Barber earns All-America Scholar honors for second straight season

Recent Millikin University graduate Michael Barber, of Beecher, Ill., was named a 2018-19 Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar for NCAA Division III on July 24.

To be eligible for Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar status, an individual must be a junior or senior academically. In addition, they participate in 50 percent of the team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 79.0 in Division III and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university.

This past season, Barber was the individual winner at the Augustana Invitational held on April 12-13 at the Highland Springs Golf Course in Rock Island, Ill. He also tied for first place at the TaylorMade-Adidas Intercollegiate Golf Tournament played on the Cotton Dike Course at Dataw Island, S.C., on March 11-12.

On March 19, 2019, Barber was named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Golfer of the Week following his first place finish at the TaylorMade-Adidas Intercollegiate Tournament.

Barber graduated from Millikin University in May 2019 with a degree in accounting. Barber had a 75.65 scoring average in 2018-19. This is the second straight season Barber has earned All-America Scholar honors. Barber ended his Big Blue career with a 76.62 scoring average ranking him eighth all-time at Millikin.

Millikin summer immersion course covers systems of the body

Millikin University's Summer Immersion courses provide unique opportunities for students to focus on one topic for a short term. Many of the classes offer creative learning activities to maximize student engagement.

During the month of July, it's expected that the Leighty-Tabor Science Center on Millikin's campus can be a quiet place. But on Monday, July 8, the building's first floor was active as students in Dr. Travis Wilcoxen's summer immersion hybrid course were checking heart rates, blood pressure and even doing jumping jacks. The idea behind it was simple – to understand the cardiovascular system – one of ten organ systems taught in the course called Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology.

What makes the course unique is that it's a hybrid course – two opposite methods of learning in which students have the flexibility of an online class and common face-to-face interactions in the classroom. In this case, lectures are provided online and the students meet once a week for lab sessions that normally run four hours.

The course is designed for students who study exercise science and sport as they learn about the different systems through experiments, charts and teaching models.

"It's a class required for physical education; health, fitness and recreation; and sports management majors," said Wilcoxen. "The question was – could we offer a class that meets science lab requirements over the summer where students don't have to be on campus very much?"

Throughout the term, the students study aspects such as skin, muscles, bones and the nervous system. The online lectures are created by Dr. Wilcoxen combining PowerPoint presentations and recorded audio files. "It's almost as if I would be giving a lecture in class except they can't ask me questions in real time," he said. "In terms of the hybrid nature, it's sometimes hard because you feel like you don't have any connection with the instructor. However, we meet on Mondays for labs, so the 'learn by doing' part is still there."

Among the students in the course is Pierce Warren, a sophomore health, fitness and recreation major from Decatur, Ill. Warren enrolled in the course because his chosen career path will involve anatomy and physiology.

"With being a health, fitness and recreation major, it's important to know what goes into a person's body and why a person moves," said Warren. "The course has been a perfect medium for me. The online portion is great because it's at your own pace and the lab sessions with Dr. Wilcoxen have made it the best of both worlds."

Wilcoxen added, "I think the delivery of the lecture material this way is really successful. It gives the students an opportunity to go at their own speed. When we meet for labs, we're able to do two labs during the four-hour block which makes the lab experience very successful. I think it's a good model for this type of class. These are the types of classes where we need more flexibility."

Wilcoxen will be teaching the course again for the spring 2020 semester, and he's considering using this method once more. "I'm considering how to blend my methods for that class, either online lectures and spread the labs out, or turn it into a condensed class," he said.

When asked about Millikin's Summer Immersion term, Wilcoxen says students have many opportunities to study a topic that is both unique and fun, and it provides ways for faculty to get creative when teaching the classes.

"I think I've learned as much about ways to creatively deliver the course during the semester as I have about the benefits of the summer course," said Wilcoxen. "It's great because a lot of faculty use the Summer and Winter Immersion terms to teach something way different."

Millikin Immersion Studies    

Millikin University Immersion courses are a very convenient way for current students, high school students, or community members to take courses that can result in new skills, knowledge, or a way to build up college credit in a short amount of time. Millikin offers a wide range of course offerings, including online and travel courses.

Millikin students play vital role in Decatur Celebration preparations

The Decatur Celebration is an exciting time in central Illinois when community members can engage in fun activities and enjoy great music. Now in its 34th year, Celebration organizers have been preparing to make the 2019 festival even bigger and better than last year, and Millikin University students Zack McReynolds and Griffin Sparks are doing their part to make sure that happens.

Sparks, a senior communication major from Cisco, Ill., and McReynolds, a junior entrepreneurship major from Peoria, Ill., are spending their summer interning for the Decatur Celebration and helping organizers with the planning and preparation of the festival which takes place Aug. 2-4 in downtown Decatur. Their jobs, as McReynolds says, are "very different from one another."

"My position is more about dealing with the public – specifically all the wristband sales that come through our office," said Sparks. "I also talk with many of the food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and merchandise vendors, and help coordinate the parade. My job is much more external."

For McReynolds, his position is more on the internal side of things. In a given day, he may handle 20 to 30 different projects. One of those projects is database management – something he didn't expect to be working on.

"With some of the restructure, I had to learn how the database worked and how to reprogram it," said McReynolds. "I also handle a lot of riders for artists, going through them and seeing what they require in terms of hospitality."  

Whether it's organizing wristbands, developing the website, managing social media, or working with vendors, there's no such thing as a "typical day" at the office for Sparks and McReynolds.

"I considered myself to be a good planner when coming into this opportunity, but I've also learned the importance of organizing which is key for any job," said Sparks. "Any job you have or had is going to change you one way or the other. The networking opportunities we're both getting are important too."

What intrigued McReynolds about the internship opportunity were the "fun" aspects of the job description which included things he does as hobbies.

"Working in an organization like this is as close as it gets to a dream job for me," said McReynolds. "The kind of work that I'm doing is what I would be okay with doing for the rest of my life."

McReynolds recalls a moment in the beginning of the internship where he found a copy of Pollstar Magazine at the Decatur Celebration headquarters. Pollstar is a trade publication for the concert industry with information on agents, managers and promoters who produce concerts – something that certainly piqued McReynolds' interest. "I'd be okay with being a part of any festival or venue-planning, from administrative, to booking, to performing, to the sound and lights," he said.

