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Greetings to all Anderson alumni!
Fall 2007
It’s a busy time here at your alma mater as students have returned from Fall Break and are headed into the second half of this fall semester. Signs of fall are beginning to show around campus as the summer heat lingers on this year.
For those who attended Homecoming 2007 in September, it was a wonderful event. (See related story below.) Make plans now to join us next October as we continue this new tradition of a fall Homecoming celebration. Be sure to check the web calendar in January, as we will post the date as soon as possible after the New Year.
We have also been busy updating alumni records and beginning the process of printing a new alumni directory. You should have received an alumni verification form from Harris Direct with a cover letter signed by Chad Nelms, Director of Alumni Relations. Please take the time to complete the form and return it in the envelope provided by Harris. Directories will be available for purchase beginning in June 2008.
Alumni Verification Form
You also have an opportunity to vote on the cover as well as answer some questions regarding your experience as a student at Anderson. You will not want to miss this opportunity to share with fellow alumni as well as catch up with former classmates.
And don’t forget to take advantage of opportunities to gather with fellow alumni at your local Alumni Chapter events. There are events currently planned for Pickens County, Greenville County, Spartanburg County, and the Florence/Pee Dee area. More details can be found on the alumni calendar page; also invitations have already been mailed to alumni in those counties. If you did not receive a postcard, call the Alumni Office to find out how you can participate. Then come out and join the fun!
It’s all about keeping alumni connected.
News Briefs...
Homecoming/Family Day 2007 a great success
Yet another record crowd visited the Anderson campus on Saturday, September 15th as Anderson began its new fall Homecoming tradition in conjunction with the annual Family Day event. Despite the inclement weather the evening before, we were able to “go on with the show” on the Front Lawn with many exciting events. Alumni and parents enjoyed visiting Faculty, the Alumni Board Silent Auction was an exciting place to be, and the barbecue was wonderful as always.
Click here for some images of the day.
We were excited to have a good number of Denmark Society members on campus. Hopefully in the future we will have venues for other affinity groups to gather and reconnect at future Homecoming events. If you have any interest in organizing a group reunion or suggestions on how to improve the day, please do not hesitate to contact the Alumni Office at (864) 231-2102.
If you missed this year, we hope you will make plans to join us next year for Homecoming 2008.
Anderson makes a great jump in ratings
As the fall semester began, the campus family was pleased to learn that AU had improved its top tier ranking with U.S. News & World Report.
According to President Whitaker, “I am pleased to share with you that Anderson University moved up 10 spaces this year in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Once again, we are ranked in the top tier of Southern Baccalaureate Colleges and Universities in the #34 spot.
“In addition, we were named to the honor roll of the top 12 baccalaureate Southern colleges and universities for graduates with the least amount of educational debt.
“These rankings continue to communicate two very important characteristics of our institution – quality and affordability.”
Alumni travel opportunity
Pack your bags for San Francisco and Lake Tahoe!
A view of the famous Golden Gate Bridge – just one stop on the itinerary
The Anderson University Alumni Office has contracted with Collette Vacations to offer our alumni and friends an opportunity to travel to the west coast in July 2008. This exciting 7 day trip includes stops at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, Virginia City, Reno and a Lake Tahoe cruise.
A brochure with all the pertinent details can be accessed by clicking here. (If you are unable to view the brochure, please call the Alumni Office to request a written copy.)
The first deposit of $100 per person is due upon reservation or no later than March 11, 2008. If you would like to travel with us, please send your paperwork and deposit in as soon as possible.
Travel opportunities - just another example of how we are trying to keep alumni connected.
Alumni awards: nominations requested
Each year the Alumni Office presents several awards to recognize the accomplishments of our outstanding alumni. These awards include the Alumni Achievement Award, the Alumni Service Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Gallery.
In case you are not familiar with the criteria for these awards, a brief description of each follows.
The Anderson University Alumni Achievement Award is presented to an alumnus in recognition of his/her significant achievement in his/her profession or career.
The Anderson University Alumni Service Award is presented to an alumnus for his/her outstanding and unselfish service to his/her Alma Mater, community, and to humanity.
The Gallery of Distinguished Alumni recognizes alumni who highly exemplify in their lives the educational philosophy of Anderson University.
We are always on the lookout for alumni who would be eligible to receive these awards. If you should know of a prospective candidate, please be sure to pass that information along to the Alumni Office. We will follow up on nominations received and be glad to honor any deserving alum.
“ A Sacred Sampler”
The Anderson University Choir and Chamber Singers will present a diverse program of traditional worship music on Tuesday, November 13th, in the Rainey Fine Arts Center. The concert includes hymn arrangements, spirituals, gospel songs, multicultural selections, as well as sacred classics.
This is a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased through the Box Office at 864-231-2080. You can also find out how to be added to the mailing list for announcements regarding other fine arts events at the University.
Closeout: Anderson University diploma frames
The AU Bookstore has a few Anderson University diploma frames available for purchase. These frames are designed for the smaller diplomas issued before May 2007. The price is $89.95 plus tax.
If you have any interest in this item, please contact the Melissa Anderson in the Bookstore directly at 864.231.2010. There is only a limited supply still available so act quickly to take advantage of this closeout opportunity.
Have you updated your information recently?
New job? New spouse? New baby? You can keep your classmates up-to-date on your life events by updating your information with the Alumni Office.
Athletics
Volleyball team: good work on and off the court
The Anderson University Volleyball Team recently made a comeback in its Conference Carolinas rankings by defeating the #1 and #2 teams. They are now within one-half game of first place in league standings. But their good work is not limited to the court.
