AU Alumni News, November 2020

Reflecting on my time on the AU Alumni Council: Allynn (Samuel) Powell BA '05

It has been a joy and privilege to serve as a member of the Alumni Council over the course of the past 4 years. I accepted the opportunity as a means of reconnecting to a place that was instrumental in my own development. As I prepare to end my tenure, I do so knowing, not only have I reconnected, but reinvested in and recommitted to AU’s invitation to Real Life. Transformed.

I joined the Council amidst much institutional transition - the appointment of President Pistole, declining enrollment, and discussions about spiritual formation. The vision presented was the pursuit of Christ in a “distinctive, compelling, and relevant” manner that fulfilled the mission of educating students for lives of faith and service. To gain clarity for what was ahead, I reflected back upon my own time at AU, as a student and as a staff member. It had been a place that both nurtured me spiritually and challenged my intersecting identities. It had been a place where I experienced both belonging and isolation. It was the crucible that shaped my foundation and offered me the space to live in the tension of real life - then and now.

My Council experience has been much the same. It has afforded a seat at the table on the journey of leading through crisis. I have consistently witnessed the heart of AU’s leadership acknowledge Truth, seek wisdom, and make difficult decisions on behalf of students, staff, and faculty. Aware, of its limitations, yet hopeful of its possibilities, the Council has been a place to inquire about institutional practices, wrestle with the realities of racial injustice, and offer tangible support to students. I have willingly chosen the Council as a community worthy of my time, talent, and treasure. As a result, I believe we are more connected, better equipped, and more attuned to the mandate to fulfill our call to meet the institution’s needs, individually and collectively.

This is transformation. And with all its imperfections, Anderson University remains a space - in person and virtually - for real people to live real lives and the Spirit’s transforming work to take place.

Allynn (Samuel) Powell is a 2005 alumna currently living in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Victor BA '06, and their two children, Samuel and Greyson.

AU Announces Partnership with Questa Foundation

Anderson University is excited to announce a new partnership with Questa Education Foundation. Scholars from this organization may be eligible to receive 25% in loan forgiveness on their Questa loan, in addition to 50% forgiveness if the student lives and works in Northeast Indiana for five years after graduation. In total, a scholar’s Questa loan can be up to 75% forgiven. This new partnership and forgiveness benefit will apply to new Questa Scholars starting Anderson University in fall 2021.

Read more about AU's partnership with Questa here.

Cybersecurity program grows with generous gift

The Anderson University cybersecurity program just received a $250,000 gift from the Avis Foundation to help further pursue AU’s Center for Security Studies and Cyber Defense (CSSCD). This gift was made to help expand and develop the impact of the CSSCD in its formative years. The grant will accelerate opportunities to increase student engagement, build reputation, and serve local businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

More about this generous gift and the cybersecurity program can be found here.

AU Cabinet Appoints Chief Diversity Officer

Anderson University has recently appointed Mike Thigpen BS '07, MBA '17as the chief diversity officer within the university’s Cabinet. AU’s MOSAIC team recommended that Thigpen fulfill this role to help champion the university’s intercultural engagement efforts.

“I am honored to serve as the university’s first chief diversity officer,” said Thigpen. “I hope to contribute to a great pivot that creates access and better services for current and future diverse student populations.”

“I am confident knowing that Mike Thigpen is taking on these responsibilities,” said President John Pistole. “Racial injustices are at the forefront of many conversations in our world and on campus, and I know Mike will lead us on a path to peaceful and thoughtful action and education.”

Anderson University's Commitment to Anti-racism

This fall, AU hosted a Black Lives Matter series. This series sought to provide a clear understanding of the BLM movement, the foundations of white supremacy, the history of African-American social protest, training in microaggressions, and produce engagement and action that can create a more just society. This series is not an endorsement or subscription of the BLM organization but to provide a clear understanding of the BLM movement, the foundations of white supremacy, the history of African-American social protest, training in microaggressions, and produce engagement and action that can create a more just society.

Check out the links below to each recorded session here.

Read more about AU's commitment to anti-racism.

Friendships Started at AU Last a Lifetime

Alumni Tom Slyder BA '88, Brad Bowser BA '88, Scott Moe BA '88, Miles Furnish BA '87, Med Barr BA '88, Hugh Hillix BA '87, Ryan Moe BA '90, Jeff Nelson BA '87, Jim O’Bold BA '87, Rick Green, Kevin Klasen (all pictured to the right) meet annually to play golf and reconnect.

Says Jeff Nelson: "We have been getting together annually for probably close to 25 years. We try to pick a spot somewhat centrally located to everyone but we have played in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama over the years. It has been pretty much the same core group, but we will add some friends or relatives to round out the number. It’s a great group of guys and always a fun weekend. None of us get rich or go broke over our $5 bets, but it’s a lot of fun to brag when we do win (don’t tell H. L. Baker we were gambling). I’m grateful that we have been able to keep in contact and maintain the friendships that started over 30 years ago at AU.

Brandon Bauman MBA '20 Recognized and Spotlighted in the Indiana Super Achievers

Brandon is from Brookville, Indiana and completed his four-year degree in just three years, earning his Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Indiana University East (2019). Without missing a beat, Brandon completed his MBA one year later from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana (2020).

While working on his undergraduate degree, Brandon was a student-athlete. Brandon was a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society for Business and played golf representing Indiana University East. Brandon did research as an Honors student and presented his work at a professional academic conference where he won a "Best Paper Award". His work went on to become published in the Academy of Business Research Journal (2019). Brandon won the Tom Raper Scholarship Award. He is the founder of the Delta Mu Delta regional Social Media network.

At the age of 22, Brandon visited businesses in Guatemala, he completed his MBA, an internship and became a Trust Officer at Union Savings and Loan Association, Connersville, IN. Brandon is now enrolled as a student in the Cannon Trust School, where he is becoming a professional in offering Trust Services.

Submitted by Tim Scales MBA '98, Director of Center for Entrepreneurship, Center for Economic Education, Indiana University East

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