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...]
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...]