News - The Echo

Nearspace Park announces its opening at the red ribbon ceremony

By Jane' Aubry Page · Monday, Oct. 23, 2023

Over this past summer, NearSpace Launch — with the aid of other organizations — tore down factory buildings off of Main St. to develop the land into a public park. On Tuesday, Oct. 10, NearSpace Park officially announced its opening to the Upland community with a red ribbon ceremony. Several of Upland’s key officials, donors and locals came in support of the new park.

Student GPA rises

By Makenna McCord · Monday, Oct. 23, 2023

Taylor’s incoming class of 2023 has a high school GPA higher than the university average. According to Education Next, this is consistent with recent trends of increasing student GPAs at universities and colleges around the country.The incoming class’s high school GPA average is 3.89, comparable to that of admitted students at Ivy League schools like Princeton University who, according to Be Varsity, has an average of 3.9.

Engineering receives $2 million

By Kate Delaney · Monday, Oct. 23, 2023

Taylor’s engineering department received a $2 million grant that will provide cutting-edge technology and new spaces for students. The new additions will include a rapid prototyping studio and an engineering innovation and collaboration studio on the ground level of the Euler Science Complex.

Student-Led Social Media Conference to Benefit All Students

By Alaina Ventry · Monday, Oct. 23, 2023

Elevate, a social media conference, will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in Cornwall in the Larita Boren Campus Center. This event, planned by students in PBR 455, Event and Venue Planning, aims to benefit all who attend through acquired knowledge of social media usage. All are welcome and encouraged to come.

New club anticipates Taylor University’s support

By Jane' Aubry Page · Monday, Oct. 9, 2023

The student-led club, PAX seeks to bring peace to Taylor University through events such as their Walk for Life.

SNAS seminar connects students and faculty

Monday, Oct. 9, 2023

The School of Natural and Applied Science (SNAS) Seminar transpires throughout the fall semester and is open to all students and faculty. The main goal of the science seminar is to allow a presenter to communicate their scholarly work in an open forum to their audience.

Shop The Loop returns with new vendors

By Kate Delaney · Monday, Oct. 9, 2023

Shop the Loop organizers have geared up to make this year’s event a destination for attendees and entrepreneurs alike.

Barry Cushman delivers Constitutional lecture

By Makenna McCord · Friday, Oct. 6, 2023

Professor Barry Cushman came to Taylor on Sept. 20 to deliver a speech on the court-packing crisis of 1937. The lecture consisted of his speech and afterward, a Q&A session which brought clarity to students and staff.

EXS 370 offers hands-on experience, serves Taylor community

By Kay Rideout · Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

On the south side of Main Street’s medical center, a temporary sign taped to the door reads “131: Physical Therapy Classroom.” Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, members of the Taylor community rotate through the storage room-turned-classroom: benefitting from the new course offered to upperclassmen interested in the field of physical therapy.

University garden promotes fresher living

By Kali Siemers · Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

A team consisting of Upland locals opened a community garden to promote a fresher way of living. In summer 2022, a group of local citizens had an idea to connect the community while also bringing about newly harvested vegetation to add to people’s diet.

New nursing major continues to be developed

By Samantha Saad · Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

Taylor University’s rising nursing program is still undergoing approval processes before its tentative launch in Fall 2024. The university is unable to announce an official start date until appropriate steps are taken with the Indiana State Board of Nursing, Provost Jewerl Maxwell, said.The curriculum will first need to go through the university approval process before being accepted by the State Board. Afterward, prospective students will be able to officially begin their Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Dean of Nursing Karen Elsea said the university is still developing the content and framework for the major.

Professional writing program moves from Nussbaum to Rupp

By Charles Johnson · Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

Over the summer, the professional writing major officially moved locations from the Nussbaum Science Center to Rupp Communication Arts Center following the announcement of the new nursing program. The transition began after the Spring 2023 semester.Linda Taylor, assistant professor of professional writing, said the professional writing program used to be in Sickler Hall but later moved to Rupp room 104. It then moved to Nussbaum due to lack of space in Rupp.

Chapel resolves seating overflow

By Kate Delaney · Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

Soaring attendance numbers packed people tight in Rediger Chapel. Every other weekday, students and faculty emerged from all over campus and congregated in Rediger Chapel Auditorium to find seats. Often, a detached group would follow behind, looking for seats and raising questions about chapel capacity.

GameJam 'levels up' student experiences

By Jane' Aubry Page · Monday, Oct. 2, 2023

On Sept. 24, Taylor University’s 20th GameJam concluded at 12:15 a.m. Sunday morning. GameJam is a tournament in which students create a video game from scratch in only 24 hours. Last week, ten teams competed. The groups developed code, game design and music.

ID swipe-cards replaced by smartcards

By Kali Siemers · Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

Taylor University transitioned to smartcards, keeping students safe one tap at a time. In the past, students swiped their ID cards to gain access into academic buildings, athletic buildings and residence halls. With constant advancements in technology, the university decided to update its system.

University shares plans for residential village

Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

The construction of the residential village is projected to begin at the end of November and be completed by August 2024.Taylor University plans to use the field south of the Olson parking lot for new residential housing. The village has multiple names, but Ron Sutherland, supervisor of the project and special assistant to the president, referred to it as the residential village.

Residence halls undergo renovations

By Makenna McCord · Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

Over the summer of 2023, both Olson and Wengatz Halls underwent several renovations. Renovations look different for each hall. In Wengatz, there was the major addition of the kitchen area, which had previously been just a community lounge.

University navigates Brightspace shift

By Samantha Saad · Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

Some classes this semester are using Desire to Learn’s “Brightspace” as Taylor University transitions to another Learning Management System. Though Blackboard is still used in some classes, the university hopes students and faculty this semester will become acquainted with the new learning system. All classes will use Brightspace starting in the spring semester.

Zondervan is changing

By Camille Arbogast · Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

Zondervan Library underwent changes over the summer to better accommodate students. Some of these updates included: widening aisles, weeding out books, creating more study space and introducing self-checkout.

New smartcards on campus

Monday, Sept. 18, 2023

Taylor University transitioned to smartcards, keeping students safe one tap at a time.In the past, students swiped their ID cards to gain access into academic buildings, athletic buildings and residence halls. With constant advancements in technology, the university decided to update their system.