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Union College reaches 1,000 students

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By MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Aug 30, 2007 - 12:09:09 am CDT

Signing up for your final semester of college classes is sentimental enough, but making school history while you’re doing it?

Why, that’s downright tearjerking.

So Serhiy Horokhovskyy thought when a Union College official called Tuesday to let him know he had been the 1,000th student to register for fall classes this year, a milestone the school hadn’t reached in 24 years.

Story Photo
Union College junior Amber Harwood smiles at fellow junior Alex Rocca as he offers her a bite of ice cream during a campus lunch Wednesday to celebrate the school reaching the enrollment milestone of 1,000 students. (Eric Gregory)

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A few facts about Union College

How it started: In January 1890, a group seeking a Midwest location for a Seventh-day Adventist college was lured to Lincoln, in part, by the city's incentives.

When it started: First classes were held Sept. 30, 1891.

Two towers: The College Building and its clock tower stood until the 1970s. A 100-foot clock has towered over campus since.

College View: This neighborhood grew up around Union College, and is roughly defined as Van Dorn to Pioneers, 40th to 58th.

Who goes there: Students from 49 states and 26 countries can choose from more than 50 majors.

More info: www.ucollege.edu

Source: Union College

A steady climb

Enrollment at Union College passed 1,000 this year for the first time since 1983. Enrollment has been up and down since then, taking a sharp dip in the 1990s when Union ran into financial troubles. But an aggressive recruiting campaign has slowly brought the numbers back up. A 15-year history of headcount enrollment (all are fall numbers):
  • 1993: 574
  • 1994: 598
  • 1995: 576
  • 1996: 553
  • 1997: 630
  • 1998: 773
  • 1999: 856
  • 2000: 846
  • 2001: 922
  • 2002: 951
  • 2003: 902
  • 2004: 936
  • 2005: 930
  • 2006: 982
  • 2007: 1,015
Source: Union College

Horokhovskyy, a Ukraine native majoring in religion, could do little more than pump his chest and point to the heavens when he heard the news.

“I was crazy happy,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s my senior year, and it’s kind of cool to be part of something awesome.”

His accidental achievement was cause for celebration.

On Wednesday, Union offered free lunches and ice cream to all students and faculty to honor the 1,000-student mark, the result of an aggressive recruiting drive the school launched after enrollment dipped to the 500s in the 1990s.

When registration ended Tuesday, enrollment for the Seventh-day Adventist school stood at 1,015.

Wednesday’s outdoor party featured salad and bread, Union officials and student leaders and, of course, a rousing rendition of the school song, “Slinga de Ink.”

“We’ve gotten more creative and aggressive (in our marketing),” said Union President David Smith. “We’re excited about the enrollment, but we’re far more excited about the students themselves.”

It’s hardly surprising this year’s 1,000th student hails from abroad: A whopping 80 percent of Union College students are from outside Nebraska, a figure far higher than at other state colleges and a source of pride for Union leaders, who believe the school is contributing to “brain gain” rather than the much-maligned “brain drain.”

Of the out-of-state students, more than one in five stay in Nebraska after graduation, boosting the state’s economy and diversity, Smith said.

“By the time they graduate, they want to stay here,” he said. “It grows on them.”

And why are more students coming to Union in the first place?

Simple, Smith said: They want a close-knit campus, a Christian learning environment and eye-catching academic offerings such as Union’s new International Rescue & Relief program, which takes students abroad and trains them in medicine, humanitarianism and disaster relief.

Union also recently has expanded its nursing and physician assistant programs, helping to attract even more students, said Rob Weaver, vice president of enrollment and student financial services.

And when those students leave happy, they send their sisters, brothers, friends, cousins, etc.

“We’re creating some momentum, and that’s good,” Weaver said.

Union had passed the 1,000-students mark in 1983, but enrollment dropped sharply soon after that, when the school encountered financial troubles and couldn’t sustain such a large student body, Smith said.

By the mid-1990s, enrollment had fallen to the 500s as Union worked, slowly but steadily, to eliminate its debts.

