campus update

Assault prompts emergency preparedness review

At approximately 9:15 am Monday, April 16—the same day the Much of the meeting was spent in discussion of the following: a nation learned of the mass killings at Virginia Tech University— review of disaster plans, including lockdown procedures; emergency Seminary student Adelin Romana Baciu assaulted Seminary notification and communication procedures; mental health inter- professor Russell Burrill in his office at the Seventh-day Adventist vention protocols; and a Christian response to violent behavior. Theological Seminary. No weapon was involved in the assault. Administration will also be making subcommittee assignments to Office staff who heard the struggle and calls for help went to the joint committee, including completion timeline expectations Burrill’s aid and called Public Safety and the police. Baciu later as- for the four areas mentioned above. saulted a police officer and medic personnel. At the joint meeting, it was reported that Seminary faculty and Following the assault, Burrill sought medical attention, was staff would participate in a Safety Awareness meeting, and that released, and returned to the classroom that same afternoon. Provost Knight will work campus-wide with the deans and depart- Baciu was arraigned Wednesday, April 18, on charges of assault ment directors to determine needs and plans for Safety Awareness with attempt to murder and assaulting a police officer. He remains meetings with the entire university in the near future. in police custody in St. Joseph, , on a $250,000 cash Dr. Andreasen has assured faculty, staff and students that the bond. A trial date will not be set until results from medical evalua- university has clearly defined procedures and processes and trained, tions are received. responsible individuals tasked to carry out those procedures in In a move to formalize the campus response to this assault and to case of emergency. There is a functional Emergency Operations the horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech, Dr. Andreasen chaired a joint Center protocol in place. Although the university has prepared as meeting of the Public Safety Committee and the Risk Management best it can, the events of April make clear that no plan can provide Committee on April 19. The committees reviewed the assault a guarantee against tragedy. Andrews University is committed to incident response actions of Public Safety, University Relations, giving its best efforts to safeguard the precious human resources on Student Life, and the Seminary. The committees also received a our campus. review of our campus Emergency Preparedness Drills and Plans.

Pedersen papers donated

The Center for Adventist Research, housed in the James White Library, recently re- ceived the personal papers of early Seventh- day Adventist missionary Emmanuel Pedersen. The papers were presented by Børge Schantz, a retired professor of religion and specialist in Islamic relations, who was a personal friend of Pedersen, as well as members of the Pedersen family, during a regularly scheduled chapel service at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on April 17. Above left: Borge Schantz, who facilitated the donation of the Pedersen papers, provided insights into Pedersen was born in Odense, Denmark the life of his friend at a Seminary chapel service. Above right: Kirsten Hills (nee Pedersen) and Glenn Pedersen present the papers to Merlin Burt and President Andreasen. in 1904, and served the Adventist Church in Denmark in many capacities through- out his life, including stints as a literature in 1971, he traveled to Iran as a guest for Adventist Research. “Many records and evangelist, teacher, pastor and missionary. the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of much information have been lost to the In 1937, he and his wife, Esther, went to the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. ravages of time. Dr. Pedersen’s materials Uganda as missionaries, where they helped The collection contains official corre- help us preserve important documentation establish . From 1943- spondence, personal letters, sermons, per- on how people interacted on important 53, the couple served as missionaries in sonal mementos, photographs, books and projects.” The Pedersen Collection will Kenya. other items. “This collection is particularly be housed in the Center for Adventist Even in retirement, Pedersen served as valuable because it provides information on Research and will be a great resource for an advisor to the president of the General early mission work in Africa,” commented researchers. Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Merlin Burt, director of the Center for

