< Previous30 —FOCUS Life Stories Robert “Bob” E. Firth (professor emeri- tus), 99, died on Dec. 29, 2020. He was last a resident of Great Oaks Assisted Living Center in Monroe, Geor- gia, where he lived happily with his wife Dorothy. Dorothy and Bob were married on Jan. 11, 2014. Bob was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on Dec. 19, 1921. His legacy was that of an educator, teaching initially at the secondary level and then focusing on his specialties of management and business law at both the collegiate and graduate levels in various educational institutions in the Seventh-day Adventist school system. Bob graduated from Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and then served as a medic in the European theater in World War II. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, he attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from that institution in 1948. He then returned to Maplewood Academy as a teacher but was invited back to Union College to chair the Department of Business Administra- tion in 1952. While at Union College he earned a master’s degree in economics and his PhD in management, both from the University of Nebraska. Management was a relatively new field in 1960 when he completed his PhD, and Bob holds the distinction of being the first PhD in man- agement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1964, Bob was invited to join the faculty at Andrews University with the specific mandate to organize and insti- tute an MBA program in the Department of Business. This assignment resulted in the first graduate degree in business be- ing offered by any Seventh-day Adventist educational institution. The curriculum that Bob developed for this program, and the undergraduate business program that supported it, became the model upon which other Seventh-day Adventist business programs around the world were based. After serving as the chair of the De- partment of Business for 14 years, Bob was asked, in 1978, to serve as the assis- tant to the vice president for Academic Administration with the specific tasks of organizing the Andrews University Press and directing the faculty research program. It was in this capacity that Bob also spent considerable time working with Andrews University administration in the affiliation program, which was designed to strengthen Seventh-day Ad- ventist colleges and universities around the world. Through this assignment, Bob traveled to many of these schools and personally assisted in establishing strong business programs on other campuses. In 1983–1984, Bob filled in as the dean of the School of Business Administra- tion for one year while Sy Saliba, under appointment to replace Dale Twomley as dean, completed his PhD. Upon “offi- cial” retirement in 1988, Bob continued to direct the Andrews University Press for two more years and taught business law in the School of Business Admin- istration until 1993. At that time, Bob moved to Social Circle, Georgia, where he continued to serve the community as a member of the Lion’s Club and through other social organizations. “Dr. Firth’s influence literally is felt around the world through the service and accomplishments of his students over the years,” says Ann Gibson, pro- fessor emerita. “Eight of the current or recently-retired Andrews faculty were his former students and came to under- stand the importance of excellence in one’s academic work, and his own per- sonal example and insistence on careful instruction in the classroom. Scores of others have carried those same lessons around the globe to enhance excellence in Seventh-day Adventist business curriculum and instruction. One could not know Dr. Firth without feeling the influence of his own personal high stan- dards for academic quality. But one also felt his personal concern for the student and his desire to support those who he considered to be ‘his men and women’ as they pursued their own lives and their own careers. Thus, his influence lives on despite his passing. The torch he lit is now carried by others, to be passed on to future generations. That is exactly as he would have planned.” Ralph Trecartin, associate provost and dean of the College of Professions, says, “Dr. Firth’s portrait is displayed in the School of Business Administration Dean’s office. When I look at it, I often wonder if I could hope to have the life- long impact that he has had on multiple generations of students. When I was an MBA student, I knew that he would hold me accountable and so I must do my very best in research and academic endeavor. He was sometimes gruff, but you could see his eyes twinkle and knew that he loved all of his students. He was not afraid to comment on my wrinkled pants and the need for professionalism. And he loved to share traditions and say- ings with us. One of his comments that I found very useful was about studying to earn a PhD. He would say on multiple occasions, ‘It is not how smart you are that will determine your success but the fact that you are too stupid to quit.’ Like so many good things in life, to reach an educational goal takes dogged determi- nation. He was a determined man and it showed in his character and accomplish- ments.” Bob was a Christian man with strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist de- nomination. He always sought to serve his Lord to the best of his ability in a meaningful way. Bob is survived by his wife, Dorothy Peterson; daughter, Holly Jane Firth; his son, Frances Eugene Firth; four grand- children; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first two wives, Morna Y. Leouier and Frances Early.Spring 2021— 31 Life Stories University where he earned his master’s degree in accounting and later became a CPA. While attending Western Michigan University, he also taught business classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. As his family began to expand, he moved to Adrian, Michigan, in 1972, where he worked as assistant to the trea- surer of Tecumseh Products in Tecumseh, Michigan. While working there, he received a call to start and be the admin- istrator for Jordan’s Nursing Home in Bridgman. For 18 years he worked with and enjoyed the staff, resi- dents and families he met at Jordan’s. During the middle 1980s Don taught accounting at Andrews University. In 1996, Don brought his joy of caring for people to anoth- er level when he began the establishment of Woodland Terrace of Bridgman which opened in June 1997. With the foresight of his children, this now includes eight campuses throughout western Michigan. Don worked at the Bridgman campus until retiring in 2012. He especially enjoyed time spent with his three children and his grandchildren. Besides his business and family re- sponsibilities, he found time to participate in youth church and community events. Don also enjoyed taking up square dancing and round dancing with his wife, Mary. For 28 years, Don battled various forms of cancer and a bone marrow transplant but still managed to live life to the fullest. Don will always be re- membered for his smile, kind words, and “Donald” jokes. Don is survived by the most important people in his life— his wife, Mary; his children: Tonya (BSELED ’93, MA ’04) (Nick) Margaritis, Todd (Matt) Dockerty, Tim (Erin (BS ’97)) Dockerty; eight grandchildren; his brother, Gordon (Cindy) Dockerty; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Hillis Dockerty; brother, Ken Dock- erty (BA/BA ’69, MA ’78); and sister, Shirley Devine. Margaret “Peggy” Dorothy Dudley (BS ’81, MA ’83, PhD ’88, former staff), 89, died on Jan. 25, 2021, at Hospice of Dayton, Ohio. She had recently moved to Centerville, Ohio, to be near her daughter but lived in Ber- rien Springs, Michigan, for the past 46 years. Peggy was born in Cleve- land, Ohio, on Oct. 9, 1931. Peggy attended Mount Vernon Academy and then Washington Missionary College where she met the love of her life Roger Dudley (MA ’59, EdD ’77, for- mer faculty). They married in August 1952. She received an associate degree in business from Ca- tonsville Community College in Maryland, an associate degree in nursing from Ohio Univer- sity, and three degrees from Andrews University—a BS in behavioral sciences, an MS in education and a PhD in coun- seling and human services. She worked as a secretary for the United States Army and for denominational offices on the local, union and General Conference levels as well as a registered nurse. She then served from 1989 to her re- tirement in 2000 as a licensed professional counselor at the Andrews University Counsel- ing & Testing Center. Peggy often worked to- gether with her husband in conducting Maximum Mar- riage seminars and Grow Groups in giving presentations and holding workshops on var- ious areas of family living and interpersonal relationships. In addition they did research and published many articles and two books together. For this work they were presented the Arthur and Maud Spaulding Award for Distinguished Ser- vice in Family Ministries by the General Conference in 1994, the Outstanding Research Pub- lication Award by the Michigan College Personnel Association in 1995, and the Distinguished Service Award by the Family Ministries Department of the North American Division in 1999 and in 2018. Peggy’s favorite recreational activity was to travel and visit new and exciting places. She visited all seven continents, including Antarctica twice