Signatures THE ANDERSON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | FALL 2019
RAVENMADE FA L L 2 0 1 9 | 1
2 | THE A NDERSON U NI V ERSIT Y M AGA ZINE
A S INGLE F RAME
O
ver the years, thousands of alumni have taken that
iconic photo in front of Helios.
It all starts with a solo shot. You, by yourself, ready to take on your college career. As the years go on, these photos start to grow. The people, the memories, and all of the experiences that encompass
real life transformed.
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President’s Letter
A
John S. Pistole BA ‘78 giving the President’s Charge at the 101st Commencement.
RavenMade
s I reflect upon the theme of this issue of Signatures, RavenMade, I think about the impact Anderson University has on the world. This impact was recognized by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb during his Commencement address in May. He emphasized the important work that AU alumni do in Indiana and beyond. I couldn’t agree more. I think of our AU trustees, and the impact they have in their respective fields. This includes our 10 pastors and the life-changing work they do in their hometown churches and around the world. Other alums who come to mind are Bill and Gloria Gaither, Sandi Patty, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jon McLaughlin, Sidewalk Prophets, Tenth Avenue North, and many more! These RavenMade artists have influenced the lives of listeners all over the world in ways that are personal and profound. AU alums have impacted the world of opera significantly, with Lawrence (Larry) Brownlee, Lynelle Johnson, Shelby Rhoades, and other outstanding artists like Heather Lake who help define excellence in all things in their unique and impactful ways. We have dozens of AU grads engaged in public service at the local, state, and federal level, including my old stomping grounds of the FBI and TSA, where I learned you can clearly impact others for good. I think of our Leadership Donor dinner this summer where we honored Dr. Eric and Sally (Morrison) Blom, for their generous contributions to AU in the last several years. Sally is the granddaughter of our first president, Dr. John (and Eunice) Morrison. Eric is a brilliant inventor and entrepreneur. They both embrace who we are and what we do at AU. There are many Raven alums in the business world who have empowered the lives of countless others through their servant leadership, generosity, integrity, responsibility, and excellence. They fiercely embody our core values. I encourage you to think of how God may use you today, even as you’re reading this, to serve others and make a difference in the lives of friends, family, and perhaps strangers. You may not be in the news, but you’re in God’s perfect will. As Christ followers, there is no better place to be. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us. Blessings,
THE ANDERSON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE | FALL 2019
14 RAVENMADE: ACADEMIC INNOVATION See how our professors and alumni are moving forward with innovative education and impacting the community.
12 GOD’S GIFT
24 MARKETS FOR MAKERS
34 PAUL SALTZMANN
Sarah LaRose believed that nothing, not even
FSB alumna Natalie Nagengast
The longest-serving faculty member
a lifelong visual impairment, should keep her
establishes venues for local merchants
left his legacy amongst thousands of
from experiencing God’s written word.
after an inspiring Tri-S trip to Costa Rica.
students. See what they had to say.
VOLUME 99 ISSUE 2 Editor — Marissa Johnson BA ’13; Art Director — Michael Baker BA ’08, MBA ‘15; Designer — Kyle Lockhart BA ’15; Illustrators — Jeffrey Jackson BA ’12 , Caroline States ’21; Contributing Writers — Caitlynn Elkins, Maria Neathery BA ’19, President John Pistole BA ’78, Cassie Sanchez ’20, Aaron Schneider, Erin Smith ’20, Tammy Tilley BA ’85, Michael Ulrich BA ’10; Photographers — Anna Blank, Caitlynn Elkins, Troyer Goldman ’20, Hannah Lockhart BA ’15, Mike Meadows BA ’88, Dale Pickett, Ali Zoller ’20; Director of Marketing — Mischon Hart BA ’07; Director of Alumni Engagement — Scott Tilley BA ’86. Signatures is the official institutional periodical of Anderson University, published three times a year and printed by Progress Printing Plus. Editorial offices are located in Smith House on the AU campus. The mailing address is Anderson University, ATTN: Signatures magazine, 1100 E. 5th St., Anderson, IN 46012. Signatures and the Anderson University logo are registered trademarks of Anderson University.
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Stay up to date with
Campus News
SAVE THE DATE Reunite and rekindle relationships with other AU alumni, faculty, and staff at this year’s Homecoming!
HOMECOMING O C T. 1 8 -1 9 | # r e A U n i t e d
EPIC BOUNCEBACK After dominating at the original test and tune, the mechanical engineering autonomous go-kart team left their competitors in the dust at the evGrandPrix, beating several of the nation’s top engineering schools. Even after experiencing a fried control chip just before the final race, AU pushed through and came out on top.
2019 GRADS NOTED AS DIFFERENCE MAKERS 430+ graduates turned their tassels in May. Commencement speaker Governor Eric Holcomb thanked Anderson University for having graduates that are “compassionate, caring, creative, grounded, giving, devoted, determined, and difference makers.”
