April 2002

Huntington College Friends and Family,

“Count your blessings.  Name them one by one.”   These lines of a familiar gospel song seem so very appropriate as I step back and begin to review this past academic year at Huntington College.  We still have about a month of classes and activities, but the end is clearly just around the corner.

God’s faithfulness has been very clear this year in our enrollment numbers and the success of The Campaign for Huntington College.  As reported by the Student Satisfaction Inventory, students at the College are very pleased with their educational experience, citing the knowledge and expertise of the faculty, the quality of instruction, the spiritual climate, and the caring campus staff as some of Huntington’s greatest strengths.  And, although we dislike having to say good-bye to some of our faculty and staff, we are grateful that while God is calling them to other areas of service, He is also leading others to come and serve Him in higher education at Huntington College.

The President’s Update this month reports on a host of accomplishments by our students and faculty, as well as some exceptional programs that will be taking place on campus.  I trust you will be able to make room in your calendar for some of these performances, athletic events, and lectures.  You are always welcome on the campus.

Sincerely,

G. Blair Dowden

President

Admissions

Class of 2002

Huntington County Visit Day

The first Huntington County College Visit Day will take place on Wednesday, April 24.  The purpose of this day is for Huntington College to be a resource to local students in their college selection process.   Students will be encouraged to use a visit to Huntington College as their first college visit to learn about what questions to ask, what to expect, and how to prepare for other college visits.

Academic

Art

The twelfth annual Student Art Show at Huntington College awarded various art students with high honors.  Bob Howell, professor of art at Louisiana College in Pineville, LA, served as guest juror, choosing Matt Plett’s “Get Over It” oil painting as Best of Show.  Hannah Fairchild placed first overall for her ceramic, “La Couleur Del’Ocean.”  “Foreshortening: Positive and Negative,” a drawing by Kristin Smurdon, finished second overall, and “Fender Strat,” a wire sculpture by Josh Middleton, finished third overall.  For a complete listing of all award winners in the art show, see http://www.huntington.edu/news/0102/Artshow.htm.

Communications

Mr. Kevin Miller has accepted our offer to become Assistant Professor of Communication.  Kevin is completing his PhD at the University of Kentucky.  He also has a MA in Journalism from Ohio State University and completed all course work toward a MA at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  His undergraduate degree is in English from Eastern Mennonite University.  In addition to teaching part-time at the University of Kentucky and Wheaton College, Kevin has worked for Christianity Today as Associate Editor for a number of years.  He has written widely for both Christianity Today and Christian Reader and has a strong interest in print journalism.

Education

Dr. Terrell Peace has contributed to the recently published book, Racism in the Classroom: Case Studies, edited by Nancy L. Quisenberry and John McIntyre of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  It is a joint publication of the Association of Teacher Educators and the Association for Childhood Education International.  The volume is a follow-up to an earlier book published by ATE and ACEI, Educators Healing Racism.  Teachers and teacher educators responded to specific case studies dealing with a racial issue in a classroom, and then elaborated on their rationale so that readers would understand the basis of their response.  The case study Dr. Peace responded to concerned a confrontation between a Japanese American student and an African American student in a high school history classroom as they argued about their respective experiences with racism.

Forester Lectures

The final Forester Lecture for the year will take place on April 29, 2002, 7:00 p.m. in the MCA Auditorium.  Dr. Judith M. Rood, associate professor of history and Middle East studies at William Tyndale College, will speak to “The Peace Process: Reflections on Justice, Repentance, and Reconciliation, A Biblical Approach.”

Kappa Delta Pi

HC’s Omega Psi chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society, has elected officers for 2002-2003: President: Erika Helm; Vice President: April Wyne; Secretary: Rebecca Schmit; Treasurer: Natalie Guenin; historian: Elizabeth Weber.  These officers will be installed at the conclusion of the Spring Initiation of new members on April 16.

Lamda Phi Eta

Huntington College recently inducted five new members to Lambda Phi Eta, the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association.  The five new members inducted include: Jennifer Herring, Lauren Hines, Michelle Saylor, Michael Szapkiw, and Jon Bordeaux.  Huntington’s chapter joins the nearly 300 chapters of Lambda Pi Eta worldwide who recognize academic excellence and a commitment to the field of communication in their students.  The goals of Lambda Pi Eta are to recognize, foster, and reward outstanding scholastic achievement, stimulate interest in the field of communication, promote and encourage professional development among communication majors, provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas about the field, establish and maintain close relationships and understanding between faculty and students, and explore options for further graduate studies.

