Professor Adugnaw Worku earns honorary degree

Lainey S. Cronk
| January 27, 2010

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Professor Adugnaw Worku (Photo: Southwestern Adventist University)

At Southwestern Adventist University’s (SWAU) winter
graduation this year, PUC director of library services Adu Worku spoke on
“What a Difference Education Makes.” He shared his own story of being
a shepherd boy and not beginning school until the age of 15, going on to earn
three master’s degrees; he is now a great proponent of the value of Adventist
education. “Seventh-day Adventist education is value-added
education,” he said during his address. “The education we provide is
both timely and timeless. It is purpose driven with consequences for this life
and for the life to come.”

Following the address and the bestowing of degrees, SWAU
president Eric Anderson, a former professor at PUC, surprised Worku by presenting
him with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Anderson said that Worku’s “life story is an
illustration of the transforming power of Christian education,” adding that
“today he is one of the most learned men I know.” Worku is a musician, poet,
activist, teacher, and writer and has earned master’s degrees in history,
education, and library science.

Worku and his family also have connections to PUC in
addition to his role at the library. Worku received his undergrad degree at
Avondale, but at that time PUC and Avondale were affiliated so his degree was
actually from PUC. His wife, Zewuditu Yimer, is a ’92 PUC nursing grad and his
sons Danny and Tad both graduated from here as well, Danny with a BBA in
finance in ’07 and Tad with a BBA in marketing in ’08. 

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Source: Southwestern Adventist University