Features - The Echo

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.

Friends and co-PAs: Petroelje and Bane

By Marco Aguirre · Wednesday, May 21, 2025

They’re leading a wing together not just as colleagues, but also close friends.

Restoring dignity: Contessa Hussong’s Echo 'story'

By Kendall Beck · Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Contessa Hussong took one journalism class in high school and hated it. Now, a senior, she is co-editor in chief of The Echo.

A mechanical engineer’s musical journey

By Marco Aguirre · Wednesday, May 21, 2025

This mechanical engineering major has made himself a machine of music.

Faculty pickleball group ‘serves’ at sunrise

By Hannah Sundaram · Wednesday, May 14, 2025

What better way to start the day than on the pickleball court at 6 a.m.? A group of faculty members and others on Taylor’s campus get together and play pickleball before they head to work. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 a.m. and sometimes on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m.

Noah Ross: equipped and called for today

By Charlotte Ostric · Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Growing up as the son of Taylor University’s former head soccer coach and an Upland native, Noah Ross knew Taylor was his home sooner than most.

The Branch: a cafe for James Dean fans

By Marco Aguirre · Friday, May 2, 2025

This cafe in Grant County serves the Lord by serving you a warm drink. The Branch is a cafe in Fairmount, Indiana, first envisioned and discussed during the summer of 2016 among leaders of Fairmount Wesleyan Church. The cafe would be established to the public in May 2017 as an extension of the church.