Anderson University Family Guide to College & Financial Planning 2020-21

Family Guide to College & Financial Planning

Anderson University

is one of only

universities in the

world that is an

Anderson University has earned it three consecutive times—in 2014, 2016 & 2018.

RECENT NATIONAL RECOGNITION • “ Best College” among regional universities in the south: #42 – U.S. News & World Report, 2021 • “ Best Undergraduate Teaching” among regional universities in the south: #11 – U.S. News & World Report, 2021 • “ Best Value” among regional universities in the south: #26 – U.S. News & World Report, 2021 • “ Most Innovative” among regional universities in the south: #16 – U.S. News & World Report, 2021 • “ A+ Schools for B Students” among regional universities in the south – U.S. News & World Report, 2021 • “ T op Performer: Social Mobility” among regional universities in the south: #64 – U.S. News & World Report, 2021 • “Best Southeastern” universities – The Princeton Review, 2021 • “ Best Student Engagement” ranked #26 among all universities in the United States – The Wall Street Journal, 2021

• Online Bachelor Programs: #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #2 among private institutions in South Carolina; #3 in South Carolina; #80 nationally – U.S. News & World Report, 2020

Online Graduate Business Programs: #2 among private institutions in • South Carolina; #3 in South Carolina; #3 in Upstate South Carolina – U.S. News & World Report, 2020 Online Graduate Business Administration Programs: #2 in Upstate • South Carolina; #4 in South Carolina; #4 among private institutions in South Carolina – U.S. News & World Report, 2020 • O nline Graduate Education Programs: #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #3 in South Carolina; #120 nationally – U.S. News & World Report, 2020

Online Graduate Nursing Programs: #1 among private institutions in South • Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #3 in South Carolina; #66 nationally – U.S. News & World Report, 2020

AU is the first university in South Carolina and one of the first in the nation where all incoming freshmen receive the latest iPad which is used in specially designed courses.

Academic Scholarships for First-Time Freshmen

Greetings from the President

Merit-Based Scholarships

As one of the nation’s leading Christian

and growth. We are privileged to celebrate

universities, Anderson University is

Anderson University’s continued successes

an innovative institution of serious

and eagerly anticipate the future

scholarship, built upon the pillars of great

achievements that are still in store for

PRESIDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP

DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIP

academics, great faith, great hospitality,

our institution.

— $15,000 PER YEAR

— $8,000 PER YEAR

• 3.5 high school GPA

• 3.0 high school GPA

• 1300 SAT or 28 ACT or 88 CLT

• 1080 SAT or 21 ACT or 71 CLT

and great purpose.

A university, however, is only as good as

Within this guide, you will discover our

its students. Mentored by an accomplished

commitment to serving our students as we

faculty and supported by caring,

Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D.

equip them with valuable knowledge both

committed staff, the excellent young men

FOUNDERS’ SCHOLARSHIP

President and Professor of Management

inside and outside of the classroom. We

and women who attend Anderson have

— $12,000 PER YEAR

AU GRANT

have high expectations of our students,

built its foundation.

• 3.5 high school GPA

— $6,000 PER YEAR

• 1200 SAT or 25 ACT or 78 CLT

• Awarded to any entering freshman not

and provide them with an educational journey that informs, inspires, and prepares them for a vocation. You will also note a number of accolades and

It is in their hands that we commit the

Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D. President

F AMILY G UIDE F EATURES

College is an Investment in Your Future

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• or, top 10% of class

receiving a President’s, Founders’, Provost’s, or Dean’s Scholarship.

PROVOST’S SCHOLARSHIP

Cordially,

received for its great value, innovation,

6-9

of traditional AU students receive financial aid.

• or, top 30% of class

future of our University—and of our world.

recognitions Anderson University has

04

100%

— $10,000 PER YEAR

OUT-OF-STATE GRANT

• 3.0 high school GPA

— $3,000 PER YEAR

• 1100 SAT or 22 ACT or 74 CLT

• Awarded to any out-of-state entering freshman.

• or, top 20% of class

A DMISSION C HECKLIST

10 Visual & Performing Arts Scholarships

12 New Research Proves Christian Higher Education is an Incredible Return on Investment

14

16

18

20

AU at a Glance

Trojan Sports

Our Collective Journey

Supporting Your Student in the College Search

APPLY REQUIRED • Application (online at AndersonUniversity.edu) • $40 Application Fee • Official High School Transcript • Two Essays*

OPTIONAL • Official SAT, ACT, or CLT Scores • Letter of Recommendation • Résumé * If you are submitting a test score, then you will not be required to submit essays.

