Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2026, Andrews University Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:34:00 +0000 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:34:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Tour the Old Emmanuel Missionary College Campus http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69080 <p> Back in 1901, Andrews University used to be called Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC), and the original campus in Berrien Springs was located at the Berrien County 1839 Courthouse Square, near current downtown Berrien Springs. The 1839 Courthouse is Michigan's oldest courthouse, and it sits on the oldest town square in the Midwest.</p> <p> If you have never toured the Old Courthouse complex, which is now a county museum and educational facility, there is a special tour at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, April 18. You will be able to learn about these beautiful old buildings, how Emmanuel Missionary College used them and stories from 1901 about the early days of EMC. </p> <p> Meet in front of the courthouse at 313 N Cass Street, Berrien Springs. The tour is free, as is entry into the museum complex. Donations to support the restoration of the Courthouse Square are welcome but not required to attend.</p> Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:38:09 +0000 Religion Forum with Øystein S. LaBianca http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68844 <p> At the Religion Student Forum, <strong>Øystein S. LaBianca</strong> revisits the heritage of biblical archaeology at <strong>Andrews University</strong>, from the pioneering era of <strong>Siegfried H. Horn</strong> to today’s work at Tall Hisban in Jordan. While early generations sought to illuminate the biblical world through excavation, the field now faces new ethical and intellectual responsibilities. Drawing on a deep-time perspective, LaBianca argues that archaeology in the lands of the Bible must move toward partnership with local communities, fuller inclusion of Islamic and Ottoman pasts, and practices that build long-term trust. This shift—from expedition to collaboration, from extraction to stewardship—offers students a path to meaningful service and scholarship while sustaining the Adventist commitment to sharing the good news of the gospel. </p> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:53:28 +0000 Tarragindi Archaeological Dig http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67430 <p> Children aged 6–18, who either live in Berrien Springs or attend a private school, church school, public school or a home school program in the Berrien Springs school district, are all eligible to participate for free in the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig, fall 2025 dig season. The Tarragindi Archaeological Dig is also operating a dig with the Berrien County History Center in July for both adults and children to participate in. See <a href="https://tarragindi.org">tarragindi.org</a> for details or register in person for the July Berrien County History Center dig at the Old Courthouse during Pickle Fest, July 4.</p> <p> An estimated 200-year-old coin was found on June 19, 2025, at the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig in Berrien Springs by 11-year-old Leif Sigvartsen. The coin was a Maria Theresa "Thaler" (rhymes with "dollar" and is where the English word "dollar" comes from). This is an Austrian coin that was an international currency used by Holy Roman Empire countries and for international trade. In a time when there were no electronic currency transfers or PayPal, the Thaler was a good way for European settlers in the early 1800’s to bring currency from Europe to the U.S. The Thaler was used by early settlers in Michigan—which may explain why this coin was found next to Long Lake in Berrien Springs.</p> <p> Made from a silver and copper alloy, the coin is dated 1780, but from 1780 onwards, all these coins were dated 1780 to honor the death of Archduchess Maria Theresa, the only female Habsburg ruler of Austria (1740–1780). Maria Theresa was also the mother of the French queen, Marie Antoinette, who was executed as part of the French Revolution. The coin is heavily corroded on one side, suggesting it was most likely accidently dropped in the early 1800s by a Berrien Springs settler, trapper or native American when this currency may still have been in use (predominantly prior to 1857) and sat there for nearly 200 years with one side being corroded by the ground and the other side exposed to the elements. The coin will be on display at the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig exhibit in the Old Courthouse during Pickle Fest, July 4, 2025, at the Berrien County History Center, Berrien Springs. Other significant finds from the Spring 2025 Tarragindi Archaeological dig season will be on display too.</p> <p> “Dirt does terrible things to silver/copper coins,” says Jan Sigvartsen, PhD, director of the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig and adjunct professor at Andrews University. “The markings on the eagle on the side that is still intact suggest it was minted in the early 1800s, but we cannot be sure. We will have to do more investigating.”