Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2026, Andrews University Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:41:00 +0000 Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:41:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Week in Pictures: Oct. 29, 2026 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/70473 Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:46:56 +0000 Students Celebrate Graduation at WSTH http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/70470 A graduation ceremony for the Master of Arts in Religion Program, offered in cooperation with Andrews University, took place at the Polish College of Theology and Humanities (WSTH) in Podkowa Leśna, Poland. Opening the ceremony, Adam Grześkowiak, rector of WSTH, highlighted the remarkably international character of the group. Participants represented Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Ukraine, the Philippines, Zimbabwe and Bulgaria. “This is not just a statistic. This is Adventism,” he said, referring to the international nature of the Seventh-day Adventist Church community. David Nõmmik, president of the Baltic Union Conference, emphasized, “A diploma marks the completion of a programme, but it should never mark the end of learning and growth.” He added, “The knowledge you have gained, the questions you have wrestled with, and your theological reflections are not just for yourselves. They are gifts you take back to your congregations, conferences, and ministries.” Ji&rcaron;í Moskala, dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews, served as keynote speaker. He congratulated the students, emphasizing the importance of the partnership between Andrews University, WSTH and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Poland and the Baltic countries. His address was based on the promise found in Isaiah 41:13. “Our God is the God of the impossible. He can lead you, help you, and carry you through the challenges that lie ahead,” Moskala said. He emphasised that the biblical promise encompasses the whole of human experience: the past, present and future remain in God’s hands. Jarosław Dzięgielewski, president of the Polish Union Conference, also addressed the graduates. He shared that launching the Andrews University program in Podkowa Leśna has been one of the church’s most significant educational initiatives in Poland in recent years. However, he emphasised that the most important outcome of theological education should not be the academic qualification itself, affirming, “What is exciting about theology is that it allows us to know God better.” During the ceremony, graduates received commemorative documents and small gifts from Andrews University. Łukasz Karauda provided the musical accompaniment, performing, among other pieces, “Amazing Grace.” The gathering concluded with a prayer of dedication for the graduates and their future ministry. Łukasz Romanowski, who coordinated the program on behalf of WSTH, reflected on the group’s four-year journey. In 2022, 23 students began their studies. “By God's grace, we did not lose a single student along the way. In fact, we gained one,” he said. Romanowski also shared, “Completing this programme brings great joy, but it is also the result of a tremendous amount of hard work.” he said. “Classes had to be conducted in three languages—English, Polish, and Russian—while we also had to overcome cultural barriers and learn to understand one another.” “What makes me especially happy is that God brought everything together. Not only were we able to complete the entire programme, but friendships were formed and wonderful memories were created,” Romanowski added. Several future educational initiatives are being prepared by WSTH, including a new cohort of Andrews University students. Tomasz Żelazko, a member of the graduating class, emphasised that studying at Andrews University has given him a fresh perspective on the Seventh-day Adventist Church as well as new tools for evangelistic and pastoral ministry. “My studies broadened my horizons and inspired me to continue serving God and the church, helping prepare people for the soon return of Jesus. Most importantly, however, they brought me closer to God and His Word. I gained a deeper understanding of biblical teachings and Adventist beliefs,” he said. Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:22:21 +0000 Andrews Holds Volleyball & Soccer Invitational http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/70469 Student athletes from twelve Adventist academies participated in the second annual High School Volleyball and Soccer Invitational. The tournament, hosted by Andrews University’s Office of Athletics, took place from Sept. 16–19, 2026. Women’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams competed in an elimination bracket over the course of two days, culminating in a night of championship games. Participating schools and organizations included Andrews Academy, Highland View Academy, Takoma Academy, Wisconsin Academy, Blue Mountain Academy, Chisholm Trail Academy, Atholton Adventist Academy, Spring Valley Academy, Mishawaka Christian Athletic Club, Central Christian Academy, Spencerville Adventist Academy and Shenandoah Valley Academy. Many of the participating schools attended the invitational for the first time this year. Central