Please Note: Students can only receive 1 of the 5 Anderson University merit-based scholarships. Students must meet Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to renew merit-based scholarships each year.

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Before we get too far, it’s important to recognize that many people are cautious about loans. And that’s a smart stance.

Paying interest on anything that depreciates in value is something that should be considered carefully. But things like a home—and a college education—are different; each appreciates in value in enormous amounts.

Cost and value are not the same thing. You can be pennywise and pound-foolish, especially when it comes to the vitally important college choice. You should choose a college because it is an excellent match for you, a place where you’ll feel at home—not because it is the least expensive. Like any investment, think long term. Ask yourself what impact choosing a college like Anderson University will have on the rest of your life.

In fact, do this: Estimate the cost of four years at Anderson University. Then amortize that total over 60 years by dividing the total by 60, and then dividing by 12 to get the monthly cost. If you do this, I’m guessing that you’ll be surprised at that monthly total, and you’ll consider it a good investment. In fact, if you compare this investment with the cost of a daily latte at Starbucks, I think you’d find it remarkably similar.

College is an Investment in Your Future It’s not like buying a new car. After all, the moment you roll out of the dealership’s parking lot, it’s already worth far less than you paid for it. And after a few years, it retains very little of its value.

But a college experience is about much more than money— it’s about how college helps shape a person, how it affects his or her quality of life and the potential to make a difference in the world.

But the investment in a college education? It pays dividends for decades. Especially at a place like Anderson University.

The prospect of four years of college expenses can appear daunting. But if you value higher education and are committed to it—and it appears that you do, given the fact that you’re reading the Anderson University Family Guide to College and Financial Planning—it’s well worth the investment.

To be sure, a college education is likely to make a person more prosperous; the lifetime income of families headed by individuals with a bachelor’s degree is about $1.6 million more than incomes of families headed by those with a high school diploma.

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It requires choices, discipline, and a thorough investigation into financial aid options, of which there are many. (In the case of Anderson University, 100 percent of traditional students receive some sort of financial aid.)

But don’t just take our word for it. Consider these reflections from Luis Martinez, a distinguished Anderson University graduate: I made the decision to attend Anderson University in the middle of the Great Recession. It was a decision that weighed heavily on me until it was made. My college plan was uncertain, my ability to get a job in the future was not guaranteed, and many of my questions were unanswered. For me, my decision to join the Trojan Family was a God thing. I started seeing doors begin to close, and the one door that remained open was my education.

Anderson was the door that remained faithful.

When I enrolled in Anderson University many years ago, I made the decision to trust God despite the current setting in the United States. I chose to follow my dream to join the Trojan Family in hopes that it would provide me with a fruitful future. Looking back, I can assure you that the choice was not easy, but it was the best decision I have ever made.

As I compare the season we are in today to my own journey, I see similarities in the uncertainty that is being felt by students and

their families. By choosing to move forward with your student’s educational pursuit, you are investing today in a better tomorrow.

My advice to parents walking through this journey would be this:

“

You have been investing in your student’s future education for his or her entire life, and regardless of the season you are in, I encourage you to continue to do so. Your student’s education is important, and it is an investment worth making.

Since graduating from Anderson University, I have been blessed.

I now serve as the Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager at TD Bank, have been recognized twice as the top branch manager in the state, graduated from Leadership Anderson (Class of 03), was recently recognized by Anderson Independent’s “20 Under 40” initiative, and started Upstate South Carolina’s first bilingual call center. I do not say this to brag but to help you understand that the investment you make today will pay off in the future.

In my experience, it took one leap of faith in a time of uncertainty to lay the firm foundation on which I now stand. Had I hesitated in my decision to join the Trojan Family, I would not be where I am today. As I look back on my journey to Anderson University, I celebrate the season I was able to walk through. And given the choice again, I would choose to leap every time.

85%

of entering freshmen returned for their sophomore year.

AU enrolls more South Carolina merit scholarship recipients than any other private university.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid Competitive Scholarships These competitive scholarships are designed for the highest achieving incoming students. Please note: test scores are required to receive eligibility for competitive scholarships. An application to apply will be sent by exclusive invitation to all eligible recipients.

