Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2026, Andrews University Sat, 23 May 2026 15:48:00 +0000 Sat, 23 May 2026 15:48:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu 2025 Giving http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69199 The Annual Report chronicles those who generously support the mission of Andrews University through their giving. Each gift is important and appreciated! All the donor lists and additional financial information are available to view <a href="https://andrews.edu/focus/archives/files/2026-1-annual-report-0410-26_final_donor.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Thank you for your generous support! Wed, 06 May 2026 17:02:02 +0000 Where Independence Meets Home http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69193 Nahomi Galindo had never lived away from home. When she arrived at Andrews University for graduate school, everything felt unfamiliar: the distance from family, the weight of a new chapter and the quiet ache of losing her grandparents, who had shaped her spiritual life. She had prayed for a place to reconnect with her faith, and when the option to live in newly renovated student housing came about, it felt like a direct answer to her prayers. Nahomi took the opportunity, moving into Timber Ridge Apartments. Then came the deer. “Seeing deer outside my window made me feel like I would have a pleasant stay here,” Galindo shares. “It gave me peace.” That peace was not accidental. Timber Ridge Apartments were designed with a simple conviction in mind: students deserve spaces shaped with intentionality. Located a five-minute drive from the main campus, the apartments offer 83 modern units—primarily one-bedroom units—for single students aged 22 and older. “University Apartments were experiencing a housing shortage due to high demand,” explains Shirley Alonso, assistant dean for University Apartments. “Transforming Timber Ridge from a community apartment complex allowed us to create modern units for students looking for a balance between independence and community.” The renovation required collaboration. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists provided significant financial support, Nexus Build Group LLC led construction and numerous University departments worked behind the scenes to bring the project to life. Today, residents enjoy renovated spaces in a peaceful wooded setting, with amenities including a fitness center and laundry facilities. Students are most impacted, though, by how the overall environment makes them feel. They experience just enough separation from the main campus to draw a clear line between academic and personal life—a boundary many say has been essential to their well-being. For Galindo, the Timber Ridge community became her “safety net,” nurturing her faith as her grandparents once did. Whether studying, gathering with friends or finding a quiet moment to pray, the space holds room for all of it. “I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “Now that I’m here, I feel like I am at home.” Her experience reflects what many residents describe. The apartment-style environment encourages independence while offering the support students expect from Andrews, helping them build confidence and skills they carry beyond graduation. More than a renovation, Timber Ridge prioritizes meeting students where they are and creating spaces where independence, faith and community grow together. For Galindo, who arrived at Andrews carrying both grief and hope, it became exactly what she had prayed for. Mon, 04 May 2026 14:26:39 +0000 2025 Spirit of Philanthropy Award http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69192 The Spirit of Philanthropy Award recipients are selected each year by the Office of Development and presented with the award at the Spirit of Philanthropy & Homecoming Banquet. <h3> Norman and Dorothy Moll</h3> Life has been a search for beauty and order for Norman and Dorothy Moll. Norman began his journey with Andrews University as a student of mathematics and chemistry. The marvels of the law-abiding, physical universe motivated unending exploration for him. Inspired, he co-founded Ad Astora, an informal student discussion group that invited Andrews faculty members to speak and share ideas outside of the classroom, nurturing an exploration of the vast universe of knowledge. While Norman investigated the sciences, Dorothy, then Cowdrick, studied music at Syracuse University and Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University). Norman graduated from Andrews with a Bachelor of Arts in 1963 and went on to attend Case Institute of Technology (now Case Western Reserve University), pursuing a PhD in physical chemistry. In the laboratory, he studied the unstable molecules that can be formed by UV light-induced reactions at near absolute zero. During this time, he struck up a friendship with Dorothy, who was teaching music at Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Soon after Norman completed his graduate studies, he and Dorothy sealed their friendship in marriage. Making music together had already become part of their mutual search for beauty, and J.S. Bach’s “If Thou Be Near”—played on cornet and organ—became their signature tune. Dorothy, an active and accomplished organist, served