News

New Spirit website is up and running

Justin Woods looks over the shoulder of SWAU Design Manager Jessica Lozano as they put the finishing touches on the new Southwestern Spirit online website. Woods Media has been instrumental in getting both the Southwesterner and the Spirit, Southwestern's alumni magazine, online as interactive publications. You can visit the new Spirit website at http://spirit.swau.edu.

Preparing to take on the world

Pastor Ron Halverson, Jr. talks about the first church he ever pastored at during his speech at the Religion Department Commissioning Saturday, April 19. The Commission is an induction ceremony for the theology students that will be begin their pastoral certification. The presentation also featured those students that completed their certification and will graduate in May. It was the first time the Religion Department has held the presentation. Ron and Buffy Halverson, Jr. were flown in to speak for both nights, Friday and Saturday, of the event. After finishing the ceremony, Pastor Ingo Sorke said,"If you guys don't change your major, you must be crazy...or you must be called."

Behe takes on the "limits of evolution"

Dr. Michael Behe

Michael Behe is used to kicking up a fuss. A professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University, Behe has been a scientific celebrity since the publication in 1996 of Darwin’s Black Box, a book famous for the concept of "irreducible complexity." According to Behe, many systems in nature cannot be explained by the tiny, gradual, random changes that are central to Darwin’s theory of evolution. Some other explanation is necessary to account for the complexities of the cell, he says. Behe will be the final lecturer in Southwestern Adventist University’s 2008 Saxon Lecture Series, April 26 at 4 p.m. Speaking on subject "The Edge of Evolution," Behe will address the scientific limitations of Darwinian evolution. As one critic noted, "Behe is not afraid to offend all parties of the evolution debate."

SWAU entry wins first at film festival

Representing SWAU at SONscreen were (back row, from left): Gavin Lawry, Stew Hardy, KC Lopez, Emile Moline; (front row, from left) Luis Ruiz, Aaron Weber.

The first group of students from Southwestern Adventist University to enter the SONscreen Film Festival are on their way home after winning first place in one category and having other entries nominated. The annual SONscreen Film Festival was created by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists to encourage young Christian filmmakers. Randy Yates, SWAU professor of communication, says he encouraged his students to put something together for the Festival, but left it up to them to decide.

Speak up, slow down and center stage

Junior English Major Devin Anavitarte argues with Junior Galacia Frisby during dress rehearsal on Tuesday, April 15. This year, Tartuffe, a romantic comedy, was chosen for the English department's annual play. The first performance will be on Thursday evening, April 17 with three more on Saturday night and Sunday. Senior Math Major Jennifer Henderson said, "When I signed up to be part of the drama team I didn't even know we were going to do Tartuffe; it has been a lot of fun and I think everyone will like it."

An evening of talent

Junior Music Major Jonathan Castillo leans over the mic as he holds the last note to "You Don't Know Me" by Michael Buble during his performance at the SWAU Talent Show Sunday, April 13. That night, four award were given out. Third place went to Ben Henry and Jarrod Purkeypile, while Leslie Rosete took second place. Abigail Trevino won first place, but the Grand Prize went to Christine Ragnauth for her Indian culture dance.

Preaching to the choir

Dr. Ingo Sorke, professor of religion, spoke during the Homecoming Weekend vespers service on Friday, April 11. The vespers service was a choir/orchestral performance by the SWAU Choraliers, University Singers and the Brazos Chamber Orchestra. In between songs, Sorke gave three speeches relating to the music being sung and played on stage.

Reunion concert will collect scholarship funds

Cottonwood, a bluegrass group that performed at and around Southwestern Adventist University from the 70s through the 90s, will perform a reunion concert on April 26. The special concert is being presented in honor of Cottonwood member, banjoist and former Southwestern professor Hal Wright, who died from complications of Parkinson’s Disease in 2006. Don McAdams, who plays fiddle for the group, is a former president of SWAU. He will make an appeal for donations during the concert, which will be added to a scholarship in Wright’s name.

What a disaster!

Keene firefighters move in to put out the car blaze at the beginning of the mock car bomb disaster.

The fifth annual Brain Games is upon us, this year taking the form of a mock disaster, complete with burning cars, bloody bodies, firetrucks and helicopters landing to take victims to the hospital. Here's just a glimpse of some of the action that took place this morning outside the Committee of 100 Cafeteria.

SA schedules auditions for talent show

Thomas Rhem is one of many SWAU students planning on auditioning on Monday.

Auditions for the SWAU talent show are this Monday, March 31. Students who want to be in the talent show must come to the auditions which will be held in Evans Hall 7-10 p.m. Students will audition before David Knight, VP for student services, as well as a faculty member and an SA officer. According to SA social VP Lauren Shankel, "Students may do any kind of performance as long as there is no dancing or suggestive/offensive gestures or language in music or actions."