09 Oct Evelyn Baker Given Distinguished Alumni Award

During this year’s Homecoming festivities at Huntington University, Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker received the Distinguished Alumni Citation, an award annually to recognize outstanding service over an extended period of time.

Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker accepts the Distinguished Alumni Citation from (l-r) Margaret Roush, Alumni Board chairman Greg Will, and Dr. G. Blair Dowden, HU President.

Evelyn earned a teaching certificate from Huntington in 1939, and went on to teach in Ohio and Maryland. After World War II, she and her husband, Dewitt, traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where they spent 16 years as United Brethren missionaries. During that time they opened 20 schools, including the high schools at Bumpe and Mattru.
In 1965, Dr. Baker was chosen as President of Huntington College, and so Evelyn and Dewitt moved back to the States. Evelyn served as Huntington’s “First Lady” for 16 years. Though retired, Mrs. Baker remains active in the university community and at College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

09 Oct Huntington Offers New EXCEL Programs

Huntington University‘s EXCEL program for adults is offering two new bachelor’s degree programs this fall. The previous Organizational Management major–the first and only EXCEL program–was replaced this fall with the Organizational Leadership major. In addition, this fall EXCEL added a major in Business Administration.

Two additional majors will begin next year.

• The Accounting major will begin in the fall of 2007. Many of the professors will be working certified public accounts, thus giving students the chance to interact with successful accountants.
• The Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management will start in January 2007.

The EXCEL program has grown from an initial enrollment of 15 students in 1993 to a current enrollment of 145. EXCEL offers classes and degrees geared specifically toward working adults, and conducts classes on the main campus in Huntington, Ind., and at the new Huntington University Adult Education Center in Columbia City, Ind. Go here to learn more about the Excel program.

15 Sep Record Enrollment for Huntington University

Huntington University has a record enrollment of 1,084 for the fall semester of the 2006-2007 school year. That includes 251 first-time freshman, a 10 percent increase over last year and topping the previous high of 240. Students are coming from 30 states, and 36 students come from 16 countries beyond the United States.

“Several factors contributed to our record enrollment,” said Jeff Berggren, vice president of enrollment management and marketing. “Our new academic programs accounted for a significant part of the increase in our freshman class over last fall. Affordability was also a significant factor. Our tuition has risen only two percent since the fall of 2004.”

“When asked why they chose Huntington University, the most consistent theme with these students is our unique academic programs,” Berggren said. “For example, our major in digital media arts brought students from places like California, Texas and Maine. Film studies attracted a student from Alaska, and theatre design and technology brought a student from Montana.”

The University has set a goal of 2000 students by 2016.

15 Sep Lunch with Youth Specialties President

Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialties, is coming to Huntington University on September 25. UB pastors and youth workers are invited to a (free!) luncheon with Mr. Oestreicher from 11:30 – 1:30 pm. It will be held at the Habecker Dining Commons. There will be door prizes to win, and each person will receive a goodie bag.

24 Aug Still Among the Best

Huntington University, for the 12th consecutive year, ranks as one of the best comprehensive colleges in the Midwest, according to U. S. News and World Report. The 2007 guide to America’s Best Colleges places HU 16th among 107 institutions in the Midwest Comprehensive Colleges category. Conference rival Taylor University ranked third. Calvin College (Michigan) and St. Mary’s College (Indiana) share the top spot.

24 Aug HU’s Online Masters in Youth Program

Huntington University has made its first foray into distance learning with its Masters of Arts in Youth Ministry Leadership. The program started in October 2005 with three students, and now has 13 students. It involves a combination of distance and online courses, with courses offered in Colorado, Ohio, Florida and other locations near national conferences for youth workers.

This summer, the program earned accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

By offering master’s degree in youth ministry leadership. Each course begins with 30 days of online communication, learning activities, and fellowship. Three days of intense class time follow, giving students and faculty a face-to-face opportunity to discuss, debate, and theorize about relevant ministry topics. The remaining coursework and research activity is facilitated through an additional 60 days of online interaction.

Huntington partnered with Youth Specialties and Youth for Christ to create the program. Classes currently meet in Fort Myers, Fla.; Denver, Col.; Huntington, Ind.; and at one Youth Specialties National Youth Workers’ Convention per year. This year, that convention is in Cincinnati, Ohio. Current students come from Maryland, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio.

24 Aug Worship Leadership Prof Earns Doctorate

Bob Myers (right), assistant professor of Worship Leadership for Huntington University, has earned his Doctor of Worship Studies from the Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Fla.

Myers came to Huntington in the fall of 2005, joining the Department of Ministry and Missions. He heads up the new Worship Leadership program initiated in 2004. In addition to his doctorate, Myers holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Biola University. 

Myers came to Huntington from Sioux City, Iowa, where he served as pastor of worship at Central Baptist Church. As a pastor there since 1997, he planned and led both traditional and contemporary worship, oversaw various vocal and instrumental ensembles, taught classes on worship, and instituted the “Living Christmas Tree,” a program attended by more than 6,000 people each year. His professional experience also includes serving as worship leader for a Promise Keepers gathering.

26 Jul Dr. Pat Zezula Retiring from Huntington U

Dr. Patricia Zezula has decided to retire after 37 years on the Huntington University faculty. She began as an instructor in the Department of Physical Education in 1969 and moved up through the ranks, becoming a full professor in 1990. Zezula earned her doctorate in educational administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

Upon her graduation from Huntington University in 1969, the University hired Zezula as an instructor, assistant athletic director and coach. At various times during her first 15 years on staff, Zezula assumed head-coaching responsibilities of every woman’s sport the college offered. In 1982, she was promoted to athletic director, giving her the distinction of becoming the first female intercollegiate athletic director in Indiana.

“It has been a privilege to work at Huntington, and I look forward to continue teaching on a part- time basis,” says Dr. Zezula.

02 Jun “Godspell” — Huntington University Summer Tour

Students from Huntington University are spending the summer performing the musical “Godspell” throughout the midwest. The schedule includes about 20 UB churches–in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Ontario, Florida, and Kentucky (the Little Laurel UB church).

Pat Jones, the UB Director of Healthy Church Ministries, recommends the play to United Brethren audiences. He writes:
“I was recently asked by the Admissions and Theater departments of Huntington University to sit in on a dress rehearsal of their 2006 Summer Tour production of Godspell. You could probably join me in reciting the words of many of the songs that were popularized in this musical when it was first produced in the ’70’s, such as ‘Day by Day’ and ‘Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.’

“Once again I was struck with the remarkable way this story presents the psychological, social, and relational trends that represent us as sinful human beings through the centuries and then gives voice to Jesus speaking the truths of the Sermon on the Mount and familiar parables into those trends. The dialog and songs are firmly based in Scripture. What makes this even more striking is to realize that the creator of Godspell is not a believer.

“This is a high energy, fun theatrical presentation of the powerful Gospel of our Lord. Dance, lighting, varied musical instruments, humor, sarcasm, and simple props force us as the audience to see and hear ourselves and our condition. We are then hit with the high calling and demand of Jesus to live above it all through Him. You will not be disappointed in inviting your unsaved friends to it. This is a great opportunity to reach into the lives of our pre-Christian, unbelieving friends with a high quality, Scripturally sound presentation of the Gospel. It gives a foundation for further dialog with your friends about the Gospel, and just may serve as the bridge to see them come to faith in Christ. I recommend it to you.”

Some openings remain in the schedule. If you want to investigate the possibility of booking a performance, even at this late date, call Jeremy Rufener at the University: 260-224-3290.