2 0 1 8 FA L L M AGA Z I N E
Adult Studies students complete bachelor’s and graduate degrees Former Director of Campus Safety earns master’s degree and prepares to teach Chair of new physical therapy program creates scholarship in honor of her parents
Anderson University 2018 Fall Magazine Chair of New Physical Therapy Program Creates Scholarship in Honor of her Parents..................4 Former Director of Campus Safety Earns Master’s Degree and Prepares to Teach.........................6 Adult Studies Students Complete Bachelor’s and Graduate Degrees ...................................8 AU Heritage....................................................................... 10 Adult and Graduate Programs........................................ 12 New Human Services Degree Enables Adult Students to Earn Degree with Less Cost and Time........ 14 AU Book Corner.................................................................20 The AU Diary...................................................................... 22 AU Alumnus Approved as President of Texas African-American Baptist Group..........................24 Calendar of the Year.........................................................26 Alumni News......................................................................28 Enjoy Stress-Free Class with the Lifelong Learning Institute...............................................30 Sherrill and Tom Hall Contribute their Finances, Time, Experience, Selves ................................. 32 Jason’s Column..................................................................34 Athletic News.....................................................................36
Anderson University Magazine is a publication of the Marketing and Communication Department of Anderson University for alumni and friends. President: Dr. Evans P. Whitaker Editor in Chief: Jonathan Todd Contributing Writers: Evelyn Beck, Andrew J. Beckner,
Richard Breen, Liz Carey, J.R. Duren, Randy Jones, Mike McMillan,Jason Rutland, Elizabeth Skladany, Susan B. Wooten Contributing Photographers: Cindy Hosea, Jason Jones Photography, Shelli Rutland
university
happenings...
Campus News
2 | CAMPUS NEWS
greetings from Anderson University! Dear AU Community Member, Life is change. And that’s true for universities too.
In this issue on Adult Studies, we also want to tell you about a few of our hardworking graduates such as Elisa
During this back-to-school season, we are grateful for our
Mullan, whose journey through AU’s Adult Studies
recent changes and opportunities for growth. We have new
program began with her Bachelor of Business Management
academic leadership in Provost Dr. Ryan Neal, who served
in Healthcare Management and continues with her pursuit
as Assistant Provost and Professor of Christian Studies
of a Master of Business Administration. There’s also
before being tapped to serve as AU’s new provost. We also
just-retired Director of Campus Safety Jim Kines, who
have a new Vice President for Athletics, Dr. J. Bert Epting.
earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at AU, and has
Also, Dr. Ben Deaton was promoted to Vice President of
joined the School of Public Service and Administration
the Office of Technology, Online Learning and Innovation,
as adjunct faculty.
a new office that will further strengthen our delivery of online programs. In addition, it will continue supporting
In addition to Elisa and Jim, be sure to read about School
our faculty members so they can leverage technology for
of Christian Studies alumnus Dr. Johnnie Bradley, who
instruction while benefitting our community outreach
was recently appointed president of the African-American
through technology that will enhance K-12 instruction and
Fellowship of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
corporate training.
AU continues to create opportunities for adults to equip themselves for vital, God-honoring professions.
Like universities, adults are no stranger to change either: from watching children grow, to watching technologies change. And in this fall 2018 issue of AU magazine, we salute and highlight our adult students.
This fall, we hope you’ll join contributors Sherrill and Tom Hall in financially and prayerfully supporting traditional, online and graduate students as they pursue degrees in preparation for their professional journeys. To give or to just let us know what you’ve been up to, contact the Office of Development by visiting AndersonUniversity.edu/giving. See you at
In this issue, read about our new Human Services
Homecoming the weekend of October 26-28!
FLEX degree, which enables online students to earn undergraduate credit from what they already know while
Blessings,
saving money on classes. And not only is our new Doctor
- Anderson Univerity Magazine
of Physical Therapy program accepting applications, its chair, Dr. Martha Hinman, has created a scholarship in honor of her parents, which will help new PT students finance their training. CAMPUS NEWS | 3
chair of AU’s new Physical Therapy Program creates scholarship in honor of her parents By Evelyn Beck
While Anderson University’s School of Physical Therapy won’t kick off until summer 2019, it already has its first endowed scholarship. And the benefactor for this generous gift is the Chair of the Physical Therapy Program, Dr. Martha Hinman.
A scholarship created by a program chair is quite unusual. “This is very extraordinary,” said Wayne Landrith, Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs. “It’s extremely thoughtful on her part and speaks volumes about her dedication and involvement in the program. It’s the first physical therapy scholarship set up to help students at the university, and hopefully there will be others to follow.”
his lifetime, including the Boy Scouts, Indiana Jaycees (state president), Rotary International (he earned all the highest honors for that organization) and the Atlanta Tipoff Club (president), which gives the Naismith Award to top basketball athletes and coaches in the country.
and my dad certainly instilled that “ She spirit of service and philanthropy
in me, so it was only logical that
”
I name this scholarship in their memory. — Dr. Martha Hinman Chair of the Physical Therapy Program
Back, left to right: Vicki, Janet, and Martha (Dr. Martha Hinman) Front, left to right: Dick (dad), Lois (mom), and Richard
The Rammel Endowed Scholarship, established by Dr. Hinman, is named in honor of her parents, Ralph Richard (“Dick”) and Lois Spangle Rammel, who raised two physical therapists (Dr. Hinman’s brother is also a physical therapist) and were very active volunteers. The money used to set up the endowment came from an inheritance left to Dr. Hinman by her mother. The Rammels were actively involved in the Christian Church in multiple cities, with Dick Rammel serving as an elder. He took a leadership role in many service organizations during 4 | CAMPUS NEWS
Lois Rammel, who owned a gift shop in the Atlanta area, took over operations for the hospital gift shop at Thomas Hospital as a member of the ladies auxillary after retiring to Fairhope, Alabama. She logged more than 6,000 service hours and was honored by the hospital board for the thousands of dollars that shop generated each year, which were donated back to the hospital to support, among other things, scholarships. One of her other passions was preparing gifts for children in shoeboxes as part of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child ministry. “She was always packing and wrapping those shoeboxes every Christmas,” said Dr. Hinman. “She and my dad certainly instilled that spirit of service and philanthropy in me, so it was only logical that I name this scholarship in their memory.” The establishment of an endowment requires at least $10,000. To grow the endowment, Dr. Hinman hopes that additional donors will make contributions. Her goal is to see the fund increase to at least $50,000 in order to fund multiple scholarships.
To contribute to the Rammel Endowed Scholarship, contact the Development Office at 864.231.2147 or visit AndersonUniversity.edu/giving/online.
the first physical therapy “ It’sscholarship set up to help students at the university, and hopefully there will be others to follow.
”
— Wayne Landrith Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs At present, there will be at least one scholarship. To be eligible, incoming physical therapy students need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.6 and should have demonstrated a record of volunteer service. The scholarship is renewable annually as long as the student remains in good academic standing. Finalists for the scholarship will be selected by a
scholarship committee of physical therapy faculty, and Dr. Hinman may be involved in interviewing the finalists. Students who have been accepted into the program will receive a letter inviting them to apply for the scholarship. The program will accept 28 students each summer and can be completed in eight semesters. Students will spend the first semester on the main campus in Anderson and will then move to the University Center in Greenville. The School of Physical Therapy prepares physical therapists who are clinical experts in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the human movement system, as well as advocates for healthy living and physical wellness. Physical therapists work with patients to reduce pain and improve or restore mobility. They can assist with everything from recuperation to preventive care, working in hospitals, schools, long-term rehabilitation facilities, retirement communities, manufacturing plants, outpatient clinics, or patients’ homes. CAMPUS NEWS | 5
retiring Director of Campus Safety Jim Kines graduates from
AU’s Master of Criminal Justice program, prepares to teach in School of Public Service and Administration By Andrew J. Beckner
Something just kept bugging Jim Kines. It didn’t matter that the veteran police officer had caught hundreds of “bad guys.” That he’d been certified in fingerprint and blood stain analysis—employing CSI techniques years before they were plot points on primetime television. That he’d been an undercover narcotics agent and later, an acting chief of police and an expert on criminal investigation. Or even that he was happily married to the love of his life and raised three children. In the back of his mind, it was always there, like a mark on an otherwise stellar career. The words buzzed around, a constant refrain: he was “Jim Kines, a college dropout.” “It was always a burr in my saddle because I didn’t finish college,” Kines said. Not that he was expected to do so. He grew up “on the poorer side of town,” surrounded by the textile mills and furniture factories of Lexington, North Carolina, the son of parents who never finished high school, let alone stepped foot on a college campus. He enrolled at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, sure, but that didn’t last. “Some people just aren’t ready to go to college,” he said. That was Jim. This is Jim Kines now, and he was hard to miss at Anderson University’s 2018 graduation service in May. He was, after all, “the oldest guy out there.” That’s because Kines graduated with a Master of Criminal Justice from AU, the third degree he’s earned since deciding to go back to school. It’s his second degree from AU, the first coming at the tender age of 54, and with high honors. He’s 65 now and preparing to retire from one of his many careers, this one as the Director of Campus Safety. His next chapter? Serving as an adjunct faculty member at AU’s School of Public Service and Administration, where he’s tasked with building a comprehensive course in criminal investigation. 6 | CAMPUS NEWS
It’s a long way from the mill town of his youth, or his days as a rookie cop supporting his wife Susan as she built her own career. It’s even a long way from when he first arrived at AU as a student, and later, as its top cop.
