October 2025

Highlights from the Huntington University October Board Meeting

On Thursday, October 16, and Friday, October 17, Huntington’s Board of Trustees held their annual fall meeting. The Lord blessed their time together with beautiful fall colors and wonderful sunny days. Thursday evening’s session included an informative and engaging presentation of the history of HU by Honorable Judge Paul Cherry (1973). His session was a wonderful reminder of the Lord’s providence, protection, and leading. 

Friday’s final session concluded with reports and action items from the Board’s various committees, which are summarized below.

Acknowledging Board Members Years of Service
After decades of noteworthy service, Tom Clounie, Brooks Fetters, and Brian Nofziner completed their term of service and have decided to step off of the Board. The Board thanked them for their years of service and leadership to Huntington University.

From the Committee on Finance
Upon recommendation from the Finance Committee, the Board approved the FY27 tuition, fees, housing, and food rates. There will be a 3.1% increase in undergraduate tuition rates, a 3.5% increase in board rates, and an 8% increase in room rates. The increases are necessary to match inflation rates and to also strategically address much-needed upgrades in our residence halls and student living spaces. There will be no changes in the graduate and online rates.

From the Board Development Committee
New Board Member Elected
The Board elected Brian More to the Board of Trustees. Brian will begin serving his four-year term at the January 2026 Board meeting. Brian had previously served on the Board as an ex-officio member of the Board as he was chairing PACE.

Board Officers Appointed
The Board elected the following officers for 2026: Chair-Monte Lightner, Vice Chair-Rae Gonterman, Secretary-Tom Feusse.

Changes to the HU Board Manual of Operations
The Board Approved the following regarding Ex-Officio Trustees
The president of the Huntington University Alumni Association, the president of the Huntington University Student Government Association, and the president of the Huntington University Foundation shall serve as Ex-Officio Trustees of the Board.

The Board Approved the following regarding number, election, and designation of trustees
The University Board of Trustees is comprised of no more than forty (40) trustees with full voting rights on all matters to come before the Board (collectively, the “Voting Trustees”), including (a) eight (8) trustees who serve by virtue of position with the UB Church as set forth in Section 2.1.2.2 (collectively, the “HEdLT Trustees”) and (b) three (3) trustees who serve by virtue of position with the University as set forth in Section 2.1.2.3 (collectively, the “Ex officio Trustees”), and (c) the balance who are elected by the Board as set forth in Section 2.1.2.1 (collectively, the “Elected Trustees”).

Honorary and emeriti trustees may serve on the Board as set forth in Section 2.1.2.4. A majority of the Elected Trustees and the HEdLT Trustees collectively shall be UB Trustees as defined in Section 2.1.2.5.

The Board Approved the following regarding the Definition of UB Trustee
With respect to serving as a trustee on the Board, an individual may be defined as a UB Trustee if he or she (i) is a member of the Higher Education Leadership Team of the UB Church or (ii) is a current member of the UB Church. With the approval by a majority vote of the HEdLT Trustees, an individual may be defined as a UB Trustee if he or she (i) was a member of the UB Church when he or she became a trustee or formerly served as a trustee or (ii) was formerly a member of the UB Church for at least ten years who has an understanding and appreciation of the historic and ongoing relationship between the UB Church and the University.

HEdLT approval is required for the initial term and each renewal.

Highlights from the United Brethren (UBIC) Denominational Executive Leadership Team October Board

The UB ELT met on Monday and Tuesday October 20 and 21. Among the items discussed and acted upon was the approval of the appointment of four members of the Higher Education Leadership Team (HEdLT). In keeping with the US Discipline (UBIC), Dr. Dalton Jenkins, Kristi McConnell, Marty Pennington, and Ken Meyer have been approved to serve a four-year term on the HEdLT and by virtue this appointment, they will be begin serving a four-year term on the HU Board of Trustees (2025-2029). We are thankful for our continuing partnership with the UB and for these folks and their willingness to serve.

Admissions and Enrollment Updates

HU has enjoyed a strong enrollment for the fall 2025 semester, with many elements to be excited about.

