Dr. Nathan Willowby, a four-year professor of ethics and theology at AU, is set be the next dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry (SOTCM). He will succeed Dr. MaryAnn Hawkins, a longtime faculty member of the SOTCM who has decided to step down after 14 years of service at AU. “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve AU and the Church of God,” said Willowby of his promotion. “I have personally known the past seven deans of the SOTCM and the past two deans who guided the … [Read more...]
Students experience quarantine on campus
“It’s okay, because COVID doesn’t spread at night,” said Jessica Pulaski jokingly in an Instagram story, as she and her roommates recorded a nightly walk during quarantine. Like Pulaski and her roommates, 32 AU students are currently under a quarantine order. Their story is a window into what it might be like to quarantine at AU. “My roommate tested positive and I was exposed to her,” said Pulaski, a junior double major of elementary education and complimentary … [Read more...]
Lebanon: Strength in the midst of pain
My life was changed for eternity. It was around 2 p.m. on the afternoon of August 4, as I was washing dishes in the kitchen of my new apartment, when I heard CNN, playing live in my living room behind me, report, “explosion in Beirut!” Just beginning to type this piece makes my heart race, as I fight the tears, in recalling how terrible it was to watch my home disappear in that explosion. I jumped away from the sink and marched into the living room, thinking, “It’s just another car bomb, … [Read more...]
Enrollment numbers hold steady
In the face of a deadly pandemic and the worst economic crash since the Great Depression, many colleges and universities have suffered a series of unprecedented challenges in a range of matters, several of which hinge on student enrollment. While plenty of colleges are struggling with enrollment this fall, AU is expected to hold steady. Calculating from limited estimates and hopeful projections, AU has experienced an approximate 3% to 4% drop in enrollment this fall, compared to fall 2019. … [Read more...]
Q&A: David Murphy
A scholar of modern German culture and political studies, Dr. David T. Murphy is a history professor at AU where he has served for 29 years. He is also the co-director of the Honors Program, and the director of the Jeeninga Museum of Bible and Near Eastern Studies. Currently writing a scholarly article and preparing a manuscript, Murphy has published three books, 21 scholarly articles and roughly 20 book reviews. He is happily married to Marcia, with seven kids and three grandchildren. What … [Read more...]
Campus jobs provide unique opportunities for students
Working a campus job provides students with more than a little extra cash––it offers a sense of accomplishment, purpose and belonging in the community. Student employment is mainly administered by the Office of Work Life Engagement, which is where students can find job openings and connect with office staffers to answer employment-related concerns. “The Work Life Engagement staff is eager to assist you with questions or concerns about employment, benefits, payroll, student health … [Read more...]
Q & A: Joel Shrock
Dr. Joel Shrock has been at AU since 2005, beginning as an assistant professor of history before being promoted to full-time professor in 2012. At AU, he leads courses in modern U.S. and Middle Eastern history. Since 2014, Shrock has been the dean over the School of Humanities and Behavioral Science and, since 2016, he has served as the associate provost. Shrock is a published author—in 2004, he wrote “The Gilded Age: American Popular Culture through History”—with another manuscript underway. He … [Read more...]
Trump impeachment inquiry continues
President Trump is now the center of a House impeachment inquiry after a transcript of his phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was released on Sept. 25. In the transcript, Trump is recorded asking the foreign president to investigate his political opponent, Joe Biden, using approved military aid to Ukrainian forces as leverage. President John Pistole commented on the importance of the inquiry. “The significance of the impeachment inquiry is historic,” he said. “This … [Read more...]
Q & A: Todd Faulkner
An ordained Church of God minister, the Reverend Dr. Todd Faulkner has been serving at AU since 2008 when he started as the campus pastor. In 2009, he earned his doctorate in ministry from AU’s School of Theology where he currently serves as an assistant professor of youth and Christian ministries. He also received his master’s in divinity from AU in 2004. Faulkner is married to his wife of 23 years, Cindy, with whom he has three children. What led you to become a professor of Christian … [Read more...]
Q & A: Tammy Stewart
Tammy Stewart is the administrative assistant at AU’s Kissinger Academic Center for Excellence, or KACE, where she has worked for 18 years. Stewart recently received her degree in May of 2019 after studying for five years as an adult undergraduate student. What first brought you to Anderson 18 years ago? I moved to this area because of my husband; I grew up in the Church of God and I came to the Anderson camp meeting every year. I honestly didn’t know AU itself. I was going around … [Read more...]