Huntington College Friends and Family,

How wonderful it is to return to Huntington College and learn about the good things that have been happening in the lives of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. It is good to be home. During the Thanksgiving season we recently celebrated, I was reminded of the many expressions of thanksgiving to God I have witnessed in recent months for the work He is doing and the provisions He is making for the future of this institution.

As you know, Chris and I have been on a sabbatical leave for the past three months. Approximately one month of that time was spent in Asia visiting two colleges in Korea on behalf of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, working at the United Brethren mission in Macau, and teaching English in Myanmar (Burma). Our experiences have underscored the value of international education and service and we look forward to continuing that tradition among our students and faculty at Huntington College. Next month, in fact, we will be hosting a contingent of fourteen Chinese students (12) and faculty (2) during our J-term. This group, along with students from Huntington College, will be taking a course, Consumer Economics, with Professor James O’ Donnell of our business and economics department.

Since 1897, Huntington College has taught students to honor Christ through both scholarship and service. We encourage students to "put feet to their faith" through our Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service. More than 10,000 hours of service are volunteered annually in the local community and around the globe. In the pages that follow you will see evidence of this service at work.

The Advent season is a wonderful time for reflection and celebration of our Christian faith and heritage. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9: 6 NIV). May you know and experience this living Lord and Savior in your lives.

--Blair Dowden

The chart above summarizes the number of prospective students who have applied and been accepted to Huntington College. The bars represent year-to-date comparisons over the past five years.

On November 3, Dr. Ruth Nalliah presented the research of biology student Anna Gensic, and Wes Akers, a former chemistry student, at the annual meeting for the Indiana Academy of Science. The presentation was entitled "Solvent Effects on the Electronic Transition Energies of Porphyrins in Binary Solvent Mixtures."

Dr. Beth Burch attended the annual meeting of the National Association of Biology Teachers. There they discussed the charge to biology educators at all levels of disseminating accurate information about the HGP and biotechnology to students and the public in general.

Four regional campaigns in Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Huntington, and Lansing areas are nearing completion. The regional gathering in Grand Rapids, Michigan was held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. A portion of the cost for this gathering was underwritten by an HC alumnus. A presentation was made regarding the capital campaign, and guests heard comments from two science faculty members and two students studying in the sciences.

The phone campaign has raised more than $80,000 from approximately 430 donors. Nearly 1,600 phone calls have been made to date. We are expecting to call a total of about 10,000 households by the end of this fiscal year.

Blood Drive - Our first blood drive was a huge success. With over 135 HC individuals involved with the drive (as donors and workers), 89 productive units of blood were donated. This shatters the record for most units donated in one drive.

Hot Dog Eating Contest - On November 15 at halftime of a men's basketball game, we had our first ever JMC hot dog eating contest. We had 10 contestants participate and raised nearly $250. Bethany Ashley raised the most money (just over $100). She also ate the most hot dogs in 2 minutes (3 hot dogs).

Our Foresters women’s basketball team recovered from their season opening loss to Indiana Tech to dominate Trinity Christian (62-44) in the opening game of the HC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Sarah Gordon collected 5 steals and scored 12 points. Michelle Bauer added 16 points, and Crissy Collins had 10 points and 5 rebounds. Our Foresters defeated Cedarville College in the championship game. The final score was 55-52.

At the Siena Heights Tournament, our women’s basketball team fell in the first game to Malone College, by the final score of 66-52. In the second game of this tournament, our Foresters played and defeated UM Dearborn by the final score of 78-50. Michelle Bauer collected a team-high honor in scoring, with 12 points; followed by Crissy Collins, with 11 points; and Andrea Ambler, with 10 points.

The men's basketball team collected their first win of the season against Urbana University. Individually, point-guard Rusty Garner collected 10 points and nailed two lay-ups. Three other Foresters scored in double figures, including Joe Gaff (15 points), David Porter (15 points) and Paul Wright (13 points). Ryan Thwaits held 8 of 8 free throws, collected 3 rebounds, and passed out 4 assists.

David Porter and Joe Gaff reached basketball career milestones on Saturday, November 18 when the Foresters played the University of Southern Indiana. Both HC players became members of the 1,000 Point Club, the 27th and 28th men’s basketball players to reach this plateau.

The men's basketball team defeated NCAA D-I Indiana-Purdue University of Fort Wayne by the final score of 83 to 71. Eric Ferrell drilled 4 of 5 three-point attempts. Paul Wright had 6 assists, 3 steals, and a perfect 7 of 7 from the free throw line.

The Foresters defeated a strong Kalamazoo College basketball team. HC was led by David Porter with 24 points and 15 rebounds, both game-highs. Paul Wright, who collected 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Brett Snodgrass added 13 points, followed by 11 points from Eric Ferrell.

Huntington College Theatre presents The Second Shepherd’s Play, a rollicking Renaissance romp celebrating the birth of Christ, directed by Dr. Don Rainbow. Presented in the Studio Theatre, December 13-16 at 8 p.m.

February 1-28. Photography by Robert Hill exhibit in the Robert E. Wilson Gallery. Artist's reception is Friday, February 2, 6-8 p.m. Chamber music will be provided by classical guitarist Michael Brennan, and the Huntington College Guitar Ensemble.

Friday, February 2, 8 p.m. Opera/Musical Workshop Scenes Program. Admission: $10, Students/Seniors $5.

February 8-10 and 15-17, 8 p.m. Huntington College Theatre will present Taffetas, a musical journey through the fabulous ’50s, directed by Paula Trimpey. Dessert and Show is at Norm's Place located on the upper level of the Huntington Union Building (HUB) in the center of campus.

March 1 - March 3, 8 p.m. Huntington College Theater presents Antigone, a classical Greek tragedy, directed by Joe Ricke.

March 3-31. 11th Annual Student Art Exhibit. Juried exhibit of work created by Huntington College students during the current school year. Awards reception is Saturday, March 3, 6-8 p.m. in the Robert E. Wilson Gallery.

Sunday, March 11, 3 p.m. Band Fest 2001 Concert. A well-honored tradition at Huntington College, this year's concert will be conducted by Major Duane DeVoe (US Marine Corps, retired) and feature several special guests, including German saxophonist Michael Johner and composer John Richard (Class of 1996) who has written a piece for this concert. The concert is free; donations are welcomed.

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NOTE: The Merillat Centre for the Arts is now featured on Comcast Online's local city guide, www.InFtWayne.com. The site describes the Merillat Centre as "a crown jewel of the Huntington College campus, contributing exciting shows, breathtaking ballets, heart-stopping acrobatics, enchanting concerts, and rollicking family fun."