Spicer Adventist University

Spicer Adventist University
Motto	He shall teach you all things
Type	Private
Established	1915
Affiliation	Seventh-day Adventist
Administrative staff	approx. 160
Students	approx. 1,200
Location	Aundh, Pune, Maharashtra, India; 18°33′50″N 73°49′09″E / 18.5638°N 73.8193°E
Campus	Urban
Website	http://sau.edu.in/
	Location in Maharashtra Spicer Adventist University (India)

Spicer Adventist University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning^[2] in Aundh, Pune, India. It is considered the church's flagship provider of higher education in India. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

History[edit]

Founded as the South India Training School in Coimbatore, India, Spicer Memorial College began its journey with a modest start.

Under the leadership of Gentry G. Lowry, the institution underwent significant growth and development, including a relocation to Bangalore in 1918. It was during this period that the institution was renamed Spicer College in honor of William A. Spicer, a missionary and former General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists president, who served in India and contributed significantly to global mission efforts.

Lowry's vision extended beyond mere training for Bible workers and literature evangelists. He advocated for Spicer College's transformation into a senior college, aligning with Spicer's emphasis on advancing indigenous talent in missionary work. Despite Lowry's sudden demise in 1942, his vision persisted, leading to the college's elevation to senior college status in 1946.

It was known as Spicer Memorial College^[7] until 2014. Spicer Memorial College was granted University status by Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra on 16 June 2014.^[8]^[9] ^[10]

Campus[edit]

Some of the major structures in the campus include the administrative building, which houses offices and classrooms. There are separate buildings for the library, the sciences, education, religion, agriculture, the cafeteria, boarders, the college press, industrial arts, Spicer Memorial College Higher Secondary School, Spicer Products and Services.^{[citation needed]}

Student life[edit]

The majority of the student body are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and weekly church services are held at the campus church with regular Sabbath observance starting from the time of sunset on Friday to the sunset on Saturday. Friday evening vespers services (AYS) are held weekly as are Religion & Theology Forums. Basketball and football are the major sports on campus.^{[citation needed]}

The college also hosts a local research centre of the Ellen G. White Estate.^[11]

The college celebrated a centenary from 28 January – 1 February 2015.^[12]

Controversy[edit]

In 2018, a case was filed against the vice chancellor and two officials of the university for allegedly forging their PhD certificates.^[13]^[14]

In February 2019, the Maharashtra state cabinet ordered action against the university for alleged irregularities by its officials in connection with the admission process.^[15]^[16]

References[edit]

^ History. Spicer Memorial College. Retrieved 2009-08-08
^ "Spicer Memorial College". Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ Kido, Elissa (15 November 2010). "For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
^ "Seventh-day Adventists - Christian Denomination | Religion Facts". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
^ "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
^ Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (1 April 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
^ "Spicer History". Spicer College. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "India's Spicer College Granted University Status". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^ Deshmukh, Ravikaran. "State gets two new private universities". Mid Day. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
^ Trim, David (29th January 2024). "At 100, Indian University Bears Imprint of Spicer and Lowry". Adventist Review. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ "Ellen G. White Estate Worldwide Research Centers". Ellen G. White Estate. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "Centenary Celebrations". Spicer Memorial College. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "Police look for three Spicer officials in fake degree case". The Times of India. 20 May 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ "Spicer University Administrators, Alleged Fake Degree Holders, Missing – Adventist Today". 21 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ "Future uncertain for Spicer Adventist University as cabinet opposes its functioning". The Times of India. 13 February 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ "Spicer University, Venerable Adventist Institution, Existence Threatened – Adventist Today". 14 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

External links[edit]

[History-1] History. Spicer Memorial College. Retrieved 2009-08-08

[2] "Spicer Memorial College". Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[3] Kido, Elissa (15 November 2010). "For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 1 August 2018.

[4] "Seventh-day Adventists - Christian Denomination | Religion Facts". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2016.

[5] "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.

[6] Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (1 April 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 19 June 2010.

[7] "Spicer History". Spicer College. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[8] "India's Spicer College Granted University Status". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 22 June 2014.

[9] Deshmukh, Ravikaran. "State gets two new private universities". Mid Day. Retrieved 22 June 2014.

[10] Trim, David (29th January 2024). "At 100, Indian University Bears Imprint of Spicer and Lowry". Adventist Review. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[11] "Ellen G. White Estate Worldwide Research Centers". Ellen G. White Estate. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[12] "Centenary Celebrations". Spicer Memorial College. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[13] "Police look for three Spicer officials in fake degree case". The Times of India. 20 May 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[14] "Spicer University Administrators, Alleged Fake Degree Holders, Missing – Adventist Today". 21 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[15] "Future uncertain for Spicer Adventist University as cabinet opposes its functioning". The Times of India. 13 February 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[16] "Spicer University, Venerable Adventist Institution, Existence Threatened – Adventist Today". 14 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

v t e Universities in Maharashtra
State universities	Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Dr. Homi Bhabha State University HSNC University Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Gondwana University Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur Maharashtra University of Health Sciences North Maharashtra University Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University Savitribai Phule Pune University Shivaji University SNDT Women's University Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University University of Mumbai University of Solapur Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
Central universities	Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya
Private universities	Ajeenkya DY Patil University Amity University, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University D Y Patil International University FLAME University MIT Art, Design and Technology University MIT World Peace University Sandip University, Nashik Sanjay Ghodawat University Somaiya Vidyavihar University Spicer Adventist University Symbiosis Skills and Professional University Vishwakarma University
Deemed universities	Bharati Vidyapeeth Chandrashekhar Agashe College of Physical Education Central Institute of Fisheries Education Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute Defence Institute of Advanced Technology Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics Homi Bhabha National Institute Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research Institute of Chemical Technology International Institute for Population Sciences Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences MGM Institute of Health Sciences Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences SVKM's NMIMS Symbiosis International University Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Tata Institute of Social Sciences Tilak Maharashtra University