Alumni Homecoming April 15-17, 2016
Atlantic Union College Alumni Homecoming 2016 Weekend Schedule Friday April 15, 2016 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Seminars & Registration College Church Youth Chapel 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Barbara Fuller Health Concepts & Natural Remedies 3:40 pm - 4:40 pm Leslie Wood Spencer 73 Healthy Nutrition for Strength, Longevity and Wisdom 6:00 pm 7:30 pm Registration College Church Foyer Vespers College Church 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Prayer & Welcome, David Dennis 86, President of Southern New England Conference, Message, Astrid Thomassian, Education Secretary, Atlantic Union Conference Music by Beverly Burton 02 Weekend theme Song Great Is Thy Faithfulness 8:00 pm 9:00 pm Cookies and snack Reception* College Church (Downstairs) 9:00 pm 11:00 pm Singspiration! College Church Kirosha Huggan 07- Music Coordinator Michael Olisemeka - Spoken Word Pastor Sergio DeJesus - Message Sabbath, April 16, 2016 College Church 9:00 am 11:30 am Registration College Church Foyer 10:00 am 11:00 am Sabbath School Dr Winston Silvera 64 Panel Discussion Prayer: D. Michelle Wainwright 00. Dean of Women
Worship Service The College Church Sabbath, April 16, 2016 11:15 pm 12:30 pm Prelude Deck Thyself, My Soul With Gladness. J. S. Bach BWV 654 William Ness, organist Welcome Dr. Avis Hendrickson, Atlantic Union College President Dr Paul Brantley 66, North American Division Announcements, Introduction & Welcome George Odell George Odell MEd 98, Adult Degree Program Introducing Dr. Winston Silvera 64 as next alumni president. Call to Worship Hymnal # 879 Kevin Moldonado, current AUC Theology Student Solo Beverly Burton 02 Hymn #509 How Firm A Foundation Atlantic Union Conference 115th anniversary recognition Dr. Don King, President Atlantic Union Conference Offering Chris Tulloch, AUC Enrollment Offertory Spirit of the Living God. Malcolm Archer, William Ness Prayer for the people Chris Garrity 94 Alumni of the Year George Odell 98 MEd Pastoral Prayer Dr. Winston Silvera 64 Scripture Psalm 18:28 Guadalupe Montour 05 Duet I ve Just Seen Jesus Leslee Christopher 86 & Paul White 78 Inspiration in the Word Re-Ignite My Lamp Pastor Luis Gracia, Senior Pastor, College Church. Former Chaplain at AUC Closing Hymn #100 Great Is Thy Faithfulness Pianist - Beverly Burton 02 Song Leader - Kirosha Huggan 07 Blessing Dr. Avis Hendrickson Postlude How Firm a Foundation. Franklin Ashdown, William Ness 12:30pm - 3:30 pm Registration Chan Shun Dining Commons 1:00 pm 2:00 pm Lunch* Chan Shun Dining Commons (all Alumni and Friends Invited) Coordinated by Sandra Silva, Henry Livergood. ("Potluck" provisions welcomed for salads, vegetables, desserts).
