HSI/Griggs University
Alayne Thorpe
Vice President for Education

ome Study International/Griggs University (HSI/GU) continues to prove the principle that, with God's help, a modest portion can feed a large need.

The only General Conference educational institution to offer a full spectrum of education, from preschool to graduate studies, Home Study International and its higher education division, Griggs University, specializes in delivering values-based distance education programs to students anywhere in the world. Founded in 1909, Home Study International has made a Christian education possible to more than 325,000 students in 156 countries, regardless of geographical boundaries, political and economic circumstances, time constraints, and work or family commitments.

The Quinquennium in Review
After more than 15 years of leadership, Joseph Gurubatham retired from his position as president of HSI/GU. At the time this report was written, the HSI/GU board had implemented a search process and had planned to have named the new president before the end of the 2004-2005 school year.* However, the institution remains strong and committed to its mission and strategic goals during the transitional period.

With God's help and with strong support from the General Conference and the board of trustees, HSI/GU reports a five-year period of administrative and financial stability, steady growth, unprecedented expansion in services to the world church; the introduction of technology-based programs; ongoing curriculum development; and strong marketing activities aimed at specific populations.

Able to draw from the best in Adventist education around the world, HSI/GU's editorial staff has developed 210 courses that reflect some of the best aspects of Adventist education. More than 105 courses were completely revised or added to the curriculum during this period.

In order to meet the needs of an international student body, HSI and GU have maintained appropriate specialized accreditations, authorizations, and recognitions.

HSI Programs and Services
During the past five years, Home Study International has invested many of its resources into adapting its current course offerings to new technology. Currently, 17 high school courses are available online, and by the end of 2005 HSI will offer a complete high school diploma program via the Internet. College courses and programs are also being adapted to an online environment. Currently, six general education courses are available online.

The Alternative Programs for Learning Enrichment (APLE) and Elementary Extension Programs continue to meet the needs of churches, small church schools, and junior and senior academies that find they have a gap in their educational offerings.

For many years HSI has enjoyed a close working relationship with Columbia Union College (CUC). HSI and CUC have cooperated in pooling their resources to offer, through CUC's external degree program, associate's and bachelor's degrees in several disciplines. Similar partnerships have been forged with Andrews University and Oakwood College.

Griggs University
In 2004 Griggs University received approval from both national and church-related oversight agencies to offer a new master's degree in Christian ministries. The MCM program was designed to meet the needs of the working pastor in areas outside North America where both expense and location make a traditional campus-based program impractical.

A variety of instructional delivery methods are utilized, including intensive seminars, regular classroom instruction, independent study, correspondence courses, online courses, and external examinations.

GU has emerged as an institution that is able to provide solutions to difficult educational problems and deliver educational services rapidly anywhere in the world. Hundreds of students have been able to pursue and complete degree programs in religion, theology, business administration, general studies, and other disciplines.

Through strategic cooperative ventures with such major universities as Howard University (Washington, D.C.), GU is also hoping to serve the needs of the broader community.

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*Don R. Sahly has since accepted the post.