College News
May 29, 2009
New Addition to Weimar Music Faculty
We're very pleased to have Dr. Rodney Abriol join the Weimar College staff. A recent graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Cincinnati, his doctorate is in Musical Arts and Composition. His principal instrument is the piano (visit for selections) and he also plays the violin and viola professionally.
Dr. Abriol is deeply committed to holding a high standard for music in worship. With many voices calling today for entertainment style worship experiences, we are very grateful for the clear convictions Rodney brings to the Weimar campus. He and current music teacher, Rina Ritivoiu, who just completed her master's degree ( visit for recent recital of College and Academy musical organizations), will combine their skills in teaching musical presentation and composition for both the College and Academy. We plan to have a principal touring orchestra for the advanced students of both schools but also include a campus orchestra to develop and train other musicians who will be able to advance into the touring group. Both the Academy and College will have choirs and, again, an advanced choral group will tour, often with the orchestra. Dr. Abriol and Rina will teach keyboard and voice along with classes in music appreciation, music theory and in the history and purpose of music in worship.
In addition to these full time music staff members, we are delighted that the Lord is bringing much more to this campus for the true musical experience the Lord intends. One of our cafeteria workers, Kate Valasquez, is a trained oboist, experienced band director and trained in teaching virtually all band instruments. Another worker, NEWSTART® therapist Rebecca Ahlberg, is an accomplished clarinetist and loves to make music an honor and true praise to our heavenly Father.
If you desire to be in a school where Heaven's music is sought and taught, you will be greatly blessed with the Weimar program God has brought to this campus.
May 2009
Education Summit Energizes Weimar Center
On March 19 and 20, the leadership of Weimar Center of Health & Education and Amazing Facts came together for another insightful education summit led by Dr. Neil Nedley, president of Weimar.
Along with staff from Weimar Academy, College, and the NEWSTART® program, leaders in Adventist education from across the nation also joined in this effort to develop the guiding principles of our school's operations and determine the courses to be offered this fall. The emphasis of this important gathering was to prayerfully create a school model that biblically applies all of God's wisdom found in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.
The Great Purpose of Weimar Education
The summit opened with a moving devotional, led by Don Mackintosh, about the school of the prophets as recorded in Scripture and expanded upon in the writings of Ellen White. She writes that as we near the end of time, our "youth are to be encouraged to attend our schools, which should become more and more like the schools of the prophets" (CG 329).
Two important questions, posed by Dr. Randall Siebold, were then presented to the panel: Why should Weimar College and Academy exist? What will be their unique contribution within the wider context of Adventist education?
The answers to these fundamental questions emerged as the more than 20 participants carefully considered Weimar's current model and positioning and Dr. Nedley's vision for its future. For the panel, it's clear that Weimar exists because world chaos speaks clearly of the urgent need for gospel-medical missionaries. Weimar's unique contribution will be a restored model of education that raises up Adventist ambassadors who can lead people everywhere to be part of the remnant church.
Dr. Nedley then shared his vision of what Weimar will look like in five years, but he first reminded participants, "We are to live as if the Lord would come today, but to plan as though His coming could be delayed." Nedley also underlined the need to not only train evangelistically oriented pastors, but that our physicians, nurses, and other health professionals should be trained as soul winners too.
Dr. Nedley's vision for the future of education and medical mission work, which can be developed here, was gripping, urgent, and thrilling. And his plans for the expansion of NEWSTART® and the development of a lifestyle-based cancer treatment center will bring even more people from around the world to Weimar, opening doors and offering eternal hope to otherwise suffering souls.
Ultimately, unmovable faith, determined effort, careful planning, and God's blessings will be the bedrock for making this all a reality—and the staff of Weimar's schools are deeply committed to it. A Guiding Mission Statement The summit's participants were able to synthesize the vision and expectations of the education program with the following mission statement: "The purpose of the Weimar Schools (Academy, College) is to offer Adventist evangelistic education that is spiritually, practically, and academically excellent."
