Graduation and Commencement Video

GodfatherFilms.com
Imagine being a high school senior and practicing for months and due to the Covid 19 Virus Pandemic, you never get to put your skills to use. The entire season was cancelled to help protect the health of students, staff and families but something not cancelled was King Spirit. Parents organized this tribute for the entire team and received a surprise close to the parade from the Riverside Fire Department. Congratulations on your team spirt King Varsity Lacrosse! Go Lady Wolves!

GodfatherFilms.com
An advocate honored

The Conferring of Degrees ceremony kicked off with a special recognition of one of Riverside’s chief community and economic development advocates. Wisbey, together with Fehr and John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business, presented Cindy Roth, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa for her wide-ranging contributions to the business community, impact on government and public policy, and support of the city’s higher education institutions.

“Honorary doctoral degrees are the highest recognition a university can bestow. This morning La Sierra University has the honor to recognize an extraordinary individual who represents the deepest values of our university’s mission,” said Wisbey. He noted Roth’s crucial role in encouraging economic development such as the investment in the California Air Resources Board emissions testing facility in Riverside and the establishment of the School of Medicine at UC Riverside. He also cited her contributions to myriad community organizations as well her involvement and support of La Sierra University by serving on the university’s foundation board, support of La Sierra’s students through internships, employment, and chamber grants aiding the university’s Enactus team. In 2013 Roth was also a key speaker for the grand opening of the Zapara School of Business.

Roth is a lifelong resident of Riverside where she lives with her husband, California State Senator Richard Roth who attended La Sierra’s commencement for his wife’s honorary degree ceremony. In 1999 she was selected to lead the chamber, following in the footsteps of her predecessor, mentor, and iconic Riverside supporter Art Pick who also served as a La Sierra trustee.

Her broad contributions including serving in leadership positions with regional chamber of commerce organizations and participation with numerous Riverside civic groups. She has received many awards for her contributions including the WACE Russell E. Pettit Award in 2013, the city of Riverside Spirit Award in 2010, and the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award in 2008.

“La Sierra University has always been a valued partner in the Riverside community and I appreciate the campus’ long-standing tradition of service to others,” said Roth in a later comment. “I am tremendously honored to receive this recognition and humbled to be connected to the excellent students, alumni, faculty, and staff in this university. Most importantly, congratulations to all of the graduates and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”

GodfatherFilms.com
In the final tally, La Sierra University’s graduating class was 507 strong on June 16 surpassing last year’s record number of 501 students to receive degrees from the institution.
This year’s commencement served as La Sierra University President Randal Wiseby’s last in his leadership role. He heads into retirement as of June 30 following 12 years at the university’s helm. On May 30, university trustees announced the selection of Provost Joy Fehr to serve as president beginning July 1.
In his welcoming remarks to the graduates, Wisbey noted their contributions to the campus and the world around them, some while enduring significant hardships. “You have looked for ways to extend the reach God’s kingdom, God’s justice and grace to members who have been underserved and have little or no voice. … You have helped to bring our university national and international attention through your service and through your leadership. The Class of 2019, you have left your mark upon each of us who serve at this university and we are more focused and faithful to our mission because of you.”
Wisbey also introduced commencement speaker Kendra Haloviak Valentine, author professor of New Testament Studies who was a freshman at Washington Adventist University, then Columbia Union College, when he arrived to serve as campus chaplain. Haloviak Valentine gave a commencement address titled “Just Moments.” In her message to the students and about 6,000 of their excited family members and friends, she urged graduates to not only savor their graduation moment, but asked, “…what is the relationship between here and where you want to be?” She advised, “if you want this moment to shape your life significantly, make it more than just a moment, make it a just moment.”
Haloviak Valentine illustrated her point through an analysis of the biblical account of Simon of Cyrene, an immigrant from Northern Africa whom the Romans commandeered to carry the cross of Christ. She noted how Jesus had previously told Simon Peter, the same disciple who later abandoned Christ along with the others, “If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.” (Mark 8:34)
“But Simon of Libya does what Jesus asked: he literally took up his cross and followed,” Haloviak Valentine said.“The immigrant forced to participate in a system of oppression and torture and death, is the one person in the whole story who is literally doing the will of God,” and in so doing, subverting the regime.
“In an America today where many people of faith claim that their God works with the powerful, Simon of Libya’s story proclaims a counter narrative. God acts in solidarity with the weak of our world, the voiceless, the powerless, the poor, the stranger. Such acts proclaim no person is non-human, sub-human, less human,” she said.
She cited other notable individuals whose lives have been dedicated to opposing injustice by identifying with strangers in need, such as Mary Brewer, a 1929 graduate of La Sierra when it was Southern California Junior College and who became the college’s first missionary. At age 21 she travelled to Pakistan to serve as principal of a girls’ school where she learned the language and recruited students.
The Conferring of Degrees ceremony kicked off with a special recognition of one of Riverside’s chief community and economic development advocates. Wisbey, together with Fehr and John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business, presented Cindy Roth, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa for her wide-ranging contributions to the business community, impact on government and public policy, and support of the city’s higher education institutions.
“Honorary doctoral degrees are the highest recognition a university can bestow. This morning La Sierra University has the honor to recognize an extraordinary individual who represents the deepest values of our university’s mission,” said Wisbey. He noted Roth’s crucial role in encouraging economic development such as the investment in the California Air Resources Board emissions testing facility in Riverside and the establishment of the School of Medicine at UC Riverside. He also cited her contributions to myriad community organizations as well her involvement and support of La Sierra University by serving on the university’s foundation board, support of La Sierra’s students through internships, employment, and chamber grants aiding the university’s Enactus team. Roth is a lifelong resident of Riverside where she lives with her husband, California State Senator Richard Roth who attended La Sierra’s commencement for his wife’s honorary degree ceremony. In 1999 she was selected to lead the chamber, following in the footsteps of her predecessor, mentor, and iconic Riverside supporter Art Pick who also served as a La Sierra trustee.