and 61 different countries. She is survived by her husband Roger and her two brothers; Herb (Marilyn) Goronzy of Apison, Tennessee, and Daniel (Judith) Goronzy of Dublin, Ohio, and by a daugh- ter, Cheryl (Hans) Zwart, a grandson Chad (BSW ’01, BT ’04) and Charity (BA ’00) Cotta, and a great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents Fred Goronzy and Margaret Dobrinski, her brother Fred Goronzy Jr. and her sister Ruth Kopp. Lewis Bowers Carson (BA ’50), 92, of Benton, Illinois, died on Jan. 23, 2021. He was born in Osseo, Mich- igan, on Aug. 15, 1928, to Lewis and Leanore (Bowers) Carson. He loved working on the farm until he went to Adel- phian Academy. He graduated from EMC Academy in 1946 while attending Emmanuel Missionary College. There he met his dear wife of 59 years, Della Mae Crom (DIP2YR ’50, BBA ’83). They spent many wonderful Sabbath afternoons working with Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue as they built the Your Story Hour ministry. They loved that work and the nice side benefit was that they could “legally” date since Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue were their chap- erones during those hours. They married on Aug. 28, 1949. After graduation, they moved to Washington D.C. so Lewis could continue his religious education at the Seminary. Later in life, he obtained a master’s in English, his MBA and CPA. One highlight of Lewis’s career was spearheading the building of the Muskegon Seventh-day Adventist school building. He held several jobs in his lifetime including teacher, principal, head of the English department and var- ious accounting jobs, with his longest stay being at Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital. He and Della lived in Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, Quebec and Ontario (Canada), Florida and Illinois. After leaving Hinsdale Hospital, Lewis worked briefly for the Lake Union Conference as an auditor so Della could go back to school to receive her accounting degree. After Della graduated in 1983, they moved to Wheaton, Maryland, where he took a job 32 —FOCUS Life Stories with AHS/EMA in the Wash- ington D.C. area as an internal auditor. He traveled all along the Northeastern coast though most of his time was spent at the hospitals in the D.C. area. In 2017, Lewis moved to Benton, Illinois, where he lived at Fifth Season Assisted Living until his death. He enjoyed volunteering at 3ABN four days a week answering prayer requests. He was active with 3ABN until COVID-19 caused a change in his ability to go out. He occasionally taught and preached at Fifth Season as well. He was active at his local church, West Frankfort Sev- enth-day Adventist church, and often taught Sabbath School. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his sister, Clara Belle Burtnett. Lewis is survived by his daughter Roberta “Bobbie” (John) Larsen of Parchment, Michigan, David (BS ’81) (Roxanne) of West Frankfort, Illinois, and daughter Vivian (BBA ’84) (Ray) Clayton of Fairbanks, Alaska. He is also survived by four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, three nephews, a niece and various great nephews and nieces. He was days from becoming a great grand-uncle. Robert (Bob) Stanton Williams (BA/BA ’68, MA ’73), died Dec. 23, 2020, in Crowley, Texas. Bob was a proud graduate of Andrews University and he spent his entire career teaching in the Seventh-day Aventist elementary school system. He specialized in one-room schools and success- fully taught multigrades in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Snow Williams, wife Ruth Ann Dull Williams; and grandson Joel Williams. Pietro Emilio Copiz (former faculty) died on Dec. 19, 2020, in Gland, Switzerland. He was born in Sinaia, Romania, on Aug. 23, 1931, but was an Italian citizen all his life. Pietro obtained his educa- tion in Romania, Italy, France, Switzerland (licence en lettres, University of Geneva) and the United States (PhD, University of Michigan). He fluently spoke the languages of the countries he lived in and two additional ones. On Aug. 14, 1966, Pietro married Herta Kipp in Freudenstadt, Germany. Herta predeceased him on June 30, 1994. Pietro served first as a teach- er and dean of the Institute of French as a Foreign Language at Adventist University of France and as a teacher and chairperson in the Department of Modern Languages at An- drews University (1966–1979). After 20 years as a teacher, he was called to serve as education director of the Euro-Africa Divi- sion and retired in Switzerland. Since he was sick with tuberculosis during his youth, underwent heavy cancer surgery at the age of 57 and lost his wife when he was 63, Pietro tended, during the