Inter-America officially launches its newest institution, Herbert Fletcher University

May 8, 2012 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America officially launched its online educational institution yesterday in Miami, Florida, during a colorful ceremony that drew the attendance of top church leaders and educators from the 12 universities in the territory all dressed in their academic regalia.

The newly inaugurated Herbert Fletcher University (HFU) will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees via the internet. HFU began offering courses last year, available in English and Spanish, in affiliation with Griggs University and Andrews University. The courses include master’s degrees in church administration and leadership and online instruction design, and certifications in church administration and leadership, online instructional design, educational technology, and Adventist teaching.

As the special ceremony began, Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, spoke words honoring the late Herbert L. Fletcher, after whom HFU is named. Fletcher was instrumental in leading Adventist education in the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory.

“Herbert Fletcher was the embodiment of what Adventist education is all about,” said Pastor Leito. “His influence is still causing many men and women today to live up to the ideals of a true Christian.”

Fletcher’s family members were in attendance, including his widow Olive, his son and daughter and grandchildren.

“The world is better for so many because Herbert Fletcher walked this earth in fear of the Lord and did his best to help humanity,” added Leito.

Herbert Fletcher served the church for more than 44 years as a teacher, district pastor, youth director, and education director. He was also president of then West Indies College in Jamaica, and later held the position of education director for the IAD for over 14 years before retiring in 1995.

“This is a signal honor, which you have so graciously bestowed upon him,” said Barbara Fletcher Hundley, daughter of Herbert Fletcher, on behalf of her mother. “My entire family and I are extremely gratified that you have seen it fit to recognize His service with such a meaningful act, posthumously. This will be an indelible imprint for posterity.”

During the ceremony, Dr. Ella Simmons, general vice president for the Adventist world church, brought greetings from Adventist world church president Ted N.C. Wilson as she spoke on the vision of Adventist church education.

Dr. John W. Taylor, associate education director for the Adventist world church, spoke on the growth of Adventist education since its birth in 1823. There are currently 1.6 million students studying in 111 accredited colleges and universities, and Dr. Taylor congratulated IAD leaders for their vision and tenacity in establishing one more institution to the network of higher-learning Adventist education.

Andrews University President Dr. Niels-Erik Andreasen joined the ceremony via video conference to congratulate IAD leaders, and affirmed the partnership of Adventist University with HFU in the development of education in the IAD and the world.

“I support distance education,” he said, “so long as we make certain that students have access not only to lots of information at any time, but also to teachers who can help them sort through it and make sense of it.”

“God bless this new initiative,” added Dr. Andreasen. “It promises to be a great blessing to the church and its members.”

“With this partnership with Griggs and Andrews Universities, we can reach out to every student, member and constituency no matter where they are,” said Dr. Alayne Thorpe, president of Griggs University, during the ceremony.

As Pastor Leito pronounced the acclamation of the presidential authority to HFU President Dr. David Siguelnitzky, the presentation of the ceremonial mace took place.

Dr. David Siguelnitzky, president of HFU, delivered the inaugural speech, emphasizing the commitment of HFU to “build on the deep roots of our Seventh-day Adventist principles and excel in the knowledge for our students.”

Dr. Siguelnitzky reported that 64 percent of HFU professors have a PhD, 21 percent have PhD candidacy, and 14 percent have a master’s degree. It’s a team “many universities would dream of having,” he said.

“It is not just another tertiary institution,” added Dr. Siguelnitzky of HFU, “it is one that serves a different type of public.” He reported that 99 current HFU students work full-time and cannot afford to move to another city or country to study.

“Mothers with children, fathers with full responsibilities…sometimes the economy of the family doesn’t allow people to leave their job and educate themselves,” he said. “That is the public that HFU serves today and will continue serving in the future.”

Herbert Fletcher University is located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and joins Inter-America’s 12 Adventist universities and one junior college throughout territory

For more on Inter-America’s Herbert Fletcher University, go to http://www.hfuniversity.org/

To view a photo gallery of the event, visit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica/7154696944/in/photostream/