The Apostle Paul wrote about it in his letter to the Roman church when he encouraged new believers “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Our students are taking that to heart. Just think about those who were among the first graduates of AU’s Doctor of Education program last spring. Or the University volunteers who saw a need to transform, in just a small way, how we care for our student-athletes. Or how Anderson University is transforming the nature of Trojan Athletics by adding, for the first time in university history, a football team that began its first season this fall.

Change is happening in incremental ways because Anderson University has always embraced transformation in major ways. It’s why, along with the blessings of God, AU is now the largest private university in South Carolina. It’s why we continue adding innovative, industry-driven academic programs every year. It’s why we started a College of Engineering. 

And it’s among the reasons Anderson University is such a special and energetic place. We’re never content to rest on the successes of yesterday, or simply applaud what we’re accomplishing now. 

We are like the Roman god, Janus. We are simultaneously looking backward and forward – backward to remember our humble founding and wisdom lessons of the past, and forward to see possibilities and play our role in creating the future. We’re always seeking ways to renew our minds so we can please God and embrace his will for this wonderful University. 

What form will our transformation take next year? In five years? In 10 years? Who can say? 

What we can say, with utmost confidence, is that our core mission of knowledge and faith will never change.

True transformation can only take place when the people of God embrace the journey he has set before us–then roll up our sleeves to make it happen.