton. “I am graduating with a knowledge in nursing that I don’t believe I would have received had I went anywhere else. The curriculum and instructors have pushed me to be the best new nurse that I can be, and they have given me the tools to do it. My faith has strengthened and has grown immensely, and I owe it all to HU.”
While their path to Huntington University was unique, these soon-to-be grads found the same home at HU that students have cherished for over a century.
“The moment we stepped foot in the HU grounds, it felt like home, like were meant to be here,” said Hahn. “I had never felt so included and as part of a community as I have in HU. In fact, we all fit in so well that one wouldn’t differentiate between the original HU and the transfer students.”
Professors and classmates have become family, helping one another on the rigorous journey to becoming a nurse and completing the HU degree program.
“Our professors are the most knowledgeable are highly qualified in their field of study,” said Hahn. “They give us knowledge in our field but also in our faith. They genuinely care about us all and want the best for us.”
“The road has been long and hard,” stated Hamilton. “HU has challenged me to be the best me I can be, and there has been self-doubt and a lot of tears, but in the end, I wouldn’t change anything about this journey, because I ended up here, right where I was supposed to be.”
Five students from the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies at Huntington University recently competed in the four-year division of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Annual Judging Contest.
The competition, which Murray State University hosted this year, proved to be an ideal event for Huntington University’s first collegiate livestock judging team. Team members Kaleb Bickel, Johnna Cummins, Allyson Fenicle, Callie Lemper and Luke Reust placed third in oral reasons and third overall. Kaleb Bickel also placed among the top ten individuals in the competition.
“I am incredibly proud of these students,” said Dr. Jessica Baggerman, assistant professor of agriculture. “They have started a tradition of representing HU and the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies at national competitions. We hope to continue this in the future by increasing the number of students involved and the diversity of events entered.”
Besides helping agriculture students hone their technical and communication skills, NACTA aims to use contests such as this one to spark camaraderie between students and between schools. Judging contests also provide practical experiences for students.
“These contests allow students to apply knowledge gained from their classes into situations that can be applied to the real world outside of the classroom,” said Baggerman. “They also develop skills that can aid in their future careers.”
Huntington University is pleased to announce that Jodi Eckert has been named the new director of nursing.
Eckert has been a member of the nursing faculty at Huntington University since 2013. Prior to adopting a teaching role in academia, Eckert worked in the nursing field through two Parkview hospitals. She has experience in surgical-trauma ICU and has been a house supervisor and a case manager. Eckert holds a master’s degree in nursing and is a registered nurse.
“We are fortunate to have Jodi Eckert step into the role of chair for our nursing program,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Jodi was nominated by her colleagues and will become the third leader of this very successful program. She exemplifies the highest standard of professionalism in her profession and demonstrates a strategic vision to broaden the program’s scope.”
In this new role, Eckert will take on administrative responsibilities and will be responsible for overseeing the direction of the already well-established Nursing Department and its degree programs.
“I look forward to building upon the momentum of the currently growing program while still maintaining the quality and integrity of our nursing program, said Eckert. “As our program continues to grow, I anticipate the implementation of additional nursing programs to meet the needs of the healthcare industry.”
For the first time ever, Huntington University Arizona students will be among the ranks of the Huntington University graduating class, marking a new era in HU history. The six Arizona members of the Class of 2019 will receive their diplomas during an official ceremony in Peoria on May 23.
“Watching our first group of graduates receive their Huntington University diplomas is going to be a truly rewarding moment,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “It will be mixed emotions, of course, because most of them were with us when we started our Arizona location three years ago, and we will miss them. But having them graduate was the shared goal all along!”
These graduates are a testament to the success of the HU Arizona location, now completing its third academic year of operations, and the caliber of its students. The graduates finished their HU bachelor’s degrees in three years or less because they transferred from other institutions or from the HU main campus. Together, they represent three of the original academic programs HU Arizona offered.
In their time as HU students, the graduates completed internships at places like the Peoria Sports Complex, TheaterWorks, Woodcraft, the Maryvale Revitalization Corporation, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and television stations. They also completed numerous class projects for philanthropic or nonprofit organizations. Along the way, they garnered six Broadcast Education Association awards, four Rocky Mountain Association Student Emmys, one Professional Rocky Mountain Association Emmy, two Arizoni Awards and three Arizona Film Festivals.