That finally has happened, and Smith couldn’t be happier.

He now is shooting for about 1,100 students and will share plans for at least one major construction undertaking on campus — a state-of-the-art science, math and nursing building that will better equip Union’s growing programs.

Construction should begin in the next few years, Smith said.

Horokhovskyy, meanwhile, may count himself as one of Union’s imports to Nebraska: If he stays in the United States after he graduates in December, he’s “99.9 percent sure” he’ll choose Lincoln.

The fact that he’s a bit of a celebrity now around the Capital City surely can’t hurt.

“I’m ready to sign autographs,” he joked before being applauded by his peers.

“It’s a happy day for everyone.”

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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Mindless Robot wrote on August 30, 2007 3:40 am:
" If they get 143,000 more they'll fill up heaven. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 30, 2007 6:22 am:
" The Seventh Day Adventist church actively promotes creationism. The Seventh Day Adventist TV outlet is, in fact, currently producing an 'antievolution' documentary. Indoctrinating 1000 students instead of 900 students in superstitious nonsense is nothing to celebrate. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 30, 2007 6:54 am:
" Lest there be any doubt about what they teach in 'science' courses at Union College, this is from their web page. "Science and theology majors are encouraged to take the class "Origins"(a scientific and faith-based study of creation and evolution with an emphasis on constructive thinking skills as one develops support for a literal 7-day Biblical creation)". "

 CS wrote on August 30, 2007 7:06 am:
" This college is no different than HC, Dana, Doane, or any other college actively formed on a body of faith, other than they may require chapel and the like while the ones that I mentioned do not. Most private colleges are attached to a church, why single out this one? A large majority of their student body wouldn't be indoctrinated because, according their site a prospective student must "respect the moral, ethical and doctrinal teachings of the Bible as under­stood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church." I doubt that other students are flocking to Union College to learn all about their faith for the first time. Why is this even an issue if you aren't 7th day? Im not, but I hate to see negativity when your only purpose is to create an issue out of nothing. I own a home 4 blocks from Union College and I CAN say they it is considerably more enjoyable than when I rented near UNL last year-quieter, more respectful students, that don't speed up and down my street and stumble around on weekends. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 30, 2007 7:48 am:
" I'm a scientist. I object to people teaching religious myths under the guise of science. Union College does that. Apparently the only thing CS cares about is that the students are well behaved. Doane, BTW, does not teach creationism. Not all religious colleges are the same. "

 JA wrote on August 30, 2007 8:58 am:
" Amen CS! "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 30, 2007 9:40 am:
" Why would a manufacturer of real pet food object to the sale of pet food laden with toxic chemicals? After all, this is a free country. If people buy the bogus product and feed it to their pets, it's their problem, right? Why would Gucci object to the sale of counterfeit accessories labeled as Gucci? Union College can teach whatever they want under the guise of 'biblical studies'. When they take biblical literalism and label it as biology, they are committing a fraud on their students. That fraud is something that those of us who teach real science have a legitimate interest in preventing. We get to protect the integrity of what we do. I teach and do research in the biological sciences; I am not only entitled, but obligated, to respond when someone fraudulently represents something that is not science as biological science. And if upsets fundamentalists, good. "

 Becky Stafford wrote on August 30, 2007 9:49 am:
" It's sad, but inevitable, how a small victory for someone can be belittled so viciously by those with little information and a sour view of life. "

 CS wrote on August 30, 2007 11:33 am:
" They aren't requiring the class, or calling it Biology. Are you a student there? Would you care to cite, please, your information? Here is the description for "Origins" from their website, "BIOL/SCNC 377 Origins (WR) 3 Prerequisite: Completion of one laboratory science course; junior standing A study of issues in science and religion as they relate to origins. Consideration is given to interpretation of inspiration and scripture relating to evidence from nature and the scientific method. Data from the biological and physical sciences are evaluated as they relate to earth history and the origin of life. Evidence for change, mechanisms of change, speciation, the fossil record and issues of time are considered." It looks no different than many of the 'technology and religion" or "technology and philosophy", or "science fiction, myth, and religion" classes that I took a few years ago-AS ELECTIVES. Even if it was required, as a church based school why shouldn't those ideas be addressed? It's an interpretation, and probably a pretty interesting class. I had a class where a Jesuit speaker discussed the creation story overlaid with the 6 geological epochs and how they correspond. Your argument is flawed because you assume that the consumer buying pet food doesn't know that its bad. The college course/major list is online and has all the same classes that you would expect to find in a B.S./B.A. major for Biology. Why don't you just come out and tell us what your issue really is? "

