New student IGNITE, Blessing Service activities launch new school year

  Student Life  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Over three days in September freshmen and new students gathered at La Sierra University the week before fall quarter classes began for activities designed to build friendships and strengthen faith as they and their families segue into a new chapter.

<p> Chaplain Jason Decena, center, introduces members of La Sierra University's spiritual life team during the 2022 Blessing Service for new students and their families. </p>

Chaplain Jason Decena, center, introduces members of La Sierra University's spiritual life team during the 2022 Blessing Service for new students and their families.

<p> The Dominguez family, left to right, La Sierra University freshman Christian, Kayla, Karina and Albert attend the Blessing Service on Sept. 20. </p>

The Dominguez family, left to right, La Sierra University freshman Christian, Kayla, Karina and Albert attend the Blessing Service on Sept. 20.

<p> Families pray God's blessings over their college-bound children during the Blessing Service. </p>

Families pray God's blessings over their college-bound children during the Blessing Service.

<p> Left, psychology professor Leslie Martin and La Sierra University President Joy Fehr, right, pray over a La Sierra freshman during the university's Blessing Service on Sept 20. </p>

Left, psychology professor Leslie Martin and La Sierra University President Joy Fehr, right, pray over a La Sierra freshman during the university's Blessing Service on Sept 20.

<p> La Sierra University staff and faculty line up to greet incoming new students during the university's Hello Walk tradition on Founders' Green. </p>

La Sierra University staff and faculty line up to greet incoming new students during the university's Hello Walk tradition on Founders' Green.

<p> New La Sierra students enjoy fun team-building activities and games during the university's Ignite activities on Sept. 21 and 22. </p>

New La Sierra students enjoy fun team-building activities and games during the university's Ignite activities on Sept. 21 and 22.

<p> Ignite orientation activities included a seminar on finances and scholarships. </p>

Ignite orientation activities included a seminar on finances and scholarships.

Ignite orientation activities took place Sept. 21 and 22 following dorm move-ins and the annual Blessing Service on Sept. 20 which is designed to help new college students and their families say goodbye while seeking God’s blessings as the students begin a new academic experience.

The Blessing Service was held in the La Sierra University Church and involved music by a worship team and an homily by Campus Chaplain Jason Decena. The service concluded with prayer blessings and an oil anointing by parents and family members as they gathered in groups around their college-bound children. Students who arrived to the service without family present were prayed over by university faculty and staff members.

The Dominguez family from Eastvale, Calif. arrived for the service with their son, Christian Dominguez, a freshman biology and pre-medicine major.“It really was a blessing to have this, to be able to bless our son together as a family, and to see that where he's going to be the next four years is a very Christ-centered institution and university,” said Karina Dominguez, Christian’s mother who is a 2000 alumnus of La Sierra’s pre-physical therapy program.

"I’m so excited to start going to La Sierra where my mom went." -- Christian Dominguez, biology, pre-medicine major

Christian’s father, Albert, added, “[I’m] just blessed and happy and I'm excited for his new adventure in life and just everything that God has planned for him, I can't wait to see.”

Christian added that he was “feeling great. I’m so excited to start going to La Sierra where my mom went so I’m kind of following in her footsteps.”

His sister, Kayla Dominguez, a River Heights Intermediate middle school student was also present to support her brother. “It's cool to see him that how much he's going be able to accomplish. I'm really excited for him,” she said.

Over the following two days, freshmen and new students were divided into family groups headed by upper division La Sierra students and participated in various team-building and university orientation activities. Activities included exercises led by professional organizations toward instilling the importance of support and collaboration during college, and recreational games that included a balloon stomping contest between family groups in the gymnasium as well as a talent show. The busy, three-day program was capped by an evening of fun on Sept. 23 with games, inflatable slides and other activities on the playing fields.

Isabella Ogando, a freshman biomedical sciences major who graduated from Redlands Adventist Academy said the Ignite activities and family groups were effective in forming connections with other students.

“It's helpful to be put with a whole bunch of people because you don't know each other,” she said. “And by being in these little groups, we get to know each other and do fun activities and just kind of get to know the campus so we feel more like a community.”

She said she is most looking forward to discovering her purpose through her new college experience, “and what God has in store for me and seeing where He takes me,” she said.

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