May 11, 2009 – Mayaguez, Puerto Rico…[Efrain Velazquez/IAD Staff]
The Inter-American Theological Seminary (IATS) inaugurated its new academic offices on the campus of Antillean Adventist University in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, during a special ceremony on May 5, 2009. The new offices are part of a master plan to offer additional post-graduate degrees to ministers throughout Inter-America and to speed up accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools, organizers said.
“This was part of our development plan and strategic move to locate our academic offices on United States territory and serve the demands in our growing territory for academic degrees for our ministers,” said Jaime Castrejon, Ph.D., president of IATS.
According to Dr. Castrejon, IATS chose the campus in Puerto Rico as the main central site for academic operations. These will include coordination of professors, program curriculum, scheduling of classes, monitoring the master's and doctorate degrees. Administrative and registrar offices will remain at the Inter-American Division headquarter offices in Miami, Florida, United States.
Already, IATS has registered through the government of Puerto Rico and is seeking to secure accreditation from the Middle States Commission of Higher Education, which is the unit of the Middle Sates Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region.
Among those who spoke at the inauguration ceremony were Dr. Sergio, president of the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, and Pastor Anibal Heredia, advisor to the governor on religious affairs as well as dozens of church leaders and educators.
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, who gave the keynote address, emphasized the importance of the Word of God as a “source of direction.” He challenged all those present to excellence as Inter-America places theological education as a priority for the fulfillment of the church's mission.
Church leaders from the Adventist World Church and Andrews University were also present.
The new IATS academic offices are located on the third floor of the Denis Soto Library at Antillean University. It includes three offices one for Dr. Castrejon, and one office for Efrain Velazquez, PhD., IATS vice president of academic affairs, one for an assistant and a meeting room.
For more information on IATS and its programs, visit www.interamerica.org
