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We are living in strange times. Wars are taking place in various parts of the world, rebellions flare up and depose world leaders, but one phenomenon that may be even more far-reaching revolves around literacy. We may well have hit the high-water mark of literacy and we now find ourselves on the downward slope, heading into a less and less literate age. Books have been replaced by smartphones as the gateways to information and reading, but reading on a phone rates as the 14th most frequent thing people do on their phones, following texting, listening to social media, making calls, and playing games. Considering that reading is our main way of understanding our spiritual heritage and our Lord’s will, I find this move toward decreased literacy discouraging.
The SAT and ACT scores for 2023 were some of the worst on record, with college-bound students less prepared for college than ever before. A very large percentage of them do not have college-level math, reading, or writing skills, and many of them are not prepared for college in any of those three areas. According to a Pew Research survey, 25% of American adults haven’t read a book in the last year. These results are triple what they were in 1978. Something has gone seriously wrong.
At Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) we are taking on the problem of literacy with the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a ten-year drive to improve student reading performance. Every school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) must create a QEP when approaching an accreditation visit. SWAU will face reaffirmation in accreditation next year, but we are already busy preparing. 
The QEP in reading, called Knight Readers, focuses on three goals: improving students’ reading ability, lowering students’ reading anxiety, and building up a culture of reading on the SWAU campus. To achieve these goals we are working with all classroom instructors, who will teach some reading techniques along with their course content. We are also promoting books clubs on campus with a wide range of topics, from great classics to the Spirit of Prophecy. We want to teach students that, as Cicero said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”

What happens when you gather a group of young people together, free from the pressures of everyday life, to focus purely on worship, prayer, and building community? That's exactly what Praise Break set out to do—create a space where youth could reconnect with God, reflect on their faith, and support one another in their spiritual journeys. The event, led by Fa Niua, the Director of Recruiting at Southwestern Adventist University, was designed as a spiritual retreat, offering young people the chance to step away from their daily routines and dive deeper into their faith.
The Weekend
The Praise Break weekend was structured to be a holistic experience, blending powerful worship moments with interactive activities that encouraged personal reflection and community connection. From the very start, the youth were fully engaged—singing, praying, and participating in group discussions. Centered around the theme "Who Am I?", the sessions sparked honest conversations, helping attendees connect with themselves and each other on a deeper level.
On Friday night, the youth were moved to come forward for prayer, many sharing their struggles and victories with one another. It was a vulnerable and unifying moment. On Saturday night, the event shifted to an open discussion where both youth and sponsors spoke about their faith, personal growth, and challenges. Some shared how they felt "chosen" and confident in their faith, while others expressed struggles with hesitation and shyness. This honest conversation strengthened the sense of community and reminded everyone that God meets us where we are.
The overall response was incredibly positive. Many attendees said they felt closer to God and gained a better understanding of their identity in Him. The energy was high, and many participants eagerly asked when the next Praise Break would take place.
The Unsung Heroes
The energy and enthusiasm of our students truly brought Praise Break to life, but none of this would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our volunteers and leaders. They coordinated everything from behind-the-scenes logistics to leading small groups, prayer teams, and workshops. Guest speakers Olga Falakiseni, Anthony Lyder, Luisa Tauatevalu, Gabriel Perea, and Kepueli Tauatevalu also played a crucial role, delivering messages that resonated deeply with the youth. Their authenticity and ability to connect with the participants helped create a safe space where everyone felt free to reflect, share, and grow.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my Admissions and Enrollment team for their dedication and support, SLAD for their collaboration, Ana Patterson for her leadership and encouragement, Keene Church for their invaluable support, the Texas Youth and Young Adults of the Texas Conference for their contributions, and Pastor Moody for his partnership in bringing Praise Break to the youth in our Union," said Fa.
Looking Ahead
The feedback from both the youth and their leaders was truly heartwarming. Many participants shared how much they had grown in their faith, and several leaders expressed how inspired they were by the openness and courage shown by the youth. Some even described the weekend as a turning point in their spiritual journeys.
"The sense of unity was incredible," Fa said. "The youth not only grew spiritually but also formed meaningful connections with one another. It was amazing to see them supported in a way that encouraged them to pursue God more passionately."
As for the future of Praise Break? Plans are already in the works for next year, and Fa is excited to continue offering this unique experience to the youth. "Praise Break has become more than just an event; it's a movement that helps our youth grow closer to God while building lasting relationships," she said.

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, Southwestern Adventist University celebrated the graduation of the class of 2025 during a heartfelt commencement ceremony held at Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium. The ceremony, attended by over 1,100 family members, faculty, and friends, marked the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and personal growth for the graduating students.

On April 13, 2025, Southwestern Adventist University hosted its annual A Night at the Meyerson event at the renowned Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas. The event marked the culmination of the Fine Arts Festival weekend, formerly called Music Festival, bringing together students, faculty, and community members for an evening of exceptional musical and artistic performances.
 
The Fine Arts Festival, which began with the Scholarship Showcase Concert on Wednesday night, provided an opportunity for high school and university students to refine their musical and artistic skills. This year, for the first time, art students participated in the weekend with workshops led by guest artists Mavis L. Mann-Rojas and Jo Ann Davidson, who guided the students as they honed their craft. The festival also included Friday Night Vespers, led by Jo Ann Davidson, and the Southwestern Hymn Festival, where students performed hymns after church.
 
A Night at the Meyerson celebrated the achievements of both music and art students. During the evening, seven music scholarships and four art scholarships were awarded to deserving students, who were recognized on stage for their talent and dedication.
 
The night featured guest conductor Dr. William Chien, leading the Festival Concert Winds, Nathan Amaral, a guest violinist whose powerful performance captivated the audience, and Jonathan Mamora, SWAU’s own music professor and internationally acclaimed pianist.
 
Thanks to the generous support of attendees and donors, the event raised $155,000 to support scholarships, ensuring students can continue to pursue their education and artistic endeavors.
 
The success of A Night at the Meyerson is a testament to the power of collaboration and community support. President Ana Patterson expressed her gratitude to the participating academies and high schools, highlighting the value they bring during the festival. “Thank you to the participating academies and high schools. We greatly enjoyed having you become a part of our campus throughout the week,” said Patterson. The event was not just a celebration of student talent but also a reminder of the collective efforts that make such an evening possible. George Vander Veer, VP for Advancement, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. “We are deeply grateful for the support of our community,” Vander Veer remarked. “This year’s Meyerson event was a tremendous success, and it’s a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together in support of our students.”
 
Special thanks to the event’s sponsors, including the Sensabaugh Family, Texas Health Huguley Fort Worth South, La Moderna, Southwestern Union, Texico Conference, Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, Southwest Region Conference, Oklahoma Conference, Texas Conference, Pinnacle Bank, and Todd and Melinda Goodman. Their generosity has made a lasting impact on SWAU’s Fine Arts program.
 
With 1,108 attendees and $155,000 raised, A Night at the Meyerson once again demonstrated the power of community and the transformative impact of the arts.