 vice magnet wrote on August 30, 2007 11:51 am:
" Wow, fireworks on the board. Gerard, there is a difference between commerce and free speech. You don't have to go to jail for what you say, but you can lose your job for it. Lighten up, pal! I'm not religous at all but I don't see a reason to bust Union College's chops over creationism. Are you going to criticize Wesleyan next for forcing religon minors on their students? "

 ALW wrote on August 30, 2007 1:26 pm:
" It's ok people. Gerard is just being a typical tolerant and compassionate liberal. "

 David wrote on August 30, 2007 1:28 pm:
" Has anyone else noticed that any "pre-med" students they have go to the same medical school? Is this do to the junk science classes not being recognized elsewhere? "

 CS wrote on August 30, 2007 2:24 pm:
" Thats no different than Dana College offering a Degree in Astrophysics. You take all the basics there and the rest elsewhere. They courses are recognized, just that the college probably can't support full pre-med program.Wesleyan and Hastings don't offer Pre-Med at all. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 30, 2007 2:26 pm:
" CS claims 'they aren't calling it biology', and then posts the course number BIOL/SCNC 377, from a page where it's listed under the biology curriculum! Union College explicitly states, under their 'Spiritual Master Plan', that the "Origins" course is "a scientific and faith-based study of creation and evolution with an emphasis on constructive thinking skills as one develops support for a literal 7-day Biblical creation". Their literal words, cut and pasted from their web page. My agenda is very simple. Teach whatever you like, but if you're teaching religion, don't call it science, and don't misrepresent the scientific evidence to try to pretend your religion has scientific support that it does not have. That seems a reasonable agenda for a working scientist to have, no? "

 Re: CS wrote on August 30, 2007 2:50 pm:
" Umm, as a current Hastings College student I can assure you cannot even say that it is no different than Union College. The theology and science classes are separate first of all, and our religion professors do not teach the type of fundamentalist religion that the 7th day advocates. They teach Eastern religion classes, peace and social justice classes, they're very accepting of all faiths and people of different sexual orientations. As for the science department, they go very much by Darwin, not creationism. So please avoid blanket statements solely because Hastings College is affiliated with the Presbyitarian church. They welcome people of all faiths and encourage us to explore spiritually not religiously. "

 peb wrote on August 30, 2007 3:26 pm:
" As an Union College alumnus, and presently NOT a member of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, I can say Union College does offer an excellent, in-demand Physician's Assistant course as well as an excellent RN degree. Many of their pre-med students do go to Loma Linda University located in Loma Linda, CA. I will agree that the denomination is very conservative which is why I am no longer part of that denomination or any other denomination. But they are no more conservative than most fundamentalist denominations. "

 Carrie wrote on August 30, 2007 7:04 pm:
" Congrats Union! This small campus is a friendly and supportive environment. I'm glad more students are discovering Union for themselves. "

 Scott wrote on August 30, 2007 8:50 pm:
" For ALW: If you attended UNL, you'd know that Dr. Harbison is NOT a liberal. As a liberal, I find it amusing that someone might confuse him with one. But I'll let him address that... "

 Me Again wrote on August 30, 2007 9:04 pm:
" I also am a Union College alum. I never took the "Origins" class. It's not required. I received a liberal arts degree from a private school, this is exactly the same as a liberal arts degree from UNL. I am also an active Seventh-day Adventist. I'm not conservative, or liberal, but am a moderate. I don't knock those who believe differently than me, I'll still sit and have a conversation. I am quite disappointed that some of you feel these attacks are necessary. "

