Sagunto Adventist College Celebrates 50 Years of Wholistic Education

Sagunto Adventist College (CAS) celebrated its 50th anniversary in Valencia, Spain, July 12-14. The commemoration took place in the campus sports center, with more than 1,200 attendees who enjoyed a series of activities and events designed to salute half a century of “Educating for Eternity.”

The three days became a time for reuniting many CAS alumni, faculty, and staff. Smiles and sincere hugs were a constant throughout the weekend, highlighting the spirit of community and brotherhood, regional church leaders said. “The testimonies from pioneers, alumni, and employees were especially emotional, as they shared their experiences and how the campus has impacted their lives,” they said.

Special Guests

Government officials and other leaders attended the celebration, including federal congressman Óscar Clavel, Sagunto mayor Darío Moreno, councilors, former mayors, and local leaders. The celebration included a series of inspiring presentations that reviewed the history of the campus and the importance of a Bible-based education. It highlighted not only how God has led the institution in the past but also how He continues to lead it into the future.

Seventh-day Adventist leaders also attended and participated in the event, including General Conference (GC) education director Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty associate director Bill Knott, Inter-European Division president Mario Brito, Portuguese Union Conference secretary Julio Carlos Santos, Spanish Union of Churches president Óscar López, and CAS founder and pioneer Roberto Badenas. These leaders offered inspiring presentations that highlighted the importance of Adventist education and its fundamentals.

The Program

The 50th anniversary program was full of spiritual and social moments. It included a variety of activities, including the traditional and historic welcoming open-air banquet with testimonies, music, and times of fellowship. Later, the organizing team recalled the various social evenings of days long past, allowing them to relive the first decades of the campus between laughter and emotional tears.

Two special sites were inaugurated during the weekend. The first is a graphic exhibition titled “Fruits of the Spirit” at the entrance of the women’s residence. The other one was the “Family Square,” a recognition for the hundreds of families who entrust CAS with their children’s education.

Campus Bible

The greatest gift the campus received was the completion of the Sagunto Adventist College Bible. In partnership with Safeliz publishing house, the Bible presented includes an exclusive design and contents for the educational community. The CAS Bible not only includes the biblical text but also additional commentaries, reflections, and studies and texts that highlight the values, mission, and history of the institution.

Among the most interactive activities were the contests carried out by Manel López, who, through the Kahoot platform, challenged the memory of adults and young people. Through “the greatest history class,” as he put it, participants were able to get to know some funny and curious anecdotes related to CAS.

The opportunities for attendees to reconnect with old friends and colleagues were countless.

A Concert and Many Flags

During the weekend, music was present constantly, filling the atmosphere with emotion and memories. They were three intense days, full of adoration and praise, where the history was also presented through music, especially through an anniversary concert on Saturday (Sabbath) afternoon.

The celebration concluded with a parade of flags of the countries represented at CAS. Faculty and staff were awarded a commemorative medal for their service over the years. From the youngest to the most veteran, everyone who attended was part of this emotional and earnest show of gratitude.

The original version of this story was posted by Revista Adventista España.