Inauguration of John Wesley Taylor V

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, the Andrews University family, both on its main Berrien Springs campus and around the world, gathered to celebrate the formal inauguration of John Wesley Taylor V, seventh president of Andrews University. The inauguration ceremony, titled "Advancing our Legacy of Mission," included formal greetings from educational and Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders from the local region, as well as from across North America and the world.

The inaugural address was delivered by retired Pioneer Memorial Church Pastor Dwight K. Nelson, who was a fellow Andrews University graduate with Dr. Taylor in 1986.

Andrews university student, faculty and staff leaders took part in the ceremony, and Dr. Taylor was officially inaugurated as Andrews University president by the chair of the University's Board of Trustees, Dr. Artur Stele. The University's president emerita, Dr. Andrea Luxton, also participated in the inauguration.

If you were unable to join us in person in Pioneer Memorial Church on Oct. 24, the Ceremony of Inauguration was also live streamed and can be watched here.

Inauguration Schedule

Ceremony of Inauguration
Pioneer Memorial Church
Inaugural Address: Dwight K. Nelson

President’s Tree Planting
Near Buller Hall, Main Campus

Why a Presidential Inauguration?

This inauguration, held on the eve of Andrews University's 150th-year sesquicentennial celebration, gave the Andrews University community the opportunity to recognize the commitment, mission and purpose of Andrews University (and its predecessors, Emmanuel Missionary College and Battle Creek College, which opened its doors in 1874).

That history, combined with the legacy of J.N. Andrews, who embarked as the first missionary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, inspired and informed Andrews University today, a mission- and God-inspired institution that seeks to educate and inspire World Changers.

As we celebrated, dedicated and installed President Taylor in this Ceremony of Inauguration, Andrews University again acknowledges how God’s providence and purpose continues to inspire and transform Andrews University. We look with anticipation for God's continued inspiration for Andrews University, both through Dr. Taylor's leadership, and also through the passionate commitment of each one of Andrews University's leaders, employees and students. In particular, this inauguration sought to celebrate our institution’s history and provided a special moment in time to publicly affirm our God-ordained mission as we inaugurated our new president.

Andrews University is pleased to have hosted this moment of celebration and commitment for our seventh president, John Wesley Taylor V.