 Satisfied Grad wrote on August 30, 2007 11:09 pm:
" Scary, Gerard! Union alumni are fanning out among the general population in sleeper cells, waiting until we get the signal from headquarters to POUNCE on the Darwinists and make them renounce self-synthesizing DNA and ACCEPT a literal seven-day creation, followed by spooky rituals involving vege-meats and wedding rings! Sheesh, prof, what are you so SCARED of? Union is an accredited institution, and Union grads—whether still SDAs or not—are busy practicing medicine, designing buildings, inventing pharmaceuticals, programming computers, and selling mutual funds. And amazingly, they’re getting the advanced degrees and obtaining the proper credentials to practice their professions despite YOUR superstition that any exposure to criticism of evolution or examination of creationism in the classroom has turned them into dim-witted, mind-numbed robots. How are such bizarrely indoctrinated weirdos (in your view, apparently) managing to succeed at all? If students learn how a cell works, and what causes disease, and how lifestyle changes can improve one’s health—a strong SDA emphasis—what does it matter to you if a college wants to teach origins as your spontaneous life-from-nothing voodoo, their creationistic “superstition” (your view), or (hypothetically speaking) theories of life being planted by UFOs? Beyond passing your intellectual litmus test, in what sense does allegiance or non-allegiance to your theory of origins in any way affect a graduate’s fitness to become a contributing member of society, which Union’s grads clearly do? It appears that YOUR fundamentalism has made your outlook so very narrow and prejudicial that you can’t even grasp the fact that Union’s science classes DO examine both evolution and creation and the flaws in both. Talk to any SDA science teacher and they will admit they don’t have all the answers in regard to origins—but they are committed to critical thinking, something that undoubtedly is foreign to those in tenured science academia, where cant is king. "

 kls wrote on August 31, 2007 5:42 am:
" For a scientist, GH, is quite ignorant, or refusing to face reality due to some unexplained problem from his past. Leave Union College alone! Being an educator, I've attended many colleges over the years. The courses at SDA colleges were the best!! Personally, I like smaller colleges, but I wish Union all success. "

 Tired of Whining wrote on August 31, 2007 8:43 am:
" First of all, if you go to a Christian based college you are pretty safe to assume you are going to have some religion taught to you. If you don't want that in education, just don't go to that college and leave them alone. Does it really concern you at all that they are teaching ideas you don't agree with at a college you have nothing to do with? Secondly, it amazes me how closed minded the scientific community is to even the remote possibility of a creation theory. How can you explore science and the vast mysteries of the universe and not even accept that there is even a miniscule chance that God created the univers USING physics, biology, and chemistry? The Christian theology teaches that God created everything. Wouldn't that include the laws of inertia, thermodynamics, attraction, etc? Finally, as a former Kinko's employee, I will always have more tolerance of the Union College students even if I don't personally accept their doctrine. They were the only college in town whose majority of students understood that if it was four o'clock in the morning and they are just bringign the project in for the next day... it wasn't my fault that they waited that long and there wasn't time to do their project... even if the were a member of "XYZ" fraternity and "just needed this one little thing" or "were the only customers in the store so how could there be anything else ahead of their project". "

 SDA Member wrote on August 31, 2007 8:54 am:
" Dr. Harbison, I absolutely applaud you for having your own thoughts and beliefs and for wanting to share them. Why be so critical of mine? I think we can learn to be accepting of each others choices and at the same time respect eachzothers intellect. Lets agree to disagree. Good luck to you and I wish the very best for you. "

 John wrote on August 31, 2007 9:22 am:
" I find it strange that there are still people who believe that saying negative comments about others and/or church related entities is winsome and uplifting. Why the anger and vitriol? I believe that any entity that promotes good citizenship, harmony, and responsbility should be lauded not criticized. I dare say that Union and Hastings college have done more to unite and foster an atmosphere of goodwill than anything the aforementioned commenters have done in their own life. Mr. Harbison, your issue is not with Christian Colleges, it is with God. "

