Dear Families of the Graduating Class of 2023,We look forward to joining you in celebrating the success of your children during La Sierra University’s Commencement Weekend, June 16-18, 2023.  I want to ensure that you are informed of the many special events being planned for that weekend. In consideration of the speakers, no beach balls, air horns, or other distracting objects are allowed in the commencement venue. Cell phones should be silenced or set to vibrate during the ceremony.

Friday, June 16

8:00 PM: Consecration - La Sierra University Church   
This student-planned worship service offers an important opportunity for graduates, their families, faculty, and friends to focus on how the mission of La Sierra University – to seek truth, to know God, and to serve others – will be carried out in the lives of our graduates as they conclude their studies at La Sierra University. This service of consecration will take place in the La Sierra University Church, located on the corner of Pierce and Sierra Vista streets. 

Saturday, June 17

11:15 AM: Baccalaureate - La Sierra University Church 
This time of corporate worship and thanksgiving takes place at the La Sierra University Church. 

3:00 PM:School of Education Educator Dedication Service - La Sierra University Church 
This special service, dedicating teachers, administrators, and counselors to the ministry of education, will take place at the La Sierra University Church. The dedication service is coordinated by the School of Education faculty.

4:30 PM: H.M.S. Richards Divinity School Consecration Service - Matheson Chapel 
The consecration service honors graduating (undergraduate and graduate) Divinity School students for their achievements at La Sierra University. It also provides an occasion for the students, their families, local Seventh-day Adventist Church conference pastors and conference officials to join the faculty in sending the students, with God’s blessings, into gospel ministry. 

Sunday, June 18

8:00 AM:Conferring of Degrees Ceremony - Founders Green 
This commencement service takes place on the Founders’ Green (main Campus Mall) and celebrates the academic accomplishments of our graduating students. The commencement address speaker will be Dr. Andrea Luxton, President of Andrews University.   
The commencement program will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. Seats may be reserved only until 7:45 AM. Please be sure to arrive early with your party.  When the program has ended, the graduates will be dismissed by rows to their designated Schools on the opposite side of the commencement lawn, please greet your graduate there.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Graduation Robes and Announcements:    Graduates may pick up robes at the La Sierra University Library the first week of June, 2023. Please email  David Ramos  with any questions. Students may visit the circulation desk during Library hours to pick up their regalia.  

Lodging:    A list of some local hotels can be found at the  Guest Information webpage . Please be sure to ask for the La Sierra University rate. 

Food Service: The Dining Commons will open on Saturday, June 17, from noon – 2:30 PM and will offer limited food service on Sunday, June 18, from 7:00 - 10:00 AM (only à la carte items).

Parking: During the weekend, the parking lot designations for faculty and/or students will not be enforced, but please comply with instructions indicated by temporary parking signs. ADA designated parking is available for vehicles displaying disability placard or license plate. Parking attendants will direct vehicles with disability placard to designated parking lots.See map our graduation weekend map . For ADA designated entry to campus and parking please see our disabiliy access campus map:  disability access map

Guests: Accommodation for accessible parking, shuttle service, seating and closed captioning will be available for university guests with disabilities on Commencement Day. For additional information related to special accommodation please contact Campus Safety and Security Patrol at 951-785-2222 or email   La Sierra Security office. 

The best way to stay up to date regarding graduation weekend preparations and information is to visit our Graduation webpage . Thank you for entrusting your children to La Sierra University. It has been our special privilege to interact with them as valued members of our learning community. It has been rewarding as, together, we have worked to fulfill the mission of our university – to seek truth, to know God, and to serve others.  I look forward to celebrating with you the significant accomplishments of La Sierra University’s Graduating Class of 2023.