Anderson University’s annual day of giving, A Day, is coming up on April 7.
As our 2022 A Day campaign date approaches and we anticipate these worthy causes, we take a moment to look back on some past successes.
Each year you, our supporters, have come forward with generous support for a variety of campus improvements. Looking back on 2021, overall giving was up, and, thanks to the generous support of many, these causes were fully funded:
College of Arts and Sciences—Digital Production Studio at Downtown Chiquola Studios: These facilities located in the heart of Downtown Anderson are making a positive community impact with initiatives like Storefront Stories, a series of student-produced videos that shine the spotlight on businesses in downtown Anderson. Storefront Stories help these small business owners get much-needed exposure and give media communication students in the Anderson University College of Arts and Sciences valuable real-world experience. Added to the Chiquola Digital Media Studio were studio cameras, video switching equipment, an audio mixing station and a podcast production station. Robert Reeves, assistant professor of communication and chair of the Communication Department, feels these additions expand their class offerings and help students get more involved in their classes.
College of Education—Classroom enhancements: Generous financial gifts made it possible to retrofit two classroom spaces for HyFlex delivery of instruction at the University Center of Greenville. Dr. Mark Butler, dean of the Anderson University College of Education, said this project wasn’t just about bringing the classroom space at the University Center up-to-date; it was about bringing it into the forefront of leadership education.
“The ability to Hyflex our doctoral programs is a game-changer for both students and faculty and the work of Dr. Smart and colleagues are helping to establish best practices in this new learning space that will raise the bar for our entire field,” Dr. Butler said.
“At the heart of our Hyflex pedagogy is our Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning, but other AU graduate programs have also utilized the room,” said Julie Smart, Ed.D. program director and assistant professor of graduate studies. “The Hyflex space includes the following technology supports: Promethean Board, four monitors and channels for sharing of multiple screens simultaneously, tracking cameras and high-resolution ceiling microphones which enable in-person students to communicate effectively with remote students.”
Senior Class Gift—Clock Project: A beautiful new clock now graces the historical Anderson University campus, thanks to a unique collaboration between two graduating classes. According to Jason Rutland, associate vice president for alumni and parent engagement, the fundraiser was started in the 2019-2020 academic year by the class of 2020. The campaign was interrupted that spring when the COVID-19 pandemic sent students home to complete their year. The class of 2021 voted to share in fundraising for the clock and helped meet the fundraising goal. According to Rutland, this was among the largest of the senior class fundraising events.
South Carolina School of the Arts—Media Production Suite: Growing Commercial Music and Worship Leadership programs in the South Carolina School of the Arts are taking advantage of exciting enhancements to the media studios in the Rainey Fine Arts Center, thanks to this past year’s A Day giving. The newly-equipped facilities have already been put to good use as AUthenticity, Anderson University’s contemporary music ensemble, recorded their first album. As students learn the music industry in the Johnny Mann Center for Commercial Music, they are enjoying the benefits of a state-of-the-art facility. The new technology includes full video integration and a Dante (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet) network in the Music Media Studios at the South Carolina School of the Arts. Improvements to the Music Media Studios were possible through a combination of funding sources, including A Day funds and additional funding sources.
Looking to A Day 2022
A Day is a 24-hour campaign in support of student scholarships and campus programs and improvements at Anderson University. This year’s A Day, April 7, 2022, is an opportunity for you to join with a generous community of supporters to help Anderson University continue to make an impact well into the future. Please follow this link for details and to give.