Washington Adventist University Celebrates Service and Leadership at Convocation

TAKOMA PARK, Md. – Washington Adventist University (WAU) held an inspiring Convocation Ceremony, emphasizing faith, service, and community engagement. The event featured a special dedication for students embarking on a mission trip to Ethiopia, a keynote discussion with distinguished WAU alumni, and messages of encouragement for the student body.

A major highlight of the convocation was the commissioning of six WAU students who will be traveling to Ethiopia for a mission trip. These students will serve at two foundations dedicated to assisting underprivileged communities through education and healthcare. The trip underscores WAU’s commitment to service and its mission to develop students into global leaders.

The students traveling to Ethiopia are:

• Camilly Victoria Reis Soares
• Divya Kristen Devadass
• Isabelle Aracely Cipriano
• Melquisedec Merchan Niño
• Taurin Jon Euler
• Zoie Amiri Angel Isaacs

They will be accompanied by WAU Chaplain Dr. Jiwan Moon, who emphasized the importance of service and spiritual growth in this initiative.

Before their departure, WAU President Weymouth Spence, Provost Dr. Cheryl Kisunzu, along with faculty and staff, gathered in prayer for the students. They prayed for a blessed experience, safety, and a meaningful impact on the communities they will serve.

Henok Tasfaye, founder and CEO of U Street Parking Corporation, played a pivotal role in making the mission trip possible. As a strong supporter of WAU, Tasfaye shared his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This mission is about more than just travel. It’s about making a difference in the lives of people who need it mostand strengthening the bonds of service that define the WAU community.” He encouraged students to embrace service as a lifelong calling and emphasized the importance of connecting with global communities through meaningful outreach.

The convocation’s main presentation featured an engaging discussion with WAU alumni and Sligo Pastors Alex Barrientos, Anwar Ottley, and Pranitha Fielder. Moderated by WAU students Charis McRoy and Princeston Samuel, the conversation explored the pastors’ experiences at WAU, their call to ministry, and the impact of faith in their personal and professional lives.

Barrientos reflected on how WAU encouraged critical thinking and advocacy, sharing, “My time at WAU taught me to speak up for those who don’t have a voice and to always seek ways to serve others.” Ottley, a music major turned worship leader, spoke on the transformative power of worship and how his time in the university’s music program shaped his leadership. Fielder emphasized the significance of belonging, noting that WAU provided her with a community that strengthened her pastoral calling.

 

The discussion resonated with students, inspiring them to explore their own callings and contributions to their communities. The pastors also underscored the importance of mentorship, encouraging students to seek guidance and remain open to where their faith leads them.

As the ceremony concluded, students were invited to reflect on their roles as servant leaders. The WAU community joined together in prayer for the mission team, the student body, and the university’s ongoing commitment to faith and service. With a renewed focus on outreach and spiritual growth, the convocation set the tone for an impactful semester ahead at WAU.

The event reinforced WAU’s mission of fostering academic excellence, faith-based leadership, and service, equipping students to be agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.