12 Jan Amber Hirschy – Making a Difference in Cambodia

Amber Hirschy, daughter of former bishop Paul Hirschy, has lived in Cambodia since last May, immersing herself in a new culture and impacting her world for Christ. She works for two different organizations. One is an economic development organization, while the other organization works against sex trafficking.

“I had heard about the situation with trafficking girls for sex,” Amber said, “but it wasn’t until I knew the girls that had experienced it that I really began to understand how horrid and widespread it is. These girls have really touched my heart, and I love working with them.”

A passion for international economic development is what brought Hirschy to Cambodia. At Huntington University, she studied business management, economics, and finance. After graduating from Huntington University in 2005, Amber contacted an organization called World Hope International concerning any positions available in economic development. When they informed her in December 2005 of an opportunity in Cambodia, she knew it was for her.

“I was incredibly blessed and was able to raise all of my support in four months which allowed me to leave for Cambodia in May,” Hirschy said.
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12 Jan Huntington University Cheerleading Clinic

The Huntington University ten-member cheerleading squad (right) will host a cheer clinic on February 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Merillat Complex for Physical Education and Recreation. The squad invites girls ages 6-14 to participate. To attend the clinic, participants need to complete a registration form and send it along with a payment of $25 per person. While pre-registration is requested, registrations will be accepted at the door. Parents are welcome to stay and watch during the clinic.

For more information on the cheerleading clinic, including the schedule and registration form….

17 Nov Fall Work Day at Huntington University

On October 21, Huntington University students plunged into the community for the annual Fall Work Day, a tradition since 1996. Volunteers divide into groups, usually by dormitory floors, and are assigned a location and project.

Fall Work Day has averaged about 425 volunteer hours a year. This year’s 222 volunteers, up from 186 in 2005, gave 777 hours of community service. One group went to Huntington’s Head Start to help with yard work–pulling weeds and raking leaves. Another group went to the YMCA to assist with organizing and cleaning rooms. Nichole Wolf (right), a freshman educational ministries major, took donations for the Boot Shake, a Red Cross fundraiser. Maggie McWilliams (left), a freshman elementary education major from Franklin, Ind., helped with cleaning at Good Shepherd UB church.

Community organizations and individuals who need help contact the college’s Joe Mertz Center. The JMC, a student-directed organization founded in 1992, has become an integral part of campus life. More than 70 percent of resident students are involved in some form of volunteer service, and more than 10,000 hours of labor are contributed by the campus community each year.

31 Oct Huntington University Offers Two Spanish Majors

Beginning next fall, Huntington University will offer majors in Spanish and Spanish education. “Students need them,” says Dr. Del Doughty, professor of English. “Given both the recent and longer term demographic changes across the U.S., and the impact of economic globalization, it is vital for well-educated people to attain fluency in at least one language other than English.”

In the fall of 2004, 42 people who inquired about attending Huntington University also expressed an interest in a Spanish major.

The Spanish education program will combine the major in Spanish with the necessary courses required for teacher certification, training students to become high school Spanish teachers.

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.