Campus Archives - ��ҹ�糡

Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship Returns to ��ҹ�糡 for Second Year

abeckner — Sun, 10 May 2026 15:49:38 +0000

A weeklong intensive series of workshops that will bring students from universities across the United States to study and practice the principles of civility, public service and human rights returns to ��ҹ�糡 beginning on Monday, May 11.��

��This marks the second year of the Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship at ��ҹ�糡. The program has been named after, and endorsed by, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young as a reminder that participants embody the character, service and legacy of its distinguished namesake. Young, who has earned worldwide recognition as a champion of civil and human rights, helped ensure passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and later served as a member of the United States Congress, ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta and as an ordained minister.��

“Our Ambassador Young Fellows are standing on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King and Ambassador Young, and I believe they will emerge as leaders in their own right, helping to stem the rising tide of violence in our nation and world,” said ��ҹ�糡 Distinguished Professor of Law, Human Rights and International Affairs at ��ҹ�糡.  ��

Dr. Daniels launched the Fellowship with Anthony Jones, former chair of the HBCU Committee of the College Board. Twenty-seven students from 13 institutions across the country and from ��ҹ�糡 will participate.��

“Our   seeks to train a new generation in the unifying and timeless principles of America’s founding as expressed in the work of Dr. King,” Dr. Daniels said. “Approximately half of these students come from historically black colleges and universities, and the rest come from a wide array of other educational institutions from across the country. ��

“Dr. King’s unifying principles—rooted in the transcendent ideals of our nation’s founding—offer an educational antidote to the rising tide of division, conflict and violence in our world,” he said. ��

 Dr. Daniels and ��ҹ�糡 President Evans P. Whitaker two years ago met with Ambassador Young in a discussion about the ways in which Christian colleges in general—and AU in particular—can develop educational programs that aim to decrease societal division, political polarization and inter-personal violence.��

“At this critical hour in our nation’s history when polarization is at an all-time high, it is a must that we focus our energies on salvaging some salvation for our future through the lives of dedicated young people to the unifying truths Dr. King espoused. I’m grateful for Ambassador Young’s continued support in this important endeavor,” said Anthony Jones, former chair of the College Board HBCU Conference.��

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Dr. Daniels’ Curricula Expands Statewide

abeckner — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:26:35 +0000

Curricula created by ��ҹ�糡 Distinguished Professor of History and Political Science Dr. Matt Daniels��has now been expanded to 75 school districts across South Carolina, providing a new generation of students a foundation for empathetic civic engagement and the ability to disagree without resorting to vitriol—or violence.��Several major statewide charter school networks have also embraced the educational vision of these curricula rooted in the unifying ideas of our nation’s founding and validated by history and

The move comes as the second Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship kicks off at ��ҹ�糡 on May 10; the Fellowship once again is bringing nearly 50 students and administrators from around the country to the AU campus to learn from the Gospel-based principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ambassador Andrew Young and other civil rights pioneers in an ��attempt to help heal dangerous political, social and racial divisions continue to threaten the future of our nation.

“At a time when student proficiency in U.S. history and civics remains a pressing concern, Professor Daniels’ work directly addresses these challenges,” said Chris Neeley, superintendent of the South Carolina Charter Public School District. “His curriculum, grounded in the enduring words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizes themes of hope, civic responsibility and non-violent progress. It equips students not only with historical knowledge but also with the perspective and character necessary to engage as informed and thoughtful citizens.”

“The real story here is the statewide distribution that we’re seeing for our K-12 curricula. This speaks to the positive impact AU has an educational institution in our home state—particularly since we’re living in an era when violence is so much of the domestic and international news,” Dr. Daniels said. “But it does help to have some of the state’s leading school networks in our own backyard so enthusiastically embracing our educational vision.”

South Carolina played an outsized role in our nation’s founding sin of slavery but has also been the scene of some of our nation’s greatest acts of forgiveness and racial reconciliation. By presenting this full historical picture, we respond to Dr. King’s belief that “with this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”

Dr. Daniels in June is participating in a panel discussion at the 2026 Palmetto Educational Summit, which convenes educators, administrators, community and business leaders, policy makers and partners around five priority areas: literacy, career readiness, civics and character and resilience education. Each keynote is intentionally themed around one of these areas and followed by a panel discussion that extends the conversation and considers practical implications.