• 11-year high in full-time undergraduate enrollment for the fall 2025 semester

• HU welcomed 862 full-time traditional undergraduate students to the Huntington, Indiana, campus, which was a 3.5% increase over 2024 and a 6.4% increase over 2023

• Undergraduate students in residential housing rose by 3% this fall as compared to the fall of 2024

• First-time freshman class of 242 students, which was 5% larger than 2024 and the highest number of freshmen in the past 13 years

• The overall enrollment at Huntington features students from 34 states and 31 countries

• Huntington University Arizona set a new record high for full-time undergraduate students

• HU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, located in Fort Wayne in partnership with Indiana Tech, also reached a new high for full-time students

Student Retention
Our first-to-second year retention rate landed at 78%.

Fall 2026 undergraduate recruiting for Huntington campus
The admissions team has been actively engaging prospective students through a variety of visit experiences designed to show the heart of Huntington University. So far this fall, we have hosted:

• Program Visit Days tailored to specific academic departments, allowing students to explore their interests, enjoy lunch, tour campus, and experience chapel

• Group Visit Days that bring younger students to campus for a broad introduction to HU’s community and programs

Looking ahead, we’re especially excited about our Overnight Visit Experience in November, which gives students a chance to immerse themselves in campus life and envision themselves as part of our Forester family.

A major highlight of our recruitment season is Huntington Scholars Day, taking place on Friday, November 7. This signature event celebrates high-achieving students (GPA 3.6+) and offers them the opportunity to compete for scholarships, connect with faculty, learn about the Honors Program, and experience HU’s academic excellence firsthand.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
The ABSN program in Fort Wayne currently has 25 accepted students for the cohort beginning in spring 2026.

Advancement Office Update

Giving Overview 
As of today, total giving stands at $1,168,779 toward our $3 million fiscal year goal (June 1 – May 31). We are encouraged by the continued generosity of our donors and the strong momentum across all areas of Advancement. While we continue to see creative giving approaches, most gifts this year have come through traditional means such as cash, stock, mutual funds, donor-advised funds, charitable IRA rollovers (qualified charitable distributions), and even gifts of grain. These diverse giving methods are helping sustain the mission of HU and strengthen long-term donor relationships. 

Major and Planned Giving 
As the University continues to experience growth within the Office of Advancement, our team is engaging donors in a broader range of giving methods than ever before — a critical step during this unprecedented intergenerational transfer of wealth as baby boomers pass assets to their heirs. With the recent addition of an IRA beneficiary designation valued at nearly $1 million, HU’s deferred gift expectancies now exceed $31 million. 

Forester Fund 
The Forester Fund remains central to HU’s mission — providing vital scholarship support that helps “Build a Forest of Foresters” by ensuring that students have access to an affordable, Christ-centered education. The Forester Fund has raised $74,502 toward its $650,000 goal and remains on track to meet its annual target. 

This success is fueled by: 

• The growing impact of the Indiana BMV HU license plate program, which allows supporters to display their Forester pride while supporting student scholarships

• A strong response to the first-quarter direct mail appeal, which provided an early boost to annual giving

Planning is now underway for Huntington’s 24 Hours of Giving, taking place Noon April 15-Noon April 16, 2026. Last year’s event set a record, and we aim to exceed that benchmark this spring with a higher goal and increased engagement. 

Alumni Engagement 
Our alumni continue to make an extraordinary impact worldwide. We are excited to reconnect through upcoming alumni gatherings, with more events being added to the calendar. 

Upcoming alumni gatherings: 

• January 16, 2026: Peoria, Arizona (HU Arizona) 

• February 7, 2026: Tampa, Florida

• March 28, 2026: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 

• April 18, 2026: Fort Wayne, Indiana

(*Additional cities to be announced!*) 

We’re also enhancing alumni communications and invite all alumni to update their contact information to stay connected with HU news, achievements, and opportunities to engage. Exciting things are happening on campus — and we want the alumni community to be the first to know! 

