La Sierra graduates record class, speaker urges lives of just moments

In the cool of the June morning haze, which was also Father’s Day, the soon-to-be graduates marched down the sloping campus mall to the familiar strains of Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” with a few refrains from the “Star Wars” theme, The Beatles’ “Penny Lane,” and other tunes mixed in. 

This year’s commencement served as La Sierra University President Randal Wiseby’s last in his leadership role. He heads into retirement as of June 30 following 12 years at the university’s helm. On May 30, university trustees announced the selection of Provost Joy Fehr to serve as president beginning July 1.

In his welcoming remarks to the graduates, Wisbey noted their contributions to the campus and the world around them, some while enduring significant hardships. “You have looked for ways to extend the reach God’s kingdom, God’s justice and grace to members who have been underserved and have little or no voice. … You have helped to bring our university national and international attention through your service and through your leadership. The Class of 2019, you have left your mark upon each of us who serve at this university and we are more focused and faithful to our mission because of you.”

Wisbey also introduced commencement speaker Kendra Haloviak Valentine, professor of New Testament Studies who was a freshman at Washington Adventist University, then Columbia Union College, when he arrived there to serve as campus chaplain. Haloviak Valentine gave a commencement address titled “Just Moments.” In her message to the students and about 6,000 of their excited family members and friends, she urged graduates to not only savor their graduation moment, but asked, “…what is the relationship between here and where you want to be?” She advised, “if you want this moment to shape your life significantly, make it more than just a moment, make it a just moment.”

Haloviak Valentine illustrated her point through an analysis of the biblical account of Simon of Cyrene, an immigrant from Northern Africa whom the Romans commandeered to carry the cross of Christ. She noted how Jesus had previously told Simon Peter, the same disciple who later abandoned Christ along with the others, “If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.” (Mark 8:34)

“But Simon of Libya does what Jesus asked: he literally took up his cross and followed,” Haloviak Valentine said.“The immigrant forced to participate in a system of oppression and torture and death, is the one person in the whole story who is literally doing the will of God,” and in so doing, subverting the regime.

“In an America today where many people of faith claim that their God works with the powerful, Simon of Libya’s story proclaims a counter narrative. God acts in solidarity with the weak of our world, the voiceless, the powerless, the poor, the stranger. Such acts proclaim no person is non-human, sub-human, less human,” she said. 

She cited other notable individuals whose lives have been dedicated to opposing injustice by identifying with strangers in need, such as Mary Brewer, a 1929 graduate of La Sierra when it was Southern California Junior College and who became the college’s first missionary. At age 21 she travelled to Pakistan to serve as principal of a girls’ school where she learned the language and recruited students. 

“Don’t have a life of just moments, have a life full of just moments,” Haloviak Valentine said, noting the university’s long-standing commitment to living justly. “Moments when you embrace the stranger. Moments when you act in solidarity with the world’s vulnerable. Moments when you widen the cracks in systems of injustice.

La Sierra’s vision is a vision that proclaims if someday the earth and its people will be made new, we must be about renewal now.”

An advocate honored

The Conferring of Degrees ceremony kicked off with a special recognition of one of Riverside’s chief community and economic development advocates. Wisbey, together with Fehr and John Thomas, dean of the Zapara School of Business, presented Cindy Roth, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa for her wide-ranging contributions to the business community, impact on government and public policy, and support of the city’s higher education institutions.

“Honorary doctoral degrees are the highest recognition a university can bestow. This morning La Sierra University has the honor to recognize an extraordinary individual who represents  the deepest values of our university’s mission,” said Wisbey. He noted Roth’s crucial role in encouraging economic development such as the investment in the California Air Resources Board emissions testing facility in Riverside and the establishment of the School of Medicine at UC Riverside. He also cited her contributions to myriad community organizations as well her involvement and support of La Sierra University by serving on the university’s foundation board, support of La Sierra’s students through internships, employment, and chamber grants aiding the university’s Enactus team. In 2013 Roth was also a key speaker for the grand opening of the Zapara School of Business.

Roth is a lifelong resident of Riverside where she lives with her husband, California State Senator Richard Roth who attended La Sierra’s commencement for his wife’s honorary degree ceremony. In 1999 she was selected to lead the chamber, following in the footsteps of her predecessor, mentor, and iconic Riverside supporter Art Pick who also served as a La Sierra trustee. 

Her broad contributions including serving in leadership positions with regional chamber of commerce organizations and participation with numerous Riverside civic groups. She has received many awards for her contributions including the WACE Russell E. Pettit Award in 2013, the city of Riverside Spirit Award in 2010, and the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award in 2008.

“La Sierra University has always been a valued partner in the Riverside community and I appreciate the campus’ long-standing tradition of service to others,” said Roth in a later comment. “I am tremendously honored to receive this recognition and humbled to be connected to the excellent students, alumni, faculty, and staff in this university. Most importantly, congratulations to all of the graduates and I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”

Contributions recognized

The Sunday Conferring of Degrees ceremony included five major awards bestowed onstage to students, faculty and staff members. The President’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student went to Chloe Maksoudian, graduating summa cum laude with a double major in psychology and history; the President’s Award for Outstanding Graduate Student was given to Jeeyoung Lee, a Master of Divinity graduate earning her sixth degree from La Sierra and her eighth overall; the university’s Distinguished Scholarship Award went to Dr. Lloyd Trueblood, associate professor of biology; The Verla Rae Kwiram Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award was given to Dr. Paul Mallery, professor of psychology and department chair; and The Jay J. Nethery Award for significant staff contributions went to Director of Security Doug Nophsker.

A surreal moment

For Los Angeles resident Ethan Morales-Vierna, a cum laude computer science graduate, Sunday’s commencement proved a “surreal” moment, he said. His hard work over four years had garnered him multiple scholarships and awards, and he had witnessed God’s direction in his efforts to land a substantive job after college, a job that almost didn’t happen: In September he begins work as a software developer with aerospace conglomerate Northrop Grumman Corp.

“I had a mixture of emotions -- excitement, nervousness, pride, and the feeling that this was it,” Morales-Vierna. “I had worked hard and it had paid off as the greatest gift I could give my father on Father’s Day. I worked hard, but my parents even harder to give me this opportunity.”

The only child of Edwin Morales and Evelyn Vierna, Morales-Vierna attended Seventh-day Adventist schools throughout his life. His parents had placed their child in the hands of God when he was very young and struggling with acute myeloid leukemia and had watched God’s intervention and leading.

“We were elated to hear his name called and it was the culmination of 17 years of Seventh-day Adventist education,” his parents said. “Our hope and certainty is that he is prepared for the workforce and is prepared for eternity with God as he serves his community with a humble spirit because those are the values that are instilled in the students as they go through La Sierra. May God continue to bless the ministry of La Sierra University.”

Next steps for Morales-Vierna include a trip this summer to his father’s native Guatemala. “Other than that, I will be getting some much needed rest in preparation for the work force,” he said.