Along with a number of local artists, this year's Decatur Celebration will feature Sawyer Brown, Head East, Clay Walker, Sponge, We Are Messengers, I Am They and a Bruno Mars tribute act. The festival will also feature a three-day battle of the bands competition.

"This festival is something that I care about," said McReynolds. "I'm a very community-oriented person and I like bringing people together – it's the heartbeat of my life (if you will). Knowing that what I'm doing every day is helping bring the community together to celebrate Decatur, it's very fulfilling."

Jarrod Cox, producer of Decatur Celebration, was named the new producer in April 2019 by the event's board of directors. He acknowledged McReynolds and Sparks saying, "I don't even know if I could probably do my job as well this year without having the both of them." 

McReynolds is supervised by Cox while Sparks is supervised by Cheryl Pinkley, Decatur Celebration event manager.

"We're ahead of schedule and most of it is due to both of these interns," said Cox. "I'm hoping they've learned how to deal with a situation that you're put in the middle of and sometimes there's no right or wrong answers and you have to figure it out, and that's what they've done really well is trying to figure out the best solutions."  

With the Right Tools, College can be Easy

College can be challenging – especially when you're trying to handle time management, classes and extracurricular activities. But it's important to have fun as well as stay organized.

With the right tools you can make your college experience easy, and there are a vast amount of apps that can make a difference when it comes to productivity, learning or even socializing. Here are some must-have apps to help you survive the day-to-day college life.

MU2go

Millikin University's MU2go app is designed to provide quick access to important content for students, faculty, families and friends who interact with the Big Blue community. MU2go will help you find dining options, hours and menus, including where to spend your flex dollars, quick access to myMillikin apps, info about upcoming events and important contacts in case of an emergency.

MilliMojis

Share your love for the Big Blue with the MilliMojis sticker pack. Millimojis make it easy to express yourself in emoji shorthand. With MilliMojis, you can share fun conversations with MU friends and family and celebrate your favorite events. 

For more information about either Millikin app, visit our Millikin Apps page. 

Evernote

Students can use Evernote to keep class notes and projects organized. Unlike hand-written notes, you can use Evernote to easily search, using keywords, to quickly find the information you need. It can also be used on multiple devices and features automatic syncing, making it easy to work on projects from anywhere.

Trello

Have an upcoming group project and need a way to easily work in a group and stay organized? With Trello you can make task lists and assign them to users, comment back and forth to virtually discuss important aspects of a project, share files, and even track your time spent if desired. Trello is also great for managing course workload. You can use it to create project lists for each of your courses and archive each task as they are completed. With Trello you can get an overall view of your homework and workload each week.

Wunderlist

Wunderlist is a great tool to keep track of to-do lists, grocery lists or event things you need for an upcoming project. You can share lists with other users so they can view or contribute. All your lists are stored in the cloud, so if you lose your phone, you still have access to all your important information.

Zoom

Group projects have never been so easy with Zoom. It is always difficult to find the time to meet for those group projects, but with Zoom, students can collaborate via video from anywhere. Work through a tough homework assignment, study for an upcoming test, or collaborate on an important group project with up to 100 people for free. After graduation, Zoom is also a great way to connect with fellow classmates and stay in touch, no matter where you're located.

GroupMe

Another great app for group projects and collaboration is GroupMe. With GroupMe you can create private group messages to coordinate with classmates, organize a project, or work through a homework assignment. Messages can be sent directly through short message services (SMS) so you don't even need the app downloaded to your device to use!

Spotify

For most, music is a way to make it through the day. With Spotify you can create playlists of your favorite music to help you focus for that upcoming exam or jam out while you work out. Follow the Millikin University Spotify Playlists to hear new music from Millikin students and faculty as well as listen to our student-curated playlists.

Otter Voice Meeting Notes

Have a class lecture coming up? Don’t miss important information by using the Otter Voice Meeting Notes app. With this app you can easily record class lectures, group discussions, all of which are automatically transcribed. The talk-to-text feature allows you to record your own mental notes to help write that upcoming paper. Otter Voice also provides live captioning for anyone with accessibility needs.

Duolingo

Learn more than 20 different languages for free with Duolingo. The app allows you to practice speaking, reading, listening and writing. Whether you are taking a foreign language course and need extra help, or you just want to learn a new language on the go, Duolingo is a great resource.

Millikin instructor offers insight into ever-changing field of information systems

When teaching, Ed Weber likes to tell his students that a career in information systems is "a lot like a double-edged sword." One of the things he enjoys about the industry is that it changes every single day. Contrary to that, those changes can make it difficult to keep up, but there's always something new to learn.

Weber is a clinical instructor in the Management Information Systems Department in the Tabor School of Business at Millikin University. Weber has been involved with advanced computer technologies in the manufacturing, financial, grocery, retail, government and promotional products industries for over 30 years. Weber runs his own computer consulting firm called Weber Enterprises, Inc. His company analyzes, designs, develops and implements integrated systems to support all aspects of client organizations.

As an instructor at Millikin, Weber provides customized training in information systems, business management and team building. One of the things that drew Weber to Millikin University was the fact that management information systems was part of the Tabor School of Business curriculum.

"That's very important because you get an opportunity to see how information systems interacts with every part of the business," said Weber. "If you're in marketing, information systems works with you, and it's the same for accounting or management. Students get to quickly interact with all of the different majors within the Tabor School of Business and get to really see how their particular piece fits into the larger scope of business in general."

Millikin's Management Information Systems program provides many hands-on learning opportunities for students, including building relational databases for tracking donor activity, creating mobile applications for a virtual art gallery, or building a comprehensive network security analysis for small businesses.

Students also have the opportunity to run their own IT consulting venture called MU Performance Consulting (MUPC), where students seek clients in the community, perform analysis and build technical solutions to solve business problems. Students work "in the business" as well as "on the business," developing projects while managing accounting records and human resources.

"Performance Learning at Millikin means that just as a student acquires a particular skill in their area, we strive to put the student into situations and opportunities where they can use those newly-acquired skills for real world clients with real world risk and reward," said Weber.

"They can see that it's not just about textbook learning, it's about actually making a difference in real businesses and real organizations."

Because management information systems is evolving every day, it makes the field very intriguing because there is always something new to work with.

"If you look around at other areas, you're seeing technological advances maybe changing the job structures and opportunities in those fields," said Weber. "Every one of those technological advances needs a management information systems professional to help integrate it and to help make it work in a given setting. The opportunities and career potential is unlimited."

