"Because our denominational leaders have noted the increase in the number of people who are seeking to obtain higher education, they have moved forward in faith and established our own university so that our youth may obtain higher education within an Adventist environment. ... We earnestly pray that God will richly bless this new endeavor, and we solicit from our people their wholehearted cooperation."  Richard L. Hammill, Review and Herald, 11 February 1960