Featured Archives - �鶹ԭ��

�鶹ԭ�� names Elizabeth Marsch executive director of online education

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:35:51 +0000

�鶹ԭ��welcomedElizabeth Marsch as its executive director of online educationon Tuesday, Aug. 11. Marsch comes to Manchester from The Ohio State University, where she worked fornearly 25years. She most recently held the position of director of distance education for theirCollege of Arts andSciences.She hasparticipatedin curriculum development and educational technology innovation groups atThe Ohio State University, MiamiUniversityand Franklin University. Fornearly 20yearsshe has taught courses, mostly online,in literature, culture,powerand identity.These includeIntroduction to Humanities: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Love and World Literature, andLiteratureand the Self. Marschattended theUniversity of Dayton and Shimer Collegefor her undergraduate studies, andThe Ohio State University for her graduate studies inEnglish language and literature. In her role at Manchester, Marsch will oversee all online learning, includingbothundergraduate andgraduateprogramming. “Manchester is at a pivotal moment in realizing its potential for delivering high-quality,values-driven online learning for all its students,” said Marsch. “Drawing on the University’s strengths and expanding access to include more learners, I hope to support the creation of a multi-faceted support system to deliver a distinctly Manchester experience to students who will be empowered to live lives of ability and conviction to improve the human condition.” �鶹ԭ��offersonlineacceleratedundergraduate programs inmarketing communication, criminal justice,accountingand businessmanagement. The University also offersits MBA, Master of Nutrition and […]

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�鶹ԭ�� Spring 2026 Dean’s List

Chloe Leckrone — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:40:05 +0000

Congratulations to nearly 340 �鶹ԭ�� students who have earned a place on the Spring 2026 Dean’s List for their academic achievements. At the end of each semester, the Office of Academic Affairs publishes the list. Undergraduate students earning a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher who have completed at least 12 semester hours with no more than three hours of Pass/Not Pass grades are included on the Dean’s List. Students with more than one hour of Incomplete (I) or Not Recorded (NR) grades at the end of the semester are not eligible for the Dean’s List. See the full list below: Faith Abbott of Logansport, Ind. Kiera Aguirre of Fort Wayne, Ind. Anna Allen of Leesburg, Ind. Abigail Alvarado of Walnut, Calif. Isabel Anaya of Hollan, Mich. Madison Anderson of Columbia City, Ind. Camryn Andrus of Greenfield, Ind. Elliott Apps of Bluffton, Ind. Emilie Arias of Elkhart, Ind. Gabriel Armstrong of Rochester, Ind. Garrett Armstrong of Rochester, Ind. Hannah Arnold of Paulding, Ohio Katelyn Ast of Michigan City, Ind. DaNaisha Austin of Indianapolis, Ind. Christopher Backus of Gary, Ind. Hannah Bailey of Camby, Ind. Charles Baker of Woodstock, Ill. Avery Ball of Monroeville, Ind. Bryson Ball of […]

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�鶹ԭ�� invites prospective students to visit for Private College Week

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:17:04 +0000

Private College Week,establishedby Independent Colleges of Indiana,offers students and families the opportunity to experience private, nonprofit colleges and universities through free tours and information sessions. From July 20-24, �鶹ԭ��will offer two visits each day. Wednesday, July 22 is 21st Century Scholars Day, specially designed to help students who are 21st Century Scholars complete activities in their Scholar Success Program.In addition to the campus tour and admissions information session, there will be a30-minute session about the 21st Century Scholarship program. For risinghigh schoolseniors, a $500peryearVisitIncentive and an extra $500peryearExperienceAward will be provided if they choose to attend Manchester.TheExperience Awardappliesthrough Sept. 1. Learn moreabout Private College Weekandschedulea visithere. Individual and group visits are offered year-round. For more information, visitmanchester.edu/admissions-aid/visit/. For the media Contactadmitinfo@manchester.edufor more information. ManchesterUniversity,in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more atwww.manchester.edu/about-manchester. Our mission and values �鶹ԭ�� respects the infinite worth of every individual andgraduatespersons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.

