New AU Essay Collection Explores History of University

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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University recently published an essay collection, A New Institutional Saga for Anderson University. The book features essays written by faculty and alumni from Anderson University.

The essay collection presents a “reframing” of the history of Anderson University and the lives that this institution has touched. Offered as a resource specifically for first-year students, the text seeks to broaden the narrative of AU’s history through differing perspectives and focal points that both contextualize and enrich the university’s legacy. It’s an important resource not only for students, but also for current faculty and staff, prospective students, alumni, Church of God partners, and donors.

“The Anderson University that is now beginning its second century of Christian higher education is the product of a complicated, contested, lively and diverse history of interactions,” said Dr. David Murphy, history professor at AU. “These essays offer all of AU’s constituencies – students, faculty, alumni – insight into how we arrived where we are and inspiration for charting our path forward.”

This project was funded by a grant through the Council of Independent Colleges, which invited proposals to reframe the institutional saga. Dr. Nathan Willowby, dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry, submitted the proposal and organized the project under the editorial direction of Murphy.

“We selected authors who could speak to a variety of vital aspects and commitments that give AU its particular ethos,” said Willowby. “The goals are to have accessible essays to help students and other stakeholders understand some of the ‘whys’ about our approach to things.”

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.