La Sierra University

Wishing all a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Have a blessed Sabbath!

Check this out! La Sierra alumnus (2002), fitness expert and endurance athlete Sergio Florian will participate today, August 26, in the UTMB Mont Blanc World Series trail ultramarathon race beginning in France. Runners from around the globe will cover more than 90 miles over two days circling Mont Blanc and experiencing 30,531 cumulative feet in elevation gain. (Photo: Courtesy of Sergio Florian for the La Sierra University Magazine Spring 2021 edition)

The race begins at 3 p.m. PST. Follow Sergio’s progress live here: https://live.utmb.world/utmb/2024/runners/10545

Follow the overall race coverage here: https://bit.ly/4dAcsjy
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Btw, you may have seen Sergio in the national news earlier this year with coverage on his rescue of a lost dog from a cliffside in Hawaii. WaPo article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../injured-dog-rescue.../

Sergio, a member of La Sierra's Class of 2002 and a doctoral graduate of Loma Linda University, also attended La Sierra Academy. For more on his backstory and record-breaking achievements, see this article from La Sierra's alumni magazine in 2021 highlighting his running record in Hawaii: https://magazine.lasierra.edu/.../movement-is-life-la.../

We are gearing up for "Festival of SABBATH" at San Bernardino Community Seventh-day Adventist Church this weekend. Martin Doblmeier's film "SABBATH" has served as a prompt to create an event that truly celebrates Sabbath, and how it is accessible and important to all of us. This weekend is called "Sabbath is Made for Me" and it is a Block Party for Sabbath!

The Festival will be in an old-fashioned tent on the church grounds—complete with those hand fans we all remember from Campmeetings, great guests, special clips from Martin's work that are unique to the Festival, and a spirit of discovery and fun! (We even have a balloon twister coming to make balloon animals for the kids as part of the children's materials that have been prepared.

If you are in the Inland Empire this Sabbath—come join us!

On August 23, La Sierra University was honored to welcome to campus California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and California State Senator Richard Roth who took part in a tour of the university accompanied by La Sierra University President Christon Arthur, Provost April Summitt, Interim Chief Financial Officer Steve Hemenway and other leaders. Following the tour, Ma met with campus leadership, vice presidents and deans to discuss potential state funding opportunities. The university is grateful for this occasion to connect with our state’s leaders and provide them with insights into our beautiful campus, its current impact, and its visions for future growth.
(Left to right, April Summitt, Fiona Ma, Christon Arthur, Richard Roth and Steve Hemenway; larger group, left to right, front row: Fiona Ma, April Summitt, Vice President for Advancement Norman Yergen; back row: Steve Hemenway, Christon Arthur, Richard Roth, La Sierra University President Emeritus Larry Geraty, Zapara School of Business Associate Dean Gary Chartier.)

Former art professor and Brandstater Gallery director Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein is returning with a new exhibit in the gallery after a 10-year absence! Don't miss this extraordinary show and a chance to visit with the artist this weekend, Aug. 24, 6 - 8 p.m., slideshow at 7 p.m., and Aug. 25, 12 - 5 p.m. Click here for details: https://bit.ly/3MdeY3b

ICYMI: If you missed the beautiful reunion octet performance at the Loma Linda University Church last Saturday for its camp meeting events, enjoy this YouTube video here. The William Chunestudy Vocal Octet Reunion Choir featured singers from octets directed by Dr. Chunestudy between 1989 and 2018. Dr. Chunestudy also serves as La Sierra's Student Financial Services director. The reunion choir featured alumni of La Sierra and Loma Linda universities and of Pacific Union College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPdBPXnOCCQ

Have a peace-filled Sabbath rest.

The La Sierra University community is saddened by the recent passing of former physics professor and campus champion Albert E. Smith who died at the age of 96 in Fresno, CA.

Dr. Smith, who earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, began his La Sierra teaching career in physics in 1971 after serving in the physics department of Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts. He contributed significantly to the growth of La Sierra’s physics department as well as to the life of the campus community for more than 20 years. He retired around 1995 and was granted the title of emeritus professor of physics.

Among many other things, Dr. Smith was instrumental in the growth of La Sierra's faculty governance model, in the formation of the Inter-Dip program which was a pre-cursor to the current Honors program, and was known to be fiercely loyal to both the Seventh-day Adventist church and to the intellectual life opened up by the sciences.

His wife Bea, who suffered from polio, taught composition in the English department for many years where his niece, Dr. Lora Geriguis, began teaching in 2007 and currently serves as a professor of English. Geriguis has also served as the Honors program’s Scholarship Coordinator. In addition to helping form the Inter-Dip program, Dr. Smith became heavily involved in developing the future Honors program and also served as a director.

History professor Dr. Andrew Howe, a former Honors program director and Smith family friend noted in a 2019 Honorgram article that introduced Geriguis, “I first met Dr. Smith when my parents moved to La Sierra in the mid-1970s. …Even though he lived in the theoretical world of Physics, Dr. Smith was well-grounded, equally as comfortable giving talks about the natural world as he was running the Honors Program at La Sierra.”

