Linda Vista Academy in Pueblo Nuevo, Chiapas, Mexico, was granted the status of university May 30, in a year the institution is celebrating its 55th anniversary. It is now the third Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning in Mexico, along with Montemorelos and Novojao universities.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Pablo Salazar, governor of the state of Chiapas, praised Adventist education, saying his family and the community had benefited from it.

Linda Vista Academy previously offered extension courses from Montemorelos University in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. 

“The number of our colleges and universities around the world has almost doubled in the past 20 years,” says Humberto Rasi, director of education for the Adventist world church. “This is the 103rd Adventist university worldwide.

“Governments in various parts of the world are beginning to discover us,” says Rasi. “They are fascinated by the integrated educational program we offer in our schools—study, work, worship, healthcare and service to the community.”

Governor Salazar commended Adventists for having a “horizontal” commitment: for being not only interested in a relationship with God but also caring about other people in the community. Two of his brothers graduated from Linda Vista Academy and one of them served as director of technology education for the Mexican government.

Governor Salazar used the occasion to request his secretary of education to begin a process of auditing all private schools in the state of Chiapas. “We want all of our schools to offer quality programs,” said Salazar.

“You are a small school, but you can certainly serve as a model of academic quality and commitment to serving humanity,” said Salazar.