As we are wrapping up the final weeks of the 2025-2026 school year at Andrews University, at the Student Movement, we would like to bring to your attention some of the biggest news items that shaped life on the Andrews campus this past year for our students, faculty, alumni and Berrien Springs community. Student Movement news reporters hit the Andrews pavement to cover university townhalls, faculty changes, administrative rumblings, student achievements and opportunities, and so much more. Below are just a few examples of this intrepid student journalism.
Reporter Kyle Simpson took to the ground for the very first installment of this year’s SM to gauge the student body’s reactions to the assassination of millennial conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025. Simpson reported on the responses of several students to this event; for instance, sophomore Roman Jordache said, “Here’s the thing: I didn’t really know about Charlie Kirk until today/yesterday. But all of his things have been on social media, so I’ve seen a couple things. But it’s a shame that that had to happen. Because he had a family, right? Like, young kids. You can disagree with somebody, but you should never, ever, ever kill somebody over that. Like, he had a family, two young kids, and now they don’t have a dad anymore.” Other students highlighted concerns about what this violent act means for the state of political discourse in our country.
For the next installment of the SM, Isa DeMoraes reported on the experience students had at the fall week of prayer with Pastor Anil Kanda from Sept. 15 to Sept. 19, 2025. DeMoraes highlighted Kanda’s focus on trying to understand Christianity from the outside looking in; eight students accepted an end-of-week call for baptism.
The Andrews community was hit with tragedy in October when sophomore Micah Harris died in a drowning accident in Lake Chapin, a few miles from campus. Editor Andrew Francis eulogized Harris and informed our campus about the grieving resources being made available to the student body.
Reporter Nicholas Gunn reported on how Professor Elizabeth McCree plugged many of her pre-law students into an opportunity to give back to the local community and gain valuable legal experience by participating in the Expungement Resource Fair at the Walmart in Benton Harbor, Michigan. This is just one of many examples of the ways in which Andrews students gain valuable real-work experiences and benefit the world around them.
For the first time in Andrews' history, the campus held a Spring Convocation on Jan. 15, 2026, to bring in the new semester. The SM covered the event and President John Wesley Taylor V’s exhortation to the student body to focus on making an impact for God wherever they are, no matter how “lowly” a station. Also, various school deans highlighted the accomplishments in their areas.
After a 10-year hiatus, the Passion Play returned to the Andrews campus on April 4, 2026. Addison Randall reported on how over 500 volunteers pulled together to present the story of the Passion of Christ to over 4,000 guests despite a day plagued by weather challenges.
Randall reported on the 2025-2026 Andrews Mock Trial event that took place on March 27 with 12 pre-law students. She also highlighted how Professor McCree strives to provide opportunities to help the pre-law students thrive and succeed professionally.
The 2025-2026 school year has brought a major goodbye to the Andrews University family. Addison Randall reported on the concerns around Stephen Zork’s retirement, and later on the Endowed Chair fundraiser to honor Zork’s legacy and keep the position funded permanently for Zork’s successor. A celebration concert is taking place on April 24, 2026, which will reunite current and former students to unite in song.
The Student Movement would like to heartily thank everyone among the student body, faculty, and wider Andrews community who supports student journalism. Hope all of our readers have a tremendous summer break, and that next fall you will pick up the SM to stay on top of the latest news affecting our campus community.
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.