19 Apr Michael Cook Joins Graduate Counseling Program

Beginning in June, Dr. Michael Cook (right) will transition into his role as associate professor for Huntington University’s graduate counseling program. Cook currently serves as director of the graduate ministry program (the pastoral track), which will be phased out at the end of August.

Prior to coming to Huntington, Cook chaired the Christian ministries department at Taylor University Fort Wayne, where he worked for 12 years. He developed the Bachelor of Science degree in counseling program at TUFW and a number of new courses.

Cook is a licensed marriage and family therapist and internationally board certified professional Christian counselor. He served as the counseling pastor at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne for four years, and has worked in other churches and counseling centers as a clinic director, staff counselor, research consultant, youth pastor, and associate pastor.

“Mike brings a wealth of theological and clinical training and experience to the program,” said Dr. Jerry Davis (right), director of the graduate counseling program. “In addition to teaching some core courses, Mike will head up our nine credit hours in spiritual formation and direction. We are excited to have him on board.”

16 Apr HU Group, Aperture, Goes to Japan

Members of Aperture with some Japanese kids.

The Huntington University worship ensemble, Aperture, traveled to Japan March 6-21 for a spring break mission trip.

Advised by Marvin McNew Jr., Aperture consists of Jessica Bauman, synth and vocals, from Japan; Kris Burgess, electric guitar, from Williamsburg, Ohio; Josh Dirnberger, acoustic guitar and vocals, from Sioux Falls, S.D.; Zach Reuter, drums, from South Whitley, Ind.; Justin Siemens, bass guitar, from Brandon, S.D.; Tyler Skinner, electric guitar, from Rensselaer, Ind.; and Laura Stuckey, keyboard and vocals, from West Lafayette, Ohio.

The group led musical worship at various events, including youth events, churches and international schools in Tokyo, and at the Asian Access mission retreat in Karuizawa, Japan.

12 Apr HU Offers EXCEL Degree in Christian Ministry

For those who weren’t called into ministry immediately out of high school, transitioning to such a position later in life can be a challenge. Huntington University’s EXCEL Adult Degree Programs is helping meet that challenge with one of its newest programs–an Associate of Arts degree in Christian Ministry.

“There are more and more people called to ministry leadership roles later in life,” said Dr. Luke Fetters (right), associate professor of Ministry & Missions. “These people often find themselves in staff positions or even as pastors of local churches, and they feel inadequately prepared.”

The Associate of Arts in Christian ministry program offers the opportunity to develop and strengthen skills necessary to successfully practice ministry—-all in a convenient one-night-a-week format.

In addition to those serving in fulltime ministry, the program also is a valuable resource for those who desire to become more effective volunteers in ministry.

The EXCEL professors have expertise not only in ministry but also in adult learning. Fetters, the 2009 EXCEL Professor of the Year, has a doctorate in adult and community learning. In addition, two other professors who teach in the program–Dr. Karen Jones and Ruth Ann Price–also have experience and education in adult learning.

Students can begin classes toward the Associate of Arts in Christian ministry degree on September 8 on the university’s main campus in Huntington, Ind. Classes will run 6-10 p.m. one night per week. For more information, log on to the EXCEL website, e-mail the staff, or call (800) 600-4888.

05 Apr HU to Honor 281 Students on May 15

L-r: Dr. Henna B. Williams, Martha Smith, and Donald Duff.

Huntington University will hold its 112th graduation exercises on May 15 in the Field House of the Merillat Complex for Physical Education and Recreation. The university will award degrees to 281 students.

Baccalaureate
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Speaker: Martha Smith, Huntington University associate dean of students.

Commencement
Time: 3 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Herma B. Williams, provost and academic vice president for Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif.
Title: “Shaping the Future: Leading a Life that Matters.”

Two honorary degrees will be awarded.

1. Dr. Williams will receive the honorary Doctor of Commercial Science.
2. Donald Duff, former Huntington University Board of Trustees chairman, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

Duff joined the Huntington University Board of Trustees in 1971, and served a total of 36 years on the Board. In 1975, he became the first layman elected chairman of the Board of Trustees. During his six years as chair, the trustees adopted a campus master plan and an internal committee structure. In 1990, he was named the Lay Person of the Year by the National Association of Evangelicals.

