April 2001

Huntington College Friends and Family,

The spring semester is quickly coming to a close.  In about a month, classes will end, final exams will begin and the 104^th Commencement of Huntington College graduates will take place.  This has been a wonderful year.  I have been so encouraged by many new programs and initiatives launched this year that have been the result of creative and dedicated faculty, staff, and students.  Let me share with you two examples of new programming on the Huntington College campus this month.

The Huntington College Music Department sponsored Holy Week Services, April 9-13 at 12:15 p.m. in the Merillat Centre for the Arts.  This cooperative program between the College and the Huntington Ministerial Association has been an effort to minister to the local community in a unique way.  The services were scheduled for 30 minutes each day with the Invocation at 12:15 p.m. and the Benediction at 12:45 p.m., permitting merchants, factory and office workers to worship with the college community within the confines of their lunch hour.   Worship leaders for the services were chosen from among students, faculty, and members of the Ministerial Association. 

The second event, Mission Emphasis Week, featured a series of programs sponsored by the Global Vision Student Missionary Fellowship and the offices of Student Development and Campus Ministries.  Huntington College alumni Rick Rhynard (’99) and Sarah Krause (’99), who now work with World Relief and Church World Services respectively, were among the missionaries that led discussion and information sessions for students on a variety of mission topics and represented their mission organization at a display booth.  In addition, Huntington College alumnus Roger Skinner (’65), the USA Executive Director for OMS International, was the guest speaker for the week’s concluding program.  Other memorable events included a concert of prayer for world missions, an international dinner, a Passport to Missions tour of cultures in the residence halls, and an inspiring challenge from Bob Smith, chair and assistant professor in the Department of World Missions & Evangelism at Moody Bible Institute.  Interspersed throughout the week’s programs were reports from the students who participated in our spring break mission trips this year to Ecuador, Philadelphia, Jamaica, Florida, and Texas.

As you read the remainder of this update, I hope that you will rejoice with me in the many other ways that God is blessing our campus.  Thank you for your partnership in the mission of Huntington College to educate men and women to impact our world for Christ.   

Sincerely,
G. Blair Dowden
President

Admissions

  Outlook Positive

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.

This fall continues to look like another excellent enrollment year.  The applied and accepted totals are the highest numbers Huntington College has ever experienced at this point in the recruiting year.  The academic profile of accepted applicants for the fall also compares well to previous years.

Academic

  Alpha Chi

  Huntington College’s chapter of Alpha Chi, the national collegiate honor society, has been named a Star Chapter for the sixth consecutive year, and has also been awarded the prestigious President’s Cup.  The President's Cup is a trophy that travels to the institution receiving the Outstanding Chapter Award.  One chapter every two years is honored; chapters cannot win the award successively.  The President's Cup is presented to the winning chapter at the national convention.  There are seven selection criteria for this national award:

       1. Campus activities (lectures, awards, tutorials, discussions, competitions, etc.)

       2. Community activities that are academically oriented

       3. Number of student presentations at conventions

       4. Number of nominees for Nolle Scholarships and Benedict Fellowships

       5. Number of student delegates at regional and national conventions

       6. Number of faculty delegates at regional and national conventions

       7. Number of articles accepted for publication in the Recorder

Dr. Paul Michelson, Dr. Ann McPherren, and Mrs. Jean Michelson are the sponsors for this organization.

Art

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Frey-Davis attended the College Art Association conference in Chicago, March 1-3.   She also spoke on “The Book as an Art Object” as part of an annual lecture series at Garland's Art Gallery in Fort Wayne on March 6.

English

Dr. Todd Martin's article, "The Mysteries of Noyon: Emblem and Meaning in The Enormous Room," recently appeared in Spring: The Journal of the E. E. Cummings Society.  He also recently traveled to Chicago to present his essay "Christianity and the Science Fiction World View" at the Midwestern Conference of Christianity and Literature.  The essay originated as a proposal for a New Faculty Workshop for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and is based on research he did in preparing for his J-term class by the same title.

Kyle Kastraba and Clara Masters are this year's editors of Ictus, the campus literary journal, which will be available in both digital and analog formats.