Christian Academy’s head volleyball coach, Sarah Culp, shared that the event was convenient for her brand-new team, who wouldn’t have been able to attend a tournament otherwise. “It’s been really fun,” she added. Soccer and volleyball matches began on Thursday morning. The six soccer teams played on the University soccer fields. All twelve volleyball teams played in round-robin games held on four courts, two in the Andreasen Center for Wellness and two in Johnson Gym. Early on Friday morning, volleyball games resumed in double elimination rounds, which narrowed the tournament pool to three remaining teams: the Mishawaka Christian Athletic Club Wildcats, the Chisholm Trail Blazers and the Spring Valley Stallions. At 9 a.m., the soccer tournament also continued with qualification rounds, followed by semifinals in the afternoon. After winning their respective semifinal games, the Andrews Academy and Shenandoah Valley soccer teams advanced to the finals. In addition to opportunities to play and improve athletically, the invitational provided students with spiritual opportunities. To welcome the Sabbath on Friday night, visiting students attended Proximity Vespers at Pioneer Memorial church, followed by an Afterglow program in the Andreasen Center for Wellness. On Sabbath morning, participants were invited to attend one of the many churches on campus, and Saturday night vespers were held in the Andreasan Center. The final games for both tournaments began at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. On the soccer field, the Spencerville Hornets won against Wisconsin Academy for third place. Andre Miranda and Nai Thorpe, Spencerville Academy soccer players, shared that they enjoyed the atmosphere of the tournament, explaining that the third place match was a highlight. For the first place title, the Andrews Academy Junior Cardinals won against the Shenandoah Valley Stars in the soccer championship game. In the Andreasen Center for Wellness, the volleyball teams began the final part of their brackets with semifinals. The Spring Valley Stallions and Mishawaka Christian Athletic Club Wildcats proceeded to the late-night championship. In the close match, which ran until nearly 2 a.m., the Wildcats scored the deciding point in the last game, breaking the set’s tie. Following the volleyball final, all participants gathered in the Andreasen Center for Wellness for the Awards Ceremony, where first and second place prizes were distributed and most valuable players were recognized. Team sportsmanship trophies, announced as the most important awards of the night, were won by Atholton Adventist Academy’s volleyball team and Blue Mountain Academy’s soccer team. Indeed, an atmosphere of sportsmanship undergirded the whole event. Soccer player Ethan Lee shared that meeting other teams and seeing their sportsmanship was a highlight of his weekend. After the inaugural invitational, University Athletic Director Kevin Wooldridge shared the Office of Athletics’ goal to see the tournament gain “popularity to where it is as well attended as the Newmyer Classic Basketball Tournament.” Although organizers will continue to develop the event in the future, the invitational has grown considerably in its first year and has provided students with an active weekend of athletic and character development.  Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:58:36 +0000 Autumn Conference on Religion & Science, 11/12-13 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69829 Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Andrews University Choirs Fall Concert http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69254 Andrews University Choirs Interim Conductor: Brenton Offenback The Andrews University Singers is the select choir of the Department of Music and represents Andrews University locally, nationally and abroad through concert tours, television broadcast and audio recordings. They have given highly acclaimed international concert tours throughout the countries of Great Britain, Iceland, Norway, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Chile, South Africa, Bahamas, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Tue, 27 Oct 2026 15:29:40 +0000 Drone Challenge Check-In: Drone Programming http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/70431 Location: James White Library, Room 304 Date and Time: Nov. 3, 11:30 a.m. Description:  <ul> <li> Required: First Draft of Components List</li> <li> Learning In-Session: Drone Programming</li> </ul> Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:30:00 +0000 Honors Church: Celebrating Sixty Years of Honors http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/70441 This year, we are celebrating our Honors Program’s 60th anniversary by bringing to campus Andrews University and Honors alum, Pastor Frentzen Pakpahan (theology major, chemistry minor, 2020), to deliver our worship homily. The service will feature choral music from the Andrews University Singers, along with music and readings from current Honors scholars. All are welcome to worship with the Honors family and celebrate sixty years of excellence, responsibility and community. Sat, 24 Oct 2026 11:45:00 +0000 Transfer/Health Professions Preview, 11/6-9 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69841 Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000