at the Midland Seventh-day Adventist Church. She also played for other churches of different denominations and performed in numerous recitals, concerts and musical series for her community. Norman’s career as a research scientist at The Dow Chemical Company spanned 30 years. He played key roles in process and new product development, resulting in 13 U.S. Patents. Over the past 10 years, he has also been a performing member of the Mid Michigan Brass Band. Carrying on their musical legacy, Norman and Dorothy’s daughter, Susan Mercy, is an accomplished violinist, string teacher and orchestral musician. She currently serves as concert master of the Midland Community Orchestra in Michigan. “Sharing the beauty of music, performed together, is still a source of joy for our family and those who listen,” Norman says. Looking back on their lives, Norman and Dorothy note the incredible growth of knowledge that has transpired over the years. As appreciators of the sciences and the arts, they have been particularly inspired by the breakthroughs surrounding DNA and the genetic codes of living beings; new understandings of the cosmos and the universe from space telescopes and missions; and discoveries in archaeology and geology—some made by Norman and friends—that increasingly validate the biblical account of the origin and history of life on Earth. Today, Norman and Dorothy serve the Andrews community as members of the President’s Council, investing in and stewarding the future of the University. Together, they share a strong belief in God’s plan, affirming, “The clearer perspective of who our Creator is and the wonders of His handiwork make even more certain the promise of His return and a perfect eternity with Him in which the search for beauty will have no end.” Mon, 04 May 2026 14:24:03 +0000 Community in Service http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69190 The Center for Faith Engagement often partners with local organizations to provide Andrews University students, faculty and staff with intentional, practical opportunities to serve. <h3> Sofia Oudri, exercise science and Spanish/translation & interpretation major, Doctor of Physical Therapy student</h3> Andrews University has been fortunate enough to collaborate with Versiti on two successful blood drives this school year. Part of my job as student chaplain for service at the Center for Faith Engagement (CFE) has been to coordinate with Kathy Ramirez, Versiti account representative, on the location, sign-ups and volunteers. The one thing that makes blood drives successful is community involvement, and Andrews University has really shown up. Students from both the nursing and medical laboratory sciences departments volunteered to help with the blood drives in the fall and spring, respectively. The departments were extremely willing to be of service, and the students did a great job manning the check-in table and helping with the snack table for donors. The donor turnout was also great. We had professors, students from all departments and community members show up to donate. In talking with the students, there were some that had never given blood before, so it was great to see their willingness. The Versiti staff have also been a big help, both in how quickly and efficiently they set up as well as how friendly and calming they make the atmosphere. All these things have made both blood drives successful. The spring blood drive was during a time of extreme, freezing temperatures and a lot of snow. Kathy reached out to me, saying that there had been several cancellations of blood drives and appointments, they were down 2,000 units of blood, and they were in desperate need of donors. Through emails and posts, we made this known to our campus, and the response was amazing. Sign-ups were completely full, and Versiti even sent extra staff to open up more time slots and increase the number of units collected! I hope to continue seeing the willingness of our community to do good in a time of chaos and help save people’s lives. <h3> Nathan Escamilla, social work and general/health care management graduate student</h3> In December, athletes from our Andrews University Cardinals teams attended an Athletic Service Sabbath where we helped serve the community of Benton Harbor. During this event, our athletes participated in four different service projects. Some students wrote words of encouragement to people in the community, while others packed bags to give away to individuals experiencing homelessness. A group of our athletes also helped at Our House of the Way, where they prepared and served a hot meal for the homeless. In addition, members of our men’s soccer team helped interview some of the homeless individuals and filled out surveys provided by Our House of the Way. This survey was designed to help the organization better understand how to reach the homeless population and assist with their needs. CFE offers many different opportunities for our students to serve others during Service Sabbaths, which typically occur once a month. Some of these activities include helping out at the local shelter, cooking for the homeless, singing at nursing homes and helping at schools. The group that contributed to the December Service Sabbath consisted of student athletes from the men’s and women’s