Millikin student helps Macon Resources, Inc. with daily vocational services

Macon Resources, Inc. (MRI) is a non-profit organization in Decatur, Ill., that provides services to promote the growth, independence and self-worth of children and adults with disabilities.

MRI's Kids Connection programs include: children's prevention and home visiting, day care, and after-school care and summer camps. MRI also offers opportunities for adults including case management, residential services, life skills training, vocational training, job placement and volunteerism to achieve a meaningful place in the local community.

Cody Cannon is entering his senior year at Millikin University and is pursuing a degree in instruction development. The Mt. Zion, Ill., native is interning this summer at MRI assisting with daily vocational services.

"It's Decatur's best kept secret," Cannon said in an interview with WAND-TV. "I've lived here for a long time and I didn't even know this place existed."

Cannon added, "I help other groups and take them around and get involve with them. Sometimes I help my boss build curriculum."

Image courtesy of WAND-TV

Cannon wanted to pursue the internship at MRI because he has a brother with autism. He has helped with Special Olympics in the past and has been the head football coach for a local team.

Ryan Raleigh, manager of Day Vocational Services at MRI says, "Cody has been great, because we've been in the process of redoing all of our old curriculum here for our vocational and life skills program. So, I've been able to pull him in and have him help."

Cannon noted that summer internships are a great way to get first-hand experience for a future career.

"You never know if you are going into education or something what you really want to do until you get out into the field," said Cannon. "If you don't do an internship during your summer break then you get into the job after graduation and you may not enjoy it. Luckily, I enjoy what I'm doing right now and this is what I want to do when I graduate."

Interim Dean looking forward to continued growth and success

Dr. Pam Lindsey, associate professor and director of the School of Nursing at Millikin University, has been named the interim dean of the College of Professional Studies (CPS), effective Aug. 1, 2019. Dr. Lindsey succeeds Dr. Deborah Slayton, who served as dean of the College of Professional Studies from 2010 until her retirement on July 31, 2019.

Dr. Lindsey joined Millikin University in August 2010 when she was appointed as an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. In 2014, she was promoted to associate professor and was awarded tenure. She has served as the director of the School of Nursing since June 2014.

A registered nurse, scholar, practitioner and teacher with expertise in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Dr. Lindsey has received a variety fellowships and awards including: the Claire M. Fagin Fellowship (2007-2009), a highly competitive two-year fellowship which is awarded to select nursing educators by the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) program; the Illinois Board of Higher Education Nurse Faculty Fellowship (2010) and the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing Leadership for Academic Nursing Program (2014). She has published manuscripts in a variety of professional nursing journals and has presented extensively at local, regional, national and international professional conferences.

"Millikin University is doubly fortunate to have had a leader of the dedication and caliber of Deb Slayton followed by another talented and devoted leader for the College of Professional Studies in Pam Lindsey," said Millikin Provost Dr. Jeff Aper. "CPS faculty, students and staff all look forward to working with her to continue to advance the growth and success of the College, and she has already proven to be a wonderful addition to the regular meetings I have with the academic Deans."

Dr. Lindsey has over 23 years of higher education experience in both teaching and administration. Prior to coming to Millikin University, she served as a faculty member at Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing for 10 years. During that period, she served in an administrative role for seven years as the College of Nursing Undergraduate program director. Her pedagogical experience in nursing education has involved traditional undergraduates, accelerated second-degree students, graduate students and doctoral students. The majority of her teaching has focused in her clinical specialty area of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. She has extensive experience in mentoring faculty, curriculum development, program assessment and accreditation.

"It is an honor and privilege to serve as the interim dean of the College of Professional Studies," said Dr. Lindsey. "As director of the School of Nursing the past five years, I was fortunate to work under the tutelage of Dr. Deborah Slayton. She provided excellent leadership and countless contributions to the University and the College of Professional Studies. It is humbling to follow in her footsteps. I am blessed with a strong leadership team in CPS and look forward to the coming year with excitement and great anticipation of what we can accomplish to further the mission and vision of Millikin University."

Under her Dr. Lindsey's leadership as director the School of Nursing at Millikin, the School of Nursing launched its Doctor of Nursing Practice program, including the recent addition of the Family Nurse Practitioner option; accomplished two successful accreditation visits from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing; made the transition of the RN-BSN program to an online format; developed a dual admission option in partnership with Richland Community College and accomplished the ongoing facilitation of a collaborative partnership with the Decatur Memorial Hospital Nurse Anesthesia Program.

"I am blessed with a strong leadership team in CPS and look forward to the coming year with excitement and great anticipation of what we can accomplish to further the mission and vision of Millikin University."

Dr. Lindsey holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from Illinois State University, a Diploma in Nursing from Mennonite School of Nursing, a Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Doctor of Nursing Science from Rush University.

A national search to permanently fill the position of Dean of the College of Professional Studies will launch in fall 2019.

Millikin recognized for academic excellence

Millikin University is one of the 159 best colleges in the Midwest according to The Princeton Review. The education services company lists Millikin University in the "Best in the Midwest" section of its "2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region" website feature posted on Aug. 6, 2019 at princetonreview.com/bestMWcolleges.

The website feature salutes a total of 656 colleges that The Princeton Review recommends over five regions: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and International. The colleges that made the "Best in the Midwest" list are located in 12 Midwestern states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

"Once again this year The Princeton Review has recognized Millikin University for excellence. As always, this is particularly notable because student feedback is such an important part in the review process," said Millikin Provost Dr. Jeff Aper. "What's remarkable is that Millikin faculty and staff consistently offer a very diverse community of students outstanding opportunities to learn that interconnect traditional instruction, applied learning in professional settings and an entrepreneurial mindset that guides students in becoming informed, prepared, adaptable problem solvers when they move on from the university into the larger world."

"We call this Performance Learning, and it reaches students in both the formal curriculum and the co-curriculum."

The Princeton Review editors made their selections based on data the company collected from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, as well as its staff visits to schools over the years, and the perspectives of college counselors and advisers whose opinions the company solicits.

"We chose Millikin University and the other outstanding institutions on this list primarily for their academics," said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review's editor-in-chief. "We also consider what students enrolled at the schools reported to us on our student survey about their campus experiences."

The Princeton Review survey asks students to rate their colleges on dozens of issues and to answer questions about themselves, their fellow students and their campus life. Comments from surveyed students are quoted in the school profiles on The Princeton Review website.