GodfatherFilms.com
In the final tally, La Sierra University’s graduating class was 507 strong on June 16 surpassing last year’s record number of 501 students to receive degrees from the institution.
This year’s commencement served as La Sierra University President Randal Wiseby’s last in his leadership role. He heads into retirement as of June 30 following 12 years at the university’s helm. On May 30, university trustees announced the selection of Provost Joy Fehr to serve as president beginning July 1.
In his welcoming remarks to the graduates, Wisbey noted their contributions to the campus and the world around them, some while enduring significant hardships. “You have looked for ways to extend the reach God’s kingdom, God’s justice and grace to members who have been underserved and have little or no voice. … You have helped to bring our university national and international attention through your service and through your leadership. The Class of 2019, you have left your mark upon each of us who serve at this university and we are more focused and faithful to our mission because of you.”
Wisbey also introduced commencement speaker Kendra Haloviak Valentine, author professor of New Testament Studies who was a freshman at Washington Adventist University, then Columbia Union College, when he arrived to serve as campus chaplain. Haloviak Valentine gave a commencement address titled “Just Moments.” In her message to the students and about 6,000 of their excited family members and friends, she urged graduates to not only savor their graduation moment, but asked, “…what is the relationship between here and where you want to be?” She advised, “if you want this moment to shape your life significantly, make it more than just a moment, make it a just moment.”
Haloviak Valentine illustrated her point through an analysis of the biblical account of Simon of Cyrene, an immigrant from Northern Africa whom the Romans commandeered to carry the cross of Christ. She noted how Jesus had previously told Simon Peter, the same disciple who later abandoned Christ along with the others, “If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.” (Mark 8:34)
“But Simon of Libya does what Jesus asked: he literally took up his cross and followed,” Haloviak Valentine said.“The immigrant forced to participate in a system of oppression and torture and death, is the one person in the whole story who is literally doing the will of God,” and in so doing, subverting the regime.
“In an America today where many people of faith claim that their God works with the powerful, Simon of Libya’s story proclaims a counter narrative. God acts in solidarity with the weak of our world, the voiceless, the powerless, the poor, the stranger. Such acts proclaim no person is non-human, sub-human, less human,” she said.
She cited other notable individuals whose lives have been dedicated to opposing injustice by identifying with strangers in need, such as Mary Brewer, a 1929 graduate of La Sierra when it was Southern California Junior College and who became the college’s first missionary. At age 21 she travelled to Pakistan to serve as principal of a girls’ school where she learned the language and recruited students.
The Conferring of Degrees ceremony kicked off with a special recognition of one of Riverside’s chief community and economic development advocates. Wisbey, together with Fehr and John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business, presented Cindy Roth, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa for her wide-ranging contributions to the business community, impact on government and public policy, and support of the city’s higher education institutions.
“Honorary doctoral degrees are the highest recognition a university can bestow. This morning La Sierra University has the honor to recognize an extraordinary individual who represents the deepest values of our university’s mission,” said Wisbey. He noted Roth’s crucial role in encouraging economic development such as the investment in the California Air Resources Board emissions testing facility in Riverside and the establishment of the School of Medicine at UC Riverside. He also cited her contributions to myriad community organizations as well her involvement and support of La Sierra University by serving on the university’s foundation board, support of La Sierra’s students through internships, employment, and chamber grants aiding the university’s Enactus team. Roth is a lifelong resident of Riverside where she lives with her husband, California State Senator Richard Roth who attended La Sierra’s commencement for his wife’s honorary degree ceremony. In 1999 she was selected to lead the chamber, following in the footsteps of her predecessor, mentor, and iconic Riverside supporter Art Pick who also served as a La Sierra trustee.
lasierra.edu/

