Homecoming weekend marks the culmination of AU’s centennial celebration. The campus and alumni community have spent the year celebrating Lighting the Path in the past, present and future. This year’s homecoming celebration is themed “Coming Home.” “This was intentional because, whether a current student or an alum of AU, this place houses and has housed many students over the years,” said Scott Tilley, director of alumni engagement and annual giving. “But it’s more than that,” he said. … [Read more...]
Q & A with Alphonso Blackwell
Alphonso Blackwell is a sophomore majoring in media and cinema arts and minoring in journalism. He is a founding member and the president of social-service club PAK, a student-athlete on the AU football team and a commentator for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Q: What is the story of why you decided to come to AU? A: It was actually a last-minute thing. I was going to go to a bigger school like Ball State or Indiana University like my sister goes to, but I was recruited to play … [Read more...]
Former SOT dean, congregation begin rebuilding after Harvey
As citizens in Puerto Rico and Turks and Caicos prepared for Hurricane Maria, citizens of Texas were just beginning to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Harvey. AU’s former Dean of the School of Theology, Dr. James Lewis, and his congregation are among those working to rebuild their community in Houston. Lewis became the head pastor at South Park Church of God (SPCoG) in Houston in April 2017. SPCoG is located in southeast Houston near the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. … [Read more...]
Team prepares AU solar car for summer race
You might not have seen it driving through the streets, but every so often you can see an orange vehicle with a white bulb outside of the engineering lab. To clarify, that is no UFO; rather, it is AU’s very own solar car. Engineering students work on the car throughout the week, coming in and out of the garage that stores it. Students also take the project with them by designing, modeling and programming on their laptops. The car is a constant work in progress in need of upgraded components … [Read more...]
National security major benefits from Pistole’s expertise
AU’s national security studies program is not only new, but one of few integrative undergraduate security studies majors in the country. The difference for students studying the major at AU is the incorporation of Christian ethics as the base in preparing for a career of public service. The students also have the privilege to learn from President John Pistole, former head of TSA and FBI deputy director. The curriculum is intentionally interdisciplinary, with courses in political science, … [Read more...]
Building bonds: Football team forges connection with local teen
Scan the sideline at any AU football game and you will find 14-year-old Drew Sheets, the team’s littlest member. Sheets, who became a Raven through the organization Team Impact, is battling sickle cell anemia. Team Impact visits hospitals like Riley Children’s Hospital, where Sheets has spent a large portion of his childhood, and connects kids to college sports teams. Sheets was “drafted” onto the football team in January of 2014. Jennifer McClelland, Sheets’ mother, says his relationship … [Read more...]
Q & A with Dr. Laura Stull
Dr. Laura Stull is an associate professor of psychology at AU. She received her M.S. and doctorate degrees from IUPUI and has been teaching at AU since 2012. She and her husband Stephen have a son, Simon, and a daughter, Elaine. Q: You’re no stranger to this campus, right? Are you an AU grad? A: I am. I got my undergraduate degree here in psychology and I had minors in math and statistics. After, I went into the doctoral program at IUPUI in clinical psychology, and I got my masters and … [Read more...]
AU clubs, organizations join relief effort in wake of Harvey
AU is currently working to extend help to those suffering from Hurricane Harvey damage in Houston. AU students, staff and faculty have multiple opportunities to support the relief effort. The university is working with Dr. James Lewis, former Dean of the School of Theology, and his church South Park Church of God. The church and its congregation have experienced damage and loss due to the storm and are in the process of extending help to their community and the families of AU students who … [Read more...]
Hurricanes disproportionally impact the poor
It’s impossible to turn on the news without hearing reports of category four Hurricane Harvey’s recent path of destruction through the south or, even more recently, the landfall of Hurricane Irma through Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Now, people are preparing for yet another–Hurricane Jose–to make landfall. The devastation caused by these storms is evident to all, but it’s often not considered how differently they affect those of lower socioeconomic status. Dr. Reedy-Strother explains … [Read more...]
Q & A with SGA President Hamilton Smith
Hamilton Smith is a senior marketing major with a global business minor. He is from Anderson, Indiana and is also the current president of AU’s Student Government Association. This summer, Hamilton traveled around the world as part of a global business summer program. Q: Why did you choose to study marketing and global business? A: Truthfully, the reason I chose marketing is because I took a marketing class in high school. It was in that class that I was exposed to economic development and … [Read more...]