seven more reasons to celebrate

AU UPDATE

Anderson University News curated by Executive Director of Public Relations Andrew J. Beckner

College of Business Professor Receives Fulbright Scholar Award

An Anderson University College of Business professor has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award to serve as a cultural ambassador to Belarus.

The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board last June announced that Dr. Kent Saunders, a professor of finance and economics at Anderson University, was selected based on his project titled Financial Management and Investment Foundations in Belarus. Saunders’ Fulbright award will entail teaching courses to undergraduate students and MBA program courses to professionals along with consulting on curriculum and faculty development in Belarus.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to share what I know with students and faculty in Belarus,” Saunders said. “Additionally, living, teaching and learning for a prolonged period of time in a country whose economic system is different from my own will have a profound effect on my own understanding of financial economics.”

AUCIDL Develops Training for Educators Needing Help with Remote Teaching

The Anderson University Center for Innovation and Digital Learning (CIDL) last summer provided professional learning experiences for K-12 educators and administrators across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two self-paced certificate programs were offered— “Fundamentals of Remote Teaching and Learning” and “Supporting Remote Teachers”—that were designed to support teachers and schools that were required to immediately move to remote teaching and learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two certificate courses provided K-12 educators with relevant, timely strategies and techniques that can be immediately applied to support or administer teaching and learning in this challenging time.

“Developing these certificate courses embodies Anderson’s commitment to servant leadership and its place as a leading innovator in teaching and learning,” said Dr. Joshua Herron, dean of online and continuous learning.

AU Class of 2020 a Diverse, Accomplished Group

Despite commencement being postponed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 515 students graduated from Anderson University at the conclusion of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Amid the challenging and unprecedented circumstances it faced, the Anderson University Class of 2020 is incredibly accomplished. In total, 436 students earned a bachelor’s degree and 66 earned a master’s degree. In addition, four students completed a doctorate program and another nine earned a graduate certificate.

Honorary doctorates were conferred upon Jack Shaw, founder, chairman and president of Shaw Resources, Inc., a residential and commercial real estate and property management company; and Robert M. Rainey, a retired environmental engineer, nonprofit executive and chairman of the Stringer Foundation and the Callie and John Rainey Foundation.

Dr. Chuck Fuller, associate professor of Christian Studies and director of the Anderson University Honors Program, is the recipient of the 2019-2020 Boles Award, given annually as the Anderson University Excellence in Teaching award for full-time faculty. Miranda Brakefield, who teaches theatre at The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson

University, is the 2019-2020 Excellence in Teaching award-winner for part-time faculty.

AU Online Program to Bridge Digital Skills Gap

Anderson University last June announced the launch of its online Digital Marketing Science Certificate (DMS) program, in partnership with GreenFig, a market-driven education company that provides universities with turnkey experiential programs in applied business science that upskills adult learners and working professionals.

“We target our professional development offerings to meet the increasingly high-tech needs of today’s organizations,” said Andria Carpenter, director of professional and lifelong learning at Anderson University. “Through our partnership with GreenFig, we are excited to offer working professionals an innovative Digital Marketing Science Certificate.”

College of Health Professions to Offer Medical Imaging Degree

Anderson University has launched a new Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Imaging program that will prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings and industries including hospitals, medical imaging centers, outpatient care centers, primary care clinics, mobile imaging, and radiology sales and service.

The program, a partnership with AnMed Health, is the first of its kind in South Carolina.

“This academic degree is a tremendous opportunity for students who have either completed hospital certifications programs in radiology or a related medical imaging fields or those transferring in from two-year degree programs to complete their academic degree in a relative short span of time,” said Dr. Donald Peace, dean of the Anderson

University College of Health Professions.

College of Business Launches StudentManaged Investment Fund

The Anderson University Center for Finance and Economics (CFE) is launching a $100,000 student-managed investment fund, providing further opportunities for students studying finance and business.

Students in the Anderson University College of Business are given the unique opportunity to analyze this $100,000 investment fund in real-time across 11 different equity sectors. Students will be required to monitor and report on the fund to director and faculty advisor Dr. Kent Saunders, alongside the CFE Investment Fund Committee.

Dr. Saunders said that this fund is a fantastic opportunity for students to have hands-on experience alongside their academic education in the fi eld of business and fi nance. “The use of

real money gives students the additional responsibility to act as stewards on behalf of their clients,” he said.

Department of Theatre & Dance Produces Richard III podcast

COVID-19 didn’t stop The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University fr om fi nding creative ways to showcase student talent.

Originally scheduled as a typical on-stage production, the Department of Theatre and Dance instead produced a four part live-performance podcast of Shakespeare’s Richard III. Live readings took place over four days last October and November, with production being divided into a four-episode podcast. Episodes are available on most podcast streaming services, or at richard3.schooloft hearts.com.

Twenty-three student cast members, 10 student production staff and three Anderson University faculty members produced the podcast, creating new potential for an audience unlimited by theatre space.

Anderson University and Technical Colleges Sign Statewide Agreement to Enhance Transfer

Anderson University and the South Carolina Technical College System signed a partnership agreement designed to enhance the seamless transfer of students and graduates from the 16 technical colleges in South Carolina to Anderson University. This agreement works to increase and encourage access to baccalaureate education for twoyear college students. “This agreement is a culmination of our efforts to partner with the SC Technical College System to create streamlined pathways for students who desire to continue their education at Anderson University,” said Dr. Evans Whitaker, president of Anderson University. “Students from all 16 technical colleges will now fi nd their credits seamlessly applied to our numerous online or on-campus bachelor degree programs. This partnership is refl ective of our commitment to the state’s workforce and economic development by creating more access to AU’s high-quality, in-demand programs.”

AU Online Creates Partnership with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Anderson University Online and Continuous Learning recently partnered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in off ering a tuition grant and priority access to professional development for employees who are looking to advance their education. The partnership collaboration is intended to provide educational opportunities for employees of BGEA.

“More than just a tuition benefi t for our array of strong online and hybrid undergraduate and graduate degrees, a Preferred Partnership involves dedication to meeting a full range of professional learning needs and using feedback to strengthen programs,” said Dr. Josh Herron, dean of Online and Continuous Learning. As Preferred Partners with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, employees are eligible to participate in more than 30 academic programs as well as customized and on-demand, non-credit professional development off erings.

Episodes are available on most podcast streaming services, or at richard3.schoolofthearts.com.