A Commitment to Our Core Values

To accomplish our mission, we focus on forging an Andrews University campus and culture where people thrive. Together we inspire and create that environment by "Sharing the Heart of God," a concept which encapsulates our core values of Compassion, Trust, Integrity, Humility, Wellbeing, Justice. and Innovation.  Anchored in Scripture and God's plans for us, these core values serve as our guiding light—defining, inspiring, and propelling our University's vibrant culture.

The Bible is filled with stories of the first of these core values, Compassion. In the Old Testament, for example, the widow at Zarephath had compassion on Elijah and fed him (1 Kings 17:8-16). Later, the Good Samaritan had compassion on the man who was left for dead along the road and cared for him (Luke 10:29-37). Compassion, throughout the Bible and in our lives today, always denotes transformative action. It is not enough to simply have empathy—to try to feel another's pain. Instead, compassion always calls us to do something about it (James 2:14-17). Here at Andrews University, we aspire to be a community known for our unwavering compassion, for consistently reaching out and caring for our students, for our community, and for one another.

The next core value, Trust, is never easy, whether we seek to trust others or to build trust with and from others in our community. Even the disciples themselves struggled to fully trust, despite all that Jesus did to build that foundation (Matthew 8:23-27; Matthew 16:5-12). Trust, however, does build community and expands the capacity of our whole Andrews University team. We want to be a community where trust flourishes, both on and off campus. Each of us contributes to this value by being reliable, honest, and transparent, and by consistently recognizing the value of others.

Integrity is a value closely aligned to trust. Think of the integrity of Joseph and of Daniel (Genesis 39:1-12; Daniel 1:8; Daniel 6:1-10). Consider Paul, who when presented with truth and a call from Christ was willing to change the direction of his life (Acts 9:1-18). Integrity here at Andrews will mean that we seek to be true to ourselves and to the mission of our University, and that each one of us will be willing to look honestly at how we might improve all that we do.

The core value of Humility reminds me of the biblical story of John the Baptist. His disciples went to him with a valid and urgent concern—some of his disciples were now following Christ instead of John. While John could have sympathized with their concerns, he instead said, "He (Christ) must increase, and I must decrease" (John 3:30). This humble mindset prompts us to ask daily, "How can I minister to others today? How can I advance the work of my students, colleagues, and the communities we serve?" At Andrews University, we can and will spend our social capital lifting others up through a humble and committed attitude.

Throughout the history of Andrews University, we have valued whole-person development—the Seventh-day Adventist educational vision of a full and balanced life of Body, Mind, and Spirit. The Andrews University core value of Wellbeing is described throughout the Bible. Luke wrote that "Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in his relationships with God and humanity" (Luke 2:52). This means that we are to live life in balance! In addition to our daily activities and assignments, we must take time to nurture our spiritual life. And, as we do this, we cannot neglect physical activity. Wellbeing also thrives within a community. So find a supportive circle of friends and be a friend to someone, seeking to nurture your wellbeing through healthy relationships with others.

God is known for His passionate commitment to Justice. And, in turn, God expects us to act justly. Jesus, for instance, overturned the tables of the moneylenders because of their exploitation of the people (Matthew 21:12-13). Moses and Nehemiah dedicated their lives to rescue and uplift those who were oppressed (Exodus 3:9-10; Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2:1-8). God's call, echoed through the prophet Micah (Micah 6:8), urges us to act justly. At Andrews University, we will value and honor our shared humanity. We will encourage each person to engage in causes that align with the values and purpose of God's Kingdom, driving the fulfillment of the prophet's call to let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).

Our final core value is Innovation. As recorded in the book of Acts, the early church was continuously challenged to break new ground, enter uncharted territories, and devise ingenious ways to spread the gospel. In the current context, innovation is crucial in crafting fresh solutions and effectively tackling stagnant situations. Here at Andrews University, we will seek to consistently think beyond the boundaries and to pioneer new methods that embody the significance of educating students for eternity.

At Andrews University, we believe in the power of our core values! They resonate in our hearts and guide our actions. Through these core values, the world-changing call of God's kingdom has the opportunity to transform every aspect of our lives.

John Wesley Taylor V
President, Andrews University