Grants & Foundation Relations 
This fiscal year, the Advancement team has focused on three priorities in grant development: 

1. Ensuring compliance with all outstanding grant reporting requirements

2. Developing a centralized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide all HU grant processes

3. Pursuing new grant opportunities to support institutional priorities

Over the past two months, more than $300,000 in new grant proposals have been submitted and are pending results. Two impact reports have been completed, with two more in progress. In addition, over $100,000 in upcoming grant opportunities have been identified, and personal outreach with local funders is ongoing to strengthen future partnerships. 

Good News About Huntington

Here are some of the recent achievements and good news stories of members of the Huntington community. For more details, visit the official Huntington University Facebook page or the Huntington University news page.

• HU announced the launch of two new dual licensure programs in Early Childhood Education and Exceptional Needs: Intense Intervention designed to prepare educators to meet the growing demands of today's classrooms. Both programs also include licensure in Early Literacy, which meets the new Indiana state Early Literacy Endorsement requirement for all elementary, special education, and early childhood teachers.
• The MBA program celebrated the graduation of 29 students during a commencement ceremony on August 16
• HU’s graduate program in clinical mental health counseling received full accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The accreditation will run through October 31, 2033. The CACREP Board also approved additional retroactive recognition for program graduates due to delays in scheduling a site visit. Retroactive recognition of graduates from the clinical mental health counseling program will extend back to July 17, 2023.
• HU Arizona’s talented film and animation students achieved an impressive 14 nominations for Student Production Awards from the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for 2025
• HU hosted local UB minsters and national UB office staff in early September for a morning of prayer, chapel, and lunch in the DC
• Dr. F. Collin Hobbs, associate professor of biology, received Huntington University’s Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. Hobbs was recognized by his colleagues through a nomination and selection process for his significant commitment to excellence in teaching. The Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award promotes faculty professional development in instruction and pedagogy and celebrates the efforts of full-time faculty who have made significant efforts to bring best practices in teaching from their respective fields into HU classrooms, labs, and studios.
• Homecoming was successful, with approximately 150 alumni returning for reunions and approximately 400 alumni attending various events throughout the weekend. There were 87 people in attendance for the alumni banquet honoring the Class of 1975 and alumni of the year award winners, Mark Vincenti (1999) and Madison Riggle (2018).
• Forester Film’s second feature film, Tea on the Beach, is now streaming. It is available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube.
• HU was pleased to partner with our fellow Indiana CCCU institutions and the Indiana Department of Education to launch a faith-based academic pathway for Indiana high school students to earn college credits. A ceremony was held at Taylor University, with Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner making the announcement about the program.
• HU hosted the Indiana AgrAbility event for the second year on October 16. The event allows attendees to become familiar with work around the farm and how adaptive technology may assist a client of an occupational therapy professional, including tasks like daily chores for livestock to climbing into the cab of a tractor. There were 60 attendees at this fall’s event comprised of OTA and OTD students. 
• The ABSN program celebrated the graduation of 24 students during a commencement ceremony on October 18
• Nearly 400 high school and junior high school students from more than 65 school districts across the state visited HU on October 18 for the Indiana State Soils Judging Contest. These students were individuals or team members competing within the FFA and 4H Soils Contest. The team traveling the furthest was from Harrison County, Indiana. The winners will compete at the National Contest later this academic year. The Haupert Institute partnered with Purdue Extension and Indiana FFA to host this event, which was a first for HU. It was a great event for HU to host and expose so many students to campus. Our faculty and staff enjoyed meeting these great students, teachers, and advisors.
• Dr. Karen Jones, chair of the Institute for Christian Thought and Practice, received the Distinguished Youth Ministry Educator Award from the Association of Youth Ministry Educators earlier this month at the AYME National Conference in Des Moines, Iowa! Dr. Jones received the award in recognition for her significant contributions to the field of youth ministry education through faithful service to the Church and the Academy, exhibited by sustained excellence in teaching, leadership, and scholarship.
• The Center for Spiritual Formation has enjoyed a strong start to the academic year. Guest speaker Clay Dyer shared part of his own story and then presented the Gospel message with a time for response. We saw many students respond with a choice to follow Jesus. We also had a few students that have sought out baptism as a next step in their faith journey. Two students were baptized on campus, and others chose to be baptized in their home churches. Two more students will be baptized in the coming week as they mark this point in time of their spiritual growth with this significant action.

