Andrews Named Official University of Winter

NWCACU signs contract beginning 2016-17

Andrea Luxton, Andrews University provost and president-elect, has announced that the University has signed a contract with the National Weather and Climate Association of Colleges & Universities to become the Official University of Winter, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.

“I felt it was important to continue to find ways to more fully define a distinct niche for Andrews University, especially as I begin my presidency,” said Luxton. “We will be be working with our Integrated Marketing & Communication team to redesign our logo to reflect this distinction and we have already decided on an updated slogan for the University, effective July 1: Seek Knowledge. Affirm Faith. Change the World. Bundle Up."

Luxton notes that with an international student population, many students attend Andrews not fully prepared for the colder temperatures, and so has also announced a new program that will offer students winter clothing--including snow boots and parkas rated to wind chills of negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit--and snow tires for students who own vehicles.

Some students expressed surprise at this new approach.

“We were excited about Dr. Luxton becoming president because she had called for so many snow days last year,” says Suzy Creamcheese, junior nursing major. “We thought that was an exciting part of her leadership after so many years with no snow days at all.”

“I realize that’s true,” said Luxton, formerly president of the snowbound Burman University in Alberta, Canada. “But part of the secret to studying in a snowy environment is simply proper and safe preparation. Further, we’ve determined that if we attend school on the number of snow days that have been declared in this region of the country that Andrews students will graduate, on average, 22 percent faster than their counterparts at non-Official University of Winter institutions."

Barney Bagel, head of the Career Center at Andrews University, notes that students will now be able to access an expanded a list of intern and career placement opportunities in Nordic countries that are not readily available to graduates of universities located in temperate climes.