The Facts

Web site: www.andrews.edu

Location: Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Environment: small town in the Fruit Belt of the Midwest, less than two hours from Chicago.

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,736 44 percent female, 56 percent male.

Annual cost for tuition, room, board, fees: $21,556 (add about $1000 for books)

School year: two semesters, end of August to beginning of May

Call for more information: 1-800-253-2874 or (616) 471-3322

E-mail: enroll@andrews.edu

Nearest Taco Bell: one mile

Squirrel population (rough estimate): sparse

Foreign countries represented: 98

Plant species on campus: 150

Famous local event: 15 minutes from site of International Cherry Pit Spitting Contest record spit--95 feet, 9&frac;12 inches.

Are you looking for a big-name school? Well, Andrews University can make some pretty big claims for itself.

It's the largest Adventist college in North America.

It's the oldest (founded in 1874).

And it's my birthplace (but that part never impresses anyone).

One of my first memories is of sitting in the balcony of the huge Pioneer Memorial church with my mom and dad (about 3,000 people go there every Sabbath). And I remember this store down the road called Apple Valley, where they sold yummy submarine sandwiches, FriChik by the case, and even toys. It was my idea of heaven. (Apple Valley's still there, and so are the toys.)

Yep, I thought Andrews was a cool place to live. Of course, it was the only place I'd ever lived, so I didn't have much of a choice. But 2,000 undergraduate students a year choose Andrews. Why?

Several students tell me they chose Andrews because of the freedom to pick from so many options. Looking for a major? How about zoology or youth ministry? Are you bored? Try a swim in Lake Michigan (12 miles away) or a Cubs game in Chicago (90 miles away).

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Andrews University

Are you looking for a big-name school? Well, Andrews University can make some pretty big claims for itself.

It's the largest Adventist college in North America.

It's the oldest (founded in 1874).

And it's my birthplace (but that part never impresses anyone).

One of my first memories is of sitting in the balcony of the huge Pioneer Memorial church with my mom and dad (about 3,000 people go there every Sabbath). And I remember this store down the road called Apple Valley, where they sold yummy submarine sandwiches, FriChik by the case, and even toys. It was my idea of heaven. (Apple Valley's still there, and so are the toys.)

Yep, I thought Andrews was a cool place to live. Of course, it was the only place I'd ever lived, so I didn't have much of a choice. But 2,000 undergraduate students a year choose Andrews. Why?

Several students tell me they chose Andrews because of the freedom to pick from so many options. Looking for a major? How about zoology or youth ministry? Are you bored? Try a swim in Lake Michigan (12 miles away) or a Cubs game in Chicago (90 miles away).

Andrews has possibilities that you might not find at other schools. The university is divided into four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Technology, the School of Business, and the School of Education. That means you can choose from an impressive list of majors, such as architecture, dietetics, aviation, landscaping, and health psychology.

Andrews is also the location of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, where ministers from all over the world are trained. (Ask your pastor about it--he/she's probably been there.)

Now, you've noticed that this place is called Andrews University, not Andrews College. Does it make a difference? That depends on whom you ask. But usually a university puts a stronger emphasis on things like research and faculty development. At Andrews you can have a professor who's written a book or served as a chaplain in the Persian Gulf War. (I've heard that one biology professor made chocolate-chip cookies for his class. I wonder if they ate the cookies before or after cutting up the frogs.)

Some students say they came here for the Andrews Scholars program. That's a challenging honors program in which you take special classes, attend seminars, and do your own research project.

One guy told me he liked the international atmosphere. The theological seminary and other graduate programs attract students from 98 countries. If you want to visit these other places yourself, Andrews sponsors study tours to places like Europe, Australia, Africa, and Israel.

I'm most impressed by the university's motto: "Scholarship for Service." What are they actually doing about that motto? Andrews' Community Service Assistantship Program (CSAP) connects students with service agencies in the area, where they tutor kids, teach adults to read, distribute clothes, and just do what needs to be done. Andrews' president, Niels-Erik Andreasen, says, "As Adventist educators we have not done wrong in having strong academics--it's very important. However, everyone's doing that. What makes us unique is our emphasis on spiritual growth and service learning. I would like to see every student at Andrews have a service learning experience before they get their degree."

Andrews offers a full menu of choices (did I mention that they have a cafeteria and a restaurant on campus?).

Becky Lane Scoggins attended cradle roll at Andrews University for four years without graduating. She completed a degree in communications with a journalism emphasis at another college.