News

Adventist Community Services Prepares to Help After Tornadoes Strike Missouri, Kentucky, and Wisconsin
Yesterday afternoon, a devastating tornado struck Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri. In Kentucky, 14 are reported dead. In St. Louis, five deaths have been reported, along with widespread damage. At least 20 blocks of the city sustained damage. More than 5,000 properties are without power, and local emergency services are actively responding. As ACS begins to respond, they urge members to pray for those impacted and those providing assistance.

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

ACS Disaster Response Director Urges Conference Leaders to Ensure Readiness for Mass Shootings
While many of us have prepared for a variety of crises, there are some things local conference ACS DR leaders can do now to ensure readiness if a mass shooting should take place in your area.

Third “Is This Thing On?” Conversation with Young Adults and Adventist Church leaders in North America Held at Walla Walla University
NAD leaders engaged in conversation with college students on May 12, 2018, during the third “Is This Thing On?” video live stream. The two-hour broadcast took place on the campus of Walla Walla University, where more than 200 gathered in the Winter Educational Complex to ask questions on many topics. Thousands more watched online.

Andrews University Student Awarded Barry Goldwater Scholarship
On Friday, March 30, 2018, Mykhaylo M. Malakhov, a sophomore mathematics major and J.N. Andrews Honors Scholar at Andrews University, was awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious national award for undergraduates who intend to pursue careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

La Sierra University Wind Ensemble Debuts at Carnegie Hall
On the evening of March 15, La Sierra University’s Wind Ensemble led by conductor Giovanni Santos walked onto one of the world’s most eminent stages where many of music’s greatest talents have dazzled audiences with their skill. The ensemble of more than 40 La Sierra musicians made their debut at New York City’s Carnegie Hall performing published pieces as well as new works written by Santos, adjunct music professor and Emmy-winner Gary Kuo, and tenor Anthony Léon, an award-winning music major at La Sierra.