WAU Mourns the Death of Dr. William A. Loveless, The University’s President from 1978-1990
William A. Loveless, January 17, 1928 – September 15, 2014
TAKOMA PARK, MD (September 16, 2014) Washington Adventist University (WAU) today is mourning the death of Dr. William A. Loveless, who served as the university’s president from 1978-1990 when the institution was known as Columbia Union College.
“William Loveless was an extraordinary influence on this university,” said current WAU President Weymouth Spence, Ed.D., R.T. “Under his leadership, this university was among the first in the nation to launch an evening program designed specifically to meet the needs of working adults. That program today is known as our School of Graduate and Professional Studies.”
“He was a genuine person. You never felt that he was putting on airs. When he spoke, it was with authenticity and he had an amazing sense of humor,” said WAU Director of Student Financial Services Sharon Conway, who knew him. “He loved a good clean joke. He was a visionary and very persistent.”
Loveless was also the first to suggest that a student missionary program be established at the university in 1959, when it was still known as Washington Missionary College, and Charles Hirsch was president. At that time, Loveless was senior pastor at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Md. and his suggestion was considered by some to be a radical idea. It was eventually accepted, and Marlin Mathiesen was sent as the first student missionary to Mexico. Since that time, programs at Adventist colleges and universities have sent thousands of student missionaries to countries around the world.
In addition to his years as president of the university and his time as pastor at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loveless was also pastor of another of the largest congregations in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America — Loma Linda University Church in Loma Linda, Ca. from 1970 to 1976. As a pastor, he was a compelling preacher, and extraordinarily gifted at relating the Bible to contemporary life. He also served as president of the Pennsylvania Conference.
A memorial service will be held at the Loma Linda University Church on Sunday, September 28, at 2 pm.
The family has requested no flowers, please, but if anyone would like to make a contribution to honor William Loveless’ memory, please consider giving to the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Calexico Mission School, or Loma Linda Broadcasting Network.
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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. A total of 1,185 students of all faiths participate in the university’s eight graduate and 32 undergraduate programs. The 2014 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