Washington Adventist University President Spence Issues Charge to the University Community to Demonstrate Core Values for Excellence in the 2016-2017 School Year
Takoma Park, Md. (September 2, 2016) In this week’s Opening Convocation for the Fall Semester, Washington Adventist University President Weymouth Spence, Ed.D., charged students, staff and faculty to demonstrate ten core values consistently in order to achieve excellence in all that they do this school year. The university is well on its way to becoming one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the mid-Atlantic region, and further progress is expected this year in achieving the goals of its Vision 2020 — Growing with Excellence plan.
“This year, we will continue to engage the entire learning community in fine tuning the strategies and operational actions on the journey to growing with excellence,” said Spence, who noted that the focus continues to be on the learner. Among the actions being implemented by Washington Adventist University (WAU) are tackling roadblocks that impede student success; integrating technology that supports learning and operational efficiencies; providing strong liberal arts, stem and career-based programs; and consistently measuring learning. The Vision 2020 plan adopts the six pillars of excellence – quality, people, finance, growth, service and community.
The Opening Convocation, which was held August 31 on campus at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, started with an invocation by Vice President of Campus Ministry Baraka Muganda, Ed.D. A welcome that recognized the incoming Class of 2020 followed, with remarks by Provost Cheryl Kisunzu, Ph.D., Board of Trustees member Lois Peters, and Student Association President Rosemary Ascencio. The classes of 2017, 2018, 2019, transfer students, new and returning faculty and staff, and the President Student Advisors were also recognized.
“As the 19th President of Washington Adventist University, my ultimate task, like others who have served, is to not only define, but also by the Grace of God to demonstrate, the core values of Washington Adventist University,” said Spence. Based on Matthew 6:1-7:27, he offered this advice to students and others in the WAU learning community:
- Do the right things for the right reasons;
- Pray God’s agenda, not your own;
- Relationships will make or break you;
- Prioritize eternal things, not temporal things;
- Don’t sweat the small stuff;
- God’s Kingdom is paramount – seek it first;
- Judge yourself before you judge others;
- If you need something, ask; if you have something, give;
- Stay true to your convictions; don’t wander from the narrow path; and
- Obedience to God is the only sure foundation for life.
The Convocation also included a scripture reading, Proverbs 22:17-19, by Chemistry Professor L. Melvin Roberts, Ph.D., and a responsive reading led by Pastor Joseph Khabbaz, which included Romans 12:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-9, 11-14, 18-21,26, 27; and Deuteronomy 26:1, 28:1-14. A moment of silence was also held in memory of two students and former Vice President for Academic Administration Joseph Gurubatham who died over the summer.
Trustee Peters, Columbia Union Conference, offered a prayer of dedication. Musical selections were offered by James Bingham, Ph.D., organ; José Oviedo, trumpet; Mark Di Pinto, D.M.A., and Daniel Lau, D.M.A., piano; and sopranos Denique Isaac and Javonna Matthews.
The core of the WAU mission is excellence in teaching, learning and service. The guiding values include integration of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, commitment to quality, respect, trust, considerate open communication, and accountability and integrity. The university strives to produce graduates who bring competence and moral leadership to their communities.
The Fall Semester began August 29 and will continue through December 15. Spring Semester classes begin January 9. Additional information about Washington Adventist University is available on its website.
# # #
Washington Adventist University is Montgomery County’s only four-year private college. Part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, Washington Adventist University has been educating college students since 1904 on a 19-acre campus in suburban Takoma Park, close to the nation’s capital. Approximately 1,100 students of all faiths participate in the university’s eight graduate and 42 undergraduate programs. The 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Adventist University among the best regional colleges in the north.
Media Contacts:
Angie Crews, 301-891-4134, acrews@wau.edu
Donna Bigler, 240-286-1169, dbigler@wau.edu