September 8, 2009 – Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
The Department of Education of the Adventist World Church awarded eight educators last night during Inter-America's Teacher Congress being held in Cancun, Mexico. They were recognized for their outstanding leadership and service in Adventist education.
One of those honored was Dr. Ismael Castillo, president of Adventist-owned Montemorelos University in Mexico, who received the Medallion of Distinction.
“This is the highest award granted to an individual by the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Dr. Luis Schulz, associate education director for the Adventist World Church, as he read the certificate.
Castillo became the first educator in Inter-America to receive this award, according to Dr. Moises Velazquez, education director for the church in Inter-America.
“We are very pleased to see Dr. Castillo receive this award for his service in Montemorelos–an institution which under his leadership has served beyond the confines of the Inter-American territory with the thousands of graduates serving around the world,” Dr. Velazquez said.
In addition, the Award of Excellence was granted to four individuals whose contribution and leadership to Adventist Education in the Inter-American Division remains outstanding: Dr. Myrna Costa, president of the Antillean Adventist University in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; Dr. Gamaliel Florez Gomez, president of Colombia's Adventist University, in Medellin, Colombia; DR Trevor G. Gardner, president o the University of Southern Caribbean in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad; and Dr. Herbert J. Thompson, president of the Northern Caribbean University.
The Certificate of Merit went to Dr. Vernon E. Andrews, former administrator and faculty of University of Southern Caribbean; Consuelo Feliciano, principal of the West Puerto Rico Adventist Academy; and Phebee Dubuche Pierre of the National Ministry of Education in Haiti.
Castillo's contribution to the church's educational system spans some 32 years, including 22 years as president of Montemorelos University. He also served as vice president of student affairs at Montemorelos Univeristy, as president of Linda Vista University in Chiapas, Mexico, and a district pastor. He was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by Southwestern Adventist University, and obtained a Master's degree in Religion from Andrews University.
Dr. Castillo is appreciative of the honor and considers the award far more than a personal recognition. “I think that this is a wonderful recognition to the Adventist educational model that we have tried to follow through the years,” he said.
Day Two of Inter-America's Teacher Congress also included spiritual messages, dozens of seminars, education reports and cultural presentations from several church unions.
Tune it to https://recursing-golick.147-182-135-0.plesk.page/ to watch the live online programs until Sep. 9.
Schedule of online events:
Daily devotionals, general assembly, and seminars begin Sep. 7-9, at 8:00 a.m. Cancun time or 9:00 a.m. EDT (Miami time).
Evening spiritual message, general assembly and cultural presentations begin at 6:45 p.m. Cancun time or 7:45 p.m. EDT (Miami time).
