Dr. Chris Confer received his bachelor’s and Master’s of Divinity from Anderson University and his Doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Arkansas in 2011. He has served as the Dean of Students at AU since January of 2015. Confer and his wife Michelle have a daughter, Caroline, and a dog, Molly. Where are you from? Can you describe the culture you grew up in? I was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, and lived there for a few years and then moved to Denver, Colorado, and lived … [Read more...]
#myAUstory: Students, faculty recount paths to AU
Guest Writer: Morgan Binkerd Whether a student, professor or faculty member, every Raven has their own AU story. Perhaps yours is a legacy story or maybe one of paving your own way. People from different states, countries and continents have made AU home over the years. AU is more than just an institution or a college campus. AU is made up of the people who call this place home, and the stories of what brought them here are what keep AU alive. As we continue to grow in community … [Read more...]
Q & A with Ackeem Hanna
Ackeem Hanna is a sophomore from the Bahamas. He is studying mechanical engineering. You’re from the Bahamas. Tell me a bit more about that. There are like 700 islands and keys in the Bahamas, but I am from an island called Freeport, which is on Grand Bahama. Growing up, there was about 10 of us in one house. My mom took care of me all of her life, and I never had a father in my life. My mom is now pregnant, which is pretty cool. This will be my first sibling. My family is all still … [Read more...]
Enactus prepares students through experience and competition
“We believe investing in students who take ENtrepreneurial ACTion for others creates a better world for US all” is the statement and abbreviation that Enactus aims to embody. An internationally invested organization, Enactus is a student-led business group that aids in economic development throughout specific communities. Specifically through the AU chapter, those in the organization seek to create a partnership with local community entrepreneurs. “AU Enactus is AU’s chapter of Enactus … [Read more...]
Q & A with Dillon Lockwood
Dillon Lockwood is the RD for the on-campus apartments: Fair Commons, South Campus, Tara East and University Terrace. Lockwood earned his bachelor’s in youth ministry from AU and is currently completing the second year of his master’s in theological studies through the School of Theology. Why did you decide to become an RD? I was an RA for two years, and I really enjoyed doing that. I had a fleeting thought at one point when I was an RA that I might be an RD once I graduated. I … [Read more...]
Cultural Resource Center hires new student success coordinator
The Cultural Resource Center added to their staff this school year with the hiring of K’Mia Clarett as the student success coordinator. Clarett, who worked with AU last year as an Americorps member, was offered the position because she was a valuable member of the CRC team last year. “The university felt that, though she was working for an external agency [last year], she would still continue to add value,” said CRC Director Mike Thigpen. Clarett worked as an event coordinator at the … [Read more...]
Campus ministries grow under new student leadership
Senior Mak Holland was driving home last Monday when she decided to stop by the Salvation Army, where the campus ministry Juvenile Justice will be meeting regularly this school year. As she parked by the building in downtown Anderson, she blasted the song “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong. She sat in her car worshipping and praying for this upcoming year and for the campus ministry she has served in for three years now. Two years ago, Juvenile Justice worked with Pendleton Juvenile … [Read more...]
Q & A with Maggie Platt
Maggie Platt attended AU as an undergraduate student and completed her bachelor’s in 2007. Since then, she has worked in youth and camp ministry before returning to AU as a resident director in 2013. She served as RD of Rice and Martin Halls and is now the director of residence life and student conduct. Platt earned her Master of Science in Management and Leadership in 2016. Tell me a little bit about how you initially came to AU. I was planning on going to Indiana University. My mom told … [Read more...]
School of Nursing and Kinesiology hosts first “Nursing Bootcamp”
Last Tuesday marked the beginning of the first Nursing Bootcamp to take place at AU. Students and faculty from the School of Nursing and Kinesiology gathered in Hartung Hall on the morning of Aug. 21 to kick off four days of experiential learning, networking and community building. Students were able to practice performing nursing duties such as testing for vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse and temperature. There were also sessions in time and stress management as well as a handy … [Read more...]
Student leaders gather for another year of training
Every year before classes begin at AU, there is a week of training for student leaders. The student leadership training consists of between one and two weeks of preparation for the succeeding academic year. Everything from academic coursework to interactive training and spiritual development prepares student leaders to serve in their diverse roles at AU. The staff of residential halls, CAB, IM Leagues, admissions, first year experience and peer mentors fall into the category of student … [Read more...]