BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in Southern California, Bedney has served as an elementary and secondary school teacher, a pastor, a Stewardship, Trust Services & Religious Liberty director, a local conference executive secretary and director of human resources, Senior Development Officer, and most recently, as Director of Development at Andrews University.

Bedney brings a wealth of experience to this role by providing strategic leadership and oversight in all areas of philanthropy. In addition to being an alumnus of Andrews University, Donald has a law degree from the University of Notre Dame and holds the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) professional designation.

Donald’s wife, Elynda Bedney, serves as the assistant vice president for Student Financial Services at Andrews. The Bedneys are blessed with two sons, Donald III and Daniel, two lovely daughters-in-law, Taidine and Lauren, and four grandchildren, Sofia, Sienna, Aidan and Liam.

EDUCATION

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)
CFRE International

Bachelor of Arts, Religion
Oakwood College (1979)

Master of Divinity
Andrews University (1990)

Master of Science in Administration
Andrews University (1991)

Juris Doctorate
University of Notre Dame (1995)

Certified Specialist in Planned Giving
California State University (2003)

BIOGRAPHY

Heidi began her role as executive assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement in December 2022. Heidi provides administrative support to the Vice President and is responsible for managing executive requests, scheduling meetings, taking calls, project management and many other varied office duties.

Heidi brings a wealth of experience to this role with her organizational skills and multi-faceted skillset. Heidi has worked as a graphic designer, webmaster, project and event manager, and social media manager. She has worked for a local non-profit missions organization, owned and operated her own business, and has worked for Andrews University in several different capacities since 2011.

Heidi is a native of Michigan and has a broad range of hobbies and interests. Her current passions involve reading, crafting, and creating and enjoying art in several different forms. She has recently added pointed pen calligraphy to her repertoire and is also an avid puzzler.

BIOGRAPHY

Raelene Brower, our Alumni Director since June 2023, is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the University’s relationships with alumni. Beginning in the late 1980s, Raelene dedicated 15 years of service to Andrews. She went on to work at other Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions in enrollment, alumni and development before retiring in 2019. After experiencing the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized that she missed her engagement with Adventist higher education and decided to return. “It has always seemed like my ‘mission field’ is to serve families and help them feel connected to the Andrews community,” she affirms. “For me, it’s all about relationships.”

BIOGRAPHY

Steven grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and has lived and worked in six countries on three continents. He has a BA in Business Administration and BA in Theology from Middle East University. He completed his MA at Newbold University in the UK. He has pastored in the Middle East and the US, served as the Gulf Field President in the United Arab Emirates, served as the chair for ADRA Yemen, and has recently served as the Mission Director for Southern Adventist University.

Steven has a passion for people, cultures, and missions.

BIOGRAPHY

Lynnetta Hamstra stepped into the role as the manager of the Howard Performing Arts Center on March 1, 2016. Before that she worked in the Financial Records department at Andrews University.

As a graduate student, Lynnetta received her Masters of Business Adminstration from Andrews University in 1993.  She then worked at Andrews as an assistant dean at Lamson Hall and later as the associate director of Women's Ministries at the General Conference of SDA in Maryland.  As manager of the Howard Performing Arts Center, Lynnetta holds a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of event coordination, marketing, promotions and management. She is excited to be a part of such a beautiful establishment that brings music and world class artists to this section of Southwest Michigan.

Her passion for music extends beyond her role at the Howard. Lynnetta is also a pianist, having started lessons from her mother who is a piano teacher. She enjoys playing the piano, organ, and also singing in church choirs.  Most recently she was the organist and choir pianist at the Stevensville United Methodist Church in Stevensville, Michigan.

Originally from Sabah, Malaysia, Lynnetta currently resides in Berrien Springs, Michigan with her husband, Dan Hamstra, and their three children.  Aside from spending time with her family and dog, Lynnetta enjoys travelling, reading, and jigsaw puzzles.

BIOGRAPHY

Tari (pronounced "Teri") Popp is the Director here in the Office of Planned Giving & Trust Services, and she loves Andrews University. While other alumni have chosen to serve all over the world, Tari decided to put her roots down deep in Southwestern Michigan and to contribute her talents and strengths to her alma mater. After a career of many years, Tari is still proud to be associated with this great school and its mission.

Tari was married to Doug Popp (who like her was a graduate of the School of Business), and they have one daughter, Lauren. Both Lauren and her husband, Tommy, are also proud graduates of Andrews University. Tari loves hanging out with her family and friends best, but also enjoys boating on Lake Michigan, reading a great book, hiking through the woods, eating plant-based whole food, and creating processes and organization for the purpose of stress reduction. She also loves being a grandmother to Kit and Jane, and confirms it is as fun as people said it would be!

Doug and Tari made a decision while they were still in their 40s to have the Andrews University Planned Giving & Trust Services personnel, along with estate planning attorneys, help them through the process of setting up an estate plan. Back then, they wanted to make sure that Lauren would be cared for if they were no longer around, and that Andrews University would be blessed as well.  Now Tari is grateful she and Doug made those plans together prior to his recent passing. “It feels wonderful to know our joint estate plan is in place and that both Lauren and family, and Andrews University, are remembered." says Tari, "I love helping others have the satisfaction of accomplishing the same thing."