GodfatherFilms.com
Thousands descended on La Sierra University on Sunday, June 17, 2018 to see the annual turning of the tassels. Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

About 500 degrees were awarded at the ceremony. Two honorary degrees were given to individuals with longtime connections to the university.

Rose Mayes, executive director of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, received the honor. She’s been a board member with the university’s foundation since 2002. Also honored was Robert Krone, president and co-founder of the Kepler Space Institute. Krone was a professor at the university between 1992 and 2007.

A Message from the President of La Sierra University

Congratulations! We rejoice with you as you achieve your degree goal. Now is the time to celebrate all of your hard work, and to look forward to the next chapter of your life. I share your sense of accomplishment.

I assure you that your time studying here at La Sierra University was a wise investment in your future. You are now part of La Sierra’s legacy of leadership and service. Since our founding in 1922, our alumni have distinguished themselves as thinkers, teachers, researchers, lawyers, judges, healthcare professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs, ministers, and activists. Now is your time to make an impact on the world.

I would like to extend a warm invitation to you and your family to participate in the 2018 La Sierra University Graduation Weekend. Graduation is a highlight for the University, and this year we are looking forward to another memorable occasion. Graduation weekend is June 15-17, with services in the La Sierra University Church on Friday and Saturday, and on our historic Founders’ Green on Sunday morning.

La Sierra has prepared you well and now it is up to you to grasp new opportunities, define yourself and your place in the world, and make a difference to those who will look to you for leadership and support. I wish you God’s richest blessings for a fulfilling and rewarding future.

Sincerely,
Randal Wisbey
President

GodfatherFilms.com
06/20/2017 - Author: Darla Martin Tucker
RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Early on the morning of June 18, before the heat of the day set in, long lines of black-robed graduates, many adorned with colorful leis and graduation caps, stood on the upper mall of La Sierra University’s campus waiting for the organ’s resounding strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” to begin at 8 a.m.

“It doesn’t seem real,” said Kaitlyn Witherby, a management and marketing double major as she stood in line with her classmates. “I’m excited, nervous, but mostly excited,” said chemistry and Spanish major Caleb Flores of Fresno.

A short time later, Kristen Soares, president of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities stood before La Sierra’s 2017 graduating class seated on Founders’ Green and advised them to create memory imprints of the day and of other special moments in their lives. She also told the graduates to value setbacks and mistakes as resilience-building moments along the path toward their goals.

Soares gave an address titled “Be Present” for La Sierra’s commencement which saw 475 students, the university’s largest graduating class to date, receive 494 degrees.

The AICCU represents the chief executives of California’s 79 private, nonprofit colleges and universities and those institutions’ 330,000 students on issues of public policy. Soares’ efforts include advocating for the Cal Grant, a state financial aid program for higher education. Before joining the AICCU, Soares served as a senior associate vice president for government relations and civic engagement at the University of Southern California for 23 years.

La Sierra University is a Seventh-day Adventist non-profit co-educational university located in Riverside, California, United States. La Sierra offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level degrees and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Adventist Accrediting Association.

To view photo albums of La Sierra University's 2017 commencement weekend, visit facebook.com/LaSierraU/.