Wilfred J. Airey History Chair Endowment Fund

The Wilfred J. Airey History Chair Endowment Fund is to be used to fund a teaching chair for the department. Once the fund is fully funded the university shall hire the Wilfred J. Airey Professor of History. Until that time the fund may be used to hire contract or part-time teachers to be known as Wilfred J. Airey Lecturer in History.

Backus American Freedoms Endowment

The Backus American Freedoms Endowment was established to promote scholarly and educational endeavors at La Sierra University that facilitate a greater appreciation for and understanding of American liberties. 

James F. Barnard Fund

This endowed fund was founded by James F. Barnard to benefit the Heritage Room at La Sierra University. Being an alumnus of La Sierra University and having a strong affinity for Adventist history, Dr. Barnard wished to pay tribute to his alma mater by funding the Heritage Room.  

Brandstater Gallery Endowment

This fund was established by the children of Roy and Frances Brandstater; Rhona Brandstater Hodgen, Bernard Brandstater, Murray Brandstater and Lynette Brandstater Bellville. The purpose of the fund is to provide income to enrich the fine arts activities in the Brandstater Gallery. 

Frances L. and E. Jane Brown Music Library Endowment

The Frances L. and E. Jane Brown Music Library Endowment bears the name of two sisters whose parents moved from Nebraska to La Sierra in 1923 for the purpose of giving their children the benefit of a Christian education. One of those sisters, Frances, became an esteemed member of the La Sierra music faculty, teaching vocal music for many years. The other became a physician. The endowment was established by Dr. E. Jane Brown to fund purchases of materials for the Frances L. Brown Music Library. The library is an essential anchor point for the music program at La Sierra University and an essential foundation for sustaining departmental excellence. The library honors the contributions and memory of Frances L. Brown. During her tenure at La Sierra, Frances helped to establish a tradition of excellence in the vocal studies program. She also served overseas at Helderberg College in South Africa. There she had the distinction of founding the first and well-known touring acapella choir on the continent. 

Virginia Richards Cason Endowment

This fund is established by Walter Cason to honor his wife, Virginia Richards Cason, and is intended to benefit the Women’s Resource Center at La Sierra. Throughout her life Virginia Cason has actively championed the empowering of women in society and especially in the church. Funds shall be used to provide educational enrichment for women. Award recipients shall be selected based on financial need and strong interest via the normal university process. 

Chan Shun Educational Fund

This fund is established in memory of Dr. Chan Shun to recognize the enormous and invaluable impact of Dr. Chan’s exemplary service to enhance the well-being of humanity. The founders of this fund wish to provide opportunities for Asian Seventh-day Adventists to benefit from the educational resources available at La Sierra University so that they may be better equipped workers for evangelistic work and service in Asia.

Class of 1945 – Outreach and Evangelism

The members of the Class of 1945 established this fund as a gift to their alma mater. The income from the endowed fund is used to support evangelism and outreach efforts by La Sierra University.

College of Arts and Sciences Faculty and Special Purpose Fund

Realizing the ever present need to upgrade university programs and faculty training, Dr. Ed Allred created this fund to assist the College of Arts and Sciences in keeping abreast of new concepts, trends and technology in higher education. 

E. Straus and Edna J. Cubley Endowment Fund

This fund is established from the estate of E. Straus and Edna J. Cubley “for the benefit of the School of Business at La Sierra University. The basic purpose of the Fund is to expand the integration of education, the Seventh-day Adventist religion, career and personal goals, and lifestyle.” Part of this endowment is designated for scholarships for students of the School of Business who are both academically successful and demonstrate goals and lifestyles not inconsistent with Seventh-day Adventism.

Dorothy Minchin Comm Distinguished Speaker Series

This fund is established to ensure the continuation of the La Sierra University English and Communication Department Lecture Series, and was established by former students, friends, alumni and colleagues in honor of Dorothy Minchin Comm.

Although born in Wichita, Kansas, Dorothy lived all over the world with her missionary family. Her schooling began in Singapore and continued in Australia, New Zealand, Washington, D.C., Canada, and England. She graduated from Atlantic Union College in 1950. During her first year of teaching, Dorothy met Walter Comm, the young minister who would become her husband. Their lives together were no less peripatetic than Dorothy’s childhood, but exposure to many places and cultures led to Dorothy’s informed world perspective and reinforced her abiding love for travel. The couple worked in Newfoundland, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Canada, and the Philippines before they arrived at (then) Loma Linda University in 1978. Along the way, they acquired two children and a number of degrees—a B.D. and D.Min. (Walt) and an M.A. and Ph.D. (Dorothy). Dorothy, as professor of English, would teach, first at LLU and then La Sierra University, until she retired in 2001.

