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August 2021
Check out this month's Alumni Newsletter!
 
Hi Ravens!

My name is Sarah Hester, and I am the newest member of the Alumni Relations team! I graduated from AU in 2019 with a BA in Christian Ministries and Spanish. Now, I’m back to pursue an MBA and work as a Graduate Assistant in the Alumni Office.


My four years here for college were incredibly transformative for my faith, relationships, education, and identity. Some highlights include:
  • Studying abroad for a semester in Sevilla, Spain
  • Going on three Tri-S trips to Uganda, Germany, and the southwest national parks
  • Making a lot of coffee AND friends as a barista at Mocha Joe’s
  • Being a peer mentor for three years
  • Taking Introduction to Spiritual Formation
  • Sharing my AU story at the Centennial Homecoming chapel

What I have always loved most about AU is the deep community that is fostered here. I experienced it as an undergraduate student, I’m now experiencing it as a staff member, and I have seen through alumni stories that this community lasts for a lifetime.

I’m so excited to be back at AU and be part of the exciting work that is happening for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and the Anderson community. It’s a privilege to give back to a place that has given so much to me, and I look forward to connecting with you and learning more about your AU story!

 
God Bless, Go Ravens (GBGR)
Brian Martin Selected as Cultural Resource Center Director

Anderson University didn’t have to go far to find its new director of the Cultural Resource Center (CRC). Brian Martin, a former development officer at AU, has been selected for the position.

Martin has served at AU since 2014 when he began working as an admissions counselor focused on the School of Theology. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harding University in Bible and religion and has been serving as a minister within the city of Anderson since 1992.

“I feel humbled, honored, and excited about the opportunity that God has given me to serve Him and AU through this role,” said Martin. “Michael Thigpen and Juanita Taylor did an amazing job educating and encouraging us as students, faculty, and staff on how we can grow in being a more welcoming, inclusive, nurturing community in the midst of our diversity. One of my prayers as we move forward is that God will continue to lead and empower us to be more like Jesus in how we think, feel, speak, and treat one another so we can equip our students to graduate and make a godly impact in our diverse world.”

Read more about Brian’s new role here.

AU to Host 40th Annual Newell Lectures

Anderson University is set to host its
40th Annual Newell Lectures on October 11 with Dr. Nijay Gupta serving as the guest speaker. The Newell Lectures in Biblical Studies brings a noted biblical scholar to the campus for a one-day or two-day lecture in his or her field of expertise.

As a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Gupta also teaches in the women’s studies program and is currently writing a book on women in the New Testament. He will be sharing from his forthcoming work on women in the early Church.

Read more about this year’s Newell Lectures
here
. Any questions regarding the Newell Lectures should be directed to Jaymie Dieterle at (765) 641-4500 or jldieterle@anderson.edu.
Anderson University and Ivy Tech Community College Announce Christian Ministries Articulation Agreement

Anderson University (AU) and Ivy Tech Community College are proud to announce a new articulation agreement in Christian ministries, through which students will have the opportunity to earn a dual degree.

Ivy Tech graduates with an associate of arts or an associate of science degree may transfer and apply a minimum of 60 credit hours from that completed degree to the requirements for Anderson University’s bachelor of arts degree in Christian ministries.

This transfer agreement is available to Ivy Tech students completing any associate of science or associate of arts degree regardless of the degree major. Ivy Tech transfer students will be expected to complete all upper-division core curriculum requirements at Anderson University, in addition to the faith courses built into the Christian ministries major.
Interested in learning more? Check out this article on the AU website.

Stars Go Dim Coming to Reardon Auditorium Sept. 17

After a year off due to COVID-19, the Anderson University Reardon Concert Series is returning for the 2021–22 academic year. Kicking off the schedule is Stars Go Dim on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. inside Reardon Auditorium.

“I am so excited to have concerts back at Reardon Auditorium and at Anderson University,” said Ramiro Rincones, director of Conference and Event Services. “It’s going to be amazing to have live music once again on stage.”

Stars Go Dim is an American pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that formed in late 2007. The band features Chris Cleveland, Michael Cleveland, Kyle Williams, and Josh Roach and is signed to Fervent Records (Word Entertainment).

Buy tickets for this concert here.

 
The Pride of Anderson: Called to Soar
Greg Etchison Joins AmeriLife as Vice President, Medicare Supplement and Specialty Health
Excerpt and photo taken from PR Newswire

AmeriLife Group, LLC ("AmeriLife"), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing annuity, life and health insurance, and retirement planning solutions has announced that Greg Etchison BA ’97 has joined the organization as vice president, Medicare Supplement and Specialty Health.

In this new role, Etchison will provide enterprise sales leadership and training across AmeriLife's distribution channels to develop marketers' and agents' knowledge and understanding of Medicare Supplement and Specialty Health products. In addition, Etchison will team up with assigned AmeriLife sales leaders and principals to collaborate with business partners on strategic opportunities to expand the company's Medicare Supplement and Specialty Health production.

Congrats, Greg! To learn more about Greg and his new role, visit PR Newswire.