English (continued)

Dr. Del Doughty’s essay, "Metonymy and Synecdoche in Haiku:  Towards a Poetics of the Fragment," was named honorable mention in the World Haiku Essays Competition.  Several of his poems will appear in forthcoming issues of Modern Haiku, Haijinx, and Ludbreg 2001:A Haiku Calendar.  Dr. Doughty also recently traveled to Boston to participate in "eNarrative 2: Hypertext. Narrative. Flash. Time," a roundtable sponsored by Eastgate Systems.  Later this month, he has been invited to give a paper at Cyberculture and the Humanities at Macon State University.  The title of his paper is "'The Poetics of Scent': Hypertext Fiction and the Art of Renga."

Forester Lecture Series

Julia Duin, national desk editor of the Washington Times, will present the next installment of the Forester Lecture Series.  Her presentation, “Working out of Washington: Life in the world’s largest media contingent,” will be Thursday, April 19, at 8 pm in the MCA Auditorium. For further information, contact Dr. Chris Leland or visit <http://www.huntington.edu/comm/fls>.

Graduate School for Christian Ministries

History

Dr. Gary Newton, associate dean of the Graduate School of Christian Ministries, presented 10 workshops based on his book, Growing Towards Spiritual Maturity at the Greater Chicago Sunday School Convention in March.  Sessions were video taped and will be marketed to accompany the Instructor's Manual, which he also authored.

The Encyclopedia of Eastern Europe: From the Congress of Vienna to the Fall of Communism, edited by Richard Frucht, has been named by CHOICE Magazine as an Outstanding Academic Book for 2000.  One of the book’s articles, the country article on Romania, was authored by Dr. Paul Michelson, who also wrote six shorter contributions to the encyclopedia.  This is the second time in three years that Prof. Michelson has been an author or co-author of a volume recognized by CHOICE, a publication of the American Library Association.

Brad Sever, a junior history major, has been selected as a paid intern in Senator Richard Lugar's office in Washington this summer.  Brad has been active in Student Senate this past year and hopes to teach history after he graduates.

Mathematics

Dr. Francis Jones, professor of mathematics, received the prestigious Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics from the Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).  The award was presented on March 23 at the association's annual conference in Indianapolis.  The MAA is the world's largest organization devoted to the interests of collegiate mathematics.  Jones has been a distinguished member of the mathematics faculty at Huntington College since 1971.  For complete details, see www.huntington.edu/news <http://www.huntington.edu/news>.

Philosophy

Dr. John Sanders was sponsored by the philosophy department at Brigham Young University to present four lectures in late February on the openness of God theology.

Thornhill

According to MindScape Director, Ms. Jule McKanna, construction was completed during the first week of April for the high and low ropes challenge courses at Thornhill.  Experience Based Learning (EBL) Corporation constructed the challenge courses and will be training facilitators to lead groups in these challenge elements. 

Advancement

At the end of March 2000, $29 million for The Campaign for Huntington College had been raised.  At the end of March 2001, we have raised $35.7 million.  While we have exceeded our $6.4 million goal for endowment by more than $2.5 million, we still need to raise a little more than $1.8 million for the science project. 

The campaign phonathon is nearing completion of its second phase.  To date, more than 1300 pledges have been made.  We have raised just under $220,000 from this effort.  We will initiate a third phase in early summer to complete this part of the campaign.  By the time the phonathon is completed, The Development Center will have attempted to make contact with more than 10,000 potential donors.

Since July 1998 when we began to track regular giving to the Campaign, we have received gifts and pledges from 3,915 different entities (individuals, foundations, corporations, etc.). 

HC’s support base is expanding.  There are currently 440 more active donors than at this time last year.  Approximately 175 volunteers have been involved in the capital campaign process thus far.  The Prayer Ministry Team continues to meet every other month to pray for campaign and campus needs.

Mrs. Linda Taylor has returned as secretary in the Alumni and Community Relations offices. 

Business & Finance

  Science Building

  The construction of the new science building is progressing well.  Pouring of the attic floor should be completed in April and metal wall stud work is moving along quickly on first floor.  Live action of the construction can be viewed at www.huntington.edu/tour/webcam.

Student Development

  Student Senate

  Jeremy Rufener (Lima, OH) was selected as the 2001-02 Student Union President.  Jeremy is currently enrolled in the American Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in Washington, D.C.  Also elected were Julie Magrum (Northwood, OH) as vice-president, Tim Caldwell (Mansfield, OH) as treasurer, and Jordan Hopper (Huntington, IN) as secretary.

Athletics

  Athletic Training

  Mr. Kevin Vanden Akker will be the athletic trainer at the World Police and Fire Games to be held in Indianapolis this summer.  The Olympic style event is expected to draw about 10,000 athletes from around the world.   Mr. Vanden Akker will be the athletic trainer and provide medical coverage for the soccer venue.