Dorothy Comm, a beloved and dedicated teacher, is also a prolific writer, a public speaker and a gifted raconteur. Although she misses teaching, Dorothy says that as long as she has her music, her books, and her writing, she has no problem with retirement.

Contempo Fund

The Contempo Fund was founded in 1992 by the La Sierra Alumni Association. La Sierra University enjoys a beautiful campus, and this endowment will support capital improvements, equipment and landscaping at La Sierra University.

E. Strauss and Edna Cubley School of Business Endowment

This fund is established from the estate of E. Straus and Edna J. Cubley “for the benefit of the School of Business at La Sierra University. The basic purpose of the fund shall be to expand the integration of education, the Seventh-day Adventist religion, career and personal goals, and lifestyle.” 

Drayson Student Life Endowment

This endowment was founded in 1998 in honor of Dr. Ronald D. Drayson. As a long-time member of the Friends of La Sierra and a dynamic leader at Loma Linda University, Dr. Drayson was actively involved in the improvement of student life. With academic degrees in theology, biblical languages, educational counseling and law, coupled with grace and a lively sense of humor, Dr. Drayson interacted easily, intimately and effectively with a diverse array of communities – particularly students. Over the years, Ron and Grace Drayson have made many important gifts to La Sierra, including a major trust, valuable property and the funding for the renovations of the Hole Memorial Auditorium. This endowment will support campus activities as a tribute to the Drayson’s life-long commitment to improving student life. 

Lawrence T. Geraty Lecture Series

To honor his distinguished career and unprecedented service as president, community leader, and scholar, La Sierra University established a lecture series that will permanently carry the Geraty name. The Lawrence T. Geraty Lecture Series will annually feature an international leader who will provide a lecture open to the public on the La Sierra University campus. Speakers will be selected on the basis of their global perspective and their sensitivity to the areas Dr. Geraty has championed – human and international understanding, diversity, and social justice. Founding contributors honor Dr. Geraty’s remarkable commitment to La Sierra University, Southern California, and his discipline of archeology.

Thomas S. Geraty Chair in Ministry

Yin Fong Chan has lived an exemplary life of humble Christian service. Dr. Chan retired at 44 as a textile manufacturer, and at the time the chair was founded, continued to be a role model at the age of 84. He wanted to support the university because four of his seven children attended La Sierra and he said he wanted to share his blessings with the institution. Truly he has developed his God-given talents and used them humbly and faithfully in ministry. In order to ensure that faculty in the School of Religion (now Divinity School) at La Sierra University will continue to provide the best education in ministry, he established an endowed chair. Dr. Yin Fong Chan has chosen to name the endowed chair as the Thomas S. Geraty Chair in Ministry to recognize Dr. Geraty’s contribution as a educator, administrator and minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 40 years on three continents. For 11 of those years, he and his late wife, Hazel, worked as missionaries in China, home country of Dr. Yin Fong Chan. Dr. Geraty has taught, preached and lived the gospel tirelessly, continuing to volunteer at La Sierra University even though he is nearly 90 years of age. 

Anees A. Haddad Faculty Award for Excellence in Advancing the Effectiveness of Faculty Governance at La Sierra University

This fund was established by Anees A. Haddad to recognize the exceptional contribution of individual faculty members to governance at La Sierra University. Faculty participation in the government of the university is of utmost importance for both the health and morale of the faculty and the university alike. It emphasizes faculty ownership of their part in their university and its maximum success. Further, faculty members have unique expertise in the academic arena and in policies that affect the curriculum. The faculty senate is a vital part of the governance of the university. A faculty member who exhibits leadership in advancing the work of faculty governance should be rewarded and presented as a role model to the entire faculty. 

Bashir Hasso Chair

Funds are used to fund the salary and/or research expenses of a faculty member in the School of Business whose motto is to create value and make a difference. 

History Special Purpose Endowment

Proceeds from this fund benefit the History, Politics & Society department for research, professional development, faculty book allowance and other purposes as determined by the department.

Frederick G. Hoyt Library Endowment

This fund is established by the faculty in the History, Politics & Society department, 2008/2009 in honor of Frederick G. Hoyt’s lifetime of association with the university, and the many students and colleagues whose lives he impacted. Proceeds from the fund benefit the Department of History, Politics, & Society’s library, through physical upkeep and the renewal of resources for student learning. 

