Editor's note: This article was in the works before the campus was closed for the semester due to COVID-19 concerns. Naturally, the Bible studies have been suspended. “If you have the choice between being right and being kind, be kind,” said Kathy Harp as she looked toward the ceiling, carefully crafting a one-sentence summary of what she has learned over the course of her life. Every Tuesday evening, Harp does just that—she chooses to be kind. For the past five years, Harp has opened … [Read more...]
SGA adapts to COVID-19 pandemic
While students and professors are working to get the most out of online education, SGA is also working to adapt to the new circumstances due to COVID-19. Because students will not be returning to campus for the rest of the semester, SGA has decided to postpone their events for this semester, specifically the 5K planned for this spring. Current President Becca Peach and Vice President Carter Haupt, along with President-Elect Daniel Gaines and Dean of Students Chris Leukenga, have been … [Read more...]
Professors adjust to teaching online
COVID-19 is affecting students at AU like nothing before it. Classes were moved online and, eventually, the school’s remaining semester was slotted to continue remotely. Although the lives of college students have been jumbled, it’s not a challenge that they are facing alone; teachers across the globe are also doing their best to work through these challenging times. “So far, I've struggled a little bit with creating online videos,” said Professor Cara Miller of the English department. … [Read more...]
Students adjust to e-learning as COVID-19 continues
Many students across the nation are now adapting to the e-learning platform as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress. AU announced that the remainder of the semester would be completed online on March 18, and the first e-learning week began on March 23. For junior nursing major Makenzie Myers, the switch to online learning is difficult considering the major she’s in. The nursing major especially had to make some significant changes. “Things are definitely different from what … [Read more...]
Athletic season suspended amidst national COVID-19 outbreak
“All athletic competition (conference and non-conference) at HCAC member institutions is indefinitely suspended, effective immediately,” read a statement released by the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) on March 13. With this statement, the busy season of AU Athletics came to a halt. Among the affected sports are men’s and women’s lacrosse, tennis, baseball and softball. “Sadly our season has come to an end with the growing concern of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Head … [Read more...]
Professors prepare to go online
AU will be shifting all classes to an online format the week following spring break, university administration announced on March 11. While students are wondering how this switch will be possible for some of their hands-on-learning-oriented classes, professors are finding unique ways to ensure that students will still receive proper instruction. Although she has never taught a course entirely online, Professor Deborah Miller-Fox of the English department has begun the process of … [Read more...]
Tri-S trip postponed due to coronavirus outbreak
With her suitcase packed, her week off of work secured and her sight-seeing planned, junior Public Relations major Macy Jent was eagerly awaiting the Tri-S trip to London for which she would embark in four days. Just like the other students who signed up for the trip, Jent had planned and fully paid for the long-awaited spring break getaway. On March 9, an email was sent out to all students signed up for the March 13 London trip announcing that the trip would be postponed until May. The … [Read more...]
Nicholson Library to celebrate Open Education Week
Across the globe, the annual Open Education Week is being celebrated, raising awareness about the increasing price of education, specifically textbooks. This year, AU’s Nicholson Library is joining the celebration, led by Public Services Librarian Heather Myers. “It is a week where people in higher education support open education and its movements—it’s a week where people can know what's going on and what kind of services and support they can find in the community,” she said. Open … [Read more...]
AU to honor women’s suffrage with centennial event
This year will mark the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the constitutional right to vote. To commemorate this occasion and to further celebrate International Women’s Day, AU will be presenting a free event in York Performance Hall on March 9, which will have a guest speaker and a dessert reception afterwards. The event, which will begin at 7 p.m., was planned and organized by a committee consisting of Dr. Janet Brewer, Dean … [Read more...]
Q&A: David Murphy
A scholar of modern German culture and political studies, Dr. David T. Murphy is a history professor at AU where he has served for 29 years. He is also the co-director of the Honors Program, and the director of the Jeeninga Museum of Bible and Near Eastern Studies. Currently writing a scholarly article and preparing a manuscript, Murphy has published three books, 21 scholarly articles and roughly 20 book reviews. He is happily married to Marcia, with seven kids and three grandchildren. What … [Read more...]