AU RECOGNIZED AS MISSION-DRIVEN IN REACCREDITATION The university recently received formal notification of its reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, extending the university’s accreditation for 10 more years. “It is clear that Anderson University is a mission-driven institution,” the HLC team concluded in their review. “AU has a strong commitment to serving not just the campus community, but also the city of Anderson, Ind., the region, as well as global needs.”
STRATEGIC ACADEMIC SHIFT THIS SUMMER The School of Education is integrating into the School of Humanities and Behavioral Science (SHBS), and it is anticipated that this shift in AU’s academic infrastructure won’t be felt by students. The goal of this new Department of Teacher Education within the SHBS is to place it within a larger academic unit that provides a more formal connection between secondary education majors, such as Language Arts Teaching or Social Studies Teaching, with the other connected majors within SHBS such as English, Writing, and History.
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RAVENMADE Fall Playlist
A
nderson University is a cultivation point for artists to come together and invent amazing sounds. This playlist is a tribute to the many creative Ravens who compose and pursue their craft.
The Other Side
Jack Kerouac
I Can’t Fall That Far
THE WLDLFE The Other Side
Joshua Powell & the Great Train Robbery Man Is Born for Trouble
Bobbie Morrone Lonely St
White River
Take Care
Creepy Song
Garage Sales Garage Sales
understatements Tell Me That I’m Not Alone
Elle Michelle Coming of Age
You Don’t Get Me
Can’t Shake U
Drive
Forstory You Don’t Get me
Dream Chief Can’t Shake U
John Louis & the Midwest We’re All Going to Make It
Despite
Tongue Tied
Light of the Morning
Evan Walker Carr, Payton Lantz Reflections
Ian Illig A Horse With Blinders
All the Astronauts Light the Night
tin can preservation co.
Comes Back Deep
Look Ahead
daisily LESS FEEL II
The Willowwacks The Willowwacks
Sanctified Look Ahead
To listen to this playlist, go to anderson.edu/spotify or scan the code with the Spotify app.
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Stay up to date with
Athletics
As Anderson University enters the 2019-20 season, the baseball and soccer teams continue their initiatives to raise funds for their programs. The AU Baseball Above and Beyond Pledge is a commitment to the overall growth, success, and sustainability of the Anderson University baseball program as well as its players, friends, and alumni. The goal of this pledge is to provide alumni, family, friends – or anyone willing to help – an easy and affordable way to make a major impact on the program. This pledge is for anyone willing to go “above and beyond” their typical, yet much appreciated, support of the baseball program. The donations are tax-deductible, and supporters will be recognized on the baseball website and gameday programs. “The AU Baseball Above and Beyond Pledge has proven to be a great avenue of support for our AU baseball family,” says Mathew Bair, head baseball coach. “It provides a simple, affordable, and impactful way for us to leverage the power of our alumni, family, and friends to help provide first-class experiences for our baseball players, as well as stick to the Anderson University goal of creating distinctive, compelling, and relevant experiences for our program as a whole.”
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Supporters can visit anderson.edu/above-beyond
On the other side of campus, the soccer program has its own fundraising initiative, Build AU Soccer, to improve their facilities. The project is in the first of three phases, with the addition of a scoreboard, a concession stand, restrooms, and a sprinkler system already in place. The most recent developments include the construction of the team areas, landscaping, and fencing for the facility. Over the course of the next year, the goal is to raise money for the remainder of the fencing as well as new bleachers. Build AU Soccer has raised approximately $109,000 and needs about $50,000 to complete all aspects of Phase 1. Phase 2 is geared toward putting up lights for the field, while Phase 3 is focused on adding brick to the soccer buildings. “I’m excited to wrap up the final piece of Phase 1 in the coming months,” says Scott Fridley, head men’s soccer coach. “Hopefully we can get the money to complete Phase 1 by the end of the year. We can then build the bleachers for the stadium in the spring and dedicate Phase 1 in the fall of 2020.
I would like to thank all of our alumni, family, and friends of the program for their generosity and support. We are blessed to have so many helping us accomplish our goal. The support we have received from the university has been very appreciated. This will be a great addition for the student-athletes and the fan experience.”
and anderson.edu/soccer-stadium for more information.
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Fall
Arts and Culture SEPTEMBER 19 Lecture Recital: Marcel Ramalho de Mello
15 Concert Band
26 Faculty Woodwind Quintet
18 Homecoming Concert
27, 28, 29 Fall Play: Tennessee Playboy
OCTOBER 3 Faculty Recital 4, 5, 6 Fall Play: Tennessee Playboy
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Les Taylor, conductor
Women’s Chorus: Joani Brandon, conductor Chorale: Richard Sowers, conductor Douglas Beam: Outstanding Music Alumnus
24 Dance Guest Artists 31 Wind Ensemble Adam Waller, conductor
NOVEMBER 3 Guest Artist Recital: Art Songs from Around the World 7 Jazz Ensemble Adam Waller, director
8, 9 Fall Into Dance 14 Orchestra Gert Kumi, conductor
17 Student Composers Recital
19 Concert Band Les Taylor, conductor
21, 22, 23, 24 Fall Musical: And The World Goes ‘Round 22 - DEC. 13 Visual Communication Design Senior Show 25 Anderson Symphonic Choir Schuyler Brinson, conductor
DECEMBER 6 Candles and Carols
To learn more about these events, please visit anderson.edu/arts-events.
