Diversity and Inclusion Archives - 91��

Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship Returns to 91�� for Second Year

abeckner — Sun, 10 May 2026 15:49:38 +0000

A weeklong intensive series of workshops that will bring students from universities across the United States to study and practice the principles of civility, public service and human rights returns to 91�� beginning on Monday, May 11.��

��This marks the second year of the Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship at 91��. The program has been named after, and endorsed by, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young as a reminder that participants embody the character, service and legacy of its distinguished namesake. Young, who has earned worldwide recognition as a champion of civil and human rights, helped ensure passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and later served as a member of the United States Congress, ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta and as an ordained minister.��

“Our Ambassador Young Fellows are standing on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King and Ambassador Young, and I believe they will emerge as leaders in their own right, helping to stem the rising tide of violence in our nation and world,” said 91�� Distinguished Professor of Law, Human Rights and International Affairs at 91��.  ��

Dr. Daniels launched the Fellowship with Anthony Jones, former chair of the HBCU Committee of the College Board. Twenty-seven students from 13 institutions across the country and from 91�� will participate.��

“Our   seeks to train a new generation in the unifying and timeless principles of America’s founding as expressed in the work of Dr. King,” Dr. Daniels said. “Approximately half of these students come from historically black colleges and universities, and the rest come from a wide array of other educational institutions from across the country. ��

“Dr. King’s unifying principles—rooted in the transcendent ideals of our nation’s founding—offer an educational antidote to the rising tide of division, conflict and violence in our world,” he said. ��

 Dr. Daniels and 91�� President Evans P. Whitaker two years ago met with Ambassador Young in a discussion about the ways in which Christian colleges in general—and AU in particular—can develop educational programs that aim to decrease societal division, political polarization and inter-personal violence.��

“At this critical hour in our nation’s history when polarization is at an all-time high, it is a must that we focus our energies on salvaging some salvation for our future through the lives of dedicated young people to the unifying truths Dr. King espoused. I’m grateful for Ambassador Young’s continued support in this important endeavor,” said Anthony Jones, former chair of the College Board HBCU Conference.��

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Booker T. Washington and the Bible: Noble’s Book Explores Race and Religion

Ed Welch — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:14:33 +0000

A new book by��Dr.��Redunda��Noble, visiting assistant professor of history in the 91�� College of Arts and Sciences,��explores the faith of noted African American scholar and leader Booker T. Washington and��the influence his life continues to have today.��

Dr. Noble’s��new book, Booker T.��Washington��and the Bible: How the Tuskegee Leader Shared His Faith and Envisioned a Better America,��was��released in January 2026 by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. The work examines the religious rhetoric of Washington through his influential leadership at Tuskegee Institute in the latter period of Reconstruction and into the Progressive Era along with its impact on his audiences and followers.��

Drawing on select speeches and writings of Washington,��Dr. Noble’s��book explores the religious nature of Washington’s rhetoric previously neglected by scholars and aims to contribute to ongoing scholarly conversations surrounding the comingling of race and religion in the message of racial uplift for African Americans. It employs an ideological, interdisciplinary approach centering on historical and religious themes, and is written for historians, scholars of religion and history, and general readers with an interest in the role Christian faith played in Washington’s life and work.��

Booker T. Washington and the Bible is currently available for purchase through Kendall Hunt Publishing Company and Amazon.��

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91�� to Host Inaugural Andrew Young Higher Education Initiative

Ed Welch — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:00:52 +0000

91�� is hosting the Andrew Young Higher Education Initiative, a joint initiative with Good of All that will bring together students from universities across the nation to study and practice the principles of civility, public service and human rights.

The program has been named after, and endorsed by, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young as a reminder that participants embody the character, service and legacy of its distinguished namesake. Young, who has earned worldwide recognition as a champion of civil and human rights, helped ensure passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and later served as a member of the United States Congress, ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta and as an ordained minister.

Background

The Andrew Young Higher Education Initiative is part of the Andrew Young Educational Network, which seeks to connect Christian colleges with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs.)

Its curriculum, developed by Dr. Matt Daniels, distinguished professor of law, human rights and international affairs at 91��, and Anthony Jones, chair of the HBCU Committee of the College Board, is based on Dr. King’s teachings.

Dr. Daniels and 91�� President Evans P. Whitaker last year met with Ambassador Young in a discussion about the ways in which Christian colleges in general—and AU in particular—can develop educational programs that aim to decrease societal division, political polarization and inter-personal violence.

“I’m grateful to President Whittaker and the board of 91�� for providing a home for this next phase of our higher education initiative that began with our Andrew Young HBCU Scholarship Program administered by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” Dr. Daniels said.

