Black History Month is usually commemorated with events celebrating the social and cultural impact of black culture in America. One prominent event in Indiana has been the Art and Soul program put on annually by the Arts Council of Indianapolis. For 25 years the event has hosted over 2,000 people downtown to celebrate Black art and music. Typically, the event is held at the Artsgarden in Indianapolis, and the program has helped bring awareness and appreciation to African American … [Read more...]
Indiana Fever president talks women in sports
National Women in Sports Day is an annual day of recognition acknowledging the accomplishments of female athletes and the struggles they have faced due to their gender. It’s been observed since 1987 and has been used to encourage females of all ages into a life of athletic activity and empowerment. “The day has been recognized for 35 years,” said Indiana Fever President Allison Barber. “It’s just a way to set apart some focus and attention on the opportunity for girls to be athletes and … [Read more...]
Senior spotlight: Ruth Knies
Ruth Knies is a senior tennis player at AU.“My mom played at the University of Evansville when she was in college, so I grew up playing [tennis] with her,” said Knies.While playing tennis, Knies has a few objectives.“My goals in my sport are to improve every time I step out on the court and to be the best teammate I can be,” said Knies. “I want to be known for working hard and having a good attitude.”When asked to describe her teammates, Knies said, “ If I could use one word … [Read more...]
Soccer teams kick off unique season
Complications due to COVID-19 have been plentiful on campus since the pandemic first began last March. With many schools being told to shut down to slow the spread of the virus, it was only a matter of time before AU was told to do the same. Spring sports were already in full effect, and the only viable solution was simply to cancel the rest of the season and start afresh next year.Flash forward to last fall when COVID-19 cases were on the rise. Once again, the HCAC was tasked with … [Read more...]
Esports offers new ‘scholarship’
This year, AU introduced the new esports program. While COVID-19 had previously stalled the opening of this program, the esports team has finally participated in their first few events. Esports, or competitive gaming, is a sport made up of several teams that compete against other schools in their respective video games. One interesting aspect of the new program is the inclusion of the esports “scholarship.” Interim Head Coach, Justin Lambright, commented on the new … [Read more...]
Pandemic leads to faculty layoffs
Earlier this week, AU made budgetary cuts in various departments, including the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and the School of Theology. The cuts, which included the laying off of faculty and staff, come at the hands of COVID-19.The university Provost, Dr. Marie Morris, offered the reasoning behind these budget cuts and layoffs.“As the university continues to respond to previously declining enrollments, as well as the most recent impact of COVID-19, there are 11 faculty positions … [Read more...]
Q&A: Sarah Neal
AU alumna Dr. Sarah Neal serves as a professor in the nursing department. This year, she has taken on a special role with the university as the lead of the “COVID-19 Task Force.” She has degrees in social work, nursing and public health. What is your role with our university?“As Lead of the COVID task course, I handle all kinds of COVID scenarios. That's coming up with policies and procedures and consulting with all the different campus constituents so that I can help every area on … [Read more...]
AU Athletics adds esports program
AU is taking on a new club this year in the form of esports gaming. The sport is essentially “the competitive playing of a certain video game by two organizations, or institutions in this case,” said AU esport player Sam Wells. Wells, along with his teammates, will be competing in games of Rocket League, League of Legends, CS:GO, Valorant and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) this year. Esports head coach Duncan Vosburg stated, “I’m hoping we can continue to add to this list, … [Read more...]
Professors adjust to teaching online
COVID-19 is affecting students at AU like nothing before it. Classes were moved online and, eventually, the school’s remaining semester was slotted to continue remotely. Although the lives of college students have been jumbled, it’s not a challenge that they are facing alone; teachers across the globe are also doing their best to work through these challenging times. “So far, I've struggled a little bit with creating online videos,” said Professor Cara Miller of the English department. … [Read more...]
Rice Hall deemed unusable
Rice Hall had found a new purpose with the Musical Theater Department. The department had been using the building as a site for rehearsals and select classes until a few weeks ago.In January, the department was asked to take a temporary leave from the facility by the Physical Plant Department. “PPD had all classes and rehearsal leave temporarily, and we’ve heard nothing back since then. That was about a month ago,” said sophomore musical theater major and performer Brady … [Read more...]