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BY TONYA HIPPLER

've been waiting for seven years to welcome you to this program, said Niels-Erik Andreasen, president of Andrews University, as he welcomed more than 400 people to the dedication ceremony for the newly renovated and expanded home of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

"When I started my tenure at Andrews [University] I was informed right off that the seminary building needed to be remodeled, and since then it has been on my agenda to accomplish that."

Because renovations continue in the seminary's chapel, the October 6 dedication ceremony was held in Pioneer Memorial Church, followed by a tour and open house of the seminary building.

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The afternoon service attracted a large number of people connected with the seminary building and the building project. Besides the improved facility's architects and builders, seminary graduates, current students and professors, former deans, the Andrews University Board of Trustees, and Seventh-day Adventist Church world leaders were also present.

"It is an honor to see such a large and diverse crowd here to celebrate the dedication of this building to God's service," said John McVay, seminary dean.

During the service, McVay paid tribute to Leonna Running, the seminary's first female faculty member and current professor of biblical languages; Werner Vhymeister, former seminary dean who oversaw the initial planning phases of the seminary renovation and expansion; and Nancy Vhymeister, the seminary's second female faculty member. Matthew Bediako, General Conference (GC) secretary, and Gerry Karst, G.C. vice president, also spoke.

The program ended with a litany based on one read at the dedication of Solomon's temple. The reading was led by Jane Thayer, associate professor of religious education; Ricardo Norton, associate professor of Christian ministry; and Nikolaus Satelmajer, associate secretary of the GC Ministerial Association.

The seminary's $10.1 million construction officially began on June 13, 2000. Fundraising efforts coupled with a grant from the General Conference provided monies for the project. A $300,000 grant from Indianapolis-based Lily Endowment, Inc. enabled the seminary to participate in a national program for using information technology in effective theological teaching.

The grant has also made the seminary classrooms some of the most technologically advanced on campus. In addition to more classroom and office space--including suites for the Institute of World Mission and the North American Division Evangelism Institute, both previously housed in separate facilities--the new building also includes a pastoral counseling laboratory suite, a prayer room, and student lounge area.

The original seminary building at Andrews was constructed in 1959 when the seminary was relocated from Washington, D.C. at Potomac University. No major renovations have been done since that time.

_________________________
Tonya Hippler is a staff writer for the office of university relations, Andrews University.


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