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The Sarah LaRose Story
God’s Gift BY TAMMY TILLEY
W
alking through the School of Theology, Sarah LaRose DMin ’19 could smell the volumes of books on the shelves and wondered what was in them. Blind since birth, she shares, “I thought I would never have the opportunity to know.” LaRose once thought she would never get to study the Bible in its original context. While many different versions of the Bible exist in braille, Greek transcriptions did not. That is, until LaRose took it upon herself.
“In the Greek Bible, there are little symbols that go along with each letter,” she explains. LaRose had to invent each of these for braille, not only for herself, but for any visually-impaired student who would use her version of the Bible. For the last 10 years, this transcription has been her mission. “When I was doing a teaching assistantship, there was one blind student and several other students with learning disabilities, and I worked with them,” she says. “That’s when I realized I really wanted to help open the door to students who face these types of challenges, especially in learning the ancient languages. I want to
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do everything I can to remove those barriers.” LaRose, who teaches Greek and Hebrew online for the SOT, is also in the process of writing textbooks in braille. While she has been nationally recognized for her work, she is mostly driven by helping others experience the Bible. She recalls one of her first experiences as a student taking Hebrew with then SOT professor, Barry Ross: “He was trying to explain Jesus lifting up the sacrifice and how He carried our sins on His back. The Jewish practice was to send out a scapegoat with the symbol of sin on its back and I had never heard of that. In that moment, I realized Jesus was carrying our sin on His back like a scapegoat and taking it away. I was sitting in Hebrew class crying. I was worshiping God in class.” Since then, LaRose has studied the messages within the books she never thought she would get to read and has allowed others to do the same. She has been a trailblazer for the visually impaired community. She recently graduated with her Doctor of Ministry and plans to continue to teach students online.
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BY MICHAEL ULRICH
It’s an age-old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. At just over 100 years, though, Anderson University is still looking toward the future.
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“Since the recession around 2008, a lot of the normal predictors that private higher-education used to gauge its place in the landscape changed,” says Dr. Joel Shrock, associate provost and the dean of the School of Humanities and Behavioral Science. “I don’t think private colleges and universities can survive without innovation. It is necessary for us to prosper.” Dr. Marie Morris, provost, agrees, “Our world is constantly changing and so must our approach to educating each new generation. What may have worked in the past may no longer be relevant. If we are to provide an excellent education for our students, we must be willing to try new things.” Tim States, director of Work Life Engagement, thinks of this as the Anderson way. “I think we offer a lot of academic freedom that may not be available at other universities.” He notes that faculty who have also taught at other institutions are excited by the opportunity to teach students in
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the best way they know how, instead of strictly following a lesson plan or textbook. “In order to take the risk of trying new things, you need to have a culture that is open to failed experiments,” adds Dr. Morris. “Besides, I think one of the best things we can help our students learn is that it is okay to innovate and it is okay to fail. We sometimes, maybe oftentimes, learn more from our failures.” “Academic innovation is a forwardlooking approach to connecting the needs of our students and community with the coursework we offer,” says Dr. Shrock. So, how is Anderson University looking forward to the future and outward to the needs of the community? President John Pistole could give you a list that includes new majors, athletic programs, and renowned speakers, all of which strive toward the university’s goal of being “distinctive, compelling, and relevant.” These are a few of the many highlights.
BACKPACKING
TIC TAC TOE
WITH THE SAINTS
RETRIEVAL
A
“
cademic innovation means using evidencebased strategies in the classroom in ways that resonate with students,” says Dr. Janell Blunt, assistant professor of psychology. For her students, this has meant using a new technique created by AU student Emily Glassman ’21.
Many classrooms focus on giving information to students, but retrieval practice is a learning strategy that focuses on getting that same information back from them. The trouble with many retrieval practice techniques is that, while they encourage retrieval of information, they can also increase anxiety. Glassman’s activity, which involves splitting the class into two teams who compete together in a game of traditional tic tac toe, aims to encourage learning without the added anxiety. “When I first began college, my study strategies consisted of rereading the material from my courses right before the exams. As I received feedback on the importance of retrieval on learning, I’ve found ways to improve my education,” Glassman says. “Taking ownership of effective learning strategies, even through simple ways like creating retrieval tic tac toe, makes the process more meaningful.”