Educator picked to fill latest D95 board vacancy
Excerpt and photo taken from Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

Liz Loerop '07 has been selected to the Brookfield-LaGrange Park School District 95 School Board.

Since 2008, Loerop has worked as a teacher for Chicago Public Schools. She has a B.A. in elementary education from Anderson University and an M.A. in reading teacher education from Concordia University in River Forest.

After starting as a special education teacher, Loerop eight years ago became the lead literacy teacher at Evergreen Academy Middle School in the McKinley Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the few standalone middle schools in the CPS system. She teaches eighth-grade English language arts there.

Way to go Liz! Read more about her appointment D95 School Board here.
Farming Allows Morans to Live out their Christian Values
Excerpt and photo taken from The Herald Bulletin

AU alumni Mike Moran BA '85 and his son, Bobby Moran BA '16, are continuing the legacy of their family farm here in Anderson.

After spending some time in his childhood on his uncle's farm, Mike said: “I always enjoyed going up to the farm. It always was fun. I never really dreamed about doing it.”

In 1990, Mike began farming the 2,100 acres of land owned by his wife's family, Stephanie McCurdy Moran BA '85, MBA '16.

“I get to wear a lot of different hats on the farm,” Mike said.

Read more about the Morans here.
Celebrating AU Educators

We recently celebrated our Indy-area alumni educators with a series of coffee breaks to thank them for their great work in molding minds of future Ravens and as they head back to the classroom this fall.

If you work in Education, know that we so appreciate the work you do in such challenging times and that we're praying for you this year!

 
ECHOES
Kelly Williams BA '93 and MBA '21 has spent the past 8 years working for Mobile Mini, now merged with WillScott, most recently as their President and COO. Williams chats about his experience in executive leadership running a business, being on the AU men's basketball team, how he decided to return to his alma mater for a graduate degree, and how his time as a double-degreed Raven has transformed his life.

Listen to our conversation with Kelly here.

 
Using her voice to proclaim the good news, 2002 alumna Melanie Porter is a voiceover actor that you will want to take a listen to. In fact, head to her website www.takalisten.com to learn more about her and to hear her "smooth and sultry tones that commands attention." In this episode, Porter talks about this new adventure as well as her time as a teacher, and as she is finishing up her doctorate in non-profit management and leadership, aspirations for starting a foundation to help families in crisis.

Check it out here.

2014 MBA alumnus and current AU MBA Director Jimmie Lake drops in to talk about his experience in management, commitment to lifelong learning, and his plans in leading our esteemed MBA program at AU. Lake is also several years into his DBA here at the university where he is honing his skills as a committed academic program leader.

You can hear more about his fascinating career and calling in this episode of ECHOES.
 
Upcoming Events
Just under two months until Homecoming Weekend!

We have some exciting things planned, and many opportunities for alumni to engage during this year's Homecoming! Check out the full Homecoming schedule of events here.

Our Homecoming registration packages are now available for purchase online- a $60 total value, offered to you for only $40. As part of the package, you'll receive a ticket for one hot air balloon ride, an AU t-shirt (a design of your choosing to screen-print at the Street Fair!), an all-access wristband (for entrance into Cheap Thrills, Encore, athletic contests), two meals on campus, and SO MUCH MORE! Homecoming registration packages may be purchased here and on the Homecoming website.

If you are a maker of things, we want to invite you to be a part of the Anderson City Market at Park Place Church of God Community Center parking lot for the final market of the year here in Anderson that happens to also be Saturday of AU's Called To Soar Homecoming!  The market goes from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2007 alumna Kirsten (Streit) Harting, Park Place Community Center's Executive Director, is excited to expand the market for this special occasion to you, our talented alumni, to sell your goods.  

For more information and a full Homecoming schedule, please visit the AU Homecoming website.

Oral History Project

Anderson University, in partnership with Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI), has launched its first-ever Oral History Project. More than 3,000 stories have been gathered and more than 500 packages have been purchased. Thank you to everyone who has participated thus far!

By sharing your AU stories, you will help keep the history and rich traditions of Anderson University alive in a unique publication, which will be available to you once all stories are gathered.

You will be contacted via email, postcard (like the one in the photo above), and by phone to share your AU stories, and we can't wait to hear how this special place made an impact on your life.

As you speak with PCI representatives, you will have the opportunity to share your unique story at Anderson University and will be offered the chance to purchase the book. This will be the only time you will be able to purchase this unique publication.

For more information about the Oral History Project, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

 
Stay Connected
Work at AU!

Anderson University has many full-time faculty and staff positions open including:

There are many graduate assistant positions open too! E
To learn more about any of these openings and to complete an application, please visit the
AU website.
Follow us on social media

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and join our LinkedIn group! Get information about our fellow Ravens doing amazing things in their communities and happenings around AU, plus you'll get
to hear about the alumni events we host all over the country (or virtually when we're still socially distancing).
Contact Us
For questions, suggestions, and networking, contact the Alumni Office!

(765) 641-4100 OR alumni@anderson.edu

 
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Anderson University, 1100 E. Fifth St, Anderson, IN 46012, United States

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