Dr. George Jackson knew it would be challenging to accomplish all the experiments during biology lab’s limited time slot. There were sucrose solutions to test, semi-permeable membranes to observe, Elodea leaves to examine under the microscope, and more.

After beginning class with prayer, Dr. Jackson rushed into the next room to gather some necessary supplies. He paused as he heard sounds coming from the classroom. It was singing! The students, responding to all they were learning about science, had burst into spontaneous praise for the Creator. “O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hand hath made…”

By the end of lab, the students had completed all the experiments. The potato tuber sections lost or gained weight and size according to the concentration of sucrose solution they soaked in. The glucose diffused out of the dialysis tubing but not the starch, and students learned something about the size of molecules. The Elodea cells responded dramatically to the two different solutions they were bathed in.

Biology lab is just one class at Weimar College that combines rigorous academics with knowledge of God and wholesome fellowship. It is part of Weimar College’s goal of promoting true education reform through harmonious mental, physical, spiritual, and social development.

Randy Siebold, PhD, and Vice President of Education, says, “Our reason for existence is to share and exemplify the often unheralded third reform. We all know the unique theological beliefs of our church, and we understand the health message, but education reform is seldom talked about. Yet it is vital to our church’s mission of taking the three angels’ messages to the world.”

With God’s help, Weimar College is providing the missing link by becoming the school for modern day Daniels – a place where students can become “thinkers and not mere reflectors of other men’s thoughts.” The College is focusing on four essential elements of educational reform:

1. Academic excellence – Highly trained and successful professors maintain high standards of learning and show students how to apply their knowledge to real life situations
2. Evangelistic training — Each faculty member and student is regularly involved in local evangelism allowing students to learn how to share their faith effectively.
3. Health education – Focuses on the optimum development of students’ mind, soul and body, and provides students with practical skills as health educators.
4. Work/Study program – Provides real world experience by having students and faculty members work side-by-side for two hours, four days-a-week on manual labor projects. The program also helps to develop an uncommonly close relationship between faculty and staff.

The environment Weimar provides attracts excellent students. The fall semester has brought 27 dedicated students to Weimar College. Weimar Center’s board chair, Northern California Conference President, Jim Pederson, and Weimar Center President, Dr. Neil Nedley, are enjoying the challenge of working with what they call “some of the best minds in our denomination”. Combined with AFCOE, and Weimar Academy at joint events, there are over 100 students on campus providing an energetic learning environment. Maria Lombart, College Registrar, says, “we are extremely pleased by the high quality of the students this year.”

Students are pleased with what they are finding at the College. Jazmon says, “The people at Weimar exceeded my expectations. The teachers are so dedicated in teaching the youth to think critically, learn the real truth, and to study hard and spend time with God.” When asked why she came to Weimar, Talisa said, “I want to obtain the best education possible. I not only want to prepare my life and career here on this earth, but also for life throughout eternity.”

Dr. Siebold is excited about how far Weimar College has come and about where God wants to lead. “I don’t think we begin to understand what God has in mind in the field of education,” he says. “We are constantly amazed as we discover each new concept, but if we truly understood where God wants to take us, it would blow our minds. But we are committed to the process and to going where God leads.”