2:15 pm 3:00 pm Honor Classes Recognition and Dessert Chan Shun Dining Commons Honor Class celebration including Recognitions with Dr. Avis Hendrickson 3:00 pm AUC Re-Ignited Chan Shun Dining Commons Dr. Hendrickson presides We celebrate re opening of the Academic Baccalaureate level program Atlantic Union College. Plus exciting new certificate programs. Come find out what is happening at AUC! 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Vespers Founder s Hall Speaker: Ron Nickerson 82, Pastor, Keene NH Church Rudolph Rhone vocal Leslie Wood Spencer, prayer 7:30 pm Cookies & Juice Reception* Founder s Hall Foyer 7:30 pm Registration Machlan Auditorium 8:00 pm Atlantic Wind Symphony Annual Spring Concert A Rousing and Fun Musical Feast! Conductor: Earl Raney (Epic Brass Quintet, Director of Thayer Performing Arts Center of AUC, attended 79& 80) 9:00 pm 11:30 pm Gym Night and Pizza* W. G. Nelson Fieldhouse Volleyball, games and.. Pizza from Jon s Pizza in Clinton! Locker rooms available for those who need a place to change. Bring Family and Friends! Sunday April 17, 2016 10:30 am 11:30 am Registration Thayer Mansion 11:00 am -12:00 noon * Brunch & Music Thayer Mansion - Red Room Menu: Back by popular demand: scrumptious main dishes from Zaytoon Restaurant (Clinton), fruit salad, Bagels, and other local & Mediterranean Foods. Just maybe famous Livergood Cinnamon rolls See the results of Alumni Work Bee & volunteer efforts in this beautiful building. Music, devotional by Thayer Performing Arts Center 12:00 noon 1:30 pm Alumni Association Annual Meeting Thayer Mansion Red Room 10:00 am 1:00 pm Open House for AUC Chan Shun Dining Commons Updates and information of what is happening at AUC. Similar content to the AUC Re-Ignited event 3:00 pm Sabbath. Suitable for students, educators and other interested stakeholders. *Potluck contributions welcomed for any and all of these events!
FYI - Monday, April 18, 2016 (not a part of Homecoming) Patriot s Day ~ Marathon Monday 5:30 am - 7:00 am Lexington Battle Re-Enactment at Lexington Green 8:30 am - 10:00 am Shot Heard Round the World at Old North Bridge, Concord 9:30 am - The Boston Marathon, Hopkinton MA. to Boston. 9:30 am Elite Women start 10:00 am Elite Men start 11:00 am 1:30 pm Red Sox v Toronto Blue Jays, Fenway Park, scheduled to end in time to see the Marathon runners pass Kenmore Sq. Front runners finishing from 11:45am. Hang on to your ticket if you leave the Park to see them! Coming Events Mark your Calendars Alumni Work Bees Fourth Sundays of Each Month: Sundays: April 24, May 22, 2016, June 26, July-OFF, August 28 1:00 pm -5:00 pm Come give AUC s amazing staff a lift by rolling up your sleeves to spruce up our beautiful campus. This year s focus: the Chan Shun/Chant Hall Area of the Quadrangle. Help prepare AUC for prospective students and for accreditation site visits. Last year s Thayer Mansion focus was a huge success! Work Bee on August 28 will be 9 am to make time for Convocation. Come to the small parking lot between Chan Shun and Miles Hall. Rain or Shine: work inside or outside depending on weather. Strawberry Shortcake Fest at Camp Meeting June 18 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm All AUC Alumni welcome for a free strawberry shortcake Tent A-52, near the Main Pavilion at Southern New England Camp Meeting. Convocation for Academic Year 2016-2017 August 28, 3:00 pm at the Machlan Auditorium dinortheastern Academy in New York City, as well as serving as principal at both Brooklyn
Dr. Hendrickson Dr. Avis D. Hendrickson is the 17th president and first female president to serve Atlantic Union College in its 133 year history. Her appointment was effective January 1, 2015. During her first year as President the academic degree programs restarted after nearly five years of suspension, and certificate programs were initiated. Dr. Hendrickson relies on God s guidance. She credits the progress of Atlantic Union College to God, to the Board of Trustees, to the support of the Constituency, and the dedicated work of the staff. The enrollment has grown from zero, prior to her presidency, to nearly sixty students over the course of two semesters. With the continuation of strategic planning and ongoing effort, there is a promising outlook of continued growth for Atlantic Union College. Dr. Hendrickson s educational background includes an Ed. D. in Developmental Education, Student Development and Personnel Services from Grambling State University, Louisiana; Professional