“One of the most meaningful things for me about these graduates is that they took a bit of a risk with us when we were literally just starting out,” said Berggren. “They have excelled. They are passionate and talented. They have helped put Huntington in the position of being the #2 most awarded media university in the country. That’s a pretty cool legacy they are taking out into their professional careers.”
Huntington University Arizona is pleased to introduce the six members of the Class of 2019:
The six graduates were some of the first students to ever take HU classes in Peoria. Josiah Duka, Katie Hopp, Joe Stone and Matthew Torres-Gomez have been a part of HU Arizona since its inception. Torres-Gomez, officially the first HU Arizona graduate, finished his coursework in December and is currently working at Fervor Creative.
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 University is pleased to announce that Ted McKinney, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, will be the featured speaker for the 121st commencement ceremony on May 18, 2019.
McKinney currently serves as the U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Prior to accepting this national appointment, he was the director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and spent 19 years with Dow AgroSciences and 14 years with Elanco, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, where he was director of global corporate affairs. He has also served on various committees and boards committed to the growth of agriculture.
“As Director of Agriculture for the State of Indiana, Ted McKinney played an inaugural role of helping Huntington University celebrate the launch of an agribusiness program,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of the university. “He was a guest speaker for our opening class and will have the privilege of being the commencement speaker as we graduate those students four years later.”
In recognition of McKinney’s continued dedication to agriculture and service, Huntington University will present him with an honorary Doctor of Agriculture degree during the commencement ceremony.
Huntington University is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Russ Degitz as the university’s chief operating officer.
Degitz, formerly the principal of Huntington North High School, is a 2002 graduate of Huntington University. He will assume his new role in June.
“It’s a privilege to welcome an alum back to HU,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Russ has a wealth of experience, and we look forward to what he will bring to this new position.”
In this role, Degitz will be responsible for administrative duties involving university property, athletics, and risk management. He will oversee auxiliary services such as the university’s bookstore, food service, rental properties and campus mail services and will manage projects and contractors. The new chief operating officer will also be part of the senior leadership team.
“I have counted it a privilege to serve the students and staff within HCCSC these last 17 years,” said Degitz. “It was not an easy decision to leave a district that has felt like home and has provided incredible opportunities for me these last 17 years. However, the opportunity to return to my alma mater in a senior leadership role was the opportunity of a lifetime and one that I could not pass up.”
Degitz looks forward to continuing a partnership with the school corporation through his new administrative position at the university.
“I love everything about HCCSC and know that being a Viking is always something that will be part of who I am,” Degitz stated. “I am also excited about the vision and direction of the district and know that the best things are yet to come. I am grateful to the community, school board, colleagues, and students that I had the privilege to work alongside during my time in the district, and I am excited to partner with them in a new venture with Huntington University.”
The 500 Festival Princess Program has named Huntington University junior Karley Hockemeyer one of this year’s 500 Festival Princesses. Hockemeyer, a Decatur native and ag business marketing and communications major, is one of only 33 Indiana women chosen to be a 500 Festival Princess in 2019.
“Being named one of the Indy 500 Princesses is one of my greatest accomplishments,” stated Hockemeyer. “It is such an honor to serve in this position alongside 32 other very outstanding, accomplished and prideful Hoosier women.”
Women who take on the role of a 500 Festival Princess have increased opportunities to serve Hoosier communities in the Indianapolis area and beyond during the 500 Festival and in the months surrounding it. They also work in their local and college communities to help spread the mission of the 500 Festival and build excitement leading up to May’s race.
“The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by Reis-Nichols, has a long history of celebrating Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven young women,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Serving as a 500 Festival Princess provides Indiana’s next generation of leaders with once-in-a-life-time experiences and countless opportunities for professional development. As a 500 Festival Princess, Karley, and the 32 other women selected this year, will serve as ambassadors of the 500 Festival, playing an integral role in our organization’s mission to celebrate the Indianapolis 500, enrich lives and positively impact Hoosier communities. We’re proud to be represented by this group of remarkable women.”
To become a 500 Festival Princess, Hockemeyer submitted an application, wrote essays on topics such as leadership, college activities and campus involvements and underwent two rounds of interviews. She also had to provide a polished resume and cover letter.
According to those who know Hockemeyer best at Huntington University, this prestigious honor comes as no surprise.
“Karley is a dedicated student who comes to class prepared and willing to contribute,” said Dr. Brock Zehr, assistant professor of business. “It's been a privilege to be one of her professors.”
