Features - The Echo

Emma Holley lives her dream: editing children’s books

By Austin Green · Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Emma Holley (‘24) knew from an early age that she wanted to write children's books.

Mark Colgan encourages discovery in his classroom

By Jane' Aubry Page · Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Up, down, through the hallways and inside classrooms, quotes and Bible verses cover the walls of the Euler Science Complex building.

Emmanuel Morris shares testimony

By Anna Mitchell · Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Reverend Emmanuel Shanka Morris, senior lead pastor of NorthDavidson Church in North Carolina, slept two nights on the open deck of a ship. The people around him were dying of cholera, and he watched as the dead were thrown overboard.

Boyd and Bayley warm TU hearts

By Aiden Orth · Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Every Monday, Dan Boyd makes the rounds of the LaRita Boren Campus Center with his therapy dog, Bayley. Bayley is a celebrity at Taylor University, and people are always lining up for the Bernese Mountain Dog.

Foos flourishes: building community in Bergwall

By Hannah Sundaram · Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Some of us are called to be teachers and others doctors. Joey Foos, however, said that he is called to be a hall director.

Denis Stewart: Life is not always music in a junkyard

By Jane' Aubry Page · Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025

Little craters of blackheads decorated Denis Stewart’s 63-year-old face.

Student Activities Council members organize events

By Elise Hoylman · Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Sophomore Damaris Hernandez and junior Ezra Holt have two different stories and experiences at Taylor University, but they are both involved in one of Taylor’s student organizations: Student Activities Council, or SAC.

Marketing professor takes a leap of faith in career

By Hannah Sundaram · Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

From Krogers and corporate America to higher education at Taylor University, Kate Blyberg, a new marketing professor, took a leap of faith when she accepted the job at Taylor.

Pastermacks partner in life and work

By Austin Green · Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

The desire to foster a Christ-like community is something that drove Nick and Molly Pastermack, the new entrepreneurs in residence, back to Taylor University.

Mamede: Fewer Christians = more city corruption

By Anna Mitchell · Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

When Professor of Management Samuel de Paiva Naves Mamede was a child, his mother told him God has a purpose for his life.

Upland Best-One owner shares story

By Jane' Aubry Page · Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, Best-One company employees can dial-in for a call.

Brandon Kruger is discipleship assistant on Sammy 2

By Caleb Harder · Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

“Ultimately, if all I can do is point people to Jesus, that’s all I really need to do” said sophomore and newly minted discipleship assistant (DA) Brandon Kruger.

Laurel Burgess works at Upland Community Church

By Elise Hoylman · Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

Laurel Burgess, Taylor ‘24, has been Upland Community Church’s Office Coordinator for over a year, but before she entered that role, she expressed her creativity as a professional writing student.

Residence life director shapes lives

By Aiden Orth · Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

Josiah Peterson returns to where it started for him at Taylor as the new residence life director.

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Meet man behind events curtain

By Austin Green · Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Who plans, coordinates and leads the many events that occur on Taylor’s campus? These events are filled with emotion and lead to lasting memories, like Grandparents Day or Homecoming and Family Day.

Eco-guru stewards

By Hannah Sundaram · Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Sophomore Sophie Peshek, an environmental science major, loves nature.

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New TU professor teaches online

By Anna Mitchell · Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Adam Sonstroem, assistant professor of communication, will be Taylor’s first fully online professor.

Open to learn: Frizzell spends semester in Orvieto

By Charlotte Ostric · Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Studying art in the birthplace of western art and society is truly a once in a lifetime experience. It’s one that junior illustration major Emma Frizzell is embracing every moment as she completes a semester abroad in Orvieto, Italy.

Barista, event planner, content creator

By Marco Aguirre · Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Ever enjoyed a drink from the Bean? You can thank him. Ever enjoyed a campus event? You can thank him. Senior film & media arts major Thane Syswerda has worked multiple jobs and involved himself in leadership roles.

Spotlight on: Grounded Coffee, Gas City

By Hannah Sundaram · Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Are you looking for a new café to explore and hang out with your friends in? Grounded Coffee is a new coffee shop that opened on April 3 in Gas City, Indiana. Its sole owner, Kayla Poling, is a full-time real estate agent.