A Mission Without Borders

Celebrating 15 Years Since Griggs Moved to Andrews

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This year, Andrews University celebrates 15 years since Griggs University and Griggs International Academy moved to Andrews. The collaboration has strengthened Adventist distance education while expanding opportunities for thousands of students from more than 50 countries.

“For more than a century, Griggs has served students whose circumstances make traditional education difficult or impossible. Whether separated by geography, work, family responsibilities, political barriers or limited access to educational opportunities, students have found a pathway to learning through distance education,” says La Ronda Forsey, principal of Griggs International Academy.

In 1909, Seventh-day Adventist education embraced an idea that was ahead of its time. Church leaders recognized that many members and workers around the world were unable to attend a traditional school due to factors including geography, work responsibilities, family obligations and distance.

In an effort to remove these barriers, the Fireside Correspondence School was founded in Maryland by Adventist educational pioneer Frederick Griggs. Lessons were delivered by mail, allowing students to study wherever they lived. The early years were marked by steady growth and adaptation, and the institution became the Home Study Institute in 1931.

A significant milestone came in 1990 when the Maryland Higher Education Commission granted permission for the institution to offer degree programs. This marked the beginning of Griggs University and expanded the school’s impact beyond K–12 education. While Griggs had served learners at multiple educational levels throughout its history, this decision opened a new chapter of higher education opportunities for Adventist students worldwide.

As technology advanced, Griggs continued to evolve. The K–12 division became Griggs International Academy in 2003, reflecting its growing international reach and commitment to serving students beyond traditional geographic boundaries.

Another transformative chapter began in 2010. After an extensive study by a General Conference commission on distance education, church leaders recommended that Griggs University become part of Andrews University. The recommendation reflected a growing recognition that distance education would play an important role in serving the worldwide church.

After careful planning, Griggs officially relocated from Maryland to the Andrews University campus in Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 2011. Then in 2015, Griggs University became fully integrated into the Andrews University structure through the School of Distance Education, while Griggs International Academy continued to operate independently within the same school. This strategic partnership brought together the experience and heritage of Griggs with the academic resources and global influence of Andrews University.

In March 2024, the Andrews University Board of Trustees voted to reorganize the School of Distance Education into the Andrews University Global Campus. The new name reflects a broader vision for online learning, international partnerships and innovative educational delivery for students from kindergarten through higher education.

Today, students connect to the Global Campus from cities, local schools, villages, mission fields, military bases and homes around the world. Through direct enrollment, partnerships with Adventist schools and innovative online learning models, they receive a fully accredited, faith-based education regardless of where they live.

“As Adventist education looks toward the future, new technologies will continue to reshape how education is delivered. Yet the most important elements remain unchanged: caring teachers, meaningful relationships, academic excellence and a commitment to helping students develop a deeper connection with Jesus Christ,” says Janine Lim, dean of the Global Campus.

For 117 years, Griggs has served students with dedication and care. While the classroom may look different from what it was in 1909, the vision of the Andrews University Global Campus remains the same: preparing students around the world for lives of service today and for God’s kingdom tomorrow.