Dick and Ardyce Koobs Chamber Music Endowment

Violinist Ardyce Koobs, alumna of La Sierra College Class of 1949, throughout her career was a staunch supporter of the L.S.U. Department of Music. After completing a degree in violin at La Sierra, Ardyce went on to the University of Southern California where she earned a master's degree in music.

Whether in music or politics, Ardyce’s diverse career was an inspiration to many. As a music teacher she mentored hundreds of budding violinists and violists. She performed and soloed with several area orchestras, including the Riverside and Redlands symphonies. On any given weekend Ardyce could be heard playing chamber music for one of the area Seventh-day Adventist churches, and in particular was a regular performer for her home church in Loma Linda.

Her physician husband, Dick Koobs, was an amateur violist. Having learned to play later in life, Dick and Ardyce for decades performed with the college orchestra and faithfully attended chamber music concerts at La Sierra.

Established by the Board of Trustees in 2009 through a gift from the Koobs estate, the Dick and Ardyce Koobs Chamber Music Endowment will fund guest artist fees and expenses of visiting musicians featured in the Department of Music Chamber Music Series.

Dennis Krieger Memorial Endowed Fund

The Dennis Krieger Memorial Endowment was established by Dr. Ed Allred to help support special projects deemed as priorities. 

Iris M. Landa Excellence in Advising Award

After 32 years as an advisor, mentor, friend, and colleague to La Sierra University students, faculty, and staff, Iris M. Landa began the next adventure in her life in June 2007 – retirement. In 1986, Mrs. Landa was the first of 19 La Sierra University faculty and staff to be recognized for excellence in advising by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Since mentoring students holds such a special place in her heart, this endowed fund named in her honor will provide an annual cash award to recognize and reward academic advisors who have demonstrated both commitment to and a successful track record in advising. Established by Alina Sanchez, one of Iris Landa’s former student assistants on behalf of the numerous La Sierra College and La Sierra University students who benefited from Iris Landa’s mentorship during her career as director of advising and orientation, this fund has received support from many of Iris’s colleagues, former student assistants, advisees, and other friends.

Paul J. Landa Lectureship Endowment Fund

This fund was established in memory of Paul J. Landa to preserve the legacy he left – his passion for intellectual integrity, faith commitment and engagement with the world at large. His entire career was devoted to fostering a healthy conversation among church, campus and community in which each informed and impelled the other. 

Jim and Kathleen Manning Scholarship for the Zapara School of Business

This Fund is established by Jim and Kathleen Manning. Through their own life experiences, Jim and Kathleen know how difficult it is to balance work and academics. To really succeed in academics, a spirit of entrepreneurship is needed. For the Mannings, this success required ingenuity and working more than one job. The scholarship will be awarded to full time undergraduate or graduate students with financial need, enrolled in the Zapara School of Business.

Joe Patton

This fund is established with an initial gift of $50,000 from the Joseph Patton Trust by Jan White, his sister, in recognition of Joe’s life as a businessman, entrepreneur and community servant. Despite business and personal challenges, Joe became a multimillionaire and he forgot neither his roots nor his angel’s wings. He was involved in community service programs and funded an annual event to feed economically disadvantaged/low-income families in the locale of his business. Additionally, he participated in and supported campaigns designed to raise awareness of cancer.

Rasmussen Family Fund

This fund was established to facilitate the professional growth of the social work program. Funds are used to enhance the scholarship of the faculty and students.

Stahl Center Endowment

The Stahl Center Endowment was founded in 1988 to support the Fernando and Ana Stahl Center for World Missions. This endowment is intended to support student scholarship through subsidy and world mission experience. It is also for student research and the funding of the Stahl Center museum, which is richly grounded in the heritage of Seventh-day Adventist missionaries.

Yaeger Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Originally founded as Derrill E. Yaeger Memorial Scholarship, this fund was established by the family of Derrill E. Yaeger. An alumnus from the Class of 1950, Yaeger was instrumental in advising the university with its endowment initiative, which from 1990 to 2005 turned an unused land asset into a 50 million-dollar endowment, securing the future of La Sierra University for generations to come. The university’s entrance “Yaeger Way” is named in his honor. Scholarships will be awarded to full time undergraduate Business majors committed to pursuing a career in law, currently in their junior or senior year with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Preference is given to students who are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and who come from a single parent family.