“Matt has developed what can best be described as a comprehensive educational ecosystem—spanning K–12, higher education, churches, corporate leadership, and national scholarship pipelines,” said South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. “His human dignity curricula for K–12 students, published by McGraw Hill and endorsed by Ambassador Andrew Young, are already in use statewide in multiple states and districtwide in major urban systems. That work has grown into the Andrew Young HBCU Scholarship Program, launched in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and supported by respected civic leaders, including the Mayor of Atlanta.”

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��ҹ�糡 Dedicates Talmadge Rotunda of Character

abeckner — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:35:29 +0000

��ҹ�糡 last week dedicated the Talmadge Rotunda of Character, a new pavilion on Alumni Lawn installed earlier this year and named in the memory of the late Dr. Paul Talmadge, a long-time academic administrator who served ��ҹ�糡 for 19 years.

The Rotunda was gifted to the University by an anonymous supporter, with other individuals providing their support as well.

After nearly two decades of service to ��ҹ�糡, Dr. Talmadge died in 2020. Additionally, he taught at the Billy Graham Center and was a member of Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson. His wife, Billie, lives in Florida with family.

“For nearly 20 years, on this campus, Dr. Talmadge influenced, shaped and bettered the lives of countless young minds and the colleagues with whom he served,” said ��ҹ�糡 President Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D. “It appropriately epitomizes the life of its namesake: an intelligent, wise, kind, thoughtful, humorous, and steady Christian gentleman who was a giant among AU leaders. All his life, Paul quietly, humbly, and thoroughly made life a little easier and more beautiful for those around him.”

The structure is known as a “temple” or “garden folly.” It’s not a temple in the religious sense, but rather as a “temple of ideas” and a testament to Dr. Talmadge’s lifelong commitment to teaching and learning.

The name and inscription add to the campus’s unique identity rooted in its history and values. The rotunda doesn’t just tell a story; it honors Dr. Talmadge and connects the campus to timeless philosophical ideals, becoming a physical representation of the University’s commitment to cultivating not just knowledge, but also personal integrity and the classical virtues around which society is built and grows stronger.

“May this rotunda, the words inscribed on it, and the man for whom it honors always point and remind our students, our campus family, and the Anderson community of the character, love, and perfection of Jesus,” President Whitaker said.

“This great man may no longer be with us, but his impact, contributions and even footprint are yet still evident among us,” he said. “It is this University’s hope that this rotunda—much like Paul Talmadge did in his life—will encourage us and remind us that character is destiny. This holds true in Scripture, in that a person’s moral qualities profoundly shape their life in the here and now.”

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��ҹ�糡 to Formalize Partnership with the South Carolina Public Charter School District

abeckner — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:13:51 +0000

The South Carolina Public Charter School District is entering into a formal partnership with ��ҹ�糡 to provide new avenues to higher education for more than 30,000 students who attend charter schools throughout the state.

“We are excited to support the charter school network here in South Carolina, from providing dual enrollment, to graduate coursework and to professional development,” said ��ҹ�糡 Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. William Monts. “The collaboration between educational institutions and organizations is key to the success of students in South Carolina, and we are thankful for the opportunity to partner with the Public Charter School District. This partnership reflects our broader commitment to coming alongside educators and students across all learning environments to help them thrive.”

Today’s ceremony included brief remarks from ��ҹ�糡 President Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D. and PCSD Superintendent Chris Neeley, followed by a campus tour and professional development opportunities.

“The PCSD is honored to join forces with ��ҹ�糡. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity, strengthening pathways to success and ensuring every student is prepared for what comes next,” Superintendent Neeley said.

The goal of the partnership is to expand educational opportunities and strengthen workforce readiness across South Carolina, which is experiencing tremendous population growth.

“At ��ҹ�糡, we are committed to meeting students where they are and creating clear, accessible pathways to higher education. This partnership with the South Carolina Public Charter School District allows us to come alongside students, families and educators in meaningful ways—expanding opportunities for dual enrollment, degree completion and long-term success,” said Dr. Ben Brammer, ��ҹ�糡 director of strategic enrollment services.

��ҹ�糡 is the state’s largest private university. The partnership with SCPCSD further solidifies AU as one of the nation’s fastest-growing universities with an innovative approach to student recruitment and retention.

About the South Carolina Public Charter School Network

With its headquarters in Columbia, the South Carolina Public Charter School District authorizes, supports and champions innovative K-12 public charter schools ensuring quality education opportunities for parents and academic excellence for students so every child can reach their highest potential.