</p> <p> The coin was found while Sigvartsen and his eldest son, Leif, were clearing up fallen branches near Square Three at the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig site in preparation for the fall 2025 dig season, which starts in late August. The Tarragindi Archaeological Dig is excavating an old farm first purchased in 1836 by a member of one of Berrien Springs' earliest settler families. Over the next 150 years, they built up a "farmers dump," an archaeologist's treasure trove of life in Berrien Springs from that early period up until 1970, when the "dump" was no longer used.</p> <p> “The coin was just sitting there on the ground, right next to the corner peg of Square Three, and I thought I saw a German eagle on it,” says Leif, who is going to be a sixth-grader at Berrien Springs Middle School in the upcoming school year. “I told my Mom, who was with me, and she said to go and get your Dad straight away!”</p> Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:17:45 +0000 Bible Lands Study Tour 2023 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62818 <p> The 2023 Bible Lands Study Tour is currently traveling in Turkey and completes its tour next month in Egypt. Here the group celebrates their climb to the summit of Mount Nemrut. The tour is sponsored by the Departments of Biology, History & Political Science, and Religion & Biblical Languages.</p> Thu, 25 May 2023 18:18:31 +0000 Bible Lands Study Tour 2023 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62751 <p> The Bible Lands Study Tour 2023, sponsored by the Departments of History & Political Science, Biology, and Religion & Biblical Languages, begins travels to Turkey, Mount Ararat and Egypt from May 10–June 6, 2023.</p> <p> Follow us on social media. More information is available <a href="http://andrews.edu/cas/religion/study_tours/bible-lands-study-tour-2023.html">here</a>.</p> Tue, 09 May 2023 18:10:05 +0000 New Discoveries About Noah's Ark in Ararat http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62513 <p> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/sem/contact/faculty/randall-younker.html">Randy Younker</a>, professor of archaeology and history of antiquity, director of the PhD (Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology) program and director of the Institute of Archaeology, will present a lecture titled "New Discoveries in Ararat" during the Religion Forum on Tuesday, March 28, from 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.</p> <p> This program is sponsored by the Departments of Religion & Biblical Languages, History and Biology as part of the Bible Lands Study Tour 2023.</p> Wed, 29 Mar 2023 20:01:29 +0000 Lecture: Origins and Life Processes http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62172 <p> Marlene Murray, professor of biology, will present the lecture titled "Origins and Life Processes: Traveling in Ancient Times, Customs and Cultures."</p> <p> As a component of the Bible Lands Study Tour Lectures, the Departments of Biology, History & Political Sciences, and Religion & Biblical Languages invite the student body and community to participate in this event. </p> <ul> <li> Buller Auditorium, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, 7–8:30 p.m.</li> </ul> <p> The event is mandatory for the participants to the Bible Lands Study Tour: Life Origins, Civilizations & Faith 2023.</p> Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:56:53 +0000 "Egypt and the Bible" -- A Lecture http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/61678 <div> <span>You are invited to participate in the presentation "Egypt and the Bible" by L.S. Baker, a</span>ssociate director, Andrews University Press, in preparation for the upcoming Bible Lands Study Tour 2023. The lecture is on the importance of Egypt civilization, religion and power and the Bible.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Baker graduated from Andrews University with the dissertation "<a href="https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2951&context=dissertations" target="_blank">Archaeological Backgrounds of the Sanctuary: A Search for Egyptian Cultural Influence in the Construction of the Hebrew Tent-Sanctuary</a>." He is also author of "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Land-Rameses-L-S-Baker-Jr/dp/149087142X">Land of Rameses</a>."</div> <div>  </div> <div> Invite your friends!</div> <div>  </div> <div> For the pilgrim participants in the summer Bible Lands Study Tour this meeting counts as one of the 3M - Monthly Mandatory Meetings. Come, bring your friends and the completed Application Package along with the paid receipt of your registration (at "AU-Finances").</div> <div>  </div> <div> <em>Professors:</em></div> <div> <em></em></div> <div> <em>Stephanie Carpenter, chair, professor of history, Department of History & Political Science</em></div> <div> <em>Marlene Murray, professor, graduate program coordinator, Department of Biology</em></div> <div> <em>L.S. Baker, associate director, Andrews University Press</em></div> <div> <em>Rubén Muñoz-Larrondo, associate professor, Department of Religion & Biblical Languages</em></div> Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:36:23 +0000