Riverside activist, space institute president among graduation awardees

The university conferred degrees on 501 graduates, the largest class in the university’s history.

An article about graduation and the commencement address by Dr. Marilene Wang can be accessed here: https://lasierra.edu/article/speaker-cites-grads-contributions-offers-lessons-on-resilience/
Graduation photos and a Sunday commencement ceremony video are available here: https://lasierra.edu/graduation/photos-videos/

In concluding commencement, the university also presented a Certificate of Recognition posthumously to the mother of Christian Batchelor, a communication major who passed away during his junior year of study. The presentation was greeted with a standing ovation and cheers. Batchelor was also remembered in a special tribute during a commencement Consecration service on Friday, June 15.

Rose Mayes, executive director of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. and Robert Krone, president and co-founder of the Kepler Space Institute in Tallahassee, Fla. were each presented with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. 

Mayes, a community leader and activist, has led the Fair Housing Council since 1993. The HUD-approved nonprofit organization advocates for the housing rights of all individuals. Mayes possesses more then 30 years’ experience in civil rights, community activism and business management. She has served on numerous boards and commissions including as a board member and board vice chair with the La Sierra University Foundation since its inception in 2002. 

She is a co-founder and past president of the Riverside African American Historical Society, the guiding force behind the newly formed Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California for which she serves as board vice president. She is currently spearheading a capital campaign for the construction of the $38 million Mission Heritage Plaza which will include 72 low-income apartments along with community meeting space and Fair Housing Council and Civil Rights Institute headquarters.

Mayes’ numerous commendations and awards include this year’s Dr. Carlos E. Cortés Award for Championing Diversity and Inclusivity from the city of Riverside, the 61st Assembly District’s 2015 Woman of the Year award, and the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce. 

Krone, a consultant in advanced management theory and practice is an emeritus professor of the University of Southern California where he taught systems management for many years. He received numerous medals and commendations for his service as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, commander and international staff officer during the Vietnam War. He has written and co-authored nine books and 80 professional journal articles. The Kepler Space Institute which he leads is dedicated to the expansion of human civilization from Earth to space. 

Between 1992 and 2007 Krone served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Strategic Management at La Sierra’s Zapara School of Business lecturing on strategic planning, electronic distance learning, systems analysis, policy formulation, and organization theory. He forged ties with La Sierra through the late Paul Cone, a former business professor who knew of Krone’s work at USC. In addition to teaching, Krone helped guide the development of La Sierra University’s first strategic plan and served on various committees.

Since 1992, La Sierra University has awarded various honorary doctorates to 32 individuals. 

“One of the highlights of graduation, in addition to celebrating the achievements of our wonderful and inspiring students, is the ability to honor and showcase members of our society whose contributions are exemplary and whose lives serve as models for our graduates as they move out into the world to make contributions of their own,” said La Sierra University President Randal Wisbey. “We are very pleased this year to bestow honorary doctorates on two individuals whose extensive service to their communities and to this nation, including their instrumental involvement with our university, reflects the core values guiding La Sierra’s mission.”

The following graduates, faculty and staff members were also honored during graduation:

• President’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student

Rachel Pfenninger received the 2018 President’s Award for Outstanding University Undergraduate Student. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature/Pre-Law and a minor in French, earning a 3.98 GPA.  

Pfenninger’s many campus responsibilities and outreach efforts included working as a tutor in math and English for the university’s Summer Bridge program, serving as a student association officer and a Pre-Law Club leader, and in community service for a retirement community. She has also served on more than 10 overseas missions trips to such countries as Haiti, Peru, Ghana and Costa Rica. She personally raised $6,000 for life-changing surgery needed by a blind pineapple plantation worker in Costa Rica. 

Last summer, she worked as an intern at the Riverside District Attorney’s office, honing her interests in law. Following graduation, Pfenninger will attend law school to pursue international law or public service with a particular interest in championing the rights of the elderly.

Sam McBride, chair of the Department of English writes that Pfenninger is “intelligent, big-hearted, responsible, and unafraid to take on challenges.”

• President’s Award for Outstanding Graduate Student

Dua’a Al-Barari was the recipient of the 2018 President’s Award for Outstanding University Graduate Student. She graduated with an MBA degree in marketing earning a 4.0 GPA. 

