September 2001

Huntington College Friends and Family,

The start of a new academic year always brings with it an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement as we meet new students and welcome returning students back to campus.  This fall is particularly meaningful because it marks the end of my first decade at Huntington College and the beginning of the next.  As I reflect on the past ten years, I am very aware of God’s blessings on Huntington College.  He has provided us with wonderful resources in people, facilities, programs, and finances.  And we have the privilege of being the good stewards of this wealth. 

During my second year of service, in 1992, I identified several problems facing higher education and how these constraints might impact forward progress at the College.  Specifically, the constraints included a tight economy affecting the financing of higher education, a growing competition among colleges in the recruitment of new students, a public demand for accountability in higher education, and a tight institutional budget.  Against such a backdrop, however, I was convinced we could meet the challenges imposed by these constraints and chart a course for ourselves that would lead us into the 21^st century.

Many individuals and groups among our faculty, staff, administration, students, alumni, community, and Board of Trustees have contributed to the vision casting, momentum building, and mission focusing that have characterized these past ten years.  Over the decade, we formulated several strategic long-range plans and a facilities master plan that, along with a new College mission statement, have guided our work and helped us to better our best. 

It is with a deep sense of satisfaction that I conclude this decade of service to Huntington College and begin my eleventh year.  I am increasingly aware that the task of the presidency is not mine alone, but one shared with a gifted group of men and women committed to the tremendous and vital task of Christian higher education at Huntington College.

My prayer for Huntington College and for each one of us is that our Lord will grant hope and courage to sustain us in our efforts, wisdom and insight to provide counsel when tough decisions must be made, and fresh perspectives to open us to new ways of being faithful to our mission of educating men and women to impact our world for Christ.

Sincerely,
G. Blair Dowden
President

Admissions

Good News

This fall marks HC’s seventh consecutive year of increased enrollment.  Final enrollment numbers are not available at the writing of this update, but we project a total headcount right at 1,000.  We have enrolled 273 new students, an increase of 13% over last year and an all-time record. 

The 2001 incoming class includes some of the most academically prepared students we have ever enrolled. The new freshman class has the second highest average ACT score and the second highest overall GPA on record.  We expect to see some exceptional campus leaders emerge from their ranks.

Since 1993, HC has experienced a 73% increase in total headcount and also
a 73% increase in undergraduate FTE.

Academic

US News & World Report

Huntington College has been ranked among the top 15 comprehensive colleges in the Midwest by US News and World Report.  The magazine's 2002 guide to “America’s Best Colleges” marks the seventh consecutive year that Huntington College has been listed among the best in its class. 

It has been a year of accolades for Huntington College. In January, the school was listed among The Best 201 Colleges for the Real World. That guidebook praised Huntington’s shorter-than-average time to graduation, opportunities for study abroad, and available programs for working adults. 

For additional details, see www.huntington.edu/news.

Chemistry

Dr. Ruth Nalliah is chair-elect of the American Chemical Society’s Northeast Indiana Section.  Recently, Dr. Nalliah applied for and received a 2001 Pittsburgh Conference Memorial National College Grant for $7,000 toward the purchase of a gas chromatograph. The new instrument will be used for laboratory teaching and student research.

Dr. Bill Bordeaux is a co-author of the soon-to-be released Instructor’s Resource Manual for the second volume of Integrated Chemistry published by Houghton Mifflin Co.  Dr. Bordeaux collaborated with Dr. Jeff Frick of Illinois Wesleyan University on all chapters dealing with organic chemistry.

English

Dr. Del Doughty received a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) through the Grant Program for Individual Artists Projects (IAP).  This grant will support Doughty's composition of a poetic journal tentatively entitled Ancient Rhythms.  Dr. Doughty also visited UCLA this summer to participate in the NEH seminar, "Literature in Transition:  The Impact of Information Technologies."   Doughty was one of a diverse group of academics and writers who participated in the event, including literary theorists, poets, game designers, art historians, TV and film scholars, and new media experts. 

EXCEL

The fall campaign is underway for EXCEL.  New billboards, newspaper ads, posters and a second brochure entitled EXCEL Choices are now available. Television and radio commercials, as well as introductions to news and weather reports, are also part of this campaign.  Some of the commercials may be seen on ABC in the next few weeks during the 6 p.m. evening news (week of Sept. 10-14); Good Morning America from 7-9 a.m. (week of Sept. 17-21); and the 6-7 a.m. morning news (weeks of Sept. 24 - Oct. 5).

Forester Lecture

“Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture” is the topic of the semester’s first Forester Lecture, to be presented Thursday, September 20, at 7 p.m. on the MCA Main Stage.  Our guest lecturer will be Dr. Bill Romanowski, professor of communication arts and sciences, at Calvin College. 