Diploma in Education Administration and Supervision from Bank Street College of Education, New York; M. S. Ed. degree in Educational Counseling from Hunter College, City University of New York; and a B.A. in Behavioral Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. She has more than two decades of teaching and administrative experience in higher education, advancing professionally through the ranks of Student Affairs. Much of her administrative experience includes collaborating across institutional divisions regarding budget, student retention, assessment, marketing, and all matters related to the viability and sustainability of the institution. She has also held leadership positions in professional organizations. Over the course of her professional history, Dr. Hendrickson has been presented with numerous awards, and has published several articles. She has presented at national, statewide, and community conferences. Dr. Hendrickson is the mother of four young adult children. She has served the Adventist Church in many capacities at the Hunts Point Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bronx, New York; and with Women s Ministry in the Northeastern Conference. Dr. Donald G. King Donald George King was born of humble Jamaican parents and grew up in New York City and Jamaica, West Indies. He currently serves as the 19th and longest tenured president of the Atlantic Union Conference. As an ordained minister for over 35 years and as Union president, he provides spiritual leadership and strategic coordination to the Northeast region of the United States comprising the states of
New York, New England, and the islands of Bermuda. Prior to his present responsibilities, he has served as a pastor in Jamaica, California, and Maryland, departmental assistant in the General Conference, conference secretary in Alberta, union secretary in the Atlantic Union, and president in Northeastern Conference. Dr. King was educated at Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica, Andrews University in Michigan, and Loma Linda University in California, and from which he has received a bachelor s, two master s degrees and a doctorate. He is the founder and president of AUAM (Atlantic Union Adventist Media); and co-founder of NETS Evangelism Center, a soul-winning Bible school in South Lancaster, Massachusetts.. Pastor King is married for 41 years to Dr. Lois King who served on the faculty of Burman University in Canada and Atlantic Union College. They have two married adult sons: Louie, who is married to Elisa; and Marvin, who is married to Shanthi whom together they have a 1-year old son, Maxwell Luke King (MLK). Baby Maxwell is the only grandchild of Drs. Don and Lois King Luis Gracia Luis Gracia is currently the senior pastor of the College Church, but this is not his first time serving in South Lancaster. He was chaplain of AUC from 2004-2008. His wife, Marisol, graduated from AUC with a B.A. in Accounting. During his time as chaplain, Luis also took classes at AUC towards an M.Ed. in Clinical Ministry. Both Luis and Marisol are proud alums of AUC! Luis was born in Puerto Rico, and moved to Florida when he was 2. He graduated from Southern Adventist University in 1998 with a BA in theology and was youth pastor at Kress Memorial SDA Church, Winter Park, Florida from 1998 until the end 1999. At that point, Pastor Gracia was called to become the Associate Director of the Pathfinder Department for Florida Conference, serving there from 2000 to 2004. At that time, Adventurers and Pathfinders in Florida conference was a huge organization, with over 10,000 Pathfinders in the state (children and adult staff combined). Passing up a sponsorship from Florida Conference to the Seminary at Andrews University, Luis then chose instead to join AUC President George Babcock s team as a recruiter, traveling to many different academies to lead Weeks of Prayer and
