Andrews University History

This brief history of Andrews University addresses the three major stages in the school's development as a premiere institution of higher learning for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

 

Battle Creek College (1874–1901)

Andrews University began in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan. Here are some of the important early milestones:

Mar. 11, 1874. Seventh-day Adventist Educational Society (SDAES) forms with the express purpose of establishing a college.

Mar. 16, 1874. SDAES files Articles of Association with the State of Michigan.

Aug. 24, 1874. Classes begin in the Review and Herald building.

Sept. 15, 1874. J.N. Andrews and his children depart for Europe from Boston.

Jan. 4, 1875. Dedication of the new Battle Creek College building.

1882-1883. Battle Creek College closed for one school year.

Sept. 5, 1883. Battle Creek College reopened.

April 12, 1901. Ellen White makes speech at the General Conference meeting: “God wants the school to be taken out of Battle Creek.”

Presidents

  • Sidney Brownsberger, 1874–1881
  • Alexander McLearn, 1881–1882
  • Wilcott H. Littlejohn, 1883–1885
  • William W. Prescott, 1885–1894
  • George W. Caviness, 1894–1897
  • Edward A. Sutherland, 1897–1901
     

Emmanuel Missionary College (1901–1958)

In 1901 the school moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan, under the new name, Emmanuel Missionary College.

May 10-12, 1901 (approximate). Sutherland, Magan and Christiansen visit Berrien Springs to look for land and apparently locate the Garland farm and adjoining properties.

May 21, 1901. Sutherland and Magan bring the locating committee to the property in Berrien Springs.

July 16, 1901. The trustees vote to purchase the Berrien Springs property and choose a new name for the institution: Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC).

Oct. 30, 1901. The first convocation of Emmanuel Missionary College held in the former courthouse in the village of Berrien Springs.

Summer of 1902. The College begins to build on their new property: Sutherland house (only building still standing) and a house for Magan, Advocate Hall (for the printing press), the Manual Arts Building, the Domestic Arts Building and some student cottages. Also that summer, the College holds teacher training courses in “Stevens’ Woods,” now known as The Lesher Memorial Grove.

Summer of 1903. The College builds its central building, The College Building, which it occupies on Dec. 11, 1903.

May 17-23, 1904. Ellen White visits campus for the Lake Union Conference session.

Aug. 19, 1915. First issue of the Student Movement published.

Mar. 1939. EMC granted accreditation.

Oct. 24, 1958. General Conference Autumn Council votes to move the SDA Theological Seminary and Potomac University to Berrien Springs.

Feb. 14, 1959. The campus congregation meets in the new Pioneer Memorial Church for the first time (Dedicated on May 21, 1960, when the debt was paid off).

Video Clips: See historical footage here.

Presidents

  • Edward A. Sutherland, 1901–1904
  • Nelson W. Kauble, 1904–1908
  • Otto J. Graf, 1908–1917
  • Clement L. Benson, 1917–1918
  • Frederick Griggs, 1918–1924
  • Guy F. Wolfkill, 1924–1930
  • Lynn H. Wood, 1930–1934
  • Thomas W. Steen, 1934–1937
  • Henry J. Klooster, 1937–1943
  • Alvin W. Johnson, 1943–1950
  • Percy W. Christian, 1950–1955
  • Floyd O. Rittenhouse, 1955–1960
     

Andrews University (1960–Present)

In 1960, the school added graduate programs from Potomac University (1957–1960) and welcomed the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (1937–1957), taking the name of Andrews University.

Background to the Andrews story:

  • Summer of 1934. The Adventist Church begins to offer Advanced Bible School at Pacific Union College.

  • Summer of 1937. Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary established in Takoma Park, Maryland.

  • 1957. Potomac University (graduate education) established in Maryland.

Fall 1959. Graduate students begin to take classes on the Berrien Springs campus.

April 4, 1960. The board votes to adopt the name Andrews University.

Nov. 21 (signed) & 23 (filed), 1960. Emmanuel Missionary College and Andrews University incorporated as one institution under the name Andrews University.

June 1961. Seminary Building dedicated.

Oct. 24, 1962. James White Library dedicated.

Summer of 1966. New Administration Building occupied.

1974. Centennial Year.

Aug. 11, 1974. International Flag Walk displayed for the first time at summer commencement.

Oct. 27, 1974. Dedication of Science Complex.

Video Clips: See historical footage here.

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Presidents

  • Milton E. Kern, 1937–1943
  • Denton E. Rebok, 1943–1951
  • V. E. Hendershot, 1951–1952
  • Ernest D. Dick, 1952–1957

Potomac University Presidents

  • Ernest D. Dick, 1957–1959
  • Floyd O. Rittenhouse, 1959–1960

Andrews University Presidents