At games during mid-October team members also came out strong in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. “Dig for the Cure,” an initiative started in 2003 by Charlotte Head Coach Lisa Marston, was a program to raise money and awareness for this good cause. The team secured pledges per dig for two games and donated over $1,000 in proceeds to the Foundation. They also created a “Pink Out” in the gym wearing various items of pink attire to show their support.
Pink Out!
Please keep checking the athletic section of the website www.autrojans.com for up-to-the-minute news.
Support Anderson University Athletics
Faculty/Staff
Annual service awards presented
The administration of Anderson University has continued its tradition of recognizing those faculty and staff members who have served the institution ten or more years. At opening convocation in August, the following individuals were recognized for their ongoing service and dedication:
For 10 years of service:
Kyle Anderson, Professor of Accounting
Keith Bagwell, Director of Campus Safety
Davis Barnwell, Carpenter, Rehab and Remodeling Department
Beth Horton, Director of Student Financial Services
Kay Maynard, Reference Assistant, Thrift Library
Cobb Oxford, Sports Information Director, Assistant Athletic Director
Brian Richardson, Service Department Supervisor
Judy Wetterman, Accounts Payable Clerk
For 15 years of service:
Wayne Cox, Professor of English
Tom Kozel, Professor of Biology
Danny Mynatt, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
For 20 years of service:
David Korn, Associate Professor of Spanish
For 25 years of service:
Joyce Wood, Professor of History
And for 40 years of service:
Betty Jo Pryor, Associate Professor of Biology
We appreciate the ongoing contribution of each of these individuals.
Student Spotlight
Sterling Kenny Goes to Washington
Anderson University is pleased to have another student participating in The Washington Center program this year, a program that offers students semester-long internships in the nation’s capitol. Senior Sterling Kenny, a theatre major from Campobello, SC, is currently interning at The Smithsonian Institute.
Hello, DC!
Sterling writes of her experience thus far:
“As many know, The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest non-profit museum dedicated to the ‘increase and diffusion of knowledge’ by preserving history, conducting scientific and historical research, and disseminating information through education. During my internship experience I will be working for the Development Office of The Smithsonian Associates (TSA), the educational and cultural arm of the Institution, as well as working with the Young Benefactors, a young professional membership group of TSA. The Development Office is responsible for securing financial support from corporations, foundations and individuals for The Smithsonian Associates. Young Benefactors’ role is to assist The Smithsonian Associates in fundraising, increase awareness of the Smithsonian, and establish future support.
“My internship covers two different aspects of The Smithsonian Associates. One aspect will be my involvement with the Development Office. I will assist with office duties such as preparing materials for donors, creating drafts of acknowledgement letters, grants and sponsor proposals, and conduct research online about perspective donors. The second aspect of my internship will involve the Young Benefactors. My responsibilities include planning events, creating marketing materials, conducting research on prospective donors, help to maintain the YB website, draft the monthly e-newsletter, and maintain databases.
“While I am working in DC, I am living in Alexandria, VA. The Washington Center, through which I am doing my internship, placed me in housing with other interns like myself. My roommates are from all over the country; California, Iowa, and Long Island. Living with these girls has been like gaining three new sisters. I LOVE IT!!! DC offers a lot of different activities that are free, everyday and especially on the weekends. Already, I have been to jazz cafes, tons of museums, Mt. Vernon, and the Navy/Air Force football game; and I even saw a free concert of the National Symphony Orchestra on the front lawn of the Capital. These are only a few of the fun things that I have found in the city.
“However, what I love the most is being surrounded by young people and other interns that are excited about their careers and their futures. This has been an incredible opportunity.”
On the job site with Sterling Kenny
Sterling will return to Anderson in the spring to complete her last semester. She hopes to take all she has gained from
her college experience and this wonderful internship to establish a career in non-profit arts administration. Her dream is to be the owner and operator of a community arts center. Certainly, she is at the right place to gain the skills needed to make her dream come true.
Recent Notes From Alumni
Clay Bolt, nature photographer
Clay Bolt’s career path has taken him down some interesting paths since his graduation from Anderson with a degree in graphic design in 1998. While he continues to use those skills in his “day job” at Baldor/Dodge/Reliance, where he serves as Creative Director, his passion involves using photography to educate others about the importance of cherishing and protecting South Carolina’s wild places for the next generation.
Mount Hood, Oregon
Clay took an introductory photography class while at Anderson with Dr. Jo Carol Mitchell-Rogers and has continued to expand upon that knowledge and skills. His works have been featured by the Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federal, and the Pickens County Museum during its “Trends in Photography” exhibition. Clay was a semi-finalist in 2006 and 2007 for the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His talents also extend to the written word and his column, “Our Wild State,” can be found in the South Carolina Magazine (he’s also a staff photographer for the magazine.)
The artist at work – Bull Run River, Oregon
“After receiving my degree in graphic design, I often wondered why I didn't major in biology instead. However, I now believe that there was a purpose for it all because today I'm seeing a growing need for graphic designers/photographers in the ecological realm. There are many brilliant people out there who are focused on collecting data but don't have the time or means to present their findings in a way that the everyday person can digest. That is where I can help and am quite happy to do so!
“As for my alma mater, I have a lot of fond memories from my college years. However, my best memories are of the times that I spent with my friends and colleagues dreaming about the future and enjoying the friendly competition that existed between us. I also spent many hours in discussion with my professors and found their insight to be an invaluable resource in regards to where I was going as a student and as a person.”
Katydid molt
Clay’s current works can be viewed at his website www.claybolt.com. Some of his recent works include images found on trips to Oregon and Western Australia.
Clay and his wife Kari live in Dacusville, SC, with their two sons, Adam and Ethan.
www.andersonuniversity.edu
For questions or more information, contact Beth Friend