FOCUSthe andrews university magazine WINTER 2021 Vol 57 No 1 ANNUAL REPORT2 FOCUS WINTER 2021 DURING THE COURSE OF 2020, MANY commentators have dubbed 2020 as an “Annus Horribilis” on a global scale. For Andrews University, as for the world, this year has certainly brought us unprecedented challenges. Critical decisions have had to be made in rapid succession. Employees faced furloughs, early retirements, layoffs, frozen salaries, and the expectations of shifting to new methods of working creatively and remotely over a period of days. Students, employees and the University as a whole have seen unpredictability in health and finances. A perfect storm in so many ways. However, as you read this annual report, I hope you will see that despite all of this, the University has con- tinued to persistently and joyfully continue with its mission. Education delivery has been strong, and new opportunities have been developed. Faith has been nurtured, and spiritual growth and energy have been part of our life. Service commitment has nev- er been stronger. Under our adjusted tagline, “World Changers for a chang- ing world,” my colleagues and our students have determined to give the message that we are here to educate and to learn so we can help transform our communities for the better. Andrea Luxton, president As I reviewed this report I was struck again with how students and employees are so united in living the mission of this University in unique and creative ways. Look, for example, at our research section where undergraduate and graduate students as well as our faculty are continuing to use their research and creative skills to create new opportuni- ties and talk about critical issues in our society and church, from racial dispari- ty to scriptural interpretation to playing a vital role in helping our church un- derstand itself better: its strengths and areas of growth. This is what Andrews University does and will continue to do: to help us as a community and a church ask the important questions and seek to suggest some thoughtful answers. A huge thanks to our students and employees who live the mission of the University in so many ways. And then there are the alumni and friends of the University who continue to live and support that mission. Enjoy an example of one family in our feature article: alumni who embrace challenges in their mission work and in their family activities! Look at the vision and commit- ment of the family that established the Seminary Promise endowment in 2020. Here is the desire of a family to cham- pion Adventist education by ensuring that the children of our future pastors themselves can experience firsthand the power of Adventist education in our K–12 system. These families represent the many of you who are Andrews University supporters, living our mission personally and helping us fulfill our mission on this campus. You inspire our students and you support them financially—in this way you ensure the future of not just those students but also the University and the church. Thank you also. So no, 2020 was not an “Annus Horribilis” for Andrews University. It was challenging. It was hard work for many. But it was another God-given opportunity for us to identify the vital connection between education, faith and living! A huge thank you from me to all of the Andrews extended community for your commitment during 2020 to the mission of the University and for choosing to bring light and hope into the dark corners of the year. FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Living Our Mission Together The FSC® trademark indicates that the paper contains fiber from responsibly managed forest in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council®.Editor Gillian Panigot (BA ’06, MA ’08) focus@andrews.edu | 269-471-3348 Associate Editor Patricia Spangler (BS ’04) Contributing Editor Andriy Kharkovyy (BBA ’06, MBA ’09) Laura Malcolm (BBA ’11) Designer Justin Jeffery (BMus ’04) Photographers Sarah Burton (BS/BA ’13, MA ’15) Jessica Condon (BFA ’19) Shiekainah Decano (BFA ’19) Darren Heslop (BFA ’10) Lloyd Martinez (current student) David Sherwin (BFA ’82) Marc Ullom (BS ’96) Julia Viniczay (current student) Student Writers Isabella Koh (current student) Moriah McDonald (current student) FOCUS the andrews university magazine President Andrea Luxton (MA ’78) Provost Christon Arthur (BA ’90, MA ’95, EdS ’99, PhD ’00) Vice President for Financial Administration Glenn A. Meekma (att.) Special Assistant to the President for University & Public Affairs Stephen Payne Vice President for Campus & Student Life Frances Faehner (BSW ’76, PhD ’07) Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion Michael T. Nixon (BS ’09) Vice President for Strategy, Marketing & Enrollment/ Chief Communication Officer Tony Yang Vice President for University Advancement David A. Faehner (MA ’72) Research Philanthropy & Development FOCUS (ISSN 1077-9345) is published quarterly, free of charge, for alumni and friends of Andrews University, an institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The magazine’s address is FOCUS, Office of University Communication, Andrews University, 8903 U.S. Hwy 31, Berrien Springs MI 49104-1000. Copyright © 2021 by Andrews University. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Printed by Holland Litho Printing Service, Holland MI. Periodicals postage paid at Berrien Springs MI, and at additional mailing offices. Please send address changes to FOCUS Magazine, Office of Alumni Services, Andrews University, 8714 E Campus Circle Dr, Berrien Springs MI 49104-0950, email alumni@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3591. 