“
W
ilderness spirituality has a long tradition in Christianity, and it’s one that will resonate with a lot of students,” says Dr. Samantha Miller, assistant professor of the history of Christianity. “Students who might love to be outdoors or who see God in creation but have trouble knowing what to do with the God they meet inside a stainedglass church can take this course as a way of exploring a tradition of spirituality they recognize.” Recognizing this need, and inspired by a similar course she participated in at Hope College, Dr. Miller developed Backpacking with the Saints, a summer class that explores the tradition of going into the wilderness for spiritual growth.
“The bulk of the class is a two-week Tri-S trip to the Adirondack Mountains,” explains Dr. Miller. “Students will experience how God forms us more into his likeness by being in the wilderness through things like disillusionment, failure, the sheer uncontrollability of nature (and of God), silence, and simplicity.”
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WOMEN IN
ACCELERATED
COMPUTING
A
fter attending the Women in Technology conference in Indianapolis, a group of students asked Dr. Jennifer Coy, chair of the Department of Computer Science, if they could implement the activities presented that led to higher recruitment and retention of women in computing. After their first event in the spring of 2018, they received a grant from the Indiana Space Grant Consortium, a NASAsponsored organization that funds STEM education in the state of Indiana. This grant allowed them to hold two social events, two technology workshops, and take a group of 20 people to the Indy.Code() conference.
“The Women in Computing (WiC) group is a way for women in computing majors to get to know each other outside the classroom, in a supportive environment. While AU has a relatively high ratio of women in computing majors — about 33% compared to the national average of 18% — I’d like to see more women enter computing careers, and groups like WiC can have a positive impact on this goal,” Dr. Coy says. “I believe that effective undergraduate education is much more than just what is learned in the classroom. It is so important for students to have educational experiences outside of the classroom.”
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BSN
P
resident Pistole and Dr. Morris asked Dr. Lynn Schmidt, dean of nursing and kinesiology, to develop something unique for the School of Nursing and Kinesiology. Dr. Schmidt met with an advising committee of alumni and chief nursing officers from the area to ask questions like “What do we need to do to help prepare our students to be successful?” From these conversations, the Accelerated BSN emerged. It is a second-degree program, for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree, and one of 10 of its kind offered in Indiana. Students who qualify can earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 21 months, taking many of the same courses with students in the four-year program.
“There has been big growth in the need for registered nurses in the last 10 years,” Schmidt says. “Coupled with many nurses retiring, it has led to a nursing shortage. We hope this program will help address that need.” The first Accelerated BSN cohort begins classes this summer.
FIRST STEPS IN MUSIC
BUSINESS
EXPERIENTIAL LAB
I
D
“You think about the kind of people who have given their lives to make elementary music creative and wonderful, to capture their imaginations, to help them develop their aptitude in music to the fullest potential,” says Dr. Brandon. Those are the people she brings in to teach the summer classes. Those are the people, too, that she believes takes them.
“A freshman who has nothing at all on their resume could say ‘Second semester my freshman year, I was a part of a group that developed and executed a strategy for a non-profit. Here’s how it performed’,” Dr. Stumpf says. “It’s really important, early and often, that these students see what the work entails. I don’t think they know where they fit or what they’re good at until they’ve had some experience with it.”
n 2003, Dr. Joani Brandon, professor of music in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, started a summer studies program for music education based on the Orff Schulwerk, a developmental approach that attempts to make learning music similar to the way a child plays. It is based on research about how brains are developed and how music is processed.
The classes are open to current teachers and AU students alike, and “90% of these teachers, on a teacher’s salary, come and pay to do this themselves,” she adds. “They’re not just doing it to be re-certified. They’re doing it because they want to be better.” Putting these continuing learners in the same room as AU students, she says, benefits the students, too, with 100% of them placed in amazing jobs for the last 10 years. “It really puts our undergraduates ahead.”
r. Anna Stumpf of the Falls School of Business found a way to help the community while also teaching her students. The business experiential lab she started lets students, who may not have any work experience, help local companies with branding, social media, copywriting, event planning, and more.
“Academics are duplicatable anywhere,” she adds, pointing to how easy it is to learn online. “Experiential learning is one of the most important opportunities in college.” “Innovative education has to completely focus on the student and how they’re coming to us. True innovation means knowing your students and meeting them where they are with as much real-world application as possible.”
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LIGHTS CAMERA RAVENS! BY MARIA NEATHERY
S
pending countless hours writing scripts, planning scenes, directing a crew, filming, and editing, Ian Lane BA ’19, cinema media arts grad, prepared his short film to be viewed at Anderson University’s annual Black Bird Film Festival. The event is put on by AU cinema media arts students with the help of their professors. The long, royal red carpet stretched throughout York Performance Hall invites film viewers to experience student-made films that display a passion for the filmmaking industry.