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��ҹ�糡 Hosts Inaugural Higher Education Collaborative Conference

Ed Welch — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:05:18 +0000

Anderson��University��was��the inaugural host site for the Higher Education Collaborative Conference (HECC)��March��12 and 13, 2026.��

The HECC is a customer-led event designed by and for institutions using or implementing Workday Student. This unique gathering brought together higher education professionals from across the country to share innovative ideas, present successful��solutions��and build a strong, collaborative Workday community.��

��ҹ�糡��welcomed��nearly��400��guests to��its��campus, including representatives from��more than��80 institutions nationwide and 16 sponsoring organizations.��

Session highlights included Birds of a Feather sessions where attendees from similar content areas had collaborative conversations about various areas of impact to the work within their areas of expertise.��The conference also offered��breakout sessions and��networking opportunities and a tour of Anderson’s campus.��

Various members of Workday leadership gave keynote addresses, including Vice President of��Workday SLED (State & Local Government and Higher Education) Robert Steele.��

Organizing the event was ��ҹ�糡 Workday Student Project Manager Elizabeth Nix, along with Joseph Powell,��Workday Integrations��reporting developer and Prism Analytics architect.��Special thanks also to AVI at ��ҹ�糡 for��catering��the conference.��

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��ҹ�糡 Lauded by U.S. News & World Report, Niche as Among Best Colleges in the Region

abeckner — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:40:32 +0000

U.S. News & World Report today named ��ҹ�糡, South Carolina’s largest private university, to its list of Best Colleges in the South. All told, the publication included AU in seven categories, including Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs, Best Colleges for Veterans and Most Innovative Schools.

AU rose three places and is now the #31 Best College among regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News and World Report. Anderson ranks #6 for Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs; #14 for Best Colleges for Veterans; #15 for Most Innovative; and #33 for Best Value.

The U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges report comes amid AU’s continued growth into one of the most respected private Christian colleges in the state and nation. Earlier this year, Niche, a leading college-search service for prospective students, ranked ��ҹ�糡 as the #1 Christian college in South Carolina; the #2 best college campus in South Carolina; and the #3 best private university in South Carolina, among others.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, ��ҹ�糡 earned the following rankings:

Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs among regional universities in the South: #6 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Best Colleges for Veterans among regional universities in the South: #14 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Most Innovative Schools among regional universities in the South: #15 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Best College among regional universities in the South: #31 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Best Value School among regional universities in the South: #33 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Best Christian Colleges in South Carolina: #1 (Niche, 2026)
Best College Campuses in South Carolina: #2 (Niche, 2026)
Top Private Universities in South Carolina: #3 (Niche, 2026)
Best Colleges for Education in South Carolina: #3 (Niche, 2026)
Best Colleges for Business in South Carolina: #3 (Niche, 2026)

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��ҹ�糡 Continues its Implementation of AI Tools with Campus-Wide Software

abeckner — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:49:16 +0000

��ҹ�糡, as part of its strategic focus on the ethical implementation of Artificial Intelligence, has deployed BoodleBox, a campus-wide suite of free-to-use AI tools, soon to be available to all faculty, staff and students.

“In keeping with our culture of innovation, ��ҹ�糡 determined that our entire campus (all faculty, staff, and students) is best served with a unified approach to using AI tools,” said ��ҹ�糡 Provost Dr. Ryan Neal. “Our adoption of BoodleBox intentionally equips our campus community to use AI tools appropriately, ethically, and responsibly. In the classroom we are committed to teaching students how AI tools support and supplement learning in their discipline and ways that they will be utilized in their career. Our focus emphasizes wisdom and intentionality, as well as preparation and productivity.”

BoodleBox��is a secure, collaborative AI workspace that allows the AU campus community to engage with AI while connecting individuals across campus. It provides access to several premium AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Stable Diffusion, and more) through one easy-to-use platform.

Last year, Professor Nathan Cox, AU Associate Provost and Director of AU’s Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence, was tasked with leading a committee on the evolving ethical use of AI in teaching and learning at ��ҹ�糡 as they participated in a year-long institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum. His goal is to keep the focus on of AI at AU on how the campus community learns and, through that learning, how students can use AI tools ethically to create positive changes in their workplaces and communities.

“We’re not just reacting to a trend,” Professor Cox said. “We’re preparing students for the professional world they’re about to enter and the��communities they’ll be helping to shape. In many ways, our students are already in that world and influencing those spaces. Expertise with AI tools and gives them yet another set of valuable skills sets to employ.”

Central to Anderson’s efforts is an understanding that AI is not merely a novelty—it is quickly becoming foundational to the future of work and is changing the nature of teaching. Employers are already seeking graduates who are fluent in AI-assisted writing, content creation and data analysis. To meet this demand, AU sees it as a responsibility to equip students with the skills to use AI tools “creatively, productively, and ethically.”

