In the near future, AU will be home to the newest chapter of Turning Point USA. Turning Point USA, as described by their website, is an organization that “identifies, educates, trains and organizes students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets and limited government.” Currently, AU students Rachael Shaver, Joshua Lauer and Sam Kylee are working through the preliminary steps to become an official club on campus. Shaver, who will serve as the president of … [Read more...]
School of Science and Engineering offers new scholarship opportunity
AU is now offering a new scholarship for science and engineering students. “When Heather Kim, vice president for Enrollment, Marketing and Communication, arrived on campus, she wanted to help get the word out about our science and engineering programs,” said Dr. Chad Wallace, dean of the science department. Kim had the idea to redirect the current source of funds to be able to make this happen. “We were able to reallocate some of our funding to put it toward this … [Read more...]
Esports offers new ‘scholarship’
This year, AU introduced the new esports program. While COVID-19 had previously stalled the opening of this program, the esports team has finally participated in their first few events. Esports, or competitive gaming, is a sport made up of several teams that compete against other schools in their respective video games. One interesting aspect of the new program is the inclusion of the esports “scholarship.” Interim Head Coach, Justin Lambright, commented on the new … [Read more...]
Professor by day, author by night: How AU faculty and staff juggle teaching and writing
Despite the demands of working full time at a college, many of AU’s professors and staff members are actively writing and publishing books. These individuals who inspire students on campus have begun inspiring others through writing. Dr. Jason Parks, associate professor of English, has dabbled in many different writing forms, but began writing children’s literature within the past few years, partially thanks to his four children and their interest in stories. “My own children and … [Read more...]
SGA works toward semester initiatives
As the halfway point of the semester approaches, SGA is well underway with several initiatives to help improve campus life. According to SGA President Daniel Gaines, the Cabinet has several goals for this semester. “One of them is institutionalizing security training for females on campus,” said Gaines. “We've been working with AUPD, and hopefully in the next few weeks we will be able to have those training sessions for the female students. We'd like to work with the RDs and RAs of … [Read more...]
Students experience quarantine on campus
“It’s okay, because COVID doesn’t spread at night,” said Jessica Pulaski jokingly in an Instagram story, as she and her roommates recorded a nightly walk during quarantine. Like Pulaski and her roommates, 32 AU students are currently under a quarantine order. Their story is a window into what it might be like to quarantine at AU. “My roommate tested positive and I was exposed to her,” said Pulaski, a junior double major of elementary education and complimentary … [Read more...]
AU hosts musical theatre and dance livestream
On Sept. 16 and 19, AU put on livestream performances for the department of musical theater and dance department that reached over 1,000 views. Kris Rinas, the director of studio and technical operations at AU, led the film students in capturing the events. “We took our broadcasting cameras from the studio and took them into Reardon and we controlled the broadcast from our control room in the Broadcast Center while everyone else was on stage,” Rinas said. Director of … [Read more...]
‘Fall into Dance’ to embrace new look
The annual “Fall into Dance” put on by AU’s Dance Program will still be taking place this year, but it will look slightly different than it has in the past. Fall into Dance will take place in Reardon Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and will only be open to family members due to social distancing requirements, but members of the public will be able to watch the live stream. Senior dance major Meredith Haskell explained that she is encouraged by the ability to have a … [Read more...]
Cinema and media arts program increases cross-campus collaboration
Despite the unforeseen circumstances, the cinema and media arts program has found numerous opportunities to work with other departments and programs this semester. Students within the cinema and media arts program have been working with the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, other programs within the department of communication and design arts and President Pistole. The students within the program will also be broadcasting the virtual graduation over homecoming weekend. Cinema … [Read more...]
How creatives survived quarantine
As schools and businesses everywhere closed down for a few months this year, students found themselves with lots of free time. For some, creative juices started to flow. Creatives everywhere had some time to hone their craft and create some magic in the midst of the pandemic. Student band “New Colors” planned to release a full album this summer, a project that was postponed when the band left campus in March. They were able to release their single, “Safe” on June 15. “Luckily, we actually … [Read more...]