P RESIDENTIAL FELLOWS S CHOLARSHIPS* — FULL TUITION, ROOM, AND BOARD • Competitive scholarships are open to any entering first-time freshmen who meet eligibility requirements.

• Minimum eligibility to receive an invitation to apply is a 1200+ SAT or a 27+ ACT or 82+ CLT AND a 3.5 high school GPA. • Recipients must serve in an approved campus

D ENMARK SCHOLARSHIP — $500 UP TO $3,000 PER YEAR • Competitive scholarship. Limited awards.

• Applicants must be first-time freshmen.

• Minimum 3.0 high school GPA and 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT or 74+ CLT required for scholarship consideration.

• Recipients

must serve in an approved campus leadership role each year.

leadership role each year.

• Annual award renewal amount is capped at the contract amount.

• O utside scholarships and federal grants and loans may be applied to cover room and board.

For more information, visit andersonuniversity.edu/presidential-fellows

73.2% ofofour ourfaculty facultymembers members hold holdthe thehighest highestdegree degree inintheir theirfield. field.

AU FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP* — FULL TUITION • Competitive scholarships are open to any entering first-time freshman who meet eligibility requirements.

• M inimum eligibility to receive an invitation to apply is a 1200+ SAT or a 27+ ACT or 82+ CLT AND a 3.5

PRESIDENTIAL BOYS STATE SCHOLARSHIP — $40,000 ($10,000 PER YEAR)

INTERIOR DESIGN SCHOLARSHIPS

As the host for South Carolina’s prestigious annual

— AWARDS VARY

high school GPA. • R ecipients must serve in an approved campus

Palmetto Boys State summer leadership program,

leadership role each year.

• A nnual renewal amount is capped at the

scholarship ($10,000 per year) to a Palmetto Boys State

total cost of tuition.

• O utside scholarships and federal grants and loans may

a number of other scholarship opportunities to students

Anderson University has committed one $40,000 Citizen. Anderson University is also privileged to offer

• The School of Interior Design is one of only 9 Christian universities in the nation offering a degree in interior design.

• An application and portfolio review are recommended for students interested in earning an Interior Design Scholarship.

who apply for the Presidential Boys State Scholarship.

be applied to cover room and board.

To learn more about Interior Design Scholarships, email

admissioncounselor@andersonuniversity.edu 8 | andersonuniversity.edu 6 | andersonuniversity.edu

Scholarships and Financial Aid for South Carolina Residents SC PALMETTO FELLOWS*

SC HOPE SCHOLARSHIP*

— $6,700 FRESHMAN YEAR; — $7,500 EACH FOLLOWING YEAR

— $2,800 PER YEAR (FRESHMAN ONLY AWARD)

• Must be a first-time entering freshman or transfer student.

• H OPE and LIFE recipients do not qualify.

• Must be a first-time entering freshman.

• Must have a 3.0 high school GPA (SC uniform grading scale).

• May be received for two semesters.

• Palmetto Fellows and LIFE recipients do not qualify.

• Recipients are selected by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

SC PALMETTO FELLOW AND LIFE S CHOLARSHIP ENHANCEMENTS* — $2,500 PER YEAR

#2

Anderson University ranks among private universities in South Carolina for the number of enrolled Palmetto Fellows.

• Must be a Palmetto Fellow or LIFE Scholarship recipient.

• Entering freshmen are not eligible.

Anderson University enrolls the most Teaching Fellows of any private university in South Carolina.

• Recipients must be a returning sophomore in a state approved math or science degree program.

• Eligibility is determined by academic performance and credits earned during the freshman year of college.

SC LIFE SCHOLARSHIP* — $5,000 PER YEAR • Must be a first-time entering freshman or transfer.

• P almetto Fellows and HOPE recipients do not qualify.

• First-time entering freshmen must meet two of the following three criteria: • 3.0 high school GPA (SC uniform grading scale).

• 1100 SAT or 24 ACT. • Top 30% of graduating class.

To Learn more about Teaching Fellows, visit andersonuniversity.edu/teaching-fellows

SC TUITION GRANT* — UP TO $3,500 • Must be a first-time entering freshman or transfer.

• Need-based.

• FAFSA required by June 30.