soccer teams, the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the women’s volleyball team. Our men’s and women’s basketball teams even had games later that night, yet it was great to see how many of them still showed up earlier in the day to serve others. Here at Andrews University, our student athletes desire to help others, and they have a mission to become world changers. Through initiatives like Service Sabbath, our athletes were able to do just that. This was all made possible through our collaboration with CFE and the willingness of our students. It also reflects the emphasis that the Office of Athletics continues to stress: being both a student and an athlete who strives to become a servant leader on and off the court and field. <h3> Guillermo Dominguez, psychology/brain & cognition and Spanish/language, literature & culture student</h3> The Christmas Behind Bars program is one that I am proud to have been a part of. I was involved with both the setup and packaging of the bags that were eventually donated to incarcerated individuals. For me, it was beautiful to see so many members of the Andrews University and Berrien Springs communities coming together. I was tasked with placing chocolate-covered graham crackers in the bags that others brought down the assembly line packaging system, and I was amazed that people of all ages wanted to help. I interacted with toddlers, elementary students, college students, elderly individuals—people of many ethnicities and backgrounds. One of the coolest things was getting to talk to the people who came through the line. Hearing their stories and why they wanted to help out with the project were nice reminders that there truly is a heart of service and compassion in so many people. Especially during a time where there is so much fighting and hatred in our world, projects like these are needed more than ever. Although most people, including myself, did not get to see the end result of the incarcerated individuals receiving their Christmas bags, each and every person that showed up for the preparations still played an important role. Finishing the day and hearing the announcement that thousands of bags had been packed was a great feeling. Everyone deserves to feel loved on Christmas, regardless of whether or not they are in prison. I am grateful that I was able to play a small role in sharing that love with people who need it. Mon, 04 May 2026 14:13:28 +0000 The Personal Impact of Missions http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69189 Evan Keyes is a junior religion major at Andrews University. An important part of his Andrews experience is his current work with Student Missions at the University’s Center for Faith Engagement (CFE). “Andrews prioritizes mission and service through active support of local mission opportunities and by giving students the opportunities to serve elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad,” he says. “Service gives meaning to Jesus’ teachings. It helps us understand who Jesus was and how we can be disciples.” Evan has a heart, in particular, for encouraging his peers to serve as student missionaries. This passion is a result of his own experience dedicating 10 months to service abroad in the 2023–2024 school year. “I decided to serve because I wanted to actively pursue God. I had to step out and learn what it meant to be a Christian for myself,” Evan shares. He wanted to serve somewhere remote and, in a spur-of-the-moment decision, confirmed a teaching position in Pohnpei, Micronesia. Evan spent most of his days teaching kids, ranging in age from 4–16, how to play volleyball, basketball and dodgeball in physical education class. Later in the school year, he also taught drama, English, history and government. <blockquote> “I decided to serve because I wanted to actively pursue God. I had to step out and learn what it meant to be a Christian for myself.” </blockquote> In the after-school drama class, Evan met twin brothers. “They’d fight me physically and try to teach me bad words in their language,” he says. “The boys didn’t have much attention given to them at home and got attached to me at school. I became an older brother to them. During the last drama class with the twins, one of the boys asked, ‘Why are you so nice to us?’ This caught me off guard. I didn't know how to respond. I said, ‘Because I love you guys.’ He looked at me with doubt in his little eyes and questioned, ‘Why do you love us?’” “It stunned me to know that these little guys didn’t understand why a person would like or love them,” Evan shares. “I said ‘I love you because you’re my friends.’ This whole interaction impressed upon me that I had helped those boys understand that they deserved to be loved and liked.” Evan explains that the opportunity to serve changed his life. “I learned what it felt like to have purpose in helping and working for others,” he says. “When I returned, I stayed active in Andrews’ Student Missions because I wanted as many students as possible to have the life-changing experience that I did. Many times, I’ve wished that I could go back to the mission field, but I do find some fulfillment in working on campus at CFE.” He shares the advice he would give to prospective student missionaries: “You have the rest of your life to pursue your career. Life can be very black and white if you live solely in that pursuit. Service can be the color that fills it in.” “Mission can give meaning to your life,” Evan affirms. “To live to serve others is an amazing thing. Give a year of your life to service and see what God can do with your sacrifice.” Contribute to Student Missions at <a href="http://andrews.edu/go/give/smclfm">andrews.edu/go/give/smclfm</a>. Mon, 04 May 2026 14:02:25 +0000 Best Buddies http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69188 Best Buddies is a global movement dedicated to fostering one-on-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community. While the organization operates in chapters across the world, Andrews University officially joined this mission in 2024. Founded by student Alanna Taylor, our local chapter seeks to bridge the social gap between our campus and the vibrant IDD community in our surrounding area. Our chapter proudly partners with the Blossomland Learning Center in Berrien Springs, Michigan, to turn the ideals of inclusion into tangible action. Each month, we host themed events that bring our members together, but the heart of the initiative lies in our Buddy Pairs. Every club member is matched with a partner from Blossomland, and these pairs are encouraged to connect beyond our scheduled events. Whether grabbing a hot drink or sharing a conversation, these intentional interactions are where true, lasting bonds are formed. Beyond our monthly gatherings, we remain active in the community through advocacy and fundraising. From hosting Share Nights to participating in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk, our members work tirelessly to ensure that inclusion remains a visible and celebrated priority on our campus. <blockquote> Seeing the world through my buddy’s perspective shifted my own, moving me from a place of “wanting to help” to “finding a true friend.” </blockquote> My own journey with Best Buddies began when I stepped into the role of vice president of the Andrews chapter. Though it was my first formal experience with the organization, I quickly realized that this wasn’t just a club; it was a vital support system and safe haven for many. I was matched with a student from Blossomland, and the connection we built remains one of the most meaningful aspects of my college career. Seeing the world through my buddy’s perspective shifted my own, moving me from a place of “wanting to help” to “finding a true friend.” The response from the Andrews student body has been inspiring. When we share our mission, the feedback is almost universal. Students are eager to be part of a cause that promotes genuine human connection and to learn more about the IDD community. My hope is that Best Buddies serves as a catalyst for lifelong change. I want our members to form relationships with people they might never have met otherwise, breaking down barriers of “us” and “them.” Ultimately, our goal is that the values of love and inclusion prioritized by Best Buddies will follow students into their professional fields and personal lives. By championing neurodiversity today, we are preparing to lead more compassionate communities tomorrow. Mon, 04 May 2026 13:57:10 +0000 Amizero: A Campus of Hope http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69187 I never imagined that a single project invitation from Impact Hope would reshape how I understand the intersection of architecture, mission and service. The project’s name—Amizero—comes from the Kinyarwanda word for “hope.” For me, that word stopped being academic the moment I stood on a rural hillside overlooking the gentle, rolling landscape of beautiful Rwanda. Our Andrews University School of Architecture & Interior Design (SAID) students milled around, capturing images as fast as they could before the torrential rains seen in the distance blew through. The minds of faculty and students alike raced with the possibilities of how this terrain could be developed into a school campus, a center of hope and influence. Impact Hope is a nonprofit organization created in 2016 that empowers refugee youth by educating them into self-sufficiency at safe, Christian boarding schools. Together with Impact Hope, our Urban Design Studio 2025 class designed an educational campus for these young people. And yet, our collaboration resulted in something far greater than plans for a campus. It stands as powerful evidence that education itself can become an instrument of healing; that architectural form can teach and embody self-reliance; and that the biblical call to “bear one another’s burdens” can take tangible form through dormitories, workshops and classrooms. <img alt="" src="https://webdev.andrews.edu/attachments/69/69187/2026_1_march_30.jpg" /> Long before we boarded a plane to Rwanda, the country’s story had gripped our team. From the early settlements to the colonial divisions that pitted neighbor against neighbor, through the unspeakable horror of the 1994 genocide, the land itself seemed to whisper the same truth: education and safe community spaces are not luxuries—they are necessities. Impact Hope, under the leadership of Mindy Thygeson, founder and president, and Judith Mutamuliza, Rwanda director, invited our studio to imagine a School of Excellence paired with a Vocational