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In early January, Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, President of Huntington University, spoke to the United Brethren cluster leaders, who were in town for a two-day training session. Her message highlighted the century-long partnership between the University and the United Brethren Church.
A February 5 victory over Indiana Wesleyan gave Lori Culler (right) her 500th win as head coach of the Huntington University women’s basketball team. During her 28 years as coach, she has compiled a record of 500-320. She ranks third on the list of career wins among active women’s basketball coaches in the NAIA Division II.
Lori is the daughter of Garry and Lois Culler, who have served 40 years in the United Brethren ministry. Garry is currently Pastor of Congregational Care at Mount Pleasant UB church in Chambersburg, Pa.
Throughout the year, Huntington University offers “Visit Days” for prospective students. During the day, prospective students have the opportunity to tour the campus and talk with faculty and current students. Visit Days on February 6 and 7 will six different academic areas.
February 6
February 7
Other Days Coming Up
Arthur Wilson, campus pastor at Huntington University
Cindy Klepper, reporter for the Huntington County Tab. Used by permission.
Arthur Wilson is accustomed to dispensing advice.
He has four kids of his own. He’s worked with youth through Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ. His counsel is sought by students at Huntington University, where he now serves as campus pastor.
But he knows–through personal experience–that advice, though sound, isn’t always followed.
He ignored advice from his big brother on what girl to date, what car to buy.
“And you know what?” Wilson says. “He loved me anyway.”
The big brother in question wasn’t even a blood relative. He was an adult mentor paired with Wilson through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, a relationship that the now 34-year-old Wilson continues to cherish.
“Cliff treated me as if I was his own son,” Wilson says. “Cliff did fatherly things for me, and still does to this day.”
Wilson got involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters through Project Mentor, a BBBS program that focused on young African-American males in Fort Wayne. Wilson was a student at Memorial Park Middle School when his mom sighed him up.
“She understood the value of having a male role model around,” Wilson says. “I also believe my mother wanted better for me than what was our current state.”
Wilson says he was paired with a couple of other Big Brothers before making the connection with Cliff – a professional African-American man with multiple degrees and an influential position in the community. That pairing showed Wilson something more than the drugs and gangs that tempted him and his peers.
“Because of Big Brothers Big Sisters, I was spared,” Wilson said during an appreciation breakfast Jan. 16 for local big brothers and big sisters.
Later, sitting in his office at Huntington University, Wilson ticks off some of the things he learned from Cliff- how to be responsible, how to respect people, how to dress.
He remembers the time Cliff took him to a posh Fort Wayne restaurant.
“He said, ‘You know, Arthur, there’s a different world out there and it’s my goal to show it to you,'” Wilson says.
Most of the pair’s time together was spent in less exclusive locales – Cliff’s house for dinner or a basketball game on TV; visits to colleges, both public and historically black schools; helping Cliff mix tapes for the DJ business he ran in addition to his regular job; discussions with AIDS victims or victims of violence.
“We even took a prison visit,” Wilson says.
The two lived several miles apart when Wilson was growing up, so it wasn’t until Wilson turned 16 and bought a car – the car his big brother had advised him not to buy – that he started driving over and dropping in. Cliff established a rule.
“The car was a lemon,” says Wilson. “It had transmission problems and it leaked, so he said I couldn’t park it in the driveway.”
The car lasted “maybe a month” before giving up the ghost, Wilson says.
One area where Cliff didn’t try to sway Wilson was his choice of career.
“I was always set on ministry,” Wilson says. “Church was almost an escape for me.
“I decided a long time ago that was my course, and Cliff understood that – even though ministry is not the path to riches.”
Wilson says his home life, though, owes a lot to Cliff.
“I learned how to be a dad, watching Cliff’s love and his example he showed being a father,” Wilson says. “Cliff was a really good dad.”
With his responsibilities to Huntington University, his wife and his four children, Wilson says the time’s not yet right for him to step up as a big brother. But, eventually, it will be his turn.
“I am very much looking forward to the day I have the freedom to be involved in the program,” he says. “When I do make that commitment, like Cliff, it’s a commitment for life.”
During the three-week January term, 11 Huntington University students are returning to India for the third year in a row to serve at the Home of Love orphanage in Chennai.
The trip, led by Dr. David Alexander (right) and his wife, Gen, has been one of the most successful service trips in HU history.
Home of Love is an orphanage for Indian girls at risk of living on the streets or getting involved in prostitution. Students have raised thousands of dollars for the orphanage in past years in addition to leading Bible studies and performing on-site construction.
(If you are receiving this by email, you’ll need to click on the UBCentral link to view the video.)
Jim Orr (left), director of photography for “Duck Dynasty,” with Huntington University students. (click to enlarge)
On the set of “Likeness.”
Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, on the set.
By Liz Stevens and Ashley Smith
As a three-ton grip truck loaded with lights, flags and silks arrived on campus, excitement grew among 46 film students. It was lights, camera, action for the biggest film set for Huntington University in two years.
The arrival of the truck signified the start of the week-long short film project for Youth for Christ, called “Likeness (w.t.).”
“It’s a lot of work, but wow, it is paying off,” said Dawn Ford, associate professor of digital media arts.
For the start of the shoot, students worked hand-in-hand with mentors from inside the university as well as those currently working in the field. Their star, Jim Orr, the director of photography for the hit reality show, “Duck Dynasty,” raved about the top-notch equipment and the work from the students.
“The students have completely risen to the occasion. The work is just extraordinary,” Orr said. “I feel that this department has the mojo going for it. Everyone is very encouraging, and they have great equipment.”
The film, written by junior film production major Jonathan Scales, is about the power of mentoring young people toward God. It’s inspired by a true story about a young mother who moves to a major urban setting from Appalachia and sells drugs to make ends meet. Along the way, she recruits her children to help her in the trade. But as the older daughter attempts to find a better path, she finds the love and support of a next-door neighbor.
The goal of the shoot was to give students real-world experiences while still in a sheltered environment. The film gave students the opportunity to critique their skills by working alongside professionals.
“I really wanted to give the students a professional film shoot feel,” said. Dr. Lance Clark, professor of digital media arts, film, and communications.
“Likeness” will be shown in film festivals and used at the National Convention for Youth for Christ. It will also be used on the YFC website to launch a campaign encouraging new mentors for the organization.
“(We are creating an environment of) mentoring one-on-one, and that is what Youth for Christ is all about,” Ford said.
To learn more about the film, visit facebook.com/likenessthefilm.
Huntington University is launching the Great Books curriculum, an honors program designed for high-achieving students who want to challenge themselves to explore history’s greatest ideas and authors.
The Great Books curriculum includes books which are considered the foundation of western literature. For each course, students will be required to read two texts of cultural significance, such as “War and Peace” or the works of Aristotle or Plato; attend lectures; produce an independent project; perform 20 hours of service; and attend cultural events, such as a professional theatrical performance.
“For students who want to improve their critical thinking skills or build a stronger vocabulary or become more eloquent speakers and writers, there’s no more effective means of doing so than the Great Books curriculum,” said Dr. Del Doughty, interim vice president for academic affairs.
The program will launch in the fall of 2014. Initially, the program will accept 10 students based on academic achievement and a commitment to serving others. The program aims to grow each year.
Dr. Ruth Ford and students.
Huntington University is preparing to launch its first doctoral-level program: in occupational therapy. Dr. Ruth Ford was hired to lead the program, and will assume the director’s role in January 2014.
Ford, who previously served as the associate dean of occupational therapy at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., comes to HU with 13 years in academia, including broad experience in the clinical and business aspects of the field. She has 37 clinical years of experience in management, acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient, long-term care, and home health. She has managed more than 500 occupational and physical therapists and speech language pathologists, and has opened multiple occupational therapy programs.
The program is being developed in a unique collaboration with Trine University, Parkview Health and the City of Fort Wayne. This doctoral program will be based in Fort Wayne, Ind., within the Life Science Education and Research Consortium of Northeast Indiana. It will build on Huntington’s undergraduate degrees in psychology, nursing, and exercise science. A bachelor’s degree and certain prerequisite courses are required for this program.
You can read more about the program on the Huntington University website.
During a January-term trip, Dr. David Alexander discovered a passion for India and overseas missions. So, when an opportunity arose last summer, he jumped at the chance to return.
Alexander, associate professor of philosophy, spent two months in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, in mid-2013 serving as a visiting professor of philosophy at Madras Christian College. He presented research, gave lectures, and participated in debates pertaining to religion and philosophy.
“India is a fascinating place,” Alexander said. “It is, in a real sense, a land full of tension or contradiction. It is beautiful. And yet, the land and the people are neglected and abused. Food is scarce all over the place. Radical wealth and radical poverty exist side-by-side. Devotion to Jesus and devotion to idols exist side-by-side. Love and hate exist side-by-side. Beauty and ugly, angels and demons, heaven and hell. It is simply shocking. And for that reason it draws me.”
Alexander’s passion for India developed after he took his first mission trip in January 2013 to the Home of Love orphanage. The experience shook him to the core.
“I became vulnerable to others in ways I have never been,” he shared. “Being in India with the girls at the home and the students from Huntington University helped me to see how much I need to love and to be loved. Tears poured down my face as I looked at 100 girls that love so much and so authentically.”