• For additional information, visit: www.sctuitiongrants.com

TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

— RANGING FROM $9,000-$11,000

— $8,500 INTERNATIONAL GRANT

PALMETTO BOYS AND GIRLS STATE SCHOLARSHIP

SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTIST SCHOLARSHIP

— $1,000 PER YEAR

— $300 PER YEAR

• Awarded to any first-time freshman or transfer.

• Must be named a Boys or Girls State citizen.

• Awarded to any first-time entering freshman or transfer student who attended a Baptist church. Partially funded by a generous grant from the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

• Awarded to first-time transfer students based upon cumulative college GPA.

To learn more about our scholarships, visit andersonuniversity.edu/sc-residents 8 | andersonuniversity.edu

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* Please note for all South Carolina Resident awards: You must complete the FAFSA to receive AU scholarships and SC Tuition Grant. See academic catalog for complete financial policies and award renewal criteria. All South Carolina State Scholarship and Grant Programs are contingent upon approved funding by the SC State Legislature. All eligible recipients must be U.S. citizens and South Carolina residents. andersonuniversity.edu | 9

Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships

®

Your Stage. Your Craft. Your Calling The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University trains professional visual, musical, and theatrical artists who are serious about both their art and Christian faith. Staffed by highly trained world-class artists, musicians, actors, dancers, theatrical designers, and scholars, we mentor students to develop their artistry to its fullest potential so they may thrive professionally and serve others through the arts.

Our Degree Programs We offer Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees with majors and concentrations in photography, painting and drawing, graphic design, ceramics, art education, musical theatre, theatrical design, acting and directing, dance, worship leadership, music education, vocal, keyboard and instrumental performance.

Features include: • state-of-the-art performance venues • art galleries

Music Audition Scholarship • A n audition is required for all students planning to major in Music.

• S tudents are invited to compete for a performance-based music scholarship up to $5,000.

Art + Design Portfolio Review Scholarship • A portfolio review is required for all students planning to major in Art + Design.

• S tudents are invited to compete for a portfolio-based visual art scholarship up to $5,000.

Theatre & Dance Audition Scholarship • A n audition is required for all students planning to major in Theatre or Dance.

• S tudents are invited to compete for a performance-based theatre scholarship for up to $5,000.

To learn more about The South Carolina School of the Arts scholarships, visit schoolofthearts.com

• a music technology laboratory • multiple graphic design studios • downtown Chiquola theater and design studios

The South Carolina School of the

The South SchoolChristian of the Arts is oneCarolina of only three Arts is onewith of only three Christian schools national professional schools with national accreditation in Art + professional Design, Music, accreditation in and Theatre. Art + Design, Music, and Theatre.

(Learn more about our accreditation on p. 15)

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New Research Proves Christian Higher Education is an Incredible Return on Investment

By Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D.

The Great Recession was a watershed moment in American history. The financial cataclysm of the late 2000s forced everyone to take a long look in the mirror and question long-held assumptions about our society.

Everything was on the table: How strong is our national economy, really? How much debt is too much? Is home ownership all that it’s cracked up to be?

Many of these questions linger, a decade later. One in particular is still very much in the spotlight, and, as the president of the second-largest private university in South Carolina, it’s never far from my thoughts.

How do university leaders ensure a college degree remains a valuable investment?

The answer is that we must constantly examine our value proposition in today’s post-Great Recession society. At Anderson University, a number of things set us apart, making such an examination no easy task. While we are a university thriving in a challenging environment, we are also a private, faith-based, comprehensive institution with liberal arts and professional degree programs. What, then, is Anderson University’s role in the cultural, political and economic landscape?

The answer, unequivocally, is that we have an enormously important, exceedingly valuable role. That isn’t just a personal opinion. It’s backed by hard data.

Recently, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), of which Anderson University is a proud member, released the results of a groundbreaking study that quantified more than just the value of a college education.

It explicitly made the case for Christian higher education, a cause for which AU has been committed since our founding in 1911.

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The overall economic impact of the more than 140 U.S.based CCCU institutions is staggering. Collectively we generate $60 billion annually for the U.S. economy, which comes out to roughly $166 million per day. What’s more, CCCU institutions employ 340,000 people, who earn $17.8 billion in salary and benefits.

“

Our thesis is simple: Christian higher education is important to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the United States in general, and South Carolina specifically. In a political landscape scarred by the memory of the Great Recession, lawmakers have to ask hard questions and make bold decisions.

