Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2025, Andrews University Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:39:00 +0000 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:39:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Andrews Hosts Inaugural Mental Health Symposium http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68351 <p> From Sept. 11–14, Andrews University hosted the first Thrive: Mental Health Symposium. Coordinated by the University’s Counseling & Testing Center, the symposium was themed “Building a Mental Health Friendly Campus” and featured several breakout sessions, plenary presentations and multiple resource fairs. Throughout the weekend, attendees were inspired, empowered and equipped to build healthier relationships with mental health and to foster a more caring campus community.</p> <p> The symposium was created in response to the University’s Summit on Social Consciousness, which took place from March 31–April 1, 2025. The summit was themed “Our Mental Health Crisis” and explored mental health problems facing both the Andrews campus and wider society. To address these ongoing conversations, organizers planned the Thrive: Mental Health Symposium to take place at the start of the 2025–2026 school year.</p> <p> The event began with an outdoor resource fair on Thursday afternoon, which exhibited a variety of mental health resources available on campus. At the symposium’s opening session that evening, Stacey Nicely, director of the Counseling & Testing Center, spoke on the creation of the event, noting, “Rather than always looking at mental health through a crisis lens, what if we created a space—an annual event—to help people learn strategies not just to survive … but teaching you how to thrive.”</p> <p> The session continued with acknowledgements, a moment of remembrance for Sept. 11, 2001, and a special musical performance from graduate student and Juno-award-winner K-Anthony. Plenary presenter John T. Boston II, evangelist and motivational speaker, shared his personal testimony surrounding mental health and God’s miracles and protection in his life.</p> <p> Boston affirmed to listeners, “Your pain is not lost. Your purpose is not forgotten. You are seen. You are visible. The reason we have a mental health symposium is because we’ve been through some mess. The beautiful thing is … you will be reminded that no matter how long it’s been or what you’ve been through, you were not rejected; you were protected.”</p> <p> The session closed with a presentation by Jennifer Burrill, assistant vice president for Campus & Student Life and Residence Life, who spoke about the University Student Intervention Team and support services offered on campus. Participants were then encouraged to attend breakout sessions led by students, faculty and members of the community. These sessions continued on Friday morning, covering topics such as suicide, digital wellness, behavioral therapy tools and brain function.</p> <p> On Saturday, Sept. 13, attendees were invited to a second resource fair that displayed mental health resources available in the surrounding community. Esther Caro, a graduate counseling psychology student and therapist with The Empowerment Center, a domestic violence shelter in Benton Harbor, shared, “I’m here to let the community know [about] this free service that we offer. They can get free therapy services, free legal help, free shelter if they have been through intimate partner violence.” She added, “It’s good to get the word out and help people know that we have these services—that they don’t have to go through it alone.”</p> <p> The Andrews Community Counseling Center, which has been in service for over 30 years, also offers free counseling to community members. Allen Nansasi, a graduate student studying clinical mental health counseling, noted, “It doesn’t matter what age group; as long as you need services, you can always come and receive counseling … couples, family or any[thing] else.”</p> <p> Other community-led groups, such as Pioneer Memorial Church’s Belong Ministries, focus on building connections between students and local families. Panankosi Mbunjwa, one of Belong’s representatives, explained that the ministry is important because it “provides a place for students to go.” He continued, “Students come here—sometimes they come by themselves, they leave their families far away. We try to provide a home away from home for them.”</p> <p> The afternoon session began after the resource fair with a prayer, welcome and second musical performance by K-Anthony. Participants were then invited to attend a third and final round of breakout sessions, covering topics including boundaries, campus care, mental fitness, therapy and social emotional competence.</p> <p> After the breakout sessions, Nicely chaired a panel discussion on the topic of faith and mental health. Panel members included Carole Woolford-Hunt, chair of the School of Graduate Psychology & Counseling; L. Ann Hamel, psychologist; Karl Bailey, professor of psychology; Natasha Richards, assistant professor of chaplaincy; and Lindsay Syeh, commissioned pastor.</p> <p> The panelists discussed spiritual struggles and mental health struggles; how to change one’s picture of God; and support tools and resources. Speaking on the interconnectedness of faith and mental health, Bailey shared, “Our educational ministries, our health ministries and our development ministries go alongside our preaching ministries.” He added, “We have to approach faith not just as a set of beliefs but as a set of actions.”</p> <p> Each panelist also shared messages of hope with those gathered. “God made us in community,” said Woolford-Hunt. “We are meant to be in community, and community is meant to help and support us. We can’t pull away from it … we need to get back in community with each other.”</p> <p> The symposium closed with final remarks, followed by a prayer from Shane Anderson, lead pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church. Frances Faehner, vice president for Campus & Student Life, encouraged each participant to pray for God’s heart as they returned to their communities, remarking, “Just as Jesus gives us new mercies every morning, He puts people in our path to be His hands and feet for Him every day.”</p> <p> Thrive: Mental Health Symposium will return next year, with a focus on hyperconnectivity, artificial intelligence and implications for mental health. </p> <div> <u font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); box-sizing: border-box;">                    </u></div> <div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">  </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> To learn more about studying at Andrews University, please visit <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/admissions/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 74, 128); text-decoration: none;">Enrollment</a>. </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">  </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> If you’re interested in joining the Andrews University team, please see the list of available <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/services/hr/job_seekers/index.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 74, 128); text-decoration: none;">positions</a>. </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">  </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> We invite you to support the Andrews University mission by making a <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/services/development/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 74, 128); text-decoration: none;">donation</a>.