last part of his life, to exercise what he called a “ministry of conso- lation” through calls, visits, letters, emails, prayers and concrete help, especially during his retirement years in Gland. He is survived by two sons, Danilo (BA/BA ’96) of Monaco and Stefan (att.) of San Francisco. Lilly May Williams (former staff), 68, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, died Nov. 22, 2020, in Stevensville, Michigan. Lilly was born Feb. 25, 1952, in Mandeville, Manches- ter, Jamaica, to Noel Wesley Patrickson and Amy Caroline (Gooden) Patrickson. Her pro- fessional career included being an accountant at West Indies College (Northern Caribbean University) and chief accountant at Andrews Memorial Hospital. She also served as chief accoun- tant, then assistant treasurer for a combined tenure of 15 years for the West Indies Union Conference (Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists). She accompanied her husband, Oswald Sr. (MA ’82), to Berrien Springs in 1993, where he was a student at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Lilly continued denominational service at Andrews University in 1994 as bookkeeper/ accountant at the James White Library (JWL). Following the untimely death of her husband in 1996, Lilly combined single parent- ing with graduate education and successfully completed her master’s degree in ac- counting at LaSalle University in 1998. In 2002, Lilly began her 18 years of service at Adventist Frontier Missions (AFM) as the mail clerk, where she interfaced with donors and missionaries in the field. Lilly later rejoined the James White Library where she worked as a periodicals associate for the past 11 years. Lilly loved her work and treasured the friendships she formed both at AFM and JWL. She enjoyed gardening, espe- cially growing flowers, cooking and watching cooking shows, and all good things Jamaican. She had a close relationship with God and never lost faith as she walked through the vari- ous valleys of life and death. She is survived by two sons, Oswald George Williams II and Matthew George Williams; two sisters, Pauline Rose Phillip and Dorothy Evangeline Pat- rickson; and one brother, John Wesley Patrickson (BS ’73). She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. Martha Jeanne (Marty) Ander- son (BA ’50), 91, of Northbrook, Illinois, died on Nov. 15, 2020. She was born on May 14, 1929, to the late David and Martha (Young) Anderson. A lifelong Seventh-day Adventist, Marty graduated from Broadview Academy, then went on to Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, graduating with a BA in home economics. She took graduate courses at Walla Walla College, Walla Walla, Washington. Marty taught home economics, commercial subjects, and PE for a few years at the Fresno Union Academy in Fresno, California. She worked at sev- eral Adventist organizations on the West Coast then took an assignment at the world headquarters of Seventh-day Adventists in Washington D.C. On a trip back to the West Coast from Washington D.C., Marty stopped to visit her parents in Brookfield, Illi- nois, took a temporary job at Portland Cement Association and ended up staying with PCA for 35 years. She worked in human resources and retired as manager. After retirement, Marty indulged herself in hobbies and activities, e.g. a hospice volun-Spring 2021— 33 Life Stories teer, helped with former school and alumni events, traveled and gardened. She was excellent at anything she tried: needlepoint, sewing, cooking and garden- ing. Marty loved hats. Her car license plate said “Hat Lady.” Marty’s Andrews University college classmate, Paul Ander- son (BA ’50), introduced her to the beauty of rhododendrons. She made numerous trips to Australia, New Zealand and Europe to visit rhododendron gardens and conventions and became editor of a District Rhododendron News. Although Marty never married or had children of her own, young people enjoyed her company. She “adopted” and was blessed by 26 “kids” that called her “Mom Marty.” She was a charter member of the Northbrook Adventist Church. In 2015 Marty moved from her Northbrook home of more than 40 years to live in Cove- nant Living of Northbrook, only a mile away from her home. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lorraine (David) Anderson and nieces Judy De- Lay, Tracy (Jerry) Wilson and Sharon (Ted) Wilson. Marty was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, David Wayne Anderson. Keith Olivier Boyd (MA ’74) died on Sept. 10, 2020. Keith received a master’s degree in religion from Andrews Univer- sity in June 1974 and became a pastor. Cyril Garth Connelly (BA ’70, MAT ’74, former staff) died, unexpectedly, at his home in San Bernardino, California, on Aug. 2, 2020. He was born in Maryport, England, on Jan. 10, 1943, to Cyril and Vera Connelly. In 1949, Cyril immigrated with his family to Canada; he spent his childhood in Ottawa, On- tario. In the late 50s Cyril was able to attend Oshawa Mis- sionary College (now Kingsway College). After graduation he attended Andrews University for a time, then took a hia- tus for work and marriage to Ethlyn (Lyn) Perrine Connelly in 1966, following her gradu- ation from Hinsdale School of Nursing. After a year of living in Toronto, Ontario, Cyril and Lyn returned to Berrien Springs so Cyril could return to school. He found work as an insurance adjuster, giving him a flexible schedule so he could pursue classes as a part-time student. A daughter, Cathrine, was born in 1969 and son Alan in 1970. Cyril completed his BA in history in 1970. The summer of 1970 he accepted a position at Bass Memorial Academy (BMA) in Lumberton, Mississippi, where he taught history and English for several years. During the summer he returned to Andrews for an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) with an emphasis in history. At BMA he became vice principal and then principal. In 1979 Cyril was invited to be principal of Gem State Academy, where he stayed until 1982 when he moved to Georgia Cumberland Academy (GCA). In 1986, Cyril complet- ed an EdD from Loma Linda University. Following six years as prin- cipal of GCA, Cyril was invited to Andrews University as vice president for Enrollment Ser- vices. Both of his children and his daughter-in-law graduated from Andrews during his tenure. In 1992 he moved to La Sierra University continuing as vice president of Enrollment Services and then in 1997 moved to Loma Linda University School of Public Health, as associate dean for Enrollment Services. After 14 years in higher education, Cyril decided he wanted to return to academy work and served as principal of San Gabriel Academy for one year then La Sierra Academy for seven years. At the time of his retirement in 2010, he was awarded a Medal of Excellence from the GC Department of Education. However, retirement wasn’t yet a reality as he assisted as interim principal at Glendale Academy for several months, served as principal of Loma Linda Elementary School for a year, taught contract classes and mentored student teach- ers from La Sierra University and chaired numerous WASC (the Accreditation Commis- sion for Western Schools and Colleges) committees. Cyril had the ability to connect with his students in a unique way; even those he disciplined admired and re- spected him. Additionally, Cyril and Lyn loved to travel, often taking extended trips, visiting about 80 countries during the 10 years of his retirement. Cyril is survived by his wife Lyn, a daughter and son-in-law Cathrine Connelly Stone (BSW ’92) and David Stone, a son and daughter in-law Alan (BBA ’92) and Diane Artress Connelly (BA ’92); three grandchildren, Alli- son Connelly, Aiden Stone and Erin Stone; and a sister, Anne Connelly Bissell (att). 34 —FOCUS Life Stories William Earle Hilgert (MA ’46, BD ’55, former faculty/administrator) died in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Dec. 22, 2020. Born in Portland, Oregon, on May 17, 1923, he was 97. The first child of William T. and Katie Ann (Earle) Hilgert, a Seventh-day Adventist minister and Bible instructor couple, Earle graduated from Laur- elwood Adventist Academy, Oregon, in 1939 at the age of 16. During the subsequent year he received private tutoring in French and German from Leona Glidden Running (BA ’37, MA ’55, professor emerita), a mentor destined to later become a particularly valued colleague. By 1945, a five-year stint on the campuses of La Sierra College and Walla Walla College had led to a Bachelor of Arts in theology and history; and a Bachelor of Theology with emphasis in biblical languages. Years later, Earle described the next 12 months after his college graduation as a particularly “dizzying time,” during which he hitchhiked to Washington D.C., saw the end of World War II, earned a Master of Arts in church history from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (thesis on the Waldenses), signed up for international service as a missionary, and on Aug. 4, 1946, married his Swiss sweetheart Elvire Roth (former staff). The couple’s four years (1947–1951) on the campus of Philippine Union College were devoted to teaching history and Bible courses in Earle’s case, French and English courses in Elvire’s, plus helping the institution relaunch itself after the war. Upon their return to the U.S., Earle taught for a year at Lodi Adventist Acad- emy in California. In 1952, they moved to Takoma Park, Maryland, where