25 10 On the cover: The Netteburg family all hiked the 2,193 miles of the Appalachian Trail. “The trail afforded us incredible vistas over and over again,” Olen said, including this one near Killington, Vermont (L–R, Olen, Juniper, Danae, Addison, Lyol and Zane Netteburg). Photo courtesy of the Netteburg family Campus Community 4 Academics 14 Mission & Service 194 FOCUS WINTER 2021 CAMPUS COMMUNITY Building Spiritual Community Under COVIDAndrews University ANNUAL REPORT 5Campus Community by Isabella Koh Center for Faith Engagement THE CENTER FOR FAITH ENGAGEMENT (CFE) team established a clear directive for the University faith experience: inspiring students to be resilient disciples of God. Even as COVID-19 made the fulfillment of that goal more complex, CFE staff have remained dedicated to helping individuals build a spiritual foundation that will propel them forward in life, both at Andrews University and beyond. Devoted to their purpose from the very start, the team collaborated with student associations to host a virtual prayer service the night before fall semester 2020 classes began. José Bourget, University chaplain, explains, “Our students understood asking for God’s intervention and blessings would be absolutely necessary to have a suc- cessful school year.” Before launching into a demanding semester, the CFE team ensured that the spiritual back- bone of Andrews remained strong. As different events and projects were planned and enacted throughout the semester, changes were instituted for safety, including protocols for in- person gatherings, limiting capacity in all venues, requiring masks, physical distancing, and no congregational singing. Programs included a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions, including University Sabbath Schools, The Center for Faith Engagement (formerly Campus Ministries) and Residence Life teams fill an important role in ministering to our student body. The overarching goal has always been to “Affirm Faith,” as the Andrews mission states. This starts at a broad level out on campus through program- ming like church services, chapels and vespers and develops into daily one-on-one connections through casual conversations in offices, residence hall lob- bies and students’ campus homes. During COVID, while in-person interactions were reduced, the need for personal connections increased exponentially. Through the intentionality of our chaplains and residence hall deans, innovative programming and personal relationships still fostered spiritual growth and community in difficult times. Proximity Vespers, Pioneer Memorial Church One Place church service, Newbold Auditorium6 FOCUS WINTER 2021 Change Weekend, online Grow Groups, and livestreamed church and vespers services. One such program, titled Chat with Chap, existed previously as an in- person activity and was recently adapted to an online setting. The gath- erings, now held over Zoom, serve as a way for the University chaplains and students to get to know one another. Through the use of informal meetings, students and chaplains converse, pray and check in on a bi-weekly basis. Another newly developed program, Pulse Groups, was launched during fall 2020 as a physically-distanced alternative to weekly chapels. Under the direction of volunteer student leaders, individuals met in groups of 10–25 on Thursdays. Each meeting explored the theme “Love is Life,” fostering conversations around the verse John 3:16. Shelby Huse, a junior who served as leader of a virtual Pulse group through Zoom, says, “We have so many different opinions and per- spectives in the group, yet people are kind and respectful of each other. My group goes beyond surface-level dis- cussion and is comfortable with the difficult topics. This is rewarding for me because it shows that our group is comfortable with one another and unafraid to share how they truly feel.” The Center for Faith Engagement also took the opportunity to more immediately implement ideas they had previously only started to dream about. Before the pandemic hit, they had been exploring the idea of digital discipleship with the hope of delving into new avenues of spiritual connection. COVID-19 offered extra incentive and institutional support to the cause, and CFE staff concen- trated their efforts in refining social media strategies and developing a University Faith app. The app has since been released to the student population, allowing them to learn more about and sign up for specific programs. José says, “God knew what He was doing when he nudged us in that direction. We are finding that expanding into the digital space is supporting more of the Andrews University family than we have be- fore. We receive text messages, DMs (direct messages on social media), and even emails from alumni about something they watched on a livestream that blessed them.” Response has been strong. Both current and former students have brought a wealth of further ideas and opportunities to the table, pushing the limits of existing resources, but the team trusts that God will provide. Both current and former students have brought a wealth of further ideas and opportunities to the table, pushing the limits of existing resources, but the team trusts that God will provide. Pulse Groups, Chan Shun Hall Proximity Vespers, Pioneer Memorial ChurchAndrews University ANNUAL REPORT 7Campus Community Residence Life THE RESIDENCE LIFE TEAM ALSO FACED a challenging adjustment in their efforts to foster spiritual growth and community, shifting from traditionally in-person activities to pandemic- conscious programs. The changes required staff to be even more creative and engaging, focusing on promoting authenticity and care for students. In the face of the modifications, however, residence hall deans remained grounded in their goal to connect students with Christ. Donnie Keele, dean of Meier Hall, affirms, “Growth and thriving are still very much possible in this environment, but it takes more intentionality.” Physical changes were made within residence areas to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and to provide a safer environment for connection. These included marking off chairs, moving furniture, setting capacity limits, offering hand sanitizer, and physical distancing. Some programs, such as the family-focused activities in the University Apartments, had to be put on hold. However, each team did their best to provide safe outlets for com- munity building. In-person programs included documentary series view- ings and joint worships in Meier Hall, Dean’s Worship in Lamson Hall and improv groups and art therapy proj- ects in University Towers. In University Towers, a team re- designed another in-person service, Kinetic Worship, to fit COVID-19 proto- cols. Centered around the