The six CCCU institutions in South Carolina employ roughly 2,500 South Carolinians who support the education of more than 11,000 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students.

None of these institutions receive direct federal or state funds for operations, yet our students do receive federal and state grants and scholarships they can use at either public or private colleges and universities.

In light of the runaway federal deficit, and oftencontentious debates in Congress on how best to allocate taxpayer dollars, cuts to grants and scholarships for college students wouldn’t be prudent. After all, you’ll not find many returns on investment better than that provided by Christian higher education.

For every $1 in federal grant money a student receives, CCCU institutions far more than match the investment, providing $5 in aid to that same student through their own grants and scholarships. When you drill down on the

data, you find that the $470 million in annual grant aid provided by the federal government amounts to $9.7 billion in federal tax revenue.

Needless to say, a $9 billion profit is an incredible return on investment.

“

The overall economic impact of the more than 140 U.S.-based CCCU institutions is staggering.

Collectively we generate $60 billion annually for the U.S. economy, which comes out to roughly $166 million per day.

Of course, it’s not just dollars and cents. More than 35 percent of CCCU students provide out-of-classroom service to their communities, totaling 5.4 million hours every year. Graduation rates are high. And the default rate on student loans for CCCU graduates is 6.3 percent; the national average for all college graduates is much higher, standing at 11.5 percent.

Our thesis is simple: Christian higher education is important to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the United States in general, and South Carolina specifically. In a political landscape scarred by the memory of the Great Recession, lawmakers have to ask hard questions and make bold decisions.

We certainly understand. In my view, however, it’s vitally important that when considering federal- and state-based aid funding, lawmakers should keep their focus on the people most affected: the college students on whom so much of our country’s future relies, and the young men and women schools like Anderson University so effectively educate.

Dr. Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D., is the president of Anderson University, where he has served since 2002. He is a past member and chairman of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, having been appointed by then-Governor Nikki Haley. A version of this op-ed was published by the Greenville News and the Anderson Independent Mail in 2019.

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AU at a Glance With more than 1,000 events and activities each year, you will have plenty of opportunities to stay connected and grow in fellowship.

Here at Anderson University, academics are rooted in our Christian mission and grounded in the liberal arts.

Guided by a commitment to teaching excellence, AU professors will cultivate your creativity and productivity.

You will develop a deep love for learning and discover a campus community that feels like family. As a distinctly Christian university affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Anderson University is devoted to the spiritual growth of its students. Faith is woven into every aspect of the AU experience.

Here it’s integrated into your classrooms, your extracurricular activities, and, of course, the ministries you’ll have the opportunity to join. Through involvement, leadership, and relationships with faculty, staff, and peers, you will grow to know yourself and your gifts.

At AU, you will also encounter faith in Christ in new, challenging, and refreshing ways. And that’s why the integration of faith and learning is a foundational aspect of the Anderson University experience.

Our Students & Campus Community

3,800+

16

43

17.4%

50+

18:1

enrolled students

different countries represented

different states represented

of students are people of color

study abroad programs

student to faculty ratio

90%

33

45+

101+

1,400+

19

of our freshmen students live on campus

modern on-campus housing options ranging from traditional halls to apartment-style suites

registered clubs & organizations

ongoing student activities each year

of our students participated in 22 intramural sports last year

athletic programs with women’s lacrosse and football coming soon

The University pool includes barbecue grills, ample seating for relaxing or studying, and Wi-Fi

The G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Student Center is home to a stateof-the-art fitness center, outfitted with the latest in cardio, weight training equipment and group fitness classes.

On-campus dining options include the Dining Commons, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Books & Beans, a We Proudly Serve Starbucks location

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AU biologists, students and local naturalists can enjoy and explore Rocky River Nature Park—a 160-acre Conservation Easement of combined wetland and upland.

The AU Makerspace is a hub for students and faculty to experiment, build, and learn through machines, technology, and problem-based learning methods.

Students at the Anderson University Center for Cancer Research work with advanced equipment and skilled researchers to study cancer treatments and causes.

Our Campus

Our Global Journey

Ideally situated on 371 acres in the elegant historical district of Anderson, South Carolina, Anderson University’s campus provides a definitively collegiate setting for your student’s educational journey.

During their junior year, qualified students can take a three-credit course that includes a short-term, faculty sponsored study abroad experience (some recent trips include: Italy, Spain, Panama, Australia, China, the Galapagos Islands and Jamaica). Our students engage in approximately 10 college-sponsored mission and service trips each year and provide 15,000 hours of local community service.