This RavenMade event was started in 2017 by Professors Jack Lugar and David Armstrong. “David and I were teaching Field, Soundstage, and Post-Production, which is a class focused
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on single-camera production,” says Lugar. “We wanted to provide the students with the experience of seeing their films on the big screen, so we set up the event in York at the last minute.” The end-of-school-year celebration showcases the work that has been completed by students in the program. It also includes some work by public relations, visual communication, and theatre students. “It is an event that combines the feel of a movie premiere, a film festival, and an awards show,” says Lugar. Lane put in hours of work on his short film and recognizes that his peers did the same. “My favorite part of the film festival is just being
able to see my fellow film students' work,” says Lane. “We all work so hard throughout the semester trying to get these made, and it is a very stressful process. I love being able to sit back and relax and just watch the films unfold on screen. I love to see what creative decisions they have made, and it is rewarding seeing the audience's reactions.” Another aspect that makes this event unique is the RavenMade award known as the “Squawkies.” These awards are handed out for best film, directing, editing, and the audience’s choice award. “Overall it has been a major success, with more people being interested in the program and great turnouts at the festival,” says Lane.
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Students Teach
Getting Interpersonal BY CASSIE SANCHEZ
T
arah Collins BA ’19 was recently asked to speak to a group of employees from LifeShare, a company that provides technology to senior living communities. She felt confident and fully prepared because of the classes she had taken at Anderson University. In particular, she points to the two interpersonal relationships courses taught in the Department of Psychology.
Dr. Lee Griffith, professor of psychology, says that the first of the two courses was originally designed by Dr. Bill Farmen, professor emeritus. “It benefits students by teaching them effective communication skills, which helps them navigate the difficult moments we all experience in relationships.” He adds that the second course “provides students with the opportunity to teach these skills to the next generation by helping them learn how to effectively encourage growth in others.”
Collins has already put the skills she learned in these classes to use, particularly when she spoke to LifeShare. Her lecture focused on reflective listening and responding to defensiveness. She taught others how to understand a defendant’s point of view, how they are seeing you at the moment, what emotion they are feeling, and what specifically they want from you. Seeing from the other person's perspective breaks down emotional barriers that are put up when one is being defensive and allows for a better chance of productive conversation.
Seeing from the other person’s The most important skill Collins perspective developed is how to be assertive. breaks down “Most often, when we are communicating with others, emotional we have a tendency to beat around the bush rather than be barriers
Throughout these courses, students roleplay realistic situations. Then, they record each attempt and analyze their performance against specific criteria. Finally, they discuss their results by comparing them with other students in the class.
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direct, or we tend to let emotion get in the way of productive communication,” she says. “Once I learned to be assertive, it lowered my stress levels personally and professionally. I was happier.”
“A high IQ can only get you so far in the professional world,” Collins says. The interpersonal relationships courses have helped her develop high emotional intelligence as well. The skills learned in these courses are beneficial for all students no matter what degree they pursue.
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Markets for
Makers FSB alumna fosters a creative exchange
BY TAMMY TILLEY
Shopping has
gotten personal. Instead of going to malls, many prefer buying goods from local merchants in their hometowns. American society has participated in the Maker Movement, a term used to identify DIY-ers who sell unique, handmade items with a touch of artistry. This movement has boosted the economy by nearly $10 billion. By combining her love of open markets, business savvy, and a willingness to take risks, Natalie Nagengast BA ’11 is bringing these entrepreneurial experiences closer to home with Markets for Makers. “I've been obsessed with markets my whole life,” she shares. “I've traveled to so many cities around the world and seen how markets have a direct impact on the local economy.” Nagengast explains, “Markets for Makers consists of finding premiere venues that are unique, locally-owned, have less than 100 ‘Makers,’ and ambitious brands in a market. A market is about discovering new items and supporting small businesses, but there’s also an experiential component to the event.” For Nagengast, she has perfected this experience and gained a large following of more than 50,000 on her Instagram page @marketsformakers.
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As of May 2019, Markets for Makers has launched in Miami, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Kansas City. Nagengast has a staff that is looking to launch both an online store and marketing company for all of the makers. However, building Nagengast’s enterprise has not been easy. After graduating from Anderson University, she opened a waterfront business in Florida where makers sold their goods. Within a year, it held more than 100 booths and 3,000-5,000 attendees twice a month. Then, her career took an unfortunate turn. Two years into the market, Nagengast lost her business, savings, and everything she had built due to excessive regulations. That moment turned out to be, in her words, “One of the biggest blessings in disguise.
Taking something that at the time seemed so unfortunate and creating something bigger than I originally could have imagined is huge.”