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Spring graduates number 457

On Sunday, May 6, 457 graduates were service, Johnsson also re- added to the worldwide list of Andrews ceived a Doctor of Divinity, alumni. honoris causa. Johnsson is The weekend began with a consecration the former editor-in-chief service by David S. Hall, Sr., enrollment co- of and ordinator at Andrews, who spoke on “Those founding editor of Adventist Who are With Us.” , professor World. He is the third-lon- of world mission, presented “Going Home gest continuous editor of for the Holidays?” at both the graduate the official magazine of the and undergraduate baccalaureates. Several Adventist Church, having campus departments also held pinning and worked there for 24 years. dedication services on Sabbath afternoon. Johnsson has authored 20 The graduation vespers service was followed books and more than 1000 by a reception for graduates and their fami- articles. He received his Professor of Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern languages, Roy lies, hosted by President Andreasen. doctorate for his contribu- Gane was awarded the J.N. Andrews Medallion during the graduate During this year’s graduate commence- tions and lifelong commit- commencement ceremony. Pictured, l-r: Richard and Virginia Clark, Roy ment ceremony, Roy Gane received the ment to the Seventh-day and Connie Gane, and their daughter Sarah J.N. Andrews Medallion, the highest award Adventist Church. Andrews gives to its scholars. Gane is The undergraduate commencement Maranatha is a nonprofit Christian professor of Bible and ancient Near Eastern speaker was Dick DeVos, president of The organization which mobilizes volunteers languages. He is also director of the PhD, Windquest Group and 2006 Michigan to build schools, churches, orphanages, ThD, and MTh programs in the Seminary gubernatorial candidate. His talk, “Will You clinics, and houses around the world. Since and a member of the exclusive interdisci- Hear Him Knocking? Putting Your Faith to its foundation, Maranatha has constructed plinary honor society, Phi Kappa Phi. In Work in the World,” was well received. nearly 3000 buildings and sent over 45,000 2005, he received the Daniel A. Augsburger Dolores and Leon Slikkers, philanthro- volunteers to 61 countries. Excellence in Teaching Award. pists and entrepreneurs, received Doctors of Dolores and Leon Slikkers received their William G. Johnsson, assistant to Law, honoris causa. The Slikkers are widely doctorates for their dedication and com- the president for interfaith relations at known for their contributions to the plea- mitment to improving the quality of life the General Conference of Seventh-day sure boating industy. Inside the Christian of those around them, their generosity to Adventists, was the graduate commence- church, however, they are known for estab- worthy causes, and their encouragement of ment speaker. He challenged the students lishing Maranatha Volunteer International, others to serve. to “Embrace the Impossible.” During that with John Freeman

William G. Johnsson Dick DeVos Dolores & Leon Slikkers

6 FOCU S l SPRING 2 0 0 7 campus update

SIFE team named regional champions

The Andrews University Students in Free Noel, David Roe, Cherise Sandy, and Ryan Enterprise (SIFE) club were named regional Thornhill. champions at the competition held in Dr. Ann Gibson, faculty sponsor of the Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, March 28. SIFE team, was honored as a Sam Walton As winners of the regional competition, the Fellow in recognition of her role in advising Andrews SIFE team will be competing at the Andrews SIFE program. the national competition in Dallas, Tex. on SIFE is an international organization May 6–8. of university and college students involv- Led by Jason Webster, a senior market- ing more than 800 colleges in the United ing major and president of Andrews’ SIFE The 2007 SIFE team States. Students in each club are challenged chapter, the team presented their annual re- to develop outreach programs that al- port and a 24-minute overview of this year’s Presenters at this year’s competition low them to practice skills learned in the projects to a panel of over a dozen corporate also included Lauren Nembhard, junior classroom with focus on market economics, judges. This year’s SIFE projects included: accounting major and vice president of success skills, entrepreneurship, financial Teach a Child about Business, a program Andrews’ SIFE chapter, Gabriel Montes, literacy, and business ethics. Although part involving Ruth Murdoch Elementary senior accounting major and recreation of the School of Business Administration, School students; computer literacy training center manager, and Kira Finnegan, senior membership in the SIFE program is open for students and their families as part of information systems major and assistant to any Andrews student interested in service the Bridges to Digital Excellence program recreation center manager. Lizzy Salazar, and outreach programs. in Benton Harbor; a business analysis of junior management major, developed the the campus recreation center; a personal PowerPoint presentation and assisted with finance seminar for Andrews students, and technical support during the presentation. an upcoming business ethics seminar, which Other SIFE members who participated at will be held in Garber Auditorium in Chan the competition included: David Freedman, Shun Hall on April 9. Crystal Giem, Justin Meseraull, Myrtha