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MODELS Academy Students Visit AU

Ed Welch — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:08:01 +0000

On January 28, 91�� hosted 15 young men from Emerald High School and Greenwood High School who are enrolled in MODELS Academy. They toured the campus and met with various AU faculty staff and students during their visit. Tour stops included the AU Culinary Center, digital media lab, performing arts facilities, athletic facilities and various classrooms.��

From its inception, the mission of MODELS Academy has been to transform the lives of young African American men, grooming them to become role models and leaders. The visit is a part of a larger project with the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative. ��

MODELS Academy is a holistic mentoring and personal development program that addresses the social, academic, career and cultural development of African American males in grades 4-12. MODELS Academy is hosted at Piedmont Technical College and serves 40 schools in Greenwood, Laurens, Edgefield, Abbeville, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties. The goal of this project is to expose MODELS students to four-year institutions such as 91�� and to increase success rates among African American males in baccalaureate education institutions.��

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MLK Celebration Week 2025

Ed Welch — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:00:15 +0000

91�� devoted a week to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision of unity and justice January 20-24. 91�� students, faculty and staff celebrated Dr. King’s dream during MLK Celebration Week, taking place on the campus and service opportunities in the surrounding community. ��

A worship service honoring Dr. King on his birthday took place in the Henderson Auditorium of the Rainey Fine Arts Center. The keynote speaker was Dr. Matt Daniels, Distinguished University Professor of Law, Political Science, and Human Rights at 91��. Dr. Daniels founded Good of All, an international public education initiative dedicated to promoting universal human rights in the digital age.��

Dr. Daniels said, “We should look at the times in which we live and see them as an opportunity for the Kingdom we have in Dr. King’s work—gospel principles that are the antidote to the forces of division and conflict and hatred and racism. If we raise up a new generation who can shine a light for those principles, we can help to heal a divided nation, so let’s work together here at AU to start to institutionalize that vision so that it can continue after we’re gone.” ��

The AU Gospel Choir led musical worship during the service.��

That afternoon, teams of student, faculty and staff volunteers went into the community assisting AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries), Calvary Home for Children, Anderson Pregnancy Care and Linley-Park Acute Nursing Home.��

The week’s activities also included a movie night at the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center Theater featuring the film “Selma” and discussion exploring the socio-historical and spiritual dynamics of the Selma to Montgomery marches which secured voting rights for Black Americans. There was also an MLK Trivia Night at the Student Center, and at the end of the week students traveled to the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.��

On Friday, Jonathan Scott, teaching and church care pastor at Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, N.C., led a chapel service hosted by the Journey Program and Campus Ministries. ��

The events honoring Dr. King were presented by the Journey Program and Campus Ministries, in collaboration with the 91�� Office of Diversity, Community and Inclusion.��

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91�� Professor’s Curriculum Adopted by South Carolina Department of Education

Ed Welch — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:58:24 +0000

Curriculum written by an 91�� professor is part of a new initiative announced today by the South Carolina Department of Education that will provide high-quality civics education resources to South Carolina teachers and students at no cost to local districts.

Drawn from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights: A Global Perspective curriculum is authored by Dr. Matt Daniels, Distinguished Professor of Law, Human Rights, and International Affairs at 91��. Lessons on “Hope,”drawn from the curriculum, will be made available to all South Carolina high school teachers and students in the months ahead.

Today marks the anniversary of Dr. King’s landmark “I Have a Dream” speech, which was a watershed moment in the American Civil Rights movement. To commemorate the 61st anniversary of that speech, SCDE announced a new partnership with McGraw Hill and the Good of All Foundation to provide South Carolina students with access to inspirational civics instruction grounded in Dr. King’s unifying message of hope and progress through non-violence.

Commenting on the announcement, State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver shared: “It is fitting that we announce this partnership on the anniversary of one our nation’s most iconic Civil Rights speeches. With only 44 percent of South Carolina high schoolers earning a passing grade on the U.S. History End of Course exam for the 2023-24 school year, it is imperative that we renew our focus on educating students prepared to assume the privileges and responsibilities that are our shared birthright as American citizens.

South Carolina played an outsized role in our nation’s founding sin of slavery but has also been the scene of some of our nation’s greatest acts of forgiveness and racial reconciliation. By presenting this full historical picture, we respond to Dr. King’s belief that ‘With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.’”

91�� is a “more selective,” comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus and online. 91�� is the #2 private university in South Carolina, according to Niche.com, is among U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Regional Universities South,” and is on the publication’s “Most Innovative,” and “Best Online Programs” lists. Anderson is a four-time Apple Distinguished School and on the honor roll of the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For® program.