theme “God Make Me Brave,” the program includes music, a speaker and an opportunity for physically distanced fellowship afterward. Despite the changes made, Kinetic Worship has continued to help its participants connect on a spiritual level, promoting growth from shared perspectives. JJ Martinez, student dean, shares, “The purpose is to create a safe space where people can come to wor- ship and not feel judged about what is going on in their own lives, embraced in Christian fellowship.” To further promote COVID safe- ty, other programs were moved to a virtual setting. In the residence halls, “Open Doors,” which allow residence assistants to get to know fellow stu- dents, were creatively adapted to an online format through group video calls, gaming groups and Spotify play- lists. The Meier Hall team continued their “Dean’s List Podcast,” featur- ing conversations with students. In Lamson Hall, a worship program titled “Professors in Residence,” featuring worship talks from various professors on campus, was relocated to Zoom. University Towers highlighted online programs including “Dean Chat” and “Weekly Dean Devotional” for students to connect with their deans. One of the newly virtual options for the residence halls included town hall meetings. Traditionally, the program was led by residence assistants and involved students on each floor of the building convening in person to talk about ways to improve quality of life in the residence hall environment, as well as how to invest in deeper relationships with God. The gath- erings have been moved to Zoom, allowing residents to discuss, connect and get to know each other better. Senior Davia Johnson, an elementary education major and RA, explains, “It helped me feel like I was not alone. Hearing that other people go through similar struggles is comforting. We can be struggle buddies!” Despite the difficult circumstances, trends toward community building have been encouraging—students’ desire to participate has increased and new connections have been made as a result of residence life programming. Jennifer Burrill, director of Residence Life, concludes, “The Residence Life team has seen an increase in student care needs in the COVID-19 environ- ment, yet have remained committed to engaging with students personally and with program initiatives. Both students and staff have shown amazing resil- iency and creativity in finding ways to connect despite the challenges.” In the residence halls, “Open Doors,” which allow residence assistants to get to know fellow students, were creatively adapted to an online format through group video calls, gaming groups and Spotify playlists. Kinetic Worship, University Towers Above and Left: Lamson Hall Prayer Room, which provides areas to connect with God in different ways8 FOCUS WINTER 2021 Celebrating Our Diverse HeritageAndrews University ANNUAL REPORT 9Campus Community A lot of people outside, and even inside, the Black community continue to ask the following questions: “Why do we celebrate Black history?” “What does this have to do with me?” “Why do we harp on the past?” The answer is simple. Black history needs to be told, respected and celebrated. Black history is American history. Curating social, religious and educational Black History Month events on campus in 2020 was an awe-inspiring experience. The different types of Black cultures, experiences and years in time were ways the BSCF (Black Student Christian Forum) team worked to represent the Black students. Planning was hard but the end result was well worth it. Overall it seemed the student population learned a lot and the Black population felt seen. Darius Bridges As social vice president for the Andrews University Latino Association, I helped plan events for Hispanic Heritage Month that explored what unites us as Hispanics/Latinos. We showcased students’ talents through Noche Latina, a talent show where students embraced their culture. As a Hispanic student, having a school that celebrates my heritage helps me stay connected to my roots and experience more diversity. Having a platform where I bring awareness to the Hispanics/Latino experience is incredibly rewarding and I hope I continue to create spaces where students feel comfortable expressing and embracing their culture. Jocelyne Rico For officers of the Andrews Fil- ipino International Association (AFIA), having Filipino- American History Month at An- drews created a challenge and an opportunity: to learn about the brave Filipino-Americans who showed character and resil- ience in adversity here in the states or abroad for our country and to create spaces to share these amazing stories that reflect the ethos of our bright culture. We held short courses to showcase our history and the Filipinos responsible for shaping it; taught our col- leagues to write in Baybayin, pre-Hispanic Filipino script; and demonstrated cultural dances our parents brought from our motherland. The positive reception from both administration and our diverse community made us excited to seek ways we can reinvigorate our staple offerings—from the food at our club vespers to the design on our club sweaters— with cultural variety. Delroy Brockett II H ere at Andrews University, we have the amazing privilege of almost 100 countries represented on our main Berrien Springs campus. That privilege gives us the exciting opportunity to celebrate and recognize a variety of cultures as we commemorate their contributions not just to our campus but to our world. Over the past few years, we have expanded these celebration opportunities to include national heritage months that are dedicated to recognizing a particular culture. Each year, student leaders, in collaboration with employees, plan a variety of spiritual, social, educational and other co-curricular events to highlight and celebrate the unique talents of our diverse student body as well as to engage and educate our campus community. We have asked some of those student leaders to share what these celebrations mean to them. I hope that you enjoy hearing some of their reflections as they unpack just how important and affirming our heritage month celebrations can be. Michael Nixon, vice president, Diversity & InclusionNext >