Physics

Dr. Jerry Smith recently attended the American Physical Society national meeting in Indianapolis.  He attended sessions on research in magnetic properties and anisotropy, climate change mitigation in the production of CO2, and fuel cell technologies.  He was also able to participate in two sessions by last year’s Nobel Prize winners in physics on Bose-Einstein condensates.  During Spring Break, he attended the NCA Chicago meeting, where he participated in workshops for Accreditation Review Council members.  Earlier this spring, he also served on one Readers’ Panel for the NCA Higher Learning Commission, and chaired an Evaluators’ Panel for another institution.

Vice President and Dean of the College

Dr. Ron Webb, vice president and dean of the College, has resigned his position to assume the position of Senior Vice President and Provost at Jingmei University in China.  Dr. Webb has provided key leadership to our academic program during his four years of service, effectively promoting the academic program and raising its visibility.  His emphasis on internationalization, integration of faith and learning, and academic restructuring has been greatly appreciated.

Advancement

The Campaign for Huntington College generated unprecedented levels of financial support from the local community.  Two hundred seventy donors from Huntington County made gifts and pledges totaling more than $7.7 million.  We thank God for this remarkable expression of support from our neighbors.

The Huntington College Foundation has kicked off the annual Foundation Fund Drive.  Foundation Board members will be contacting nearly 150 members of the community of Huntington, asking them to support the Huntington County Grant, which provides financial aid to local students, and other Huntington College programs.

Plans are well underway for the capital campaign celebration that will take place on Friday, April 26.  This event will focus on the recognition of all volunteers.  On May 3, an all-campus Praise and Worship service will be held to celebrate God’s goodness in helping us to exceed all campaign goals.

Recent alumni/friend gatherings were held in Bradenton, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and Marietta, Georgia.  In each location, our field staff received a very warm, enthusiastic reception from alumni, donors, and other friends of HC.  We had opportunity to update them on the wonderful things happening on campus and to learn more about how God is using them in their own communities.  The gatherings also provided an opportunity for us to speak with prospective students and their parents.   Alumni/friend gatherings also are being organized in the Chicago and Grand Rapids areas over the next few months. 

Business & Finance

Auxiliary Services

Mrs. Julie Hendryx was hired as Director of Auxiliary Services in January.   She began her new duties in late-February replacing Lisa Lehman who married and moved to Angola, IN.  Julie is a 1999 graduate of Huntington College having majored in Business Management.  Since graduating, Julie has been employed by Weaver Popcorn in Van Buren, IN working in production planning and human resources.

Science Hall

The construction of the new science building is nearing completion with most all work to be finished by the end of April.  Furniture orders are being placed and deliveries are planned for late spring and early summer.  Faculty will begin to move into the building in mid-May with the major move from Brenn Hall planned for late-May and early-June.

Student Development

Operation S.W. A. P.

Huntington College’s Tim Furry, a junior youth ministries major from Chambersburg, PA, had the privilege of being president-for-a-day at Huntington College on Wednesday, March 13.  Furry was the winner of “Operation S.W.A.P.” (switch with a president), a Student Senate fundraiser to help provide funds for Spring Break mission trips.  As he spent the day in the President’s Office attending meetings, President Dowden attended classes and spent time with Furry’s friends.

Mission Emphasis Week

Mr. Tim Springer is the guest speaker for Missions Emphasis Week, April 9-11.  Tim was born in Indiana and raised in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bluffton College, and after working with youth in Berne, Indiana, for one and one-half years, went on to earn an MA in counseling.  Tim and his wife, Suanne, worked in Hong Kong from 1981-1997 doing social-related work among taxi drivers and other working-class groups.  Since 1998, Tim has been facilitating the formation of business-related alliances that allow workers to locate in restricted countries.

Student Senate

The following students were elected to the Student Senate Executive Board:  Tim Caldwell – president; Joanna Shenk - vice president; Ryan Dunlap - treasurer; Erin Groth - secretary.

Special Programs

Hardy Hall sponsored a self-defense course for women.  Twenty-two students participated in the program, which was taught by a retired Ft. Wayne policeman.

Author, pastor, and counselor, Mike Sytsma, was our Relationship Emphasis Week speaker, March 12 –14.  Counseling Services and Campus Ministries worked together to coordinate the week of programs.

