Andrews University grants honorary doctorate degree to Montemorelos University president

May 7, 2012 – Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States…Benjamin Garcia/IAD

Andrews University (AU), one of the most prestigious educational institutions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, granted an honorary Doctorate in Pedagogy to Ismael Castillo Osuna, president of Montemorelos University in Mexico, for “his influence in the development of Adventist eduction.”

The honorary doctorate award was granted yesterday during the university’s commencement exercises in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.

“I receive this in the name of all my colleagues who throughout the years have manifested a great commitment to the Adventist model of education,” said Castillo upon hearing of the award. “It is a recognition to the efforts to carrying forward an Adventist model in our institution.”

Originally from the northeast coast of Mexico, Castillo graduated in 1969 with a teaching degree in elementary education. He later pursued a degree in theology in 1973 and a master’s degree in religion by Andrews University through Montemorelos University.

He has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church for nearly 40 years as a pastor, departmental director, and school principal. Since 1987, Castillo has served as president of Montemorelos Univeristy.

Under his leadership, Montemorelos University has expanded various graduate programs and has extended services to numerious national and international institutions in the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

During his 25 years as president of Montemorelos, the institution has signed agreements with numerous entities, received numerous important accreditations, and prepared hundreds of students and workers for the mission fields around the world.

Castillo has given dozens of conferences and classes on leadership and the philosophy of Adventist education, subjects about which he is most passionate.

He authored a devotional book for young people in 2010.

He has been a tireless promoter of student and employee participation in community service in the region and in other cities throughout Mexico and abroad.

In 2009, The Inter-American Division granted Castillo a Medal of Distinction for his contribution to Adventist education, during the church’s first division-wide Teacher Congress held in Cancun, Mexico.

He has been married to his wife Norka for 39 years. They have three children and six grandchildren.

For more information about Ismael Castillo and Montemorelos University, visit www.um.edu.mx