“ I have a passion for this institution.
It was a catalyst, a life-changer at a point in life where you don’t have many life-changing moments. That doesn’t often happen once, let alone twice.
”
— Jim Kines
Adjunct Professor
That’s because as remarkable as his own growth has been, he’s just as impressed with the rise of his alma mater, a school that’s the fastest-growing private university in South Carolina—and its second largest. “The growth has been beyond phenomenal,” Kines said. “In four years, from the time I started school here to joining the staff, we built a brand-new library. We also built an athletic campus and a state-of-the-art student center. This is the kind of place where I want to be. The growth, the academics—it’s been a wild ride.” “And now it’s time to give back,” he said. “Anderson University has been such an important part of my life,” Kines said. “I’m very enthusiastic about teaching here. I see it as passing the torch. I have a passion for this institution. It was a catalyst, a life-changer at a point in life where you don’t have many life-changing moments. That doesn’t often happen once, let alone twice.”
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with the support of family and Journey Coaches, Adult Studies students complete bachelor’s and graduate degrees By J.R. Duren
Fourteen years. That’s the time gap that alumna Elisa Mullan faced as she made her decision to return to school to earn a bachelor’s degree through AU’s Adult Studies program. With the strength of her own determination and the support of Anderson’s Journey Coaches, Mullan found success.
Chesley Tench said, because the decision requires sacrifices from the student and their family. “Adult students do not make the decision to return to school lightly. It takes great courage to add the commitment of earning a degree on top of the numerous and varied responsibilities our students already juggle,” Tench said.
“ When they look at you and say
‘Mommy, I’ll sit next to you and do my homework so you don’t have to sit alone at the table,’ your heart melts and you push harder to make them proud of you.
”
— Elisa Mullan AU Graduate Candidate, 2019 Mullan’s juggling act involved more than just her job as an associate at Georgetown, South Carolina-based Tidelands Health Foundation. Elisa Mullan
“I took the long road years ago by only getting my associate’s degree, getting married and starting a family but have always been determined to go back to school and complete my degree,” Mullan said.
Determining to return to school Mullan’s story is not unlike the narratives of many of Anderson’s Adult Studies students. Life’s responsibilities rush in after high school or college—children, jobs, vacations and all the good and difficult times that come in adulthood. Returning to a university to earn a degree isn’t a simple choice, former Journey Coach Supervisor 8 | CAMPUS NEWS
“When I started back at school, I was now married, had a special needs child, two dogs, a full-time job, bills, and all the responsibilities you don’t have when you first leave high school and start college, so there was added pressure to do well,” she said. Mullan remembers one moment in her degree program when she was on deadline for a paper. She had a double ear infection, laryngitis and a sore throat. Rather than ask for an extension, she battled through the cold—and, in a symbolic sense—the myriad hurdles of being an adult student and turned the paper in on time. “What should’ve taken me two or three hours to write took eight hours,” she said. “I’m happy to say I got a 100 on my paper.”
The support of AU Journey Coaches Amid this whirlwind of life, Mullan wasn’t alone. Anderson’s team of Journey Coaches helped her adjust to the new title she added to mother, wife and working professional: “student.” “Journey Coaches give students one single go-to person on campus for whatever they need. Not only is the Journey Coach the academic advisor, but they are also the first point of contact for student services, financial questions, and just about anything else a student might need,” Tench said. She went on to explain that most adult students have limited time and don’t necessarily want to leave home to go to campus and ask a question. They need quick, timely answers. “All they have to do is reach out to their Journey Coach, and they will either have their question answered, or we’ll connect them directly to the appropriate department contact,” she said. In addition to a team of coaches who work with adult students to ensure their success, AU has created a variety of resources to make the logistics of earning a degree as easy as possible. Course availability is as flexible as it has ever been, and the university has placed “great focus on making student resources, such as our online learning platform, library resources and bookstore easily navigable and accessible online,” Tench said.
Dozens of online and hybrid bachelor’s and graduate programs AU’s Adult Studies programs include more than a dozen online undergraduate degrees and nearly 30 different graduate degree concentrations offered online or through a hybrid of online and seated classes in Anderson or through the University Center of Greenville. AU offers undergraduate degrees in business, criminal justice, emergency services, education and other fields. Students can pursue graduate degrees in business
What is most impressive about Elisa’s academic journey is also what is most impressive about Anderson’s Adult Studies students in general: dedication. administration, nursing, criminal justice, ministry, education, music education, leadership and soon in physical therapy. Mullan’s journey through Anderson’s adult studies program began with her Bachelor of Business Management in Healthcare Management and continued with her current endeavor at AU: a Master of Business Administration. She’s on track to graduate with an MBA in 2019 and, she said, she just might go after a PhD and apply to teach at AU one day. What is most impressive about her academic journey is also what is most impressive about Anderson’s Adult Studies students in general: dedication. The countless hours devoted to raising a family, the late nights shouldering a full schedule of courses and the moments of exhaustion—they’re all part of the pursuit, Mullan said. When she looks back on her undergrad experience, she finds that, while the pressure to succeed was strong, it could not match the love of her family. “There are late nights and long days; days you want to cry because you are under so much pressure to be the best at all of your jobs, especially being your child’s hero,” she said. “When they look at you and say ‘Mommy, I’ll sit next to you and do my homework so you don’t have to sit alone at the table,’ your heart melts and you push harder to make them proud of you.”
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From the beginning of her tenure as President of then-Anderson College, Dr. Annie Dove Denmark set the tone of the college as a family in faith. Dr. Denmark rose to the presidency of the college in 1925, when the future of the then-women’s college looked grim. The Great Depression was looming. The very survival of the college was at stake. “In the 1920s, Anderson College needed a new president. The position was offered to three men, but they all turned it down because the future of the school was in jeopardy,” said Dr. Joyce Wood, former professor of history at AU. “When they offered her the position, she accepted it—but on one condition: that they pay her the same amount that they had offered the men.” She had come to Anderson College as an instructor in piano and harmony in 1917 and was appointed Dean of Women in 1925. The board offered her the position of President in 1928, and she became the first female college president in South Carolina. Proposed making Anderson a co-ed junior college Seeing the college was in trouble, Dr. Denmark proposed that the school be turned into a co-ed junior college, a move that saved the school from closing down.
10 | CAMPUS NEWS
“She was innovative before it was fashionable,” said AU President Dr. Evans Whitaker. “During the Great Depression, that innovativeness, together with her thoughtful boldness, led her to ask the Board of Trust to transition to junior college status and begin accepting men in the student body. That decision probably saved the school financially and allowed it to survive to return to four-year baccalaureate status in the early 1990s and advance to university status in 2006.”
Created the family-style atmosphere For over 25 years, Dr. Denmark led the school and helped it to prosper. As much as that legacy survives today, so too does the atmosphere of family that she injected into the collegiate experience at Anderson. “She started October Day,” said Pat Mulligan, a former AU student and later AU professor of history and political science. “She had a song that the sophomores would have to learn, and when they had learned it to her satisfaction, she declared the next day October Day. The entire school would abandon their classes and have a field day… It was a way for her to reach out to the whole student body and give them something to enjoy and to engage them with.”