Physical Therapy reaccreditated to 2016

The quality of the Andrews University Physical Therapy Department was recently affirmed through its renewal of accredi- tation for the next ten years. On April 20, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) voted to reaffirm the department’s accreditation through 2016. In a phone call to Wayne Perry, department chair, Ellen Price, associate director of CAPTE, commended Andrews, stating that the Andrews PT program is the first in the nation to successfully complete the accreditation process under the current requirements without having to write a single progress report. Perry noted that Andrews has been blessed to have a dedicated, well-qualified team of faculty, staff and clinicians working together to provide the highest quality educational experience for its physi- cal therapy students. And he is particularly grateful for his team’s effots toward accreditation. “We all worked hard to receive this The Andrews University Airpark held an open house in honor of the honor” says Perry. “The Lord has truly blessed us and [we] thank opening of their brand-new flight simulations building on Sunday, May 6. The building, which was built entirely through donations from community Him for it.” members and friends of the airpark, was designed specifically to house the flight simulators the university received this past fall from Alsim Inc. Jean-Paul Monnin, president of Alsim Inc., and Verlyn Benson, dean of the College of Technology, are pictured addressing the crowd at the special dedication/opening ceremony.

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Racial integration in the 19th century

On April 19, Andrews University’s James White Library hosted matter. The James White Library is one of 65 libraries in the state author Anna-Lisa Cox. Cox was on campus to discuss her book, A to participate in the Notable Books Program tour of libraries. Stronger Kinship: One Town’s Extraordinary Story of Hope and Faith, which tells the story of racial integration in Covert, Mich. Since the 19th Century, in an era and country roiled with racial tensions, Covert has been a place where “blacks and whites lived peacefully and equally with shared political power, integrated schools and interracial marriage.” Over ten years, Cox culled re- search from local newspapers, personal diaries, and first-hand remi- niscences depicting a town that was and still is racially integrated. An historian, writer and lecturer, Cox is a recipient of numer- ous research awards, including the National Endowment for the Humanities Younger Scholars Award and the Pew Younger Scholars Fellowship. Currently, she is a scholar in residence at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Ill. A Stronger Kinship has been selected for Michigan’s Notable Books Program. Every year, the Library of Michigan acknowledges 20 of the previous year’s best books that were either written by a Michigan author or contain Michigan or the Great Lakes as subject Anna-Lisa Cox autographs her book for Larry Onsager, dean of libraries.

Architecture design studio receives Charter Award

The Congress for the New Urbanism to sprawl, because it could receive displaced about a plan for Saucier, providing the (CNU) recently gave a Charter Award to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, as well as group with the right contacts. Division of Architecture’s fall 2006 Design county-wide sewer service in the next five In preparation for the population in- Studio, under the guidance of Andrew von years. Ohio State University’s urban plan- crease, the students and von Maur decided Maur, for their project, “The Saucier Town ning school approached von Maur’s studio on certain strategies to keep the town Plan.” Of 130 projects submitted, Andrews compact. They wanted to preserve much University was one of only five academic of the rural land in the area, so they used and 20 professional projects that were recog- SmartCode-based sector planning tools. In nized as outstanding. Previous studios have order to channel significant future growth submitted projects, but this marks the first into the town, they provided a proposal of year that Architecture has been recognized urban design to place the town at or near with an award, which adds to the division’s the former lumber town. Additionally, they growing reputation. started by planning a town center on a spe- CNU is an organization that promotes cific piece of property. Michael Blackburn, neighborhood-based development instead a student in von Maur’s studio and a 2007 of sprawl. It believes in an active, multi- graduate, noted, disciplinary approach to restoring com- “There’s more to architecture than just munities damaged by adverse conditions buildings. There’s also the environment the or isolation. The Charter Awards recognize buildings are in, and that is also designed.” the year’s best submissions for planning The Saucier Town Plan recognizes this and projects. Most of the awardees focused their allows development in the town to mesh projects on restoring communities in the with the outlying area. Gulf Coast, targeting the Katrina victims. Saucier, Miss., is an unincorporated rural community of about 200 residents, located about 20 miles north of Gulfport. Lying along a major U.S. highway, Saucier stands