Dr. Aper added, "Performance Learning grows from the philosophy and commitments of Millikin's faculty and staff who want to give every student the chance to learn what it really takes to do the work of the field they are studying. Whether the setting is a classroom, laboratory, studio, concert hall, gallery, stage, business or government office, Millikin students engage in real work that links together the best of contemporary knowledge, theory, practice, values and an orientation to effective action. When students from all walks of life come together to join in this kind of dedicated, intentional and forward-looking community, a lot of great things happen. The researchers at Princeton Review had that affirmed again by the best sources possible – Millikin students."

Some student comments from Millikin University's Princeton Review profile say, "Millikin is a 'small campus with a big campus vibe' thanks to a department-wide Performance Learning approach that gives you firsthand knowledge and experience that is absolutely vital in preparing for your future. Students can choose from a long list of areas of study, including 'excellent music and business programs' along with beloved nursing, theatre and education departments. These hands-on opportunities allow students to decide quickly if the major they are in is the right fit for them."

Additional comments noted that Millikin students are "cultured, diverse and friendly. Individually, they come from all walks of life and hold a wide range of personalities, majors and attributes that make them all unique. Not only does this lead to an encouraging environment for learning and creating, it also makes it very easy to form meaningful relationships because attendees are extremely open-minded."

The Princeton Review school profiles include ratings in three categories from "Admissions Selectivity" to "Green." The ratings are scores from 60 to 99 that the company tallies primarily from institutional data. Collectively, the 656 colleges on The Princeton Review's "regional best" lists for 2020 constitute about 22 percent of the nation's 3,000 four-year colleges.

Millikin University

Millikin University is a private, comprehensive university with a diverse student population of approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. A Millikin education features Performance Learning, a unique learning approach offered only at Millikin that gives students the chance to build the confidence and skills to succeed before and after graduation. Millikin offers more than 50 majors in the College of Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional Studies and Tabor School of Business, and is located on a 75-acre residential campus in Decatur, Ill. Last year, 98 percent of Millikin graduates gained employment or continued their education within six months of graduation.

Millikin University faculty members earn significant achievements

Millikin University President Dr. Patrick E. White announced the following decisions regarding faculty promotion and tenure which took effect Aug. 1, 2019. Congratulations to the following Millikin faculty members on their significant achievements.

Tenure Decisions

The Millikin Board of Trustees approved the recommendation that tenure be awarded to the following individuals:

Professor Matt Albrecht, assistant professor of theatre and dance

Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, assistant professor of nursing

Dr. Tim Guasco, assistant professor of chemistry

Dr. Scott Lambert, assistant professor of English

Dr. Denice Love, assistant professor of education

Dr. Silvan Negrutiu, assistant professor of music

Dr. Melissa Scircle, assistant professor of psychology

Dr. John Storsved, chair of exercise science and sport, and director of athletic training

Professor Sara Theis, assistant professor of theatre and dance

Faculty Promotions

Professor Matt Albrecht to associate professor of theatre and dance

Dr. Elizabeth Gephart to associate professor of nursing

Dr. Tim Guasco to associate professor of chemistry

Professor Jana Henry Funderburk to professor of theatre and dance

Dr. Tim Kovalcik to professor of history and political science

Dr. Scott Lambert to associate professor of English

Dr. Denice Love to associate professor of education

Professor Alex Miller to professor of theatre and dance

Dr. Silvan Negrutiu to associate professor of music

Dr. Melissa Scircle to associate professor of psychology

Professor Sara Theis to associate professor of theatre and dance

Faculty Sabbaticals 2019-20

Fall Semester 2019

Dr. Tom Robson, associate professor of theatre and dance

Spring Semester 2020

Dr. Laura Dean, assistant professor of history and political science

First-year students get early access to realities of college

When new students can prepare for the realities of college before the start of classes, it helps make the transition from high school easier. The EDGE program at Millikin University has played a huge role in making the transition seamless for hundreds of students thanks to the work of faculty, staff and EDGE mentors.

The EDGE program, which stands for Excellence Developed through Growth and Experience, offers a unique opportunity for select freshmen to get a jump-start on their first year by taking an intensive course that helps them adjust to the academic demands of college, connect with faculty and build a strong support system. Students selected for this year's program were on campus Aug. 4-9 prior to New Student Welcome Week.

Another benefit of the program is the opportunity for the incoming students to work hand-in-hand with EDGE mentors who help first-year students get acclimated to college-level material and the Millikin campus community. This year, Millikin University has 13 EDGE mentors – all of who were EDGE students before transitioning to their roles as mentors.   

"This is the first group of mentors, during my time at Millikin, who were all previously in the program," said Carrie Pierson, senior director for the Center of Academic and Professional Performance (CAPP) at Millikin. "I think it's a great step to see what the program did for them, they want to pay it forward."

This year's group of EDGE Mentors range from sophomores to seniors. Their responsibilities include helping first-years students develop good study habits as well as learning time management.

"My main worries were being away from home, because I'd never been so far away from home and my family," said Syd White, a sophomore EDGE mentor from Downer's Grove, Ill. "Once I got here, I got all my nerves out and realized that college isn't as hard as other people make it seem."

White's EDGE mentor was Eva Anthony, a junior computer engineering major. "Eva always made sure during study tables that we ask questions and she helped us understand what we needed for classes. We also lived on the same floor, so if I needed anything she would be the first person to go to," said White.

"I was really inspired by my mentor," said Anthony, from Carbondale, Ill., who is in her second year as a mentor. "They helped me a lot during freshmen year. I've always had an interest in helping people and because I had such a great experience last year it made sense to be a mentor again this year."

The EDGE program teaches first-year students the best ways to achieve academic and personal success not only through classes, but through breakout group sessions led by Millikin faculty. Students are introduced to subjects such as critical thinking, reading strategies, math, science, professional communication, technology and research strategies.

Millikin Adjunct Instructor Nikki Garry'03, founder and owner of Your Money Matters LLC, once again returned to Millikin's campus to host a life skills workshop titled "Your Money Matters." Through her company, Garry offers financial coaching through one-on-one sessions and financial literacy seminars. Garry addressed the EDGE students during a presentation in Albert Taylor Theatre and expressed the importance of budgeting while in enrolled at Millikin.

"What happens when you don't assign money to a category? It could be spent on anything," said Garry. "The little things that we spend money every day can add up."

