Hundreds celebrate La Sierra University’s 100th birthday

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- With an air of excitement they began arriving as soon as doors opened to the Riverside Convention Center on Oct. 3, around 600 guests altogether, anticipating the celebration of La Sierra University’s 100th birthday through stories of the past, recognitions, music and fellowship.

<p> Ben Lewis Hall at the Riverside Convention Center, decorated for the gala. </p>

Ben Lewis Hall at the Riverside Convention Center, decorated for the gala.

<p> (Left to right) Presidential Awardee SanDee Priser, Judith Hairston, and Presidential Awardee, former provost and music professor Barbara Favorito. </p>

(Left to right) Presidential Awardee SanDee Priser, Judith Hairston, and Presidential Awardee, former provost and music professor Barbara Favorito.

<p> Robert and Julie Roth check out a caricature line drawing of a La Sierra campus map circa 1980. </p>

Robert and Julie Roth check out a caricature line drawing of a La Sierra campus map circa 1980.

<p> (Left to right) Randal Wisbey, Doug Clark, Abraham and Sara Terian. </p>

(Left to right) Randal Wisbey, Doug Clark, Abraham and Sara Terian.

<p> (Left to right) Presidential Awardees George Bryson and Alina Sanchez with Joanie Sanchez, Aneva Sanchez, and Albert Sanchez. </p>

(Left to right) Presidential Awardees George Bryson and Alina Sanchez with Joanie Sanchez, Aneva Sanchez, and Albert Sanchez.

<p> (Left to right) Janet and Gary Bradley, Ruth Burke, with Presidential Awardees Winona and Vernon Howe. </p>

(Left to right) Janet and Gary Bradley, Ruth Burke, with Presidential Awardees Winona and Vernon Howe.

<p> Terrill Thomas, left, Art+Design department chair, and art professor Tim Musso. </p>

Terrill Thomas, left, Art+Design department chair, and art professor Tim Musso.

<p> (Left to right) Samuel Young, Helen Chan Young, Presidential Awardee Elsie Chan, Michelle Reeves, Noreen Chan Tompkins, and Celia Chan Valerio. </p>

(Left to right) Samuel Young, Helen Chan Young, Presidential Awardee Elsie Chan, Michelle Reeves, Noreen Chan Tompkins, and Celia Chan Valerio.

<p> Jeanie and E. Lonnie Melashenko, former speaker and director of the Voice of Prophecy. </p>

Jeanie and E. Lonnie Melashenko, former speaker and director of the Voice of Prophecy.

<p> (Left to right) Leon Brown, Executive Vice President, Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Richard Osborn and Norma Osborn. </p>

(Left to right) Leon Brown, Executive Vice President, Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Richard Osborn and Norma Osborn.

<p> Office of Advancement staff and gala coordinators. </p>

Office of Advancement staff and gala coordinators.

<p> A book covering La Sierra University's 100-year history written by current and former faculty and administrators. </p>

A book covering La Sierra University's 100-year history written by current and former faculty and administrators.

<p> Richard and Gail Rice, Presidential Awardees, serve as emcees for the Centennial Gala at the Riverside Convention Center. </p>

Richard and Gail Rice, Presidential Awardees, serve as emcees for the Centennial Gala at the Riverside Convention Center.

<p> La Sierra University President Joy Fehr performs the La Sierra College song with classical pianist Alpin Hong. The song was first performed in 1949. </p>

La Sierra University President Joy Fehr performs the La Sierra College song with classical pianist Alpin Hong. The song was first performed in 1949.

<p> President Joy Fehr introduces the 100 Presidential Awardees whose photos and names are featured in a centennial booklet. </p>

President Joy Fehr introduces the 100 Presidential Awardees whose photos and names are featured in a centennial booklet.

<p> Classical pianist and international artist Alpin Hong presents a riveting performance as the evening's entertainment. </p>

Classical pianist and international artist Alpin Hong presents a riveting performance as the evening's entertainment.

<p> Tenor Anthony León, Presidential Awardee and La Sierra alumnus arrives to perform with Alpin Hong. León is contracted for the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program of the Los Angeles Opera. On Oct. 30 he won first place in the Operalia World Opera Competition in Latvia. </p>

Tenor Anthony León, Presidential Awardee and La Sierra alumnus arrives to perform with Alpin Hong. León is contracted for the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program of the Los Angeles Opera. On Oct. 30 he won first place in the Operalia World Opera Competition in Latvia.

