Ackeem Hanna is a sophomore from the Bahamas. He is studying mechanical engineering. You’re from the Bahamas. Tell me a bit more about that. There are like 700 islands and keys in the Bahamas, but I am from an island called Freeport, which is on Grand Bahama. Growing up, there was about 10 of us in one house. My mom took care of me all of her life, and I never had a father in my life. My mom is now pregnant, which is pretty cool. This will be my first sibling. My family is all still … [Read more...]
Enactus prepares students through experience and competition
“We believe investing in students who take ENtrepreneurial ACTion for others creates a better world for US all” is the statement and abbreviation that Enactus aims to embody. An internationally invested organization, Enactus is a student-led business group that aids in economic development throughout specific communities. Specifically through the AU chapter, those in the organization seek to create a partnership with local community entrepreneurs. “AU Enactus is AU’s chapter of Enactus … [Read more...]
Q & A with Maggie Platt
Maggie Platt attended AU as an undergraduate student and completed her bachelor’s in 2007. Since then, she has worked in youth and camp ministry before returning to AU as a resident director in 2013. She served as RD of Rice and Martin Halls and is now the director of residence life and student conduct. Platt earned her Master of Science in Management and Leadership in 2016. Tell me a little bit about how you initially came to AU. I was planning on going to Indiana University. My mom told … [Read more...]
Chorale members reflect on trip to Scandinavia
As a tradition, every three years the AU Chorale takes a trip to Nordic countries in Northern Europe. This past May, about 30 students, including director Dr. Richard Sowers and accompanist Chrislyn Reed, traveled to Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, performing in many historic churches and collaborating with European musicians. Sowers has connections to many European churches and leads each trip different from the last. The finale of the tour, however, is always the same, as the group … [Read more...]
ITS releases new WiFi network
Information Technology Services has created a new wireless network as the main campus connection. According to Executive Director of ITS, Michael Tucker, the new WiFi, Raven Wireless, has been created to be more secure than the old AUWireless: “Last year we replaced a lot of the wireless equipment. This year we improved the security.” Those using the new WiFi will most likely not notice a large difference as far as quality goes, though. The improvements were almost solely focused on the … [Read more...]
Testimonies speak: Salvation from self-destruction
From a young age, Boris Sitnikoff was exposed to faith in a very distinct manner. As a toddler, he and his family moved to Tennessee from Indianapolis, where his first memories are filled with fear and spiritual attack. “I had a lot of nightmares of these shadow things that were chasing me and throwing me around,” Boris said. “I was struck with fear endlessly, and I couldn’t stay in a room alone for more than 10 seconds.” These nightmares were more than just dreams for Boris, and the … [Read more...]
Testimonies speak: Chasing hope through recovery, healing
Natalie Esarey did not grow up in a Christian home. Her dad believed in a world full of light and darkness but no Jesus, and her mom was raised in a very passionately Catholic family. “I grew up in a very loving family,” she said. “It’s just that Jesus wasn’t the center of the love—it was very human love.” However, Natalie did not have a good relationship with her father. “I had this longing for a father, and there was this hole in my heart that I tried to fill with a lot of things,” … [Read more...]
Jack’s Donuts opens to positive reception
Last week, Jack’s Donuts of Anderson opened within walking distance of campus. Jack’s Donuts first opened in 1961 in New Castle, Indiana. Jack Marcum had been working in a donut shop when he realized that he could just as easily make his own, envisioning a family business that could be passed down through the generations. After creating recipes and opening his first store, his vision became a reality. Marcum passed down his donut shop and responsibilities to his son who then in turn … [Read more...]
Testimonies speak: An identity of hope amidst shame and fear
Sometimes those who seem the most joyful are hiding their fear and shame behind their smiles and laughs. Breaking down the walls of insecurity is impossible for one to do on their own, but with God, the chains can be broken and the burdens can be lifted. Mitchell Stacy has come to believe that wholeheartedly. Born and raised as an only child in Cloverdale, Indiana, a small rural town, Mitchell grew up in a Methodist church. With influential Christian parents constantly talking about faith and … [Read more...]
Testimonies speak: Finding faith amidst the suffering
A life of great struggle followed by redemption is a life that is admirable. Kartini Ledermann has experienced such life, traveling from country to country and from reality to fantasy. Born in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a city on the Indonesian island of Java, to her Indonesian mother and Swiss father, Kartini was immediately immersed in a culture that taught her to truly live, but also broke her heart. An only child to a mother and a father who were somewhat older, she and her family moved … [Read more...]