Honoree

Dr. Richard T. Orrison

Richard T. Orrison, M.A., Ed.D., forged a distinguished career in education that spans more than five decades. While he held diverse positions on both U.S. coasts early on, he made his greatest contributions while serving Andrews Academy and later, Andrews University, both in Berrien Springs, Mich.

As Principal of Andrews Academy, Dr. Orrison, a fierce proponent of Seventh-day Adventist Christian education, was a positive, dynamic force who willed both students and faculty alike to contribute the absolute best that they had to give. During his tenure (1972–1991), Andrews Academy progressed from being a good school to one with a national reputation. He is known for designing a new curriculum, expecting high student achievement and tirelessly encouraging the faculty. As a result, a School of Excellence Award was conferred by the U.S. Department of Education in 1985.

Six years later the U.S. government recognized the academy’s creation of a drug-free environment. Meanwhile, regional re-accreditation came from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and Secondary Schools and the University of Michigan, Bureau of Accreditation.

In 1991 Dr. Orrison joined Andrews University’s School of Education on a full-time basis, serving as Professor of Teacher Education and Director of Student Teaching. In this capacity he was highly regarded for developing the Teacher Education Program’s “First Days of School Experience”, an initiative that garnered state and national recognition and at one point was cited in the University’s accreditation as a program of superior quality and commendation.

In the years before he moved to Berrien Springs, Orrison began his career in 1954 by serving as Principal-Teacher at Vienna Junior Academy in Virginia, accepted a call to Shenandoah Valley Academy (also in Virginia) to become Associate Dean of Boys and then joined Parkersburg Junior Academy in West Virginia as Principal-Teacher, before moving to the West Coast.

In 1961, Orrison became Assistant Dean of Men at La Sierra University, eventually advancing to become Dean of Men before accepting the call to Berrien Springs and joining Andrews Academy as Principal.

Dr. Orrison currently resides in Benton Harbor with his wife, Sharon Lee (Porter) Orrison. The couple has three sons—Richard, Robert and Ryan—as well as six grandchildren.