History

Dr. Paul Michelson, professor of history, again spent part of his summer at the Sighet, Romania, Memorial Prison where he gave a paper on "Memories of the Romanian Mini-Cultural Revolution, 1971" (written in collaboration with Jean T. Michelson).  He also presented papers at the Seventh Center for Romanian Studies International Conference, the Fourth International Congress on Romanian Studies in Suceava, Romania, and the Romanian Institute for Recent History Conference in Bucuresti.  His paper on "Romanian Unity, 1859, 1918, 1989: Beginnings, Opportunities...., and Illusions," was published this summer in a volume on Tradition and Modernity in Romanian Culture and Civilization, 1600-2000 (2001).

International Business Institute (IBI)

Recently, the Academic Concerns Committee (ACC) approved an agency agreement with the International Business Institute (IBI) to assist the organization as it transitions from a one-director leadership model to a board/council leadership model.  IBI is an eleven-week, European-based summer study program for students interested in studying international business.  Huntington College will now be providing a transcript service to students who are involved in the program and will also provide curricular leadership and oversight for the program.

Mathematics

Dr. Patrick Eggleton, associate professor of mathematics, presented the workshop “Triangles á la Fettuccini” at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) Regional Conference in Laramie, Wyoming, on August 9, 2001.  The workshop provided mathematics teachers with tested classroom activities to use in teaching mathematics—with pasta!  "Triangles á la Fettuccini" is related to an activity created by Eggleton to provide a hands-on approach to learning about triangle congruence.  An article by the same title will be forthcoming in one of the future NCTM journals, featuring pictures of students from Huntington North High School, who participated in the activity last fall.  Dr. Eggleton also co-authored an article, “The Value of Mistakes,” with Dr. Carla Moldavan of Berry College, that has been published in the journal Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School (September 2001), an international publication of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Omega Psi

Several members of Omega Psi, Huntington College’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, will be traveling to Orlando, Florida for the international honor society’s 2001 Biennial Convocation in November.  Dr. Terrell Peace, chapter counselor; Jill Johnson, chapter president; and Erika Helm, chapter secretary will be participants and presenters at the national meeting.  Their proposal, “Following the PDS Trail, Slippery Slope or Stairway to Heaven?” will examine questions about the implementation of Professional Development School (PDS) type formats in Teacher Education programs.  By looking at HC’s attempt to use on-site college instruction and related field experiences in nearby schools, participants can gain multiple perspectives of both benefits and pitfalls in such an effort. 

Psychology

Dr. Steve Lee and his wife, Twyla, have been invited to attend a Family Educator's Conference in Eureka Springs, October 7-11.  The Conference is limited to 15 couples who are involved with various ministries and colleges.   The purpose of the conference is to network and share ideas about educational/experiential opportunities for students in the areas of relationships, both premarital and marital.

Advancement

As of July 31, 2001, $39,314,835 has been raised for The Campaign for Huntington College.   A planned gift of $1.4 million helped to move us to this point.  We have now exceeded our endowment goal by $4.9 million.  While we have exceeded our overall campaign goal by $2.3 million, we still need to raise a little more than $1.5 million for the science project.  This continues to be our major fund raising focus.

The campaign phonathon is nearing the end.  Through the end of June 2001, we have raised $251,162.  Of this amount, $48,519 has been committed by lapsed and non-donors. 

Business & Finance

Budget News

Huntington College was able to finish the 2000-01 fiscal year on June 30th with a balanced budget.  With the collective stewardship of campus personnel and God's grace, we were able to balance the budget and move the College forward in accomplishing our mission and goals.  Thanks and praise God!

Athletics

Academic Excellence Award

Each year the Academic Excellence Award is bestowed upon the athletic team that has amassed the highest team grade point average during the previous year.  For the 2000-2001 school year, top honors went to the Women’s Track team.  In all, eight HC teams earned a cumulative GPA above 3.0, including:

1.             Women's Track                                    3.497

2.             Women's Cross Country                    3.468

3.             Men's Tennis                                        3.357

4.             Women's Soccer                                  3.330

5.             Men's Cross Country                          3.300

6.             Men's Track                                          3.277

7.             Women's Basketball                            3.222

8.             Softball                                 3.161

Tennis

The Foresters, led by #1 singles player Jacob Miles with his 6-4, 6-3 win, defeated the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 6-3.  The Foresters also got wins from Ben Eggleston (7-6, 6-3) at #4 singles and Brandon Ecker (6-1, 6-1) at #5 singles.  They secured the win with all three doubles teams earning victories.  At #1 doubles, Jacob Miles and Mark Richard won 9-7.  Michael Christner and Ben Eggleston won 9-8 (7-1) at #2 doubles, and Brandon Ecker and Matt Plett won 8-5 at #3 doubles. 

