Southern Adventist University invites alumni, current students, family and friends of the institution, and community members to join it in inaugurating the 26th president of the school’s history, David C. Smith, PhD, on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists.
Dr. Smith, who holds a doctorate degree in English from the University of Tennessee, took the position June 1, after the retirement of Gordon Bietz, Southern’s president of 19 years. Dr. Smith has also received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees of English from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mi.
Dr. Smith has held many administrative positions in the past. Most recently he served as senior pastor of the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists and formerly as president of Union College in Lincoln, Ne.
Events pertaining to the Inauguration include the Inaugural Gala to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall of Wright Hall. Tickets are required for entry.
Honored guests expected to be in attendance include: Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; Larry Blackmer, vice president for education for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; Ron Smith, president of the Southern Union of Seventh-day Adventists; and Ed Wright, president of the Georgia Cumberland Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
The inauguration coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the school being located in Collegedale, Tn.
More information about any of the activities for the Inauguration can be found at southern.edu/inauguration.