8 FOCU S l SPRING 2 0 0 7 campus update

Acrofest 2007 to be held at Andrews New curriculum offered

After 10 years, Acrofest will finally return to Andrews University! Founded in 1991, Andrews University recently announced by Coach Kalua and the Gymnics, Acrofest now involves more than 1200 athletes and a new curriculum in Emergency coaches. The festival invariably provides an example of Christ-centered acrosports programs Preparedness. Within the Master of Social working, witnessing and worshipping together. Work (MSW) degree and the Master This year has marked of Science in Administration (MSA) in a new beginning for the Community Development, special tracks Gymnics with Christian in Emergency Preparedness are now avail- Lighthall as the new coach able. and renewed support from The new tracks include such the administration and stu- courses as Introduction to Emergency dent body. Hosting Acrofest Preparedness, Emergency Planning, 2007 will continue the Emergency Management, Disaster Response program’s resurgence. & Emergency Operations and others. In an effort to main- Individuals who complete 18-19 semes- tain the high quality of ter credits in this field are eligible for a Acrofest clinics established Certificate in Emergency Preparedness by SAU, CUC, Union from Andrews University. and Southwestern, Coach The first course in the tracks, Lighthall is planning a The AU Gymnics worked hard this past year on revamping their pro- Introduction to Emergency Preparedness, diverse, educational and gram and preparing new routines. Their home show weekend took was offered in May as part of the new spiritually uplifting clinic. place April 14-16 and included two Monday morning performances May Express program, which included a Various professional coaches for 2,000 area school children. significant tuition discount. Satisfactory will offer athletes of all ages completion of this course was recognized the opportunity to learn and perfect new skills. by a FEMA Professional Development The Acrofest 2007 theme is “The Power of One.” And since the basis of Acrofest is Series Certificate of Completion. Christ-centered acrosports’ witnessing power, worship programming for the event will be “This emphasis in Emergency dynamic and thought-provoking, keeping all participants focused on the “Power of One” to Preparedness links closely with the mis- change a life. sion of Andrews University—to educate students for generous service to society,” said Patricia Mutch, curriculum coordina- Southwest Michigan Symphony performs at Howard tor for the program. Mutch pointed to recent disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, On Sunday, April 15, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra held its debut perfor- tsunamis, tornadoes, and other crises as mance at the Howard Performing Arts Center. impetus for a flurry of training opportuni- The concert was a feast of “Mozart, Mozart and More Mozart,” and featured performanc- ties now being offered. es by the Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Steve Reed, and violin- “FEMA has a Higher Education ist and Andrews faculty member, Carla Trynchuk. Maestro Barry Ross of the Kalamazoo Initiative,” according to Mutch, “which is Symphony Orchestra served as conductor for the evening. actively seeking institutions now training Complete with musicians in period costumes, audience members enjoyed listening to in the helping professions, business, and pieces such as Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio Overture, Violin Concerto #5 and The public policy, who are willing to offer Jupiter Symphony. programs in Emergency Management or Homeland Security. Andrews seemed well-positioned to undertake this chal- lenge.” The Departments of Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Communication, Management & Marketing, and the inter- school MSA program are collaborating to sponsor this curriculum, which has been benchmarked with programs elsewhere and aligns with FEMA’s recommendations.