A Guiding Mission Statement
To launch this education-centered purpose, the team determined to establish curriculum for what is called the "core of four" at the Weimar Academy and College:
- Evangelism — through an ongoing synergistic relationship with Amazing Facts
- Education — through courses and classes offered at the college and academy
- Work / Industry — where both staff and students work together in practical physical labor
- Health — through integration with NEWSTART® and other expanded health programs
Faculty and students are to be accepted on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to sharing the Adventist message and being fully involved in the core of four. Applicants who show an evangelistic commitment but have not attended an evangelism school will be able to take a special health evangelism course and practicum that will prepare them to make their pre-med degree a foundation to become soul-winning healthcare workers.
Weimar will also strive to seek students who want to dig deeply into God's Word and to learn while fulfilling the great commission. Please pray that our education program will be a bright center of hope and learning in this last-day thrust for health evangelism.
Programs Scheduled for this Fall
The curriculum available to students in the autumn semester includes courses in religion/evangelism, science, and general education. Specifics include:
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Religion/Evangelism:
- A one-year certificate in pastoralministry, with an evangelistic focus
- An AA in evangelism
- A BA in religious studies, with an evangelistic focus
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Science:
- Pre-med courses leading to a Med. Tech degree and preparation for the MCAT exam and medical school
- Pre-nursing courses leading to acceptance in a school of nursing
- A two-semester health evangelism course (including training in massage/hydrotherapy, as well as the use of natural remedies, etc.)
- Short-term intensives in specific areas such as natural remedies, witnessing to hospital patients and staff, how to effectively prepare and present Depression Recovery, Reversing Diabetes, and other programs
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General education:
- An AA in general education
- A selection of general education subjects
- Additional courses in media, communication, and graphic arts (with Amazing Facts collaboration)
If you or someone you know is interested in attending Weimar or AFCOE, applications can now be made for all schools at www.weimar.org, where you can also find catalogs for each school.
Weimar College Adds New Programs
New degree programs will be added to the curriculum in the fall of 2009, with the focus on Pre-med, Pre-nursing, and Religion.
Our one-year Medical Missionary Certificate includes an emphasis in Massage and Hydrotherapy and prepares graduates to take the National Certification Exam and practice as massage therapists. Classes include massage, hydrotherapy, anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, and pathology, and health evangelism. The program includes over 500 hours and meets the NCBTMB requirements (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork).
The one-year Certificate in Pastoral Ministry combines one semester of training in evangelism at AFCOE (Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism) with several general education courses, including English, science, and psychology. Courses completed will count towards a two- or four year degree in Religion.
Our two-year Pre-nursing program includes nursing courses with a focus on health evangelism. Students learn the principles of balanced health and how to share it with others through different methods of evangelism. Courses include the sciences, general education and religion.
An exciting new addition to the programs this year is our four-year Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology degree that includes pre-med requirements. The first year of pre-med offered this fall includes courses in biology, chemistry, and English, along with health evangelism. Weimar College is working with Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities to facilitate transfers.
Our two-year Associate of Arts in Personal Ministries degree is offered in cooperation with Griggs University. Students complete one semester at AFCOE, then continue on at Weimar College to complete additional religion courses and general education courses. The program can be used as a stepping-stone for the four-year degree in Religion.
The four-year Bachelor of Arts in Religion degree is offered in cooperation with Griggs University. Students complete one semester at AFCOE, then continue on at Weimar College to complete additional religion courses and general education courses.
All degrees and programs offered at Weimar College include practical outreach to the community, work education and physical labor, choir and orchestra as well as the Christian Perspectives course sequence that covers key topics such as creation and science, the spirit of prophecy, music and worship, and others.
Weimar College is affiliated with Griggs University and students receive Griggs University credits for approved courses completed at Weimar. Those approved courses are then transferable to Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities.
Apply today! Download your forms here and fax your completed application to 530.422.7949 or mail it to PO Box 486, Weimar, CA 95736.