La Sierra graduates 506, more than 300 drive through commencement

"She’s got her master’s degree in education and she’s out to change the world." - Mar Miller, mother of La Sierra University graduate Amy Miller 

The festivities began at 8 a.m. with vehicles lining up to enter the campus at 7:30 a.m., one allowed per graduate. They arrived in varying sizes of cars, SUVs, limos and busses, many decked out with balloons, congratulatory banners and flags, and with family and friends piled inside. Like a parade of graduation floats, they drove into campus at the Pierce Street gate onto Heritage Way and wound their way through a parking lot behind Price Science Complex where grads received gifts at several kiosks of summer tote bags filled with such items as sunscreen and sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, and a school year book. The traditional strains of organ playing Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” along with themes from Star Wars and other tunes were played over loud speakers along the route.

After exiting the parking lot, graduates’ vehicles continued a short distance along Heritage Way while faculty and staff cheered them along the road way waving decorated signs with congratulatory messages. The vehicles stopped briefly a short distance from a commencement stage set up at the edge of the university’s Glory of God’s Grace sculpture plaza. Guided by ushers and a numbered, color-coded system, graduates exited their vehicles to receive from the Records booth a satin La Sierra stole to wear over their regalia and to line up for their commencement stage walk . The stage was fronted with a wide display of yellow and dark purple flowers in the shape of ‘2021’ with a jumbotron flanking one side for families’ optimal viewing.

On stage they were greeted by President Joy Fehr and Provost April Summitt and received their diploma holder. Professional photographers captured the moment and took an additional portrait photo in a pop-up studio behind the stage. Both portraits were provided at no cost this year as an additional gift. Graduates were picked up by their parties on the other side of the sculpture plaza before exiting the campus onto Riverwalk Parkway via the main gate or Raley Drive for larger vehicles. The newly-minted alumni were greeted by their fellow La Sierra alums and received a university alumni license plate holder.

A few grads paused to talk about the moment and what it meant to them, and to describe their next steps which ranged from starting new businesses, teaching, and entering various areas of healthcare, to returning to their home countries and making an impact.

“It’s very unusual of course but it’s very exciting and such a blessing to have this event,” said Michelle G. Kamau who earned an Ed.D. from the School of Education in Leadership and Administration. “I know administration have put this together with meticulous planning and everyone that’s helping each other and making this process happen.”

Kamau has worked remotely since last summer as head of community engagement and corporate affairs for KBZ Bank in Myanmar. It is billed as the largest private bank in a nation that has experienced significant upheaval in recent months, drawing global attention.

“My plan is to help the country of Myanmar. I’m already working there remotely because of Covid and all these crazy situations in the country but I plan to go back there,” Kamau said. “Hopefully I can contribute a bit more and do more for the people.

Kaniel Hunt, who hails from Texas and whose family and girlfriend joined him for the drive-through commencement earned a business degree in healthcare management from the Zapara School of Business. Originally from England, Hunt wore a small British flag on his regalia. He decided to attend La Sierra University he said after participating in a campus tour. “I came and visited and really enjoyed the experience I had on campus so I was like, this is the place I could do university.”

As he crossed the commencement stage and received his diploma holder, memories flooded his mind. “It’s kind of like a flash moment where all the time, all the studying, all the homework, all the projects, everything comes down to this and it just feels good to finally be able to walk away knowing you’ve completed it to the fullest,” he said. Hunt aims to use his degree working in the field of prosthetics. “Now it’s like I can do something where I’m helping people out and I’m creating on the newer end of technology which is kind of exciting.”

“Now it’s like I can do something where I’m helping people out." - Kaniel Hunt, Zapara School of Business graduate

Britanny Hanyon sported a graduation cap decked out in yellow and blue flowers. A graduate of the School of Education with a teaching degree in physical education, the Huntington Beach resident is looking forward to a teaching position she accepted in Santa Clarita. “I’ve really put in so much work and it’s finally paying off and I’m so excited to start teaching,” she said.

Finance and accounting graduate Christopher Susanto reflected on the daunting life change represented by the completion of college. A native of Indonesia, he plans to return to his home country to start his own business in pet care products and services. “To be honest I’m happy, but I’m scared too. For me college is a comfort zone for me. Now it’s into the real world and you have to find a job and everything. It’s a mixed feeling,” he said. Due to pandemic travel restrictions his family in Indonesia was unable to attend his graduation ceremony but watched on the university’s livestream channel.

Jing Ai and his sister, Sha Ai both graduated and each drove their own vehicles through the parade. Natives of China, Jing earned a Bachelor of Science in bio health sciences while his sister earned an accounting degree. Jing spoke briefly about the impact of his La Sierra education and the meaning of the day. “I was very excited that I came and got my education at La Sierra. Because I am a science student I get a lot of education about how to choose the truth, how do you find the principles, … I think that the spirit of the academic is the best gift that came from La Sierra.”

Riverside residents and sisters Marlyn and Jassel Varga celebrated the completion of their Bachelor of Social Work degrees and their advanced standing in the Master of Social Work program at Loma Linda University. Their achievements are particularly meaningful in light of their family’s struggles during the past school year which involved a kidney transplant in spring quarter for Marlyn while she was completing her studies and an internship. 

"...all the hard work and all the challenges, it just proved that if we can do it, a lot of people can do it." - Jassel Vargas, Bachelor of Social Work graduate

“It’s honestly been an amazing experience, exciting,” said Marlyn following her walk across the commencement stage to receive her degree. She aims to earn a license toward becoming a medical social worker. “I don’t think it has hit me yet but I probably will be crying later. But honestly I’m extremely happy that this day finally came after many years.”

Added Jassel, “It was really nice to graduate, like all the hard work and all the challenges, it just proved that if we can do it, a lot of people can do it. I also like that we got a lot of support from the faculty and our peer members and just our family support as well.”

The June 13 graduation provided the first conferring of degrees ceremony since 2019. In June 2020 as the region and the nation continued to struggle under the Covid-19 pandemic, the university held a drive-through celebration to honor its seniors. The event, which did not include a commencement stage, attracted approximately 200 graduates who paraded in vehicles through the campus. The route included gift kiosks and a brief stop in front of the university fountain for a professional photograph of graduates and their guests. Graduates from last June were invited to participate in this year’s ceremony. Approximately 30 opted to join in.

“For well over a year our campus family, along with our broader community and our nation have faced extreme challenges and trials as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Provost Summitt. “That our students, in particular our seniors, have stayed the course and completed their classes, homework, major projects and exams under such conditions is nothing short of a miracle. We want to honor and celebrate our graduates and rejoice with them as they head off into a future with a bright horizon. We ask God’s blessings on them and their families as they pursue their dreams.”