Although Mulligan wasn’t a student during Dr. Denmark’s tenure at the school, she did feel the impact of her legacy. Things like Crook Night, when upperclassmen would hide a shepherd’s crook for freshmen to find, brought the classes together. Similarly, dinner was another way of connecting students, Mulligan said. “Everyone was assigned tables to eat at. And for a period of time, you would eat every meal at that table,” she said. “But then after a month or a few weeks, you would be assigned a new table, so that you had the opportunity to meet everyone in the school. There was a kind of elegance to dinners, too. We had tablecloths and cloth napkins, and the food was served family-style. And you passed dishes around the table. There were constantly things that caused us to work together.”
is not an exaggeration to note that “ItAnderson University would most likely not exist today without the steadfast dedication, hard work, and total spiritual commitment of Dr. Denmark.
”
— Dr. Danny Parker Executive Vice President and W.B. Johnson Distinguished Professor of History and Political Science
From visiting the homes of prospective students to becoming a part of the community, Dr. Denmark did whatever was needed to ensure the school’s success. “Perhaps one of the more memorable actions of Dr. Denmark was when she approached the South Carolina Baptist Convention during a financially challenging season of her presidency, walking out on the stage with a wheelbarrow and assertively telling the convention messengers that if they would fill up the wheelbarrow with cash for then-Anderson College, it would be one
of the best investments in the Kingdom they could ever make,” Dr. Whitaker said. “The remarkable thing is she assumed no humor in her request. She believed her assertion with all her heart. And I do too.” Her contributions to the university are numerous, but none more so than the guidance on how the school should operate, said Professor of History Dr. Danny Parker. Talented manager with a personal touch “It is not an exaggeration to note that Anderson University would most likely not exist today without the steadfast dedication, hard work and total spiritual commitment of Dr. Denmark,” Dr. Parker said. “In so many ways, Dr. Denmark put the small institution on her shoulders and carried it through the worst financial crisis in the nation’s history… As an administrator she proved tireless in her attention to detail, was consistent and fair in her application of rules and regulations, and she remained close to the student body each year of her presidency, getting to know her students personally and on an individual basis.” After stepping down in 1953 after 25 and one-half years at the helm, she returned to her native Goldsboro, North Carolina. But her commitment to the college didn’t stop with retirement. Dr. Denmark spent the remaining years of her life cataloging and arranging documents from her life and the life of Anderson College until her death in 1974. “Notwithstanding the contributions of others, Dr. Denmark is—without a doubt—the most celebrated of Anderson’s presidents,” Dr. Whitaker said. “She was not only the longest-serving but the most prolific in terms of articulating the university’s Christian mission, laying the substance of its spiritual foundation, and recording the initial stages of the university’s saga.” – By Liz Carey Liz Carey, is an award-winning journalist, a regular contributor to AU Magazine and the author of Hidden History of Anderson County (The History Press).
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THE
ULTIMATE L
ONLINE UNDERGRADUATE
UNDERGRADUATE (CONTINUED)
• Associates Degree in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (R.N. to B.S.N.) • Bachelor of Christian Studies • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security & Emergency Services • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security & Emergency Services – Emergency Services Management • Bachelor of Business Administration • Bachelor of Business Administration – Applied Computing • Bachelor of Business Administration – Healthcare Management
• • • • •
Bachelor of Human Services (FLEX) Bachelor of Human Services – Behavioral Health (FLEX) Bachelor of Liberal Studies Bachelor of Organizational Leadership Bachelor of Organizational Leadership – Human Resource Administration
GRADUATE • • • • • • • • • • • •
Master of Business Administration Master of Business Administration – Healthcare Leadership Master of Business Administration – Human Resource Master of Business Administration – Marketing Master of Business Administration – Supply Chain Management Master of Divinity Master of Education Master of Education in Administration and Supervision Master of Ministry Master of Music in Music Education Master of Organizational Leadership Master of Science in Instructional Design & Learning Technology
SEATED MAIN CAMPUS – ANDERSON • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GREENVILLE – UNIVERSITY CENTER • Doctor of Physical Therapy
E LIST
ip
of Adult & Graduate Programs
HYBRID GREENVILLE – UNIVERSITY CENTER
MAIN CAMPUS – ANDERSON
UNDERGRADUATE
UNDERGRADUATE
• Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting (CPA Track) • Bachelor of Business Administration – Supply Chain Management
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security & Emergency Services • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security & Emergency Services – Emergency Services Management • Bachelor of Business Administration • Bachelor of Business Administration – Healthcare Management • Bachelor of Elementary Education • Bachelor of Elementary Education with add-on in Early Childhood Education • Bachelor of Liberal Studies • Bachelor of Organizational Leadership • Bachelor of Organizational Leadership – Human Resource Administration
GRADUATE • Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (Grades 2-6) • Master of Business Administration • Master of Business Administration – Healthcare Leadership • Master of Business Administration – Human Resource • Master of Business Administration – Marketing • Master of Business Administration – Supply Chain Management • Master of Science in Nursing – Executive Leadership • Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner • Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator • Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner • Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner • Doctor of Nursing Practice – Advanced Practice • Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Leadership • Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner • Doctor of Nursing Practice – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
GRADUATE • Master of Criminal Justice (Command College) • Doctor of Ministry in 21st Century Ministry • Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Preaching
new Flex Degree in human services enables adult students to earn college degree at a reduced price By Andrew J. Beckner
Time seems to pass more quickly the older you get. But even in a short time—say, 18 months—a lot can change. New college football champions are crowned. One birthday comes and goes—and you’re halfway toward another one. Summer becomes fall becomes winter becomes spring and right back to summer again. And in 18 months—or even more quickly—an adult who once thought a college degree was a pipe dream can have that diploma in hand, ready for a career across professional disciplines—and do it affordably.
“ With this flexible approach, the
student sets their deadlines for accomplishing tasks, which enables them the ability to complete their coursework more rapidly. — Dr. Don Peace
”
Dean of the College of Health Professions
It’s possible because of AU’s Bachelor of Human Services Flex Degree. This self-paced, 60-hour degree-completion program is the first of its kind in South Carolina and designed for non-traditional students who’ve never quite found the time or financial resources to see their dreams of graduating from college become a reality. “Through the combination of innovative instructional design and cutting-edge learning technologies, the Flex Degree format offers a new level of quality and convenience for online learners,” said Dr. Josh Herron, Dean of
Online and Continuous Learning. “Current or aspiring professionals in a field can finish their degree as quickly as possible by accelerating in courses where they have prior experience and spending more time on topics where they have not had much practice. This approach measures learning and not just a set amount of time in a course.”
“ Through the combination of
innovative instructional design and cutting-edge learning technologies, the Flex Degree format offers a new level of quality and convenience for online learners.
”
— Dr. Josh Herron Dean of Online and Continuous Learning
Housed in AU’s College of Health Professions, the AU Flex Degree in Human Services allows students to take their own journey—at their own pace—while mastering the art of immersing themselves into the lives of others. Human services is—at its core—the act of using one’s expertise and available resources to serve others. The Human Services Flex Degree has aligned the program competencies with Human Services National Standards in Education as well as workforce collaboration. That means graduates are prepared with knowledge, skills and abilities to enter the workforce and be competitive in their work. “We are excited about the AU Flex program because it provides our students an opportunity to gain a degree in a unique approach of competency-based education,” said (Continued on page 16)
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CAMPUS NEWS | 15
Dr. Don Peace, Dean of the College of Health Professions. “With this flexible approach, the student sets their deadlines for accomplishing tasks, which enables them the ability to complete their coursework more rapidly. The student then is evaluated by how well they demonstrate program competencies, not by how long it takes them to learn.” The program, entirely online, begins with AU’s 2018-2019 school year, kicking off this fall. Graduates of the program will be equipped for a variety of career paths, including those in corporate administration; case management for children, families and the elderly; or crucial positions at children’s homes, independent living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, non-profit organizations, government positions and schools. A salary for a human services professional can be as high as $64,000, with opportunities for more pay in the future. Alumni of our traditional human services programs have gone on to earn graduate degrees in social work, counseling and education. Innovation in online learning has become a hallmark of the AU experience. AU was recently recognized as having the 16 | CAMPUS NEWS
No. 3 Best Online Bachelor’s program in South Carolina, and the top program in the Upstate, by U.S. News & World Report. And in January, AU launched a new Office of Technology, Online Learning and Innovation in an effort to better serve the twenty-first century learning needs of students, faculty and staff.
