Forward in Faith

Forward in Faith is the story of the transformation of Emmanuel Missionary College, the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, and Potomac University into Andrews University. All three institutions came together on the campus in Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 1960. Richard L. Hammill, who was instrumental in the formation of the new university and would later serve as president, outlined its mission: “Because our denominational leaders have noted the increase in the number of people who are seeking to obtain higher education, they have moved forward in faith and established our own university so that our youth may obtain higher education within an Adventist environment.”

The new institution set forth its ideals by choosing the name of John Nevins Andrews—scholar, preacher, author, editor, evangelist, publisher, and missionary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who departed for mission service in Switzerland in 1874, the same autumn as the opening of Battle Creek College. Thus, Andrews University was born.

This second volume in the Andrews Heritage Series records the history of Andrews University’s first three decades, from a fledgling university to a complex, more mature academic institution, pursuing truth and its mission of service to the world church and the world at large. It tells the stories of administrators and their decisions and guidance, the contributions and dedication of faculty and staff, and the constant “student movement” that creates a vibrant, ever-changing campus life from generation to generation.

Forward in Faith draws on the primary sources that reported on the development of Andrews University as it happened: the Student Movement, FOCUS—the alumni magazine, meeting minutes, correspondence, academic bulletins, oral histories, and more.

Andrews University remembers, during the school years of 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, the significant events that led to the founding of Battle Creek College in 1874, one hundred and fifty years ago. Forward in Faith commemorates the sesquicentennial celebration, “Founded in Faith, Forward in Mission.” It is a testimony to how Andrews University fulfills J. N. Andrews’s fervent desire for its ancestor, Battle Creek College, in 1874: “If the spirit of consecration is maintained by those who teach, and possessed by those who go there for instruction, we shall witness great results from this school.”

About the Author

Meredith Jones Gray, professor emerita of English at Andrews University, has lived in Berrien Springs almost all her life. Her father, Harold T. Jones, taught mathematics at Emmanuel Missionary College and then Andrews University for forty years. Jones Gray’s first official matriculation at EMC came in Alice Marsh’s child study lab or “nursery school.” She subsequently attended the campus elementary school and Andrews Academy and received a BA in French followed by an MA in English from Andrews University. Her short sojourns away from Berrien Springs include two years in France, a year in Germany, and four years in Ann Arbor.

Jones Gray earned her doctorate in English language and literature from the University of Michigan in 1985. Her area of specialization is medieval literature. She has studied medieval manuscripts at libraries in London, Oxford, and Cambridge.

Jones Gray enjoyed growing up in the secure, “family” atmosphere of the last years of EMC, but has appreciated equally well living in the stimulating, diverse environment that Andrews University has become. She joined the faculty of her alma mater in 1982 and taught at Andrews for over 40 years.

Jones Gray still lives in Berrien Springs with her husband Gary R. Gray, who also taught in the English department. They have one adult son, Jeremy.

Section One
Prologue
Revolution
Becoming Andrews

Section Two
Growing Pangs and Pleasures: The 60s
Emerging University: The Hammill Years (1963–1976)

Section Three
Student Movement: Campus Life
Student Movement: The Issues

Section Four
The World Comes to Andrews

Epilogue
Endnotes
Index