Rebirth of Big Sandy
Good News Magazine
October-November 1981
Volume: Vol XXVIII, No. 9
Issue: ISSN 0432-0816
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Rebirth of Big Sandy

   Ambassador College at Big Sandy has been BORN AGAIN! And what a glorious resurrection!

   WHAT an exciting start! The Big Sandy campus came alive with a burst of love, harmony, dedication!
   Ambassador at Big Sandy, Tex., is only a two-year junior college at present (though it may become more within the first two years) - but it started off with one of the most enthusiastic and joyful starts of any year at any of the three Ambassador campuses of the past 34 years.
   Orientation of students began Thursday, Aug. 20. The faculty-student reception began the preceding evening. Most students already were registered by that time.
   The opening activities continued on past the Sabbath, Aug. 22. Brethren from a number of surrounding churches came for the Sabbath service, with perhaps the largest attendance ever gathered together at Big Sandy except at the Feast of Tabernacles.
   Brethren of the entire area seemed overjoyed that the Big Sandy campus had come alive again. Rejoicing permeated the air. And God blessed the air with beautiful weather. Some 4,000 attended the Sabbath service.
   Mrs. Armstrong and I, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fahey, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Neff, Ruth Nestor, Rona Martin and Mel Ollinger flew over in the G-ll jet Thursday. Crew members Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Dean also attended the various activities.
   Thursday evening at 7 p.m. the student-faculty reception was held in the registration building adjoining the Feast site. I made a very short introductory speech of welcome to new students. Then the new freshmen came by one by one to shake hands with Mrs. Armstrong and me.
   We were more than well impressed by the evident quality of the new students. They were beaming. Had not the decision been made to reopen the
   Big Sandy campus, they could not have become Ambassador students. They seemed thrilled and overjoyed at the blessing God had opened for them.
   Then the sophomores came by for a handshake. One year at Ambassador, Pasadena campus, showed its fruits in their faces and manners. I'm sure they will set a fine example for the new freshmen as Ambassador students. Then the faculty came by. And what a capable, loyal and competent faculty they are! And all are members of God's Church!
   Following the reception we looked in for a few moments at the beginning of a student dance in the beautiful dining hall. Then a private dinner in the faculty dining room with our party and the officials of the new college.
   Friday morning was orientation for students. I spoke, after introduction of faculty members to students. There was a faculty luncheon in the faculty dining room. Again I spoke briefly to the faculty. In the afternoon there was a meeting in the science auditorium with campus employees, whom I addressed for about an hour. Friday evening Mr. Neff took the Bible study.
   Sabbath we had the overflow attendance at the afternoon service. The large auditorium was completely filled. Also the dining room, piped in with speakers. Also one or two other rooms were filled. It seemed all faces were beaming.
   Friday evening there was a dinner for ministers from the surrounding area and wives - some 70 or 80 people. I spoke briefly, giving an update on the Work from Pasadena.
   Then the grand finale, a concert in the main auditorium, conducted by Roger Bryant, the new chorale director, and his wife, and Ruth Walter. Mr. Bryant is a professional tenor. I heard he has performed with the San Francisco Opera Company. His wife is a concert pianist. The two women pianists played a two-piano duet after each had played solo and Mr. Bryant had sung several arias. The concert was a happy ending of a most happy and inspiring beginning!

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Good News MagazineOctober-November 1981Vol XXVIII, No. 9ISSN 0432-0816