speaking to young people at several camp meetings. He soon moved to the position of college chaplain, where he served for four fantastic years. Called to Markham Woods SDA Church in Longwood, Florida to attend to a family crisis, Luis served as youth pastor there for seven years, 2008 until 2015, at which time he returned to South Lancaster and College Church. David Dennis 86 Pastor David Dennis was born in Templeton, Mass, and was baptized in 1983, at the Gardner Seventhday Adventist Church. He is married to Charmon (pronounced shar-mon ) Dennis, and they have three adult children: Jeremy, 34, Keri, 32, and Tim, 29. He began his college education in University of Massachusetts, Lowell, studying civil engineering, but completed his degree at Atlantic Union College in 1986. He went on to graduate from the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in 1988. He has served as a pastor in the Southern New England Conference for 30 years, and also served his country as a Naval Chaplain with the Marine Corps for 10 years. He was pastor of the Village Church for 11 years, and has been the President of the Southern New England Conference since 2013. Pastor Dennis favorite pastime is running. He has completed 13 full marathons, and over 50 half marathons. Scott Christiansen 91 Scott Christiansen received his Bachelors degree through AUC's Adult Degree Program in 1991, while working in the non-profit sector. Soon thereafter he and his wife Delores Hawley ('85) went to work at La Vida Mission, a self-supporting ministry among the Navajo in New Mexico. From there, Scott accepted a call to start the ADRA work in Mongolia, and they served in that country from 1994 until 1999. While there, Scott accepted another call to start the ADRA work in China in 1998, and they moved to Hong Kong for that in 1999, staying until 2001. Upon returning to the US, Scott and Dee and their four children settled in Maine, where Scott began work in the bio-refinery technology development sector, where he stayed in for over ten years. While in that sector he also served as a lay pastor and earned his masters degree from Tulane University in 2010. In 2012, his book "Planet In Distress" was published. This book has resulted in radio and television series being recorded, as well as numerous speaking engagements around the country. In 2012, Scott was surprised by the Lord calling him to work for the Northern New England Conference, where he is Director of Communications, Director of Trust Services, and gets to do some really fun and creative work in evangelism as well. Currently, Scott is working on his next book, titled "The Selfishness Paradigm" and is
also doing a fair amount of writing and video work for Adventists magazines and broadcasters. Scott's next big adventure: riding his bicycle across the United States this May with his son, Beniah. Astrid Thomassian Astrid Thomassian began her ministry in education in 1974 at Middle East College in Beirut, Lebanon where she taught English as a Second Language and business education courses. Later she was employed by the Greater New York Conference as a teacher at Whispering Pines Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School in Old Westbury, N.Y., then as principal at the Jackson Heights Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School, in Jackson Heights, N.Y. In 1994 she moved to South Lancaster, Massachusetts and was employed by the Southern New England Conference as a teacher at Browning Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School. Mrs. Thomassian was elected Superintendent of Schools for the Southern New England Conference at its 31st Triennial Session held in May 1997. She served in that capacity until she was called to fill the position as Associate Director of Education for the Atlantic Union in 2001. In September 2005, the Atlantic Union Conference Executive Committee invited her to be the Director of Education. She is a native of Trinidad, West Indies, and holds an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science from Caribbean Union College in Maracas, Trinidad, a Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science and a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Mrs. Thomassian and her husband, Leon, who is the Treasurer for the Atlantic Union Conference, have one daughter Elizabeth. She and her husband, John Satelmajer, both alumni of Atlantic Union College, have three children. Earl Raney Earl Raney, Director of the Thayer Performing Arts Center and Atlantic Wind Symphony founder and conductor, is well known as the Artistic Director and solo trumpet of the award-winning Epic Brass Quintet. After completing music classes from 1979-1980 at AUC, he went on for his formal music degree at Boston University. He has given over 2000 performances in 46 states, with appearances at the Kennedy Center, Weill Recital Hall, and Carnegie Hall to name a few. Internationally, Mr. Raney has concertized in Canada, Bermuda, Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, England, Continental Europe, and the Far East.