Vice President for Student Development

Dr. Norris Friesen, vice president for student development, has accepted a one-year appointment to the position of Interim Vice President and Dean of the College.  Mr. Ron Coffey, associate dean of students, also has accepted a one-year appointment as Interim Vice President for Student Development while Dr. Friesen serves as Dean of the College.  These interim appointments have been made to fill the vacancy left by Dr. Ron Webb, current vice president and dean of the College, who will be leaving Huntington College in June 2002 to assume the position of Senior Vice President and Provost at Jingmei University in China. 

Athletics

NAIA All-American Honors

Six Huntington College student-athletes earned NAIA All-American honors in their respective sports for the 2001-02 winter seasons.  David Porter became the first Forester in the men’s basketball program to earn back-to-back NAIA Division II first-team All-American honors and Mid-Central Conference (MCC) Player of the Year honors.  Juniors Adam Hill and Brett Snodgrass each earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors and were named to the MCC second team.  Senior Crissy Collins earned NAIA Division II third-team All-American honors in women’s basketball.  Collins, a first-team MCC player, averaged 18.5 points per game while bringing down 8.2 rebounds per game.  At the NAIA Indoor National Track and Field Championships, the Foresters produced two All-Americans.  John Ngure earned his fifth track All-American honor as he ran to a third place finish in the 5000-meter run.  He now owns eight All-American honors between track and cross country.  Danielle Vohs picked up her third track All-American honor in the 1000 meter run.  She now has four All-American honors between track and cross country. 

Baseball

Leading 4-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Foresters needed three outs to earn their third win of the season, but the Panthers of Hanover College had other ideas. The Panthers, behind some timely hitting and a couple HC mistakes, rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the ninth to snatch the victory from the Foresters. Neil Stinson took the mound for HC and pitched eight solid innings holding Hanover scoreless on four hits and two walks.

The Foresters banged out 21 hits and capitalized on five Goshen errors to sweep their opening Mid-Central Conference doubleheader 12-2 and 9-7.  In game one, HC plated four runs in the first and gave pitcher Neil Stinson all the help he would need to get his first win of the season.  For the Foresters, Steve Orth and Russ Degitz each had two hits in the game and Tim Burris belted the first homerun of his career with a 2-run shot in the third.  Stinson went the distance for the Foresters, giving up two runs on eight hits and seven strikeouts.  In the nightcap, the Maple Leafs drew first blood, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, but HC struck back in the top of the second.  The Foresters scored five runs on five hits with Mike Dodd's three-run homer, the first of his career, delivering the biggest blow.  From the bull pen, Nick Rosen delivered and held Goshen scoreless, giving up just two hits and two walks, while striking out three in four innings of work. 

After squeaking out a 7-6 win in their previous match-up with Grace, the Foresters left no doubt this time sweeping the doubleheader with the Lancers 6-0 and 16-0.  Game one marked the return to the mound for Forester pitcher, Mark LeBeau, who had missed a few starts due to a shoulder injury.  LeBeau dominated the Lancers, striking out nine while giving up just three hits and one walk to earn the complete-game shutout.  In game two, Dusty Thompson and Nick Rosen teamed up to throw a one hit shutout, while thirteen different Forester batters got hits en route to their 16-0 thrashing of the Lancers.  Blake Mollenkopf and Tim Burris each had two hits apiece for HC and Josh Long had a team-high three RBIs.  The two wins raised HC's record to 9-11 on the year and 7-2 in the MCC.

Golf

The Foresters opened their spring season traveling to Blackthorn Golf Course in South Bend, IN to get an early look at the course where the NAIA Region VIII Tournament will be played later this spring.  HC finished second with a team score of 326, five strokes behind tournament winner, Aquinas College.  Grace College finished third with a 346.  Despite the cold and wet conditions, Micah Beckwith and Derek Boone both shot a 79 to lead the Foresters.  Jay Tropf shot an 83 and Tim Hoving had an 85 to round out the scoring for HC.  Their second place finish moves them to 7-7 on the year.  

Softball

In their 2002 debut, the Forester softball team dropped a pair of one-run games, 2-1 and 4-3, to Manchester College.  Despite the loss, Lindsay Reinking pitched an outstanding game giving up seven hits, while striking out four and allowing just one walk.  

