Just four days after sending a “Fall 2021 Update” email about returning to campus, President Pistole sent another email reading: “Effective immediately, August 10, facial coverings worn over the nose and mouth will be required indoors throughout campus.” The email explains that masks are required by all students, employees, guests, faculty and staff regardless of vaccination status. Masks are only required for indoor spaces and social distancing is not required at this time. Residential … [Read more...]
AU to return to “normal” this fall
“Beginning June 1, AU will operate as a fully open campus with no required masking,” read an email from President Pistole sent May 21. The message that students, faculty and staff have been waiting for was finally received after careful consideration by Pistole and the COVID-19 task force led by Dr. Sarah Neal. Neal has been responsible for providing the AU community with free COVID-19 testing as well as access to the Moderna vaccine. “We are so fortunate to have effective … [Read more...]
SOMTD position filled by a familiar face
The end of the unique school year parallels the retirement of two significant figures in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SOMTD): Dr. Richard Sowers and Dr. Fritz Robertson. Sowers, professor of music and director of AU Chorale, and Robertson, professor of music, voice area coordinator and director of Boze Lyric Theatre, retired at the end of this semester. Both worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition for everyone in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. However, the … [Read more...]
Select events return to campus as select restrictions lifted
As restrictions on public gathering sizes are being loosened and lifted campus-wide and state-wide, several classic events are making a return to AU to wrap up the semester. Several of these events to which students can look forward are below. April 26 – Pitch on the Prairie Each year, AU’s MBA program hosts a Business Plan Competition, allowing students to pitch business ideas to a panel of judges. This year, the event is titled to reflect its venue: Conner Prairie. “Competitors … [Read more...]
New security studies program locks in executive director
Along with the new Center for Security Studies and Cyber Defense (CSSCD) opening this fall, AU will be gaining the leadership and insight of Karl Perman, who will be acting as executive director of the program. Perman began his career in the military, and then moved to law enforcement, both at municipal and federal levels. He has served as a special agent for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and has held numerous titles within the security field, earning him the honor … [Read more...]
Black Bird Film Festival to be held in person
While most film-fanatics are getting excited for the upcoming Oscars, AU students, faculty and staff are eagerly awaiting the fifth annual Black Bird Film Festival. A mix between the Oscars and a Hollywood movie premiere, AU’s cinema and media arts program hosts the festival each year to show off student-made short films, commercials and even music videos. Last year, at the height of the pandemic, the festival was held virtually. Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Arts … [Read more...]
Andersonian 2021-03-22
Jacey Crawford and Jesse Hernández discuss campus restriction lifts, including reinstated events and student attendance for outdoor sports. … [Read more...]
COMM department announces new journalism major
Starting in the fall of 2021, AU’s communication and design arts department will begin offering a full journalism major. The program will be headed by Dr. David Baird, who is already the academic adviser for the complementary journalism major. “Several students have asked us in recent semesters if we could offer a stand-alone major,” Baird shared. “It was possible to do that without adding any courses, faculty or additional expenses, so we went ahead and proposed it.” The … [Read more...]
Modified spring break schedule begins Wednesday, Feb. 17
Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, Cancun and the Bahamas are just a few of the most popular destinations for college students on Spring Break. This year, spring break will look a little different. Instead of the usual consecutive nine-day break, this year it will be broken up into two four-day weekends and one mid-week break. Modified spring break days will be Feb. 17, March 4, 5, 15 and 16. Dr. Sarah Neal, head of the AU task force, explained that a decision was made in early November to … [Read more...]
Luekenga steps down
Effective Feb. 26, Dean of Students Chris Luekenga will be stepping down, according to an email sent to the student body by Provost Dr. Marie Morris. “Dean Luekenga has served AU during a challenging economic and pandemic environment with compassion, spiritual strength and a heart for AU’s mission,” Morris stated in her email. “His attention to policy and compliance have been invaluable. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Dean Luekenga and for his dedicated … [Read more...]