Andrews Academy Alumni
News & Announcements
June 2024
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We are looking forward to hosting AA Alumni weekend on October 18 & 19! The main events will be on Sabbath, October 19. Career Seminars presented by alumni for current students are held on Friday morning. Potential plans for Friday vespers will be announced at a later date.
Plan to attend all of our events and catch up with classmates. In case there are any updates to the weekend's schedule, please visit our reunion information page before alumni weekend. Events are hosted at the Academy unless otherwise stated. Some honor classes may have additional gatherings to attend. Many of the honor classes have a Facebook group page where classmates may be planning activities for the weekend. See our list of FB groups for links. If we don't have yours listed, please reply to this email and let us know.
Alumni Weekend Events:
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Friday, October 18: 8-11 AM - Convocation and Career Seminar Presentations by alumni for current student body
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Friday, October 18: 7 PM - Vespers (tentative) - or open for alumni to visit
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Sabbath, October 19: 10 AM - Tribute Sabbath School & Alumni Proceedings (Roll Call)
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Sabbath, October 19: 11:30 AM - Alumni Worship Convocation: Speaker TBD (Class of 1999)
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Sabbath, October 19: 12:45 PM - Honored Class Alumni Photos & Haystack Luncheon (food provided) - Honor Classes will have a classroom to meet in for lunch and the afternoon.
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Sabbath, October 19: 2-6 PM - Academy building open for extended visiting.
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Saturday night, October 19: 8 PM - Shydepoke Basketball Games (Andreasen Center for Wellness, AU)
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Sunday, October 20: 9 AM - Sharon Russell Memorial Walk (AU Campus - starting at AA parking lot)
Sabbath School and church are typically live-streamed on AA's Facebook page and YouTube channel. If you are unable to join us in person, please join us virtually!
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If you do not receive the above postcard in the next month or so, we may not have your current mailing address. Please email AAalumni@andrews.edu with your updated information so that we can keep in touch. Thank you!
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Alumnus of the Year Nominees Needed
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Andrews Academy's history is full of both legendary faculty/staff and graduates. These legends have humbly continued to minister to the world upon departing the nest of AA! We are looking for nominees for the Alumnus of the Award. See the nomination requirements, and note that the nominee should be an AA graduate/attendee from a year that ends in 4 or 9.
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Andrews Academy Alumni in the News
Danielle Atangana (2019):
Bruce Cameron (1969):
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Co-author of a law school textbook published by a major legal academic publisher: Thomas R. Haggard and Bruce N. Cameron, Understanding Employment Discrimination Law, 3rd Ed. (Carolina Academic Press 2021).
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In 2022 elected Director of the Adventist Accrediting Association (accrediting body for Adventist universities and schools throughout the world – including Andrews Academy)
Jennifer Gray Woods (1998):
Stephanie (Wilham) Peterson (1986):
Milton Sand (1996):
Dana Wales (1982):
Edward Woods III (1989):
Laid to Rest
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Anderson, James (1949) - 6/24/2021
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Crawford McGowan, Bonnie (1969) - 7/18/2022
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Engelkemier, Edwin Dean (1976 att) - 4/19/2022
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Ferris, Bruce (1976 att) - 4/7/2022
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Lafferty Anderson, Patricia (1951) - 4/4/2022
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McKee, James (Former Faculty 1973 - 1995) - 2/2/2023
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Nielsen, Arne (1978) - 6/3/2024
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Reynolds, Troy (1985 att) - 6/7/2022
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Smalley, Joshua (2004 att) - 3/16/2022
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Umek, Mark (1967) - 2/20/2024
These are the alumni who have passed away that we have been notified about. Their families (and those of any others not listed) have our sympathy and are in our prayers.
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Dear Andrews Academy Alumni and Supporters:
After a prayerful reflection, Pastor Mario Ferguson has announced his decision to resign as principal of Andrews Academy. He and his family will be relocating outside of the area to pursue new ministry opportunities. This resignation will be effective on June 30, 2024. While we are greatly saddened by this news, we also are hopeful and filled with prayers for Pastor Ferguson, and for Andrews Academy, as we prepare to move forward.
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Pastor Ferguson has been part of our Andrews Academy family in a variety of teaching and leadership roles since 2013, and he brought with him nearly 25 years of thoughtful leadership and other experience in educational and Adventist church roles.
As our world was turned “upside down” during COVID-19 in 2020, he stepped into the position of then interim principal for the 2020–2021 school year. He brought us through a very difficult school year as we implemented all the COVID-19 safety precautions, began hybrid teaching (in the classroom and for those online), and had to deal with fluid conditions throughout that very difficult year. His expertise in technology was utilized as he helped each teacher implement the new technologies of Google Classroom, recording cameras, creating online testing, and so many other things teachers had to learn. His expertise in technology was also utilized as the school had to retool and purchase many things for teaching during COVID-19. We thank him for navigating the school through that very difficult year.
