News

NEXT Summit focuses on growth

Taylor University’s annual NEXT Summit took place Sept. 16. The theme of the conference focused on growing the people and growing the mission, emphasizing discipling Christians leaders to live out the Great Commission.NEXT invited several Christian educators and organizations to learn from five experienced Christian leaders. Attendees began the day in Chapel, alongside Taylor students. Sessions followed in Habecker Hall and the Cornwall Room. They learned to cultivate strong team culture and pursue organizational growth.

Upland and Taylor celebrate National Good Neighbor Week

The sun set behind Taylor Lake as Upland families and Taylor students alike made s’mores and played sand volleyball. Sunday Stroll and S’mores took place the evening of Sept. 27, kicking off National Good Neighbor Week which occurred Sept. 28 to Oct. 4. 

Ulrichs hope people feel at home in new cafe

People looking for a cup of coffee, a home-cooked meal and a place that feels like home away from home can stop by Barista & Baker, a coffee shop on Main Street that opened Sept. 11. Justin and Bethany Ulrich, Taylor alumni who own Barista & Baker, work together to make both coffee and cooking possible. 

James Dean Festival celebrates 50 years

On Sept. 25-27, crowds and cars crammed into downtown Fairmount for its 50th James Dean Festival. Though Fairmount’s forever-young film star, James Dean, passed away over 75 years ago, the Hollywood darling continues to leave his mark on Grant County through the annual celebration that bears his name. Organized by the James Dean Museum, the three-day festival includes activities ranging from a car show to a parade to a James Dean Look-Alike contest. The event is a “wholesome” and “wonderful celebration of small town life,” Dorothy Schultz, the curator of the James Dean Museum, said. 

Meilin Li joins Taylor community

Each new school year brings not only new students, but also new faculty. This year Taylor’s history, global and political studies department welcomes Meilin Li.Born in northeast China, Li moved to the United States in 2016 to attend Baylor University. From there, she continued to pursue academia at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she earned her master's degree in history. She then attended the University of North Texas where she received her doctorate in political science.  

TU among happiest, friendliest schools

Bond-Servant Plaza to begin construction

Gas City Hosts YMCA Beam Signing

‘Voices and Votes’ explores history of voting

Reade Ave. Market updates inventory

Exit Church opens doors of new location

After two years of planning, construction and prayer, Exit Church held its first service at its new location on Sept. 6. 

Upland welcomes new town marshal

Upland’s new police chief Marshal Richard Craig started working in Upland last month. He’s not like other police officers. Unlike other police officers, he’s famous: Craig has almost 160,000 followers on TikTok.

Taylor dives into day of service

When Olivea Adams heard she’d kickstart her time at Taylor by serving somewhere in the Upland community as part of the 2026 Community Plunge event, she thought the idea sounded weird.

Spiritual Renewal provides encouraging start to semester

New space, new speaker, new theme. Spiritual Renewal provided early encouragement to students settling into the semester.

Missionary released after months in captivity

Mission organization SIM International confirmed on Aug. 14 that one of its missionaries, Kevin Rideout, had been released after over nine months in captivity. 

PBG Hall overcomes flooding to house students

Just two weeks before being flooded with students, Paul and Barbara Gentile (PBG) Hall experienced a much-less-welcome deluge when a first-floor pipe burst overnight. 

Colleagues’ College engages AI with purpose

We are humans, and we are accountable to God, Sarah Gibson, an artificial intelligence expert and enthusiast, said. AI was created by humans, so AI is ultimately accountable to humans, she said. 

Gentile Hall opens doors to Taylor students

As Welcome Weekend 2026 rolls around, Taylor students are making history. This weekend, students moved into Paul and Barbara Gentile Hall, Taylor’s newest dorm, for the first time.

Campus experiences changes in offices and dining spaces

From offices to student dining, change has arrived on Taylor University’s campus for a fresh start.

Bible matching fills community needs

Taylor World Outreach (TWO) partnered with student-led ministry Carpenter’s Hands to fund a Bible matching event from March 24 to April 24.