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10th annual birdhouse auction

The Division of Architecture held their Division of Architecture, initially provided 10th Annual Birdhouse Auction on for a handful of children, but presently Sunday, April 1, in the architecture amphi- cares for 40 youngsters. Students from theater. The annual auction and compe- the Division of Architecture make annual ititon, which supports the Center for the trips to Bolivia to continue the design and Recuperation of Children at Risk of Drug construction of the facilities, having built Addiction (CERENID) in Bolivia, began houses, a church, an administration/clinic in 1998 with 12 entries and has grown to building, and water, sewer, and electrical include as many as 48. infrastructure. CERENID, which was started in 1994 The auction, which features a wide vari- director of the Division of Architecture by the Adventist Development and Relief ety of birdhouses designed by students, fac- serving as the event’s auctioneer—typically Agency in Bolivia in cooperation with the ulty, and friends—with Carey Carscallen, brings in $2,500 each year.

Passion Play 2007 The morning of Saturday, April 7, dawned gray and bitterly cold, with almost two inches of snow on the ground. Yet Andrews University still bustled with over 500 volunteers, for it was the first day of the annual Passion Play. The play directors stayed up late Friday night and were up before dawn strategizing how to trans- form the open-air walking tours into an almost-entirely-indoor

event. Their final plan went into action early Saturday morning. The guests were greeted with a small marketplace outside the Howard Performing Arts Center. Musicians played Hebrew melo- dies while volunteers in biblical costume showed visitors traditional Jewish circle dancing. Visitors entered the darkened Howard seat- ing area and witnessed the Last Supper and the ensuing events in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Jesus’ arrest, the audience was led through a Roman encampment to the Johnson Gymnasium, where they saw Jesus’ trial before Pilate, crucifixion, and resurrection. Between 5000 and 5500 people attended the Passion Play this year in spite of the weather challenges. The Easter Passion Play is a nonprofit event, and was supported by donations from such organizations as Apple Valley, Buchanan Family Medical Center, Pioneer Memorial Church, Pulse FM and WAUS.

10 FOCU S l SPRING 2 0 0 7 campus update

NAD finals of Adventist Robotics Challenge

On May 14, elementary and high scientific skills to use on their school age science enthusiasts from research project. “We are working across the country gathered in the on a device that could cure cancer” Howard Performing Arts Center said eleventh-grader Tamara Naja. for the Adventist Robotics League’s While the project is still in develop- second annual Adventist Robotics ment, Naja offered that “we have Challenge. worked on the areas where scientists Teams came from as far as went wrong.” Georgia and Washington to Cloud Nine team coach Chad compete in the North American Bernard, who was also coaching Division final. Andrews coordina- another team from Lansing, was tor and engineering professor Bill positive about his involvement with Wolfer said, “These are the best of the program. He said, “These kids the best.” have been highly motivated, and Teams were judged on robot working with them has been a real performance, teamwork, tech- blessing.” nical precision, and a research The excitement reached its peak project based on this year’s theme: at 4:00 pm, as the contestants Nanoquest. The objective of the awaited the grand prize presenta- robotics component was to design tion of the Lego Cup. ARL director and program robots to navigate Mal Wade explained that due to the through an obstacle course, engag- heated nature of the competition, ing various Lego contraptions, such three teams, including Cloud Nine, as a car crane and “space elevator.” would be awarded the prize. Although technical difficulties were Wade expressed his satisfaction few, Wolfer insisted that “These with the event: “It’s fun watching robots are not as easy as they look.” kids come together to get real life Teams from across the nation gathered for the Adventist Robotics The members of Cloud Nine, experiences—experiences you can’t Challenge held at Andrews on May 14. The event included a “playing from Lansing, Mich., were excited get out of a book.” field” on which robots had to navigate obstacles while completing about the opportunity to put their various missions.

East meets West

Three years ago, Stella Greig started a process that Jeanette Bryson helped bring to a signed agreement on April 12 between Andrews University and SDA Samyook Language School located in Korea. The Language School has 39 sites throughout Korea with approximately 55,000 students and several hundred teachers. Jeanette Bryson, Stella Greig and Dianne Staples conducted an intensive training session in Korea, beginning in May, for 40 language teachers.

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