That preparation goes beyond simply learning how to use a chatbot. It involves critical thinking about the role of AI in society, reflection on its ethical implications and engagement with the very human questions of authorship, ownership and originality.

And it starts with a fundamental shift in how AI is perceived in the classroom.

BoodleBox is another item in AU’s toolkit as the University prepares its faculty, staff and students for the ongoing digital transformation AI represents. It will be available for faculty, staff and students this year.

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Welcome Week: New Trojans Will Begin Exciting New Journey

Ed Welch — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 17:25:34 +0000

��ҹ�糡 is gearing up to welcome its new freshman class.��

As major life events go, entering college is pretty huge, but we at ��ҹ�糡 have a message for all new Trojans: ��

“You’ve got this.”��

Part of the AU culture is for new students to quickly feel they belong to a community—that’s everyone’s job. They’ll quickly get to know returning ��ҹ�糡 students, as well as faculty and staff.��

Welcome Week, August 16-24, 2024, marks the beginning of an exciting academic and personal journey. It’s a chance to meet a lot of new friends and have lots of fun in the process.��

Welcome Week is jam-packed with activities celebrating the 2024-25 academic year, ending up literally with a bang as an incredible fireworks show takes place at Spero Financial Field during the Big Welcome Event ��

And as a new student, you don’t need to worry about having everything figured out. Everyone is helpful and approachable.

There are also resources available online 24/7.��

On social media, a good place to start is by checking out ��ҹ�糡’s official Instagram account, @andersonunivsc. Other great accounts to follow include AU Student Activities, @au411 and AU First Year Experience, @aufirstyear. There’s always advice to help make the transition to college life easier and worry-free. There you can find out from other students things like tips for decorating dorm rooms and places to plug in and get to know more people.��

Details about campus housing can be found here.��

Details about new student move-in can be found here.��

Welcome week information, including a complete schedule, can be found here.��

To learn more about Welcome Week, contact Student Life at studentlife@andersonuniversity.edu or call 864-622-6011. ��

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Another Year, Another Enrollment Record Established at ��ҹ�糡

��ҹ�糡 — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:45:40 +0000

��ҹ�糡 is still the largest private university in South Carolina, with more than 4,200 students enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic year as classes begin today.

Nearly 1,000 first-year students arrived on campus last week, which represents a 6.4 percent increase from last year. Students in the ��ҹ�糡 Class of 2027 represent 31 states and 12 countries.

“We are extraordinarily blessed that so many young men and women are choosing ��ҹ�糡 to continue their education,” said Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D., President of ��ҹ�糡. “Despite the conventional wisdom suggesting more and more students are re-thinking higher education as a viable path, that’s not what we’re seeing at AU. On the contrary, we’ve never experienced more interest in the comprehensive Christian education and vibrant experience we provide. Today, I celebrate with our entire campus community that ��ҹ�糡 is as strong today as it has ever been throughout our 112-year history as a premier, academically selective private university.”

All told, more than 4,200 students are enrolled at ��ҹ�糡 for the 2023-2024 academic year, which continues a 20-year trend of continued growth.

The first day of classes comes amid AU’s annual Welcome Week celebration, which began with the University’s traditional Archway Walk on Friday, August 18 and included the annual Trojan Tradition on Monday, August 21 and an on-campus Block Party on Tuesday, August 22. Welcome Week events continue nightly and conclude with the Big Welcome Event, a campus-wide gathering and fireworks display on Saturday, August 26��at 7:30 p.m. at Spero Financial Field.

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AU Ready to Welcome Record New Class

��ҹ�糡 — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 12:32:21 +0000

In the closing days of summer, there’s a growing sense of anticipation as ��ҹ�糡 gets ready to welcome the largest incoming class in its history.

New students from down the road, across the country and across the ocean are joining the Trojan community. New students for the 2023-24 academic year come from 15 countries (including the U.S.) and 31 states.

Welcome Week

There’s no welcome like an ��ҹ�糡 welcome.

Welcome Week 2023, August 18-26, promises to be an exclamation point at the start of the new year. Welcome Week is packed full of fun, information and opportunities to meet fellow students while also learning how easy it is to become part of ��ҹ�糡’s community.

The best advice for new students is, “Attend as many Welcome Week events as possible.”

“Welcome Week matters because it’s a big cannonball jump into the deep end of college life. It lets you meet new friends, get used to being away from home, and is mostly just a lot of fun,” said Sydney Welch, a senior Graphic Design major. Ella Moody, a junior Nursing major, says “Welcome Week is a week full of laughter, smiles and joy. I love seeing the many smiling faces of friends reconnecting after the summer break and new friendships starting to form.”

