16 Dec Steve Platt Returns to Huntington University

Steve Platt, a Huntington University basketball star (Class of ’74) and former coach, has been named the special ambassador for the university president. He will assist the Advancement Office as well as President G. Blair Dowden in fundraising efforts with a special emphasis on the $21 million “Together” The Campaign for Huntington University” capital campaign.

The campaign includes:

• $9.5 million to expand the Merillat Physical Education and Recreation Complex.
• $1.5 million for the digital and visual arts programs.
• $3 million for the University Fund.
• $2 million to increase the university’s current endowment.
• $5 million for deferred giving commitments.

“I have a real passion for Huntington University,” Platt said. “I’ve spent a lot of years being involved with HU, and I look forward to helping in any way I can.”

As a basketball player, Platt was a four-time All-District Player of the Year and an NAIA All-American, and led the entire nation in scoring. He remains Indiana’s all-time collegiate leader in scoring with 3700 points. As the men’s basketball coach, he led the Foresters to 329 wins and a national championship run during the 2005-06 season.

02 Dec Hollywood Comes to Huntington University

“Praying the Hours” tells the story of a man in the midst of his death who is reflecting on eternity. The film is told in eight segments, and is based on the ancient practice of fixed-hour prayer observed by the Abrahamic faith traditions.

The final segment of this independent film will be shot at various locations on the Huntington University campus during January Term. Assisting will be 10 hand-selected digital media arts students, who will be used during preparation and production of the film including camera operation, location scouting, and problem solving such as the development of “trick shots.” This segment, about a college professor, is set at a liberal arts college in the Midwest.

“Praying the Hours” will continue shooting the other seven segments at various locations in the country through 2012 with a hopeful release date in 2013.

Read more about the project.

16 Nov Hollywood-Grade Camera for HU Students

Huntington University students frequently create Hollywood-grade productions. Now they can do it with the best equipment.

A donation from a member of the Board of Trustees enabled the Digital Media Arts department to buy a state-of-the-art RED Scarlet-X camera for use by its film, animation, and broadcasting students.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn the workflow of this camera, because this is what they will encounter in Hollywood and while working on independent films,” said Dr. Lance Clark (right), professor of Digital Media Arts and Communication.

The camera produces 4000 lines of resolution and can be used with the department’s existing equipment. Clark, however, plans to seek other donations to buy more equipment for the unit, as well as two other cameras for the department.

Clark hopes to have the camera ready for use by January.

“We have one of the fastest growing programs on campus, and this is going to put us on par with any film school in the nation,” Clark said.

The Digital Media Arts program supports 139 students in four majors: film production, film studies, animation, and broadcasting.

15 Nov PDAs Now Used in HU Nursing Classrooms

Nursing is a fast-paced field. Nurses are expected to explain and to understand procedures and drug side effects in an instant. This year, PDAs are helping Huntington University nursing students stay ahead of the curve.

Beginning this fall, the nursing department required that all incoming juniors purchase a PDA, such as an iPod Touch or a Blackberry, for use in the classroom as well as clinicals later this year.

“It’s exciting as a nurse because having a good reference at your fingertips is wonderful,” said Diana Shenefield (right), instructor of nursing. “Mostly, it’s to get them the most up-to-date information because it is ever changing.”

This year’s junior class–18 students–are the first to use the PDAs. So far, they are adjusting quite well.

“It’s been really hard, but at the same time, it has been useful. I use mine every day,” said Erin Lessing, a junior nursing student and Fort Wayne, Ind., native. “It’s really quick. You don’t have to look it up in a book. It’s right there.”

The students right now are using many of the hundreds of nursing “apps” available through iTunes and other services, but they soon hope to transition to iPads where eReaders would be available to them.

“We’re getting the students used to it in school, because in the field these are the tools that they are using,” Shenefield said.

09 Nov Helping Graduates with Student Loans

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette ran an article about Huntington University’s student loan reimbursement assistance program, which started three years ago. About 400 HU students are taking advantage of the plan. The program helps graduates who take jobs that pay less than $40,000 per year. The Journal Gazette article explains everything very well, and focuses on the experience of a 2011 graduate now working in youth ministry.

07 Nov The Fetters Family: a Lasting HU Legacy

Front row (l-r): Audrey, Jillian, Bronwen, Lauren. Second row (seated): Barbara and Paul. Third row: Jordan, Lisa, Todd, Brooks, Barbara, Melissa. Back row: Bridger, Quinn, Luke, Piers.

Nick Kight, Class of 2012 Student at Huntington University

It all began in Shakespeare class. Paul “Papa” Fetters and Barbara Mull did not fall in love immediately. Yet Paul and Barbara would eventually begin a relationship that would leave behind a legacy of future Fetters family members — most of whom would one day enroll at Huntington University.

Paul heard about Huntington College from Zion United Brethren in Christ Church in Willshire, Ohio. Walter Winkler, Paul’s Sunday school teacher, frequently took his students to Huntington’s campus for college events, conventions and Christian Life Emphasis Week.

Paul never intended to enroll in college. However, during his junior year of high school, he became a follower of Jesus Christ and felt the call to Christian ministry.

“I reckoned if I wanted to be a United Brethren pastor, I should go to a United Brethren college,” Paul said.

Paul worked his way through college at Schacht’s Rubber Company in Huntington, and spent his spare time volunteering with Gospel Volunteers and Clericus, campus organizations dedicated to preparing people for ministry and missions.

Following 16 years of pastoral ministry, Bishop George Weaver of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and then-Huntington College President E. DeWitt Baker requested Paul return to direct the new Graduate School of Christian Ministries. Under his care, the program took new directions coupled with the fulfillment of requirements for accreditation. Soon, that five-year stay extended to a 25-year appointment.
(more…)

04 Nov EXCEL Helps Students with Writing

Huntington University’s EXCEL Adult Degree Programs has launched an Online Writing and Learning (OWL) lab to assist students with their writing assignments.

