World Changers Made Here.

Continuing to Tell the Andrews Story

Do you know your “why”?

When was the last time you paused to consider this question? Why do you get up every morning? Why are you pursuing your degree or career? And why do you keep going? While our answers may vary, when it comes to our Andrews University family I believe our mission is a big part of the answer for many of you.

To “Seek Knowledge and Affirm Faith in order to Change the World” not only defines who we are but also guides the day-to-day operations of Andrews University. As a result, our mission has naturally become a core part of our identity to students, faculty and staff, as well as to the communities we touch and serve—locally, regionally and globally.

This doesn’t happen by chance. There has been clear and convincing evidence of God’s leading throughout our nearly 150-year history, and we daily continue to see His hand guiding our future as we finish His work through the mission He has given to us.

And that future includes you.

God has chosen you to not just be part of our mission but to actually be the mission of Andrews University. When that happens—individually and collectively—there’s no limit to what God can and will do through each of our Stories of Andrews.

But while it’s much more important to do mission rather than just say it, from time to time we must be more intentional about how we talk about our mission. Are we, and our mission, adapting to an ever-evolving world? Are we connecting with younger generations by sharing our mission in relevant and meaningful ways? Do future students clearly see what truly sets us apart to help them in their big decision about which college to attend?

With these critical questions squarely in front us, I believe that this is not the time to let our guard down. Instead, we must continue to tell the Andrews Story—more clearly, more convincingly, and with a deeper conviction.

One of the ways we will be doing that is through what’s called our “brand position statement.” Here’s why that’s important. It’s certainly clear that the current climate of higher education presents significant challenges for this nation’s colleges and universities. After carefully assessing what that means for Andrews University, it has become clear that more than ever we must be more intentional in telling our story in this busy and challenging environment. Are we adequately sharing what differentiates Andrews? Does that difference matter to the students we’re trying to reach? In other words, are we clearly answering the question, “Why Andrews?”

So, in order to help us answer these questions with a strong “yes,” we’ve just completed months of careful assessment, which included internal and external research and testing. That review and reflection led us to this brand position statement for Andrews:

“World Changers Made Here.”

Even as we begin to embrace and use this new phrase, please understand that it does not replace “Seek. Affirm. Change.” Instead, it supports it, unpacks it, and simply explains it in a new, fresh way.

You’ll be hearing more in the months to come. Until then, please visit andrews.edu/worldchangers and watch the video to learn more.

Thank you for all the ways in which you live and do the Andrews University mission—our big “why”—by being a World Changer in your own unique and powerful way.

Andrea Luxton
President