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Manchester adds women’s flag football to athletics program

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:08:04 +0000

�鶹ԭ��will addwomen’s flag football toits20 NCAA-sanctioned sports in Fall 2027. Tabbedas anemerging NCAAsport in January 2026, this initiative aims to capitalizeoff ofthe growing popularity of women’s flag football in youth leagues, highschoolsand collegiate clubs.Women’s flag football was able toachieve NCAA championship statuswith help from the Emerging Sports for Women program, which supports broader sports opportunities for women.It has also been added as a sport for the 2028 Summer Olympics. More than100 collegeshavesponsoredvarsity or clubflag footballteams in 2026.Manchester is the first university in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) to adopt women’s flag football. “We look forward to building a program that will provide an outstanding student-athlete experience while creating new opportunities to thrive on and off the field,”said Rick Espeset, director of athletics and head baseball coach at Manchester. Athletes will compete in a fast-paced, 7-on-7 format.Manchester plans tobegincompetingin Spring2028, allowing time for prospective student-athlete recruitment. A national searchfor a head coach is ongoing. Press release written by communications intern Chris Rohr. For the media Contact Rick Espeset, director of athletics and head baseball coach, atRBEspeset@manchester.edu. �鶹ԭ��, in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more atwww.manchester.edu/about-manchester. Our mission and values Manchester […]

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Vice President Van Vlerah named President of Notre Dame of Maryland University

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:50:15 +0000

�鶹ԭ��is delighted to share thatVice President for Student Life Abby Van Vlerahhas beenselectedto serve as president of Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore,Md. She will start there on July 6. Her last day at Manchester is June 25. Van Vlerahredefined the role of vice president for student life at Manchester, elevating student success, enrollment, and institutional strategyin both North Manchester and Fort Wayne. She came to Manchesterwith more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education, including as an academic dean and chief operating officer, and she leaves for a wonderful opportunity. “As a practicing Catholic and a graduate of a Catholic women’s college, I am deeply aligned with Notre Dame of Maryland University’s mission and the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame,” Van Vlerah said. “The opportunity to lead an institution where faith, justice, education and transformation are not aspirational ideals but lived commitments, is personally meaningful and professionally compelling.” Throughouthercareer,Van Vlerahintentionallytook onroles that preparedherfor the fullscope and complexity ofbecoming a universitypresident.Manchesterhasbenefitedfrom her broad base of knowledge and willingness to tackle the mostchallengingissues. One of the most outstanding examples of this was duringthe COVID-19 pandemic, when she chairedtherapid response group. An enthusiastic volunteer,Van Vlerahcan […]

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�鶹ԭ��’s nutrition program earns full accreditation

Chloe Leckrone — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:42:59 +0000

�鶹ԭ��’scutting-edgemaster’sprogram in nutrition and dietetics has earned full accreditationthrough 2033from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Earning full accreditation allows the program to expand enrollment from 15 students per cohort to 30 students per cohort—making it the largest graduate nutrition program in Indiana. It is also the only nutrigenomics-focused program in the United States. Nutrigenomics is the study of the effects of foodand nutrientson gene expression.�鶹ԭ�� launched itsprogram in 2023. An undergraduate major in nutrition sciences is also offered. Thetwo-yearmaster’sprogramblends online coursework withsupervised experiential learning opportunitieswith partner facilitiesin students’ home regions. “This full accreditation is a validation of the qualityandinnovation of our program,” said Kimberli Pike, director of nutrition and nutrigenomics.“It reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our experiential learning partnerships, and our commitment to preparing graduates who can lead in a rapidly evolving field. Expanding our cohort allows us to extend these opportunities to more students while continuing to advance the role of nutrigenomics in improving health outcomes.” Learn more about the programhere. For the media ContactDr.Kimberli Pike,director of nutrition andnutrigenomics, atKLPike@manchester.edu. �鶹ԭ��, in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more atwww.manchester.edu/about-manchester. Our […]

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�鶹ԭ�� adds two new reduced-credit degrees

