In August 2016, in her first University Convocation address as the sixth president of Andrews University, Dr. Andrea Luxton shared her idea that life is a story:
“Today's chapter is about each of us at Andrews University and how each of our individual stories intersect with the story of Andrews. Andrews will be changed because of your story. You will be changed because of the Andrews story. We will all be changed by the stories of each other—if we choose to engage.”
As a college graduate holding a degree in English, with a doctoral dissertation on the biblical book of Hebrews and Milton's “Paradise Lost,” President Luxton has a passion for great literature. Stories have played a major role in her education, her development of thought and her career.
This passion is sparked in a significant way here on the campus of Andrews University, where stories walk the halls, fill offices and classrooms and shape who each of us are today. The idea behind Stories of Andrews is to tell those stories so that we can all learn from them and understand our role in the development of each story's characters and plot.
The diversity of Andrews is not just in the myriad ethnicities, nationalities, cultures and heritages that coexist and cross paths every day. There is a diversity of stories at Andrews that is unparalleled and invaluable.
Inspired in part by the popular Humans of New York project, Stories of Andrews aims to tell the stories of students, staff and faculty as they intersect here on campus and beyond. To create connections that aren't possible individually due to the pull of life we all experience. To engage in conversation, not just monologues.
“Stories like these are the spirit of Andrews. You are Andrews. We are Andrews. Together, we are the spirit and story of Andrews.” – Andrea Luxton, president, Andrews University