The commencement exercises and the baccalaureate sermon are open to the public, and no tickets are required.

22 Mar HU’s 7 New Horizon Recipients

Seven incoming freshmen to Huntington University have been named recipients of the Horizon Leadership Scholarship for the 2010/11 academic year. This is the third year that the scholarship has been awarded.

Launched in the fall of 2008, the Horizon Leadership Program is a collaborative effort between Huntington University and Youth for Christ designed to attract and retain students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds by providing educational, leadership, and creative outlets.

The Horizon Leader Scholarship covers fees associated with tuition and housing costs for up to 10 semesters through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid.

The recipients of the award are:

• Rosa Cruz (San Antonio, Texas).
• Brianna Lapetina (Racine, Wisc.)
• Karina Palma (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
• James Pope (San Diego, Calif.)
• Guiliana Ruiz-Moreno (Chesterton, Ind.)
• Isaiah Stephenson (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
• Jonathan Zamora (Chicago, Ill.)

11 Mar HU to Offer Degree in Marketing

Huntington University will begin offering a new Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree this fall. Classes will focus on the principles of marketing, salesmanship, market research, consumer behavior, business communication, financial management, advertising, and promotion. Enrollment is currently under way.

“Students are going to be exposed to people who have real ‘street knowledge’ of marketing who can provide practical experience in addition to the educational experience,” said David McEowen, associate professor of business.

Business professors David McEowen and Jim O’Donnell bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to the program, having more than 50 years of marketing experience between them at companies such as Fidelity Investments, Dreyfus, and Fuji USA.

09 Mar Spending Spring Break for a Cause

Instead of a week at the beach or at home relaxing during the March 15-19 spring break, Huntington University students have their eyes set on various service projects. They include:

• Working with Habitat for Humanity in Benton Harbor, Mich.
• Traveling to the Dominican Republican, just across the border from Haiti, to work in local schools and churches.
• Partnering with Christian Service International in Jamaica to build new rooms in a children’s home and work alongside Jamaican Christians to address needs in the community of Highgate.

09 Mar Over 3000 HU Fans on Facebook

The Huntington University Facebook fan page has now passed the 3000 mark in number of fans.

05 Mar HU Prof Named President of National Educators Association

Dr. Terrell Peace, professor and director of teacher education at Huntington University, has been elected president of the Association of Teacher Educators. He is the first president to come from the University in the ATE’s 90-year history.

Peace, who has taught at the University since 1998, will serve one year as president while promoting his theme of “Re-igniting the Passion and Purpose of Teaching.”

“What I’ve seen over the last couple of years is teachers getting discouraged,” he said. “What we can do is help people re-establish that passion and realize why they became teachers in the first place.”

As president, Peace will represent 2,000 educators in K-12 education as well as higher education from across the country as a voice before governmental agencies and education organizations. ATE members represent more than 700 colleges and universities, 500 major school systems and the majority of state departments of education.

18 Feb Huntington University Approves 4.9% Increase

The Huntington University Board of Trustees approved the following cost increases for 2010-2011.

• Tuition and fees: $22,330 (up 4.9%, or $1,040)
• Room and board: $7,430 (up 3.5%, or $250)

Those costs apply to fulltime traditional undergraduate students. By comparison, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose by an average of 6.5 percent last year, according to The College Board.

“In light of the current economy, Huntington has worked diligently to moderate any increases in tuition and fees. We want to keep college affordable for students and their families,” said Tom Ayers (right), vice president for business and finance.

“This year, we strategically increased scholarships and grants for students to help offset declining state aid. Our goal is to give students and their families more value for their higher education dollar.”

For the current academic year, Huntington University’s price of $21,290 for tuition and fees is $4,983 less than the national average for private colleges and universities.

Huntington University enrolled a record 1,297 students last fall, a 7 percent increase over the previous year.