The Andrews University Division of Architecture has always put into action the “Change the World” aspect of the university’s motto. Since 1995, Architecture has worked with CERENID (Center for the Rehabilitation of Children at Risk of Drugs), a center for at-risk children in Bolivia, with a group of faculty and students traveling each summer to erect new and fix up current buildings at the orphanage. But the need for assistance and the drive to make a difference has led to the creation of the further-reaching Architecture Missions Group (AMG), a cooperative effort between current Andrews University faculty and students with alumni field professionals. AMG was started about one year ago.

The concept is built around the idea of making the Division a clearinghouse for mission projects, with a faculty director, and alumni and other professionals who serve as individual project directors. AMG will function in a similar fashion to Maranatha Volunteers International, but will take on the more individualized or complex projects that Maranatha does not usually accept.

Currently, plans are underway to assist with projects in Liberia, two churches and a school in Mexico, and a project assisting Adventist World Aviation in the Philippines, as well as ongoing work with CERENID in Bolivia.

Martin Smith, assistant professor of architecture; Carey Carscallen, director of the Division of Architecture; Bill Davidson, retired architecture professor; and alum Daniel Bacchiocchi currently make up AMG’s board of directors.

“We get requests for help all the time,” notes Carey. “They’re coming in faster than we can manage.”

Decisions about which projects to accept are made by the board. “We accept the ones that we personally feel that one of us can take on as a leadership role, and then our aim is, as AMG grows, to take on other alumni or faculty or professionals knowledgeable in construction who will have the ability to work with other projects,” he added.

AMG is not only internationally focused, but has also taken on a few projects here in the United States.

“The main idea of the group is to get Architecture students involved working with actual architects and builders, which allows them to get some experience that they will be looking for in their future profession. This also gives them a great opportunity to serve in another country,” explained Ariel Solis, fourth-year architecture student.

Ariel recently returned from a trip to Liberia, where he was part of an evaluation team assessing the current conditions in the country and developing a master plan for assistance. While there, he had the opportunity to visit five of the potential projects AMG may work on for the next several years.

“One of the main reasons why I think this project is so important is because it allows future students to get involved with helping out a community in need in Liberia,” Ariel continued. “This will give the students a new perspective on the needs of others. Hopefully, what they gain from this experience they will take with them to their future careers in architecture.”

Beverly Stout is the media relations coordinator for University Relations at Andrews University.