Ferdinand Anno

𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Union Christian College has long prided itself on being a marketplace of ideas - especially on the burning issues of the day that challenge our personal convictions, professional and corporate perspectives, and ideological and political stances. We value the diversity of thought within our community and encourage open, respectful, and courageous conversations on matters that affect our nation and our people. In recent weeks, several academic institutions and their governing boards have issued official statements regarding the alarming levels of corruption in government and its detrimental impact on the quality of life of our citizens, the state of our environment, and our collective preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent and irregular disasters. To date, this matter has not yet been formally discussed by our Board or by the Administrative Council. Yet we must remember: UCC was founded more than a century ago precisely to help build a nation we can all be proud of—one rooted in truth, service, and moral courage. There was a time in our recent history when UCC became home to a movement that opposed authoritarian rule, even when such a stance was not yet popular. Yet UCC stood firm—anchored in its commitment to human rights, democracy and good governance, social justice and civil rights, the integrity of creation, and the pursuit of genuine and lasting peace. Today, as our nation faces a groundswell of public outcry against corruption in high offices, I call on all of us to stand in solidarity with those who demand accountability, transparency, and the genuine pursuit of truth and democracy. I invite everyone to pray—in the quiet of your rooms, within prayer cells, and even in public gatherings and mass mobilizations, where prayer becomes action, embodying our shared longing for justice, solidarity, and a renewed democratic life. At the same time, let us remain vigilant against demagogues who seek to divert our democratic energies toward their narrowly partisan and self-serving interests. May we be discerning in our political engagement, wise as serpents and gentle as doves. May the UCC Spirit burn within us: standing firm in faith, valuing integrity, living responsibly, always pursuing excellence, and remaining ever passionate in service—now and always. (𝐒𝐆𝐃) 𝐑𝐄𝐕. 𝐃𝐑. 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀. 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎 College President