“It has been an extreme privilege knowing Karley since she was in high school,” said Nate Perry, coordinator of ag operations and external relations at Huntington University. “She is a diligent worker and accomplishes anything she puts her heart and mind to. Karley is one of those individuals who makes an impact immediately and leaves her mark on everything she is involved in. She is an outstanding leader on HU’s campus and will continue to achieve great things in the future.”
Hockemeyer was crowned Miss Adams County in 2017, so the responsibilities associated with a Hoosier sash and crown are familiar to her. She appreciates that this new opportunity allows her to combine service in the community with the chance to be more involved in the Indianapolis 500, one of Indiana’s biggest annual traditions.
“I loved the position that the crown and sash put me in to be really involved in my hometown and community,” said Hockemeyer. “When I heard about the 500 Festival Princess program I did some research and fell in love with the mission of the 500 Festival: To produce life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana.”
Huntington University’s Indiana Beta Chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society garnered awards for student scholarship at the National Convention held in Cleveland on April 4-6. The chapter received recognition at the convention as a Star Chapter of Alpha Chi for 2017-2018, making Indiana Beta one of only four out of more than 300 chapters to have received this award every year since the honor’s launch in 1996.
“Our students find it rewarding to attend a convention and present their work in a major city along with the top ten percent of students from around the nation,” said Dr. Ruth Nalliah, faculty sponsor. “Huntington University students do very well in garnering both regional and national awards for their academic work.”
Six student members of the Huntington University chapter attended the convention, and five students presented their work:
Juliet Wilson won an Alpha Chi national scholarship as well as a regional scholarship for her paper “People v. Turner: Sexual Misconduct on College Campuses.” Trent Yentes won a presentation prize for his paper “George Washington on The Founding of The United States” and was named as an alternate for a national scholarship.
Accompanying the presenters were chapter president Giovanni Martinez Martini, an economics/finance and accounting major, and faculty sponsors Dr. Tanner Babb, associate professor of psychology and associate academic dean, and Dr. Ruth Nalliah, professor of chemistry.Babb serves as an editor of the society’s scholarly journal, Aletheia, and Nalliah continues a term as president of Region V.
“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to attend the National Convention,” said Martinez Martini. “It filled me with pride to see how well represented Huntington University was. The members of our chapter gave outstanding presentations and were highly recognized.”
Election to Alpha Chi is the highest academic honor at Huntington University.
Students and visitors enjoying the spring weather on the quad on Huntington University’s campus on Friday will have extra-special company: a collection of farm animals.
The animals – including goats, calves, chicks, sheep and ponies – are part of a petting zoo that will be available on MAY 6 [note the new date!] from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., thanks to HU’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter. 2019 marks the first year that ponies and sheep have made an appearance in the annual Farm Bureau campus zoo. This year’s extravaganza will also include a variety of new sights and activities, including cornhole, tractors, crops and a drawing for free Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies swag items.
“Some students enjoy using this as a stress reliever, and some students have never had opportunities to see agriculture up-close and personal,” said Karley Hockemeyer, Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter member. “That is why we enjoy putting so many hours into planning this for the students.”
Participants in the event may pet the farm animals for $1. For $2, they can also feed the animals. The money raised will help pay down costs associated with sending HU chapter members to farm bureau conferences around the United States.
Five Huntington University Art + Design seniors currently have work on display in the Robert E. Wilson Gallery in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. Their pieces are part of the annual Graduating Art + Design Senior Art Exhibit, which will be open to the public until May 10.
Participating artists include Emily Hubby, a graphic design major from Archbold, Ohio, Sarah Lehman, a graphic design major from Berne, Ind., Ashley Preston, a graphic design major from Anderson, Ind., Carrie Shen, a fine art major from Beijing, China, and Tanner Branscomb, a Huntington, Ind., native who is completing a customized academic program in photography.
“The Department of Art + Design is very proud of this group of seniors,” said Rebecca Coffman, chair of the Department of Art + Design. “They each have developed bodies of work that reflect their distinctive talents and creativity as artists.”
Each artist has two projects on display in the exhibit. Projects include an archive of street murals from the United States, self-branding materials, branding for businesses, pieces created from Holocaust diaries, digital illustrations, oil paintings, graphite portraits, photography and a senior thesis project.
