Union College Becomes 3rd School to Get $2 Million Gift

Updated

By Adventist Review staff

Union College has received a $2 million gift from Adventist Health System to establish an academic chair, bringing to $6 million the amount that Adventist Health System has given to Adventist schools in recent weeks.

The Lincoln, Nebraska-based college will use the $2 million to create a permanent endowed chair for a professor in its Division of Business and Computer Science, the college said.

“We are deeply grateful to Adventist Health System for this generous endowment,” Vinita Sauder, president of Union College, said in a statement. “Thanks to support from organizations like Adventist Health System and our faithful alumni, Union College will be able to strengthen and expand the business curriculum and further equip graduates to be effective business leaders.”

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Adventist Health System earlier gave $2 million apiece to Andrews University and Southwestern Adventist University to establish academic chairs in their business departments. Graduates and interns from all three Adventist-owned schools work for the Florida-based health care provider, which operates 45 hospitals in 10 states.

“Adventist Health System appreciates the work Union College does to provide a Christian education for future leaders,” said Don Jernigan, president of Adventist Health System. “It is my prayer that this gift will strengthen Union and thus also help to strengthen our company through the future infusion of skilled, spiritual healthcare leaders.”

Barry Forbes, chair of the Division of Business and Computer Science, said he appreciated the opportunities that Adventist Health System has offered Union College students through internships and careers.

“In fact, many have become hospital CEOs and senior executive at AHS hospitals,” he said. “Our goal is to continue to train business leaders who can make a difference in Adventist health care.”

The largest donation that Union College has received since its founding in 1891 was a $3.4 million estate gift that matured in early 2014, college spokesman Ryan Teller said Wednesday.