Capacity audience gathers for 2024 Alumni Awards honoring 10

John 'Johnny' Thomas holds an MBA from La Sierra received in 1988, and Kim Thomas holds a bachelor’s in management earned in 1987 and an MBA received in 1994, both from La Sierra. Both the Thomas’ children, Jonathan and Natasha, are recent graduates of La Sierra University and are pursuing medical careers.

John Thomas also holds a Master of Arts and Ph.D. received from Claremont Graduate University as well as a bachelor’s in zoology and an MBA in marketing earned respectively from Andhra University and top-ranked Symbiosis business school in India prior to his arrival in California. He has held the business school deanship since 1999 and is the school’s Bashir Hasso Professor of Entrepreneurship and Political Economy. Through relationship-building with business and community members and alumni, he progressed the business school’s processes and programming to achieve an enrollment high of nearly 500 students; he led fundraising efforts toward the development and construction of the two-story, 60,200-square-foot Zapara School of Business which opened in 2013 and which serves as a striking landmark near the campus entrance.

He secured the university’s first endowed chair and has contributed in a transformative manner to enhancing La Sierra’s strategic position, including through the raising of funds supporting its programs. As a young faculty member, Thomas mentored the students who founded La Sierra’s Students in Free Enterprise chapter, later called Enactus, which focused on entrepreneurial economic and educational empowerment of marginalized communities. He guided successive cohorts of the chapter’s leaders as they earned international recognition for La Sierra by winning seven national trophies and two world cups, as well as 21 final-four finalist placements in national competitive events.

A cofounder of NASDAQ-listed Genelux Corporation, Thomas has been a member of its board of directors since 2002. He also serves on the boards of other organizations including Icon Business Bank, ADRA International; the Small Business Development Corporation of Orange County; Loma Linda Broadcasting Network; radio station KSGN; and the TransResearch Consortium, an international think tank. His professional awards include a Zapara Award for teaching excellence, a Leavey Award from the Freedoms Foundation, and a Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Hero Award for Community Leadership.

Kim Thomas worked as a financial analyst at General Dynamics and the Loma Linda University-Center for Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy and a sales representative for Chemsearch. Through her extensive network she has facilitated multiple ventures, including the establishment of Genelux. Beginning in 1996, she focused on raising her children, empowering and inspiring them toward creating positive impact and achievement.

As a believer in and product of Adventist education, Kim has served as a member of the Loma Linda Academy board, as Loma Linda Academy Home and School leader, as co-chair and co-creator of the successful Loma Linda Academy Family Volunteer Night benefitting multiple local charities, as a member of the Southeastern California Conference education board, and as a member of the La Sierra University Department of Music advisory council.

“John and Kimberly Thomas exemplify La Sierra University’s commitment to excellence and service,” said La Sierra University Interim President Richard Osborn in introducing the Thomas’, their histories and impacts.

Osborn noted that John Thomas was one of the first individuals he met when Osborn arrived last fall to serve as interim president. “I wanted to get his advice and for years he had been arguing for certain things. And I can tell you that the plan that we implemented for the next two years is largely as an outgrowth of your major ideas,” Osborn said to Thomas.“I want to thank you both for your enthusiastic support of this university,”

Osborn concluded, “when you can trust your own children to this institution, it says a lot about the institution. We want to thank you tonight for being a beacon light for this institution, a beacon light of excellence, a beacon light of innovation, of entrepreneurship, of trusting your kids to this place and Kim for your strong support of everything this institution stands for. What a couple you have been. We’re really honored to give both of you this award tonight."

”This is our home, these are our friends, our family. This is what God has blessed us with."  -- Kimberly Borg Thomas, La Sierra University alumna '87, '94

“When I came to this campus following my older brother who was also here at the time, it felt like home,” said Kim Thomas in her remarks. “Johnny and I met here. Elsie Acevedo who’s here tonight, it’s because of her that we met at the bursar’s office. This is our home, these are our friends, our family. This is what God has blessed us with, lifelong friendships that we have, because of this school, because of this place. …Thank you, all of you for supporting and loving each of us. We are honored to be a part of this institution.”

John Thomas noted that his La Sierra journey began in 1986 when Acevedo took a chance and hired him as an assistant student cashier. “The last 35 years we had the opportunity to inspire a generation of Adventist business students to believe that they were among the best.”