Chloe Leckrone — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:49:12 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� continues to forge groundbreaking pathways in higher education to best prepare students for careers with new accelerated degree programs in AppliedCriminal JusticeandAppliedMarketing Communication. The undergraduate programs focus on preparing individuals for the job market in three years – as opposed to the traditional four – to mitigate concerns over costly tuition and time without compromising critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication skills, and the ability to learn continuously. The new Applied Criminal Justice and Applied Marketing Communication programs are enrolling now. Applied programs are purpose-built pathways that align directly with graduate school prerequisites or immediate workforce credentials, offering a streamlined, goal-oriented academic experience. In contrast, standard 120-credit programs provide a more exploratory framework, ideal for students seeking broader academic discovery throughadditionalmajors or minors, interdisciplinary study, or study-away experiences. Thenew programsjoinfour otheraccelerated degree programsat Manchester.Health care programsinpre-athleticphysicaltraining andpre-physicaltherapywerelaunched in 2025.Programs in accounting and business management were launched earlier this year.Theinnovative bachelor’s degree programs are approved by the Higher Learning Commission and reflect a broader shift toward flexibility, transparency, and student-centered pathways that acknowledge different goals and life circumstances. “The addition of twonewapplieddegreeprogramsreflectsManchester’songoingcommitment to deliveringinnovative, career-focused academic options,”said �鶹ԭ�� President Stacy Young.“Our priority is meeting the needs of today’s studentsandproviding […]

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�鶹ԭ�� Commencement is May 16, Dave Haist to give address

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:05:53 +0000

Dave Haist will address the graduating class and receive an honoraryDoctor of Humanitiesdegree at �鶹ԭ��’s commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May16. Haistgraduated from Manchester in 1973 with a degree in accounting and economics.In 1977, he earned hisjuris doctorfrom Indiana University’s School of Law. For 20 years, Haist workedat Barnes & Thornburg in Fort Wayneas Officer Managing Partner.He then worked at Do it Best Corp., where he held several positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, until his retirement in 2012. After retiring from Do it Best Corp., Haist returned to his alma materfor two yearsas Executive Director oftheAlumni Association and an instructor for the business department.Heserved asa member of the �鶹ԭ�� Board of Trustees forfiveterms.In 2025, became an honorary trustee. Haist currently serves on several community boards, includingIndianaArts Commission, Arts United, Wabash County Museum, Questa Foundation, and Honeywell Arts Academy. Manchester’sundergraduatecommencement ceremony will begin at10a.m. in Cordier Auditorium at the North Manchester campus. Thegraduate and professionalcommencement ceremony will follow at2p.m. For more information about commencement, visitwww.manchester.edu/academics/student-success/graduation/. For the media �鶹ԭ��, in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more atwww.manchester.edu/about-manchester. Our mission and values �鶹ԭ�� respects the infinite worth […]

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�鶹ԭ�� Student Symposium is April 8

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:01:31 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� invites the community to attend the annual Student Symposium,showcasingundergraduate and graduate scholarly work across disciplines,onWednesday,April 8. The Student Symposiumwas started by Jo Young Switzer, former �鶹ԭ�� president and dean, in 1999 to give students and faculty an opportunity to collaborate on research and scholarship. It continues to be one ofthe University’smost significant campus events, offering high-quality presentationsofstudent work. Theall-dayeventwill begin at 9 a.m.intheCunningham Academic Centerwith oral presentationsand will move to theJo Young Switzer Centerin the afternoon for the poster session.This year’s Symposiumfeaturesmore than 40 oral and poster presentations; it alsoincludes art exhibitions in both the Link Gallery and theSwitzer Center.The keynote addresswill be held at2:15, following the poster session. “This is a remarkable opportunity for students across the disciplines––and across campuses––to come together and share their work,” said Katharine Ings, professor of English and Symposium chair.“We have a wide variety of oral presentations: fromThe Little Princeto presidents; from online learning to narratives of genocide. This is an occasion to celebrate our students’ work––and to learn from it, too.” This year’s keynote speaker is senior Megan Pierce, presenting herhonorsthesis, “Method to His Madness: How Society’s Fears Throughout History Created Pop Culture’s Greatest Villain.”The presentation will examine the relationship between […]