Chi Alpha Sigma

The National College Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma, held its fifth annual induction ceremony on Sunday, April 8.  Ten HC student-athletes were inducted:  Bruce Bergdall, Amy Brown, Gregory Byrum, Russell Degitz, Jennifer Echert, Andrew Kurzen, Jennie Mach, Brooke Owens, Jordan Phillips, and Timothy Thompson.  Induction into Chi Alpha Sigma requires a student-athlete to have achieved at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, to have earned a varsity letter, to have been certified as a junior or senior academically and athletically, and to be of high moral character. 

Basketball

David Porter was named to the 1^st Team All-America squad in NAIA Division II.  David led the Mid-Central College (MCC) conference in scoring and rebounding this season, while leading the Foresters to a 16-18 overall record.  Earlier this year he was selected MCC Player of the Year.  Porter joins a rapidly growing list of men’s basketball All-America’s at Huntington College:  Jeff Shepherd (1^st Team 1998-1999) and Gabe LaGrange (1^st Team 1999-2000). 

In women’s basketball, Mindy Adams received recognition from the NAIA as a Scholar-Athlete.  Chrissy Collins was named to the Kodak All-America Honorable Mention team.

Softball

In the first game of the season against Indiana Tech, the Foresters lost in an extra inning game 11-10.  Alison Winger went 3-4 in hitting and collected 4 runs.  In game two, the Foresters fell short by the score of 5-3.  Jami Halsey went 1-2 at the plate, scored a run, and collected 2 RBI. 

The Foresters split with conference opponent Bethel College.  In the first game, the Pilots out hit HC 12 to 7 to win the game by the final score of 11-3.  In the second game, the Foresters played error free softball to capture a 1-0 win.  Lindsey Reinking was the winning pitcher for the Foresters. 

The Foresters also split in a double-header with Manchester College.  HC fell in the first game by a 4-0 score.  In the second game, HC collected 4 runs on just 3 hits.  HC had just one error in game two and collected a 4-3 win.  Our softball team is now 6-16 on the season.

Baseball

During spring break, the Foresters baseball team defeated Missouri Baptist 3-2, defeated Embry Riddle 2-1, fell to S. Connecticut St. 0-1, defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 3-2, and fell to West Virginia Wesleyan 2-3. 

The Foresters hosted Marian College in a conference double-header.  In the first game Heath Luther pitched a gem, throwing seven innings of shutout ball to push his record to 3-0 on the season.  The Foresters won 7-0, with Jerry Kaufman collecting his first home run of the season.  In the second game, the Foresters fell to Marian by the final score of 15-3. 

The baseball team won their 8^th and 9^th games of the season defeating Manchester College.  In the first game, Jerry Kaufman collected 4 hits, a steal, a run, and an RBI.  Mark LeBeau gave up just 6 hits in collecting his 2^nd win of the season.  Final score of game one went to the Foresters 8-2.  In the second game, Paul Wright nearly pitched a no-hitter, giving up just one hit to collect his 2^nd win of the season.  Jerry Kaufman scored the only run of the game in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Heath Luther.  HC won 1-0.

The Foresters out-slugged Grace College to capture two conference wins.  In the first game, HC’s Mark LeBeau pitched a complete game to improve his individual pitching record to 3-2 on the season.  LeBeau surrendered just 4 hits and 2 earned runs.  HC won game one by a 7-2 score.  In the second game, HC’s Aaron Klopfenstein collected his second pitching win of the season with a 13-8 win.  Kyle Daugherty collected 2 triples and 5 RBIs to lead the Foresters at the plate.  With the sweep of this double-header the Foresters are now 12-11 on the season, 6-4 in the MCC.

HC baseball player Mark LeBeau was named MCC Pitcher of the Week (week of April 2^nd).  LeBeau collected two wins in 15 innings of work, surrendered 10 hits, 3 earned runs, and struck-out 14 in leading the Foresters to a 5-1 record for the week. 