In addition to his chamber music career, Mr. Raney has performed as principal trumpet in orchestras across New England and with the Taipei Festival Orchestra of Taiwan. Balancing a dual career as trumpeter and conductor, he is a faculty member of New England Conservatory Preparatory School and an Assistant Professor of Music in Performance at Wheaton College, principal conductor of Southeastern Massachusetts Wind Symphony and founder of the Great Woods Chamber Orchestra. Deeply committed to music education, Mr. Raney performs as guest conductor and clinician at colleges and high schools. Most recently he conducted the Boston University Symphony Orchestra, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Wind Ensemble, and at the Icelandic National Band Festival in Reykjanesbaer. Leslee Christopher Soprano One of Bermuda s finest sopranos, Leslee began performing at age four. Her first formal study of voice was under Miss Joy Blackett, who later offered her a scholarship to attend the Julliard School of Music in New York. At the same time, she was called to travel with the international music group Up With People. She chose to travel as a lead vocalist with Up With People throughout Mexico and the United States, at times performing for heads of state and other dignitaries. In 1982, she left Up With People to attend at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, where she received her Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 1986. That same year she began studying voice with Mr. Daniel Hill. In 1990, she was featured in her debut concert, "All of Me" held at the City Hall, national theater of Bermuda, where, in 1992 she staged her own musical melodrama, The Homecoming, which she both wrote and co-directed In 1992, she took part in a Masterclass conducted by the legendary Beverly Sills. In May 1993, she was featured before the Premier of Bermuda, Sir John and Lady Swan, and has been honored to sing the Bermuda National Song at the Annual Bermuda Day opening ceremonies on numerous occasions since. Leslee also toured internationally as a member of Bermuda s premier gospel group, the Chorale Dynamics. In 1995, Leslee moved to Atlanta, performing in various concerts and churches throughout the city and appearing on the Breath of Life television broadcast as a guest soloist January 2000. The same year, Leslee was featured in a musical, The Next Generation, in the part of Delilah, written specifically for her. Also in 2000, she joined with three other sopranos to form Sopranos 2 By 2, singing classical religious music and Negro Spirituals. From 2005, Leslee frequently appeared with the Americolor Opera Alliance in Atlanta, performing in ten of their eleven productions, all new works written by Dr Sharon J Willis, including the parts of
Queen Vashti in Vashti (2013), and Bess in Excerpts of Porgy and Bess (2014) In October 2011, Leslee played the female lead Aldonza/Dulcenea in the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha. Then in April 2012, Leslee directed an Elisha DuPree Production original play, Deceived. In 2014, Leslee relocated to Massachusetts to further her career, while continuing to perform throughout the United States. Paul White Tenor An accomplished musical artist, Paul White has performed extensively in many musical milieus nationally as well as internationally. His professional versatility includes his current position as Director of Music for the historic Peoples Baptist Church of Boston. Having graduated from Atlantic Union College in 1978, he has also studied at the New England Conservatory, Conservatory in Geneva, Switzerland, and Tufts University. Paul is proficient in pianoforte, electronic keyboards and pipe organ and has won numerous piano competitions. He has performed as a solo/recital performer as well as with the Reverend James Cleveland, Bill Gaither, Billy Preston, Nina Simone and others. Paul toured with The Walter Robinson Touring Ensemble for the Gospel Opera Event: Look What a Wonder which was also presented during the New York Theater Festival. Paul has played with his own trio, Paul White and Company, at many jazz venues nationally including recently Boston, New York, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Denver and Santa Fe. On the international stage, he has performed in major cities including Dubai, Brussels, Paris, London, Zurich, Geneva, Montreux, Milan and Rome. In February 2015, Paul released a solo album, Paul White, Circa 2014. Also, he has developed a musical curriculum in response to the need for musical literacy and artistic enrichment as a necessary part of the curriculum on elementary, middle and high school levels. Paul has often said that music is his life and every day he lives it. Dr. Winston Silvera '64 President Elect, Alumni Assn. of AUC Dr. Winston Silvera graduated from AUC with majors in Biology and History, and a minor in Chemistry, and received his Ph.D from New York University in Biochemistry. He has also earned New York State certificates in School District Administration and School Administration and Supervision from Columbia University. Dr. Silvera worked in the Science Department of the New York City Department of
Education, serving as Chairman from 1974-2003. From 1976-1996, he was Adjunct Professor of Biology at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. He has also worked at Pine Forge Academy in Pennsylvania, and Northeastern Academy in New York City, as well as serving as principal at both Brooklyn Temple and Gold Street Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools. Dr. Silvera has traveled widely presenting seminars in science and science education. Among Dr. Silvera s other interests are community work which includes security protection, economic and educational development. He plays organ, piano and guitar himself, and enjoys music, sports and reading. He is very active in the Seventh-day Adventist Church locally, regionally and nationally, and was featured at the 2005 General Conference session in St. Louis. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee, Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not, As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Refrain: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above; Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. (Refrain) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own great presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside. (Refrain) Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, 1923 Cover photo and design by Milton M. Montaque