An artist reception will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the Robert E. Wilson Gallery. The Department of Art + Design invites the public to attend the reception and meet this year’s graduating artists.
Dr. Ruth Ford, Huntington University’s associate dean of health sciences and director of the doctoral program in occupational therapy, has received the distinguished American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Roster of Fellows award. In April, the AOTA recognized Ford for her achievement at their 2019 Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana, during a special presentation and awards reception.
The AOTA Roster of Fellows recognizes occupational therapist members of AOTA who have made a significant, sustained contribution to the occupational therapy profession. Recipients of the Roster of Fellows are individuals who have used knowledge, expertise, leadership, advocacy, and guidance to have a measured impact on consumers of occupational therapy services or other members of the AOTA.
“Dr. Ford models dedication to the profession of occupational therapy and to the mission of the organization she represents,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “Her commitment to excellence has propelled the OTD program at Huntington University to national significance.”
In recognition of Ford’s role as an educator in the field of occupational therapy, her award bears the inscription “Legacy of Excellence in Education and Service.”
“Dr. Ruth Ford's meticulous attention to detail and boundless energy have created an environment in the doctoral program in occupational therapy at Huntington University which is producing caring professionals, quality researchers and respected leaders in the creative and dynamic field of Occupational Therapy,” said Dr. Luke Fetters, dean of graduate and professional programs.
Huntington University’s online marketing degree ranks among the best in the nation, according to Successful Student. The university holds the fifteenth spot and is among the smallest schools to appear on the list of the “Best Online Marketing Degrees.”
“Huntington University is honored to be counted among the best online marketing degrees,” said Julie Goetz, director of graduate and professional programs. “Our faculty strive to find a balance between the latest tools, techniques and theories as well as practical applications. We also include conversations about how our faith affects the decisions we make in the marketing profession.”
Successful Student’s rankings took into account the quality of the program, the types of courses available, faculty involved, awards and rankings already received, education method and reputation.
If you are interested in pursuing an online marketing degree through Huntington University or would like to hear more about HU’s other online degree programs, please visit huntington.edu/NextStep.
Learn more about ranking criteria and rationale at successfulstudent.org.
New opportunities are available for graduate students at Huntington University thanks to a recent addition of an on-campus MBA program option for international students. With this addition to its SEVIS-approved programs, the university will be able to host international students who wish to study in the United States on an F-1 visa. Although the MBA program was already accessible to international students through an online option, the new approval makes it possible for students to study on campus. Huntington University is one of few private Christian universities in the Midwest to offer an on-campus option for international students.
Like the current online MBA track, the strength of the on-campus program will lie in its ability to teach practical business knowledge.
“By design, we have developed the curriculum to be application-based,” said Dr. Brock Zehr, assistant professor of business and acting director of the MBA program at Huntington University. “We do not want our students just to learn theories and facts. Instead, we want them to apply what they are learning to their current or desired careers. We facilitate application through individual and group projects.”
The on-campus program will also include the international business study tour, which helps students from all countries see firsthand how to begin applying business expertise in cultures which may not be their own.
“The global piece does stand out,” said Nathan Hawkins, director of graduate and adult admissions at Huntington University. “It provides an opportunity to take those hands-on skills learned in the MBA classroom into another culture and see how they are put to use there. It provides new insight into those skills.”
In addition to bringing first-time Huntington University students to the United States to complete their MBA degree, the on-campus program will provide an opportunity for undergraduate international students or alums to return to their alma mater. The undergraduate business programs are built to flow seamlessly into MBA study, so the ability to stay in the United States and continue studying at Huntington University is a valuable option for many students.
The MBA cohort for fall 2019 is currently forming. Visit huntington.edu/MBA to learn more and to indicate interest in joining this year’s cohort.
Huntington University broadcasting, film, and animation students recently earned accolades in the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters (IASB) annual college broadcasting competition. The university’s eight acclaim-winning individuals or teams officially received their awards during a luncheon in Carmel on March 30.
“The Indiana Association of School Broadcasters is a statewide media contest, and to receive so many top honors in animation, broadcasting, and cinematography further reinforces how talented our students are at the collegiate level,” said Dr. Lance Clark, associate dean of the arts and professor of digital media arts.
This year’s competition featured student work in 31 categories ranging from radio to television to short film. HU students earned a total of three first-place awards, one second-place award and four third-place awards.
The following Huntington University students received recognition:
For a full list of competition winners, please visit iasbonline.org.