Inauguration of Dr. Andrea Luxton

Sixth president of Andrews University officially inducted into new role

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The inauguration for the sixth president of Andrews University, Andrea Luxton will occur on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 10:30am in the Pioneer Memorial Church sanctuary. All faculty, staff, students and other friends of the University, as well as those who have been invited as official delegates and special guests, are welcome to attend the service.

Guest speaker for the event is William Johnsson, long-time editor of the Adventist Review and former professor of New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary located on the campus of Andrews University. Johnsson has written over 25 books and 1,000 articles. He holds a degree in chemical technology, as well as a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Vanderbilt University and an honorary doctorate degree from Andrews University. Johnsson is currently retired but has also served in retirement as assistant to the president for Interfaith Relations at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Luxton joined the faculty in 2010 and served as provost until July 1, 2016, when she assumed her role as the president of the University.

The inauguration encourages public identification and establishment of the new president in her position. It also gives the institution an opportunity to reaffirm historic commitments, to rally the academic community around the president and to heighten institutional visibility.

Born in Watford, Hertfordshire, as the daughter of educators, Luxton developed a passion for teaching very early in life. As an undergraduate student at Newbold College, Bracknell, Berkshire, England, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theology and English in 1977. She continued her studies at Andrews University and completed a Master of Arts in English the following year.

Luxton’s career began in 1982 when she served as Head of English at Stanborough School in England. From 1986–1991, she worked as lecturer, senior lecturer and chair of the Department of English at Newbold College before serving the British Union as education director, women’s ministries coordinator and Sabbath School director until 1993. That year, she became principal at Stanborough School where she stayed until 1997.

She then served as president of Newbold College for four years before becoming vice-president for academic administration and professor of English at Burman University (then Canadian University College), Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, in 2001. She became the president of Burman University in 2006, following three years of work as the associate director of education to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and executive secretary to the Adventist Accrediting Association.

An avid writer, Luxton has written many professional publications and papers in Canada, England and the United States. She has also written church-related articles for Signs of the Times, Adventist Review, quarterlies and other national and international publications.

“Those of us who choose to work at this University fully believe in the life-changing experience of faith-based education,” says Luxton. “We consistently discover that such an education impacts our hearts, minds and souls. It provides both us and our students with the unequalled opportunity to see the world, its challenges and opportunities through the lens of a creative, loving and compassionate God. It daily and profoundly changes our personal life stories, adding depth and richness. Ultimately, it encourages us to make choices that affirm our personal responsibility as created individuals in a created world.”

For more information regarding the inauguration, including other special inaugural events, please visit andrews.edu/president/inauguration.
 

Related Links

• Full list of inaugural events
• President's bio
• What's the big deal about an inauguration?
• For the media (includes photos & media contact information)