NEWSPAPER

On Sabbath, May 24, 2008 we celebrated with grand enthusiasm a Thanksgiving Ceremony for the new Languages and Sciences Laboratories Building with the presence of Puerto Rican and Inter American SDA Church leaders, as well as local University Administrators and visitors.  The activity generated great interest among those present on Campus for our 47th Graduation Exercises that took place the week-end of May 23-25.

The Key-note speaker was Dr. Israel Leito, UAA Board of Trustees President Emeritus Ex Officio, Inter American Division President and SADGC Vice President, with offices in Miami, FL and Silver Spring, MD.  Also participating in the ceremony were Pastor José Alberto Rodríguez, President of the Board of Trustees and President of the Puerto Rican Union of SDA Churches, as well as other University officials and a representative from José Guillermo Rodríguez, Mayor of Mayagüez, the seat of Antillean Adventist  University.  Myrna Costa, UAA President, did the traditional cutting of the ribbon.
Dr. David Vélez-Sepúlveda, Spanish as a Second Language Curriculum Specialist with the Federal Title V Program acted as MC.  The Opening benediction was offered by Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka, ESL Curriculum Specialist.  [Professor Vanessa Austin has been recently voted and presently shoulders the responsabilities Dr. Wa-Mbaleka performed, due to his departure to fulfill other functions at another part of the World field.]

During the Ceremony, a prototype of a bronze plaque was unveiled, that credits those mainly responsible for the construction of the new, modern building that houses five specialized science Laboratories: Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physiology and Physics.  It also houses a modern, interactive computerized Language Laboratory with Rosetta Stone programming for English and Spanish, with  enhancing capabilities for other languages.  The second story includes six spacious classrooms, two of which and be converted into one very large multi-use room suitable for audiences of more than fifty individuals.

The local news media (Channal 5 WORA- TV) was present, as well as a large number of visitors, including members of the University personnel, who joined in the Thanksgiving Celebration.  Dr. José Dial, U. S. Title V Project Director and Activities Director outlined the history and gave a succinct description of the Federal Project Grant.  Dr. Myrna Costa, UAA President, thanked those attending for their presence and support, as well as the Administrators and the Board of Trustees, who made possible the extension of the original building plans from 12,000 to 20,000 square feet, thus providing the University with the first major structure built since 1979.  Mr. Juan Casado, Project Construction Manager, directed a guided tour of the new facilities for those in attendance.
The activity ended in a high note under the leadership of the Title V support staff: Mrs. Rebecca Dial, Project Secretary,  and Ms Nélida Pérez, Activities Secretary, who prepared the beautiful decorations in the new building facilities and a wonderful setting for the refreshments served as the attendees toured, shared and enjoyed the get-together in the vestibule of the Languages and Sciences Laboratories Building.