30 Jan HU Announces 2012-2013 Tuition Rates

The Huntington University Board of Trustees approved a modest 2.5% increase in undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2012-13 school year.

• Tuition: $23,300.
• Fees: $480.
• Room and board: $7,940.

The tuition cost is well under the 2011 national average of $28,500 for private college education, as determined by the College Board.

In the adult and graduate programs, the board approved increased of $8 to $11 per credit hour. The new per-credit-hour rates are:

• $348 for all EXCEL Adult Degree programs.
• $466 for the graduate counseling program.
• $376 for the graduate youth ministry leadership program.
• $395 for the graduate education program.

“We want to keep college affordable for students and their families,” said Tom Ayers (right), executive vice president for operations and treasurer. “We also offer innovative financial assistance programs, such as the loan repayment program, to help reduce anxiety among students and their families over costs when considering a private school education. We understand the financial pressures families are under and want to provide them with more value for their dollar.”

Approximately 90 percent of Huntington University students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study assistance. All incoming freshmen are also eligible for the loan repayment program which provides assistance to students after they graduate. The loan repayment program covers all or a portion of a student’s loan up to a certain threshold.

23 Jan Fandana Music Festival Returns August 10-11

The Fandana music festival returns for the second year in a row on August 10-11, 2012. If your church is within driving distance of Huntington University, you might consider bringing your youth. And adults and families would enjoy the evening concerts outside in the grass. The evening crowds last summer, at the inaugural Fandana Festival, included adults of all ages, plus numerous youngsters.

Huntington University’s hit music festival will feature Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin and more than 50 bands on multiple stages.

Whether you’re into rock, pop, or praise and worship, there’s something for the whole family, including kid-friendly activities, a national talent search, and an on-campus film festival.

Tickets will be available this spring. You can also read reports about the 2011 Fandana here and here.

20 Jan From Huntington U to DreamWorks SKG

Andrew Martin

Nick Kight, Huntington University Class of ’12
Posted January 2012

As a young boy, Andrew Martin grew up watching “VeggieTales.” Who would have known the lessons taught by Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber would one day leave an impression both morally and occupationally on him.

Early on, he wondered how these movies were made and how the characters were brought to life. He did some research and taught himself the mechanics and functionality of computers. His studies at Huntington University as an animation and computer science major then gave him the technical skills and the means to succeed in the field.

Now, he works at DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. as a technician resource administrator, also known as a render wrangler. Animators send him their animations, and Martin, alongside the rest of the DreamWorks staff, brings those characters to the big screen through a system made up of thousands of computers.

“I love a good story so I decided to take my passions and apply them toward my career goals,” said Martin, a 2011 HU graduate. “So far, I’d say animation has been a good fit for me. I’ve been told I’m going to start working on DreamWorks Animation’s next film, ‘Madagascar 3.’ I think reality will set in once I go to a theater and see my name in the credits.”

Back in June, Martin found the position while browsing through different studio websites. He applied for the job, and then, all he could do was wait.

“I didn’t end up hearing anything until August when I learned my professor sent DreamWorks a recommendation on my behalf,” he said. “He had a contact who worked there and helped me get my foot in the door.”

Three weeks later, they asked him to pack his bags and move out to California. And had it not been for the networking with professors, preparation from the HU animation department and the opportunity to conduct his own independent study on render management, Martin does not think he would have landed the position at DreamWorks.

“My professors made sure I was on the right track,” he said. “My computer science classes taught me the specifics of computers and how to utilize those to their full capacity in the animation studio.”

During his first day of work, Martin realized the DreamWorks position is the dream job he always wanted.

“The fringe benefits are amazing, the animation process is a collaborative effort, people eat their lunch together and it’s a light-hearted environment,” he said. “I’m going to be spoiled by this.”