The EDGE program is divided into three parts. Part one involves the one-credit course prior to New Student Welcome Week. EDGE students are able to move into residence halls early and have meetings with CAPP staff. Part two is a one-credit fall semester course that involves continued academic support and activities with faculty, EDGE mentors and CAPP staff. Part three, a lot like part two, is a one-credit spring semester course that involves continued academic support and activities.

During the fall semester, the incoming students also take part in an advising workshop to learn what courses they need to take and attend study tables twice a week.

Hailey Stokes, a senior graphic design and biology double major from Huntley, Ill., is in her third year as a mentor and says it's important for new students not to get overloaded with work and activities during the year.

"Once the students get comfortable, there are so many things they can do on campus and then they become overworked," said Stokes. "You can do everything, just not at once. When I came to Millikin, I really felt like the EDGE mentors were here to help, and I was really successful during the EDGE program. I knew right away that I wanted to be a mentor."

Senior Morgan Timmons of Assumption, Ill., checks on students often to make sure they are keeping up with their academic work.

"The mentors are the first people freshmen meet on campus and in many ways, the mentors represent Millikin to freshmen. They introduce them to life on campus and they can make it a good experience," said Timmons.

Big Blue begins search for a new President

In February 2019, Millikin University President Dr. Patrick E. White announced plans to retire effective June 30, 2020. Dr. White was elected the 15th president of Millikin University in October 2013. Under the leadership of President White and with the creative collaboration of all of Millikin, the University has made significant progress on many fronts.

In addition to building on its strong tradition of academic excellence and commitment to Performance Learning, Millikin University also completed the Transform MU capital campaign and has continued to mark strong fundraising with record annual fund contributions and growth in endowed scholarships.

The institution has worked to stabilize enrollments and has achieved growth in net tuition revenue and student diversity. The University has changed the face of campus through facilities that serve students and the community in new and exciting ways. Millikin has also risen in the national higher education rankings and earned notice in a number of rankings of specific programs, and so much more.

Consequently, Millikin University's next president will have much to build on and significant forward momentum.

In a recent op-ed from the Herald & Review editorial board, the publication offered thoughts on how this search process will be "an important moment for the school – as well as for Decatur (Ill.)."

"Millikin University is showing how a search for a new leader should be conducted," the Herald & Review writes. "Input is being collected from the Millikin community and the public about what qualities people would like in the to-be-hired 16th president."

President White shepherded the private institution through a period of remarkable growth since he came in 2013.

"The campus had added the University Commons, among many other projects, and the Center for Theatre and Dance is rising," the Herald & Review writes. "The Workman Family Softball Field is an eye-catching addition, as will the Workman Family Baseball Field be. The Transform MU capital campaign has brought in a new era for the school. The athletics program has grown. And they continue to be committed to academic excellence."

Randell Blackburn '74, chair of the Millikin University Board of Trustees, noted, "At the same time, as a tuition-dependent institution in a competitive environment, we face continuing and significant challenges. With the right leadership, however, Millikin's momentum can be increased and its potential more fully realized. We hope that this search process will help bring the Millikin community together in support of our next president."

"We take special interest in who gets hired because Millikin is a crucial part of the Decatur community," the Herald & Review writes. "It's an employer, an economic generator and a source of creativity where new ideas and solutions bubble up. Students and staff come and stay. There is forward momentum that needs to continue."

The Millikin Board of Trustees has authorized a Presidential Search Committee and has launched a national search for Dr. White's successor. The search committee will be holding listening sessions in September to develop a collective sense of the kind of leader the University seeks.

Blue Review All Access: Long-Vanderburg Scholar on pace to become international physician

It's a Friday morning in the University Commons at Millikin University as Rubi Rodriguez enters the building after taking an exam in the Leighty-Tabor Science Center – a spot she's grown accustomed to as a senior pre-med biology major. You could say Rodriguez has found her "place" in the Biology Department, as well as with a variety of programs at Millikin University.

Rodriguez is a Long-Vanderburg (LV) Scholar, but it doesn't stop there. She is a Long-Vanderburg Mentor, Leighty Science Scholar, a member of the Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) National Biological Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Honor Society, the secretary of TriBeta, and the president of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO).

The Long-Vanderburg Scholars program was founded in the name of Millikin's first two African-American graduates, Fred Long and Marian Vanderburg. It is a signature program for underrepresented students who are interested in having foundational conversations about social justice, diversity and inclusion. It's being an LV Scholar that has helped Rodriguez find her identity.

"I'm finding my own sense of leadership and ways to not only help myself in general ways of life, but also help others advance by being an LV Mentor – I can help others find those identities and either come to terms with them or accept them," she says. "All of your different identities make up who you are."

Tonya Hines, assistant director of inclusion and student engagement at Millikin, says experiences from the LV program have helped Rodriquez grow in confidence. "Her involvement in many programs has contributed to her growth. She's using all of her experiences in class and working closely with me behind-the-scenes to see the work we do with the different LV students, and using those skills as a mentor. She is feeling liberated and free to be who she's wanted to be."

Born in Mexico, Rodriguez grew up in Wauconda, Ill., after moving there when she was six years old. She chose Millikin for its heavy concentration in pre-professional studies with hands-on practices to prepare for medical school, including preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

As a Leighty Science Scholar, Rodriguez is part of an elite group of Millikin science students who have the opportunity to do graduate-level research. Rodriguez took advantage of this opportunity by engaging in a research project at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rodriguez's work focuses on genomic research, which involves the sequencing of fungal genomes. Her research is contributing to an ongoing study through the National Institute of Health (NIH).

"It's a hot topic because by looking at the genomes, we'll be able to see what distinguishes them in their characteristics, and in doing so, that could be the foundation for further research down the line at either our lab or other labs," said Rodriguez. "It's an opportunity for the scientific community to find anti-fungal medications or targets that may be most prominent to those fungal species."

Because of Millikin's emphasis on Performance Learning, students at Millikin are able to get out into the field and gain experience right away – something Rodriguez says is incredibly important especially in the area of science. "You're able to see what branches you like. For instance, if I realized I didn't like medicine I might like research better because I've had the opportunity and because of the genuine interactions I've had with the professors," she said.

Rodriguez added, "Being such a small school and having a focus on Performance Learning gives students the ability to learn what we like. It allows us to find our passion."     

After graduation, Rodriguez plans to pursue medical school to become an international physician through programs such as Doctors Without Borders, an organization that provides lifesaving medical humanitarian care to people in need around the world. The LV program also played an integral part of this decision because of the opportunities she was given to travel broad and interact with other cultures.

