Michiana Adventist Forum

Michiana Adventist Forum

Who Will Adventists Vote For?

Results from the 2016 Adventist Religion and Public Issues Survey presented by Curtis VanderWaal, PhD, Chair of the Department of Social Work, at Andrews Univerity with John Gavin, MSW, Chair of the Social Work Department at Washington Adventist University, and William W. Ellis, PhD, Washington Adventist University

Saturday Afternoon at 3:30 pm

October 22, 2016

Chan Shun Hall

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, MI

About the Topic

John Gavin, William Ellis (both from Washington Adventist University) and Curtis VanderWaal (Andrews University) conducted a March-May 2016 online survey of Adventists’ views on politics and public issues. They received responses from over 600 SDAs, 174 of whom were pastors.  The survey used two mailing lists – Adventist Today and AdventSource. The findings include a breakdown of those most likely to vote for Ben Carson (had he stayed in the race) and those who support Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.  Findings will also highlight the social issues of most concern to survey respondents.

About the Speakers

Curtis VanderWaal, MSW, Ph.D., is Chair and Professor of Social Work at Andrews University, where he has taught since 1990.  He is also Associate Director of the Center for Policy Research at the Institute for Prevention of Addictions.  He teaches classes in drug and alcohol addiction and treatment, group therapy, and values & ethics.  The majority of his research has focused on substance abuse treatment & prevention, social capital, and faith-based ministries. He currently serves on the editorial board of the journal "Social Work and Christianity."  He is also a board member for Riverwood Center, the community mental health center for Berrien County.  Prior to coming to Andrews University, VanderWaal was a counselor at a community mental health center in Michigan.  He received his Master of Social Work from The University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio.

John Gavin is the chair of the Social Work Department at Washington Adventist University near the nation’s capital in Takoma Park, Maryland. He is the Director of the Center for Metropolitan Ministry. He teaches courses in sociology, social welfare, values and ethics, and social work methods. He has designed and conducted adult training in agency and program administration, evaluation, resource development, and disaster response. Professor Gavin received his BSW from Walla Walla College. He received his MSW  from the Catholic University of America’s National Catholic School of Social Service focusing in Social Policy Planning and Administration. He and his wife have three daughters and enjoy sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterways. His work experience includes serving as the executive director the National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster, the North American director for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and the national director for Adventist Community Services - the social action and disaster response agency of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Dr.Ellis is a senior social scientist and public policy analyst with major experience in government, industry, and higher education. He is expert in transportation studies, homeland security, and certain aspects of educational policy. He has served as a senior staff member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, a Senior Specialist in the Congressional Research Service, Acting Director of the Science Resources Studies Division of the National Science Foundation, and Associate Librarian for Science and Technology Information of the Library of Congress. He has held tenured faculty positions at Howard University, the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University, where he taught international relations, urban studies, social research methods, multivariate analysis, political theory, American government, and African American politics. Some of Dr. Ellis’ recent research focuses on the political and religious views of Seventh-day Adventist academics. He holds a PhD in Government and International Relations from New York University and a BA in Government from Oberlin College.