Alajuela, Costa Rica…[Dina Diaz/IAD Staff]
Alumni, students and faculty from throughout Central America and from other parts of Latin America recently gathered to celebrate their alma mater during its 80th year of providing quality education. The Central American Adventist University best known as UNADECA, an acronym for Universidad Adventista de Centroamerica, brought hundreds of people for a special four-day program of activities on its campus in Alajuela, Costa Rica, July 4-8.
The institution, which for eight decades has been known as the largest Adventist University in the seven countries that comprise Central America, drew more than 700 alumni, faculty and enrolled students for the four-day event.
Representing the city mayor’s office was Alonso Gutierrez Herrera, the mayor’s vice president, spoke to those gathered on how UNADECA has become one of the most veteran institutions in the country with an excellent academic and high moral track record.
Highlights during the first evening’s program included a standing ovation for Maria Luisa Garbutt, one of the first 16 students registered at the institution in 1927 and stood among the first generation of graduates in 1930.
During the celebration activities a special project was launched to build a much needed gymnatorium. The new gymnatorium will seat 3,000 people and at the same time provide a sporting facility for on-campus use. Former students of UNADECA committed themselves in financing the construction of the facility.
An array of musical numbers, spiritual messages, a fireworks display, award ceremony and memoir activities were part of the institution’s special celebration.
“We praise God, UNADECA is moving ahead with many plans for the future,” said Susy Longa in charge of public relations for the university. “The administration and faculty staff praise God for 80 years of blessings, service and formation of professionals.”
Founded by missionaries in the late 1920s, UNADECA has seen many changes to its name. It was originally named the Hispanic-American Adventist Academy, later COVAC and CADES before its current name. Today, UNADECA caters to nearly 500 dormitory and off-campus students offering them several undergraduate and graduate programs.
For more information on UNADECA and it’s educational programs, visit www.unadeca.net.
