19 May First Youth Ministry Leadership Class at HU

L-r: Eric Carter and Brian Leslie.

Brian Leslie and Eric Carter were two of the four students who graduated from Huntington University May 15 with Master of Arts degrees in Youth Ministry Leadership. This is the first class to graduate from this online hybrid program.

As youth ministers, Leslie and Carter were already skilled in their crafts, but conferences and seminars were not pushing them to the next level. Their online search brought them to Huntington.

“I felt like there was more out there as far as a deeper level of study,” said Carter, 27, who currently works as a junior-senior high youth minister at Plainfield Christian Church in Comstock Park, Mich., outside of Grand Rapids. “Where a conference is okay, this just adds a greater level of depth.”

Leslie, 38, who works as a youth minister in Plainfield, Ind., (an unaffiliated church also called Plainfield Christian Church, oddly enough), said Huntington’s program stood out from all the others. Here, professors dialog with students, the work is more challenging, and camaraderie is created among students.

“For me, it’s about continuing to do youth ministry in my local context but with better tools,” Leslie said.

“I just don’t know if you would get that everywhere,” Carter said.

Carter, interestingly, had previously worked under Leslie as an intern before beginning his fulltime work in ministry in 2004.

Both Leslie and Carter admit that the last four years have not been easy. They have juggled jobs and families on top of classes and other assignments. But they admit, it has been a rewarding experience that they would not trade, especially since they were able to do it together.

15 May Graduation Day at Huntington University

Dr. G. Blair Dowden presents a diploma to a student.

Some of the graduates waiting to hear their name called.

Huntington University honored 277 graduates today (May 15) during the 112th Commencement ceremonies.

Huntington University awarded 15 Master of Arts degrees, six Master of Education degrees, 75 Bachelor or Arts degrees, 153 Bachelor of Science degrees, nine Bachelor of Social Work degrees and 21 Associate of Science degrees.

Honorary degrees were also given to Dr. Herma B. Williams, provost and academic vice president for Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif., and Donald Duff, Huntington University Board of Trustees chairman emeritus.

As commencement speaker, Williams addressed the graduates and asked them what their roles will be in shaping the future.

“Will you lead a life that matters?” Williams asked of the students.

Her addressed was titled, “Shaping the Future: Leading a Life that Matters.”

The afternoon commencement followed the morning baccalaureate service where Martha Smith, Huntington University associate dean of students, challenged the students to trust God today for the plans that he has for them. Her sermon was titled, “The Calling is Now.”

14 May 95% of HU Education Grads Employed After 1 Year

Impressive: 95 percent of graduates from Huntington University’s education program were employed in an education-related position in less than one year after graduation. That’s from a study of 110 HU graduates from the past three years (2007-2009).

Not bad, considering the tight job market.

13 May Julie Goetz Staff Member of the Year

Julie Goetz, coordinator of online education, has been named Huntington University’s 2010 Staff Member of the Year.

Goetz, who has been employed by the university for four years, was nominated by faculty and staff for the award and was selected by the university’s senior administrators. She was recognized for the award during the annual Celebration of Service banquet on May 10.

13 May HU Students Volunteer Over 11,000 Hours

Huntington University students, faculty, and staff contributed more than 11,450 volunteer hours this year in the greater Huntington and Fort Wayne communities.

“It’s part of who we are as an institution. It’s a reflection of our Christ-centered values,” said Grace McBrayer, director of first year students and volunteer services at Huntington University.

Huntington University’s Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service tracks the hours that are volunteered by the campus at locations such as Youth for Christ, Huntington Kid’s Club, the Love Church in Fort Wayne, the Adopt a Grandparent program, Habitat for Humanity, and Volunteer 911, which is an on-campus ministry to provide assistance to the community by filling requests ranging from baby sitting to yard work and home maintenance. Students, faculty, and staff also volunteer each semester during the fall and spring work days. Spring break and fall break trips also contribute to this count.

The Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service is a student-directed organization that mobilizes the campus community for Christian service. It was founded in 1992 through a grant. Each year, more than 70 percent of resident students are involved in some form of volunteer service.

11 May Bob Kaehr Retiring After 34 Years at HU

Bob Kaehr, director of library services at Huntington University, will retire May 31 after 34 years at the college.

Kaehr was instrumental in moving the library from the Loew Alumni Library (currently the Administrative Annex) to the RichLyn Library in 1986. He worked to keep the library up-to-date with the latest resources and technologies during his tenure. He also taught many of the classes for the library science minor, which is no longer offered on campus; nearly all of his students were placed into library positions after graduation.

In retirement, Kaehr plans to do some part-time lecturing and work in the university’s United Brethren Historical Center. But most of all, he plans to keep busy with meaningful activities, spend time with his wife, do volunteer work and, as he says, “enjoy life.”

10 May Amos Rawley Named Forester of the Year

Amos Rawley (left) and Dr. Tim Smith

Huntington University’s annual Forester Night recognizes students and professors for accomplishments during the school year. The 39th edition was held May 4.

Amos Rawley, son of Pastor David Rawley of Otterbein UB Church (Greencastle, Pa.), was named Male Forester of the Year. He is a Bible and religious studies major. Katie Aeschliman, a public relations major from Stryker, Ohio, was named the Female Forester of the Year. These two awards are voted on by the student body.

Twenty-one seniors were honored by their respective departments with the Outstanding Senior Awards, which are voted on by faculty. Amos Rawley received the award for Bible and Religious Studies. You can view that entire list online.

Dr. Tim Smith, assistant professor of history, was named the 2010 Professor of the Year. Smith joined the faculty in 2007, having previously taught at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. He is the author of “Britain and the Origins of the Vietnam War 1943-50” (2007), and he has also published a number of articles in leading journals and for the BBC.