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...]
Sidewalk Prophets’ Dave Frey looks back on time at AU
Last month, Sidewalk Prophets returned to AU to host a free concert for the Anderson community. It drew many AU students and community members to Reardon Auditorium. At the end of the night, the band won the hearts of audience members by providing 300 Deluxe Donuts. Coming back to AU was an emotional experience for one alumnus in the band. Dave Frey, the band’s lead singer, remembers his time at AU fondly. He recalls a time when a squirrel was running loose in the fourth floor of Smith Hall … [Read more...]
Soul of the season: The generous spirit of Christmas
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year, many of us will be looking for ways to share God’s love with others. A classic, time-enduring way to spread Christmas cheer is through gift giving. This year, Jessica Cartwright, director of the Kingdom Kids at The Kingdom Church in Anderson, led Operation Christmas Child for the children’s ministry. “Operation Christmas Child is a worldwide ministry of Samaritan’s Purse,” Cartwright explains. “In this specific ministry, individuals or … [Read more...]
Q & A with Ryon Kaopuiki
Ryon Kaopuiki is originally from Portland, Oregon. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Western Oregon State University, then worked at Concordia College in Oregon. He helped grow one of the first major national online universities. Before coming to AU, he was vice president of enrollment at Harrison College for five and a half years, then president of The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College. He has been married to his wife Marcy for 22 years and together they have four children. He began his job … [Read more...]
Honors students share preliminary findings to year-long research
For senior honors students at AU, the rigorous course load and academic excellence is matched with the opportunity to conduct research and present on a subject that they are interested in. As part of the senior honors curriculum, each student picks a topic that they find important, relating to their major or interests, and conducts research over the course of the year The students have the chance to present their ideas and findings in the form of research projects, papers, business ideas … [Read more...]
Q & A with Dr. Samantha Miller
Dr. Samantha Miller is an assistant professor of the history of Christianity in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. She received her bachelor’s degree from Hope College, her Master’s of Divinity from Duke University and her PhD from Marquette University. She has been teaching at AU since the fall of 2016. Q: You grew up in Michigan. What was that like? A: Michigan was great. I grew up in a small bedroom community near Lansing. I have nothing but fond memories. I mean, all … [Read more...]
New complementary majors immerse students in multiple fields
In recent semesters, AU has added two new complementary majors to the program list. Students can now pair almost any major with a Christian spiritual formation or music complementary major. Complementary majors are smaller than full majors but larger than minors, are completed in addition to primary majors and can augment students' main fields of study. The complementary Christian spiritual formation major is an opportunity for students to think about how Christ transforms them, as well as … [Read more...]