Twenty-six hits and a spotless defense spurred the Foresters on to their first two wins of the season as they defeated Calumet College 10-1 and 11-3.  In the first game of the day, HC got on the board early scoring six runs on five hits in the first inning.  Five freshmen accounted for ten of the eleven hits in the game.  Emily Schweikhardt led the way with three hits including a double and a triple, Adrienne Bender, Renae Flora, and Liz Rapone each collected two hits and Melanie Zehr had a double.  In game two, the Forester upperclassmen took over what the freshmen had started.  Junior Hope Guyton banged out three hits, while seniors Amy Brown and Jami Halsey each had two.  With the two wins, the women improved to 2-16 on the season.  

Tennis

Men’s Tennis.  The men's tennis team opened the spring portion of their season with a 9-0 rout of IU Southeast.  Leading the way for HC at #1 singles was Jacob Miles who easily handled IUS' Isaac Orme 6-0, 6-2.  Senior Bryan McDaniel returned to the court at the #2 singles spot after missing the fall season while doing an off-campus internship.  McDaniel had a strong showing in his 2002 debut defeating Chris Jacobs 6-2, 6-3.  At #3 singles, Mark Richard needed three sets to topple IUS' Mike Crone 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.  Ben Eggleston won at #4 singles 7-5, 6-4, #5 Michael Christner won 6-3, 6-3, and #6 Brandon Ecker won 6-2, 7-5.  HC swept all three doubles matches with Miles and Christner winning 8-4 at #1 doubles, McDaniel and Richard 9-8 at #2 doubles and Ecker and Eggleston 8-2 at #3 doubles.  The win raised the men's overall season record to 10-1.

Women’s Tennis.  The women's tennis team played two matches and earned a split, defeating Anderson 7-2 and losing 8-1 to IU Southeast.  Against Anderson, the Foresters won four singles matches and swept the three doubles matches to post their fifth win of the year.  HC's Lindsey Weber led the team with three wins on the day.  Other singles winners in the Anderson match included #4 Brooke Owens (3-6, 6-3, 6-2), #5 Kristen Freeman (6-1, 6-4), and #6 Jessica Brown (6-1, 6-3).  Weber was the sole winner in the IU Southeast match.  The women are now 5-8 on the year.  

Track

At the Wabash Relays, the women proved their strength as a unit and were deemed the Outstanding Female Team of the meet.  The non-scored relay meet tested the depth and endurance of the team as races were run relay style and each field event combined the marks of two teammates to establish a team score.  The Foresters got strong contributions from many of the women, including Renee Rupp and Suzanne Skeel in the triple jump, Renee Rupp and Melissa Bortner in the high jump, Carrie Reese in the 10,000, and Natalie Guenin in the 5000, the women's 4x800 relay team, the sprint medley team, and their 4x400 team. Other strong performances from the women came from Bortner and Lindsey Van Gelder in the javelin (4th), Julie Porter in the 10,000 (2nd), Elizabeth Ngugi in the 5000 (4th), Bortner in the 100 meter hurdles (2nd), and Erin Abbey in the 400 meter hurdles (2nd), the women's 4x200 relay team, and the distance medley.

The men also had a strong showing in the meet.  Topping the list of performers was HC's Billy Kurtz, who was named the Outstanding Male Field Athlete of the meet.  Kurtz teamed with John Brittenham in the javelin and Jason Shidler in the shot put for two first place finishes and paired up with Shane Smith in the discus for a third place finish.  Other competitors top four finishes include the high jump team of Tim Doll and Cory Thompson (1st), pole vaulters Doll and Brittenham (2nd), hammer throwers Brittenham and Shidler (3rd), long jumpers Bruce Bergdall and Aaron Barker (3rd), 110 high hurdles Jonathon Doyle (3rd), the triple jump team of Thompson and Scott Cooper (4th), and Rick Hammer in the 5000 (4th) and the sprint medley (4th).

Battling through wind gusts of up to 25 miles per hour throughout the day, the Huntington College women's squad found themselves in a tight race for the team title at the Dick Small Invitational at Defiance College.  The Foresters dominated the final race, winning the 4x400 relay in a meet record time.  Their efforts launched them to second place overall with 222 points, edging out Cornerstone College by two points and falling to host Defiance College by half a point.  The men’s team placed 8^th in the meet.  After the meet, the Foresters headed to Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, KY, to help with various community service projects.  

