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...]
COVID-19 restrictions disrupt students’ plans
With fundraising money collected and arrangements made, junior Spanish major Mckala Lindsey was more than ready to study abroad in Chile this summer. However, her plans were suddenly uprooted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 18, the university canceled in-person classes for the remainder of the semester in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. For many students, this announcement also meant the cancellation of important events and trips. “I attempted to move my study abroad … [Read more...]
Administration approves credit/no credit for Spring semester
Due to complications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden shift to online classes, university administration has approved the credit/no credit grading policy petitioned by the student body. In an email sent to the student body on April 17, President John Pistole outlined the details of this decision. “Faculty reviewed the student petition for a pass/fail option for Spring 2020 and voted this week to approve a temporary grading policy that will allow undergraduate students to opt for … [Read more...]
Annual Black Bird Film Festival to be held online
Although the communication and design arts department’s Black Bird Film Festival is known for its crimson-red carpet and logo-covered backdrops, it will be adopting a much different look this year. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event that draws crowds of students, faculty, staff and members of the Anderson community will be shifted to an online format. Jack Lugar, associate professor of cinema and media arts and host of the Black Bird Film Festival, explained … [Read more...]