July 1, 1993 - 12:00pm - Editors

WALLA WALLA COLLEGE

An experiment involving Walla Walla College’s School of Theology (ST) and laypersons in Portland, Oregon, began in October, 1992. Throughout the past school year, the Sunnyside church has hosted presentations by ST members in what is known as the Institute of Bible, Church and Culture.

These lectures, which serve as a forum for the presentation of independent research, are designed to stimulate lively discussion among those in attendance. Wildred Geschke, MD, one of the prime backers of the program, hopes the Institute will “stimulate creative thought for individuals away from academic centers by providing insightful presenters who share with us ideas gleaned from their research.”

The Institute arises out of several years of planning that led ST to vote a proposal for a one-year trial. The proposal included a salary for an additional faculty person to lighten the class load from the presenters so they would have time to develop the lectures as well as time to be away from classroom functions. Funding requirements demanded that the salary be in place by the end of 1992 for the second year. This was accomplished, and since then, additional funding and requests for similar programs have been received by ST from throughout the North Pacific Union.

Doug Clark, Dean of ST, has expressed gratitude to those who have supported the Institute in its attempts to create dialogue. The following presentations have been given: Alden Thompson’s “The Changing Face of Adventism,” Doug Clark’s “Excavating the Bible: Archeological Discovery and Faith,” Bruce Johanson’s “Adventists Among Mosques, Temples, and Pagodas,” Ronald Jolliffe’s “Monopoly on the Gospel? Adventists and Other Christians,” Glen Greenwalt’s “Reclaiming the Sanctuary: The Relevance of 1844 in the 1990’s,” and Larry Veverka’s “Church Discipline: Shooting Our Own Wounded.” For information on these or future presentations call the Theology Department at Walla Walla College at (509)527-2615.

Bob Bretsch
Sunnyside Church
Portland, OR

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UNION COLLEGE

Union College, the first Adventist college to become accredited (1937), the first to have a computer in every dormitory room (1983), and the college with the craziest school song (“Slinga Da Ink and Pusha Da Pen”), continues to be an exciting center for education.

Not only does the commercial art program feature a new Macintosh lab with the latest graphics and design software, but dormitory computers have been upgraded, loaded with Wordperfect and Lotus software, and connected with electronic mail.

In October, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education renewed accreditation for teacher education assuring education graduates of nation-wide acceptance.

Union is one of 112 colleges and universities—including Notre Dame and Brigham Young—named to the John Templeton Foundation’s 1992 Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges.

The Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service, a newly established agency, offers students opportunities to help in the community. A current project is Jimmy Carter’s Habitat for Humanity—helping low-income people build their own homes. 10,000 hours of volunteer service will be completed by students this year.

Union offers a pastoral care degree for women in ministry, giving them an advantage over traditional theological graduates in areas such as abuse, grief, divorce, addiction, and the development of parenting skills.

Significant progress has been made in reducing indebtedness from $8.9 million in 1986 to a projected $3.5 million at the close of the current school year.

Beatrice Neal
Professor of Religion

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ATLANTIC UNION COLLEGE

Since 1985 Atlantic Union College’s (AUC) enrollment in the on-campus traditional programs has doubled to nearly 700 students. Furthermore, despite the misinformation in the January 21, 1993, Adventist Review, the 1992-1993 school year brought another increase, though slight, in on-campus enrollment.

In addition, AUC again has nearly as many students in its non-traditional programs such as Adult Degree Program, Continuing Education, and Electronic Distance Learning.
 
In 1988 the New England Association of Schools and Colleges renewed AUC’s accreditation for another full ten-year term. All of its professional programs are likewise accredited for their maximum terms, by their respective agencies. These include the two- and four-year nursing programs, social work, music, and education.

In 1992 a campus-wide master plan—”Priorities for Excellence”— was adopted by faculty and trustees. An extensive campus and constituency dialogue led to a Vision Statement based on AUC’s Mission Statement. At its heart is an academic plan sustained by student services, financial administration, and advancement. Prior to its adoption a spiritual master plan was devised, coordinating the spiritual resources on campus in such a way that the greatest number of students would be positively affected in terms of their spiritual growth.
 
Another document that has been influential in campus decision-making is AUC’s Human Relations Statement, which recognizes the multicultural nature of our community and consciously values and affirms diversity while taking advantage achieving genuine unity.

Larry Geraty, President