Dr. Joani Somppi Brandon is a professor of music who teaches music education, general and choral methods and Women’s Chorus. She is the former director of the Anderson Area Children’s Choir Chorale. Brandon completed her bachelor’s degree in music education and piano performance with honors in music and education from AU in 1987. She has a master’s of music education from Butler University and a doctor of musical arts from Boston University. Brandon runs the summer music education camp and … [Read more...]
Testimonies speak: Ryan Perkins finds transformation in Christ
Ryan Perkins is a sophomore from New Haven, Indiana double majoring in mechanical engineering and Christian spiritual formation. Through trials that led to a desolate mindset, Ryan found hope in God. He clung to the grace that God abundantly gave him and ultimately longs to be a vessel and kingdom worker. Ryan Perkins grew up in a Christian family, attended a traditional Lutheran church every Sunday and went to a Lutheran school where he was taught from a very young age about God. He knew … [Read more...]
Club CAUtan hopes to build community through strategy game
Board games have existed for centuries, far longer than one might imagine. The first game was discovered in Egypt, Hieroglyphics associated with the game date back to around 3100 B.C. Engaging people throughout the centuries, games capture people’s attention and creativity. Building, creating and playing are concepts within board games that appeal to many, bringing people together and developing relationships along the way. Whether it be a game of skill, strategy or just plain luck, board … [Read more...]
Q & A with SGA Vice President Victor Mweu
Victor Mweu, who is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, is a junior international relations major. Mweu was a student senator during his freshman and sophomore years before successfully running to be vice president during his junior year. Mweu was also part of the AU men’s soccer team during his freshman and sophomore years. Why did you want to be a part of the Student Government Association? I saw a need for change that a place like AU had the potential for, and I decided I could do something … [Read more...]
‘Interest Club’ interest club begins first semester as interest club
Seniors Connor Hall and Michael Weigel have spent their time at AU involved in more than just their studies and school work. Both of them have an extensive list of activities they have taken advantage of during their time at AU. Hall is an accounting and music business major, a York Performance Hall audio tech, a member of the Reardon Auditorium tech crew, an Orangehaus Studio assistant, an AU campus ambassador, and a member of AU College Democrats and Dave Matthews Band Club. Hall has … [Read more...]
Testimonies speak: How personal experiences show Christ
There are many significant practices within Christianity that encourage the masses to come to faith and grow in their relationship with the Lord. From constant and persistent prayer to connecting with people and supporting spiritual development, knowing the living God is an essential part in growing and pursuing one’s faith. In a world that is focused on providing proof and solidifying one’s salvation, testimonies present the opportunity to experience real encounters with Jesus and tell … [Read more...]
Q & A with Ariana Milla Ramirez
Ariana Milla Ramírez, who is originally from Honduras, is a graduate assistant at AU. Milla Ramírez earned her undergraduate degree in general studies and business administration here at AU and is currently working on a master’s in business. Milla Ramírez worked as an RA for two years and has been involved in the Hispanic Latino Student Association in the Cultural Resource Center. Q: Before coming back to AU, you were going to be taking a position in Canada. What exactly was the position that … [Read more...]
Newly approved majors, minors emphasize strategic plan pillars
As society constantly changes and evolves, education does as well. A university’s curriculum is ever-changing and adapting to provide and encourage new opportunities—AU is doing just that. After installing a new strategic plan, the AU curriculum also began to be altered slightly, adding new opportunities for growth and development. This past June, the Board of Trustees accepted the new five-year strategic plan for the university that focuses primarily on the students, prioritizing … [Read more...]
L’amifidel disbands after membership struggles overwhelm
AU female social-service club L’amifidel has decided to call it quits. After facing several years of rapidly declining membership, club leaders and members decided to take steps to end its tenure at AU. “We all have lives outside of L’ami, and we’re all busy,” said Abigail Brim, a junior elementary education major and club president. “There weren’t many people putting in a lot of time. We started hearing talk of people quitting. Not because they had issues with us, just because their lives … [Read more...]
Q & A with Michaela McCurdy
Michaela McCurdy is a sophomore biology major and Spanish complementary major. She serves as leader of AU’s Prayer Ministry and recently participated in the Tri-S trip to Israel over Christmas break. Q: What are you involved in and most passionate about here on campus? A: I love campus ministries; I’m super passionate about people and living in community. I love running, being outdoors, hiking, going on any type of adventure and ice cream and mangos. Q: What is the role and impact of … [Read more...]