NEWSBREAK
Jamaican Adventist Youth Offered
52 U.S. Scholarships
ntonio Buddington, 18, of Hanover, Jamaica, has been offered 52 United States college scholarships, half of which are full scholarships. Recently he accepted a $100,000 full scholarship to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. The funds will cover tuition, books, meals, and accommodation for the next four years.
Nigel Darmanie, chief executive officer for 4E, the organization sponsoring the March 12 scholarship awards ceremony, said that so many scholarship offers for one student was probably a record in Jamaica's history.
An active member of the Hopewell Adventist Church in Hanover, Buddington acknowledged that "God has blessed me." He is presently enrolled at Montego Bay Community College (MBCC) and was also recognized as one of 45 first-place winners in a Caribbean Examinations Council exam last year, tying in first place with another student in the Mathematics Unit 1 section of the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations.
Buddington serves as associate youth leader for his church, Sabbath school teacher, and a volunteer mathematics tutor. At MBCC he is president of the Ecology Club, PR officer for the University and College Christian Fellowship, and a member of the cricket and football teams.
While not sure of his major (perhaps engineering or computer studies), Buddington is happy that his best friend and fellow Adventist, Davoy Murray, will also attend Morehouse with scholarship funds.
Antonio's parents, Antonio Sr. and Yvonne Buddington, are self-employed. An adult sister lives in the United States.
Afghanistan Requests Help
From Loma Linda University
Afghanistan's Ministry of Health is asking Loma Linda University (LLU) in Loma Linda, California, for help to operate a major teaching hospital, Wazir Akbar Kahn Hospital, in Kabul.
"What better way to change the world view and the world direction than to give life to a country that has nothing but its will?" says Dr. Abdullah Serzai, Afghan deputy minister of health.
The 200-bed hospital lacks basic medical equipment such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and modern medications. And because of health care limitations, more than one of every three Afghan children die before age 5-many due to infections that would be responsive to antibiotics. Pregnant women die at a rate of 1,700 of every 100,000 women, a figure at least eight times greater than in developed countries.
"We have been working with Kabul Medical Institute, Afghanistan's primary medical education facility, on upgrading medical education and recognize the additional value establishing a solid teaching hospital could have in the country," said Richard H. Hart, LLU chancellor. "In that light, we are exploring possible funding options."
Southwestern Opens New Research Center
Southwestern Adventist University in Keen, Texas, officially opened a new Ellen G. White-SDA Research Center on March 26.
Housed on the second floor of the Chan Shun Centennial Library, the research center includes thousands of letters and manuscripts, microfiche and microfilm, containing all of Ellen White's published and unpublished writings from the 1840s to 1915. Also included are Adventist pioneer historical documents, all copies of the Review and Herald (now Adventist Review), all General Conference session bulletins since 1863.
Researchers will find "an opportunity to reconnect and recommit to who we are and the greater vision that started this movement," said Donald R. Sahly, university president.
Spokane ABC Billboard
Draws Media Attention
Soon after the announcement that mad cow disease had been discovered in eastern Washington, Herman Schreven, manager of the Spokane Adventist Book Center (ABC), arranged for a billboard to be put up in Spokane.
Placed above a fast-food restaurant, the billboard featured a staring cow with the words, "Is meat starting to scare you?" It also included the telephone number of the "ABC Vegetarian Food Outlet."
A television reporter who saw the billboard interviewed Schreven. The news report was featured on several news reports that day and the next, resulting in positive coverage for the Adventist Book Center and its vegetarian foods.
Union College Offers Master's
In Physician Assistant Studies
Beginning in August 2004, Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, will convert its physician assistant (PA) baccalaureate degree into a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).
"For us to remain relevant in health care," said Michael Huckabee, director of the PA program, "we need to be sure our students represent the highest level of training. Students who complete the MPAS program will be better equipped in the job marketplace."
Although few curriculum changes will be implemented, additional requirements will include a research project and new courses in clinical therapeutics, psychiatry, and behavior medicine. Content will also be added to current courses in anatomy, pharmacology, clinical medicine, and clinical skills.
It Is Written Receives
Two Angel Awards
The Excellence in Media organization recently awarded two silver Angel Awards to It Is Written (IIW) Television.
IIW's program, "How To Get More Out of Prayer," received an international television award; and the Christmas special, "The Night Angels Sang," received a national television award.
Excellence in Media recognizes programming that successfully contributes to the advancement of quality in life without the need for violence, profanity, and sexual content. In 1977 IIW received its first Angel Award; since then the number has grown to 28.
"The Lord receives all the glory every time It Is Written receives any type of recognition," said Mark Finley, speaker/director.
First telecast in 1956 with George Vandeman as speaker, IIW holds the distinction of being the first religious television program to be produced in color. IIW, with Finley and associate speaker Shawn Boonstra, can now be viewed in 130 countries and 7,000 United States cities.
"Passion" Booklet in Second Printing
The Passion of the Messiah, a 16-page, illustrated sharing booklet produced by Pacific Press and Signs of the Times in response to the recent Mel Gibson movie, went to a second printing after only two weeks. As of March 1, 150,000 copies had been purchased by churches and individuals.
The booklet tells the story of Jesus' death and resurrection, using selections from Messiah, a contemporary adaptation by author Jerry D. Thomas of The Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White. It includes response cards for free Discover Bible study guides.
Available online at www.AdventistBookCenter.com, or at local Adventist Book Centers, the booklet can also be ordered by calling 1-800-765-6955.
News Notes
The Oklahoma Conference mailed Sow 1 Billion cards to their conference territory and received more than 100 requests for Bible studies every day in a recent two-week period.
The Inter-American Division's first Chaplaincy Council was held recently in Miami Florida. During IAD's 2003 annual meeting last October, the new Chaplaincy Department was officially approved to establish policies, provide seminars for chaplains, and set goals through a three-year strategic plan. Bernardo Rodriguez is chaplaincy director for the division.
More than 7,500 persons attended a Papua New Guinea prayer conference held by the Adventist Church at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, February 23-28.
Considered by many to be the dean of Adventist sculptors, Alan Collins was recently honored in Florence, Italy, by inclusion at the prestigious Fortezza da Basso Biannual Exhibition of Contemporary Art. Since his best-known scultures are large bronzes, firmly fixed in their locations, he exhibited very large photographs of "The Good Samaritan" (a sculpture located at Loma Linda University), "Legacy of Leadership" (at Andrews University), and "The Glory of God's Grace."(at LaSierra University).
Collins received praise and commendation from artistic peers and museum administrators. He was also encouraged to make a sculpture for the city of Florence, where Michelangelo and other great Renaissance sculptors did much of their work.
The new Media Center at Eagle Rock Elementary School in Eagle Point, Oregon, has been officially named in honor of Helen E. Barrow, a charter member of the Shady Point Adventist Church in Eagle Point. During Barrow's 36 years in public education, she taught 26 years and served on the board of directors at the local and state levels.
More Religious News
Adventist News Network
Religion News Service
Religion Today