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Mason Jones Earns All-American Honors with Fourth-Place Finish at NCAA Division III National Championship

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:20:39 +0000

Sophomore standout Mason Jones delivered an exceptional performance this weekend at the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships, earning All-American honors with an impressive fourth-place finish on the national stage in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Competing against the top wrestlers from across the country, Jones battled through a highly competitive bracket to secure his place among the nation’s elite. His fourth-place finish marks a significant milestone in his collegiate career and continues �鶹ԭ��’s proud tradition of excellence in wrestling. He is the first All-American since 2007 and Manchester’s 23rd All-American in program history. Throughoutthe tournament, Jonesdemonstratedresilience, technical skill and composure under pressure. His strong showing not only earned him All-American recognition but also showcased the determination and work ethic thathavedefined his season. ManchesterUniversity’s wrestling program has long been recognized for its competitive success and commitment to developing high-level student-athletes. Over the years, the Spartans havebuilt a legacy that includes numerous conference champions, national qualifiers, and All-Americans. Jones’ achievement adds another chapter to that tradition and reflects the strength and culture of the program. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for Mason,” said Head Coach Josh Hardman. “To compete at the national level and finish fourth in the country as a sophomore […]

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�鶹ԭ�� Fall 2025 Dean’s List

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:45:05 +0000

Congratulations tonearly 340�鶹ԭ�� students who have earned a place on the Fall 2025 Dean’s List for their academic achievements. At the end of each semester, the Office of Academic Affairs publishes the list. Undergraduate students earning a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher who have completed at least 12 semester hours with no more than three hours of Pass/Not Pass grades are included on the Dean’s List. Students with more than one hour of Incomplete (I) or Not Recorded (NR) grades at the end of the semester are not eligible for the Dean’s List. See the full list below: Faith Abbott of Logansport, Ind. Emma Abraham of Michigan City, Ind. NatalieAdams ofHuntington, Ind. PeytonAddair ofHuntington, Ind. Anna Allen of Leesburg, Ind. Joseph Allen of Fort Wayne, Ind. AbigailAlvarado ofWalnut, Calif. Isabel Anaya of Holland, Mich. Ace Anderson of Muskegon, Mich. Madison Anderson of Columbia City, Ind. CamrynAndrus ofGreenfield, Ind. BlaineAnspaugh ofJackson, Mich. Gabriel Armstrong of Rochester, Ind. Garrett Armstrong of Rochester, Ind. Hannah Arnold of Paulding, Ohio Katelyn Ast of Michigan City, Ind. Dylan Ault of Hobart, Ind. DaNaishaAustin ofIndianapolis, Ind. Collin Bailey of Shepherdsville, Ky. Hannah Bailey of Camby, Ind. Thomas Bailey of Akron, Ind. Charles […]

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�鶹ԭ�� awarded $125,000 planning grant for AI initiative

Chloe Leckrone — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:58:51 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� has received a $125,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.,through its initiative, Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education. The planning grantfunds will be usedto support Manchester in developing a strategy to incorporate generative artificial intelligence that will give students,facultyand staff the tools to be successfulin aworldincreasinglyshaped by AI. The University’s primary focus will be to develop an individualized “Manchester” agentic AI system.By building a sustainable internal agentic AI system that is integrated with Manchester’s institutional systems, student and institutional data will be protected. A partnership with AI experts will bring learning opportunities for students,facultyand staff, with theultimate goalof operationalizing the use of AI across the institution.The Universitywill also explore the possibility of partnerships with other ICI schools. “�鶹ԭ�� is deeply grateful for the support of Lilly Endowment Inc.,” said President Stacy Young. “This grant empowers us to focus on one of the most important opportunities of our time: using artificial intelligence to strengthen and streamline our college operations, equip our faculty and staff with the tools and training they need to thrive in an AI‑enabled environment, and prepare our students for a workforce that is being rapidly reshaped by these technologies. This investment will help ensure that Manchesterremainsa […]

