The indelible mark that Niels-Erik Andreasen left on Andrews University will be remembered well into the future thanks to the university’s decision to name the new wellness center being built on the campus in his honor.
Andrews University announced Thursday that their new wellness center is being named the Andreasen Center for Wellness in recognition of Niels-Erik Andreasen, the president emeritus of Andrews.
Current President Andrea Luxton says, “When the fundraising campaign for the wellness center began, a donor stepped forward with a gift in the millions.” She notes, “This donor said the gift was not for personal recognition but was intended to honor Niels-Erik Andreasen, someone whose work at Andrews made an outstanding contribution to the University. Because of the initial donation, others were motivated. Five large gifts, all connected with the first overwhelming gift and in addition to a number of smaller gifts, made the eventual groundbreaking of the Center for Wellness possible.”
Andreasen served for 22 years, from 1994–2016, as the fifth president of Andrews University. His vision for Andrews inspired the necessary financial support for multiple capital improvements on the campus, including the Seminary Hall addition, the Howard Performing Arts Center, the J.N. Andrews Boulevard and Welcome Globe, a new milking parlor at the Dairy, renovations to Dining Services, the Undergraduate Learning Center (Buller Hall and renovations to Nethery Hall) and Damazo Hall. School officials say those improvements enhanced the physical footprint of campus, improved the academic experience for students and faculty, and provided significant ways to welcome the surrounding community to campus.
Andreasen’s ability to relate to others on an individual level has had lasting results, as well. Charles Randall, co-chair of the President’s Council at Andrews says, “I have closely observed Andreasen in conversation with musicians, scientists and biblical scholars. One can tell that he has a depth of interest and understanding in many disciplines.” Randall adds, “He shows interest in and is gracious to those he meets. His stature in Adventist leadership around the world helped make Andrews University a diverse and premier academic magnet school.”
Paul Stokstad is also co-chair of the President’s Council, and he says, “The Center for Wellness is the culmination of the many contributions Andreasen has made to Andrews.” He adds, “Through the enlargement of the Seminary, Andrews has had a great impact on providing leadership to our fellow churches around the world, while Buller Hall sends a strong message that Andrews is a liberal arts institution of the first order. The Center for Wellness has been a dream of Dr. Andreasen’s for many years, and now it becomes reality. ‘Corpus’ takes its rightful place next to ‘mens’ and ‘spiritus’ as a goal for all of Andrews.”
The $17.5 million, 70,000-square-foot Andreasen Center for Wellness is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019. It will have an indoor salt-water pool, a hot whirlpool with special features, saunas, a steam bath, an outdoor wellness courtyard, a recreation center with basketball and multipurpose courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, assessment and coaching elements, as well as space for educational wellness programs.
For additional information, you can visit online at: andrews.edu/wellnesscenter. You can also connect with University Wellness on Facebook (facebook.com/aulivewholly), Instagram (instagram.com/aulivewholly) and Twitter (twitter.com/AUlivewholly).
Founded in 1874, Andrews University is the flagship institution of higher education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and offers more than 200 areas of study including advanced degrees. Its main campus is in Berrien Springs, however the University also provides instruction at colleges and universities in 19 countries around the world.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market shows Andreasen receiving the key to the new fitness center named in his honor. Photo credit goes to Darren Heslop, University Communication staff photographer at Andrews University.