Dr. Smith was known to have been instrumental in establishing La Sierra’s culture during its tenure as a campus of Loma Linda University. He helped put into place many of the elements that would help the Riverside campus to flourish and grow into its own institutional culture following its separation from Loma Linda in 1990.

Please keep Dr. Smith’s family and friends in your prayers and give thanks for his many contributions to the La Sierra University community.

Praying our Pathfinder community in Wyoming receives all they need and are able to travel home safely. ““I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭2

OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PATHFINDERS: Heavy rain, lightning and wind swept through the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. Pathfinder clubs lost supplies and equipment. Gillette residents generously dropped off sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, and tents at the camporee. North American Division Adventist Community Services stepped in to help collect and distribute these donations from the community to Pathfinders in need. The need continues and ACS has also provided a way to collect monetary donations to purchase the additional necessities for the campers as they wrap up their week at the camporee and travel home, some traveling overseas. Visit https://acsdonate.maxcheckout.com and select "Disaster Response," then in the Donor Contact Information section please add "Camporee" in the Comments/Notes field to give a donation to help get these Pathfinders home.

Adventist Community Services is the official community outreach ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North American Division territory, which is comprised of the United States, Canada, Guam-Micronesia, and Bermuda.

Have a faith-filled, peaceful Sabbath rest.

A big congratulations to La Sierra University four-time alumnus, former assistant chaplain and missions director Linda Biswas on her recent Junia Award from the Association of Adventist Women! Pastor Biswas, who was ordained in May 2023 at Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church, was among five women from around the North American Division who received Junia Award recognition along with women in divisions worldwide for their contributions to church life. Linda is currently the Children & Family Pastor at Azure Hills. Read more here: https://www.associationofadventistwomen.com/team-3-2

Have a peaceful Sabbath resting in the compassion and love of God.

New alumnus Fiona Lin reflects on her difficult and remarkable journey and God's amazing provision in this inspiring graduate profile story. https://bit.ly/3SxNWad

Have a blessed, peaceful Sabbath rest, in communion with our God.

Reminder: The memorial service for SDA philanthropist, entrepreneur and alumnus Tom Zapara will be held Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m., Troesh Conference Center, Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. Please join us in celebrating Tom's remarkable and inspirational life, his contributions and dedication to Adventist education and healthcare. For further information please visit https://bit.ly/3RS471N or contact [email protected]. A livestream link for the service is available at https://bit.ly/3zXpp8l

During spring quarter, La Sierra University's Tim Musso, associate Art+Design professor and Brandstater Gallery director received the prestigious Riverby Award for Young Readers 2024 from the John Burroughs Association in New York City. He was recognized for his book, "Chasing the Sun," which details in exquisite woodcuts and science-based story-telling the migratory life of the Arctic tern. His numerous book signings and appearances will include a reading and signing event tomorrow, July 23 at 12:30 p.m. at the Woodcrest Library in Riverside as part of the Lunch at the Library summer series. Attendees will receive a free signed copy of Tim's book while supplies last. All ages welcome! Read more about the Riverby Award and Tim's book here: https://bit.ly/3WIuJFD

A new certificate program that helps school leaders navigate common challenges and achieve success has launched at the La Sierra University School of Education

School of Ed launches Leadership Academy for new administrators - La Sierra News A new certificate program, the School Leadership Academy through La Sierra University’s School of Education, was launched at the end of June, providing fledgling school leaders best chances for success with instruction in strategies and practices for dealing with key challenge areas.

Recently President Arthur was interviewed by Alexander Carpenter on the Adventist Voices podcast and shared his vision for the campus's progression as well as insights into his upbringing. Adventist Voices is a podcast series produced by Alexander Carpenter and Spectrum magazine for which Carpenter is also executive editor. Click this link to listen to this interesting and insightful interview: https://bit.ly/3WpHrZH

Rest in God, away from the cares of the world.

The Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business will hold a memorial service for Mr. Tom Zapara on Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. at Troesh Conference Center. Mr. Zapara passed away on June 16 at the age of 100.

Mr. Zapara and his wife, Violet, served as generous seed donors and namesakes of the Zapara School of Business which opened in 2013, and also contributed as ongoing faithful supporters of the business school and its students. All are invited to celebrate the life of Mr. Zapara, a dedicated Seventh-day Adventist serial entrepreneur and benefactor whose selfless contributions have bettered Adventist higher education and healthcare globally and whose example shines as a guiding light.

For further information about Mr. Zapara, his life and contributions to the La Sierra University community and to Adventist education, please visit https://bit.ly/3RS471N

Troesh Conference Center is located within the Zapara School of Business, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, CA, 92505. For further information please email [email protected].

Have a blessed Sabbath!

Wishing all a safe and joyful Fourth of July! La Sierra University will be closed July 4 and 5 in celebration of the holiday. "Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on." -- Thurgood Marshall