<p> President Fehr with Presidential Awardee Audrey Gaspard, Assistant Director, La Sierra Student Financial Services. </p>

President Fehr with Presidential Awardee Audrey Gaspard, Assistant Director, La Sierra Student Financial Services.

<p> Anthony León and Alpin Hong pose for photos with members of León's family. </p>

Anthony León and Alpin Hong pose for photos with members of León's family.

La Sierra University’s Centennial Gala capped a year of celebrations as the university commemorated 100 years of operation in Riverside. Festivities launched on Feb. 15 with the dedication of a new campus sculpture titled “The Lost Sheep.” Special events during alumni weekend on April 29 and 30, which was themed “Celebrating a Century,” featured a banquet, Centennial Campus Walk and fireworks show.

The October gala was anchored by the recognition of 100 Presidential Award honorees, the presentation of a newly published book on La Sierra’s history, and an historical overview of the life of the university. Classical pianist and renowned performing artist Alpin Hong riveted the audience along with an appearance by operatic tenor and La Sierra alumnus Anthony León.

“There are so many people responsible for La Sierra's success over the decades,” noted La Sierra University President Joy Fehr in introducing the presidential award recipients. “Simply put, there are countless people who deserve public recognition and honor. Those of us who have found our lives changed by this institution are truly indebted to them.” Dozens of Individuals were nominated from across the university’s history and included posthumous recognitions of historical figures.

Honorees included scholarship donor and Adventist education supporter Elsie Chan; Class of 1958 alumnus and renowned contralto Del Delker; Charles Teel, former religion faculty member; school of religion alumnus and singer Patty Cabrera, Latin Grammy nominee, GMA Dove Awards nominee; Zapara School of Business alumnus Brian Wright, general manager of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs; Seventh-day Adventist philanthropists Thaine B. Price and Tom and Vi Zapara; La Sierra University President Emeritus Larry Geraty; Frank Jobe, alumnus and celebrated sports orthopaedic surgeon; 2021-22 Student Association President Lawrence Steven Dorsey III; and León who performed for the gala audience.

Class of 1992 alumnus and Presidential Awardee George Bryson said that his grandfather Elmer Bryson also attended La Sierra and worked on the college dairy farm during the 1930s. “It was great to hear the history of the dairy farm, I’d heard so many of his stories,” Bryson commented. “I feel very connected to the community so it was nice to be recognized.”

“The gala is really great,” said retired La Sierra University physical education teacher Dr. Vernon Scheffel following the centennial celebration. He received a copy of the university’s 100-year history book during the gala. “I'm a little hard of hearing and so I didn't get everything. But I've got it here in the book. I'm a good reader,” he said.

Scheffel’s father attended La Sierra Academy between 1932 and 1934. Beginning in 1945, Vernon also enrolled at La Sierra Academy while in the 5th grade and continued at La Sierra through college. He later taught at La Sierra for 20 years from 1980 to 2008. He was the first graduate of La Sierra’s physical education program.

Vernon’s wife, Coral Scheffel also commented in the gala -- “I loved it, it was beautiful. The music was out of this world,” she said.

Many La Sierra University staff members also attended the centennial gala including Financial Literacy SpecialistAndrea Schröer.

“As someone who went to undergrad [at La Sierra] and as now a staff it's amazing to be able to be a part of this milestone moment,” she said, noting the impact of the evening’s musical entertainment. “It really is once in a lifetime.”

León, award-winning tenor and also an alumnus of the New England Conservatory of Music performed two pieces accompanied by Hong who headlined the evening’s entertainment. León sang "Angelo casto e bel" by Gaetano Donizetti and "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" arranged by Margaret Bonds following Hong’s riveting piano performances of “Tarantella Op. 43” by Frédéric Chopin, “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy and the remarkable “Sonata in B minor” by Franz Liszt.

Léon was also among the 100 centennial honorees recognized during the gala. He is among the latest members of his family to attend the university.

“For me it's a huge deal because I grew up in the La Sierra community,” he said. “I went to La Sierra Academy from kindergarten to graduating high school and I went to La Sierra University all four years. My mom and dad have graduated from La Sierra University and my uncles and cousins, the whole family has been involved. It was kind of my grandfather's dream to go to the La Sierra community and to live in California. And so for me, it's really special to be here and to be able to share what I've been doing with my alma mater and to hopefully keep the torch lit for the next generations. It's really an honor for me.”