For senior Danielle Vohs, the second time was the charm.  Running in the 1500- meter race for just the second time in her collegiate career, Vohs shattered the school record in a dominating fashion at the Manchester Invite on Saturday, April 6.  Vohs' time of 4:41.04 exceeded the 1989 record of 4:44.24 by Jo Ellen (Earhart) Karst, the longest standing record until now.  Vohs won the race eight seconds ahead of the second place runner.

The men and women's teams had strong performances at the Manchester Invite as well, with both finishing in 4th place.  The men scored 62 points and the women scored 98 points.  First place finishes came from Gary Skeel in the javelin (51.39m), Danielle Vohs in the 800 (2:18.94) and the 1500 (4:41.04), Natalie Guenin in the 5000 (18:35), Erin Abbey in the long jump (5.07m), and the women's 4x400 relay team (4:06). 

Other

New Area Code

As of January 15, 2002, northeast Indiana has a new telephone area code.  Huntington College’s main switchboard number will change to (260) 356-6000.  Complete transition-period instructions may be viewed on the HC web site at

http://www.huntington.edu/news/0102/areacodechange.htm.

President’s Office

Dr. G. Blair Dowden has been named a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.  In this role, he will participate in teams helping colleges and universities achieve their accreditation goals.

Community Programs at Thornhill

Thornhill Nature Preserve has a number of community events planned for the spring, including:  

·         Ladies Day Away - Create Your Own Bath and Body Products - April 20^th -  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Cost of $25, includes lunch and sample products, registration required).

·         Falconry - May 7^th - 7:00 p.m. 

·         Gardening to Attract Wildlife - June 4^th - 7:00 p.m. 

·         Father/Son Day - June 8^th - 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., - Fly-fishing, making birdhouses, birdfeeders and other projects (Cost of $25 per family, includes lunch, registration required). 

·         Historic Uses of Herbs - July 2^nd - 7:00 p.m. 

For details and directions to Thornhill, see www.huntington.edu/thornhill.

Soccer Clinic

The Huntington College soccer team will host an Indoor Soccer Clinic on April 13, 2002.  Head coach, Steve DeCou, will head up the clinic from 8:00 a.m. until noon in the field house of the Merillat Complex for Physical Education & Recreation at Huntington College.  This event is open for children ages 5-13.  The cost will be $15 per child and $10 for each additional sibling.  The Forester soccer team is also planning a weeklong day camp this summer.  HC coaches and players, past and present, will host the camp. 

HC Radio

Huntington College dedicated a new radio tower and 100-watt transmitter on April 9, 2002.  The ceremony took place outside the College’s broadcast studios on the first floor of the Merillat Centre for the Arts.  President G. Blair Dowden and communications professor Lance Clark made some brief comments before flipping a switch to activate 24-hour broadcasting on the new frequency, WQHC 105.5-FM.

Nicknamed “The Fuse” by the college students that run the station, WQHC has been in development at Huntington College for several years.  On air since 1994 as a one-watt experimental campus station, the HC Communication Department achieved a milestone last fall when it secured an FCC license to construct a tower and operate a 100-watt transmitter.  The new signal now extends beyond the campus to reach most of Huntington County.

MCA Events

April 8-19.  Graduating Art Major Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.  This exhibit will feature works by talented Huntington College graduating art majors.  Artists’ reception is Saturday, April 13, 6-8 p.m.

Friday, April 12, 8 p.m.  Michael Card, MCA Main Stage.  With six Dove Awards and 19 number one songs to his credit, Michael Card is a dynamic force in contemporary Christian music. His latest work is Soul Anchor, a musical exploration of the Book of Hebrews.  

April 18-20, 8 p.m.  Huntington College Theatre presents Shadowlands, Studio Theatre.  A warm and powerful love story of author C.S. Lewis and poet Joy Davidman.

April 22 - May 3.  Graduating Art Major Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.  This exhibit will feature works by talented Huntington College graduating art majors. Artists’ reception is Saturday, April 27, 6-8 p.m.

Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. Concerto Winners Concert, MCA Main Stage.  Featuring the winners of the second annual HC Concerto Competition held in October, the concert will showcase extremely talented instrumentalists and vocalists from the college as well as one extraordinarily gifted area high school musician.

May 2-4, 8 p.m.  One-Act Play Festival, Studio Theatre.  Student directors present a wide variety of one-act plays. (No ticket required; seating is limited.)

May 6-18.  Graduating Art Major Exhibit, Robert E. Wilson Gallery.  This exhibit will feature works by talented Huntington College graduating art majors. Artists’ reception is Saturday, May 11, 6-8 p.m.