Celebrating 150 Years of Commitment to Mission

Andrews honors its anniversary through a series of special events

Andrews University is celebrating with a year-long series of anniversary events organized around the theme "Founded in Faith. Forward in Mission!" (Photo by Darren Heslop)

On a high Sabbath morning in a packed Pioneer Memorial Church, and later in a variety of activities throughout the day, Andrews University celebrated the exact 150th anniversary of its official opening on Aug. 24.

“The university is celebrating with a year-long series of anniversary events organized around the theme ‘Founded in Faith. Forward in Mission!’” says John Wesley Taylor V, president.

On Aug. 24, 1874, Battle Creek College held its first classes in the Review and Herald building in Battle Creek, MI. To commemorate the anniversary of the first Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning, Pastor Shane Anderson led a special service at Pioneer Memorial Church, honoring the commitment of those who founded the school while calling Adventists today to engage the church’s mission to reach the world with God’s love “at any cost.”

The high Sabbath continued with a tour of Sutherland House, the only original campus building still standing. More than focusing on the architecture, tour guide Ronald Knott, director of the Andrews University Press, which now operates in the building, shared stories of faith and commitment exemplified by the Adventist pioneers who gave all for their work. One example shared was Percy Magan, who turned down the opportunity to build significant wealth working with John Harvey Kellogg and instead remained focused on the critical area of Adventist education.

Similar stories of faithful service continued during a tour of the Rosehill Cemetery, a place of rest for many who contributed significantly to the legacy of Andrews University. Jim Ford, associate director of the Center for Adventist Research, and Meredith Jones Gray, professor emerita of English and University historian, led groups through the cemetery, highlighting the extraordinary dedication of those who founded the school in faith and supported Adventist education more broadly.

School History

Twenty-five years after its humble beginnings as Battle Creek College, in the fall of 1901, the school was moved by railcar across the state to Berrien Springs, where it was renamed Emmanuel Missionary College.

In 1958, the General Conference Autumn Council voted to move the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary as well as Potomac University to Berrien Springs, leading in 1960 to the new name, Andrews University.

In September of 1874, just one month after the founding of Battle Creek College, John Nevins Andrews and his two teenage children had traveled to Europe as the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s first official international missionaries. At the time, J.N. Andrews was the leading Seventh-day Adventist scholar; the new community had sent one of their best to help spread the faith abroad. Because of his commitment to mission and to developing one’s intellect, J.N. Andrews remains an inspiring figure as the University’s namesake.

Upcoming Events

Honoring the 150th anniversary will continue throughout the school year. During Alumni Weekend, Sept. 26–29, Meredith Jones Gray will release her second volume on Andrews University history, "Forward in Faith."

A mission conference co-hosted by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held on campus Oct. 17–19. This scholarly conference will consider the global impact of Adventist missions.

President Taylor emphasizes, “These events are to remind us of the commitment of our Adventist pioneers, to help us learn from past efforts, and to inspire new generations to embrace the same mission in new ways. The 150th anniversary is not only a time to celebrate but a time to rededicate our lives to God’s work, the mission of the church, and the opportunities we each have to share God’s love. At Andrews University we are committed to mission!”

Join the University in this anniversary year at n3hc.rajcmmementos.com/150.