Constituents vote new university trustees in May session

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- La Sierra University’s recent constituency meeting resulted in three new members voted to the university’s Board of Trustees and six incumbent members returned to their positions through 2026.

<p> Nedd Brown, dean of Graduate Medical Education at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota is among three new members of La Sierra University's Board of Trustees. </p>

Nedd Brown, dean of Graduate Medical Education at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota is among three new members of La Sierra University's Board of Trustees.

<p> Carmen Ibañez, executive director of Pine Springs Ranch and associate youth director of the Southeastern California Conference, was among three individuals voted to serve as a La Sierra University trustee through 2026. </p>

Carmen Ibañez, executive director of Pine Springs Ranch and associate youth director of the Southeastern California Conference, was among three individuals voted to serve as a La Sierra University trustee through 2026.

<p> Don Williams, a principal investigator for a virtual reality research project at AdventHealth University is among three new members of La Sierra's Board of Trustees. </p>

Don Williams, a principal investigator for a virtual reality research project at AdventHealth University is among three new members of La Sierra's Board of Trustees.

<p> John Brunt, retired pastor, professor and senior administrator was voted to serve on the Board of Trustees through 2026. </p>

John Brunt, retired pastor, professor and senior administrator was voted to serve on the Board of Trustees through 2026.

<p> Kent Hansen, general counsel for Loma Linda University, its medical center, clinical faculty practice plan and affiliates was among current trustees whose terms were approved through 2026. </p>

Kent Hansen, general counsel for Loma Linda University, its medical center, clinical faculty practice plan and affiliates was among current trustees whose terms were approved through 2026.

<p> Incumbent university trustee Marilene Wang, a professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, will serve on the board through 2026. </p>

Incumbent university trustee Marilene Wang, a professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, will serve on the board through 2026.

<p> <b>Kim Godfrey</b>, operator of an independent dental practice will continue to serve as a university trustee through 2026. </p>

Kim Godfrey, operator of an independent dental practice will continue to serve as a university trustee through 2026.

<p> Ernie Hwang, a recently retired Pacific Premier Bank executive, will continue his service as a La Sierra University trustee through 2026.  </p>

Ernie Hwang, a recently retired Pacific Premier Bank executive, will continue his service as a La Sierra University trustee through 2026. 

<p> Incumbent university trustee Adrian Serna, president of physician services at Adventist Health, was also voted to continue his term through 2026. </p>

Incumbent university trustee Adrian Serna, president of physician services at Adventist Health, was also voted to continue his term through 2026.

Sixty constituents comprised of leadership and representatives of the university, the Southeastern California Conference, the Southern California Conference, the Arizona Conference, and the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists met the afternoon of May 18 in La Sierra’s Hole Memorial Auditorium to discuss changes to bylaws, receive reports on university operations and future plans, and to vote on new and current university trustees.

During the May 18 session, the following individuals were voted to serve as new university trustees for the 2022-2026 term:

  • Nedd Brown, dean of Graduate Medical Education at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. He holds a Master of Arts from La Sierra University and an EdD from the University of South Dakota. His background includes higher education administration and several years in the Seventh-day Adventist K-12 system as a teacher and principal. Additionally, he holds significant experience in regional accreditation work and is active in his local church.
  • Carmen Ibañez, executive director of Pine Springs Ranch and associate youth director of the Southeastern California Conference. Her past experience includes serving in pastoral roles at several area churches. She holds a B.A. in Theology and a Secondary Education Certification from Pacific Union College as well as a M.Div. from Andrews University. She is a member of the Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.
  • Don Williams, a principal investigator for a virtual reality research project at AdventHealth University. He holds an extensive background in higher education administration, having served for many years as vice president for academic administration and assistant to the president for mission at AdventHealth University. Williams earned a B.A. in psychology and a M.Div. from Andrews University as well as a Ph.D. in professional counseling from Purdue University. He is an active member of the Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The following incumbent trustees were voted into continued service for the 2022-2026 term:

  • John Brunt, retired pastor, professor and senior administrator. He has served as a member of the Adventist Accrediting Association Board and is a La Sierra University alumnus.
  • Kent Hansen, general counsel for Loma Linda University, its medical center, clinical faculty practice plan and affiliates where he leads the in-house legal team. He previously served as La Sierra University general counsel for 38 years and is also an alumnus.
  • Marilene Wang, a professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
  • Kim Godfrey, operator of an independent dental practice in partnership with her husband, Frank. She is also an alumnus of La Sierra University.
  • Ernie Hwang, recently retired from his position as senior vice president and chief banking officer at Pacific Premier Bank.
  • Adrian Serna, president of physician services at Adventist Health. He is a La Sierra University alumnus and the university’s former assistant controller.

Constituents also voted to legally authorize virtual meeting options for the La Sierra University Board of Trustees and upcoming constituency sessions. The next constituency session will be held in 2026.

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