Athletics Updates

Below are highlights of recent success and accomplishments of Huntington student-athletes and the Division of Athletics. For more details and to view schedules to come cheer on the Foresters at future athletic events, visit huntington.edu/Athletics.

Bowling
The HU bowling teams kicked off their 2025-2026 campaign earlier this month at the Midwest Collegiate Championship, launching an active slate that features ten regular-season tournaments. The schedule includes four Crossroads League events, giving the Foresters plenty of opportunities to build momentum and position themselves for postseason play.

Cross Country
The Forester cross country teams have competed in four meets this fall, most recently turning in their best performance of the season at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The women placed an impressive second of 23 teams in the 5K white race, while the men claimed 11th place out of 29 teams, signaling strong progress as both squads hit their stride. With the Crossroads League Championships set for November 7, the Foresters appear to be peaking at just the right time.

Men’s Golf
The HU men’s golf team wrapped up a busy fall with five outings, highlighted by a standout performance at the Fall Classic at Harbor Shores where the Foresters finished second of six teams. Leading the way was Cooper Trigg, who turned in a stellar performance to place second individually, marking one of the top finishes of the season for Huntington.

Women’s Golf
The HU women’s golf team enjoyed a standout fall campaign, placing in the top three at five of their six tournaments. Freshman Magnolia Miller made an immediate impact, earning All-Tournament Team honors in five events, including two medalist finishes to cap a stellar first semester.

Men’s Soccer
With one regular-season match left on the slate, the Huntington men’s soccer team owns a 4-8-4 record highlighted by six shutouts, including a scoreless draw against No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan. Leading the charge offensively for the Foresters is Thiago Fernando, who has found the back of the net six times this season.

Women’s Soccer
With one regular season match left to play, HU women’s soccer has put together a resurgent season under first-year head coach Keaton Albert, collecting seven wins — the program’s most since 2017, when the Foresters went 10-8. Sophie Shepherd leads the charge offensively with nine goals on the year.

Men’s Tennis
Competing in their abbreviated fall slate, HU men’s tennis went a perfect 4-0, powered by the dynamic duo of Julian Tantera and Santiago Sarudiansky. The pair earned national recognition earlier this month as two of just 16 NAIA players from across the country invited to the prestigious ITA Cup.

Women’s Tennis
The Forester women’s tennis squad is also off to a strong start, finishing the fall with a 4-2 record highlighted by a thrilling 4-3 victory over NCAA Division II Cedarville.

Women’s Volleyball
With three regular season matches remaining, #RV Huntington University volleyball sits at 22-5, marking the program’s winningest season since 2007 (24-9). The Foresters have their sights set on an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament, backed by several milestone moments this fall. Junior setter Lauren Ross surpassed 1,000 career assists, graduate student Haley Kruse tallied her 1,000th career kill and senior defensive specialist Olivia Krahn reached 1,000 career digs. Head coach Kelsey Herber is just one victory away from her 100th career win, while senior libero Layla Meyer is closing in on 2,000 career digs, needing just seven more to hit the mark.

Men’s Basketball
Coming off a 25-8 campaign in 2024-2025, HU men’s basketball enters a new era under first-year head coach Jared Jauch. The Foresters return six veterans and welcome six newcomers — five transfers and one freshman — to a roster full of potential and energy.

Women’s Basketball
The Forester women’s basketball team has come out firing, opening the season 2-0 with dominant wins over East-West and St. Mary-of-the-Woods by an average margin of 55 points. Junior center Liv Raby has been unstoppable to start the season, posting double-doubles in both contests to lead a veteran group that returns nine players and adds two freshmen. The Foresters are receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll and were picked to finish fourth in the Crossroads League.