Thomas noted the impact and inspiration of Adventist philanthropists Tom and Vi Zapara for whom the business building is named and that of his team of faculty and leaders at the school. “We can all be proud of an incredible business school with academic rigor that I could entrust with my own children.”

"We had the opportunity to inspire a generation of Adventist business students to believe that they were among the best.” -- John Thomas, Dean, Zapara School of Business, La Sierra University alumnus '88

Thomas recalled his own life story that began in 1958 in Nuzvid, India, and the miraculous intervention of an Adventist missionary doctor from Loma Linda named Elizabeth Hiscox. Her round-the-clock care over three days during his infancy while he struggled with a serious medical condition saved Thomas' life. The story of Hiscox’s dedication to him influenced Thomas throughout his life and drove home the importance of serving others.

“What brings us together is the power of service. She’s written in my heart. I owe my life to her. She served 40 years at Nuzvid and my brother and I are here because of people like her. And I promised her that I will serve somewhere,” he said.

“It’s been a joy to be part of this community,” concluded Thomas. “This is home for me.”

Awards were also presented by leadership from the three schools and college to Rising Star and Honored Alumni as follows. Videos of each awardee’s acceptance speeches were played after they received their award on stage:

• College of Arts & Sciences, Rising Star, award-winning international concert pianist Jonathan Mamora ‘17; Honored Alumnus, Dr. Alison Rice ’96, chair of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Notre Dame and the Dr. William M. Scholl Professor of French and Francophone Studies.

“Is a great honor for me to be receiving this Rising Star award,” Mamora said, noting that Hole Memorial Auditorium which houses the music department became a second home over the years. “I would like to extend a special thank you to my mentors, especially Dr. [Elvin] Rodriguez, who I've worked with for over 10 years. He's become such a special and important person to me and the lessons that I've learned from him and all the faculty here at La Sierra are things that I take with me in the current and in the future.”

"My three majors in French, English, and history were challenging and inspiring in all the right ways." -- Alison Rice, Honored Alumnus, College of Arts & Sciences

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to think about La Sierra University and what this amazing institution has meant to me,” said Rice. “I did grow up in the shadow of La Sierra University -- my father was a member of the faculty for many years, my mother was as well. They are very dear role models and individuals, and when I got to the university my life changed. My three majors in French, English, and history were challenging and inspiring in all the right ways,” she said, noting the university served as a launching pad for her career and “a place where my heart was very much fulfilled and where my spirituality was also fulfilled where my intellectual curiosity was also fulfilled.”

Rice’s father, Dr. Richard Rice, gave the sermon for La Sierra’s alumni church service on April 20. He is a distinguished theologian and professor emeritus in Loma Linda University’s School of Religion as well as an adjunct faculty member with La Sierra’s H.M.S. Richards Divinity School.

• H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, Rising Star, Cherise Gardner ’07, Lead Pastor, Chico Adventist Church; Honored Alumnus, Leo Ranzolin, Sr. ’58, former youth ministries director and vice president for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

"Thank you for seeing me and pushing me and preparing me to share Christ with the world.” -- Cherise Gardner, Rising Star, H.M.S. Richards Divinity School

Gardner, who was unable to attend the recognition banquet in person, in a video thanked the university and the Divinity School, noting, “I'm especially grateful to have been counted as one of the lucky few to have sat at the feet of true giants like Dr. Charles Teel, who was my advisor and Dr. Fritz Guy, who are now legend, and the other beacons of light who continue to shine it like Dr. Webster, Dr. Haloviak Valentine and Dr. Kim. During my time at La Sierra, under your tutelage as well as from my colleagues and peers, I learned to give, to share, to participate in this kingdom-building effort that's bigger than all of us, to find my own voice and place. Thank you for seeing me and pushing me and preparing me to share Christ with the world.”

Ranzolin, who began his ministerial career in Brazil, thanked the university for honoring his life and work. “I didn’t know English at all when I came [to the U.S.] from Brazil and I learned the language while studying at La Sierra. I remember that so, so well,” he said. “And the fact that I learned a lot of the things that I need to do in my ministry, and the language of course,” he said, giving a brief overview of his career path that led back to Brazil for youth ministry before working for the General Conference. “That was a great pleasure to be worldwide, to know the church. Jesus is coming back soon. [Prepare] leaders and doctors, nurses, or anything we need to hasten the second coming of Christ.”

• Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business, Rising Star, Richard C. Patchett ’12,’14’, and ’15, Director of Finance, real estate strategy and operations, Providence St. Joseph Health; Honored Alumnus, Brett Walls ’96, Assistant Vice President for Ambulatory Services, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

“To the faculty and staff here at the Zapara School of Business, thank you for this distinct recognition,” Patchett said. He recounted attending an alumni awards banquet in 2014 during which business alumnus, Brian Wright, now general manager of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs was awarded with a Rising Star. Patchett described wondering what he could accomplish if given the same opportunities. Patchett then relayed the experience of losing four jobs due to restructuring and the realization along his eventual upward trajectory that success results from hard work and the search for and acting upon opportunities.

“Despite all the long nights and weekends, there's no way I could have imagined being where I am today without the tremendous support of my mentors who continuously encouraged me, ” he said. “I thank everyone for this recognition and look forward to seeing where my journey will take me next.”

"You will find no better combination of Christ-centered instruction and comprehensive business education." -- Brett Walls, Honored Alumnus, Zapara School of Business

“This award is as much about acknowledging the recipient as it is about acknowledging the school of business who methodically instills tenants of excellence and service in each student,” said Walls after expressing his gratitude for being honored with an alumni award. “I use business principles and skills I have [gleaned] from the Zapara School of Business actively in my day to day work. For those of you who may be considering La Sierra University and to current students, you will find no better combination of Christ-centered instruction and comprehensive business education than the Zapara School of Business. Take advantage of everything the school has to offer and you will not be disappointed.”

• School of Education, Rising Star, Heidi Jorgensen ’19, Superintendent of Education for the Nevada-Utah Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Honored Alumnus, Steve Hemenway ’02, ’04, ’12, Riverside City Councilmember Ward 7, La Sierra University Church Director of Finance.

“I would not be here tonight if it was not for my family, teachers, and mentors, who helped establish a firm foundation in my life both spiritually and academically,” said Jorgensen in response to her award. “Nights like tonight tonight provide an opportunity to reflect on how God has told me to the ministry of Adventist education, and how he has faithfully led each and every step of the way. I want to thank the Pacific Union for being a part of my journey by partnering with our conferences to promote the EDS cohort that I was blessed to be a part of here at La Sierra University. Tonight we celebrate our alumni and see the far reaching impact of Adventist education, I encourage you to support Adventist schools.

“The impact of the teacher is unmeasurable,” Jorgensen continued. “Please join me as we pray for our teachers and encourage those who have a calling to this ministry as we prepare students for this world and more importantly, our heavenly home to come.”

"Tonight we celebrate our alumni and see the far reaching impact of Adventist education." -- Heidi Jorgensen, Rising Star, School of Education.

Hemenway expressed thanks and noted, “La Sierra University holds a [special] place in my heart all the way up today is because of the great experience I've had in the education I received there.”

“It was a remarkable experience,” Hemenway said. “I rely on all the things that I’ve learned, even in the profession I’m in now. And while it's not in the educational space, it still plays an important role in how I engage with folks in the community and around the neighborhood. It's still important to be empathetic, to listen and to care about people and know how to respond appropriately. I learned all of that in my program with the School of Education at La Sierra.”

The Recognition Banquet also celebrated alumnus Genevieve Nelwan ‘80 for her more than 12 years in volunteer service with the La Sierra University Alumni Board of Directors and the alumni committee. Nelwan has organized the alumni weekend banquets including this year’s which was coordinated under the theme of Doors to Discovery.

During the awards banquet, Vice President for Advancement Norman Yergen also introduced the university’s newly hired Director of Alumni Relations Gian Simmons, an MBA alumnus of the business school who arrives with a background in relationship marketing, event planning, project management, advertising, brand awareness and communications.

Attendees of the Recognition Banquet at Troesh Conference Center included Daniel Penrod, chief executive officer of La Loma Federal Credit Union whose organization served as a $10,000 Golden Eagle Sponsor for the event. 

“We've been serving the Adventist community since 1955,” Penrod said. “So we've done a lot for La Sierra, as well as the surrounding educational groups, the alumni groups, everything we can to really be part of the community. The goal is to really be a partner in everything we do.”

He noted, “It's great to get to sponsor this homecoming weekend to see all the people coming back and recognizing all the alumni from La Sierra that have gone out in the world and really made a difference.”