Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2025, Andrews University Fri, 30 May 2025 08:01:00 +0000 Fri, 30 May 2025 08:01:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Around the World in a Day http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67316 Walking into the Andrews University gymnasium, I am hit by a wash of colors, savory smells and a hum of voices. Elaborately decorated booths outlining the gym’s perimeter represent 15 international student clubs ready to sell their cultures’ staple dishes to hungry attendees. For 60 years the International Food Fair at Andrews University has brought food from all over the globe to Berrien Springs, Michigan. Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, has students from over 90 countries. U.S. News & World Report ranked Andrews first in the nation for campus ethnic diversity in 2023, due largely to Adventist outreach in countries across the world. <<< Read the full story at the Edible Michiana <a href="https://server.prepressmaster.com/flipbooks/2022/EdibleMichiana_EarlySummer25/EdibleMichiana_EarlySummer25.html#page=41">site</a> >>> Thu, 29 May 2025 10:09:26 +0000 Weathering the Storm http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67315 Ben Martin, one of the associate pastors at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, was racing back and forth beneath the white canvas tent, trying to troubleshoot a cascade of technical issues. The projectors weren’t working. The slides wouldn’t load. Cameras were down. It was the sixth night of The Tent, an 11-day evangelistic series led by junior high schoolers from Ruth Murdoch Elementary School, and everything seemed to be falling apart. <<< Read the full story at the Adventist Review <a href="https://adventistreview.org/news/students-weather-a-natural-disaster-to-finish-evangelistic-series/">site</a> >>> Thu, 29 May 2025 10:06:22 +0000 Death of Emilie Oosterwal-Tilstra http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67314 <div> Emilie Oosterwal-Tilstra, of Berrien Springs, MI passed away Friday, January 10, 2025 at Caretel Inns St. Joseph at the age of 94.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Emilie was born July 7, 1930 near Dortmund, Germany to Sjoerd “George” & Martha (Böbisch) Tilstra. She attended Newbold College of Higher Education in England. On October 31, 1957 she married Gottfried Oosterwal in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. After living in Indonesian New Guinea, the Philippines and The Netherlands, the Oosterwals settled in Berrian Springs. Emilie taught upholstery and woodworking at Andrews University before setting out on an entrepreneurial endeavor. Emilie was active in the Berrien Springs community as the owner of Blossomland Flower Shop for over 20 years. After retiring from her flower shop, Emilie volunteered at Neighbor to Neighbor in Berrien Springs and was part of the Antiquarians of St. Joseph. She enjoyed flowers as an avid gardener, was a voracious reader and loved to travel. Emile had a heart of gold and enjoyed being around children and animals.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Emilie is survived by her daughter Verona Valentine; sons Dantar Oosterwal and Erik (Susan) Oosterwal; grandchildren David Valentine, Audrey (Robert) Miller, Eva (Mason Bailey) Oosterwal, Erik-Philip (Kayla) Oosterwal and Matthew (Kate) Oosterwal; great-granddaughter Sophia Oosterwal; and brother Adolf Tilstra. Read Oosterwal-Tilstra's full obituary <a href="https://www.wsjm.com/2025/05/27/emilie-oosterwal-tilstra/">here</a>.</div> Thu, 29 May 2025 10:03:29 +0000 Response to Student Visa Freeze http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67312 Greetings! I am writing in regard to the recent news about the U.S. State Department freeze on new student visa appointments at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. I know these developments raise questions of concern for our international students already on campus and for Andrews University faculty and staff who support and advise international students. However, I realize the news is especially concerning to our newly-accepted international students who have not yet received a student visa. If you are in this category, please know that the International Student Services (ISS) office at Andrews University is monitoring the situation daily, and ISS staff are prepared and ready to support you no matter what happens next. I also wanted to offer these thoughts: <ul> <li> The current freeze is temporary and could change at any time.</li> <li> ISS is ready to change and adapt in response.</li> <li> ISS will continue issuing new I-20s during the freeze, so once the freeze is lifted, I-20s will have already been emailed if all requirements were met.</li> <li> ISS will communicate updates and new options as changes to the student visa process are clarified by the U.S. government in the coming days and weeks.