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91�� to be Higher Education Home for Worldwide Human Rights Organization

Ed Welch — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:03:30 +0000

Central to that initiative is , a timely and refreshing resource for people from all walks of life, a non-political effort to solve important societal challenges through the efforts of two organizations: Good of All and 91��. ��

The web site introduces a six-part curriculum for churches and individuals offered by Harper Collins Christian.��

Using the moral principles of the 1954–1968 Civil Rights Movement in America, Share the Dream leads people to reflect on what it means to love your neighbor; to understand what’s right and wrong and take responsibility; to appreciate and protect authentic freedom; to be fair to all persons; not to give up on the goodness of humanity; and to have optimism and hope for the future.��

Officials at both organizations have worked over the last year to make 91�� the home of Good of All, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote human dignity in America and around the world by advocating civility and respect for freedom of conscience in the digital age.” Good of All challenges voices that publicly erode civility. This fall, the affiliation becomes a reality for both organizations.��

The announcement will be celebrated at the 91�� Fall Convocation in September, marking the opening of the academic year. Dr. Matthew Daniels, founder of Good of All, will join 91�� President Evans Whitaker onstage to celebrate with 4,300-plus students, faculty, board members and visitors.��

With ideals grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, Good of All brings together people of different nationalities, religious convictions, political affiliations, races and ethnicities who are united in support of a vision for society that affirms human dignity.��In 2009, Good of All received a major grant from the Templeton Foundation for its initial development. Since then, it has engaged with academic partners on three continents and reached more than 40 million people (about twice the population of New York) online.��

To best position Good of All’s mission to thrive, Dr. Daniels and its board of directors say they sought out 91�� as its home because of its complimentary mission and uncommon campus culture of academic strength, humility and civility. The organization likewise chose AU for its commitment to educating students to embrace and live out the classical cardinal virtues of wisdom and good judgment, fairness and impartiality, courage, perseverance, reasonableness and self-control, as well as the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. These qualities have characterized the faith-based university since its founding in 1911 and are particularly emphasized and inculcated into the campus culture by President Whitaker, who has led the University for almost 22 years.��

“91�� is a different kind of university. Here, the students and faculty are incredibly smart, and they can disagree about important issues and still be friendly to one another, help and encourage one another. It’s a place of uncommon civility that models robust discourse, kindness, wholesome citizenship and ethical leadership,” Dr. Daniels said. ��

As the relationship grows, Good of All plans to develop with 91�� a voluntary curriculum for other higher education institutions with the goal of transcending politics and decreasing violence in the United States and the world. A similar offering has already been developed for secondary schools in the United States and the 56-member Commonwealth of Nations’ Youth Peace Program. ��

The non-violence program enjoys the endorsement and praise of a growing number of leading voices around the world, including General Richard B. Myers (USAF, retired), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Dr. Barry C. Black, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate and former U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains.��

General Myers not only believes the central mission of the curriculum can treat some of America’s civil ills, but he also believes the program can ultimately help bolster our national security. General Myers has expressed that societal division ultimately weakens a nation’s defenses. ��

“There are multiple and painful signs that civility is being eroded in America – with negative consequences for freedom of conscience, democracy, and human dignity itself,” Dr. Daniels said. “Public discourse is increasingly shrill, rude and negative. Discussions that respect the freedom of others to have their own views are increasingly rare.��Instead, the views and consciences of others are often attacked and silenced. There is growing crudeness, vulgarity and deception in our public life that undermines our society and sends the wrong message to our children.” ��

“Good of All is a movement to affirm our common humanity, to promote civility, and to defend freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of privacy,” Dr. Daniels said.��

President Whitaker warmly welcomes Daniels and Good of All to 91��. ��

“We are delighted to join with Dr. Daniels and support Good of All’s critical mission and participate in its advancement,” he said. “We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our growing faculty of exceptional scholars. We look forward to him being a part of the AU family.”��

Dr. Daniels joins the Anderson faculty as Distinguished University Professor of Law, Human Rights and International Affairs.��

Dr. Daniels comes to 91�� from the Institute of World Politics, a private graduate school of national security, intelligence and international affairs in Washington, DC. His academic focus is on human rights and counterterrorism. He will also develop a digital human rights ambassador program, headquartered at 91��, that will engage students at AU and other universities in promoting universal human rights through digital media.��

After attending inner-city public schools in New York City, Daniels received a full scholarship to Dartmouth College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1985. He later received a Public Interest Law Scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he obtained both his law degree and a master’s in public administration. He was subsequently awarded a doctoral fellowship in American Politics to study judicial policymaking and the rule of law at Brandeis University, where he received his Ph.D.��

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91��’s Dr. James Noble Addresses SBC Pastors’ Conference

Ed Welch — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:36:24 +0000

91�� Vice President for Diversity, Community and Inclusion Dr. James Noble, addressed the Southern Baptist Church Pastors’ Conference June 10 in Indianapolis, Indiana. ��

Dr. Noble, who is also pastor of Kingdom Community Church in Anderson, South Carolina, urged his audience to “Be Faithful or Be Forgotten” as he imagined a modern day letter from the Apostle John to the contemporary church. Dr. Noble warned that the church must not be conformed to the culture but to the Bible. He urged pastors to be faithful in preaching God’s Word, to pursue holiness in their congregations and to work toward multiethnic churches that reflect the diversity of Heaven. ��

