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The Echo
Taylor University, Upland, IN
Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
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The Echo

Features

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Telling the story of all: “Always and Forever”

By Charlotte Ostric · Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

Grief is one of the most uniquely individual yet universal human experiences. Donna Downs, associate professor of communication, captures the complexity and weight of the emotion in the simple prose of a children’s story titled, “Always and Forever.”

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Hank Voss: Raising up workers for the harvest fields

By Kendall Beck · Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

Just as we embrace the slowness that winter brings each year, there are times in our lives where the right answer is found in rest. Hank Voss, assistant professor of Christian ministries, is celebrating eight years at Taylor University by taking a sabbatical.

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Rebecca Lindsay: The journey of motherhood

By Annie Meldrum · Friday, Nov. 15, 2024

Amidst all that, Rebecca’s journey as a mom has been far from typical. Elizabeth, her first daughter, was born with a rare genetic disorder which requires constant care. When Elizabeth was 6, Rebecca gave birth to twin daughters. In a season of wondering if she was equipped to take care of one child, she suddenly had three.

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‘Showing up with an open heart’ in Santiago

By Charlotte Ostric · Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

Something changed in Abby Portolese the third time she visited the Dominican Republic. “The first two trips were really like an invitation from the Lord, just to come and see, to come and experience,” Portolese said. “Just come look and start to experience and start to dream and start to discern what this life could look like.” Her third trip, however, enkindled a fire within. She decided to step out in faith.

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From IWU student to TU marketing, teaching

By Sam Maurer · Friday, Nov. 1, 2024

From the turf field of Wildcat Stadium at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) to the bright faces of Taylor University students, Landin Brown, instructor of design, brings a new perspective to the classroom.

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Birrama inspires ‘come as you are’ attitude

By Kendall Beck · Friday, Nov. 1, 2024

Being part of a community as tightly-knit as Taylor University’s often brings together a network of people that have a lot in common with each other. Yet, even on a campus where people can have so many similarities, there is much diversity to be celebrated. Birrama Creative is a Taylor group with a vision to do just that.

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Strengthened by joy

By Charlotte Ostric · Friday, Oct. 25, 2024

There isn’t much that stops Bob Mortimer. Despite missing both legs below the knee and his left arm due to a car accident when he was 21, he firmly maintains that the only handicaps we have are the ones we put on ourselves.

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Byers unites medicine and the liberal arts

By Marco Aguirre · Friday, Oct. 25, 2024

Just as learning medicine never ends, it seems neither does teaching medicine. Jonathan Byers graduated from Taylor University with a pre-med degree in 1997. After his undergraduate studies, he moved to Washington, D.C., to further his studies at The George Washington University from 1999 to 2001.

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Graham: On community, collaboration

By Annie Meldrum · Friday, Oct. 25, 2024

What does a girl from Brooklyn, New York do in the rural cornfields at Taylor University? “I came my first day and I downloaded Uber and Lyft, and I couldn't find anything,” senior communication major Briona Graham said.

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Navigating grief through biblical lament

By Kendall Beck · Friday, Oct. 11, 2024

There seems to be one question that believers and nonbelievers alike wrestle with throughout their walks of faith: what purpose does suffering serve? May Young, department chair and associate professor of biblical studies, has spent years exploring the answer.

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On life and ministry in Grant County

By Marco Aguirre · Friday, Oct. 11, 2024

Many Taylor students know Forrest Brown as a co-pastor serving in ministry at Exit Church. But who was he growing up and how did he begin his ministry? What challenges did God present to him as tests of faith?

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Montana Schwebs: A seat at the table

By Charlotte Ostric · Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

“I want everyone in Olson to feel like they have an equal seat at the table, and that they can walk out to the table and sit down and they are welcome here, and that there is no question of that,” Montana Schwebs said.

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Igniting a passion for the local church

By Kendall Beck · Friday, Sept. 27, 2024

You’ve likely heard whisperings — if not shouts — about it. The “town and gown” phenomenon often puts academic institutions up against their neighboring communities in a struggle to navigate such a delicate relationship. As a university with a gospel-centered mission, Taylor University’s leadership must decide how best to leverage their connection with and position in Upland and Grant County. This is where the local church comes in.