Christon Arthur inducted as La Sierra University’s 6th president

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06/01/2025 Darla Martin Tucker

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – More than 10 months into his tenure as La Sierra University’s sixth president, Dr. Christon Arthur was inaugurated in an official ceremony on May 20 that celebrated his arrival and first academic year in the new role.

La Sierra University President Christon Arthur, right, shares a laugh with Andrews University President Emerita Andrea Luxton before the start of the inauguration ceremony on May 20. (All photos: Jon Hwang)

Dr. Kimo Smith plays the organi for the inauguration ceremony installing Christon Arthur as president.

Director of Bands Giovanni Santos directs a wind and percussion ensemble for the inauguration.

John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business gives a thumbs up as he processes to his seat at the beginning of the inauguration ceremony.

Interim Provost Leslie Martin welcomes attendees to the inauguration.

Student association president Nyla Provost delivers greetings to President Arthur as part of the ceremony, along with representatives for faculty, staff and alumni.

Christon Arthur delivers his response following the installation ceremony inaugurating him as president and the presentation of the presidential medallion.

Alumni Relations Director Gian Simmons directs a gospel choir in a medley of songs by Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr and Richard Smallwood.

A friend of the Arthur family, left, and Christon Arthur, Jr. react to the ceremony and choir performance.

Alexander Carpenter, editor of Spectrum Magazine and President Christon take a selfie following the inauguration.

Arthur was selected by the La Sierra University Board of Trustees in May 2024 and began his presidency last July 1. He serves as the first Black president in La Sierra’s 103-year history.

Arthur previously served eight years as provost of Andrews University in Michigan and before that as dean of the School of Graduate Studies & Research. While provost, Arthur oversaw an approximate $70 million academic budget and 10,000 students. Prior to Andrews, he held administrative posts for four years at Tennessee State University.

He holds multiple graduate degrees including an Ed.S. and a doctorate from Andrews and completed post-graduate studies at Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education. He is currently an MBA candidate at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. A native of Grenada, Arthur earned a B.A. in theology from the University of the Southern Caribbean at Trinidad and Tobago.

Since his arrival at La Sierra, Arthur has led initiatives designed to spur growth and bolster enrollment through goal-setting and improved processes, with a focus on reviving a cohesive campus culture by building community, practicing inclusivity, and creating transparency. He has implemented strategic marketing and enrollment investments and the development of core values and purpose to guide institutional and individual actions.

The May 20 inauguration ceremony included official greetings from students, faculty, staff, alumni, city of Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson; Dr. Wolde-Ab Isaac, chancellor of the Riverside Community College District; Dr. David Morrow, president of the 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire community nonprofit; Dr. Bradford Newton, chair of the La Sierra University Board of Trustees; and Juan Antonio López de la Torre, director of Adventist Colleges Abroad.

A scripture meditation was presented in six languages by students Zion Taito, Yilang Liu, Morgan Schmitz, Sireen Pydimalla, Hyo Eun Jun, and Lupita Sandoval.

Dr. Andrea Luxton, president emerita of Andrews University and associate director of higher education for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists delivered an inaugural address titled “The Power of Yes.” She noted that those in leadership roles must proceed with both heart and mind fully engaged. She described how the word ‘yes’ nurtures potential, paves pathways forward, and inspires hope, opening the ability to see potential in people and situations and embrace strong voices.

She also reminded higher education leaders of the necessity of moving decisively into the future, even if it is unknown, and to move forward with imagination, a “God-given gift of creativity,” she said.“Such as pathway is paved with much more than good intentions. It is paved, I would suggest, with the power of ‘yes.’”

“I am convinced that it’s presidents who understand the power of ‘yes,’ with their campuses, will be effective at driving their mission forward,” she said, adding her belief that God will provide “boundless blessings” to Arthur has he and the campus community work alongside each other to embrace the future with their hearts and heads, “to make the future of La Sierra under your presidency truly amazing.”

Following the inaugural address, Newton carried out the installation ceremony, which culminated with the bestowing of the presidential medallion upon Arthur.

Noting Arthur’s significant career and academic achievements, Newton added that presidents arrive with many different personality and character traits and styles. “I do know, Dr. Arthur, God had you prepared for us. Thank you for saying ‘yes.’”

In his response to the installation, Arthur pointed to La Sierra University's call to make the impossible possible, describing the university’s commitment to its core mission of seeking truth, knowing God and serving others, while finding the right balance between tradition and innovation as it pursues a dedication to equity, meritocracy, and student success as they cultivate their potential to better God’s world.

He opened his remarks referencing historical moments that have occurred on May 20 at different points in time, and which attest to the impossible being made possible, such as the signing of the Homestead Act of 1862 that accelerated westward expansion by granting public lands to homesteaders, Amelia Earhart’s record-setting solo transatlantic flight, and the Hubble Space Telescope’s capture of its first image.

"We believe that with God, La Sierra University will make the impossible possible.” -- Christon Arthur, President, La Sierra University

He also cited his personal journey and unexpected trajectory that began which his upbringing in Grenada by a single mother who raised him and his five siblings, and whose difficult experiences influenced his interests in becoming a teacher.

He acknowledged his wife, Carmelita and their 25-year-old son, Christon, Jr., noting his marriage as among the good decisions of his life, with a second good decision his acceptance of the presidency of La Sierra University.

“I stand here to attest that with God, the impossible is possible,” Arthur said. “May 20, 2025, La Sierra University embarks on a new, awe-inspiring journey, soaring into a future of radiant joy, and of purpose and possibilities, and together this community will make the impossible possible.

“We believe that we are called to great things. We believe that we must do what no one else tries to do. We believe that with God, La Sierra University will make the impossible possible.”