Recently, Rodriguez went to Peru for medical volunteering through a program called Foundation for International Medial Relief of Children (FIMRC).

"We did a lot of community outreach, and through that, I was able to realize that this is what I want do – this is the type of interaction I want to pursue and these are the type of people I want to have that genuine exchange with," said Rodriguez. "I want to give them access to the health care they deserve."

For international medicine, there are several branches. Licensed physicians can work on their own or they could work with volunteers and organizations like Doctors Without Borders. It's up in the air as to whether Rodriguez wants to do international medicine long term, but at the moment, she's looking at all the possible branches.

"Whether it's Doctors Without Borders, volunteer methods or non-profit organizations, I can still contribute positively," she said. "After having the exposure abroad, I do think practicing medicine internationally and providing that aid is what I was meant to do."

Millikin recognized for championing the 'practical' and 'classical' approaches to learning

Millikin University has been named to the list of "America's Top Colleges" by Forbes. Millikin is one of 25 colleges from Illinois to make Forbes' 12th annual national ranking of 650 institutions. Since 2009, Millikin has been included in this distinguished list.

Forbes' 2019 "Top Colleges in America" ranking is prepared exclusively with research from the federal College Scorecard, PayScale, as well as results from Niche surveys on professor quality and data, and freshman retention rates from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) website.

"It's exciting that Forbes continues to recognize Millikin among the best colleges and universities in the country," said Millikin President Dr. Patrick E. White. "This recognition as a top college in the U.S. reinforces the importance and the value of Performance Learning as an approach to outstanding student learning and development. Our commitment to Performance Learning for all students, through which every student is challenged and supported to learn and do, to act and perform in a way that builds confidence, competence and success continues to place MU in this elite company."

The rankings are based on five general categories: Alumni Salary (20 percent), a combination of early and midcareer salaries; Student Satisfaction (20 percent); Debt (20 percent), which rewards schools for low student debt loads and default rates; American Leaders (15 percent), which is based on Forbes' database of successful people, including billionaires, powerful women, 30 Under 30 honorees, leaders in public service and in private enterprise, and more; On-Time Graduation Rate (12.5 percent), which accounts for both four and six-year rates; and Academic Success (12.5 percent), which rewards schools whose alumni win prestigious scholarships and fellowships.

According to Forbes, "When it comes to the question everyone seems to be asking, 'Is college worth it?' we emphatically say yes. That's the mission of this college ranking, our annual review of the undergraduate institutions that deliver the top academics, best experiences, career success and lowest debt. Whether a school is in the Top 10 or near the bottom of the list, these 650 count as the best in the country. We include just 15 percent of the 4,300 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the U.S., so appearing here at all is an indication that a school meets a high standard."

In Forbes' online profile of Millikin University, the publication writes, "For more than 100 years, Millikin University has stayed true to its mission of championing the 'practical' and 'classical' approaches to learning. The College of Arts and Sciences is the most popular among Millikin's four colleges, with 30 percent of undergraduates enrolled. The Tabor School of Business gives students the opportunity to participate in student-run ventures, small-business consulting teams and internships, or manage the university's $250,000 investment fund. Millikin offers a variety of scholarships to students, and about 99 percent of students receive over $39 million in financial aid annually. With five fraternities and six sororities, Greek organizations provide housing for nearly 25 percent of students."

"Whether a school is in the Top 10 or near the bottom of the list, these 650 count as the best in the country."

For more information about Forbes' "Top Colleges in America" ranking and for the full list, visit forbes.com/top-colleges.

Millikin University

Millikin University is a private, comprehensive university with a diverse student population of approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. A Millikin education features Performance Learning, a unique learning approach offered only at Millikin that gives students the chance to build the confidence and skills to succeed before and after graduation. Millikin offers more than 50 majors in the College of Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional Studies and Tabor School of Business, and is located on a 75-acre residential campus in Decatur, Ill. Last year, 98 percent of Millikin graduates gained employment or continued their education within six months of graduation.

Millikin first-year students find a friend waiting through mentoring program

Millikin University's New Student Welcome Week experience prepares first-year students for what is expected in the college environment and how to best engage in the Millikin community to ensure success. A big part of that success comes from the guidance of First-Year Experience Mentors.

First-Year Experience Mentors (FYEMs) are sophomore, junior, or senior students who have a desire to aid new students in the transition from their previous school to Millikin. They are trained in developmental conversations, student success topic presentations and mediation, and help guide incoming students through their introduction to college.

"It's essentially what we like to call their 'first friend on campus,'" Megan Carey said in an interview with the Herald & Review. A senior from Morris, Ill., Carey has served as a FYEM for three years. "They get to sit in with first-year students in their freshman seminar class to help them get acclimated to, not only college life, but academic life, too, and it's a great networking opportunity with resident assistants. We like to think of it as a first friend, but also as a mentor on campus."

FYEMs meet with their group of students, which can range from five to 20 first-years, on move-in day. They help them unload their car and get their belongings into their dorm room, and they meet with them for a social event the first evening.

During New Student Welcome Week, first-year students have an opportunity to experience what Millikin has to offer before classes begin. They also learn about student organizations, studying abroad, internships, student media, intramurals and recreation, community service and many more programs and services that support academic goals, personal development, holistic well-being and life pursuits.

"Once you're someone's FYEM, you're always someone's FYEM, and that's something we cherish," Carey said.

When it comes to working with students who are homesick, Riley McDorman, a senior from Lisle, Ill., encourages them to engage in programs such as Greek Life and to see Millikin as a second home.

"I'll encourage them to go through Greek life, fraternities and sororities, or find different clubs on campus," said McDorman. "With student-athletes, their team is their second family, so they're not homesick as much as other students are."

Molly Berry, director of the Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement, oversees the First-Year Experience Mentors.

"The upper-class students are selected to be role models and mentors for students transitioning into Millikin," Berry said. "Usually the students come to me and want to be a mentor because they had a great experience with their own mentor. They come to campus two weeks before classes start to spend a week in training and to be here for Welcome Week."

Berry added, "The nice thing about FYEMs is, they kind of breed their own. When I hire and make decisions in the spring, and they do all of the good work they do, the students in their sections see them and think, 'I want to do that.' So when it comes to hiring season in February, they say 'I want to be a FYEM because I had a great FYEM.'"

