La Sierra University to celebrate 100 years with convention center gala

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – On Mon., Oct. 3, 2022, 100 years to the day that its first classes commenced, La Sierra University will celebrate a century of growth and transformation during a festive event at the Riverside Convention Center.

<p> Looking out over the valley from Mount Two Bit, the original three buildings are viewed that formed La Sierra Academy in 1922 and 1923. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

Looking out over the valley from Mount Two Bit, the original three buildings are viewed that formed La Sierra Academy in 1922 and 1923. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> James I. Robison, founding principal of La Sierra University’s originating institution, La Sierra Academy which opened Oct. 3, 1922. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

James I. Robison, founding principal of La Sierra University’s originating institution, La Sierra Academy which opened Oct. 3, 1922. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> Image of a glass lantern slide circa 1929 depicting a bus full of students from La Sierra Academy and Normal School, a La Sierra University predecessor institution. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

Image of a glass lantern slide circa 1929 depicting a bus full of students from La Sierra Academy and Normal School, a La Sierra University predecessor institution. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> Cattle on La Sierra's dairy farm during its early years. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

Cattle on La Sierra's dairy farm during its early years. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> A farmer with horses and plow with La Sierra's early buildings and Mount Two Bit in the background. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

A farmer with horses and plow with La Sierra's early buildings and Mount Two Bit in the background. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> A 1947 aerial photograph of La Sierra College. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

A 1947 aerial photograph of La Sierra College. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> La Sierra Hall, one of the university's first buildings in 1922-23 and former administrative center, now houses the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

La Sierra Hall, one of the university's first buildings in 1922-23 and former administrative center, now houses the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> An extensive revision to the campus entrance involving ponds and other water features was constructed in 2001 as part of an overall redevelopment of university property along Riverwalk Parkway. Redevelopment resulted in a $100 million endowment for the institution. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

An extensive revision to the campus entrance involving ponds and other water features was constructed in 2001 as part of an overall redevelopment of university property along Riverwalk Parkway. Redevelopment resulted in a $100 million endowment for the institution. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> La Sierra University President Joy Fehr is the first female to lead the institution in its 100-year history. Appointed in 2019, she is its fourth president since La Sierra’s inception as a university in 1990. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

La Sierra University President Joy Fehr is the first female to lead the institution in its 100-year history. Appointed in 2019, she is its fourth president since La Sierra’s inception as a university in 1990. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> The Thaine B. Price Science Complex opened in the early 2000s and is named for benefactor and alumnus Dr. Thaine Price. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

The Thaine B. Price Science Complex opened in the early 2000s and is named for benefactor and alumnus Dr. Thaine Price. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> The 60,200-square-foot Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business opened in 2013 as the university's newest major facility. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

The 60,200-square-foot Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business opened in 2013 as the university's newest major facility. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> La Sierra University mascot Eko can be found leading cheers for the university's NAIA athletics teams and adding to the fun of school events. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

La Sierra University mascot Eko can be found leading cheers for the university's NAIA athletics teams and adding to the fun of school events. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> La Sierra students in the 1960s enjoy swimming and skiing as pictured in this yearbook page. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

La Sierra students in the 1960s enjoy swimming and skiing as pictured in this yearbook page. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> A member of the La Sierra University Golden Eagles men's soccer team during a September match this year. The university's athletics program has grown exponentially over the years with varsity teams now participating as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. (Photo: La Sierra University Athletics) </p>

A member of the La Sierra University Golden Eagles men's soccer team during a September match this year. The university's athletics program has grown exponentially over the years with varsity teams now participating as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. (Photo: La Sierra University Athletics)

<p> Image of a glass lantern slide depicting female students in a domestic science class learning to cook at Southern California Junior College, a La Sierra University predecessor institution. Taken between 1927 and the early 1930s. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

Image of a glass lantern slide depicting female students in a domestic science class learning to cook at Southern California Junior College, a La Sierra University predecessor institution. Taken between 1927 and the early 1930s. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> Today’s students may choose from a plethora of career paths including scientific research. Jennifer Yoo, a 2019 biomedical sciences graduate is shown here at a biology lab at La Sierra University in 2017. She was accepted in 2019 as a research trainee at the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

Today’s students may choose from a plethora of career paths including scientific research. Jennifer Yoo, a 2019 biomedical sciences graduate is shown here at a biology lab at La Sierra University in 2017. She was accepted in 2019 as a research trainee at the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> Image of a glass lantern slide depicting the typing room at Southern California Junior College, a La Sierra University predecessor institution. Taken between 1927 and the early 1930s. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

Image of a glass lantern slide depicting the typing room at Southern California Junior College, a La Sierra University predecessor institution. Taken between 1927 and the early 1930s. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> Students in a 2013 commmunications class at La Sierra University type, communicate and learn on computers. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

Students in a 2013 commmunications class at La Sierra University type, communicate and learn on computers. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> A photo of the 1965 Chamber Singers. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

A photo of the 1965 Chamber Singers. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> The La Sierra University Chamber Singers perform in the Candlelight Concert in 2017. (Photo: Natan Vigna) </p>

The La Sierra University Chamber Singers perform in the Candlelight Concert in 2017. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

<p> The Southern California Junior Orchestra is show here in 1930-31. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