After a school board principal search, there was overwhelming support to have Pastor Ferguson lead the school as principal in the fall of 2021. His focus, as he led the school these past five years, has been the spiritual journey of our students and faculty. We have chapel at 8:55 in the morning; however, he wanted our school to begin and conclude the day with prayer. This has been such a meaningful addition to the beginning and ending of each day. These daily prayers will be a legacy he leaves with us at Andrews Academy. This is one example of the many ways he intentionally weaved together a more spiritually focused experience here at Andrews Academy.
Under Pastor Ferguson’s leadership, we have experienced financial security and increased innovations throughout our school. He has a keen, safety-minded sense that has resulted in changes to our school that had not been thought of before. We appreciate his leadership in providing a safer school and look forward to completion of more of his safety-focused features that are currently in the planning stages.
Pastor Ferguson led the school through accreditation. This process involved a lot of work, planning, communication, and organization to put all the pieces together. Thank you, Pastor Ferguson, for bringing us through the accreditation process and achieving a very successful outcome.
With Christ before him, Pastor Ferguson has brought unity in diversity, enriching our campus, supporting our students, and fostering pride and a celebration of the diversity we enjoy at Andrews Academy. He has also enriched the school by building into the calendar personal development days that help teachers grow and become even better teachers for our students.
The AA board is working through the principal search committee to identify and place a new principal for the upcoming 2024–2025 school year.
Cordially,
Fares Magesa, Chair
Andrews Academy Board of Directors
aaboardchair@andrews.edu
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2023 Honor Class Photos, Alumnus of the Year, and Teacher Legacy Award
See our website for the 2023 honor class photos, as well as photos of the Alumnus of the Year (Leroy Patterson, class of 1958), and Teacher Legacy Award recipients (Clemen & Bradley Sheppard).
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| Photos from Alumni 2023 » |
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2023 Alumni Weekend - Convocation and Career Seminars
Friday, October 20, 2023, was the beginning of Andrews Academy’s alumni weekend, when hundreds of alumni return to remember the fun times at AA and renew friendships with each other and with our God.
The weekend started with Convocation in the chapel for the current Academy students. The Senior class of 2024 led in the school song and the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Mario Ferguson, AA Principal, welcomed everyone to Convocation. Pastor Don Anderson, AA class of 1983, presented the address. He is a pastor in British Columbia, Canada, and is also a Snap on Tools salesperson. His talk was entitled, “Restoring the Image of God," based on the quote on the theme wall of the Commons.
After Convocation, the students went to various classrooms to participate in Career Seminars. Based on their interests, students were able to attend two career presentations of their choice. It’s a great opportunity for students to explore possible career choices as Andrews Academy alumni shared insights about their careers. For example, Sara Vulicevic (’03) presented on healthcare leadership, while Warren Johns (’63) presented on library sciences.
This is the fourth year of also having a Career Fair as part of the events of the day, coordinated by Leslie Nieves, AA Guidance Counselor. The gymnasium had a number of booths helping explain more about various careers, many including interactive activities. Booths were represented by various departments from AU, the community, and alumni. Thank you all for making this a successful opportunity for students to learn more about careers.
Thank you to Tonya Hippler Snyder (’96), our alumni liaison, as well as Gina Meekma, AA Administrative Assistant, for an excellent program and for their part in planning the entire weekend. And thank you to a whole host of volunteers for stepping in and helping make this weekend possible.
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Alumni Weekend - Vespers
On Friday night of Alumni Weekend, vespers was presented by Andrews Academy class of 2003. It was a great time of singing the familiar songs from twenty years ago. One of the classmates shared a testimony from when she was here at Andrews Academy.
Thank you, AA Class of 2003, for presenting the Friday evening vespers.
After the program, some alumni stayed for a couple of hours catching up on what has happened in their lives and that of their classmates. Some gathered around the campfire by the new benches given by the class of 2023. As they stood around the fire and talked, they also enjoyed some s'mores. It was a fun evening of sharing and remembering time together at AA.
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Alumni Weekend - Sabbath School and Church
Alumni Sabbath School began at 10 AM on Sabbath morning (October 21, 2023) in the chapel. It was an inspirational presentation of tributes along with special music by AA students. Through their tributes, presenters shared how Jesus used the faculty and experiences of Andrews Academy to change their lives.
Alumni proceedings were also interspersed throughout the Sabbath School program. Honor classes were recognized by having each class stand. In some cases, the honored classes were asked to come to the front of the chapel to be recognized. For example, the class of 1973, celebrating their 50-year reunion, were presented gifts. Clemen & Bradley Sheppard were honored with a teacher legacy award. Leroy Patterson (‘58) was honored as alumnus of the year.
Gina Pellegrini, Pastor Nancy Kardos-Moldovan, Pastor Gabriel Johnson, and a number of Andrews Academy students led in children’s church. After singing, the leaders told a Bible story. The children worked on a craft project, making the armor of God. Squeals of delight could be heard from the children as they not only learned the story but also experienced the story, walking away with their own armor of God!
While the children were in the library, the worship service occurred in the Academy chapel. The sermon was presented by Doug Taylor and two other classmates from the class of 1998, a powerful trio sermon entitled, “I have Called You by Name.” Numerous alumni from the class of 1998 participated with scripture, prayer, and special music. The current Silhouettes invited alumni to join them in singing “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” It was great to see a number of families with two generations of alumni singing together.