Top 5 Essentials for Living in a Residence Hall

The energy and buzz around Millikin University is back as students have returned to campus for the start of the fall 2019 semester. First-year students got the early jump with Move-In Day and the start of New Student Welcome Week. Members of the Class of 2023 moved into residence halls on Monday, Aug. 20 and Tuesday, Aug. 21 as upperclassmen helped the new residents get settled in.

"I think it's so important to come in and have a good attitude," Diana Juárez said in an interview with the Herald & Review. Juárez, of Chicago, is a senior resident assistant and theatre major. "You know, take the time to just really settle and make your place your home, because it's going to be your home for the whole year."

All part of the Welcome Week experience, first-year students have the chance to experience life on campus before classes start and have social opportunities with peers and faculty. Students get to learn about all things Millikin, from student organizations to community service.

During Monday's move-in, sophomore biology major Katie Curtis, of Pekin, Ill., said helper students "were working to have incoming freshmen and parents carry as little as possible so they could enjoy the atmosphere and mingle with other students."

Curtis added, "I lived in this residence hall last year and the student that was moving into my room told me he was living in that room," she said. "He even gave me a cookie and said how excited he was to be living in my old room."

New Student Welcome Week will cap with a number of events including Day of Action on Friday, Aug. 23, which is Millikin's opportunity to give back to the local community by sending students into the neighborhoods for service opportunities; and Opening Convocation on Sunday, Aug. 25 in Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

As new students get adjusted to their places of living, we decided to catch up with Millikin student Aubrey Staton, a sophomore arts technology major from El Paso, Ill., and a resident assistant at Dolson Hall, to get her thoughts on the top five essentials for living in a residence hall. From creative storage space to Big Blue gear, here's what Staton had to say.   

Items that remind you of home

It's perfectly normal to feel homesick when you first arrive at college. Almost every student experiences this feeling in different ways. One of the best ways to combat this is to bring items that remind you of home to your residence hall. A few ideas are: your favorite blanket; a picture of you and your family; a trinket that you bought during your favorite family vacation; or one of your family member's oversized sweatshirt. There are a multitude of items that can remind you of home, so whichever item feels like home to you should be brought to your residence hall. Don't forget, you are not alone! Feeling homesick is part of adapting to the college culture, your resident assistants (RAs) are there to help you every step of the way.

Keurig

It's no secret that college students run on coffee! Caffeine can help balance the many facets of your new college life. Keeping your personal Keurig in your residence room ensures that you will have access to your favorite cup of Joe, tea or hot chocolate at any time. Bonus! These small devices can easily fit within the dimensions of your residence rooms. So what are you waiting for? Fuel up!

Bed risers/under the bed storage/creative storage options

We know it can be tough to try and fit your entire life into a shared residence room, which is why utilizing bed risers is the perfect solution to fit more in your room while staying organized. You will be amazed at how much more room this gives you and your roommates.

Shower Caddy

Keeping your shower items organized and in one place will save you major time and strife when it comes to heading to the shower. Using a shower caddy is the easiest (and cheapest) way to ensure that all of your items remain in one place and can be easily transported from your room to the showers.

Big Blue Items

The number one way to succeed in your freshman year? Show your Big Blue pride! Here at Millikin, we are all about supporting one another, from football to volleyball, to all of the plays and musicals. Wearing your new Big Blue gear will ensure that your school spirit shines through at every Millikin event. We can't wait to see you there!  

From finding creative storage space to Big Blue gear

It's always an exciting time when new students and upperclassmen return to campus for the start of a new academic year, and it's no different at Millikin University. Members of the Class of 2023 moved into residence halls on Monday, Aug. 20 and Tuesday, Aug. 21 as upperclassmen helped the new residents get settled in.

As new students get adjusted to their places of living, we decided to catch up with Millikin student Aubrey Staton, a sophomore arts technology major from El Paso, Ill., and a resident assistant at Dolson Hall, to get her thoughts on the top five essentials for living in a residence hall.

From finding creative storage space to Big Blue gear, here's what Staton had to say.

1. Items that remind you of home

It's perfectly normal to feel homesick when you first arrive at college. Almost every student experiences this feeling in different ways. One of the best ways to combat this is to bring items that remind you of home to your residence hall. A few ideas are: your favorite blanket; a picture of you and your family; a trinket that you bought during your favorite family vacation; or one of your family member's oversized sweatshirt. There are a multitude of items that can remind you of home, so whichever item feels like home to you should be brought to your residence hall. Don't forget, you are not alone! Feeling homesick is part of adapting to the college culture, your resident assistants (RAs) are there to help you every step of the way.

2. Keurig

It's no secret that college students run on coffee! Caffeine can help balance the many facets of your new college life. Keeping your personal Keurig in your residence room ensures that you will have access to your favorite cup of Joe, tea or hot chocolate at any time. Bonus! These small devices can easily fit within the dimensions of your residence rooms. So what are you waiting for? Fuel up!

3. Bed risers/under the bed storage/creative storage options

We know it can be tough to try and fit your entire life into a shared residence room, which is why utilizing bed risers is the perfect solution to fit more in your room while staying organized. You will be amazed at how much more room this gives you and your roommates.

4. Shower Caddy

Keeping your shower items organized and in one place will save you major time and strife when it comes to heading to the shower. Using a shower caddy is the easiest (and cheapest) way to ensure that all of your items remain in one place and can be easily transported from your room to the showers.

5. Big Blue Items

The number one way to succeed in your freshman year? Show your Big Blue pride! Here at Millikin, we are all about supporting one another, from football to volleyball, to all of the plays and musicals. Wearing your new Big Blue gear will ensure that your school spirit shines through at every Millikin event. We can't wait to see you there!  

Martin Atkins' latest project puts students on a real live rock tour

When it comes to learning about the music industry and touring, sometimes there is no better teacher than the road, and for Millikin University faculty member Martin Atkins, he's taking this approach and developing it into his boldest project yet.

As an educator, it's no secret that Martin Atkins enjoys incorporating his experiences into his teachings at Millikin as coordinator of music business. But this fall, he will be taking things a step further with an immersion course called Tour:Smart Bus Edition where students get to join a real live rock tour.

Designed by Atkins and inspired by his best-selling book, "Tour:Smart," Bus Edition embeds students on a U.S. concert tour for four to five shows throughout the country. Students can learn tour management in real-time with real people, with real outcomes. As Atkins says, "the tour is the classroom," where students learn, live and work on the tour bus, behind the stage, in the green room, on the road and at the merchandise booth.

