News

Union Adventist University Receives Grant for Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen
The Ardmore Institute of Health has awarded Union Adventist University’s Master of Public Health Program a grant to establish a culinary medicine teaching kitchen (CMTK). The $35,000 will purchase six commercial-grade mobile workstations, each including the culinary tools and appliances to support two students at a time, enabling the university to host classes of up to 12 students in the teaching kitchen. Any remaining funds will support a student garden that was established by the university’s first public health cohort last year.

Mid-America Union Conference Executive Committee Appoints New Communication Director
During its regular spring meeting, the Mid-America Union Executive Committee voted to approve a recommendation by MAUC’s administrative team outlining a leadership transition for the union’s communication department. Following the vote, then-director Brenda Dickerson became the associate director, and then-associate director/digital media manager Hugh Davis became the new director, effective May 1, 2025. This transition of titles, initially proposed by Dickerson, serves as a model for succession planning and smooth leadership transitions in appointed positions.

James P. Willis II Elected as New Vice President for Education for the Pacific Union Conference
The Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has elected James P. Willis II as its new vice president for education, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Dr. Berit von Pohle, who is retiring after a distinguished career spanning 46 years in Adventist education

Business Students and Entrepreneurs Participate in Hyve Conference at Andrews University
Andrews University hosted the third annual North American Hyve International Conference from March 27–29, a gathering where students, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders and businesspeople networked with fellow innovators and pitched their ideas. Through various workshops and programs on campus, practicing entrepreneurs shared their experiences and advice on how to cultivate a strong business in a way that glorifies God.

Alfredo Campechano, Long-time Editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Passes to His Rest
On Saturday, September 16, 2023, Alfredo Campechano, a long-time editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association, passed to his rest. He was 69.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Houston Distributes Special El Centinela Magazine Edition to Community
Each September, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S., the El Centinela team at Pacific Press Publishing Association prepares a special bilingual issue of the magazine for distribution around the North American Division. This year, 450,000 copies were printed and sent to conferences and churches to use in outreach during the month.

Pacific Union College Climbs U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges List
Pacific Union College was again lauded for its excellence in higher education, ranking high among the region’s top institutions in the U.S. News & World Report 2023-24 Best College list released today. U.S. News & World Report heralded PUC as the No. 2 Best Value School among colleges in the larger Western region, a jump from No. 6 last year. In California alone, PUC is first.

La Sierra University President Resigns
Effective Sunday, September 17, 2023, Joy Fehr, La Sierra University president, resigned her duties as president of the university following discussions last week with the Board of Trustees.