Our Accreditation Anderson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Anderson University. Professional accreditation includes the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Our Vision For God and humanity, Anderson University seeks to be an innovative, entrepreneurial, premier comprehensive university where liberal arts, professional studies and graduate studies thrive within an uplifting, welcoming and distinctively Christian community of diverse faculty, staff and students dedicated to intellectually rigorous learning, a caring and hospitable campus culture and personal transformation.

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. L. Dianne King, Associate Vice President for Student Development/Dean of Student Success/Title IX Coordinator, Thrift Library Office 203, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC, 29621, (864) 231-2026, ldking@andersonuniversity.edu or to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov.

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FOOTBALL (COMING 2024)

125+

340+ CHEERLEADING

LACROSSE (COMING 2023)

Our Collective Journey

Read more about our collective journey at andersonuniversity.edu/news

Inspiring Faculty , Students & Alumni Biology Professor Co-Authors Cell Biology Textbook

My AU Journey: Bailey Westbrook

Dr. Diana Ivankovic, director of the Anderson University Center for Cancer Research, recently co-authored a cell biology textbook with help from AU students.

The Coronavirus pandemic changed everything for our graduating seniors. Bailey shares her struggles—and what gives her hope for the future.

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/biology-professor-textbook

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/myaujourney-baileywestbrook

College of Engineering Dean Named Biomedical Engineering Society Fellow Dr. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, University distinguished professor, founding dean of the Anderson University College of Engineering and vice president for industry relations has been named to the 2020 Class of Fellows by the Biomedical Engineering Society.

My AU Journey: Ashley Kate Miller Ashley Kate Miller found a home at Anderson University. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, she’s learning “home” might have a different definition.

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/myaujourney-ashleykatemiller

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/engineering-dean-fellow

College of Business Professor Receives Fulbright Scholar Award An Anderson University College of Business professor Dr. Kent Saunders has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award to serve as a cultural ambassador to Belarus.

Alumni Spotlight: Garrett and Nick Bernardo If history repeats itself, Garrett and Nick Bernardo will lay claim to something probably unique among Anderson University alumni: they’ll be a part of winning a Super Bowl.

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/alumni-spotlight-bernardo

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/fulbright-kent-saunders

Health Professions Dean Elected Regent for American College of Healthcare Executives Dr. Donald Peace, dean of the Anderson University College of Health Professions has been appointed to the Council of Regents, the legislative body of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Alumni Spotlight: Savannah Turner Savannah Turner, a College of Education graduate, spent two summers during college at schools in Zambia and founded the Chikondi Community School in Lusaka.

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/savannah-turner

–> andersonuniversity.edu/news/don-peace-regents

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Supporting Your Student in the College Search

The student gave it over to God first. I once read that God

You have a great opportunity to walk with your student

is trying to give us gifts, but often, our hands are too full to

through one of the most impactful seasons of his or her life,

receive them. From my experience, I can assure you that if you

and your guidance right now is more crucial than ever. Each

empty your hands and ask God to bless your decision, He will

of you will grow in ways you did not realize were possible, you

come through every time.

will celebrate moments of clarity and joy, and you will cling

With all that is surrounding us, I believe it is important for parents and guardians to remain

The student was empowered by his or her family to make

connected as they seek to support their students through the college search process. My

the final decision. We often believe parents and guardians

hope is that we can unify with one another in this important season, and as an enrollment

always know best, and while that may be true, this is a choice

professional and mom to two, I look forward to sharing my perspective with you about

that your student needs to feel equipped and encouraged

selecting a college home with your student.

to make. Families should provide guidance, support, and a knowledgeable perspective, but in the end, this decision must

In my nearly four decades of service to Anderson University, I have had the privilege of witnessing the ever-changing landscape of college enrollment and the valuable growth in the lives of our students. In my 27 years as a parent, I have had an even greater privilege

Pam Bryant-Ross Vice President for Enrollment Management at Anderson University

to witness this growth in the lives of my own children. There is no guidebook that can ever prepare you for what it means to be a parent (especially to college students), but I hope the lessons I have learned will empower you to empower your student through their journey.

From the valuable insights I have gained over the past four decades, one of the greatest lessons I have learned is this:

“Your student is going to college somewhere, and they need your guidance in the process.

feel right to the student.