To be clear, Welcome Week isn’t just for new students.

“It’s really for all students,” said Director of Student Activities Brenna Morris. “It makes for a fun way to kick off the year, bringing out all the stops and our very best to say ‘we’re so happy that you’re back.’ Everybody is like ‘I’m going to meet someone new whether I’ve been here for four years or it’s my first year.’”

Morris noted that in addition to West Fest, Beach Bash and many other Welcome Week favorites, Silent Disco has been added to the mix.

“There are three playlists, and you’re on any playlist you want. It’s not quiet—they’re screaming lyrics. You have headphones on and you don’t care what anybody thinks of you. You can see the playlist they’re on by the color of their headphones,” Morris said.

Read on for more student comments about Welcome Week at ��ҹ�糡.

“Welcome Week is one of the most special weeks you will ever experience as a student at ��ҹ�糡. The memories you make, the friends you connect with, and the fun you have each day makes your first week at AU feel more like home,” said Braelyn Moore, a senior Communication major, who is in her third year on the Campus Activities Team. “Because of Welcome Week, I have gained lifelong friends and core memories that I will get to carry with me throughout my life.”

“Welcome week is a time where you get to know so many people that you wouldn’t otherwise meet,” said Jenna Grace Beiers, a junior majoring in Early Childhood with a minor in Dance. “It is a time to make memories and laugh a lot. It is truly a special part of AU and has offered so many people new friendships that will last forever.”

Atonya Lambright, a senior Christian Studies major, said, “Welcome week is the introduction to four years of growth, fun, and life changing experiences.”

Caroline Manke, a sophomore Nursing major, has wonderful memories of Welcome week. Now that she’s joined the Campus Activities Team, she’s excited about planning this year’s Welcome Week.

“Welcome Week will always be one of the most memorable weeks of my life. It is an incredible time packed with fun activities and opportunities to meet the most amazing people. As a freshman last year, it was super helpful for getting into the full swing of AU spirit,” Manke said.

Students quickly feel a sense of belonging as part of Alpha Groups. According to Associate Director of New Student Programs Sam Walker, 53 Alpha Groups are getting ready for incoming students, each led by a top-tier student leader (Alpha Leader).

“These Alpha Leaders will move-in early and prepare the entire week before new student move-in to ensure that our first year students have everything they need when they arrive for Welcome Week,” Walker said, adding that the AU culture itself helps freshmen assimilate into the community as a whole.

“We really don’t have a ranking culture when it comes to seniors. Freshmen will go to these events and the senior students will be looking out for them, introducing them to their friends and inviting them to their RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) or BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) group, asking them to get dinner. We really have this familial feeling to those events,” Walker said.

Connecting with the AU community

For incoming students and family members reading this, no doubt this is also a time of anticipation and planning. While there are always helpful people handy to answer questions of incoming students and family members, social media is also a great resource that’s available 24/7.

A good place to start is by checking out ��ҹ�糡’s official Instagram account, . Other great accounts to follow include AU Student Activities, , and AU First Year Experience, .There’s advice on what to bring, decorating dorm rooms and making those first contacts with people they will get to know over the next four years—roommates, teammates, Alpha Group leaders and staff worth getting to know (which is essentially everyone, because welcoming students is an “all hands on deck” thing for staff, faculty and upperclassmen).

To hit the ground running and make a smooth transition into the Anderson community, some students posted advice on Instagram:

“Don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out right when you arrive.”

“Involve yourself as much as possible and try new clubs/activities! It will impact your life.”

“Have roomie nights. College is chaotic, so take a sec to chill and hang out.”

“Get to know your professors because they want to know you and help you succeed.”

“Welcome Week is the best time to find friends. Go to everything!”

A special part of welcoming new students, according to Morris, are Welcome Home Boxes.

“Each new student gets one in their room and each commuter has the opportunity to pick up their box from Commuter Engagement. The boxes (really a bag) are full of snacks and other fun freebies, random things they might need like an extra toothbrush and some band-aids, and notes from some of their biggest fans: Jack Cummings, the Student Body President; myself and the Campus Activities Team; and Dr. Whitaker,” Morris said. “They’re a ton of fun and a great way for us to show hospitality.”

Details about campus housing can be found .

Details about new student move-in can be found .

For details about Welcome Week, contact Student Life at studentlife@andersonuniversity.edu or call 864-622-6011. Welcome Week information, including a complete schedule, is available here.

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