“ It is an exciting time in the field
of human services, and our graduates will be significantly prepared to enter the profession. — Eleisha Garland
”
AU’s Coordinator of Competency-Based Education
Here’s how the Flex program works: The program begins with two courses: Introduction to Human Services and Social Welfare Policy and Practice. If those are finished in five weeks or less, the Flex student
can add an additional course—for free. Finish that course in five weeks or less, and the student gets another free course. By making use of the two free courses each seven-week term, students can complete the program at half the time and cost.
Alongside expert faculty, the Flex Degree Journey Coach will help ensure students choose the right path in each course based on prior experience with the subject matter and will reach out regularly to check on progress and offer assistance in all areas of the student’s learning experience at AU.
The program includes learning modules with set-yourown-pace projects and a workload that focuses on completing a collection of benchmarks rather than following a regimented schedule of homework, quizzes and tests. Coursework includes pre-recorded mini-lectures, interactive readings and exercises and weekly video conference sessions with instructors. Also new in the fall, Flex Degree students in the Human Services program will pay for one subscription that covers all textbooks for a set period of time in their major courses, which drastically reduces textbook costs across the program while giving students immediate access to all necessary materials.
All of these aspects make the AU Flex Degree in Human Services a unique experience for adult students, most of whom have family, work and life commitments most traditional students can’t appreciate.
And perhaps the best part is that each student is given a personal AU Journey Coach to serve as a dedicated counselor, available by e-mail, phone or video conference sessions,to help guide them on their journey.
“We are excited to offer our students this new opportunity to be a leader in their journey in higher education,” said Eleisha Garland, AU’s coordinator of Competency-Based Education. The Flex degree will allow our students to show what they know and apply it to real-life situations. It is an exciting time in the field of human services, and our graduates will be significantly prepared to enter the profession.” For more information about AU’s Bachelor of Human Services Flex Degree, please visit AndersonUniversity.edu/f lex.
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our faculty
and students...
The AU Family
C
Comedian-author-actor-filmmaker Todd Livingston recently added another role to his impressive resume: student.
A long-time humorist, Livingston got his start in the world of stand-up comedy, touring with the trio Open Season and sharing stages with the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, and Chris Rock. He then moved on to writing, directing, producing, and acting in a variety of TV series and movies. In the midst of all that, he found the time to write graphic novels. His love of comedy and comics has most recently manifested itself in the venerable job of resurrecting the beloved duo Rocky & Bullwinkle. His busy schedule keeps him on his toes, with frequent trips to Los Angeles and Atlanta for projects and a major house renovation to tackle when he’s at home in Greenville. Engrossed in a multitude of professional and personal endeavors, he hadn’t even considered pursuing a degree until a friend nudged him in that direction.
Adult student Todd Livingston writes Rocky & Bullwinkle comic books as he earns his bachelor’s degree. Then it all clicked. “My wife is a professor at AU (Art history professor Dr. Candace Weddle Livingston) so the decision was fairly easy—I mean, we
2 0 | T H E AU FA M I LY
already have a parking sticker on the car, and that’s a big factor when I’m considering important life-altering events,” he said. He’ll draw another chuckle when he explains how he decided on his undergrad major: “AU is well known for its art and nursing programs—but trust me, you do not want me doing a blood draw on you,” Todd Livingston said. “I hate needles like I hate sharks and bears. Also, I can’t draw my way out of a paper bag. For that matter, I can’t even draw the paper bag to not draw my way out of. My major is Communication because I’ve worked my whole life in entertainment, so I figured a degree would finally justify my career choice.” With a full plate outside of school, Todd Livingston finds AU’s online courses advantageous and thus far has taken them exclusively. But beginning in Fall 2018, he’ll be attending a seated class and admits to having mixed feelings about it.
“ When I learned that (comic book publisher) American Mythology was relaunching the comic, I lobbied hard to be the writer.
”
— Todd Livingston
Growing up, Todd Livingston was a big fan. The original cartoon show, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, aired between 1959 and 1964, and the beloved satirical variety show about a flying squirrel and moose navigating Cold War politics has since been syndicated and remains a favorite of children and adults alike. The show’s social and political themes endure, and the emblematic characters continue to bring comic relief to audiences today.
So, while Todd Livingston may jokingly hope a degree from AU will legitimize his creative career choices, it’s more like another chance for him to showcase and develop his talents. “When I learned that (comic book publisher) American Mythology was relaunching the comic, I lobbied hard to be the writer,” Todd Livingston said. He was pretty much made for the job—his comedic roots and sardonic wit shine through in the new comic books, available through comic book shops and Amazon.com. He has an uncanny ability to write in the iconic voices of the show’s two heroes and their arch rivals, scheming spies Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. You’d swear the pun-filled cartoon leapt right off the TV screen onto the page.
Adult student and writer
“I’m also writing two comic (book) titles and a feature film right now, on top of papers for school,” he said. “With any fortune, I won’t confuse them.” Which brings us back to Rocky & Bullwinkle.
So, while Todd Livingston may jokingly hope a degree from AU will legitimize his creative career choices, it’s more like another chance for him to showcase and develop his talents. He illustrates it’s never too late to go to college, regardless of your schedule or other commitments. His lighthearted outlook no doubt plays a part in his ability to balance it all—and AU’s wide range of programs and flexible class formats make it possible for dedicated students like him to advance their educations. By Elizabeth Skladany Elizabeth Skladany, a contributing writer to AU Magazine, writes about the arts and culture.
T TH HE E AU FA M MIILY LY || 2 1
Susan B. Wooten is retiring as AU’s Senior Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Vice Provost, and as a Professor of Art.
Employees worked five years without a raise. Faculty members taught overload classes for no additional pay. Retirement
The year 1976 was significant—the country celebrated its
contributions were cut in half. During that time, the people
bicentennial, my husband Bill and I were married that August, and
here made significant sacrifices, but they didn’t give up.
I began teaching at then-Anderson College. An adjunct completing
We worked hard. We continued to believe in the institution
my Master of Fine Arts degree, I was 23 years old. At the end of this
and God’s providence, and God provided us with
calendar year, I will retire after 42 and one-half years of working
new leadership, presidents Dr. Lee Royce and later
at Anderson.
Dr. Evans Whitaker, who brought a new vision.
I have been here for a long time, but it has hardly been the same
In the first decade of the twenty-first
institution all that time. I’ve changed, and the institution has
century, with Dr. Whitaker’s vision and
changed. There is little resemblance between the current size and
Provost Dr. Danny Parker’s leadership
scope of the university and what it was like in 1976. Then, Anderson
expanding the academic programs,
was a two-year Baptist liberal arts college with 1,000 students, 60
the transition was not easy; but it was
full-time faculty members, offering two degrees—Associate of Arts
a new set of challenges, the challenges
and Associate of Science—on a 52-acre campus. We were proud of
of growth. As faculty and staff, we were
the good work we did with students, but it was not unusual to hear
not always sure where Dr. Whitaker was
locals disparage the academic experience at AU.
leading us, and to be honest, sometimes he was actually pushing us. Over the last decade,
We were a good, local college, and in truth, the second-choice
most of us who had made it through the hard times
college for many students in those years. The level of academic
finally could see what the president had seen in us and this
preparation of students varied dramatically. The faculty was
place when he came here. Anderson University now enrolls
dedicated to doing all we could to help students. In the late ‘80s,
3,500 students, has 165 full-time faculty members organized
when we returned to being a four-year school, the great promise
into colleges and schools, offers 40 undergraduate degrees,
of that decision was first met with great challenge. The college went
ten graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees,
through a very difficult period of retrenchment. Enrollment had
situated on 275 acres plus a shared campus at the University
reached just above 1,100 but soon fell to under 800. The first couple
Center of Greenville.
of years, we laid off staff members; but eventually, we had to let go of faculty members: young, talented people we simply couldn’t
In May, I had the privilege of assisting with my last May
afford to keep.