 Not Quite Adequate wrote on August 31, 2007 10:19 am:
" I'm not sure, "Satisfied Grad." I attended an SDA college and, as I was performing surgery the other day, it struck me during a particularly tricky step that I must not have gotten quite enough on "Natural Selection" as an undergrad. It's so relevant to every aspect of life, right? re: David's comment, above: "Has anyone else noticed that any "pre-med" students they have go to the same medical school? Is this do to the junk science classes not being recognized elsewhere?" Well, Dave buddy, with spelling like yours, you are obviously an intellectual giant well-versed in the "mainstream" science that gives you the credibility to stand in judgment of Unionites. For the record, many Union grads prefer to go to the (also fully accredited) Loma Linda University Medical School to study medicine in the framework of their church's ethics. Others have entered and graduated from non-SDA medical schools, too, "do to" their high MCAT scores and desirable reputation for community service. Look out! SDA college graduates have spread out and infiltrated every corner of society, and if you ever meet one they are likely to show you a lot more respect and integrity than you've shown with your ill-informed, speculative attack. "

 Congrats wrote on August 31, 2007 11:39 am:
" to Union college for increasing their enrollment. I'm neither a SDA or a Union college alum but I support any place of higher education that can turn out educated & employable human beings. Maybe UNL can learn several lessons from them. Don't hear about their dorms being overcrowded & students "hopefully" finding a place to stay because of no shows & drop outs. Their sports program doesn't seem to overshadow their academic program. And just in general, think their campus sounds more home-like. Again, congrats Union College & good luck with the increased enrollment! "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 31, 2007 12:06 pm:
" The explicit position of the Seventh Day Adventist church is that the earth was created in the recent past and in seven days. Yet looking up at the sky, you can see with your unaided eye light from the Andromeda galaxy, light that using the laws of physics we can determine left the galaxy 2.5 million years ago, long before the time the SDA universe was created. If you go to Ashfall fossil beds, just east of O'Neill nebraska, you can see extinct rhinos and camels, killed by a volcano over 11 million years ago. If you take a sample of the Pierre shale that outcrops in various parts of the state, you can use radiometric dating to show it's 75 million years old. If you go to the National Library of Medicine website and download the gene sequence of any protein from a dozen of so different animals, you can show the differences in the sequence map out in the form of a tree of life, just as evolution predicts. Heck, take my course on the Chemical Basis of Evolution, and I'll show you how to do that. There IS no scientific controversy about evolution or the age of the earth, and in teaching that there is, Union College is teaching falsehoods. The entire edifice of 'Creation Science' has been demonstrated as a transparent attempt to shoehorn science into a young, specially created universe that the science doesn't fit, and to make it fit they distort or outright lie about the evidence. Look, people, if you rely for your scientific background on courses you took at Union College, or fundamentalist websites, you're like a child who believes in Santa Claus because every adult they've ever met has told them Santa Claus exists. You need to think more, and get out more. Either it's all a big conspiracy and 99% of the scientists in the world, including millions of Christians, are in it to dupe you, or just possibly, a book written by a small middle eastern tribe two millenia ago had a few details about the structure and the history of the universe wrong. Seriously, which is more probable? And, as Scott says, I am a conservative Republican, so flinging the L word just makes you look silly. "

 On who Knows wrote on September 7, 2007 8:19 pm:
" Union College, excellence speaks for itself and needs no defender. Regardless of how you think life began, if you’ve ever met, worked with, or been befriended by someone who attends or graduated from Union College, you know, there are no finer people anywhere. Honest , trustworthy, hardworking, diligent, insightful, intelligent, respectful, kind, considerate, and willing to stand by what they believe. "

 Puzzled wrote on September 8, 2007 11:45 pm:
" I applaud Union College for their commitment to academic excellence for over 100 years. Their contribution to the "brain gain" for the state of Nebraska speaks well of the training their students receive. Their commitment to the city of Lincoln was seen in a tangible way Thursday with over 700 staff and students serving over 40 agencies across the city during Project Impact. I don't know about their science but I do know they have an evolving habit toward service. "

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