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The alumna was quick to point to AU as the foundation for her journey. Nagengast notes how the Falls School of Business gave her the skills and experiences that were necessary for her future. “Dr. [Emmett] Dulaney required us to start a short-term business in his class, and while in my senior year, my class helped manage the Raven Investment Fund [which is a student-run investment account that practices trading stocks with actual dollars]. So, I received real-life practice trading stocks.” The FSB also gave Nagengast travel experience that allowed her to see what a market can look like and appreciate the value of a strong community. She says, “one of my favorite experiences was a Tri-S trip with the FSB to Costa Rica. We immersed ourselves in the culture, and I created close relationships with the other students and my professors.” One of the biggest lessons Nagengast carries with her is the ability to learn while remaining open. “Marketing is always changing. It's important to try all kinds of marketing to see what will work and to always stay on the brink of the latest technologies.”
For more information on Nagengast and...
...Markets for Makers, visit marketsformakers.com.
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Building for the next generation
Growing to Heal BY CASSIE SANCHEZ
During the 2010 earthquake, all Ralf Etienne had were his prayers while he hung upside down from a falling building by just his leg. Eight agonizing hours passed where he promised God that he would spend his life learning and serving Him. Once he was safe, Etienne knew that God wanted him to go to America, get an education, and help the people of Haiti.
A
fter graduating from Anderson University, Ralf Etienne BA ’16 was ready for his next step. He founded an organization called Rebuilding Haiti in Banllieu, Haiti. The mission of the organization “is to help facilitate an environment where Haitians can create a valuable and successful business that does not depend on donations.” Etienne felt a strong responsibility to make sure that the community of Banllieu was provided for. There was a time he was working more than 90 hours a week to help his people. He knew this amount of work was not sustainable and something needed to change. Etienne learned that the people of Banllieu needed empowerment rather than one man trying to accomplish everything on his own. He says that to demonstrate empowerment, “you have to believe in them.” The people of Banllieu are equipped to become leaders. When that growth occurs, more opportunities that further promote sustainability are made available.
to God-given opportunities. “The ministry that was growing was not mine,” he says with a smile on his face. It was the people of Haiti and God.” They were able to start restoring the community by building businesses and farms. Their new project is to build a community center for children. After learning how to empower the adults in the community, Rebuilding Haiti is now focusing on empowering the children. The center will provide a space for the children’s ministry to grow and to develop leadership skills. Etienne praises AU for helping him get to where he felt God meant for him to be. He calls Indiana “God’s country” because of the ways the people always support him. Etienne has stayed in contact with many peers and faculty from AU who care for him and believe in the mission he is living out. In February of 2019, Etienne was asked to speak during a chapel service at another university. He received this opportunity through an AU alum. AU has allowed him to connect with others and to reach a broad audience to help his people in Haiti.
Over time, the church has grown immensely in Banllieu. Etienne explains that this growth is due
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For more information about Etienne’s work...
...with Rebuilding Haiti, go to rebuildinghaiti.org.
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Taking the classroom to the real world
Flexible Learning BY MICHAEL ULRICH
M
yra Cocca, MBA ’97 likes to look at a problem from all angles, approaching the situation as holistically as she can. She credits this way of thinking to a class on systems thinking she took when earning her Masters of Business Administration from Anderson University.
“We ask the tough questions. We ask a lot of the whys. We think a little differently,”
Cocca says. “The end result is always a result of multiple facets.”
Cocca graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations/Speech Communications from Indiana State University. Four years later, she found herself back in the classroom, this time working towards her MBA through AU’s satellite classes. The flexibility of the program attracted her initially, and she had always believed she would continue her education. “One of the biggest reasons I was interested in an MBA was that I didn’t consider myself a numbers person and I wanted to become a numbers person,” Cocca says. “Truth of it is, a lot of what we do on a day-to-day basis is communicating hard topics and a lot of those have to do with business and the why behind it. I felt an MBA would really support me in that.” Upon finishing school and spending 12 years at the same firm, Cocca decided to branch out. She
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created Ironstrike, a strategic communications firm with a focus on helping companies communicate change from the inside out. “A company would say they wanted to do a rebrand and that all sounds great, but usually when there’s that conversation, it was always focused on the external. I was always the person wondering how it was playing out internally,” Cocca says. She adds that “if you have stronger internal communications, it benefits the customer or donor experience.” Cocca has recently been accepted into the PRSA College of Fellows, which has been called the pinnacle of a career in public relations. “It is the full demonstration of your capability in the field,” Cocca says. “It is the capstone of your career.” The application process is rigorous, requiring 20 years of experience and a clear demonstration of advancing the field, on top of contributing to the community as a role model. Cocca describes applying as gratifying. “You kind of meticulously have to go through your whole career, and how many of us really do that? It documents your trajectory. You can look at the document you put together and understand how you got to where you are. It solidified who I am, how I got to where I am, and all the people along the way who helped me get there.” A person’s life, too, is always the result of multiple facets.
