As restrictions on public gathering sizes are being loosened and lifted campus-wide and state-wide, several classic events are making a return to AU to wrap up the semester. Several of these events to which students can look forward are below.April 26 – Pitch on the PrairieEach year, AU’s MBA program hosts a Business Plan Competition, allowing students to pitch business ideas to a panel of judges. This year, the event is titled to reflect its venue: Conner Prairie. “Competitors … [Read more...]
New athlete ministry combines faith, community and service
Next fall, campus ministries will begin partnering with athletes and sports fans on campus to create a ministry centered around the conjunction of sports and faith. Jennifer Myhre, AU Women’s Soccer coach, used to be the advisor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on campus. She shared her excitement to “support and encourage athletes and help them dive deeper into their faith” through this new ministry. “As a college student, and even as a coach, I have been involved … [Read more...]
Lights, camera, action: Cinema and media arts students to release three short films
Among the busyness of spring semester on campus, cinema and media arts students have begun casting, filming and editing short films set to premier at this year’s Black Bird Film Festival. The film team for “The First Day” shot many of the scenes last semester, but were forced to delay further shoots due to COVID-19. This semester, the crew picked up where they left off and recently finished shooting. Director and producer Jonathan Williams, a junior cinema and media arts major, … [Read more...]
Luekenga steps down
Effective Feb. 26, Dean of Students Chris Luekenga will be stepping down, according to an email sent to the student body by Provost Dr. Marie Morris.“Dean Luekenga has served AU during a challenging economic and pandemic environment with compassion, spiritual strength and a heart for AU’s mission,” Morris stated in her email. “His attention to policy and compliance have been invaluable. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Dean Luekenga and for his dedicated … [Read more...]
Indiana Fever president talks women in sports
National Women in Sports Day is an annual day of recognition acknowledging the accomplishments of female athletes and the struggles they have faced due to their gender. It’s been observed since 1987 and has been used to encourage females of all ages into a life of athletic activity and empowerment. “The day has been recognized for 35 years,” said Indiana Fever President Allison Barber. “It’s just a way to set apart some focus and attention on the opportunity for girls to be athletes and … [Read more...]
Title IX reporting system created
AU has a new system in place to help students and staff report sexual harassment and discrimination of any kind. The new system can be found at the bottom of the AU website home page under “Resources” and is one click away for anyone who needs it. Once a student or staff member has clicked on the “Title IX” tab, they will be brought to the Title IX screen where they can then click to “Report Misconduct.” They will then be prompted to the new system. When reporting an incident … [Read more...]
AU Cabinet appoints new Chief Diversity Officer
President John Pistole and members of the university’s cabinet recently appointed Mike Thigpen as Chief Diversity Officer. Thigpen serves as the Director of the Cultural Resource Center (CRC) and multicultural and international student services. He will continue there as he steps into this new position.“Mike Thigpen is a well-known, well-respected leader on campus and in the community,” Pistole said regarding why Thigpen was chosen for the position. “He has a long history of service in … [Read more...]
AU hires new esports head coach
“My brother and I used to argue over who got to play Pokemon on the Gameboy so often that our parents ended up buying us a second one,” said Matthew Burnstedt. “Ever since then, I’ve been playing games.”After several weeks of searching for a new esports head coach, AU has hired Burnstedt to fill the position.“I'm originally from a small town of about 200 people in Iowa called Libertyville,” said Burnstedt.Burnstedt said that he has been playing video games for as long as he can … [Read more...]
Provost Morris to resign after current school year
At the end of the current school year, Dr. Marie Morris will be resigning from her position as Provost at AU.Morris was named provost in 2011 following a two-year role as dean and vice president of academic affairs on campus, and is currently serving her twelfth year at AU. Morris spoke about her reasons for resigning, stating that she thinks, “there are different leaders at different times for an institution.” “The average tenure for a chief academic officer, based … [Read more...]
Raven Watch receives national recognition
In the annual College Media Association awards, the Andersonian’s sports program, Raven Watch, was a finalist for “Best Video Sportscast.” In this national contest, AU was one of three finalists, standing alongside Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and California State University.In addition to this honor, Raven Watch was selected as a winner in the annual Indiana Collegiate Press Association (ICPA) awards program earlier this year. In the “Best Video” category, the show took first and second … [Read more...]