Commencement rehearsal. I couldn’t help but notice how
2 2 | T H E AU FA M I LY
many of our soon-to-be graduates were wearing AU gear—even the adult students. I asked quite a few of the students what was next, and I heard several say they were heading to graduate school in a variety of fields. I heard from teachers, nurses, and designers who told me excitedly where they would be working. The preceding night at the baccalaureate service, we heard three graduating seniors express how proud they are of their university. Graduates are proud of what they have achieved; they think the faculty and staff are pretty wonderful, and they can’t imagine having been in another educational setting! Looking at the programs and campus now and hearing where our graduates are headed, it’s clear the university is an amazing example of resilience and God’s guidance! When I was a young faculty member, people mentored me. I will mention three names: Brena Walker, Marian Mandrell, and Melvin Hipps. Brena and Marian, fellow faculty members, got me involved in faculty development, and Melvin, the chief academic officer, gave me lots of interesting assignments that required me to read broadly on higher education.
For more AU Diaries visit AndersonUniversity.edu/myjourney
Because of their influence, I was set early on a path to learn all I could about higher education—at first, on how to be a productive faculty member, and later on a range of topics like course design, curriculum development, faculty development, program assessment, faculty governance, and evaluation. I am grateful to these who encouraged and supported me early in my career. They helped me lay a foundation for the work I would do in the last half of my career at Anderson. More recently, thanks to Dr. Parker, who convinced me I should become our accreditation liaison, my work has focused on institutional effectiveness for all areas of the university and maintaining our compliance with accreditation requirements. Suffice it to say, Dr. Whitaker and Dr. Parker have continued to give me interesting assignments. As all of these folks helped me, I hope somewhere along the way that I have been of help, in small ways or large, to many of the students, faculty, and staff with whom I have worked. At AU, we recognize it is a high and holy calling to teach, to lead, and to serve. It has been a blessing to serve here all these years and get to see, up close, so many amazing developments in the university.
T H E AU FA M I LY | 2 3
AU alumnus approved as president of African-American Fellowship of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention By Liz Carey
DeAndra K. Bradley and Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, Sr.
AU alumnus Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, Sr. has been named the president of the African-American Fellowship of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Dr. Bradley, who received from AU a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Preaching in December of 2016, is the senior pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, as well as the president of the Dallas Bible Theological Institute. His new position, he said, also gives him a position as vice president at-large for the national organization of the African-American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention. As part of his duties, Dr. Bradley will work with the more than 200 churches that are members of the fellowship to encourage them to fulfill the Great Commission and the
2 4 | T H E AU FA M I LY
five purposes of the church—worship, prayer, stewardship, fellowship and evangelism. Dr. Bradley will also work to get more churches to join the fellowship.
“ Anderson University has been a blessing to me, and I am so grateful to God that he put Dr. Duduit in my path.
”
— Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, Sr.
“I will make every attempt to get more churches to join the fellowship and support its programs by giving to the Cooperative Program,” he said. “Giving to the Cooperative Program means undergirding every phase of ministry for those who need training so they can be prepared while serving in the local church/community sharing the Gospel.” Beginning as a youth minister, Dr. Bradley decided that in order to fulfill his career goals, he needed a good education. “I realized I needed to go to the finest institutions in the country,” he said. Dr. Bradley received his undergraduate degree from Dallas Baptist University in 2006 and went on to get his Master of Arts in Christian Education in 2009 from the same school. In 2013, he entered the doctoral program in ministry at AU. Dr. Bradley said he was inspired to attend AU after hearing College of Christian Studies Dean Dr. Michael Duduit speak. “I was impressed by his giftedness to expose Scripture in a manner which I had never encountered,” he said. “I met Dr. Duduit at an expository preaching conference, and he was just beginning to structure the doctorate of ministry program at Anderson University. As a preacher, I wanted to be as prepared and knowledgeable as he was. The Lord was tugging at my heart to follow him.” The program provided him with the training he needed, he said, to train others, to be a better administrator and to build ministerial programs. “It afforded the opportunity to appreciate the preparation I had received foundationally that would support my goals,” he said. “It made me more conscientious of preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God as a pastor, and gave me the skills to structure programs that will outlive me.” For him, the school was a Godsend.
Anderson University has been a blessing to me, and I am so grateful to God that he put Dr. Duduit in my path.” Dr. James Noble, assistant professor of pastoral ministry, said Dr. Bradley’s appointment shows the school’s ability to teach students to be qualified leaders in their churches, associations, and conventions.
“ Giving to the Cooperative Program means undergirding every phase of ministry for those who need training so they can be prepared while serving in the local church/ community sharing the Gospel.
”
By Mike McMillan
— Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, Sr. President of the African-American Fellowship of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention
“We teach in such a way that students can go out and use what they learn here,” Dr. Noble said. “One thing that helps our program is that the majority of our professors come from pastoral settings and have knowledge of being a pastor. With those years of experience, we are able to instill and teach those qualities to help the students in their quest, journey or calling.” Dr. Bradley joins other students and professors who have reached leadership positions. Dr. Noble said before he came to the university, he was the vice president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention of the Southern Baptist Convention. Another current doctoral student, Rev. Bernard Yates, is president of the National Primitive Baptist Convention. Yates also pastors a church in Pensacola, Florida, Dr. Duduit said.
“The fellowship is so great there at Anderson University,” he said. “It enhanced my ministry tremendously.
T H E AU FA M I LY | 2 5
Oct. 24–Dec. 14
2018/2019
CALENDAR of EVENTS For tickets to a South Carolina School of the Arts event, please visit schoolofthearts.com or call 864.231.2080.
An Artist’s Path in Retrospect: Solo Exhibition by Susan B. Wooten Venue: Vandiver Gallery of the Thrift Library Gallery Talk: Thursday,
Oct. 25–27 Fall Musical: Sister Act Venue: Henderson Auditorium A ticketed event Time: 7:00pm Matinee at 1:00pm on October 27
October 25, 6:00pm Reception to follow
Oct. 26–28
N
Homecoming Weekend There’s nothing quite like fall on the beautiful campus of Anderson University. Not only is there a hint of chill in the air and the beginning of the changing of leaves on the hundred-year-old oaks surrounding campus, but there are the distinctive sounds of laughter and the rekindling of treasured relationships from days gone by. That’s right, it’s homecoming at Anderson University, and you are cordially invited to be a part of it.
Nov. 30
Jan. 18
Christmas First Night
Dance Concert
Venue: Henderson Auditorium
Venue: Henderson Auditorium
Time: 7:00pm
Time: 7:30pm
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Mar. 7
Mar. 29
Wind Symphony Concert
Choral Masterworks Concert
Venue: Henderson Auditorium
Venue: Henderson Auditorium
Time: 7:30pm
Time: 7:30pm
M
n
Nov. 3
Nov. 5
AU Gospel Choir Concert
Commercial Music Concert
Venue: Student Center Theater
Popular music of many styles performed by ensembles of the Johnny Mann Center for Commercial Music
Nov. 14
West African Concert
Nov. 16 & 18 GAMAC/ASO/AU Choirs Concert
Venue: Henderson Auditorium
Time: 6:30pm
g ve ng
Venue: Henderson Auditorium Time: 7:30pm Times: 7:30pm - Nov. 16
3:00pm - Nov. 18
Venue: Daniel Recital Hall Time: 7:30pm
Mar. 31 String Ensemble Concert
Apr. 10-13 Great Expectations
Apr. 10-22 Senior Art and Design Exhibition
Venue: Daniel Recital Hall
Venue: Belk Theatre A ticketed event
Time: 3:00pm
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Vandiver Gallery and the Carnegie Building, Anderson County Arts Center
Matinee at 2:00pm on April 13
Receptions: Saturday, April 13
from 6:00–7:30 in the Vandiver Gallery and 7:30–9:00 in the Carnegie Building of Anderson County Arts
Apr. 27 The President’s Gala Featuring the performing ensembles of The South Carolina School of the Arts Venue: Henderson Auditorium A free ticketed event Time: 8:00pm
T H E AU FA M I LY | 2 7
united with a passion...
