"This is the day," the day Andrews University officially rolled out the welcome mat and invited the community to step in, said Andrews University president Niels-Erik Andreasen. The grand opening of the new entrance to the campus marked nearly 30 years of planning and culminated with more than 700 faculty, staff, students, community friends and local officials taking part in the celebration on Mon., June 2.

Andreasen began the ceremony by sharing a personal reflection. "This new entrance represents the fulfillment of a personal dream for me. Ever since I first arrived here, I cringed at the cumbersome, unattractive, unsafe way this university welcomed its faculty, staff, students and guests through the back door, or the kitchen door as it were. But no more. We have a proper front door, and you are invited to come in."

Thanking the donors who made the dream of a new entrance become a reality, David Faehner, vice president of University Advancement, took a moment to focus on three families in a special way. David Cromwell, an alumnus of the class of '63, and two families who aren't Andrews alumni, yet strong believers of Seventh-day Adventist education: John and Dede Howard, and the late William Colson and his wife, Bonnie, who provided the lead gift for the new entrance.

Richard Scott, director of facilities management, thanked the many individuals who were involved in the planning, design and construction of the new entrance, including a special thank you to Wightman Associates Inc. of Benton Harbor, the lead contractor and manager of the project.

Al Pscholka, district representative for Congressman Fred Upton, said the new entrance is a great front door. "Twenty years ago, when I came out here, I drove right past this place. I didn't know all the great stuff that was happening right here."

Heather Knight, provost for Andrews University, shared why the new boulevard was named in honor of J.N. Andrews, for whom Andrews University is named. Knight also pointed out the new globe photo opportunity feature complete with adequate parking, a much-needed asset to a university with a global mission and vision.

A prayer of blessing was offered by Gerry Karst, chair of the Andrews University Board of Trustees and vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, followed by James North, professor of pastoral care and chaplaincy, leading the crowd in singing the school song, "Our Dear A.U."

Following the ceremony, the crowd spilled out onto J.N. Andrews Boulevard and began putting the new globe photo-op to use. The Andrews University bus, carrying university administration and local officials, was the first vehicle to drive on the newly-opened boulevard.

Keri Suarez, media relations specialist, Andrews University