Social Mobility at Washington Adventist University Guides Students

Editorial by Weymouth Spence

Christ’s example and teachings directly contradict the world’s aspirations toward always looking for wealth. In Christ, we see a Diety lowering Himself to human form to reach the poor, sick and struggling. Instead, His path is a path of lifting the brokenhearted and guiding His children to better horizons, whether that is financial or spiritual.

He said, “Whoever wants to be first, must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35), and “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” These aren’t the words that would indicate the priority is to search for wealth and let the benefits of your wealth trickle down to the masses. Instead, this is a call to dive into the masses and find those you can lift, heal and exalt.

In the last three years, Washington Adventist University (WAU) has increased from 78th, then to 22nd, and now to 17th in our region for social mobility by US News. Simply put, our focus and strategy make it possible for our students to walk paths that their families may have never dreamed of. Each student’s social mobility can impact their home, culture and the future of the environment they may have been born into.

When we say, “All of God’s children are welcome at WAU,” it means that we will make every effort to ensure that, if a student has the drive and passion for reaching for higher goals, we are the institution that is ready and willing to support, guide and bolster their education. We are not shy about our love for the oppressed, the hopeless and the weary. We will not stand in the way of God’s blessings that God is pouring upon our world, the families and children searching for a better life.

Paul spoke of Jesus in this way: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).

We are honored to host students who can share a testimony of change and growth that can impact their communities in immeasurable ways. The heart of service that this campus instills offers a population of professionals that will affect the world for generations.

This is Washington Adventist University!

Weymouth Spence serves as the president of Washington Adventist University.