Alumni News
Community members enjoy stress-free classes led by AU professors an While the majority of college students aren’t far removed from high school, AU’s Lifelong Learning Institute shows the love of learning knows no age boundary.
Tom Kozel and Dr. Andy Norris have taught ornithology twice a year. Their classes feature field trips that involve bird watching.
Director Nancy Hanley has led the program since 2013, with classes ranging from ornithology to religion to history—with 225 students each term eager to learn without fear of a midterm or pop quiz.
Alumna Betsey Matheny graduated from the school while it was still known as Anderson College and has taught a quilting class, taken a watercolor class and even published a book after taking a writing class.
The program differs from traditional courses in that there is no particular major or focus for any student. Each student can take whatever course he or she finds interesting in a more relaxed, engaged atmosphere. “(The students) are interested in learning, and they are interesting to be around, too” Hanley said. The program has been a family affair for Hanley, as her husband, Professor of English and Education Dr. Bob Hanley, has also been a part of the program as an English and mythology teacher. He plans on leading a course this fall on author Pat Conroy and the novel The Prince of Tides. About a third of the professors come straight from AU, and a few come from the community. Professors of Biology Dr.
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alumni have had such a great “ AUexperience—we want them back. We welcome all mature adults who want to become part of an exciting program. — Nancy Hanley
”
Director of Lifelong Learning Institute “AU alumni have had such a great experience—we want them back,” Nancy Hanley said. Dr. Joyce Wood is a retired history professor from Anderson University and has taught a class on the Biltmore Estate and several history courses.
ors and other instructors through Lifelong Learning Institute
By Mike McMillan
“You don’t have to break out a test and grade it,” she said. “It becomes a wonderful, mutual exchange.”
“We welcome all mature adults who want to become part of an exciting program,” Nancy Hanley said.
Professors often come from the student body itself, as Mike Kay first started taking classes four to five years ago and has now taught a couple of history classes.
The courses are held in Vandiver Hall and use the same resources the traditional AU students use: Smart Boards, PowerPoint slides, video presentations and multimedia equipment.
“You find a lot of people who’ve had interesting experiences,” Kay said. In terms of tuition, annual members may join twice a year— January to December or August to July for $30. Membership allows students to enroll in courses and also gives them special discounts at local businesses and around the university. Courses are $20, but they cost more if they include food, theater and travel—which is often the case. Normal classes are held Monday through Thursday, once a week, and may run for an hour and a half. There also are classes on Friday—called Free Friday—which typically involve a discussion, such as one on a health-related issue led by a physician or a meeting with an author. Most of the students are in their 30s or older, and some students are retirees looking to keep sharp.
Nancy Hanley said the classes aren’t lecture-based, but rather, open discussions. The professors are mostly conversation leaders, with active participation being the goal. “People who are leading the class are more facilitators,” student and teacher Kay said. In the coming semester, there are new courses, including a look into Frank Sinatra, AU theatre performances with dinner and pre-show curtain speeches, courses in World War I through World War II, smartphone photography and many others. Nancy Hanley is thankful for the university’s support of the program. “You feel a part of Anderson University,” she said. “They treat us royally.”
A LU M N I N E W S | 3 1
alumni Sherrill and Tom Hall contribute their finances, time, expertise and selves to Anderson University By Richard Breen
Sherrill Hall grew up with the Anderson University campus in her backyard. She jokes about getting even closer.
“We got more involved when Dr. Whitaker came here,” Tom Hall says.
“They need to put a little retirement home on campus so we can live there and walk to the basketball games,” she says.
President Dr. Evans Whitaker has served AU since 2002. “Dr. Whitaker has really been such a driving force,” Sherrill Hall says.
That might be the only way Sherrill and her husband Tom could possibly get more intertwined with AU. The two are contributors to a variety of university initiatives; they dedicate their time through board involvement and are a frequent presence at Trojans sporting events. While some AU alumni support the school financially and others give of their time, the Halls have managed to find a seemingly endless number of ways to demonstrate their commitment, according to Wayne Landrith, Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs. “They really epitomize the Anderson University experience,” he says. “They continue to give, give, give.” Sherrill Hall remembers living nearby as a child and meeting with other neighborhood children to play on the swing in front of campus. She and Tom both graduated from T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson and attended Anderson College in the mid-1960s before going on to earn degrees from the University of South Carolina.
Over the years, the Halls have offered financial support to the Thrift Library and G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Student Center. The student center lobby is named for the Halls. “I think it’s really been a game-changer,” Sherrill Hall says of the student center. “They really needed a place where (the AU community) could be together. We go out there all the time for lunch.”
really epitomize the “ They Anderson University experience. — Wayne Landrith
Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs
As Tom established himself as a banker and Sherrill began a 30-year career as a schoolteacher, the two maintained a fondness for AU.
The Halls also support a pair of scholarships—a nursing scholarship in honor of Tom’s mother, Juanita Dean Hall, who was a nurse, and a scholarship for elementary education students in Sherrill’s name.
“We’ve always been a part of the school to some degree,” Sherrill Hall says. “As we got older, we began to take more of an active role.”
“The nursing school has just been terrific,” Sherrill Hall says. “And schools really love to get AU graduates as teachers.”
3 2 | A LU M N I N E W S
”
They continue to give, give, give.
Left to Right: Tom Hall, Rachel Wirtanen (recipient of the Juanita Dean Hall Scholarship for Nursing), Sherrill Hall
Tom Hall says they enjoy meeting scholarship recipients at AU’s appreciation luncheons. “We don’t miss that,” he says. “We’re impressed by them.” In addition to their Trojan Club memberships and presence at AU sporting events, the Halls support women’s basketball’s Play4Kay initiative, which promotes breast cancer awareness, and they sponsored a court at the tennis center (Tom played tennis at Anderson College).
also bought student “ We’ve artwork and put it up in our home. There’s a lot of ways for people to get involved.
”
— Sherrill Hall AU Alumna, 1965
Jonathan Barbaree says he was quickly introduced to the Halls upon taking the head women’s basketball coach job in 2016. “They’re a fixture in our crowd,” he says. “Win or lose, they always come down to speak to us afterwards.” Barbaree adds that along with serving up hugs for players and coaches, the Halls have invited the team over for meals. “They’ve opened up their home to our ladies,” some of whom come to AU from as far away as Texas and Florida, he says, and don’t have access to a home-cooked dinner. The Halls’ involvement with AU doesn’t stop there. Tom has also mentored accounting students, and both Tom and Sherrill serve on the AU Board of Visitors and are co-chairs of the Board of Regents. “We’ve also bought student artwork and put it up in our home,” Sherrill Hall says. “There’s a lot of ways for people to get involved.”
A LU M N I N E W S |
33
Jason’s COLUMN
By jason rutland, Associate Vice President for Alumni & Parent Engagement
“ AU provided the perfect way to balance work, life and school through the Adult Studies program.” God’s plan does not always follow our timeline. If you spoke with me 10 years ago, I would never have seen my life going in its direction. I was a college baseball coach, with intentions of doing that until retirement. Life moved me in a different direction, through several offices on the campus of Anderson University, a new way of getting around and a different mission in life. What happens when life gives you a new requirement? You find a trusted partner to help you get on the correct path. In addition to loved ones, AU has become a trusted partner in helping students complete bachelor’s degrees and pursue graduate work. I got the chance to speak with Josh and Lauren Taylor, who are fellow alumni and friends. They serve their alma mater as members of our Alumni Board of Directors. I wanted to ask them some questions about the path that God has for them, and how AU helped it become a reality.
Me: What programs did you study at AU, and what degree did you receive? Josh: Bachelor of Emergency Services Management - Whole Community Lauren: Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Public Relations/Advertising concentration and a Master of Business Administration. Me: Why was AU the right fit for you? Josh: AU provided the perfect way to balance work, life and school through the Adult Studies program. AU’s flexible program allowed me to maintain full-time employment and work toward a degree that was very beneficial to my profession in emergency services. Lauren: AU was the right fit for me because I came from a very small, rural-based high school and was looking for more relationship-based education. I didn’t take well to the learning environments at the larger universities where there were so many students the professors didn’t know everyone’s name. I wanted my professors to know my name and to be able to see and help me grow through my program of study.