The men’s team also handed the Marian Knights their first loss of the season with a 7-2 win and raised their record to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference. 

The women's tennis team fell to the undefeated Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 9-0 to open their season and then lost a 5-4 heartbreaker to the Marian Knights to drop them to 0-2 in the conference.  #4 Lindsey Weber (6-4, 6-3), #5 Jessica Brown (6-1, 4-6, 6-2), and #6 Hannah Fairchild (6-4, 6-4) each notched their first win of the season.  HC's #3 doubles team of Jessica Brown and Stacy Plett won 8-6 to round out the scoring for the Foresters. 

Other

Huntington College Bookstore Opens

On-line Shop

David Nicholson Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament

Women’s Auxiliary

The Huntington College Bookstore is now available online!  Students can reserve their textbooks and parents and alumni can browse the "School Spirit Shop" for the latest HC apparel: polos, sweatshirts, athletic gear, coffee mugs, and much more!  Try the new site at http://huntington.bkstore.com.

Congratulations to HC Foresters II who won the Coed Recreational Division at the David Nicholson Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament held in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.  Proceeds from the tournament helped in funding the HC scholarship also named in Dave’s honor.  The Waterloo Regional Police Association organized the event.  A total of 32 teams participated in this year’s tournament.

Foresters II was made up of student-athletes Trent Ropp, Gary Skeel, Mike Matura, Shawnda Schamber, Carmen Shetler, Jami Halsey, Elizabeth Rapone, Emily Schwiekhardt, and Alison Winger.  Also playing on the team were Ontario alums Steve Peng ’89, Mike Peng ’90, and Mike Matura’s father and brother.  Assistant HC softball coach Doug Gower ’82 coached Foresters II.

The other team to represent HC was Foresters I.  They suffered two losses in the pool play before an enormous victory to end the day.  Team members included Ontario alums Tamara Reist ’91, Randy Magnus ’82, and Mark and Andrew Grant, sons of UB pastor Roger Grant.  Student-athletes were Amy Brown, Adrienne Bender, Candace Cooper, Kristie Davidson, Kaley Fode, Hope Guyton, and Emily Burkholder.  Mike and Polly Tribolet, Todd Martin, Jerry White and son Stephen White represented the campus. 

Mike Matura, HC sophomore, was introduced at the awards ceremony as the first recipient of the Nicholson Scholarship.  Dave’s widow, Wendy (Burk) Hostetter ’89, presented trophies and prize money to the winning teams. 

The Huntington College Women’s Auxiliary will hold its Fall Breakfast on Saturday, September 15, at 9 a.m., in the Habecker Dining Commons.  "Hang It Up!! Art with Rebecca," will be the topic for the morning.  Ms. Rebecca Coffman, sculptor, potter and professor of art at Huntington College, will help the audience evaluate the art they have or may want to put in their homes.  The cost of the breakfast is $5.50. Please call Sharon Custer, 359-4160, to make reservations.

MCA Events

September 4-29.  Natural Relationships by Teresa Prater, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.
Drawings by Teresa Prater, Associate Professor of Studio Art at Converse College (SC) will be featured in this exhibit.  Ms. Prater primarily works with charcoal on paper, using the figure and supporting symbolic images to create high contrast narrative environments.  Artist Reception and Gallery Talk - Saturday, September 29, 6-8 p.m.  Music provided by HC faculty artist Dr. Patricia Spedden at the piano.

Tuesday, September 11, 7 p.m.  Faculty Artist Series, Longaker Recital Hall.
Classical guitarist Michael Brennan presents an exciting and varied program of virtuosic fretted favorites.

Thursday, September 20, 7 p.m.  Forester Lecture Series: “Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture,” MCA Main Stage.  Presented by Dr. Bill Romanowski, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, Calvin College.  The popular arts—movies, television, popular music and video—influence how people think about themselves, their relation to others, and their place in society.  This seminar will present a sharp Christian critique of key features of the dominant worldview in mainstream Hollywood productions—individualism, religion, gender stereotypes, sex, violence, and materialism.

Thursday, September 27, 8 p.m.  Huntington College Theatre presents Fresh Faces, MCA Main Stage.  New students showcase their talent in an informal evening of scenes, monologues and show tunes.   (No ticket required.)

Friday, September 28, 7 p.m.  Eleganza Early Music Consort, Longaker Recital Hall.
Featuring Jim and Jacquie Loomis, George and Ann Donner, recorders; Wayne Peterson, harpsichord and positiv organ; Marlene Schleiffer, krumhorn and percussion; Ann Martin, viola da gamba.

