Last issue, we met an incredible physicist, a Congress representative, and a first lady of Hawaii. These women, all of whom graduated from Andrews University, achieved many great things as they lived out the motto “World Changers Made Here.” To follow in the theme of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we will also highlight some more recent graduates of Andrews University. The story goes on, and women continue to carve out a legacy of inspiration.
The first woman we meet is Beryl-Adolphs Nalowa Esembe, who was born July 10, 1972. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, minoring in religion and biology, from the Adventist Seminary of West Africa, an affiliated school of Andrews University, which is based in Nigeria and known today as Babcock University. After graduation, Esembe was trained in Cyprus by one of the anti-human trafficking coordinators for the European Commission. She uses those skills she learned to advocate against gender violence, making her quite renowned for her activism. During her time in Cyprus, Esembe was involved in rescuing and tracing human trafficking chains. Presently, she is involved in a project called The Ghana Project, where Esembe goes from school to school teaching children about human trafficking and how to recognize potential human trafficking chains. She continues to work for victims of trafficking and those who are marginalized. Recently, she began Inspiration Talks Woman 2 Woman Ministries, helping families foster a spiritual connection.
Going from the human world to the marine, we meet Karen Joyce Osborn, born Jan. 29, 1974. She is a marine biologist and zoologist who currently works at the Smithsonian as a researcher and curator of annelids and peracarids. Her interest in biology began in high school and influenced her decision to pursue biology in her undergraduate program. Osborn took a break between her college studies to do student missions in Micronesia, where, along with teaching biology, she had the opportunity to scuba dive and explore the local marine environment. Her experience there led Osborn to pursue marine biology and zoology after her graduation in 1996 from Andrews University with a Bachelor of Science in zoology. She went on to get her master’s in biology from Western Michigan. For two years after her graduation, she worked at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute as a research technician. Osborn then resumed her educational journey and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with her doctoral degree in Integrative Biology. A few years later, in 2011, she began working at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Although she works as a curator of invertebrates, specifically marine ones, her main role entails research. Osborn is also a lover of art and enjoys incorporating and creating scientific illustrations into her work. You can examine some of her papers here.
Another notable alumnus from Andrews University is Heather Thompson Day. BornJan. 1, 1987, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, she attended Andrews University for her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in communication. She is an author and speaker and has taught communication at Andrews University and Colorado Christian University. She has authored 10 books and has spoken at a multitude of conferences. Day continues to inspire, with her podcast “What If I'm Wrong,” where she encourages listeners through devotional thoughts, Bible study, and explores what a deeper relationship with God could look like.
And this is just the beginning, the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other women whose lives are a living testament to the motto “World Changers Made Here!” So whether you are a nutritionist major working to better the health of your clients, an aviation major helping in transportation, an education major instilling the thirst for knowledge in young people, an engineering major fostering a creative mindset, a graphic design major creating beauty, or a chemistry major exploring the wonders of nature, we can all serve as examples of service, kindness and positive change.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.