On May 29 and 30, the Villa Aurora Adventist University Institute (IAU), located in Florence, held its closing ceremonies for the 2025–2026 academic year. The two days featured institutional reflections, celebrations of student achievements, and spiritual insights, all centered around the theme that guided the entire academic year: “Called to Go”. This motto served as an invitation to reflect on vocation and on proactive individual responses within society and the faith community.
Opening Celebrations and Theological Reflection
The program began on Friday evening with the opening event titled “Amen – Called to Go”. Through musical interludes and readings, participants reflected on the biblical figure of Abraham, who was presented as a model of readiness to leave behind personal certainties to pursue a higher purpose. The reflection emphasized faith as a dynamic journey rooted in listening and openness to change.
The events continued on Saturday morning with a community assembly featuring firsthand accounts of the institute’s social outreach initiatives. Notably, Ester Murro, director of CasAurora, outlined the facility's work in welcoming and supporting vulnerable segments of the population. The morning session also highlighted the primary educational and mission projects carried out by students and staff throughout the year.
The keynote address was delivered by a pastor and professor, Davide Sciarabba, who is a faculty member at Andrews University. In his discourse, Sciarabba analyzed the universal nature of calling, encouraging students to apply their acquired skills toward a journey of personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
Official Ceremonies and Institutional Recognition
Saturday afternoon hosted the official closing session of the academic year. The program opened with an address by Pastor Davide Romano, director of the IAU, who reviewed the achievements of the past academic year and expressed gratitude to the faculty, administrative staff, and benefactors for reaching their institutional goals.
Following this, Pastor Andrei Creţu, president of the Italian Union of Seventh-day Adventist Christian Churches (UICCA), delivered an institutional greeting, urging the young graduates to uphold the values of service and social responsibility. A significant part of the ceremony was dedicated to formally recognizing the university staff and the numerous volunteers whose contributions were consideredessential to the smooth operation of academic and community life.
Conferral of Degrees and Graduation Awards
The highlight of the afternoon was the formal ceremony of the Adventist Faculty of Theology (FAT), where degrees were conferred upon students who completed their respective cycles of study.
Excellence in Research: "La Luna e il Sole" Awards
During the event, the prestigious “La Luna e il Sole” (The Moon and the Sun) awards were presented to the best theses:
"La Luna" Award: Conferred for the outstanding bachelor's thesis.
"Il Sole" Award: Conferred for the outstanding master's thesis.
Both awards recognize the quality of scientific research and academic excellence demonstrated by the institute's students.
The day concluded with the presentation of diplomas to participants of the DilCAI program, the specialized curriculum dedicated to the study of Italian language and culture for international students at Villa Aurora.
Future Outlook
The conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year represents more than a formal milestone; it reaffirms the pedagogical mission of the IAU to bridge higher education with community service. As the new graduates and professionals depart, the Villa Aurora community looks to the future, confident that the human and academic skills that students developed here will translate into valuable contributions to the social and professional spheres they are now called to enter.
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