Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2026, Andrews University Thu, 6 Aug 2026 19:37:00 +0000 Thu, 6 Aug 2026 19:37:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu July 31, 2026: Breathing space http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69505 <p> The weeks of July tend to be quiet ones here in the Science Complex. The summer classes of May and June have finished. Research projects are winding down. Vacation time is enticing, before the hectic semester begins. We now have a little time to breathe.</p> <p> In this breathing time, some of us are returning to challenges that need time and space. Time to percolate in the spaces of our brains.</p> <p> In some ways, it’s kind of like sleep. Although scientists haven’t yet come to a definitive answer for why we sleep, leading theories point to waste clearance from the brain, tissue repair, and memory consolidation. Yes, memory consolidation! It is in the quiet of the night, when all is silent, that our minds get to work to store away the information of the day. Don’t forget to sleep if you want to remember well!</p> <p> So, what challenges are we working on, to consolidate those thoughts, memories, data and ideas?</p> <ul> <li> Well, I’ve seen Dr. Goodwin in his lab, putting finishing touches on a research paper on Ice Age ground squirrels from South Dakota. He tells me that another paper is in press, describing a unique group of Ice Age ground squirrels from Nebraska that includes a new genus and species. Congrats!</li> <li> I have been putting finishing touches on a research paper as well, in collaboration with colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and am working with a former student, Konstantin Zubkov, to wrap up a project exploring the role of an enzyme in digesting neuropeptides at neuronal synapses. </li> <li> Speaking of neurons, Dr. Navia and Dr. Mbungu have been working with a former student and current science teacher at Great Lakes Adventist Academy, Lilly Widdicombe, to investigate the connection between neurons and behavior in crickets. They are studying what happens to cricket behavior when the packaging of neurotransmitters is disrupted. It is a joy to welcome back our former students and to provide professional development opportunities to science teachers at our schools!</li> <li> Dr. Wong is visiting with high school student Rex to work on a cancer prevention project. They are studying the ability of Chinese medicinal herbs to cause death (by apoptosis) of colon cancer cells.</li> </ul> <p> Other faculty members are traveling right now, working with others to consolidate information so that they can be better educators and scientists (more on that in a future email).</p> <p> As you can see, here in Biology, we aim to Seek knowledge. Affirm faith. Change the world. We don’t think that is just a slogan. We take seriously our mission to be top-notch scientists, engaging and effective educators, and faith-affirming mentors.</p> <p> August is here tomorrow. With that comes the start of the new school year!</p> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:18:43 +0000 July 24, 2026: The Conservatory http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69504 <section data-num-comments="0" id="comments"> <p> Have you ever seen a night-blooming cereus bloom?</p> <p> I haven’t either.</p> <p> I have two of them in hanging pots. About three weeks ago, one of them started to bud. I was so excited! I hear they are very aromatic when they open. But they only open for one night, and by morning their job is (hopefully) done and they wilt. Well, it didn’t bloom until two days after we left for vacation (photo credit, Tori, who was also taking care of our dog), so I am still left empty-nosed.</p> <p> There are several more of these plants in the Andrews Botanical Conservatory, but I don’t typically hang out there at night – so I have always missed those one-night blooms! Why the rush, cereus?!</p> <p> There are many more reasons to visit the Conservatory, however. Warmth in the winter, a place to meet friends, a cozy study nook. The beauty of God’s creation.</p> <p> “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” Jer 32:17 ESV</p> <p> I hope you can visit the Conservatory sometime. We were recently part of a US Department of Education grant designed to support at-risk and disadvantaged students – some of these funds were used for upgrades to the Conservatory to help students spend time in nature even during the winter. We have been adding furniture (whew, that stuff was hard to put together!) and new plants, for your enjoyment, wellbeing, and educational advancement, and look forward to sharing this with you! Perhaps we should update its name to ‘resort’ 😊.</p> <p> If you still aren’t sure why you should visit, see our social media accounts for a reel of ideas!</p> <p> Have a Happy Sabbath and a great week ahead!</p> <p>  </p> </section> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:10:51 +0000 July 17, 2026: Abscission http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69503 <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> I know that this is the height of summer (whew, it was hot outside this week), but let’s talk about fall for a minute. In September and October, at least here in Michigan, the days begin to get cooler and shorter. There is less and less benefit for deciduous trees to maintain their supply of chlorophyll, so they get rid of it, undergoing the degreening process (absorption of chlorophyll), followed by leaf abscission (the separation of the leaf from the tree, think ‘scissors’ for ab’scission’).<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> So why do we care about this right now, you ask? Well, we here in Biology have been undergoing our own ‘degreening’ and ‘abscission’ process, as we clear out our many large green lab tables. We recently shared some of this on our social media, if you’d like to see the abscission process for tables.  Many generations of biology students have studied at these tables, but ‘there is a season for everything’ (Eccl 3:1) and we are moving into an exciting new season! Note that a local woodworker is repurposing the old tables, very fitting for our biological analogy – the cycle of life.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> Yes, change is in the air here at Andrews Biology! Let me share some other things that have been happening:</div> <ul font-size:="" ibm="" margin-bottom:="" margin-top:="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Our rooftop greenhouse, the Andrews Botanical Conservatory, has received a major facelift! You’ll definitely want to visit this fall to soak up some sunshine and green when the outdoor green has gone. More on that next time...