"The very first thing I did when I first started teaching 16 years ago is that I had my class at Columbia College (Chicago) come out to one of my shows and witness everything," said Atkins. "Ever since then I've been trying to collapse the gap between the classroom and the real world experience, and with this being my tour, with my band, on my label…we felt that this would be a winning combination."

The course takes students on the road with Atkins' band Pigface for five days of non-stop learning. Pigface, an "industrial supergroup" with a constantly changing lineup, is touring for the first time in 14 years. The two-bus club tour will stop at 18 cities in November 2019 and students can join one of the four legs of the tour.

"Think of it as a study abroad, but instead of living in another country, you're on a tour, working and learning with the band Pigface," said Atkins.

Pigface was formed by Atkins in the 1990s. The group was designed to be different from the usual establishment rock band. Atkins and fellow musician William Rieflin decided to make the band's roster work on a rotating basis meaning that Pigface would collaborate with who was available at a given time without committing them to focus solely on the project. This upcoming tour will feature collaborators Scottish singer-songwriter Lesley Rankine of the band Ruby, and folk singer and violinist Gaelynn Lea.

While on tour with Pigface, students will have the opportunity to spend one day in each hub such as tour management, production, merchandise, tickets and VIP experience. Each hub will have curated workshops to help students build foundational skills as well as opportunities to work alongside seasoned touring professionals. After each show, there will be a reflective period when students can share observations in a group setting, ask questions and unpack complex issues.

"We will have a crew of people on my tour who will run hour-long classes at the sound booth, merch booth, VIP ticketing, on stage or for any aspect of the tour that students want to learn about," said Atkins. "We are also working on the pre-experience part to help students find what they need before the start of the tour."

According to Atkins, the class already has 93 people waitlisted. "It's an opportunity for students to network with the next wave of people who are going to be doing this. That's how the music business works – it's who you know, who can you call. It's an instant network with a common experience," he said.

The first leg of the tour begins Nov. 12 in Chicago with pre-production and dress rehearsal. The tour will include stops in New York, Dallas, Austin and Atlanta. The last show of the tour is scheduled for Dec. 1.

All participants will undergo an interview process with Tour:Smart and will enroll at Millikin University as a transient student for the fall 2019 semester. The experience is offered as a three-credit hour course through Millikin University's Music Business program.

"While you're on the road, it's 24 hours a day, and it's that mindset that's going to change students' attitude in terms of their learning experience in the classroom," said Atkins. "As an educator, this is very exciting."

Atkins has been at the center of the music business for more than 40 years with his career spanning across many genres, borders and industries.

A member of Public Image Ltd. (PiL), a band formed nearly 40 years ago by Sex Pistols front man Johnny Rotten, Atkins also founded The Damage Manual and Murder Inc. After touring the world with PiL and contributing to several more studio albums, Atkins left Public Image Ltd. in 1985. Over the next five years, he played with and managed Killing Joke and toured with Ministry. He also worked with Nine Inch Nails, performing on the Grammy Award-winning "Wish" and appearing in the "Head like a Hole" video.

Atkins began working on the business side of music in 1988 when he formed Invisible Records and then Mattress Factory Studios in 1996. Over two decades Invisible Records released over 350 albums.

In 2007, Atkins authored the book "Tour:Smart," a comprehensive guide that addresses the nitty-gritty of touring with instructions on how to secure venues and publicity, how to stay healthy on the road, and how to keep within a budget.

"Once you launch an idea like this I'm immediately looking for the next level of what else we could do," said Atkins. "For some students, they might see their future role when taking part in this course. I feel that this course sets the Millikin music industry program apart because nobody else is doing this."

First-year students finish Welcome Week giving back to the community

Sophomore Holly Bender is a First-Year Experience Mentor at Millikin University and she understands the importance of New Student Welcome Week, especially Day of Action, when Millikin gives back to the local community by sending new students into the neighborhoods for service opportunities.

"It's amazing to be on the other side of this experience because I had such a great time with my first week," said Bender, a musical theatre major with a dance minor from Algonquin, Ill. "Being a first-year mentor is considered being a first friend and I do believe I've become friends with these students. They have so much to give because they're so excited to be on campus."

Bender, along with 29 other students, spent their morning on Friday, Aug. 23 at Old Kings Orchard Community Center in Decatur, Ill., where they cleaned and organized items, and took part in landscaping duties.

Known as the United Way Day of Action, over 500 Millikin students performed services at more than 20 locations in Decatur including: Dennis Lab School, Central Christian Church, the James Millikin Homestead, Good Samaritan Inn, Homework Hangout and Salvation Army.

"Our team split into different groups where some organized items in the gym; we had people working in the food pantry getting rid of things that are old; and we had people working out in the garden," said Bender.

Bender says the first week experience is all about connections. "With Welcome Week and Day of Action, I hope the new students made connections because those are fantastic ways to get plugged in on campus and get involved," she said.

"I'm still great friends with the people I did Day of Action with last year and it's because we had this opportunity to go out and work on something together, and be a part of something bigger than ourselves."

Elsewhere, more than 20 students were at the Decatur Family YMCA working with children in the child care and preschool center, painting picnic tables and book boxes as well as cleaning up around the outside of the facility and moving mulch.

"It's my element," said Madeleine Erdmann, a sophomore early childhood education major from Chicago. Erdmann, also a First-Year Experience Mentor, was among a handful of Millikin students working with the children in the preschool center.

"It's important for the new students to go out and see the different opportunities in the community," said Erdmann, who aspires to become a teacher. "It's exciting to see how these kids interact with teachers and with one another. I tell my friends that 'teaching is my calling.'"

First-year student Darcy Reimler, from La Crosse, Wis., chose to attend Millikin for musical theatre but was also intrigued by Millikin's early childhood education options. "This is a great opportunity to get immersed in the Decatur culture especially since I'm not from here," she said. "I think Millikin is a tight-knit community and these volunteer experiences create good habits, and they help us grow as students."    

At Dennis Lab School, students worked outside raking and cleaning up the grounds. Several of the students who worked there are members of the soccer team including first-year student Jordan Cizek who says "working together helped bond them into a unit."

In an interview with the Herald & Review, first-year student Seth Goodman, of Edwardsville, Ill., said, "We're getting a little lay of the land of Decatur because a lot of us are not from here. We're learning about places surrounding our campus and getting involved with the community."