Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2025, Andrews University Sat, 18 Oct 2025 11:34:00 +0000 Sat, 18 Oct 2025 11:34:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu UPDATE: Memorial Service for Takura Carlos Rukuni http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68434 The memorial service for Pastor TC Rukuni will be held this Sunday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m., at the Village Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Berrien Spring, MI. To read more about Pastor Rukuni and his life of service, please see our earlier <a href="http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68432" target="_blank">email</a>. Attached is a beautiful remembrance of Pastor Rukuni provided to the University. Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:45:12 +0000 Notification of the Death of Takura Carlos Rukuni http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68432 Oct. 6, 2025 Dear campus community, It is with sorrow that I share with you the heartbreaking news of the death of Takura Carlos Rukuni, an Andrews University MDiv student. After he was diagnosed with ALS, Takura paused his coursework in the fall of 2024. On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, after a long, valiant and painful battle, Takura passed away, and he is now resting with the Lord. A Zimbabwean national, Takura’s body will be repatriated to Zimbabwe as he waits for Christ’s soon return. Takura’s love for God and his commitment to service brought him to the MDiv program where his Christ-centered vision inspired all who knew him. A loving husband and father, Takura leaves behind his beloved wife, Vimbainashe Rukuni, and his four beautiful daughters, one of whom is a freshman nursing major at Andrews University. We lift them up in prayer during this season of heartbreaking loss, asking for the comfort and peace of God to surround them. Takura will be greatly missed by our school and church community and by many more across the wider Adventist community. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). This evening, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., there will be a special gathering of prayer and music at the Seminary Chapel as we lift up Takura’s family. We invite all who would like to show their love and support for Takura and his family to attend. We encourage any of our campus family needing support to reach out to our campus chaplains (269-471-3211), seminary chaplains (269-471-6321), campus counselors (269-471-3470) or International Student Services office (269-208-6395). Telehealth is available at academiclivecare.com. The access codes are ALCANDUS23 (employees) and ALCANDU23 (students). Thank you for your fervent prayers and heartfelt concern for all who knew and loved Takura and now mourn his death. With care, Frances Faehner VP of Campus and Student Life Fri, 10 Oct 2025 22:48:03 +0000 Memorial Service and Remembrances for Micah Harris http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68405 We are saddened to inform our community of the tragic death of our University student Micah Harris on Oct. 4, 2025, following a swimming accident in Lake Chapin. Micah graduated from Spring Valley Academy before joining us at Andrews University in the fall of 2024 to study business administration. Please keep Micah’s family and loved ones in prayer as we continue to mourn together. As a tangible gesture of care, you are invited to share personal memories and condolences that will be conveyed to the family below; please include your name with your comments. If you would like to talk to someone about this loss, we encourage you to reach out to one of the resources below: <ul> <li> Campus Chaplains: 269-471-3211</li> <li> Campus Counselors: 269-471-3470</li> <li> 24/7 Support through Academic Live Care: <ul> <li> Website: <a href="https://academiclivecare.com">academiclivecare.com</a></li> <li> Call: 866-349-5575</li> <li> Access Codes: <ul> <li> Students: ALCANDU23</li> <li> Employees: ALCANDUS23</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> A memorial service for Micah will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m., at the Centerville Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 456 W Spring Valley Pike, Centerville, OH. A live stream of the service will be available at this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/CentervilleSeventhdayAdventistChurch/live">link</a>. To support those wishing to attend Micah’s service in person, the University will provide transportation for students. To aid in making appropriate transportation arrangements, please reserve a seat <a href="https://forms.gle/2AcqTbefumMyCEmR8">here</a> no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9. Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:27:22 +0000 Death of Jacqueline Wright http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68394 Jacqueline "Jackie" Marva Cook Wright was born Oct. 1, 1935, in Dayton, Ohio, to Rev. Charles and Elizabeth Cook. Raised in the Baptist church—her father as pastor and her mother as organist—Jackie grew up surrounded by faith and music. From a young age, her soulful voice touched hearts, carrying her across the country and around the world. ... While music was central to her life, Jackie's greatest joy was her family. She and her husband Walter raised four children while she supported his more than 40 years of ministry. Jackie also built a career as an administrative assistant at Kettering College of Medical Arts, the Southwest Union and Andrews University. Through every role-wife, mother, professional, singer—Jackie lived with grace, strength and unwavering faith. ... She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and extended family who cherish her legacy of love and faith. Jackie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elder Walter L. Wright Sr., her parents, sister Yvonne, and niece Sharon. Jackie trusted God's promises and lived in hope of reunion with her loved ones. Today, she is finally "home at last." Read Wright's full obituary <a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dayton/name/jacqueline-wright-obituary?id=59607724">here</a>. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:48:43 +0000 Memorial Service for Russell Staples http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68368 Friends and colleagues are invited to a memorial service for Russell Staples, former chair of the Department of World Mission and longtime member of the Andrews University community. The memorial will be in the Seminary Chapel at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. Light refreshments will follow. Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:25:12 +0000 Death of Victor Hilbert Jr. http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68349 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. 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. ... 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. Read Hilbert's full obituary <a href="https://www.millsfuneral.com/obituaries/Victor-Hilbert-Jr?obId=35165018">here</a>.  Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:02:03 +0000 Celebration of Life for Maxine D. Pittman http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68339 Maxine Dowden Pittman, born Jan. 19, 1939, in St. John's, Newfoundland to Theresa Rose Jones Dowden and Malcolm Earnest Dowden, died on Sept. 10, 2025, in Berrien Springs at home. Those who knew her will remember her love of books, music, art, lively conversation and impeccable surroundings. She was a registered nurse by training, but her great passion was creating—whether through food or home décor. She taught her family and friends to value honesty, integrity, generosity, hospitality, beauty and love. A woman of abiding faith, she departed this life at peace with her Maker. Maxine graduated from Kingsway College (Oshawa, Ontario) in 1959, and studied nursing at Glendale Adventist Hospital (Glendale, Calif.) where she earned her R.N. in 1961. Maxine married Thomas D. Pittman on April 12, 1964 (Glendale, Calif.). Maxine and Thomas both worked in health care for their whole professional lives. Maxine is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Thomas D. Pittman; her daughter, L. Monique Pittman, son-in-law, Paul D. Smith Jr.; her nieces: Cheryl Dowden and Lori Mitchell Roeser and her nephew, Kenneth Mitchell. Arrangements have been made with Allred Funeral Home. The celebration of life will be at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4 in the Seminary Chapel on the campus of Andrews University.  Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:19:24 +0000 Death of Daniel Drazen http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/68318 Daniel Joseph Drazen, a man whose kindness and generosity were as unfailing as his commitment to his faith and service to his community, passed away on June 24, 2025, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Born on Dec. 29, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, Daniel's journey through life was one marked by love, dedication and an unwavering desire to make the world a better place. Daniel's academic accomplishments were significant, having earned a master's degree from Andrews University, which set the stage for his remarkable career. He devoted his professional life to the service of Andrews University, where he worked tirelessly as a periodical editor. His contributions to the University's publications enriched the lives of both students and faculty, resonating his passion for education and the printed word. Read Drazen's full obituary <a href="https://www.allredfuneralhome.com/obituaries/daniel-drazen">here</a>.  Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:55:08 +0000