3 4 | A LU M N I N E W S
Me: What does AU mean to your family? Josh: My mother, my wife and I are all graduates of Anderson, and my brother is currently pursuing a degree from AU. AU provides an avenue to learn servant-and Christ-centered leadership, and that is something that means a lot to myself and my family. AU has truly changed my life and the way I view the world. Me: What advice do you have for someone looking for a place to get a degree: bachelor’s or graduate? Josh: The only advice I would have is that Anderson is definitely the place for you if you have a busy schedule or lifestyle. The flexibility of the programs offered are second to none, and the opportunity to learn from real-world experiences of competent instructors adds a lot of value to the areas of study. Lauren: Choosing to invest in higher education is important. I feel it’s essential to choose a school that will invest back in you as a student and as an alumnus. AU does well at that, which can sometimes be hard to find in a learning institution. Me: Any other words you would like to say? Lauren: The AU campus is breathtakingly gorgeous. Even if you’re attending an online program, try to visit the school—you won’t regret it!
Because our students are worth your investment. Gifts to the Anderson Fund help the university provide life-changing scholarships for our students. The Anderson Fund helps pay for computer and laboratory equipment, course development, art exhibitions, athletic enhancements, theatrical performances, library books, student mission trips and so much more, which all have a positive impact on students. The Anderson Fund literally touches the lives of thousands of students each year and provides hope to our world as Anderson University sends forth inspired Christian leaders and servants who will make a difference in their local communities where they will live, work and serve.
Make your gift today with the enclosed envelope or go to AndersonUniversity.edu/giving/online. You may also contact our Office of Development at 864.231.2147. Anderson University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or religion in its programs and activities. Please direct inquiries to Dr. Beverly Rice McAdams, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion/Title IX Administrator, Merritt Administration Building, 3rd floor, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, South Carolina, 29621, (864) 231-2126, bmcadams@andersonuniversity.edu or to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov.
athletic news...
Trojans in motion!
Bert Epting Jr., Ph.D named Vice President for Athletics Anderson University President Dr. Evans P. Whitaker
2015. His responsibilities there included athletic
named Dr. Bert Epting Jr., Vice President for Athletics
fundraising and participation. He previously served
in early May.
as Senior Director of Development at Clemson University from 2008 until 2012, following positions that included
Dr. Epting replaced Bill D’Andrea, who after three years
serving as Associate Director of New Student and Family
of service announced his retirement earlier this year. Dr.
Programs; Director of Orientation; and Assistant Director
Epting came to AU in 2016 as Associate Vice President for
of Student Development Services.
Development. President Whitaker lauded his commitment to AU advancement and commitment to “all things AU.”
President Whitaker lauded his commitment to Anderson University’s advancement and commitment to “all things AU.” Dr. Epting began his career at the University of South Carolina, where he was an Assistant Director in the Office of Enrollment Management. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University in 2001, where he was a member of the basketBert Epting Jr., Ph.D., Vice President for Athletics
Dr. Epting provides leadership and management to all
ball team. He earned a Master of Counseling Education/ Student Affairs from Clemson in 2003, and completed his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in 2013, also at Clemson.
areas aligned with the AU Athletics Department, including athletic teams, administration of the Abney
A native of Tigerville, South Carolina, Dr. Epting is
Athletic Center and Athletic Campus facilities and
married to the former Hannah Tucker of Easley. They
management of all indoor and outdoor athletic facilities.
are the proud parents of four young children—James, Campbell, Tucker and Charlotte—and are members
A former NCA A Division I basketball player, Dr. Epting came to AU from Shorter University, where he was Vice President for University Advancement from 2012 until
3 8 | AT H L E T I C N E W S
of Alive Church in Central.
Left to Right: Marissa Mitter and Mason Hazel
Mitter & Hazel named Top Athletes at Senior Awards Banquet Volleyball standout Marissa Mitter and men’s cross country
She garnered South Atlantic Conference Player of the
and track & field standout Mason Hazel were honored as
Week accolades on four occasions last season, while
the Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, at
leading the conference in both kills and points. Mitter
AU Athletics’ Senior Awards Banquet last April.
was named First-Team All-SAC and earned All Southeast Region accolades from both the Division II Conference
Mitter helped lead the Trojans to their first-ever regular-
Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and the American
season conference championship and a school-record
Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). She also earned
22-match win streak, while posting the most wins in a
a spot on the SAC All-Tournament Team and the
single season in program history. The Redondo Beach,
Southeast Region All-Tournament Team.
California, native was the only player in the SAC to have more than 400 kills and at least 300 digs on the
Hazel posted a career-best time at the 2017 SAC Cross
season and posted 16 double-doubles last season, while
Country Championships, while helping lead the Trojans
reaching double-figure kills in 25 matches.
to a third-place finish, as he captured First-Team All-SAC (Continued on page 40) AT H L E T I C N E W S | 3 9
honors for the third straight season. He went on to claim
Among the Trojan honorees were a pair of Academic
All-Southeast Region honors for the fourth consecutive
All-America honorees in Emily Conlin (Volleyball)
year and earned a berth in the NCA A National
and Alexis Dillard (Women’s Basketball), alongside five
Championships in Evansville, Indiana.
SAC Elite 20 Award winners (Samantha Ellison, Abigail Bozarth, Cassie Ketchum, Kasey Grant and Kristin
On the strength of his personal-best time in the 5,000-
Herbert). The Elite 20 Award is given to the student-
meter run at the Grand Valley State Holiday Open in early
athlete with the top cumulative grade-point average at
December, Hazel earned a spot in the 2018 NCA A Indoor
the final site of each of the league’s 20 team
Track and Field Championships, while recording the
championship sports.
17th-fastest time in the nation. The native of Summerville, South Carolina, won the 3,000 meter run at the JDL Last
Dillard, Herbert and Grant were also named as the SAC
Chance Invitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,
Scholar-Athletes for women’s basketball, women’s soccer
and finished second in the 5,000 meters at the inaugural
and softball, respectively.
South Atlantic Conference Indoor Championships. Hazel set a school record in the 10,000 meter run at the Raleigh Relays in late March and earned First-Team All-Conference accolades by winning the 5,000 meter run at the SAC Outdoor Championships and finished second in the 10,000 meters.
Record-breaking 129 Trojan student-athletes named to SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll A record 129 Anderson University student-athletes were named to the 2017-18 SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll in June. The number of Trojan student-athletes earning the honor has increased each year since Anderson joined the conference in 2010-11, and this year’s total marked more than 52 percent of the total number of AU student-athletes at the end of the spring semester.
Tiffany Elam, SR.
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Athletic Department Announces Staff Additions Caleb Phillips joined AU over the summer as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Trojans after serving as Director of Discipleship and Athletic Ministries/Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on the campus of North Greenville University. Prior to that role, Phillips worked in various positions in the North Greenville athletic department, including Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Media Ministry and a master’s degree in Christian Ministry from NGU in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Former Clemson standout and Newberry College pitching coach P.J. Zocchi was named as an assistant baseball coach for the Trojans in June. Zocchi served as pitching coach for the Wolves for the previous four seasons and has mentored seven pitchers who have earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors. Off the field, Zocchi’s pitchers have garnered academic all-district honors twice, while two of his players have been named SAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Zocchi notched an 11-2 career record with a 3.97 ERA with Clemson and was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 36th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. From 2011-2013, Zocchi split time in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and with the Lincoln Saltdogs. Ben Johnson was named as a full-time assistant men’s basketball coach over the summer. Johnson, who was a member of the coaching staff for the previous two seasons, will continue to help with player skill development and prepare scouting reports while serving as the recruiting coordinator. A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Johnson was a 2011 graduate of Boiling Springs High School and played for head coach Jeff Brookman at Spartanburg Methodist (2011-13). He was a shooting guard on the 2012-13 Pioneer
squad that finished the regular season with a perfect 30-0 overall record and earned the No. 1 ranking in the final NJCA A Top 25 Division I National Poll, with a stellar 35-1 record. Andrea Bigler joined the women’s soccer coaching staff in July after serving as Director of Operations and Player Development at Vanderbilt. The Canton, Ohio native was an assistant coach at Taylor for the 2015-16 season. Bigler graduated from Toledo in 2010 with a degree in exercise science and a concentration in kinesiotherapy. Following her undergraduate work, Bigler earned a master’s degree in biomedical science from the University of Toledo’s Medical Center in 2012. While at Toledo, Bigler was a two-year member of the varsity women’s soccer team and was part of the 2006 team that finished as Mid-American Conference Champions. Bigler joins the Black and Gold after enjoying success as a prep soccer coach. During her time as the head coach for the Ottawa Hills High School girls’ varsity soccer team, Bigler led the team to consecutive Northwest Ohio High School Soccer League Championships in 2012 and 2013, and was named the league’s Girls Varsity Coach of the Year in both of those seasons. Jon Rutter was named an assistant coach with the men’s soccer team in mid-July. The native of Birmingham, England graduated from Erskine in 2014 after excelling for the Flying Fleet men’s soccer program. Rutter served as team captain and earned Conference Carolinas All-Conference honors in 2011, 2012 and 2014 while leading the team to its first-ever Conference Carolinas Championship in 2014. Upon graduation, Rutter was hired by Coerver Coaching as Regional Director of Coaching before earning a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Anderson.