To students he said, “we will give you a voice, we will elevate you, we will add to your success. We will help you to fulfill God’s potential for your life. This is your place,” Arthur said. He also cited La Sierra alumni who have made profound impacts and achievements during their lives and careers.

“This is our destiny, this is our destination,” he said. “We pursue this mission of excellence, integrity, compassion, mutual respect. We know that this is home.”

Music for the inaugural ceremony included a piece for brass and percussion titled “From Diversity, Community” composed by Giovanni Santos, La Sierra’s director of bands and an award-winning composer whose work was nominated last year for a Pulitzer Prize.

A gospel choir medley incorporating songs by Kirk Franklin, Kurt Karr and Richard Smallwood was arranged and directed by Gian Dudley Simmons, La Sierra University alumni relations director.

The ceremony was followed by a luncheon for inauguration guests at the Zapara School of Business and a vegetarian barbecue lunch was held on Founders’ Green for students and campus members.

“I see a lot of appreciation and a lot of love about my dad here, it seems like his presence was very much needed.” -- Christon Arthur, Jr.

Several attendees provided their thoughts and insights into the day’s occasion and its impact, including Arthur’s son.

“I see a lot of appreciation and a lot of love about my dad here, it seems like his presence was very much needed,” Christon Arthur Jr. said. “I think it’s important for me to know that wherever my dad is, that he will be supported, appreciated. Because I’m not going to be there physically for him, it’s nice to know that there’s a second family here to kind of uplift him, help him, with whatever decisions he needs to make. So that’s been very heartwarming to see for sure.”

He also acknowledged his pride in his father’s achievements, noting, “he’s always been a man who strives for more, so I’m glad that he’s doing so.”

“La Sierra is beyond blessed to have him as your sixth president." -- Dr. Stacey Nicely, Andrews University

Dr. Stace Nicely, director of the Counseling and Testing Center at Andrews University traveled to California for the inauguration and commented on Arthur and the qualities he brings to the presidency at La Sierra. Nicely met Arthur about 14 years ago at Andrews.

“My first impression of him was that he was pleasant and carried an air of humility,” Nicely said. “Throughout the years, as I’ve had the honor to interact with Dr. Arthur, he has consistently presented as a compassionate leader who brings his heart to work. He genuinely advocates for the well-being of the students and employees he serves. He is a visionary who values excellence.

“Dr. Arthur is truly a treasure to any institution he serves,” she continued. “La Sierra is beyond blessed to have him as your sixth president. I am honored to have been able to attend what was a memorable inauguration.”

Dr. Randal Wisbey, former president of La Sierra University who served between 2007 and 2019, noted his pleasure at returning to campus, reconnecting with friends and colleagues and attending the inauguration ceremony.

“I was honored to be able to witness and participate in this significant moment in the life of the university and in the life of President Arthur,” Wisbey said. “It seems clear to me that the campus family — faculty, staff, students, trustees, and alumni — are delighted with Christon’s leadership and his enthusiastic approach to embracing the university’s mission. It was also clear, listening to the denominational and community leaders who spoke, that La Sierra continues to fulfill a vital role not only in Riverside and the Inland Empire, but throughout the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist higher education community.

“I left the service with a renewed sense of hopefulness that La Sierra is embarking on a new and exciting chapter as President Arthur and each member of the La Sierra family finds new and meaningful ways to embrace and embody the university’s mission to seek truth, to know God, and to serve others.”

"He cannot do the impossible without trusting in the people who are on his team and trusting in the people who are praying for him." -- Delroy Brooks, Associate Pastor, Kansas Avenue SDA Church

Dr. Delroy Brooks, associate pastor of Kansas Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Riverside noted the historic nature of the occasion in which Arthur was inaugurated as La Sierra’s first Black president. "It's one of those things that you're not sure you're going to see, although you know it'scapable of happening. So that was awesome," he said.

Brooks encouraged Arthur to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available tohim within the university and the community. "At some point you think you've got the weight of your people, you've got the weight of history, you've got the weight of allthese people on your shoulders," Brooks said.

"He cannot do the impossible here without trusting in the people who are on his team and trusting in the people who are praying for him on a regular basis. I'm glad to be one of those pastors who are praying for him."

Chasity Richardson and her husband, David Richardson arrived from Huntsville, Ala.where they respectively serve as director of operations and vice president for studentlife and mission at Oakwood University.

Chasity Richardson said she was impacted by Arthur's references in his inaugurationresponse to historic occasions on May 20 of years past and linking them to La Sierra's inauguration celebration this May 20. “I thought that was beautiful,” she said, "I really enjoyed that, as well as seeing so many dignitaries and just listening to their words of wisdom for him."

"His heart for Christian education, for La Sierra, has just been so evident, and so I am excited about what the future holds." -- Dr. Andrea King, Vice President for Black Ministries, SECC

"I really appreciated that there was a warmness about the event," said David Richardson. "I appreciate that he talked about being a husband, a father. I think that's important in the work that he's doing as president.

"One person quoted that one of the hardest jobs in America is a college president," Richardson continued. "The key thing for me is that the students got up and said that [he] was their choice. So when you've got the faculty and staff and students behind you, and the Board of Trustees, [this] is going to make a difference in his presidency. We know that God will bless him as he goes through the journey of his of being President, this institution,” Richardson said.

“In the conversations that I’ve had with Dr. Arthur, his heart for Christian education, for La Sierra, has just been so evident, and so I am excited about what the future holds because of his passion and his commitment,” said Dr. Andrea King, vice president for Black Ministries for the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “There's a great feeling among the students and faculty and staff, so I'm just here with expectation and excitement.”