In a remarkable milestone, Washington Adventist University (WAU) is celebrating 120 years of dedicated service to education, faith, and community. Founded in 1904 in Takoma Park, Maryland, United States, WAU has been a steadfast beacon of higher learning and spiritual growth. To kick off this year-long celebration, WAU president Weymouth Spence has initiated a special daily prayer initiative, at 1:20 p.m., uniting the WAU community in faith and reflection.
The university’s rich history is steeped in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition, rooted in the values of compassion, service, and academic excellence. For 120 years, WAU has been a nurturing home for countless students, faculty, and staff who have come together to pursue knowledge, spirituality, and personal growth.
To mark this momentous occasion, a series of events and activities have been planned throughout the year, allowing the WAU community to come together and celebrate the university’s legacy of service, leadership, and faith.
Open Convocation — A Grand Beginning
The celebration kicked off with an open convocation, a grand gathering of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of WAU. This event, held on the university’s campus at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, was an opportunity for the WAU family to come together and reflect on the institution’s remarkable journey over the past century.
Prayer Initiative — Uniting in Faith
The daily prayer initiative spearheaded by Spence is a symbol of spiritual unity and a reminder of WAU’s faith-based foundation, he said. Every day at 1:20 p.m., members of the WAU community pause to offer their prayers, seeking blessings, guidance, and strength for the university’s future.
Spence expressed his vision for this initiative, stating, “Our daily prayers at 1:20 p.m. are a powerful way to connect with one another and with the divine. It is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and hope as we embark on this exciting year of celebration.”
Year-Long Celebration — Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
Throughout the year, a diverse range of events and activities are planned to commemorate WAU’s 120 years of service. Each event will pay homage to the university’s heritage while also looking forward to the bright future that lies ahead.
WAU provost Cheryl Kisunzu spoke about the significance of the year-long celebration. “This 120-year milestone is a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. As we celebrate, we also renew our dedication to our mission of providing a holistic education that prepares students for lives of service and leadership.”
As the WAU community joins together in celebration, alumni, friends, and well-wishers are encouraged to participate in the festivities. Whether a current student, a proud alumnus, or a supporter of WAU’s mission, involvement is welcomed and valued, school leaders said. “The 120th-anniversary celebration is an opportunity for all to connect, reminisce, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of WAU’s history.”
Washington Adventist University is a Christ-centered institution of higher education that offers a dynamic learning experience in a challenging and nurturing academic environment. The school is dedicated to preparing students to live life abundantly and serve with purpose. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study, empowering students to become ethical leaders, global citizens, and passionate contributors to their communities.
The original version of this story was posted by Washington Adventist University.
