Next Tuesday will mark a very important day in the life of Andrews University in Berrien Springs. Even moreso, it will be a day to remember for Andrea Luxton as she undergoes inauguration that day as the sixth president in the history of the University.
The inauguration will take place Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at 10:30am at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus in Berrien Springs. All faculty, staff, students and other friends of the University, as well as those who have been invited as official delegates and special guests, are welcome to attend the service.
The guest speaker for the occasion will be William Johnsson, long-time editor of the Adventist Review and former professor of New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary located on the campus of Andrews University. Johnsson has written over 25 books and 1,000 articles. He holds a degree in chemical technology, as well as a PhD in biblical studies from Vanderbilt University and an honorary doctorate from Andrews University. Johnsson is currently retired but has also served in retirement as assistant to the president for Interfaith Relations at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Luxton joined the faculty in 2010 and served as provost until this past summer, when, on July 1, 2016, she assumed her role as president of the University.
The inauguration encourages public identification and establishment of the new president in her position. It also gives the institution an opportunity to reaffirm historic commitments, to rally the academic community around the president, and to heighten institutional visibility.
Born in Watford, Hertfordshire, as the daughter of educators, Luxton developed a passion for teaching very early in life. She studied at Newbold College, Bracknell, Berkshire, England, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and English in 1977. She continued her studies at Andrews University and completed a Master of Arts in English the following year.
Luxton’s career began in 1982 when she served as Head of English at Stanborough School in England. From 1986–1991 she worked as lecturer, senior lecturer and chair of the Department of English at Newbold College before serving the British Union as education director, women’s ministries coordinator and Sabbath School director until 1993. That year, she became principal at Stanborough School where she stayed until 1997.
She then served as president of Newbold College for four years before becoming vice-president for academic administration and professor of English at Canadian University College, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, in 2001. She became the president of Canadian University College (now Burman University) in 2006, following three years of work as the associate director of education at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and executive secretary to the Adventist Accrediting Association.
An avid writer, Luxton has written many professional publications and papers in Canada, England and the United States. She has also written church-related articles for Signs of the Times, Adventist Review, quarterlies and other national and international publications.
The new President says, “Those of us who choose to work at this University fully believe in the life-changing experience of faith-based education.” She adds, “We consistently discover that such an education impacts our hearts, minds and souls. It provides both us and our students with the unequaled opportunity to see the world, its challenges and opportunities through the lens of a creative, loving and compassionate God. It daily and profoundly changes our personal life stories, adding depth and richness. Ultimately, it encourages us to make choices that affirm our personal responsibility as created individuals in a created world.”
For additional information regarding the inauguration, including other special inaugural events, please visit andrews.edu/president/inauguration.
Founded in 1874, Andrews University is the flagship institution of higher education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and offers more than 200 areas of study including advanced degrees. Its main campus is in Berrien Springs, however, the University also provides instruction at colleges and universities in 19 countries around the world.
