Next fall, campus ministries will begin partnering with athletes and sports fans on campus to create a ministry centered around the conjunction of sports and faith. Jennifer Myhre, AU Women’s Soccer coach, used to be the advisor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on campus. She shared her excitement to “support and encourage athletes and help them dive deeper into their faith” through this new ministry. “As a college student, and even as a coach, I have been involved … [Read more...]
Vision Revision chapel cultivates authenticity and creativity
Every semester, Vision Revision (VRV) chapel is a unique, student-led worship experience celebrating the arts that is usually different from the more traditional services students see on a regular basis. Despite the chapel services being virtual this school year, last semester’s Vision Revision and this semester’s remain in-person while still following COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. Elissa Weisz, Vision Revision coordinator, shared that because this chapel is so creative, it may … [Read more...]
Annual MLK day celebrations persist
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is signified and celebrated on AU’s campus every year. All classes are suspended for the day, and you’ll find students, faculty and staff participating in the Peace and Justice March, attending forums on campus and joining in on city-wide events. Despite having to transition to a virtual format for this year’s celebration, various events still allowed the campus community and city to honor King’s life and legacy. The events on campus follow a theme every … [Read more...]
AU Cabinet appoints new Chief Diversity Officer
President John Pistole and members of the university’s cabinet recently appointed Mike Thigpen as Chief Diversity Officer. Thigpen serves as the Director of the Cultural Resource Center (CRC) and multicultural and international student services. He will continue there as he steps into this new position. “Mike Thigpen is a well-known, well-respected leader on campus and in the community,” Pistole said regarding why Thigpen was chosen for the position. “He has a long history of service in … [Read more...]
Fall musical brings depth and vulnerability to the stage
“See Me: The Music of Lynn Lupold” will be premiering on the Byrum Hall stage Nov. 19 through Nov. 21. Presented by Boze Lyric Theater, the show was filmed by AU’s Black Bird Media Lab consisting of cinema and media arts students and will be live streamed through the three days. Professor of Dance Kenny Shepard is the mind behind the show and has earned a great deal of recognition from its success. “‘See Me: The Music of Lynn Lupold’ is based on a show the composer and I wrote and … [Read more...]
‘Stay-at-HOME-coming’ brings creative ways to connect
As Homecoming week approaches, students, faculty, parents and alumni will experience a new form of connection and fellowship this year. On Oct. 16 and 17, there will be many virtual opportunities for alumni to connect, and some in-person events for on-campus students only. The theme for this year coincides with the new ways of coming together despite the pandemic. “The theme this year is StillAU,” said Director of Alumni Relations Trent Palmer. “We are also making sure to note … [Read more...]
Search for campus pastor put on pause
When former Campus Pastor Tamara Shelton resigned last November, the search for someone to fill the position began quickly. This semester, the search has been put on pause by the President’s Cabinet. “The Cabinet and I decided to put the search on hold until we have a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on in-person gatherings,” said President John Pistole. “Since we decided to suspend all large in-person chapels this semester, it seemed to make sense.” Pistole added that if the … [Read more...]
How creatives survived quarantine
As schools and businesses everywhere closed down for a few months this year, students found themselves with lots of free time. For some, creative juices started to flow. Creatives everywhere had some time to hone their craft and create some magic in the midst of the pandemic. Student band “New Colors” planned to release a full album this summer, a project that was postponed when the band left campus in March. They were able to release their single, “Safe” on June 15. “Luckily, we actually … [Read more...]
Students experience chapel in new ways
As students come back to AU’s campus and Christian universities begin to experience their first couple weeks together, it’s evident that spiritual life looks very different. Just like classes and most other events, chapel has switched to a more virtual-driven format. AU has transitioned to a completely virtual format, while also addressing that chapel will no longer be mandatory for students due to the inability to fit everyone in one place safely according to CDC … [Read more...]
Campus arts adapt to new performance guidelines
It’s no question that one of the biggest areas of entertainment affected by the coronavirus pandemic is music, specifically live performances. A normal weekend on AU’s campus consists of some kind of music performance, whether it’s a choir, a musical theater performance or a group performance in Mocha Joe’s. As students travel back to campus for the first time since March, the School of Music, Theater and Dance is working diligently to make these performances happen in a safe way for … [Read more...]