Training Center designed specifically for the refugee youth the organization sponsors. Our process began in the studio, with foundational preparation through academic lectures, presentations from guest speakers who had lived in refugee camps, and in-depth studies of proven boarding schools and trade centers across the world. These were followed by two weeks in Rwanda that impressed upon us the true importance of this work. <img alt="" src="https://webdev.andrews.edu/attachments/69/69187/2026_1_march_32.jpg" /> Once in Kigali, Rwanda, we met the students whose futures we were being asked to help build. We listened to their dreams and empathized with their needs. As red earth stained our shoes and warm breezes billowed through van windows, we tried to consume all the scenery about us. We researched examples of similar local schools, toured architectural sites and witnessed the realities of a refugee camp. I remember one young woman telling me, “My education is everything to me and my family. I carry the burden of finding a better way of life.” Niki Djordjevic, one of our architecture students, captures the profound shift these encounters sparked, saying, “Traveling to Rwanda was the most meaningful experience of my five years studying architecture. Immersing myself in the culture and working directly with the refugee students reshaped how I see design. Instead of only focusing on the building, focusing on the students helped make the design more personal and with purpose!” He added, “Witnessing how their gratitude for education leads them to praise God every step of the way really inspired me! This experience connected architecture and mission in a tangible way, reminding me that we are not just designing buildings but helping build hope!” <blockquote> “My education is everything to me and my family. I carry the burden of finding a better way of life.” </blockquote> Architecture student Ibraheem Majeed reflects that “it was the warmth of the people” that impressed him the most. It was words like these—spoken by both the refugee youth and our own team—that became our compass. Abstract theory dissolved; real faces and real needs took its place. Upon returning to campus in Michigan, Ruben Hernández, associate professor, SAID, Ruthzaly Weich, professional consultant and Andrews alumna, and I guided the students through two distinct campus case studies. We explored how the same program could be organized, built and experienced in different ways and continuously asked, “How are the spaces being experienced? How can we provide a safe place students can call home? How can the design foster a spirit of resilience and belonging?” <img alt="" src="https://webdev.andrews.edu/attachments/69/69187/2026_1_march_33.jpg" /> From these questions, we created a comprehensive set of planning tools for Impact Hope: diagrams showing how buildings could adapt to varying slopes; how dormitories and cafeterias could nestle into the land; and how open spaces, circulation paths and water management systems could support daily life rather than fight against it. We also produced architectural guidelines that speak the language of welcome—generous walkways, carefully placed windows that invite light and breeze, roofs that echo local forms, materials chosen for dignity and durability, and landscapes that heal rather than dominate. Our School of Excellence plan centers on accessibility, excellence and long-term sustainability for 1,500 students. It encompasses libraries, classrooms, dormitories, a cafeteria, laboratories and a conference hall. The shared spaces aim to foster both academic rigor and the deep sense of belonging every teenager craves. Also included in this plan is the Vocational Training Center, designed for 600 students. This trade school will support the already functioning trades that Impact Hope has helped develop and grow, providing an array of options for students’ continued education. Here the focus shifts from academics to workforce readiness, offering training in tailoring, carpentry, culinary arts, agriculture, graphic design and more. <blockquote> Every building, every pathway, every garden is created to say: “You belong here. You can stand on your own. You can lift others.” </blockquote> Theory classrooms sit beside active workshops and spaces where students create real products, earn certifications and even generate income while they learn. Dormitories, trade-specific study libraries, administrative offices and outdoor agricultural training zones complete a campus that feels alive with purpose. Our design draws deeply from models of educational excellence that have long inspired Christian service. We took inspiration from Madison College, a gem of the Seventh-day Adventist system shaped by E.A. Sutherland and the counsels of Ellen G. White. Sutherland modeled his vision for Madison College from research he had done at the University of Virginia. He championed lessons in simplicity, walkability, community, stewardship and holistic formation. The result is a place where faith, learning and work are not separate compartments but interwoven threads. <img alt="" src="https://webdev.andrews.edu/attachments/69/69187/2026_1_march_34.jpg" /> At the heart of the plans for Amizero beats the same resilient spirit that has carried Rwanda forward for