</div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">  </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Please read more about great things happening at Andrews University <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/feed/Agenda:+Campus+News/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 74, 128); text-decoration: none;">here</a>.</div> </div> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:41:20 +0000 Death of Victor Hilbert Jr. http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68349 <p> Victor Charles Hilbert, Jr., 86, of Delta Township passed peacefully on Jan. 29, 2025, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI. Victor (Vic) was born on May 7, 1938, in Stoneham, MA, to Victor C. Hilbert, Sr. and Sara E. Hilbert, and God blessed them with a son who lived a life marked by dedication, compassion and achievement.</p> <p> Vic’s passion for music was evident from a young age. He pursued this passion as a music major at Atlantic Union College. His rich voice graced the television program Faith for Today as bass in the quartet from 1960 to 1962, a time that saw him travel from NYC to Nova Scotia, sharing his talents with a wide audience. In 1962, Vic and his wife Jan moved to Andrews University in Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree. Vic and Jan, with baby John Kevin (JK), moved to Shenandoah Valley Academy, VA, where Vic taught choral and voice for six years. Vic worked on his MA degree for three summers at Andrews University, culminating in a master’s degree in choral and voice.</p> <p> ...</p> <p> Victor is survived by his loving wife, Janet Hilbert, and his children John Kevin Hilbert, Pamela Sue Hilbert Sock (Larry Sock), and Jeffrey Todd Hilbert. Vic also carried in his heart a special love for his grandchildren Eric, Jack, and Jagger and great-grandchild, Brody; and many nieces and nephews who express that same love for him today. Vic was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Theodore Hilbert and wife Sandra Hilbert, his sister June Hilbert Harris and husband Ronald Harris.</p> <p> Read Hilbert's full obituary <a href="https://www.millsfuneral.com/obituaries/Victor-Hilbert-Jr?obId=35165018">here</a>. </p> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:02:03 +0000 Mission and Ministry Through Andrews' Myanmar Club http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68347 <p> Spiritual ministry and mission are the driving forces for Andrews University’s newest student club: the Andrews University Myanmar Student Association (AUMSA). Launched at the start of the 2024–2025 academic year, AUMSA has distinguished itself through its mission-focused initiatives, with members contributing positively across the Lake Union and in the nation of Myanmar.  </p> <p> <<< Read the full story at the Lake Union Herald <a href="https://www.lakeunionherald.org/archive/articles/mission-and-ministry-the-focus-for-andrews-myanmar-club">site</a> >>></p> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:47:50 +0000 My Scooter and I http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68346 <p> Being at Andrews University has taught me many things. Of course, I learned how bad I am at math, how to know which professors are the most helpful, and how many minutes to leave before the rush at the end of an event. But living with a disability has taught me much more: how to be resilient, how to be a voice for myself and others, and how to make sure I am heard. </p> <p> My disability, muscular dystrophy, affects my mobility though I can walk some distances. I always knew I would be able to go to college but would need a mobility aid wherever I attended. I was a little nervous and embarrassed when I first got my mobility scooter. Sure, I had been a disabled individual all my life, but having a mobility scooter in college felt like I had a big sign saying, “I’m disabled.” I was worried people wouldn’t be willing to get to know me because of this giant elephant (or scooter) in the room. It would be another barrier that I would need to face. Little did I know that my mobility scooter would become my superpower. <br />  </p> <p> <<< Read the full story at the Lake Union Herald <a href="https://www.lakeunionherald.org/archive/articles/my-scooter-and-i--">site</a> >>></p> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:46:38 +0000 Berrien Springs Garden Club Meeting http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68344 <p> The next meeting of the Berrien Springs Garden Club will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 3 p.m. It will be hosted at the History Center at Courthouse Square.</p> <p> The meeting will include a brief history and overview of the types of iris flowers available globally, including ones native to the Midwest. Then participants will head outside to the Murdok Cabin garden boxes to plant iris rhizomes and ostrich ferns in preparation for spring. This meeting is FREE so bring your friends!</p> <p> Iris rhizomes will be available for sale at $10 a bag. A demonstration of how to trim and plant them will be part of the workshop. </p> <p> Thank you for your support of the club and for helping to beautify our community spaces.</p> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:26:26 +0000 Andrews Community Health and Wellness Expo http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68334 <p> This free event is for the whole family. Local businesses and campus departments will provide activities, samples and services geared toward health and wellness. Enjoy time with a trained therapy dog, check out a fire truck, attend a cooking demo or have a delicious treat from BOBA.</p> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:16:55 +0000 Drone Workshops: Info Session and Team Formation http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67629 <p> <strong>Location</strong>: <font color="#333333">Maker Lab (ADC 115)</font></p> <p> <strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"></span>Date and Time</strong>: <font color="#333333">Sept. 30, 11:30 a.m.</font></p> <p> <strong>Description:</strong></p> <p> Throughout the year, there will be various workshops for students participating in the 2026 Drone Competition. On Sept. 30, students will be able to form teams for the competition and learn more about how to participate successfully.</p> <p> Available workshops during the fall semester:</p> <ul> <li> Sep. 30</li> <li> Oct. 28</li> <li> Nov. 25</li> </ul> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:14:09 +0000 Career 101 Workshop: Winning Resumes http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/67397 <p> Learn practical resume-writing strategies from a professional recruiter to stand out at the fall Career Fair and beyond. This session will be presented on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, from 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. in Chan Shun Hall, Room 108. It is open to all majors, including graduate students. Cocurricular credit will be provided. A hybrid option is available for distance learning students only by contacting <a href="mailto:career@andrews.edu">career@andrews.edu</a>.</p> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:11:46 +0000