News

Union Adventist University Receives Grant for Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen
The Ardmore Institute of Health has awarded Union Adventist University’s Master of Public Health Program a grant to establish a culinary medicine teaching kitchen (CMTK). The $35,000 will purchase six commercial-grade mobile workstations, each including the culinary tools and appliances to support two students at a time, enabling the university to host classes of up to 12 students in the teaching kitchen. Any remaining funds will support a student garden that was established by the university’s first public health cohort last year.

Mid-America Union Conference Executive Committee Appoints New Communication Director
During its regular spring meeting, the Mid-America Union Executive Committee voted to approve a recommendation by MAUC’s administrative team outlining a leadership transition for the union’s communication department. Following the vote, then-director Brenda Dickerson became the associate director, and then-associate director/digital media manager Hugh Davis became the new director, effective May 1, 2025. This transition of titles, initially proposed by Dickerson, serves as a model for succession planning and smooth leadership transitions in appointed positions.

James P. Willis II Elected as New Vice President for Education for the Pacific Union Conference
The Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has elected James P. Willis II as its new vice president for education, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Dr. Berit von Pohle, who is retiring after a distinguished career spanning 46 years in Adventist education

Business Students and Entrepreneurs Participate in Hyve Conference at Andrews University
Andrews University hosted the third annual North American Hyve International Conference from March 27–29, a gathering where students, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders and businesspeople networked with fellow innovators and pitched their ideas. Through various workshops and programs on campus, practicing entrepreneurs shared their experiences and advice on how to cultivate a strong business in a way that glorifies God.

The 2019 enditnow NAD Summit on Abuse Focuses on Helping Pastors and Seminary Students Recognize and Stop Abuse
The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Chapel on the campus of Andrews University was full during the afternoon and early evening on September 4, the first day of the North American Division’s 2019 enditnow Summit on Abuse. This is the division’s third summit, which broadcast over two days in English and Spanish — and the first to be held on a university campus.

ACS Disaster Response Makes Hurricane Dorian Recovery a Priority
On Sept. 5, 2019, W. Derrick Lea, director of Adventist Community Services Disaster Response reported that ACS DR is prepared to help in the southeastern U.S. after Hurricane Dorian whipped through parts of coastal Georgia and the Carolinas. Already, one Adventist-run shelter has opened up.

Andrews University Releases New Edition of Its Study Bible
On Thursday, September 5, 2019, the Andrews University Press will release for sale the long-awaited New International Version (NIV) of the landmark Andrews Study Bible. In addition, nearly 700 new students at Andrews will receive a complimentary copy from the university, continuing a tradition that began in 2011, but now takes place for the first time with the NIV.

Versacare Grants Jumpstart STEM Education in NAD Schools
Schools all across the North American Division are buying laptops, iPads, e-boards; participating in project-based learning; and sending teachers to STEM training — all to ensure students have the tools they need to not only work in today’s economy, but to lead in it. Where is the funding for much of this cutting edge technology coming from? Versacare, Inc.