Class Notes Anita Sue (Carroll) Pauley ’67 shares, “After 27 years of college teaching, I’m enjoying a busy retirement — babysitting our two young grandchildren, caring for my 94-year-old mother, teaching a ladies Bible class, and serving as church pianist. Larry is still teaching music but I get away to the coast or the mountains for my own retreats occasionally. Would love to hear from alums in the Charlotte, N.C. area. Anderson is still my favorite school!” Carolyn Schmies BA ’70 was appointed the dean of Laredo College’s South Campus in March 2019. She previously served as the communication studies instructor/ department chair for Laredo College’s Fort McIntosh campus. Janis (Raver) Underwood AA BA ’77 shares, “After finishing 28 years of teaching at Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County (formally known as Perry Nursery School), this summer I plan on retiring. I plan on focusing on my winged and four-legged children (five cockatiels, two tree frogs, and a cat).” Lori Hickerson Carrell BA ’84 has been inaugurated as Chancellor of the University of Minnesota at Rochester. She previously served as UMR’s Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Development from August 2014 until July 2017, and then as Interim Chancellor until her selection as chancellor in February 2018. Paul Holm BA ’92 was named the new CEO of The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, Ohio. He most recently held the position of executive director for Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio, based in Akron. Tanya Foutch MBA ’00 was awarded the 2019 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) in the Gerald Johnson Legacy category. She serves as a quality engineering supervisor at FCA US LLC.
Jason BA ’04 and Gail Lantz BA ’05 welcomed their fourth son, Aden Gabriel Lantz, born Dec. 21, 2018. Jason and Gail have worked with the Network of International Christian Schools since 2010, serving in Korea and Ghana. They recently moved with NICS to Ankara, Turkey. Kimberly (Boone) McClam BA ’06 recently had a book published entitled, “You Are Special! A Devotional to Help Children Embrace How Special They Are to The Lord.” This devotional can be used for children’s ministry or family devotional time, and encourages readers to memorize scripture, journal, and discuss devotions. It can be purchased online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or by contacting McClam directly at kaboone7@yahoo.com. Hannah Perkey BA ’09 was promoted to CEO of the Evelo Team with Keller Williams Realty. She started with the team in 2015 and most recently served as director of operations. The CEO role includes oversight of all daily activities, leading the sales team, and providing strategic direction to the team. Casey BA ’13 and Marissa (Phillips) Johnson BA ’13 welcomed their first son, Parker Michael, on April 10. Casey is a preschool teacher at Madison Park Kids Learning Station, and Marissa works in the Office of Marketing and Communication at AU. The family lives in Pendleton, Ind. Josiah Julian BA ’14, Indiana Conservation Officer, was selected by his peers as District 4 Officer of the Year. The district award puts him in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is given to the top overall Conservation Officer in the state of Indiana.
Have you recently moved or had an exciting change in your family or career? If you would like to submit a class note, reconnect with a lost alum, or have any changes to your contact information, please use the Stay Connected form at anderson.edu/alumni.
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Remembrances Kenneth F. Hall BA ’48 passed away on June 6, 2019. While a student at Anderson College, he became the founding editor of The Andersonian. This publication has become a staple of student life at AU. As acts of his faith, Ken served God, the local community, AU, and the church. He worked at Warner Press for three decades and authored more than a dozen books. He also served at AU as a professor of Christian education and as chair for the Department of Bible and Religion. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity in 2014. H. Elaine Schroeder Jackson BS ’49 MBA ’58 passed away on Dec. 28, 2018. She was a lifelong member of the Church of God and was active in the Pine Grove Church of God in Edinburg, Miss. She served as a teacher and school administrator for 39 years, much of it in Native American Reservation schools. A longtime supporter of Anderson University, in 2008, she established the Elaine Schroeder Jackson Endowed Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior student majoring in elementary education. Rev. Raymond L. Horne ’50 passed away on April 6, 2019. Raymond was drafted into the US Army for service during the ending months of WWII. He fulfilled God’s call to Christian ministry in 1954. He would spend the next several decades pastoring in the Church of God. His love of God’s church, people, family, history, and writing consumed his retirement years. He is survived by his daughters Gay Dawn Horne-Nelson and Linda Hope Creel; granddaughters Dara Hope Creel Meyers and Kayla Creel; great-grandchildren Corbin Meyers and Ledi Meyers, and a sister, Christine Horne Mangrum. Rev. James Woodson Fair BA ’51 passed away on Jan. 30, 2019. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII, he attended Anderson College where he met Esther, the love of his life. They as served pastors in many different states and as missionaries overseas. In the ‘70s he was chairman of the first civil rights commission in the Church of God. Upon retirement, he served on the Arizona CHOG State Board and advocated for the mentally ill with state legislature and agencies. Four generations of his family attended AU including his two loving children Pamela and James, and grandchild, Seth. Natalie Shinnick BS ’52 passed away on March 19, 2019, in Oxford, Md. Raised in the Church of God, she dedicated much time and leadership to church endeavors and enjoyed cheering on her beloved Ravens. She is survived by her daughters, Donna, Robin BA ’84, and Kim (Jay) Fogle ’83; and her granddaughters, Sarah and Lauren Fogle. Jacqueline “Jackie” (Reese) Rodden ’55 passed away on Aug. 13, 2018. She married the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Rodden ’55, on
