Medellin, Colombia…[Angela Barrios/IAD Staff]
Colombia Adventist University (UNAC) began celebrating its 70th anniversary of providing Christian education to thousands of students during a special ceremony on its campus in Medellin, Colombia, on Feb. 25.
More than 800 community leaders, students and church members witnessed the special decoration by Colombia’s House Representative Dr. Maria Isabel Urrutia, who granted the Order of Democracy Simon Bolivar, category Gran Caballero for the institution’s continued service in education.
Dr. Urrutia thanked university president Pastor Gamaliel Florez for “the social work of UNAC and its contribution to the country through the opportunities which it offers to young people to change their lives through studies.” She also emphasized the focus on service that the institution has provided as a “non-commercial” university.
During his remarks to the gathering, Pastor Florez spoke of God’s care in allowing UNAC to overcome prejudices, financial problems, and for being the first non-Catholic religious university in the country. As he received the award, Florez remarked that it was a privilege for the present generation to receive the greatest honor which was ever attributed to the university by the government. He added that this was the result of “the efforts and sacrifice of previous generations.”
Florez said that it was a “recognition that would engage us to be more identified with God’s mission, of greater quality and the commitment to reflect the character of Jesus.”
The day’s celebration ended with music by Medellin’s Philharmonic Orchestra.
Colombia’s Adventist University will continue its 70th anniversary celebration throughout the year with other activities planned such as a historical display of photographs, leadership seminars, special alumni celebration and the opening of a museum on its campus, among others.
Established in 1937, Colombia Adventist University offers ten undergraduate degrees and two post-graduate degrees to more than 1,200 students today.
For more information on the university and its programs, visit www.unac.edu.co.