Following worship service, a haystack meal was provided for the attendees. We thank Pastor Ferguson, PPI, organization officers, and many other volunteers for organizing the meal. It was another good opportunity for classmates to reunite and share what has happened in their lives since graduation and remember experiences from Academy years. Many shared how much of a positive impact Andrews Academy had on their lives. During lunch, each of the honored classes had their photo taken and ate in a classroom together so they could fellowship together.
For a video of the Sabbath School and Church services, see our YouTube page.
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Alumni Weekend - Shydepoke
The traditional Shydepoke game was a basketball game held in the Andreasen Center for Wellness at Andrews University (October 21, 2023). Since Shydepoke’s inception in 1960, it had been a flag football game. It was not feasible to use the new high school football field this year where it was traditionally held, the University’s field has been transformed into a soccer field, and the Academy field does not have lighting. So it was decided to have basketball games instead. There was a lot of excitement during the games that had many more players and a larger audience compared to recent years. It also turned out to be a rather cool and wet evening, so many were thankful to be indoors.
The female alumni and the female AA students' game was won by the alumni 37 to 28. It was a tied game at the end of the first period, then alumni took a lead and won the game. The male alumni and the male AA students had the alumni taking an early lead, tying it up near the end of the third period. The school then took a small lead at the end of the third period. The alumni team then took a decided lead in the fourth period, winning the game to 57 to 42.
The Doug Newberry most valuable player award went to Braden Keyes, and the Lydia Chong most valuable player award went to Lora Baker. These awards are named after two PE teachers from the 1980s.
Some Shydepoke history: In 1960, the Andrews Academy Shydepoke tradition began during the principalship of Knobby Mauro. At that point, there was only one game for the males. In the 1980s, the female and then male games became a tradition. The name “Shydpoke” was chosen, a term from the south meaning a “get together social event.” Also during Mauro's principalship, a challenge was presented to the students to come up with a name for the school teams. Gordon Johns, from the class of 1966, came up with the name “Acumen.” His goal was to scan the dictionary for a unique and meaningful name and only go to the “ac” of the dictionary when he came up with this name. The acumen name means “the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.” He won the $10 prize for this.
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Sharon Russell Memorial Walk & Fund
Sunday morning of alumni weekend (October 22, 2023) was the Sharon Russell Memorial Walk. The twenty-year honor year class of 2003 wanted to do something to remember their teacher, Sharon Russell, who impacted the lives of many students in so many ways. Her health class was known for walking around campus and the community as part of her fitness program. During those decades, the gym uniforms were a bright red. Members of the class created a red sweatshirt that could be used during the walk as a way to remember Sharon Russell and all that she did for the school.
Members of the class also initiated a new Worthy Student Fund called the “Sharon Russell Non-endowed Fund.” Each year approximately 20% of the students enrolled receive tuition assistance from the Worthy Student Fund. Without the gifts regularly made by alumni and friends, these tuition supplements would not be possible. We thank the many people who contributed to this fund for helping make the Andrews Academy experience possible for these students. Sharon Russell had a heart for her students, and this new worthy student fund is a way for each of us to honor her as we share financially to help students attend AA.
Thank you, class of 2003, for initiating these two items that so many could participate in.
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Berrien County Youth Fair
Local alumni, show that you are a fan of Andrews Academy! We invite you to stop by AA's booth and pick up a fan at the Youth Fair in Berrien Springs (across from Apple Valley), from August 12-17.
How would you like to get into the Berrien County Youth Fair
for free?
We'd love to have your help staffing the AA booth. Please click on the sign-up link and take a look at the available times to see when would work best in your schedule—then invite a friend to sign up for a shift (or two!) with you! Each volunteer will get a free fair entrance ticket per shift.
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We have an official Andrews Academy alumni Facebook page! Please follow us and invite your fellow AA alumni.
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Interested in Current AA News
& Events?
Typically during the school year, AA emails out the E-Sanjo newsletter twice a week. It can be found on our website. You can also subscribe to it.
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Wanted: Alumni News
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Have you recently graduated, gotten married, had a baby, changed jobs/got a promotion, published a book, or know of an AA attendee/graduate/ former staff that has passed away?
Please share your news with us, including a picture if you would like, for inclusion (as space permits) in the AA alumni e-newsletter.
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| Update Your Info » |
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We welcome changes in contact information also! Please email news and contact updates to AAalumni@andrews.edu. Or update your information by clicking on the Update Your Info button.
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You are invited to partner with us!
During these last few years of challenges and uncertainty, we have cotinued to do all that we can to fulfill our commitment to provide Christian education and academic excellence to our students.
Your support of our general scholarship and worthy student fund helps make it possible for students to attend AA that otherwise would not be able to without partners like you.
Gifts to our worthy student fund, renovation fund, annual fund, and many others can be made at any time. Thank you for your continued investment in quality Christian education at AA!
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Andrews Academy
8833 Garland Ave
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
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269-471-3138
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