Topic: Ella Smith Simmons’ Inaugural Public Lecture
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Time:
4:00-6:00pm EAT
8:00-10:00am EST
1:00-3:00pm GMT
Venue: Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Mode of presentation: Physical
Overview
The Adventist University of Africa (AUA) exists “to deliver outstanding postgraduate education from a Biblical foundation to prepare competent leaders to serve the Church and society in a Christ-like manner.” Establishing annual public lectures provides a means to serve the public interest and influence society in the long run. Thus, public lectures offer rare opportunities to share knowledge and engage with the local community, government, alumni, students, and other stakeholders regarding critical issues.
The annual public lecture series, named after Dr. Ella Smith Simmons, is an integral part of the Office of Research and Grant Development mandate— promoting scholarship and stimulating intellectual engagement on significant issues such as leadership and corporate governance. We aim to become a respected center of influence in the continent of Africa, disseminating knowledge, engaging society, and building stronger relationships with key stakeholders. The Ella Smith Simmons Annual Distinguished Lecture Series is proposed to be established in honor of the legacy of Dr. Ella S. Simmons, the first female vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (for 22 years), the recipient of the Association of Adventist Women’s Woman of the Year award in 2010, the first female Chair of AUA’s council and AIIAS Board, and her contributions to the SDA church and Adventist education in general.
Purpose of the Ella Smith Simmons Annual Distinguished Lecture Series
- To serve as an annual discussion forum for scholars, students, alumni, and the general public by drawing distinguished scholars, statesmen, and church leaders from across the globe in intellectual conversation and dialogue that will offer solutions to leadership and governance issues.
- To serve as an annual event to recognize and appreciate the legacy of Dr. Ella Simmons’s contribution to the SDA Church and AUA.
- To serve as the AUA’s contribution to knowledge dissemination and empowerment by providing a free public forum for public interaction and engagement with eminent speakers.
- To inspire students, scholars, and the general public to engage in critical thinking as a way of understanding and confronting leadership and governance issues challenging the Church and Africa.
- To draw students, scholars, and practitioners to one meeting point for further networking and developing long-term professional relationships.
Ella Smith Simmons Brief Bio
Ella Louise Smith Simmons, EdD
Ella Louise Smith Simmons, EdD, University of Louisville; Honoris Causa Doctor of Pedagogy, Andrews University; MA, Andrews University; BS, Indiana University
Dr. Simmons is the first woman elected general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and completed three full terms and a two-year extension before retiring in 2022. In her service she provided leadership education, administrative consultation, coaching and evaluation, with spiritual support to Church leaders world-wide. She advised three General Conference departments, chaired the Seventh-day Adventist International Board of Education (IBE), the Board of Trustees of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) and the University Council (Board) of the Adventist University of Africa (AUA). In addition, she served as vice chairperson to the International Board of Ministerial and Theological Education (IBMTE), the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA), and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and as member on numerous administrative and ministry-based committees.
As an educator and administrator throughout her career prior to joining the General Conference, Dr. Simmons served as university professor, academic department chairperson (Kentucky State University), assistant dean (University of Louisville), academic vice president (Oakwood College, now University), and provost and academic vice president (La Sierra University). During her years in academic settings her grant-funded research and development endeavors that focused on education for underrepresented groups yielded an array of successful programs and projects and publications in refereed professional journals. In giving back to the academy and keeping her academic skills fresh she continues to publish in scholarly, professional, and inspirational periodicals and mentors doctoral level researchers at various universities.
She was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church there at age 16 during an evangelistic effort. She has been married to Nord Simmons for 57 years (October 27, 1966). Nord is a retired high school teacher and electrical contracting business owner. They have two sons who are educators, two daughters-in-law, a granddaughter, two grandsons, and two great-grandchildren. Nord and Ella enjoy studying the Bible, walking, traveling, cooking, and serving others together.
