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...]
2020 graduates attend in-person Commencement
While many campus events were canceled or moved to a virtual platform last semester and this semester due to COVID-19, AU still held an in-person commencement for the 2020 graduating class. Although it looked quite different from previous commencements due to the numerous guidelines and precautions, it allowed graduates a bit of closure in such an unprecedented and confusing time. Commencement was originally scheduled to take place in May. Some colleges and universities like … [Read more...]
Pandemic leads to faculty layoffs
Earlier this week, AU made budgetary cuts in various departments, including the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and the School of Theology. The cuts, which included the laying off of faculty and staff, come at the hands of COVID-19. The university Provost, Dr. Marie Morris, offered the reasoning behind these budget cuts and layoffs. “As the university continues to respond to previously declining enrollments, as well as the most recent impact of COVID-19, there are 11 faculty positions … [Read more...]
Boosters and Dativus to host first-ever ‘Cheap Encore’
For years, students have enjoyed two campus events that have become staples of the AU experience: Cheap Thrills, put on by the social club Dativus, and Encore, organized by Avanti Boosters. On Oct. 17 at 8 p.m., the two clubs will be joining forces to create a brand-new event—“Cheap Encore.” Austin Hostetler, a junior music business major and the productions officer for Avanti Boosters, explained that the idea was formed during a meeting between Dean of Students Chris Luekenga and members of … [Read more...]
AU’s COVID-19 numbers similar to other schools
After four weeks of classes, AU has seen 23 total positive COVID-19 cases, a number that many view as on-par with similar universities. “Based on public information available from other schools, our numbers and policies are very similar to institutions that are close to the same size as AU,” said Maggie Platt, director of residence life and student conduct. Alma College, a private college in Michigan, is of comparable size to AU and is reporting 21 total positive cases so far this … [Read more...]
Social clubs navigate recruitment amidst pandemic
This week marks the beginning of recruitment for all of the social clubs on campus. The social clubs recognize that there may be some challenges and uncertainty given the COVID-19 environment, but all the clubs are still committed to giving their members the best experience possible. Camarada President Samantha Aikin and Vice President Ashlee Yackley explained why this year is so important for their club even with all the uncertainty. “This year we are so excited to meet all of … [Read more...]
New RDs introduced for fall semester
Three new Resident Directors have been added in Myers, Morrison and Dunn. Amanda Bradley Myers Hall will now be run by Amanda Bradley, from Warsaw Indiana. Bradley graduated AU in 2018 with a major in Christian ministries and is now pursuing her Master’s of Theological Studies. In the future, she would love to continue working in student life or pursue youth ministry. “I love the intentional time with students in this job,” Bradley said. “ Relationships are … [Read more...]
Students experience chapel in new ways
As students come back to AU’s campus and Christian universities begin to experience their first couple weeks together, it’s evident that spiritual life looks very different. Just like classes and most other events, chapel has switched to a more virtual-driven format. AU has transitioned to a completely virtual format, while also addressing that chapel will no longer be mandatory for students due to the inability to fit everyone in one place safely according to CDC … [Read more...]
President Pistole welcomes students back
By John Pistole Welcome back Ravens! We are so glad you’re back on campus or here for the first time. It’s been such a quiet, surreal time here these last five plus months. And it just confirms what we all know, or will soon learn, that AU is a relational campus community that does best when we can gather in person, augmented of course by online learning as needed and appropriate, as we did last spring. This fall of course is different—so very different—and I’m personally asking each … [Read more...]