Collective Roots, a local market and cafe, is set to bring something brand new to downtown Anderson. When it opens, it will be the first grocery store downtown in almost 50 years. The store has a strong focus on locally grown or produced items, according to owner Anna Ulam. “We will sell everything from milk, veggies, bread and meat to fresh floral arrangements and handmade soap,” Ulam said. “We have set out to help local small businesses grow within our walls.” The market and cafe will … [Read more...]
Seniors discuss impact of COVID-19 pandemic
For AU's class of 2020, many of their “lasts” came a lot sooner than they thought, and some didn’t even come at all. Along with the news on March 18 that the remainder of the semester would be online, seniors learned that commencement would also be canceled. Senior biology major Ellen Doss decided to take initiative and create a petition to share on social media in hopes that a commencement held at a later date could happen. “This, already on the top of the list of ‘lasts’ the … [Read more...]
Students adjust to e-learning as COVID-19 continues
Many students across the nation are now adapting to the e-learning platform as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress. AU announced that the remainder of the semester would be completed online on March 18, and the first e-learning week began on March 23. For junior nursing major Makenzie Myers, the switch to online learning is difficult considering the major she’s in. The nursing major especially had to make some significant changes. “Things are definitely different from what … [Read more...]
Coronavirus pandemic halts campus arts and performances
As students head home and adjust to the schedule change due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the arts on campus are coming to a halt. Musical theatre, cinema and media arts, dance majors, faculty and many others are figuring out what to do next amid these unfortunate circumstances. “The AU dance department is already looking into how to deliver online instruction for a dance course," said assistant professor of dance Erich Yetter. “This is not a highly developed area due to the experiential … [Read more...]
High schooler’s half-court shot goes viral
Last Saturday, O.C. Lewis Gymnasium erupted in excitement when incoming freshman Rylan Metz sunk a half-court shot. However, it wasn’t just the satisfaction of sinking the shot that made the crowd go wild—the unlikely basket also came with a full year of free tuition. The video of the moment captured lots of cheer, including the reaction of Trent Palmer, director of young alumni engagement. “It was pandemonium for sure,” Palmer said. “I didn’t even realize until I watched the video that … [Read more...]
Q&A: Dr. Vaughters
How did you end up at AU? I had a few friends that went here when I was in high school. I always enjoyed it, so I ended up doing my undergraduate here. My girlfriend at the time—now my wife—and I were trying to figure out where to go. Both of our parents weren’t in favor of us going here, but ultimately we knew this was where we were supposed to be. It has been a great experience since then, and we’ve met some of our lifelong friends here. My friends from college and I coach each other’s kids … [Read more...]
Third annual AU Storytelling Month underway
Throughout the month of February, students, faculty and alumni have the chance to put their writing skills to the test. The third annual AU Storytelling Month kicked off this past Saturday where writers began the challenge of writing 500 words a day for the whole month. Associate Professor of cinema and media arts Jack Lugar said the idea of AU StoMo was inspired by the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) that happens every November. “It’s an international non-profit … [Read more...]
Q&A: Tommy
Tommy is the evening on-air personality for 99.5 WZPL, the leading Top 40 radio station in the Indianapolis market. He can be heard every weeknight from seven to midnight, and periodically throughout the weekend. He is releasing his debut book, Turbulence, in the summer of this year, which walks the reader through his rocky childhood, the many mistakes he made when he was young and the life lessons he gained from those experiences. Tommy is currently enrolled in the Falls School of Business at … [Read more...]
MLK’s dream still matters
Students, faculty, staff and members of the community of Anderson gathered on Monday morning to celebrate the 11th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on campus. The day began at “The Gathering” in Miller Chapel where director of the Cultural Resource Center Mike Thigpen introduced the theme and the importance of the day. In the chapel, attendees watched a video of King’s last speech on April 3, 1968 before he was killed the next day on April 4. His last speech … [Read more...]
Spring semester brings new faculty to campus
Among the new faculty this spring semester is Professor Kris Rinas, who is the new operations director and instructor of cinema and video in the Department of Communications and Design Arts. He will be teaching Audio Concepts, Television Studio Production and the Cinema and Media Arts practicum this semester. Ever since high school, Rinas has wanted to follow his passion for video production and pursue it as a career. “When I turned 18, my parents encouraged me to begin thinking … [Read more...]