Aurora University To Celebrate Advent Christian Heritage Sunday June 22

AURORA, Ill.—Continuing to celebrate its ties to its founders, Aurora University will host Advent Christian Heritage Sunday June 22.

As part of the denomination’s triennial conference in Naperville June 20-25, AU will host about 400 conference members for a day of tours, exhibits and special programs.

Aurora University began as Mendota Seminary in 1893, an institution to train ministers and lay workers for the Advent Christian Church. The seminary became Mendota College and the school was moved to Aurora in 1911 where it became Aurora College. After expanding curricular offerings and initiating advanced degrees, the college became Aurora University in 1985.

AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick said, “Aurora University is proud to host a portion of the Advent Christian Triennial Conference. Our strong relationship with the church is an important part of our heritage and our history, and this conference has allowed us to work together toward a shared goal.”

Ron Thomas, Jr., a 1970 Aurora College alum, a member of the AU Board of Trustees, and executive director of the Advent Christian General Conference, said, “The fact that our denomination has a history with Aurora University has really provided opportunities in itself.

“It is always an exciting time to remember and reminisce with people who have shared experiences with us—it’s an opportunity for us to reflect on what we enjoyed at the college.”

Heritage Sunday highlights include discussions, music and exhibits showcasing prophetic charts and other artifacts from AU’s Jenks Memorial Collection of Adventual Materials. AU’s Office of Alumni Relations is coordinating the event.

AU’s Heritage Sunday celebration opens at 3 p.m. with opening of a welcome center in the Institute for Collaboration at 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora.

From 3 to 5 p.m., AU students will lead group tours departing from the campus flagpole in front of Alumni Hall. Tours stops are the Jenks Memorial Collection of Adventual Materials in Phillips Library and the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures in Dunham Hall.

From 3 to 5 p.m., visitors are invited to view the Aurora College archives in Phillips Library. Hosts will be Richard Kearney, AC ’51, grandson of Orrin Roe Jenks, president of AC from 1911 to 1933; Roger Tucker, AC ’61, president of the AU Alumni Association; and Anne McKearn, university archivist.

From 4 to 5 p.m., three discussions are planned. AU President Sherrick and Aubrey Huelsman, AU ’10, will present “Aurora College Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” in Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center for Community Enrichment at 1305 Kenilworth Place in Aurora.

“Roles of Hymns and the Church, Why We Sing in Worship” will be led by Roger Parolini, AC ’49, and Marilyn Parolini, AC ’54. The program is in the Roger and Marilyn Parolini Music Center at 1330 Marseillaise Place in Aurora.

“ A Bible Study of the Lord’s Prayer” will be held in Lowry Chapel in Eckhart Hall at 347 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora. Co-leaders are Martin Forward, executive director of AU’s Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action, and Joe Dunham, professor of religion and senior fellow in the Wackerlin Center.

At 5 p.m., a picnic dinner will be held under a tent on the campus quadrangle. Cost is $17 each for persons ages 11 and up and $7 each for children 10 and younger. For reservations, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (630) 844-5486.

Crimi Auditorium will be the site of an evening of musical celebration. At 7 p.m., Rosemary Humbles, AC ’66, and Marilyn Parolini will lead an old-fashioned hymn sing. At 7:30 p.m., Advent Christian musical artists will perform a concert to conclude the Heritage Sunday event.

Call (630) 844-5486 for information.

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