The Southern California Junior Orchestra is show here in 1930-31. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> The La Sierra University Orchestra under Dean Anderson in 2015 particiapted in a performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles </p>

The La Sierra University Orchestra under Dean Anderson in 2015 particiapted in a performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles

<p> The 1994 Students In Free Enterprise, or SIFE particiate in entrepreneurial outreach as shown in this yearbook image. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections) </p>

The 1994 Students In Free Enterprise, or SIFE particiate in entrepreneurial outreach as shown in this yearbook image. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

<p> The La Sierra University Enactus team, formerly SIFE, won 3rd in the nation during Enactus national championships in May 2022. The team, since its initiation in 1992 at the business school now Zapara School of Business, has established a record-setting number of wins at the national and international level. </p>

The La Sierra University Enactus team, formerly SIFE, won 3rd in the nation during Enactus national championships in May 2022. The team, since its initiation in 1992 at the business school now Zapara School of Business, has established a record-setting number of wins at the national and international level.

The Centennial Gala, slated to take place on the university’s Founders’ Day, will provide attendees with an historical retrospective of key moments in the institution’s history through to present day. Entertainment will be provided by creative force and dynamic classical pianist Alpin Hong along with an appearance by La Sierra alumnus and operatic tenor Anthony León. A rendition of the La Sierra school song will also be presented, a piece first performed Oct. 1, 1949.

Top: With Mount Two Bit in the background, the original three buildings are viewed that formed La Sierra Academy in 1922 and 1923, and which are still part of the La Sierra University campus – left to right, South Hall, La Sierra Hall, and Gladwyn Hall. (Courtesy: La Sierra University Library Special Collections)

Bottom: An aerial view of the current La Sierra University campus and entrance fountain in 2018. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

The evening’s highlights will feature the presentation of 100 Presidential Awards by La Sierra University President Joy Fehr. These individuals hold various ties to the university and have made significant contributions in a diversity of ways -- to the university and its standing, to their chosen fields and the spirit of innovation and excellence, to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination of which the university is a part, and to the betterment of the Riverside community and wellbeing of society. Awards will include posthumous recognitions.

Presidential Awardees will include Stan Morrison, renowned former college basketball coach and athletics director and current chair of La Sierra University’s foundation and athletics advisory boards; outgoing Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Cindy Roth, past recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws from La Sierra University;La Sierra University President Emeritus Larry T. Geraty whose tenure oversaw the creation of the foundation board and a $100 million endowment through redevelopment of university property; the late Art Pick, former La Sierra University trustee, Riverside community leader and former chambers of commerce president; Brian Wright, general manager of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, a Zapara School of Business graduate, former Golden Eagles basketball player and Riverside Sports Hall of Fame honoree; Riverside native and Christian recording artist Patty Cabrera, La Sierra University Master of Arts in Religion program participant, Latin Grammy nominee, Gospel Music Association Dove Awards nominee; the late Frank Jobe, La Sierra alumnus, celebrated sports orthopaedic surgeon and inventor of the groundbreaking ‘Tommy John’ elbow ligament reconstructive surgery; and Seventh-day Adventist philanthropists Thaine B. Price, a La Sierra alumnus, and Tom and Vi Zapara whose respective contributions allowed the construction of the university’s newest buildings housing its sciences complex and business school.

Historical figures receiving recognition will include former La Sierra College President Erwin E. Cossentine who worked to free La Sierra’s Japanese-American students from internment camps during World War II, and those tied to the university’s beginnings, notably Willits J. Hole, former owner of Rancho La Sierra, a Mexican land grant, a portion of which he sold for the development of university’s forerunner, La Sierra Academy, and James I. Robison, founding principal of the academy which opened during an autumn heatwave on Oct. 3, 1922 with 84 students and two partially completed buildings.

During a gala reception, the university will also unveil a book about its 100-year history written by current and past faculty members and administrators. Guests will have an opportunity to meet the authors.

The gala completes a lineup of university centennial events this year – festivities launched in February with the unveiling of a new sculpture, the third in a trilogy, and centennial-themed activities took place during alumni weekend in April capped by a fireworks show.

Fireworks light up the sky over the Glory of God's Grace sculpture plaza on April 30 as part of the university's centennial celebrations during alumni weekend. (Photo: Natan Vigna)

“We have been planning and anticipating this magnificent gala all year long, and are eager to celebrate with our supporters and friends,” said President Fehr. “With great excitement, we conclude our centennial celebrations for our beloved university through this capstone event and join with our community in paying tribute to the courage and immense tenacity of those who, more than 100 years ago, made certain this exceptional educational institution took root in Riverside. It is due to their profound dedication and that of countless donors and supporters, faculty and staff over the decades that our school has evolved into the nationally-ranked university that it is today serving students from around the globe. We are humbled to celebrate this tremendous milestone and grateful for God’s unending provision as we move forward into an even brighter future of opportunity and growth.”

The La Sierra University Centennial Gala will begin with the reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the full program at 6 p.m. Individual tickets are $100 and table sponsorships begin at $1,000. Proceeds will benefit the university. For further information and to register for the gala email advancement@lasierra.edu, call 951-785-2500, or visit https://lasierra.edu/centennial/

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