“

You have a great opportunity to walk with your student through one of the most impactful seasons of his or her life, and your guidance right now is more crucial than ever. Each of you will grow in ways you did not realize were possible, you will celebrate moments of clarity and joy, and you will cling to each other in moments of indecision and doubt.

The student continued to receive support from his or her family once the decision was made. As your student selects his or her future home, you need to be firm in your support and unwavering in your encouragement. This is your student’s

Deciding where to go to college is one of the first major

he or she decides what is best. For others, it may be

journey to navigate, and what he or she needs most is the

decisions your student will face in his or her life. Your

stepping up as the voice of reason during your student’s

recognition that you believe in the decision that was made.

student is essentially choosing a place to call home for

uncertainty. For all of us, it is sitting with your student in

the next four years, and that is no easy decision. There will

prayer that God will guide your family through this season.

be moments of doubt, overwhelming joy, stress, clarity,

Let me acknowledge the fact that your student may hold to this decision without falter during the next four years, but your

When I began the college search with my children,

student may also realize months later this was not the best

I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed but incredibly

choice. Regardless of the outcome, you must recognize each

encouraged knowing I had witnessed so many families

decision will bring growth and valuable lessons to your family.

before me navigate the process well. As you walk through

Your role is to remain positive, supportive, and empowering

One of the best gifts you can give your student is

this season, I want to share with you key consistencies

no matter where this journey leads.

empowerment and encouragement in this season. So,

I have witnessed in my role that proved a student would

what does that look like? For some, it may be relinquishing

be successful in this journey:

and everything in between. It is an impactful season for you, your student, and your relationship. I am sure you are asking yourself, “What can I do to help?”

control to your student and providing a listening ear as

I chose to implement each of these actions when my daughters

to each other in moments of indecision and doubt. Through each moment though, you will find rest and peace knowing God is guiding the way.

Trust Him, and trust your student. Your journey awaits.

Channels of Support for Anderson University Students: • C enter for Student Success provides programs and individualized services offering students the opportunity to be successful.

• C enter for Career Development & AU PRO is designed to improve students written and oral communication skills while illuminating the overall characteristics of a professional image.

• C urriculum Enhancement Program (CEP) enriches students’ academic experiences by providing co-curricular opportunities that reinforce the educational and personal development of students.

• A nderson University Ron Blue Center is an affiliate of the Ron Blue Institute, an Indiana-based organization hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University. The mission of the Ron Blue Center at Anderson University is to advance biblical financial education, enabling Christians to make financial decisions within a biblical framework.

• T hrive Wellness Center provides on-campus health care and counseling services easily accessible for the Trojan Family.

• C ampus Ministries: Anderson University has a Christian faculty and staff, challenging spiritual programs, and strong Christian organizations—all of which come together to help Anderson University students deepen their faith, share in Christ’s love, and grow.

• C lubs and Organizations: There are 45+ registered clubs and organizations for students to join as they discover their passions.

• C enter for Innovation and Digital Learning (CIDL) enriches teaching and learning through academic innovation.

• A nderson University Parent Association invites parents and guardians to share their ideas, talents, and contributions as they each play an instrumental role at Anderson University and create memories that will last far beyond a student’s college career.

began the college search process, and while the journey was not always easy, it was made easier because we trusted God,

To learn more, visit andersonuniversity.edu.

and I trusted them.

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Located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, the city of Anderson has been recognized as the “Friendliest City in South Carolina.” Anderson is a regional destination city for shopping and dining, as well as outdoor sports at nearby Lake Hartwell and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located less than 30 minutes from downtown Greenville and two hours from Atlanta and Charlotte, Anderson students have easy access to vibrant professional, cultural, recreational and employment opportunities, and are within driving distance of South Carolina’s beaches.

Atlanta, GA...........................................................2.0 Hours Augusta, GA..........................................................2.0 Hours Birmingham, AL................................................... 4.0 Hours Charleston, SC..................................................... 4.0 Hours Charlotte, NC........................................................2.0 Hours Greensboro, NC................................................... 4.0 Hours Hilton Head, SC....................................................4.5 Hours Jacksonville, FL....................................................... 7.0 Hours Orlando, FL...........................................................9.0 Hours Raleigh, NC...........................................................5.0 Hours Savannah, GA.......................................................4.5 Hours

ORLANDO

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