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Office of
the President

Presidential History

Presidential Facts

Through the years, those who have served as president of our institution have not only served as spiritual leaders, guided the development of esprit de corps, physical plant and curriculum, but also brought sometimes-amusing personalities to the campus:

  • Edward Sutherland owned a boat and enjoyed the St. Joseph River. He went on to found two other Adventist colleges.
  • Nelson Kauble was famous for his prize-winning chickens.
  • Otto Graf completely cleared the college of debt during his presidency.
  • Frederick Griggs sang “It’s Raining Violets” for chapel every spring.
  • Guy Wolfkill lost his left hand in a buzz-saw accident.
  • Thomas Steen was the first EMC alum to become president of the school.
  • Lynn Wood had his degree in architectural engineering from the University of Michigan.
  • While he was president, Henry Klooster took French lessons from Dan Augsburger at 6 a.m.
  • The students nicknamed Floyd Rittenhouse “Scribbleshack.”
  • Niels-Erik Andreasen was the first president of international birth.
  • Andrea Luxton was the first female president.
  • John Wesley Taylor V is one of three consecutive generations of the Taylor family to be Andrews graduates.

Former Presidents

Battle Creek College, 1874–1901

  • Sidney Brownsberger, 1874–1881
  • Alexander McLearn, 1881–1882
  • Wilcott H. Littlejohn, 1883–1885
  • William W. Prescott, 1885–1894
  • George W. Caviness, 1894–1897
  • Edward A. Sutherland, 1897–1901


Emmanuel Missionary College, 1901–1959

  • Edward A. Sutherland, 1901–1904
  • Nelson W. Kauble, 1904–1908
  • Otto J. Graf, 1908–1917
  • Clement L. Benson, 1917–1918
  • Frederick Griggs, 1918–1924
  • Guy F. Wolfkill, 1924–1930
  • Lynn H. Wood, 1930–1934
  • Thomas W. Steen, 1934–1937
  • Henry J. Klooster, 1937–1943
  • Alvin W. Johnson, 1943–1950
  • Percy W. Christian, 1950–1955
  • Floyd O. Rittenhouse, 1955–1960


Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, 1937–1957

  • Milton E. Kern, 1937–1943
  • Denton E. Rebok, 1943–1951
  • V. E. Hendershot, 1951–1952
  • Ernest D. Dick, 1952–1957

Potomac University, 1957–1960

  • Ernest D. Dick, 1957–1959
  • Floyd O. Rittenhouse, 1959–1960

Andrews University, 1960–

Office of the President