Tennis

The results of spring break week tennis matches were as follows:

                                                                            Women                 Men

      vs. Palm Beach Atlantic College                 L  (9-0)                 L    (9-0)

      vs. Onondoga College                                       -                      W   (9-0)

      vs. St. Leo College                                      W  (7-2)                W   (7-2)

Women’s Soccer

Mr. Tom Datema has joined the Huntington College coaching staff as head coach of the women’s soccer program.  Datema, who spent eight of his childhood years in Sierra Leone, West Africa, grew up playing soccer.  After returning to the United States, he attended Huntington College and was a four-year starter on the soccer team.  Following graduation, he served as an assistant coach for the men’s program for a year and a half.  He also has served as the women’s assistant for three of the past four years.   Currently, Datema pastors the Zanesville United Brethren Church and is a District Superintendent for the Fort Wayne District of the United Brethren's Central Conference.

Track

In track, the Foresters participated in the Hanover Invitational.  On the women’s side, Erin Abbey placed 2^nd in the 200 meter dash, Sarah Lightcap placed 2^nd in the 400 meter dash, and Danielle Vohs and Aimee Sullivan placed 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the 800 meter run.  Also for the women’s team, Danielle Vohs and Jennie Mach placed 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in the 1,500 meter run, Julie Lowe placed 3^rd in the 5,000 meter, and Renee Porter won the high jump event.

For the men’s team, Pat Pettyjohn won the 100 and 200 meter dash events, Jon Pelz won the 400 meter dash, and John Ngure won the 800, 1,500, and 5,000 meter run events.  Also for the men’s team, Jonathon Doyle won the 110 and 400 meter hurdle events, Tim Doll won the pole vault, Gary Skeel won the Triple Jump, and Rusty Garner finished in 2^nd place in the long jump.

In track, both teams competed in the 2001 Wilmington Invitational.  The women’s team finished in 2nd place out of 14 teams.  In individual events, Erin Abbey captured a 3^rd place in the long jump, Renee Porter a 2^nd place in the high jump and a 3^rd in the triple jump, and Jennie Mach a 2^nd place in the 1500 meter run.  Other results for the women’s team included a 2^nd place for Danielle Vohs in the 800 meter run, and a 2^nd place finish for Natalie Guenin in the 5000 meter run. 

The men’s team finished in 3^rd place overall, out of a field of 14 teams.  In individual results, Cameron Norris placed 2^nd in the steeple chase, John Ngure placed 1^st in the 1500 meter, 800 meter and 5000 meter events, and Pat Pettyjohn placed 2^nd in the 100 meter dash and 4^th in the 200 meter dash.

Golf

In golf, the Foresters finished in 4^th place (tied with Bethel) in the opening conference match of the season.  Marian College won the event (293), followed by Taylor (313), IWU (320), HC and Bethel (324), St. Francis (326), Grace (327), and Goshen (353).  Scott Sommers, for HC, finished with an individual score of 74, just five strokes back from Chad Speer, the event medalist from Marian (69).

The Foresters golf team posted its best team score (315) since 1996, to finish in 5^th place in the MCC competition held at Norwood Golf Club.  Tim Hoving shot the best individual score for the Foresters with a 76, followed by Scott Sommers (77), and Micah Beckwith (78).   

Other

  President’s Office

  Dr. Blair Dowden has been named vice-chair of the board of directors of the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and the ICI Foundation.  He will serve on the executive committee of the board of both organizations.

Merillat Centre Events

April 2 - May 19. Spring Senior Art Exhibit featuring work by talented graduating seniors in the Robert E. Wilson Gallery.

April 9 - April 13, 12:15 p.m.  Holy Week Services. 30-minute devotional services will be held daily, featuring music, drama, oral interpretation, visual art, and scripture meditations.  Lunch is available both before and after each service at modest cost in the Habecker Dining Commons.

Tuesday, April 17, 8 p.m.  Spring Longaker Recital presented by the Department of Music.  Admission: $10, Students/Seniors $5.

Friday, April 27, 8 p.m. First Annual Concerto Concert, featuring the winners of the Huntington concerto competition. The concert will showcase talented instrumentalists and vocalists from Huntington College as well as an extraordinarily gifted area high school student.  Admission: $10, Students/Seniors $5.

Tuesday, May 1, 8 p.m. HC Jazz Explosion!  Admission: $10, Students/Seniors $5.

May 2-5, 8 p.m. One-Act Play Festival in the Studio Theatre, featuring the directing debuts of HC seniors.

Monday, May 7, 8 p.m.  Guest Artist Concert. Avant-garde cellist Madeleine Shapiro of New York presents a special concert in Longaker Recital Hall. Admission: $10, Students/Seniors $5.

Note: Tickets for Merillat Centre events may be purchased by calling the box office at 260-359-4261.