La Sierra celebrates 378 graduates, Cervantes calls for grads to open doors

Cervantes served as the commencement speaker on June 14 for La Sierra University’s Conferring of Degrees ceremony that took place on Founders’ Green beginning at 8 a.m. 

The Seventh-day Adventist university graduated 378 students who earned a total of 381 degrees collectively from the School of Education, the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, the Zapara School of Business and the College of Arts & Sciences. The Class of 2026 earned  270 bachelors, 79 master’s and 16 doctoral degrees. They represented 20 countries and 16 faith traditions, and ranged in age from 21 to 68. Approximately 4,000 family members and friends attended the annual event to cheer the graduates.

In her address titled “Education: The Foundation of Opportunity,” Cervantes spoke of the empowering effect of education and the importance of opening doors for others. She shared her personal journey and the impact of education on her life.

She specifically addressed first-generation graduates and former foster youth, noting the significance of their achievements. 

“Your accomplishments carries extraordinary significance,” Cervantes said. “You walked a path without a road map. You entered spaces that previous generations in your family may never have had the opportunity to enter. You learned lessons no one could teach you, because they had never been given the chance to walk that journey themselves. And despite uncertainty, despite setbacks, despite moments of self-doubt, you persisted. .. because of your courage and determination, you are becoming the example. 

“That is a legacy that will outlive this ceremony. That is the power of education. Education remains one of the most powerful forces for change in our society.”

She said to the graduates, “Your degree is simply not a piece of paper. It is evidence of resilience, evidence of discipline, evidence of growth, evidence that you are capable of far more than you ever realize today.”

“…remember what it felt like to be the person hoping someone would take a chance on you and be that person for someone else…” – California State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, Commencement Address

Education gives a choice, she said, and the confidence to pursue opportunities. “Confidence is trusting yourself enough to keep moving forward when the future is unclear,” she said.

Cervantes described her pathway following college in which she accepted an opportunity and moved to Sacramento to intern for her hometown assemblymember.  “For the first time I witnessed how government decisions affect people’s lives,” she said. In 2016 she ran for office, becoming the first Latina, the first millennial, and the youngest person at the time elected to represent her district.

“Education remains the center of my story,” Cervantes said. “Education taught me how to think critically. It exposed me to new perspectives. It connected me with the mentors who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. It gave me the confidence to use my voice.”

Cervantes encouraged the graduates to open doors for others as they leave their alma mater. 

“As you leave La Sierra University today, remember this; your degree is not the finish line. It is a key that can unlock opportunities, careers, relationships,” she said. “…never forget to hold the door open for someone else because there will be a moment in your life when you’re sitting at the table where decisions are being made, decision about who will get an opportunity and who does not. When that moment comes, remember what it felt like to be the person hoping someone would take a chance on you and be that person for someone else.”

La Sierra University President Christon Arthur presented the day’s awards including the Presidential Medallion Award for Distinguished Service to Cervantes, in recognition of her service that reflects La Sierra University’s values.

“Our model reflects to seek, to know to serve. Service permeates everything that we do,” Arthur said in presenting the award. “Our recipient today embarked upon a career of public service and her life exemplifies what we stand for. Her career has been centered on serving others, especially communities that too often feel overlooked, underserved, marginalized, vulnerable.

“Whether advocating for students, supporting working families, or investing in the future of the Inland Empire, our awardee demonstrates that leadership is ultimately an act of service. That spirit of service deeply aligns with who we are.

“As you leave us today, the road ahead may not be easy. You will be criticized because you stand with the vulnerable. Stand with the vulnerable anyway.” – La Sierra University President Christon Arthur

“In honoring the senator today, we affirm the importance of servant leadership, leadership that seeks justice, values human dignity and works to create for all opportunities that they do so deserve.”

In remarks to the graduates, Arthur called on them to leave their marks and live with distinction. “As you leave us today, the road ahead may not be easy. You will be criticized because you stand with the vulnerable. Stand with the vulnerable anyway. You will be criticized because you do the work of justice. Do the work of justice anyway. You will be criticized because you try to life people up. Lift people up anyway. 

“Criticism is not an indication that you are wrong. It simply means you are different. Be different anyway,” Arthur said.

Arthur presented five awards to two graduates, two faculty members and one staff member: Professor of Biology Lloyd Trueblood received the Verla Rae Kwiram Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award; Professor of Counseling Psychology Dora Clarke-Pine the Distinguished Teaching Award; and Biology Department Manager Ryan VanDeventer the Jay J. Nethery Award for Extraordinary Service to Students.

The President’s Award for Outstanding University Undergraduate Student was given to Yannik Gibson, Bachelor of Science in biology and biomedical science graduating summa cum laude, with the President’s Award for Outstanding University Graduate Student going to Joseph Young, Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management.

Prior to Cervantes’ address, Board of Trustees Chair Bradford C. Newton delivered the invocation and expressed gratitude to God for the graduates and their unique and individual journeys, praying for their future success and positive impact on the world, for Gods guidance, purpose and meaning in their lives. Newton is retiring this August from 18 years of board service including five as chair. Sunday’s graduation represented his last official participation in the event.

During Conferring of Degrees, Arthur also noted the presence of philanthropists Dennis and Carol Troesh, and of Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., president of the Republic of Palau.

The Troeshs arrived to celebrate the graduation of their grandson. They are the benefactors of Troesh Conference Center in the Zapara School of Business.

Whipps and 22 family members and friends traveled from Palau for his niece’s graduation and that of a family friend. Whipps’ daughter, Moded Samantha Surangel, graduated from La Sierra University last year and Whipps served as the 2025 commencement speaker.