generations. Local materials sourced and shaped on site will echo centuries of craftsmanship. Self-sustaining water and energy systems will teach stewardship. Agricultural processes will enable students to plant, harvest and learn while feeding their community. Every building, every pathway, every garden is created to say: “You belong here. You can stand on your own. You can lift others.” For those sponsored by Impact Hope—young Christians who have already endured more than most of us can imagine—the campus will provide far more than classrooms. It will offer safe housing, nourishing meals, mentorship, spiritual development, high-quality education, vocational training, business skills, university preparation and ongoing guidance that turns surviving into flourishing. When these students graduate, they will not simply leave the school behind; they will carry hope to their families and communities. <img alt="" src="https://webdev.andrews.edu/attachments/69/69187/2026_1_march_35.jpg" /> Looking back, I am overwhelmed by gratitude. I feel the weight and the wonder of what God can do when architects, educators and mission leaders say yes to a vision larger than themselves. Amizero is still a dream on paper, but it is already a place of restoration in our hearts. It is proof that when we design with the gospel in our hands—when we build not just for function but for dignity, resilience and the Kingdom—we participate in the same redemptive work that turns camps of despair into campuses of hope. One day soon, I pray, I will walk those same pathways again—this time filled with the laughter of 2,100 young people who, having navigated the challenges of their past, have discovered their present is secure in Christ and their future is bright with Amizero. Contribute to the School of Architecture & Interior Design at <a href="http://andrews.edu/go/give/archfm">andrews.edu/go/give/archfm</a>. Mon, 04 May 2026 13:10:23 +0000 Going on Vocation http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69186 What happens when a classroom conversation or advising session shifts from “What career do you desire?” to “Who are you becoming, and how will you serve?” With support from a Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) grant, Andrews University’s Going on Vocation professional development workshops are helping faculty and staff create more of those moments across campus. For the 2025–2026 academic year, through the leadership of Rodney Palmer, chair of the Department of Religion & Biblical Languages and NetVUE Faculty Fellow and campus contact, the University implemented a six-part “Lunch and Learn” workshop series to expand a campus-wide culture of vocational exploration. The sessions focus on deepening participants’ vocational vocabulary through personal reflection and on clarifying how vocation and calling shape identity and purpose. Participants also receive practical tools and resources to effectively integrate vocational exploration into class curriculum and student life programming. Throughout the workshop, participants further hone their mentoring and advising skills by practicing active listening, learning guided discernment and recognizing barriers that hinder student success. At Andrews, vocation is more than the mere pursuit of a career. Instead, it is the lifelong process of discerning how one’s gifts, passions and commitments align with God’s purpose and are in turn utilized to benefit society and the common good. This language of calling resonates deeply with Andrews University’s mission to “Seek Knowledge. Affirm Faith. Change the World.” By engaging vocation in classrooms and relationships, education becomes not only preparation for a job but formation for a life of faith, service and impact. <blockquote> “This training has shaped me both personally and professionally, and it has given me practical tools to help students explore, name and live out their callings.” </blockquote> In her book “Education,” Ellen White describes this holistic vision: “True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being … It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” Furthermore, explorations of vocation and calling are vital for the overall well-being and holistic development of first-generation students. Palmer shares that through this process, “first-generation students are provided with the language to identify their gifts, connect their educational pursuits with God’s calling and build mentoring relationships that foster a sense of belonging and persistence and support their flourishing.” The workshop series will have a lasting impact on the University by making vocational exploration a regular part of the curriculum, advising and mentoring practices across campus. It will also result in a team of trained faculty and staff vocation ambassadors, along with a set of curated resources, that will support ongoing vocation and calling-related professional development for current and incoming employees. Carlisle Sutton, sponsored research officer and a workshop participant who played a key role in developing the NetVUE grant proposal, states, “This training has shaped me both personally and professionally, and it has given me practical tools to help students explore, name and live out their callings.” Mon, 04 May 2026 13:02:36 +0000