</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Our small classroom and main office also got a makeover. We’re excited to share these spaces with you in education and conversation.</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> We are growing! Biology is now a part of the School of Life and Molecular Sciences, and we are looking forward to working more with our colleagues in adjacent disciplines to advance the education of our students! I might even use future editions of this email for sharing some agricultural and biochemical themes, both near and dear to my heart!</li> </ul> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> I hope your summer is also full of growth and productivity, with a healthy dose of rest! Although this email might sound like I’m working, I’m actually enjoying a week at Camp Au Sable, soaking up some time with God in nature and with friends and family before the semester begins!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> A blessed Sabbath to you all!</div> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:15:59 +0000 July 7, 2026: Happy Birthday! http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/69502 <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> We think life is beautiful and amazing! Consider the neuron at the top – drawn by Santiago Ramón y Cajal, these drawings were some of the first revelations of the complexity of our brain. If this one neuron has that many branches, how many branches are present in our entire brain? Yes, fearfully and wonderfully made!</div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: ">  </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> To start this July, we should say: Happy Birthday!! 🎉🎈</div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: ">  </div> <ul font-size:="" ibm="" margin-bottom:="" margin-top:="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> For the United States of America, it's the 250th. Imagine - in 1776, there was little understanding of cellular life, much less of a neuron.</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Andrews University recently celebrated its 150th. The stain that allowed the above drawing was invented by Camillo Golgi just one year before 1874, when Andrews made its debut as a small school in Battle Creek, Michigan.</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> I recently celebrated my (mumbling...) birthday! Yes, we knew about cells back then. 🙂</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"> You likely celebrated some milestones recently also! A graduation? A challenging year successfully completed. A step toward a goal you are aiming for.</li> </ul> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14.</em></div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> There has been a lot happening in Biology at Andrews this summer, changes with you in mind as we look forward to the semester ahead! But we’ll keep this first note a short one - stay tuned for more on that next time! For now, let me introduce myself for those who don't know me. When I put my "work hat" on, I like working with students to learn more about the complexities of cells and molecules, maybe even to make a new discovery in the lab! Check out our social media pages for an intro to some of my favorite spots in our building. In my non-work life, I like being on a bicycle (Andrews has great bike paths!), walking my dog Baxter (he insists on a brisk walk), or getting my hands dirty in the garden.</div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: ">  </div> <div font-size:="" ibm="" plex="" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "> Until next time, blessings to you, from Andrews University, Baxter, and me.</div> Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:16:52 +0000 From Reformer to Contemplative http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/65090 <p> John McLarty, retired pastor, writer, producer, and editor of "Adventist Today," will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the 1839 Courthouse (313 N. Cass St., Berrien Springs, MI). While pastoring at the Greenlake Seventh-day Adventist Church in Seattle, McLarty began participating in poetry slams and open mics. Today, he thinks of himself as a poet, not a retired pastor. He also directs geology excursions in the American Southwest through his Talking Rocks Outdoor Company. McLarty grew up with six siblings in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of a physician and nurse. He studied chemistry, mineralogy, Hebrew, religious education and theology at various colleges and universities, and he graduated from Pacific Union College. McLarty and his wife live on a small hobby farm outside of Seattle.</p> <p> All are welcome to attend this free lecture sponsored by the Michiana Adventist Forum.</p> <p>  </p> Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:24:49 +0000 Did God Create Viruses? http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/64806 <p> Michiana Adventist Forum and the Andrews University Department of Biology are sponsoring a talk by James Hayward, PhD, professor emeritus of biology. The talk is entitled “Did God Create Viruses?” The COVID-19 pandemic brought viruses front and center to the stage of human consciousness. Yet a great deal of misunderstanding remains about these biological entities. What are viruses? Are they alive? How were they discovered? How diverse are they? How do they reproduce and how are they transmitted? In what ways do they impact human society? Are some viruses “good”? Did God create viruses? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this presentation.</p> Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:01:52 +0000 Botanical Conservatory Open House http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/64623 <p> Stop by this Sabbath afternoon or evening to enjoy the warmth, tropical foliage and holiday lights as we welcome the start of a new year.</p> Tue, 02 Jan 2024 20:13:41 +0000 Christmas in the Conservatory http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/64489 <p> The Andrews Botanical Conservatory on the 4th floor of Price Hall is decorated for the season. Please stop by and enjoy the lights and tropical ambiance!</p> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:35:48 +0000