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�鶹ԭ�� announces lineup for Spring 2026 speaker series

Chloe Leckrone — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:34:22 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� offers more than a dozen presentations in its Values,Ideasand the Arts (VIA) series forSpring2026. Presentations are at 11 a.m. on Mondays in Wine Recital Hall at the North Manchester campus unless otherwise noted. They are free and open to the public. Feb. 2:JamesKelly,historian, film consultant, lecturer and historical interpreter,discusses museums, memoryand the moral vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.This event commemorates the 1968 visit of Dr. King to Manchester’s campus—his last campusvisitbefore his assassination two months later. Feb. 9:Dr. ZacharyElewitz, who heads the Enterprise AI Lab at McKesson,shareswhat major enterprises are trying to achieve with AIandidentifiesitslegitimate concerns. Feb. 16:Dr. KyleBesing, associateprovostfor curriculum and instruction and associate professor of mathematics at Kentucky Wesleyan College, explores our innateintuition and how probability guides the choices we make each day. Feb. 23:TheHealthSciences Career Conferenceis a day-long eventwithakeynotepresentation by Dr. Joshua Kline, 1998 Manchester graduate and Chief MedicalOfficer for Parkview Physicians Group, at 9 a.m. in CordierAuditorium. Feb. 26 “Marx in Soho,” a one-person play written by Howard Zinn and performed by Bob Weick, portrays Karl Marx in modern-day New York as he defends his ideas, critiques contemporary capitalism, and shows the human side of a figure often reduced to caricature. March […]

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�鶹ԭ�� is first Indiana university to offer accelerated programs in applied accounting and business management

Chloe Leckrone — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:12:27 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� is introducingonline, 90-creditbachelor’sdegrees in Applied Accounting and Applied Business Management this March. The accelerated programs align curriculum and timelines withemployerdemand whilemaintainingacademic rigor. Graduates can finisha year earlierand save anaverage of $20,000 compared with traditional degree pathways. �鶹ԭ�� continues to forge groundbreaking pathways in higher education to best prepare students for careers with new accelerated degree programs in Applied Accounting and Applied Business Management. The undergraduate programs focus on preparing individuals for the job market in three years – as opposed to the traditional four – to mitigate concerns over costly tuition and time without compromising critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication skills, and the ability to learn continuously. “We will see a shift from measuring education by time spent in the classroom to measuring it by outcomes achieved. A bachelor’s degree may increasingly signal clarity of purpose, demonstrated competence, and readiness for the next step,” said �鶹ԭ�� President, Stacy Young. “The question won’t be ‘How long did it take?’ but ‘What can this graduate do, and how well are they prepared?’” The new Applied Accounting and Business Management programs will be offered online starting in March with the in-person cohort beginning in Fall 2026. Applied programs are […]

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Four join �鶹ԭ�� Board of Trustees – Jan. 2026

Chloe Leckrone — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:30:12 +0000

Four new members, including threealumni, have joined �鶹ԭ��’s Board of Trustees. D. Randall Brown ’87 ofFort Wayne, Ind.,returns to Manchester’s Board of Trustees after 10 years off. He spent three years asBoardChair. Brown earned his bachelor’s degreein political science and businessfrom Manchester in 1987, before completing his Juris Doctor at Indiana UniversitySchool of Law-Indianapolis.He is nowlitigationdepartment chair and Fort Wayne managing partner at Barnes & Thornburg. Healsoserves on the boards of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. BradfordAquino’98 of Golden, Colo.,earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Manchesterand a master’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame. His career began in public accounting, and he has since held leadership positions in the medical device community at Zimmer Biomet, CONMED Corporation and RTI Surgical. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Metron in the water industry. He served on the board for Ancilla College and assisted in leading its merger into Marian University in 2021. MeghanLinvill ’06McNabof Nashville, Tenn.,earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Manchester in 2006, before completing her Juris Doctor at Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. Sheisnowpartnerat Krieg Devault where sherepresentshealthcareprovidersin […]

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