EXCEL students can now email their work to the OWL to receive suggestions and feedback. The submissions are reviewed by EXCEL instructors with English/writing teaching backgrounds.

“Students have the opportunity to acquire feedback tailored to their specific needs before their paper is turned in and graded,” said Nilah Horner (right), an EXCEL instructor and facilitator of the OWL program. “Content-area instructors can then focus their time on instructing their subject matter rather than on writing improvement.”

02 Nov HU Student Film Gains International Success

"Refresh"

Huntington University animation students are taking the festival circuit by storm. The Toronto International Student Animation Festival has announced their decision to feature “Refresh,” an animated film created by Huntington University seniors Sean Cruse of Melville, N.Y., Benjamin Kroll of Mount Lake Park, Md., and Matthew Weener of Hudsonville, Mich. This recognition marks the film’s fifth festival approval.

“Refresh” deals with the disparity between people who are privileged and those who live without. Without delving into politics in any way, the film simply asks audiences to take a hard look at how people use limited resources and if there is any way to help those with less.

“I came up with the idea after feeling a need in my heart to help those without clean water,” Cruse said. “Water is essential for life, and I believe in Jesus’ teachings to help those in need.”

The following festivals selected to feature “Refresh”:

• 2011 Stop Motion Magazine Film Festival in Los Angeles, Calif.
• 2011 Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival in Philadelphia, Pa.
• 2011 Toronto International Student Animation Festival in Toronto, Canada.
• 2011 Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kan.
• 2011 Columbus International Film & Video Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

“Making festival pieces was one of the goals we set for ourselves when building the digital media arts program,” said Steve Leeper (right), associate professor of Digital Media Arts. “It has taken a few years, but we’re finally starting to see films like ‘Refresh’ reach a wider audience. This is a significant milestone for us. We tell our students from the beginning that being an artist and finding an audience is what we do now, not just something to think about off in the future. Sean, Ben, and Matt are making that statement true. We’re very proud of them.”

17 Oct G. Blair Dowden: Two Decades of Servant Leadership

Blair and Chris Dowden with Huntington University students.

John W. Paff (right), Vice President for University Relations, Huntington University

In 1991, a 39-year-old Blair Dowden was inaugurated as the 12th president of Huntington College. He brought to the role the experience earned in a wide variety of roles in Christian higher education–from admissions counselor to vice president for advancement. His others-centered approach to leadership made him the man for the job.

“Blair’s interest has been, and continues to be, others,” said former bishop C. Ray Miller, Board of Trustees chairman emeritus. “When we first interviewed Blair Dowden, I saw him as a people-person. After 20 years, he continues to send cards and best wishes. Blair has been God’s man for HU at this time, and we have been extremely fortunate to have him stay with us for 20 years.”

Dowden came to Huntington at a key moment in its history. Most campus facilities were new, and a well-credentialed faculty was in place. But with only 614 students enrolled, Huntington struggled for name recognition and financial sustainability.

In his first report to the Board of Trustees, Dowden laid out a vision for making Huntington one of the top Christian colleges in the country. The plan called for “increased integration of Christianity in…all areas of institutional life.” Aggressive enrollment goals were based on the development of distinctive academic programs. The plan included increased financial support and greater public awareness of what Huntington had to offer.

This vision was not about building an institution, but rather about equipping students to change the world.

“Our goal will be to develop graduates who are not merely credentialed individuals, acceptable for graduate school or employment, but lifelong learners and servant-leaders — individuals who can impact our world, solve problems and be peacemakers,” Dowden said. “This will allow us to truly say that we send students forth from Huntington … as redemptive agents to impact our needy and changing world.”

After 20 years at the helm, Dowden’s presidency is still characterized by these same hallmarks: faith integration, enrollment growth, academic innovation, philanthropic support, name recognition and a resolute focus on student outcomes.

“One of the things I’ve most appreciated about Dr. Dowden is his firm commitment to HU’s emphasis on integrating faith and learning. This is critical to our mission, and he is a strong advocate for it,” said Dr. Dwight Brautigam, professor of history.

As Huntington continued to emphasize its Christ-centered mission, enrollment grew to 1,278 by 2010. New academic programs were developed for adult students, graduate students and traditional undergraduates.

“One thing that has always impressed me about President Dowden is his ability to cultivate a ‘can do’ atmosphere where we as faculty feel empowered to dream big about academic programs,” said associate professor Dr. Lance Clark. “Without his leadership, the digital media arts program would never have seen the light of day. I’m so grateful he was willing to take the risk. Our students are now impacting the world of film and animation in new and exciting ways for the Kingdom of God.” The DMA program now enrolls more than 100 students, comparable to traditionally popular majors in education and business.

“I have especially appreciated Blair Dowden’s collaborative leadership style which has not only emphasized teamwork and cooperation, but also innovation,” said Dr. Norris Friesen, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. “At times, we had to scramble to put the infrastructure in place to handle the changes, but each change has helped us to accomplish our goals and ultimately our mission.”

Despite Huntington’s many successes, Dowden is quick to divert the spotlight from himself to others. For two decades, Dowden has modeled an others-centered approach to leadership.

“Blair Dowden is an excellent example of servant leadership,” observed Board chair Kelly Savage. “His focus is to serve Christ first and others second. Because his focus is on service to the Lord, Blair seeks excellence in all aspects of Huntington University. Under his leadership, the student body has not only grown in numbers, but spiritually and academically, as well.”

Note: You can send a note of congratulations to:
Office of the President
Huntington University
2303 College Avenue
Huntington, IN 46750
Contact Dr. Dowden by email.