</li> </ul> Though I cannot guarantee answers to every student visa question at the moment, I can guarantee that ISS is closely watching for new U.S. government guidelines and is ready to support you in whatever way possible. Our prayers and best wishes are with you during this time of uncertainty! Christian Stuart Associate Dean for International Education Wed, 28 May 2025 16:33:08 +0000 Eau Claire SDA Church Service, May 31 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67303 Tom Shepherd, PhD, is the speaker at the Eau Claire Seventh-day Adventist Church this Saturday. Pastor Shepherd begins a new series on the parables of Jesus with a sermon titled, "Letting the Word Take Root in My Heart." The parable of the sower teaches deep lessons about the power of God's Word and the surprising things that can neutralize its power in our life. How can we let the Word do its work in our life? The church service begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by Sabbath School at 11 a.m. All are welcome. The Eau Claire church is located at 6562 Naomi Road in Eau Claire. Prayer meeting is at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays via Zoom. Contact Pastor Shepherd for details at <a href="mailto:trs@andrews.edu">trs@andrews.edu</a>. Wed, 28 May 2025 15:33:03 +0000 Niles Westside Church Services, May 31 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67310 Niles Westside Adventist Church 1105 Grant St (at Fairview Ave) Niles, MI 49120 <a href="https://nileswestsidemi.adventistchurch.org">www.nileswestside.org</a> Pastor: Alexander Rybachek Sabbath School: 9:45 a.m. Church Services: 8:30 a.m. & 10:55 a.m. May 31 Sabbath 8:30 & 11 a.m.: Pastor Alex Rybachek The meeting at the Pool of Bethesda was not by accident. Jesus knew where He went, on what day He went there, and of whom to ask these famous words: "Do you want to get well?" Jesus knows where we are, and He knows our struggle. Just as it was in this story at the Pool of Bethesda, in our most desperate moment Jesus finds and heals us.  Wed, 28 May 2025 15:27:33 +0000 All Nations SDA Church Service, May 31 http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67309 Join the All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church for our worship experience this Sabbath, May 31, at 11:45 a.m., as Arlyn Drew presents "The God of Sarah." Adult and Children's Sabbath School begins at 10:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there! Upcoming Events: <ol> <li> Wednesday, June 4: Midweek Refresh at 7 p.m. via Zoom</li> <li> Friday, June 6: Friday Night Prayer Meeting at 7:30 p.m.</li> <li> Sunday, June 22: Food Pantry Distribution from 1:30–3:30 p.m.</li> </ol> The All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church is located at 4259 E. Snow Road, Berrien Springs, MI. Wed, 28 May 2025 15:24:39 +0000 Andrews Alumni Featured in Documentary Series http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67308 On Thursday, May 29, at 8 p.m. EST, and Sunday, June 1, at 7 p.m., PBS Michiana will air its newest installment of the "Legends of Michiana" documentary series. The program, titled “A Legacy of Care and Compassion,” will feature brothers Loren and Lowell Hamel. Born in Michigan, and with deep roots in the Andrews University community, the twins have made a significant impact on their local church and community. Growing up in a strong faith environment, both Loren and Lowell were called to serve their community of Berrien Springs, Michigan, as physicians. In 1976, both graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Andrews University. After attending Loma Linda University in California, they felt called back to Southwest Michigan to build and grow the community they grew up in. Both have worked to meet the health care needs of their community for more than 35 years, as primary care physicians and hospital administrators. For many years, Loren served as president and chief strategy officer and Lowell served as chief operating officer of Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health). Both Loren and Lowell have invested in the Andrews University community over the years. In 1990, they practiced medicine together at the University Medical Center on campus. Additionally, Loren Hamel has served as director of Student Health Services, clinical professor of nursing, president of the Alumni Association, chair of the J.N. Andrews Sculpture Committee, and member of the Board of Trustees and several of its subcommittees. The "Legends of Michiana" documentary series highlights people and organizations that have been influential to the growth and development of the Michiana area. Previous programs can be accessed <a href="https://www.wnit.org/programs/legends.html">here</a>. Thursday evening’s program can be viewed at the WNIT 34.1 <a href="https://www.wnit.org/live">livestream</a>. Wed, 28 May 2025 14:28:53 +0000