If one word captures the essence of 2025 at Andrews University, it is deeper. Deeper faith. Deeper engagement. Deeper roots. Across every dimension of campus life, we have witnessed a quiet but unmistakable strengthening—the kind that comes when God is at work.
Consider what happened in worship. Anonymous surveys revealed that the proportion of students attending Sabbath morning services has risen significantly over the past several years. Twenty-seven vibrant Anchor Groups met for Bible study, and over 70% of students reported growth in their spiritual life this semester, a number that keeps rising year on year. Something is stirring in the hearts of our students, and it is beautiful to watch.
That same spirit extended well beyond the campus. During May, 19 students and five faculty members traveled to Lilongwe, Malawi, for a “Malawi for Christ” evangelism initiative. What followed was nothing short of a modern Pentecost—in a single day, more than 3,000 people were baptized.
Back on campus, the discipleship culture continues to deepen in creative ways. Kyra Ombao, a junior serving as student chaplain for the Office of Athletics, launched a pre-season Athlete Consecration where every team member received commemorative Cardinals shoelaces inscribed with John 13:35—a reminder that their primary role on the court or field is to share the love of Jesus. This semester, the Easter Passion Play successfully returned to Andrews, led by Leonardo Aguilera, a 2025 business graduate who served as a student chaplain. Discipleship keeps returning on its investment, even after our students graduate.
Academically, the year brought significant milestones. In the 2025 Alumni Survey, more than 90% of graduates reported being employed or accepted into graduate school within one year. U.S. News recognized Andrews as the only Adventist university ranked as a national university, and our ranking has risen 78 places over the past two years. We were named a top performer for social mobility and ranked fifth nationally for international students. Niche placed Andrews in the top 10% of best Christian colleges in America.
Enrollment remained stable despite significant headwinds across higher education. Residence hall occupancy reached its highest point in six years, and the proportion of Lake Union academy graduates choosing Andrews has nearly doubled in recent years. Financially, net assets continued rising, long-term debt as a proportion of net assets has dropped by half over five years, and the U.S. Department of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score for Andrews reached its maximum.
Stories of impact abound. Architecture students collaborated with Impact Hope to design a School of Excellence and Vocational Training Center for refugee youth in Rwanda, then traveled to walk the proposed site. In the past few months, four faculty members and 13 students in the Department of Biology were involved in the publication of three peer-reviewed articles. A senior violin performance major qualified to join a performance at Carnegie Hall. The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary launched a new Doctor of Theology cohort worldwide. Our Global Campus continues expanding, with thousands of students from around the globe. And the Department of Aviation is now welcoming students to use its new 737-MAX simulator, the culmination of months of planning during 2025.
As a parent wrote after our recent Standout spiritual retreat weekend, “We had an amazing time at Andrews! My daughter is looking forward to attending this fall. She told us it already feels like home.”
This is the Andrews experience. A place where faith grows deeper, minds stretch further and hearts prepare for God’s service.