Spicer Adventist University

Spicer Adventist University
Motto	He shall teach you all things
Type	Private
Established	1915
Affiliation	Seventh-day Adventist
Administrative staff	approx. 160
Students	approx. 1,200
Location	Aundh, Pune, Maharashtra, India; 18°33′50″N 73°49′09″E / 18.5638°N 73.8193°E
Campus	Urban
Website	http://sau.edu.in/
	Location in Maharashtra Spicer Adventist University (India)

Spicer Adventist University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning^[2] in Aundh, Pune, India. It is considered the church's flagship provider of higher education in India. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

History

Founded as the South India Training School in Coimbatore, India, Spicer Memorial College began its journey with a modest start.

Under the leadership of Gentry G. Lowry, the institution underwent significant growth and development, including a relocation to Bangalore in 1918. It was during this period that the institution was renamed Spicer College in honor of William A. Spicer, a missionary and former General Conference president, who served in India and contributed significantly to global mission efforts.

Lowry's vision extended beyond mere training for Bible workers and literature evangelists. He advocated for Spicer College's transformation into a senior college, aligning with Spicer's emphasis on advancing indigenous talent in missionary work. Despite Lowry's sudden demise in 1942, his vision persisted, leading to the college's elevation to senior college status in 1946.

It was known as Spicer Memorial College^[7] until 2014. The college was granted University status by the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra on 16 June 2014.^[8]^[9]^[10]

Campus

Some of the major structures in the campus include the administrative building, which houses offices and classrooms. There are separate buildings for the library, the sciences, education, religion, agriculture, the cafeteria, boarders, the college press, industrial arts, Spicer Memorial College Higher Secondary School, Spicer Products and Services.^{[citation needed]}

Student life

The majority of the student body are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and weekly church services are held at the campus church with regular Sabbath observance starting from the time of sunset on Friday to the sunset on Saturday. Friday evening vespers services (AYS) are held weekly as are Religion & Theology Forums. Basketball and football are the major sports on campus.^{[citation needed]}

The college also hosts a local research centre of the Ellen G. White Estate.^[11]

The college celebrated a centenary from 28 January – 1 February 2015.^[12]

Controversy

In 2018, a case was filed against the vice chancellor and two officials of the university for allegedly forging their PhD certificates.^[13]^[14]

In February 2019, the Maharashtra state cabinet ordered action against the university for alleged irregularities by its officials in connection with the admission process.^[15]^[16]

References

^ History. Spicer Memorial College. Retrieved 2009-08-08
^ "Spicer Memorial College". Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ Kido, Elissa (15 November 2010). "For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
^ "Seventh-day Adventists - Christian Denomination | Religion Facts". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
^ "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
^ Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (1 April 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
^ "Spicer History". Spicer College. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "India's Spicer College Granted University Status". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^ Deshmukh, Ravikaran. "State gets two new private universities". Mid Day. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^ Trim, David (29 January 2024). "At 100, Indian University Bears Imprint of Spicer and Lowry". Adventist Review.
^ "Ellen G. White Estate Worldwide Research Centers". Ellen G. White Estate. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "Centenary Celebrations". Spicer Memorial College. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "Police look for three Spicer officials in fake degree case". The Times of India. 20 May 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ "Spicer University Administrators, Alleged Fake Degree Holders, Missing – Adventist Today". 21 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ "Future uncertain for Spicer Adventist University as cabinet opposes its functioning". The Times of India. 13 February 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ "Spicer University, Venerable Adventist Institution, Existence Threatened – Adventist Today". 14 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

External links

Official website

[History-1] History. Spicer Memorial College. Retrieved 2009-08-08

[2] "Spicer Memorial College". Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[3] Kido, Elissa (15 November 2010). "For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 1 August 2018.

[4] "Seventh-day Adventists - Christian Denomination | Religion Facts". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2016.

[5] "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.

[6] Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (1 April 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 19 June 2010.

[7] "Spicer History". Spicer College. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[8] "India's Spicer College Granted University Status". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 22 June 2014.

[9] Deshmukh, Ravikaran. "State gets two new private universities". Mid Day. Retrieved 22 June 2014.

[10] Trim, David (29 January 2024). "At 100, Indian University Bears Imprint of Spicer and Lowry". Adventist Review.

[11] "Ellen G. White Estate Worldwide Research Centers". Ellen G. White Estate. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[12] "Centenary Celebrations". Spicer Memorial College. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[13] "Police look for three Spicer officials in fake degree case". The Times of India. 20 May 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[14] "Spicer University Administrators, Alleged Fake Degree Holders, Missing – Adventist Today". 21 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[15] "Future uncertain for Spicer Adventist University as cabinet opposes its functioning". The Times of India. 13 February 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[16] "Spicer University, Venerable Adventist Institution, Existence Threatened – Adventist Today". 14 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[1]

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