The Evening of Excellence for the AU School of Music, Theatre and Dance is a showcase that celebrates and honors exceptional students at the university. The night is a culmination of a year of hard work by talented students in the fields of music performance and composing. The program was held this past Sunday night, April 22, in York Performance Hall. The auditorium was filled with the families and friends of students and was sponsored by the Elsie K. Perdiue Endowment Fund. Dr. … [Read more...]
‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ opens this weekend
Take a trip back in time through the production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes” this weekend, courtesy of the Boze Lyric Theatre. The two-act jukebox musical, written and created by Roger Bean, will captivate audiences of all ages with 30 hits from the late 1950s and 1960s. Experience the nostalgia of 1958 through four of AU’s finest female musical theater performers as they sing for their senior prom at Springfield High School. Then, in act two, join the girls as they meet again for their … [Read more...]
Former Director of National Intelligence to speak on campus
James Clapper, former director of national intelligence under President Barack Obama, will be holding a public address on campus Wednesday. AU President John Pistole encourages students to take advantage of the public address. “Clapper will provide valuable insight into the field of national intelligence,” says Pistole. “His time spent sharing his experiences will be a wonderful learning opportunity for our campus community and any who wish to attend.” The AU National Security Studies … [Read more...]
AU senior releases chapbook called “The Midwest is a Place”
“Welcome to Indiana: Crossroads of America,” reads the big blue road sign all drivers pass when they cross the state line. Indiana is the heart of the Midwest, and for senior English major Abby Johnson, the Hoosier state is home to more than corn and soybeans. Indiana is spirited, with millions of stories to tell. As a poet, her work is to tell them. “We need to talk about the Midwest as somewhere alive and multifaceted, full of people who are full of passion, because that’s who we are,” … [Read more...]
AU senior, Peyton Bennett, receives Orr Fellowship
Peyton Bennett is a senior visual communication design major from Cincinnati, Ohio, whose career has organically grown out of his studies. Recently, it was announced that Bennett has received a coveted Orr Fellowship. In high school, Bennett was a trumpet player and made the All-State Jazz Band. He also held interests in filmmaking and videography that led him to fall in love with design. “Ultimately, design was a way to meld my creativity and passion for art in a utilitarian way,” Bennett … [Read more...]
Folk tale meets fairy tale in March double bill opera
Modern fables are met with dynamic performances from some of AU’s finest singers in the double bill opera this coming March. The easy-going operas will entertain theatergoers in a unique way. “The Unicorn in the Garden” is a short, contemporary folk tale that holds comedic surprises, and “Meanwhile, Back at Cinderella’s” wields a wild interpretation of the classic fairy tale. The two one-act operas compliment each other in their length, the first running around 15 minutes and the second … [Read more...]
Students earn unique career development opportunities
Driven by connection Krista Baker is a junior marketing major who learned what she wanted to do at a young age. Baker started with music promotion and management at age 14 to raise money for her youth group with the support of her youth pastor. Within months, Baker had made a venue, affectionately called “The Basement,” in her church’s lower floor. The Basement became a stop for touring bands from across the country. All through high school, Baker booked shows at The Basement, but stepped … [Read more...]
Former CIA director, John Brennan, speaks in York
On Thursday, Jan. 18, former CIA Director John Brennan visited AU. He met with students from a variety of majors throughout the day, fielding questions about his career as a public servant in the CIA. Brennan worked as a CIA agent for 25 years, during which he spent time as an analyst, station chief and, ultimately, director of the agency. In an event open to the campus in York Performance Hall on Thursday night, Brennan was interviewed by President John Pistole on stage. Together, they … [Read more...]
The ‘incident’ of sexual abuse: A response to Andy Savage
It was spring 1998 when young high school senior Jules Woodson was sexually assaulted by her youth pastor, Andy Savage, inside his truck on a lonely dirt road. Prior to the assault, Woodson had confided in Savage, trusting him as her pastor, with some of her burdens. What Savage now describes as a ‘sexual incident’ was coerced oral sex from a minor while he was in a position of leadership at Woodlands Parkway Baptist Church; this was a serious abuse of his power. “I remember feeling that … [Read more...]
MLK Day celebrations to include city, university partnership
Each year, on the third Monday of January, the United States recognizes the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The city of Anderson also holds events in honor of King’s life and work. AU has observed and celebrated MLK Day as an institution for many years, highlighting the intercultural education that the opportunity provides. The Cultural Resource Center is home to Michael Thigpen and Linda Robertson, who have led planning for the school's events on Jan. 15. Wednesday, Dec. … [Read more...]