October 3-26. Biennial Huntington College Faculty Art Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.  Recent works by Huntington College faculty Rebecca Coffman, Elizabeth

Frey-Davis, and Ken Hopper will be featured in this exhibit.  Artists’ reception and gallery talk Saturday, October 6, 1-3 p.m.  Chamber music provided by Sara Wall, adjunct faculty harpist.

Saturday, October 6, 3 p.m.  Alumni Concert with Burt Lange, MCA Main Stage.
Meet Rev. Burt Lange in his role as Country Preacher and Victor Borge imitator at the piano.  (No ticket required.)

Saturday, October 6, 7 p.m.  Homecoming Weekend Music Department Alumni Reunion Concert: The Melodies of Memory, MCA Main Stage.  Featuring the HC Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Handbells, with added ranks of music alumni from 1936 to 2001. 

Monday, October 8, 7 p.m.  Forester Lecture Series:  “On the Front Lines: Christians in the Broadcast Media,” Habecker Dining Commons Banquet Rooms.  Presented by Angela Atalla, News Anchor, WNWO TV, NBC-24, Toledo. Huntington College class of ’96.

Thursday, October 11, 8 p.m.  Pianist Jodie DeSalvo, Longaker Recital Hall.
A Huntington favorite, Jodie DeSalvo has won several national and international competitions including the American Piano Association, The National Federation of Music Clubs, Young Concert Artists, and grand prize winner of the Artists International Competition, from which she gave her New York debut at Carnegie Hall.  Presented by the Huntington College Community Arts Program.  

Saturday, October 13, 7 p.m.  Pianist Paul Barnes, Longaker Recital Hall.  Nationally renowned pianist Paul Barnes presents an exciting and thought-provoking lecture recital of Twentieth Century music, including the American premiere of a new work by Philip Glass.

MCA Events (continued)

Monday, October 22, 7 p.m.  16th Annual Church Music Concert: Masters of the Baroque, Trinity Methodist Church.  The HC Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, Brass Ensemble, and Handbells join together with faculty organist Darlene Burkett, violinist Dessi Arnold, and oboist Marlene Schleiffer in a program of sacred works by Bach, Handel, Telemann, Purcell, and others.

November 1-3,  8 p.m.  Huntington College Theatre presents Side Show, MCA Main Stage.  An amazing, compelling and thought-provoking new Broadway musical.

November 1-20.  IGNITE Emerging Artist Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.
Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) presents a traveling exhibit of works by a number of emerging artists.  This exhibit will feature the works in a full range of styles, approaches and mediums. 

Sunday, November 11, 3 p.m.  Huntington County Invitational Church Choir Festival, MCA Main Stage.  Presented by the LaFontaine Arts Council in conjunction with the Huntington College Music Department. 

Tuesday, November 13, 7 p.m.  Forester Lecture Series: “Charging to Heaven: Christian Faith and the Gospel of Consumerism,” MCA Main Stage.  Presented by Dr. Lendol Calder, assistant professor of history, Augustana College (IL). 

Friday, November 16, 7 p.m.  The Nutcracker, Mid-Illinois Ballet Company, MCA Main Stage.  Presented by the Huntington College Community Arts Program.

November 26 - December 7.  Graduating Art Major Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.  This exhibit will feature works by talented Huntington College graduating art majors.  Artists’ reception: Saturday, December 1, 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, December 1, 2 p.m.  Gizmo Guys, MCA Main Stage.  The Gizmo Guys combine original routines, quick-witted verbal repartee and world class juggling skills in a very light-hearted approach to the art.  Presented by the Huntington College Community Arts Program.

Sunday, December 2, 7:30 p.m.  Handel's Messiah, St. Mary's Cathedral.  The HC Concert Choir and Orchestra joins with the Community Festival Chorus in a presentation of the most beloved of all sacred choral works. (No ticket required.)

Thursday, December 6, 7 p.m.  Little Women, Opening Night, Studio Theatre.
The Family Christmas Theatre Production, directed by Paula Trimpey. A timeless classic presented in a Victorian Christmas setting. (Performances also on December 7 at 9 p.m.; December 8 at 3 and 7 p.m.)

Friday, December 7, 7 p.m.  Celebration Concert, MCA Main Stage.  Featuring HC Wind Ensemble, Women's Chorale, Concert Choir, and Handbells in a joyous celebration of the music of the season.

Sunday, December 9, 2:30 p.m.  Holiday Pops, MCA Main Stage.  Following a lobby concert by the HC Brass Ensemble from 1:30-2:15 p.m., the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will perform your favorite Christmas songs, including a sing-along with the orchestra.

December 10-21.  Graduating Art Major Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.  This exhibit will feature works by talented Huntington College graduating art majors. Artists’ reception: Saturday, December 15, 6-8 p.m.