Earle joined the faculty of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on the campus of Washington Missionary Col- lege. Simultaneously he contributed to the book “Problems in Bible Translation” and earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1955 (thesis on early Christian baptism). While there, Earle also served on the editorial team charged with producing the seven-volume Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, a watershed effort that for the first time modelled for Ad- ventist readers a historical approach to the Scriptures. On study leave from the Seminary, Earle studied from 1956–1959 toward the Doctor of Theology at the Universi- ty of Basel, under Karl Barth. With his major in New Testament studies and minors in systematic theology and in church history, his studies there also included courses from Oscar Cullmann and Bo Reicke. His dissertation, titled “The Ship and Related Symbols in the New Testament,” was published in 1962, the year of the conferral of his degree. They returned to the U.S., this time to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he became professor of New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, newly relocated to Andrews University. One of the organizing editors of Andrews University Seminary Stud- ies, launched in 1963, Earle regularly published scholarly articles in the jour- nal, plus book reviews in “Theologische Zeitschrift” and contributions to the Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, undertaken in 1962 at his urging. He was also a regular contributor to many denominational periodicals. While chairing the Seminary’s Department of New Testament Stud- ies, his administrative abilities brought him into the role of acting dean of the Seminary during the dean’s study leaves, in the summers of 1961 and 1963, and the 1965–1966 year. He was known to remark, however, “I wish I had two heads: a teacher’s head and an administrator’s one—and a shelf in my office where I could stash the one when I’m wearing the other. The two roles represent such dif- ferent ways of seeing and thinking—but of the two, I prefer the teacher’s one!” Even so, when invited by the University’s Board of Trustees to assume the position of the institution’s vice presidency for academic administration effective Aug. 1, 1966, he accepted. He held the position until spring of 1969, when he requested to be allowed to return to the classroom. In the early 1970s, after a decade of pro- found reflection, Earle and Elvire made the radically life-altering decision to leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Earle became a Presbyterian, moved to Chicago, and accepted a position at McCormick Theological Seminary, where he became a professor of New Testament. Their two decades at McCormick were especially productive and reward- ing for the Hilgerts. Earle collaborated with colleagues, contributed as editor and reader, and supported cooperative consortia agreements among libraries serving theological schools. Beyond his initial positions there, he variously served as professor of bibliography, professor of bibliography and New Testament, acting dean of the Seminary (1972–1973 academic year), visiting professor at Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji Islands, and interim dean of doctoral studies, retiring as professor emeritus of New Testament in 1990. Ever the scholar, Earle spoke three lan- guages, English, French and German, and read four more, Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. His greatest joy came from rela- tionships with students and colleagues. When Earle retired in the early 1990s, they moved to Charlottesville. He spent many Sundays in the pulpit, serving as a guest preacher for various congregations in the area. And, at 96, he was still volunteering to teach at the University of Virginia Osher Lifelong Learning Institute He is survived by a nephew, James Hedrick, and two nieces, Merideth Trott and Priscilla Brunner, all of Dayton, Ohio; by his brother-in-law Ariel A. Roth and his wife, Lenore, of Loma Linda, California; his special Charlottesville friends, the Burnette family; and by many grand and great-grand nephews and nieces. His wife, Elvire, and his only sibling, Willa Hedrick, both predeceased him. © CENTER FOR ADVENTIST RESEARCHSpring 2021— 35 My Testimony MY NAME IS DELECIA TROFORT BUT MY friends call me “Mimi.” I just grad- uated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Andrews University. I was born with a rare condition called Adams Oliver Syndrome. When I was born, I was one of 96 in the world with this condition. Adams Oliver consists of a scalp defect, hand and foot defects, and damage