Al-Barari came to La Sierra after earning a BSc degree in pharmacy from the University of Jordan. John Thomas, dean of the Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business noted that Al-Barari is an experienced businessperson who has exercised significant responsibilities in two Jordanian pharmaceutical corporations. Her professors have called her a diligent, exemplary student who is passionate, mature, and responsible. Her university contributions include serving as a mentor for the Office of International Student Services.

Al-Barari is currently working toward becoming a licensed pharmacist in the United States. Her goal is to earn a PhD in pharmacoeconomics toward providing the world’s societies with needed medications at affordable prices.

In a statement, Al-Barari noted, “This campus provides the optimal example of diversity, of accepting difference and providing a spiritual environment that students can excel in.” 

• Distinguished Service Award

Elvin S. Rodríguez, EdD, professor of music, received the 2018 Distinguished Service Award. He joined the La Sierra music faculty in 1998. 

Rodríguez earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music and master’s and doctoral degrees in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

He is noted as a talented teacher—“I try to teach my students to teach themselves,” he says. He is an award-winning artist and an active performer in chamber and solo recitals, and has performed and toured around the world. In 2014 he performed the Warsaw Piano Concerto with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra, and has participated in chamber music collaborations with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pacific Symphony and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. 

He spearheaded the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at La Sierra and is a founding member of the Riverside Arts Academy board. He also negotiated to bring the prestigious Montecito International Music Festival to campus each summer which offers instruction to talented students from around the world and features some of classical music’s premiere artists in free performances for the public. He has forged relationships with public school districts and collaborations with Adventist schools around California, and under his direction the department’s ensembles have engaged in numerous performances around the state, nation and the world.

“The award you receive today recognizes your ability to lead by example,” said Wisbey in presenting the service award to Rodríguez. “Your efforts to foster an outstanding community of learning  that places service at the forefront is truly one that your La Sierra University colleagues admire and deeply appreciate. We are indeed grateful for the many ways in which you have increased our university’s standing.”

• The Verla Rae Kwiram Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

The Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award is presented annually to a faculty member who has led students to success through challenging teaching. This year’s recipient was Kendra Haloviak Valentine, professor of New Testament studies with the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Columbia Union College, Haloviak Valentine earned a master’s degree at Andrews University, followed in 2002 by a PhD degree in New Testament and ethics at the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. She joined the religion faculty at La Sierra in 2001. 

Haloviak Valentine is noted by her colleagues and students as an exceptionally gifted teacher. The heart of all her teaching is hermeneutics, the process of interpreting biblical texts. It is a tool she eloquently uses to help students thoughtfully read the scriptures and shed new light upon its passages, according to colleagues. In support of her nomination for the award, Divinity School Dean Friedbert Ninow wrote, “Professor Haloviak Valentine is demanding but graceful; accessible but maintains professionalism; respects students and is a good listener. Her teaching is transformative because she is passionate about the gospel.” 

During her 17 years at La Sierra University, she has been a favorite of students for her lively class discussions, and has presented teaching that is fresh and relevant due to ongoing research and work in local and global communities, noted Wisbey in his comments. 

“You have transformed the lives of countless students,” he said to Haloviak Valentine. “Your integration of faith and learning is an asset not only to everyone who enters your classroom, but to your fellow faculty and staff who are also inspired and motivated by your example.”

• The Jay J. Nethery Award

Athletic Director Javier Krumm received this year’s Jay J. Nethery Award which is presented annually to those who have contributed significantly to La Sierra University and have provided extraordinary service to its students. 

Krumm holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and master’s degrees in fitness and health and science of education. In his home country of Argentina, Krumm was vice chair of the Department of Exercise Science at Universidad Adventista de Plata. He also served as a pro volley ball coach and semi-pro soccer coach.

Krumm came to La Sierra in 2009. He has grown a struggling program with 45 athletes into a thriving and nationally-recognized program with more than 250 student athletes. His visionary leadership and student-centered focus have resulted in California Pacific Conference championships, La Sierra Golden Eagles appearances at national-level competitions and university gold-standard Champions of Character awards from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. 

In 2016 he was recognized as Athletic Director of the Year by the Cal Pac Conference for his leadership and development of the Gold Eagles program. Krumm’s accomplishments include spearheading a years-long effort to move NAIA events away from Saturday game play in keeping with Seventh-day Adventist’s Sabbath beliefs. The NAIA last year decided to move cross-country championships to Friday beginning in 2018. 

Said Wisbey when presenting the Nethery award to Krumm, “We honor you for the manner in which you consistently care for your athletes and all who support them.”