Greetings From the Editor

Here at Anderson University, we believe you must have both. You only learn—truly learn—by acknowledging the supremacy of God in all things, in all places, in all times and in all circumstances.

So, this is an edition of Anderson University Magazine about knowledge—specifically, what we call Great Academics. It is one of our foundational pillars, and, just like Great Faith, Great Hospitality and Great Purpose, it has formed the structure around which the AU experience was built, stands and continues to rise.

Why? Because, as Jesus said in his first recorded sermon, our house is built on solid ground. Part of that solid ground is the academic excellence and rigor our students seek, expect and see realized in and out of the classroom.

It’s realized in the experience of new graduate Emily Butts, who, as a student here, relished being imparted “world-class knowledge” and exploring “historic answers to life’s biggest questions… (by) learn(ing) how to read and interpret Scripture and practice applying the Christian perspective to contemporary issues.”

It’s borne out in the work of Dr. Hesham Elnakib, a former Egyptian Ambassador Extraordinaire hired last year, who is building at AU the first ethical diplomacy and leadership academic program—not just in South Carolina, but in the United States.

It’s demonstrated in the work of a task force of University professors who have continued AU’s long-established history of innovation in the use of technology by creating a framework for faculty, staff and student use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, recognizing that it is just that: a tool that helps expand knowledge and the pursuit of Great Academics. It cannot—and will not—replace the God-breathed creation of the human mind.

We hope these and other stories will help you recognize that as Anderson University enters its 115th year, our foundation remains the same.

Great Academics is a cornerstone. And it is as strong today as it has ever been.

Humanitatem Per Crucem Alere