With the first two weeks of fall semester in the rearview mirror, administration has made the decision to eliminate several COVID-19-related housing guidelines and rules. Dillon Lockwood, Resident Director of on-campus apartments, explained in an email to students that these changes made were “based on hallway traffic, quarantine usage, location of bathrooms and style of living.” For apartments and suites—Fair Commons, South Campus Apartments and Myers Hall—some rules remain the … [Read more...]
New RDs introduced for fall semester
Three new Resident Directors have been added in Myers, Morrison and Dunn. Amanda Bradley Myers Hall will now be run by Amanda Bradley, from Warsaw Indiana. Bradley graduated AU in 2018 with a major in Christian ministries and is now pursuing her Master’s of Theological Studies. In the future, she would love to continue working in student life or pursue youth ministry. “I love the intentional time with students in this job,” Bradley said. “ Relationships are … [Read more...]
Students experience chapel in new ways
As students come back to AU’s campus and Christian universities begin to experience their first couple weeks together, it’s evident that spiritual life looks very different. Just like classes and most other events, chapel has switched to a more virtual-driven format. AU has transitioned to a completely virtual format, while also addressing that chapel will no longer be mandatory for students due to the inability to fit everyone in one place safely according to CDC … [Read more...]
Dr. Sowers to leave AU after 37 years
Orchestra director, professor of music, choir director and church organist are just a few of the hats that Dr. Richard Sowers wears. However, at the end of this school year, he will be removing many of those hats for good. Since 1984, Sowers has been teaching and conducting music at AU. But when the 2020-21 school year concludes, Sowers plans to close the book on his 37 years in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. After wrapping up his time at AU, Sowers explained that he … [Read more...]
SGA faces fall semester head-on
While COVID-19 poses a threat to many aspects of campus life, SGA is not disheartened. The cabinet, led by President Daniel Gaines and Vice President Madison Rastetter, has been working diligently since last spring to ensure an impactful and successful school year for everyone. SGA was able to communicate often through emails last spring when students were sent home, as well as this summer. Gaines explained that they were able to hold several polls and meetings through … [Read more...]
President Pistole welcomes students back
By John Pistole Welcome back Ravens! We are so glad you’re back on campus or here for the first time. It’s been such a quiet, surreal time here these last five plus months. And it just confirms what we all know, or will soon learn, that AU is a relational campus community that does best when we can gather in person, augmented of course by online learning as needed and appropriate, as we did last spring. This fall of course is different—so very different—and I’m personally asking each … [Read more...]
New COVID-19 policies implemented on campus
As students are returning for the fall semester, campus hardly looks or feels the same. Although this semester will differ from previous semesters in many ways, Dean of Students Chris Luekenga assures students that the campus-wide procedures and policies are being introduced to ensure students’ health and safety. “We understand that there will be inconveniences and that the campus experience will be different for the fall semester,” said Luekenga. “We also know that Ravens are … [Read more...]
AU to host ‘Black Lives Matter’ series
As the national conversation surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement continues, several members of the AU community have called on the university to use its platform to take a stand. Among other AU affiliates, alumnus Alphonso Blackwell, class of 2020, has offered his input and shared his experiences to shed light on the racial discrimination faced on campus. “I have plenty of stories about my experiences of racism on AU’s campus,” said Blackwell, citing incidents of racial slurs used … [Read more...]
AU to implement COVID-19 policies for fall semester
As countless college campuses across the nation prepare to implement unprecedented health modifications in the wake of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, AU has followed suit. Although the fall semester may look and feel different from previous semesters, Dean of Students Chris Luekenga assures students that these campus-wide procedures and policies are being introduced to ensure students’ health and safety. “We understand that there will be inconveniences and that the campus … [Read more...]
South Campus Apartments to remain open
On January 30, the department of Residence Life announced the closing of AU’s South Campus Apartments. Three months later, in the midst of a national pandemic, this announcement was reversed. According to Maggie Platt, director of Residence Life and Student Conduct, the nearly-50-year-old apartment complex was being sold due to fewer students seeking apartment housing. “When we looked at the number of students who applied for housing, we were going to have quite a few empty spaces spread … [Read more...]