AT H L E T I C N E W S | 4 1
Fall Schedule
Men’s
Soccer (Continued)
Schedule of Events
Sat. 22 Mars Hill * Wed. 26 at Southern Wesleyan Sat. 29 at Lincoln Memorial *
7:30 pm 7:30 pm 3:30 pm
Wed. 3 Sat. 6 Sat. 13 Tue. 16 Sat. 20 Tue. 23 Sat. 27
7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 3:30 pm
Cross Country OCTOBER SEPTEMBER Sat. 15 Furman Cross Country Classic Sat. 29 North Georgia Cross Country Invitational
Greenville, SC Oakwood, GA
OCTOBER Fri. 12 Royals Challenge Sat. 20 NCAA Pre-National Meet
Charlotte, NC Pittsburgh, PA
NOVEMBER Sat. 3 South Atlantic Conference Championship Sat. 17 NCAA Southeast Region Championship DECEMBER Sat. 1 NCAA National Championship
Golf SEPTEMBER Mon. 10 Anderson University Invitational Tue. 11 Anderson University Invitational Mon. 2 4 King Invitational Tue. 25 King Invitational OCTOBER Mon. 1 Myrtle Beach Intercollegiate Tue. 2 Myrtle Beach Intercollegiate Mon. 15 Donald Ross Intercollegiate Tue. 16 Donald Ross Intercollegiate
* Conference Spartanbug, SC Oakwood, GA
Pittsburgh, PA
Cobb’s Glen Country Club Cobb’s Glen Country Club Bristol Country Club Bristol Country Club
Ocean Ridge Plantation Ocean Ridge Plantation Mimosa Hills Golf Club Mimosa Hills Golf Club
Soccer SEPTEMBER Wed. 5 at Lander Sat. 8 at North Georgia Wed. 12 at Coker * Sat. 15 Wingate * Wed. 19 at Newberry *
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Queens (NC) * at Carson-Newman * Tusculum * Senior Night Erskine at Catawba * North Greenville Lenoir-Rhyne * AU Homecoming
7:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 3:30 pm
Bold Team: Home Event
Tennis SEPTEMBER Sun. 16 at USC Sumter Sat. 22 at North Greenville Thu. 27 vs. ITA Individual Tourney at Sumter, SC
2:00 pm 10:00 am TBA
OCTOBER Thu. 4 at Emmanuel (GA) Fri. 5 vs. Jim Rice Classic at Belton, SC Sat. 20 at Virginia-Wise
1:00 pm TBA 10:00 am
Women’s
Schedule of Events
Cross Country SEPTEMBER Sat. 15 Furman Cross Country Classic Sat. 29 North Georgia Cross Country Invitational
Greenville, SC Oakwood, GA
OCTOBER Fri. 12 Royals Challenge Sat. 20 NCAA Pre-National Meet
Charlotte, NC Pittsburgh, PA
Support the Trojans at your favorite sporting event. Go to autrojans.com, select the sport of your interest and view calendar to join us.
Tennis
Cross Country (Continued) NOVEMBER Sat. 3 Sat. 17
South Atlantic Conference Championship NCAA Southeast Region Championship
DECEMBER Sat. 1 NCAA National Championship
Golf
Spartanbug, SC Oakwood, GA
SEPTEMBER Tue. 11 at Converse Sat. 22 at North Greenville Sun. 23 Columbia (SC) Thu. 27 vs. ITA Individual Tourney at Sumter, SC
3:30 pm 10:00 am 1:00 pm TBA
OCTOBER Thu. 4 at Emmanuel (GA) Sat. 20 at Virginia-Wise
1:00 pm 10:00 am
Pittsburgh, PA
SEPTEMBER Mon. 10 Anderson University Invitational Cobb’s Glen Country Club Tue. 11 Anderson University Invitational Cobb’s Glen Country Club OCTOBER Mon. 8 Patsy Rendleman Invitational Country Club of Salisbury Tue. 9 Patsy Rendleman Invitational Country Club of Salisbury Mon. 15 LeeAnn Noble Memorial Achasta Golf Club Tue. 16 LeeAnn Noble Memorial Achasta Golf Club Mon. 29 UIS Island Getaway Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort Tue. 30 UIS Island Getaway Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort
Volleyball SEPTEMBER Sat. 1 vs. Barton at Charlotte, NC vs. Converse at Charlotte, NC Tue. 4 at Mars Hill * Fri. 7 Coker * Erskine Tue. 11 at Lenoir-Rhyne * Sat. 8 at Emmanuel (GA) Sat. 15 Carson-Newman * Tue. 18 at Newberry * Fri. 21 Tusculum * Sat. 22 Lincoln Memorial * Fri. 28 at Wingate * Sat. 29 at Coker *
Soccer SEPTEMBER Sat. 1 at North Georgia Wed. 5 Limestone Sat. 8 at UNC Pembroke Wed. 12 at Coker * Sat. 15 Wingate * Wed. 19 at Newberry * Sat. 22 Mars Hill * Sat. 29 at Lincoln Memorial *
OCTOBER Wed. 3 Queens (NC) *
Sat. 6 Sat. 13 Wed. 17 Sat. 20 Sat. 27
at Carson-Newman * Tusculum * Erskine at Catawba * Lenoir-Rhyne * AU Homecoming
* Conference
6:00 pm 7:00 pm 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 12:30 pm 5:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 1:00 pm
Bold Team: Home Event
OCTOBER Tue. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne * Fri. 5 Catawba * Sat. 6 Queens (NC)* Tue. 9 Mars Hill * Fri. 12 at Carson-Newman * Tue. 16 Newberry * Fri. 19 at Tusculum * Sat. 20 at Lincoln Memorial * Fri. 26 Wingate * Senior Night NOVEMBER Fri. 2 Catawba at Catawba * Sat. 3 at Queens (NC) *
* Conference
12:15 pm 4:45 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm
7:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 6:00 pm
7:00 pm 2:00 pm
Bold Team: Home Event
Games subject to change. Check website for most updated schedules. AT H L E T I C N E W S | 4 3
men’s tennis wrapped up last season with national ranking
The men’s tennis team finished last season ranked 28th in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The Trojans finished the 2018 campaign with a 12-9 overall record, including a 6-4 South Atlantic
Conference record. The season was highlighted by a six-match win streak, which included a 5-4 victory over SAC powerhouse Queens.
Anderson to Host South Atlantic Conference Cross Country Championships
Cameron Owens-Hunter & Weston Hutto
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At the conclusion of the league meetings in June, the South Atlantic Conference announced that Anderson University will host the SAC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships in early November. The two title events are slated to be held at the Milliken Research Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which has hosted Division II national championships and multiple Division-I conference championships.
JOIN THE TEAM!
Your contributions via Trojan Club membership have not only increased success in competition, but they have enabled our student-athletes to experience an athletics program that values academic excellence as they strive for championships. Join the Trojan Club today at autrojans.com For membership questions, contact the Athletic Department at 864.231.2057 or trojanclub@andersonuniversity.edu
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SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 26-28th Anderson University Homecoming/Family Weekend
Permit 306 Greenville, SC
To officially register for AU Homecoming/Family Weekend 2018, go to
GoAndersonU.com
and sign up by Oct. 19, 2018.