Alumni of the Year

Presentations for 2007 Alumnus of the Year Awards went to George Akers, ’47, and Betances, ’65. Read about their achievements below.

Samuel Betances, Ph.D.
Samuel Betances, Ph.D., (‘65) is one of the leading motivational speakers in America today. As a biracial, bicultural, and bilingual citizen of the world, Betances has worked in all fifty states, all six U.S. territories, and in various countries including Japan, Korea, Germany and Mexico. He inspires willing learners to aim high, reject rejection, and embrace themselves and each other as powerful team members working toward a more prosperous future.

Decades of university teaching, publishing articles, and consultantships with private and public organizations bring to listeners a breadth and depth of understanding on how we must make sense of differences. He challenges negative mindsets with his problem solving methodology and extensive grasp of issues. Betances has merged eloquence and teaching skills to deliver his powerful message with conviction: “It matters less where we are from; what really matters is where we are going. Accept our diversity. Embrace it. Make it work for you. Harness the rainbow.”

This great motivator was not suppose to make it. Out of the bowels of inner city poverty, stigma of minority group status, violence, welfare, and illiteracy in two languages, he arose. With strong spiritual convictions and a passion for reading, Samuel Betances has taken the hard lessons from the mean streets of life and reshaped them into his personal vision. He embarked on a journey from dropping out of school to a doctorate from Harvard University.

His success at bringing cultures together has earned him many awards. Much more than a lecturer, Betances works to help others learn the importance of pulling cultures together as a way of bringing America back to the top in education, business, and society in general. As he puts it, “Our mission is to make America stronger, healthier, and freer than when we found her.”

George Akers, Ph.D.
George H. Akers, Ph.D., (‘47) has taught and administered for more than a half-century in various levels of the Seventh-day Adventist school system. Most recently, he completed his third tour of duty with Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, as a Professor Emeritus in their School of Education. This followed his appointment as Director of Education for the General Conference, the Church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Akers earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California in 1996, his Master’ Degree from Temple University in 1956, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia Union College in Maryland in 1947. Serving in five academies as dean of boys, principal, and teacher, Akers then transferred to La Sierra College in California, where he was Dean of Student Affairs.

After five years there, he was invited by Andrews University to teach and to be superintendent of the laboratory schools, a position he held until going to Walla Walla College as Academic Vice-President. Later, he returned to his alma mater, Columbia Union College, to serve as President. Following that, he returned to Andrews University to be Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and director of doctoral programs in education. Shortly afterward, he was appointed Chair of the Education Department, becoming its first dean when it developed into a full-fledged School of Education.

An ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Akers has lectured widely before religious and professional groups around the world, and has many articles for professional journals and other publications.
His successful career, the esteem in which he is held by his peers and his dedication to Adventist education bring great honor to his alma mater. George is married to Imogene Allen Akers. They have two sons Douglas (now deceased) and Danny, and four grandchildren. In retirement, the Akers live in Collegedale, Tennessee.