“You have gone a long, long way in material advances, but America, I am wondering as I look at you from a distance whether you have gone as far in the spiritual realm,” Dr. Noble said. “The church was made for the world, but when the world gets into the church, we have a dangerous situation. I hear that right has become wrong, and wrong has become right. Do not give in to the evil pressures of your day… Don’t quit. Don’t lighten up. Don’t shut up. Don’t back up until we’re all caught up to meet the Lord in the air.”��

Dr. Noble joined other pastors from across the nation at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.��

You can watch the entire sermon at the . ��

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The Power of Art: Renowned artist to highlight MLK Celebration Week

Ed Welch — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:40:35 +0000

91�� will begin its MLK Celebration Week with Herman Keith Jr., a renowned artist, educator, activist and Anderson native, Monday, January 15, 2023, 10 a.m. in Henderson Auditorium.��

Keith is the founder of the South Carolina Rural Arts Project (SCRAP), based in Lake City, South Carolina, a conscious effort to energize and revitalize rural towns and communities through art by transforming public spaces collectively with local individuals, institutions and organizations.��

Keith has used his gifts as an artist to “take the story to the people” in a powerful way to educate, evoke empathy and inspire movement toward a more just society. He was commissioned by Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative to create a statue commemorating victims of racial violence in Anderson County between 1894 and 1911. The focus of the exhibit, which is on display at 91�� through April 2024, is a structure Keith fashioned out of wood and metal that recalls the oppression African Americans experienced in the Southeast in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.��

Here is a detailed schedule of activities for the week:

Monday, January 15:��

10:10 a.m. — MLK Worship Service (doors open up at 9:30 a.m.), at Henderson Auditorium. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, January 16:��

6:30 p.m. — Student Q&A with Herman Keith in the Student Center Theater.��

Wednesday, January 17:

10:10 a.m. — Chapel speaker is Michael Pigg, director of African American Engagement for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The chapel will take place in Henderson Auditorium. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, January 18:��

Connect Club is holding a Martin Luther King Trivia Night, 6 p.m. in room 302 of the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center.

Friday, January 19:

10:10 a.m. — The Chapel speaker is Dr. Pam Larde, professor of leadership in the 91�� Center for Leadership and Organizations. This takes place in Henderson Auditorium. Free and open to the public.��

7 p.m. — Juneteenth Documentary “Faith and Freedom,” featuring Rasool Berry at the Student Center Theater. Free and open to the public.

MLK Days of Service

Because service is a part of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., student volunteers will be throughout the community working on projects.��

Saturday, January 13 — Building SnackPacks for children and writing cards of encouragement at United Way of Anderson County.

Monday, January 15 — Volunteers will help with cleanup at Asher House. A team of volunteers will also cook breakfast and do painting at Hope Missions at Young Memorial ARP Monday and Tuesday.

Tuesday, January 16 — Volunteers will be at Meals on Wheels Anderson packing meals for distribution to the elderly and indigent. Another group of volunteers will visit the Rainbow Gang, where they will interact with adults with intellectual disabilities. Another group will be at the Lot Project serving food, interacting with clients and organizing donations.

Wednesday, January 17 — Volunteers will organize the resource room of the Champions Center for Special Children.

Thursday, January 18 — A group of volunteers will be at the Lot Project serving food, interacting with clients and organizing donations.

For details about MLK Celebration Week, contact the 91�� Office of Diversity, Community and Inclusion by calling 864-231-2165 or email audiversity@andersonuniversity.edu.

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Hispanic Heritage Month: Children’s Author Shares Inspiration for Book

91�� — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:56:02 +0000

Mariana Ríos Ramírez, a children’s author from Toluca, Mexico, and currently an Anderson, South Carolina, resident, spoke to students at a Hispanic Heritage Month event at 91�� about her children’s book Santiago’s Dinosaurios, which tells the story of a boy who is new to the United States and doesn’t speak English but found out that his interest in dinosaurs crossed over language barriers with his classmates.

Helping her children learn a new language and adjust to a new culture influenced Ramirez to become a writer. She talked about her book and shared her own family’s experiences of adjusting to American culture and life, adopting new traditions while keeping theirs. In her writing, Ramirez also seeks to convey the values of friendship, family, inclusion/diversity, kindness, perseverance, loving yourself and building community.

Ramirez spoke at the 91�� campus September 22.

Santiago’s Dinosaurios is the first picture book Ramirez published. Ramirez was a high school teacher and co-owned an online business before becoming a children’s book author. Her book is available through Amazon and other major booksellers.

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Diversity and Inclusion Archives - 91������

Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship Returns to 91������ for Second Year