to the end bones and the joints. I did not escape and have had repair of a scalp defect, foot defects, and have had four knee surgeries. I am also one of four young ladies who have lived past the age of 10 with this condition in the world. My father is a pastor and retired Navy Chaplain. My mother is a nurse-midwife and currently in medical school, and my sister Solange is currently a student at Andrews. My parents chose to home- school me from kindergarten to college because of the need to have numerous surgeries, their strong beliefs about Adventist education and no availability of Adventist educa- tion near where we lived. I attended Harlingen Adventist Elementary School for seventh and eighth grade. There were only ten children in the school, nine boys and me. My mother sent my academic schoolwork during that time and the Texas Conference presented me with a diploma when I completed the eighth grade. Andrews University was very different than homeschooling, with larger class sizes, classrooms and more than one teacher. I had few friends when my Andrews journey began. I was very shy and quiet. Due to my numerous health issues, I was diagnosed as disabled by the state of Michigan during my sophomore year at Andrews. Academic work wasn’t a challenge physically for me until that time. It was difficult for me to accept that I needed accommodations, a wheelchair, mobility scooter and a disabled parking placard. My par- ents treated me like I was normal all my life and that my syndrome didn’t define me as a person. My disability is predominantly internal and less external. Therefore, some students and faculty treated me differently. The students would not speak to me, would talk to other students around me, and push past me entering/exiting chapel or other school events. The faculty weren’t sure how to work with my accommo- dations at first and it was a learning curve for all of us. Some buildings on campus were difficult to navigate with my scooter. Over time things began to change. Teachers learned to work with and understand my accommodations. Students started to speak to me and, after they got to know me, realized I was a person outside of my disabili- ties. I moved into the residence hall and my suitemates were very helpful. They would bring me food from the cafeteria if I was not feeling well. They didn’t mind me parking my scooter and wheelchair in the living room. I became close to my suitemates and gained awesome friends for life at Andrews. I was blessed to meet my wonderful fiancé at Andrews, as well. The University Towers staff was wonderful and met my accommo- dations. The Visual Art, Design & Communication department worked hard to make academic life easier for me to navigate. The University worked very hard for me to physically access the campus. Handicap access was installed in the art building, where there was not easy access. The woodshop even built a painting easel that fit and rotated for my scooter. Andrews has done so much to increase my confidence and showed the love of Jesus in their dealings with me. I am now an ambassador for Student Success and speak to par- ents whose children have disabilities when they come for Preview Days. I wish to thank Andrews University and especially my advisor Kari Friestad for her belief in me and pushing me to always be my best. She never saw my disability and treated me like so much more. Thank you, Ms. Friestad, Professor Elkins, Professor Taylor, Professor Sherwin, Professor Myers, Professor Root, Student Success, Mr. Ayaz and Andrews University. I am thankful for what I have learned and accomplished thus far and excited for this next chapter of the future. Every day of life is truly a gift. Delecia Trofort is preparing for graduate school and plans to pursue either a Master of Arts in art therapy or a Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing. “Andrews has done so much to increase my confidence and showed the love of Jesus in their dealings with me.” Affirmation and growth By Delecia Trofort (BFA ’21)Office of Alumni Services Andrews University Berrien Springs MI 49104-0950 Address Service Requested Seek Knowledge. Affirm Faith. Change the World. International flags were flying the weekend of May 7–9, 2021, in honor of Andrews University spring graduates, who represented 72 countries. The row of flags closest to the church displayed the flag of Switzerland, in commemoration of J.N. Andrews’ historic mission trip, as well as the flags of Great Britain and Canada for President Andrea Luxton and the flag of Grenada for Provost Christon Arthur. The International Flag Mall was installed in 1974 and is a beloved symbol of global diversity at Andrews. PHOTO : Jackson JohnNext >