Date: June 8, 2011
Contact: pr@andrews.edu
Website:
Phone:

In preparation for the July relocation of Griggs University & International Academy to the campus of Andrews University, Andrews has purchased the Lake Union Conference building, located adjacent to the University’s main entrance on Old U.S. 31. Ownership of Griggs University & International Academy was transferred to Andrews University in November, 2010. The physical move of Griggs to Andrews will take place next month, July 2011.
  
According to Elder Don Livesay, president of the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Lake Union Conference building is far larger than is needed to carry out the current functions of their organization. “The Lake Union Conference is looking to establish a new headquarters more suitable and efficient to the size of our staff, but still in the Berrien Springs area,” says Livesay.
  
When it was first announced that Griggs was moving to the campus of Andrews University, the Lake Union Conference offered to help with office space needs by leasing half of its building to the University, but eventually offered to sell the entire building. The purchase will be implemented over a period of a year and a half. During this time, Andrews University and Griggs University will share the building with the Lake Union Conference. In time, the Lake Union Conference will move into a new building and Andrews/Griggs will then occupy the entire Lake Union Conference building.
  
During the month of June, several University offices will relocate to the Lake Union building including the Office of Development, the Office of Planned Giving & Trust Services, the Center for Distance Learning and Instructional Technology and Affiliations & Extension Programs. In July, new and existing employees of Griggs University will also move into the building.
  
When fully implemented, this new facility will house the functions at Andrews University that are particularly directed toward the University's external relations. Plans are also in place to more physically and aesthetically integrate the Lake Union building into the rest of the campus.
  
“Although we will miss our good neighbors in the Lake Union Conference on our front lawn, as it were, I am pleased that in the long run the entire front of the campus will be University land and University facilities,” says Niels-Erik Andreasen, president of Andrews University.