Washington Adventist University

Washington Adventist University and three-time NBA All-Star and Takoma Park native Steve Francis have launched the Steven Francis Scholarship Fund, a new initiative opening doors to higher education for young people from the community that raised him and honoring the memory of the woman who raised him first. The fund was unveiled at the university's 13th Annual Visionaries Gala.

Long before "Stevie Franchise" became a household name, Francis was a kid growing up behind what was then Columbia Union College, lacing up his sneakers for church league games at Metro Seventh-day Adventist Church. It's the detail he returns to most when asked where his love of the game truly began, not an AAU circuit or a big-name gym, but a church league court, played for the joy of it.

Story by Cheryl Harris Kisunzu

“With gratitude I acknowledge the tender care of my heavenly Father and thank Him for the blessings that He has bestowed upon me …” “

As I look at the situation and the prospects here, I am filled with hope and courage” (Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 19).

Washington Adventist University (WAU) today announced that President Weymouth Spence, Ed.D., will conclude his tenure as president, effective June 30, 2026, and will transition to a new role, effective July 1, 2026.

In this new role, Dr. Spence will devote his attention to advancing critical campus infrastructure initiatives central to WAU's long-term success. He will build on the momentum of the university’s Vision 2030 plan to drive academic innovation, strengthen partnerships and increase institutional visibility to enhance the learning environment for student success. 

Washington Adventist University incoming freshman Franklin Diaz and Jennifer Perez (’29) have been selected to receive this year’s Next Generation Hispanic Pastor scholarships, provided by the Columbia Union and North American Division.

“There is a lack of pastors,” said Rubén A. Ramos, who recently retired as union vice president for Multilingual Ministries. “We need to encourage our young people who are considering ministry.”

Story by Everett Wiles
The Washington Adventist University Board of Trustees voted overwhelmingly to move forward with Vision 2030, a bold strategic redevelopment initiative that will modernize the University’s 122-year-old campus and secure its financial sustainability for the next century.

The Board approved the Administration’s recommendation to engage Takoma Park Development Partners to begin developing a comprehensive 21st Century master plan for campus-adjacent properties, including the former Washington Adventist Hospital site.