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April 8, 1955, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Chuck Rodden passed away on Sept. 18, 2018. Jackie was a member of Crossroads First Church of God and The First Church of God in Lima, Ohio, where she played the organ and piano for many years. Jackie worked as a legal secretary and most recently as a receptionist at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services. Chuck proudly served in the US Army and later retired from Standard Oil of Ohio. After his retirement, he became a licensed funeral director, serving at Chiles-Laman funeral homes. Chuck and Jackie are survived by two sons, Jordan BA ’80 and Daniel BA ’85; and four grandchildren, Seth BA ’11, Tristan BA ’13, Lucas, and Emma. Paul Saltzmann BS ’57 passed away on May 17, 2019. Paul taught high school math for two years and even taught for a year at an African secondary school in Kenya. Anderson University was home to Paul’s teaching gifts for 60 years. During that time he touched the lives of many students with his patience, humor, and kindness. He is survived by his son, Dr. Kurt Saltzmann, and three grandchildren, Michael, Kathryn, and William Saltzmann; and numerous nieces and nephews. Linda McDowell Niedermyer ’59 passed away on March 23, 2019 in Venice, Fla. She taught elementary school for 38 years with Kanawha County Schools (W. Va.) and was very active in the churches of Abney St. Church of God and First Church of God of South Venice. She is survived by sister Norma (Bill) Stookey, her six nieces and nephews, as well as 14 great-nieces/nephews, and five great-great-nieces/nephews. John W. Long ’61 passed away on Jan. 30, 2019. He pastored multiple congregations across the country and retired in Brandon, S.D., where he did pastoral supply work and established the Accent Piano Tuning and Repair business. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 60 years, Delores (Nelson) BA ’61, four children, 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Joyce Sipka Winner BA ’77 passed away on June 8, 2019. She graduated with honors from Anderson University, majoring in Criminal Justice and Spanish. She is survived by her spouse James B. Winner, her two siblings Sue Sipka Roper and Timothy Sipka. Daniel Barnett BA ’82 passed away on Sept. 6, 2018, in Anderson, Ind. He is survived by spouse Lou Ann (Hall) BA ‘80, children Lauren BA ‘12 and Mike (Mindy) BA ‘11, and grandson, Aiden. Timothy Joseph Alfieri BA ’86 passed away on Sept. 15, 2018. He is preceded by his mother, Donna ’58, his sister, Deanna ’81, and his wife, Pamela ’91. Timothy and Pamela were happily married for 31 years and were blessed with three children, Brittany, Anthony, and Nick.
Leave your Legacy D
id you know that Anderson University is able to provide essential student scholarships, classroom improvements, and campus enhancements through your giving, including gifts through your will or other planned gifts? Alumni and friends of the university have made generous, differencemaking legacy gifts throughout the years that continue to make an impact today. Planning a future gift to the institution directly impacts the lives of our students. This is no secret. We want others to be aware of this opportunity to passionately support AU! For more information on estate gifts to Anderson University, please contact Jen Hunt, Vice President for Advancement: jehunt@anderson.edu or (765) 641-4063.
Paul Saltzmann 60 years of service
W
hile the Anderson University Community grieves in his absence, one can’t help but think of the thousands of students Professor Paul Saltzmann BS ’57 has greatly impacted. Saltzmann was the longest serving professor at AU offering 60 years of service, wisdom, knowledge, and of course, humor. His impact soared beyond the classroom. For more than 20 years, he took his students to a local nursing home to sing, visit, and comfort the residents. For decades, he would visit inmates in prison where he would offer them guidance and the word of the Lord. Saltzmann truly was a man of God and the AU community is honored to have been home to his legacy.
These quotes were pulled from the AU Facebook page, a place where alums from all over the globe shared in remembrance of their beloved professor and friend.
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Words from friends Paul is a great example of how living outside of the box can make a restoring impact and lasting impression on people’s lives. Mary Ellen Ekstedt Rayle BA ’79 In just one semester this man became my professor, then my tutor, and then my friend. He encouraged and supported me in a way that few educators would or could. I’m so grateful I got to know him before he passed. Isabelle Jane Yost ’20 He took time with his students to give them opportunities to succeed without ever getting frustrated, tired, or annoyed while working through endless equations. Brock Roach BA ’13 Freshman year 2001, I was terrified to take college math. I had to take the entry-level course and Saltzmann was my professor. He made the class fun and he always started class with a verse from his small leather pocket Bible. He served on campus for 60+years. Very few colleges have a Professor Saltzmann. Stefanie Leiter BA ’05
#myAUstory These are some of the people, the memories, and the experiences that make up real life transformed.
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