Zapara business school, Pierce Street series to celebrate school’s 10th anniversary

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Ten years ago this month, hundreds gathered at La Sierra University to celebrate the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art business school facility which has since won awards and functioned as a local landmark. This year, the Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business will recognize its 10th anniversary with a special presentation and  jazz performance by noted artists.

<p> Guitarist Jack Tone-Riordan will perform for Pierce Street Jazz on Sept. 28. (Photo: Angela Bennett) </p>

Guitarist Jack Tone-Riordan will perform for Pierce Street Jazz on Sept. 28. (Photo: Angela Bennett)

<p> Shots of the Zapara School of Business which opened in September 2013, construction and the finished building. (Photos: Natan Vigna) </p>

Shots of the Zapara School of Business which opened in September 2013, construction and the finished building. (Photos: Natan Vigna)

The anniversary celebration will be held Thursday, Sept. 28 at the business school with a catered reception at 5 p.m. followed by a presentation and historical overview by John Thomas, business school dean. At 7 p.m., the community arts series Pierce Street Jazz will be held in Troesh Conference Center featuring guitarist Jack Tone-Riordan, a leading Bay Area musician and recent Los Angeles resident. He will be joined by Pierce Street regulars Henry Franklin on bass, organizer of the series, and Theo Saunders on piano, with noted drummer Tony Austin making a reappearance with the jazz series.

The 60,200-square-foot Zapara School of Business opened in September 2013 following five years of planning, fundraising, design and construction. A grand opening celebration was held that year on Sept. 26 with special tributes made to the building’s namesakes, Seventh-day Adventist philanthropists Tom and Violet Zapara, with remarks by university, community, and state leaders.

The spacious two-story building, highlighted by a sky-lit central atrium and windowed rotunda is prominently situated near the campus entrance. It replaced an aging predecessor facility originally built in 1968 and has received awards for its structure and appearance including ranking among the top 50 most beautiful business schools in the world by TopManagementDegrees.com. Its Troesh Conference Center, where Pierce Street Jazz concerts are performed, has functioned as a popular space for university and community events.

“The business school, the campus, and our community have benefitted tremendously from the presence of this beautiful building, and we continue to offer our gratitude to the Zaparas, the Troeshs, and so many other supporters who made it possible,” Thomas said. “Our students and faculty members have been able to take advantage of the technology and high-capacity, versatile space this facility offers and  pursue innovative classes and entrepreneurial endeavors. We are also grateful to host Pierce Street Jazz in the Troesh center, which allows our community members and professional guest artists a comfortable space in which to celebrate our country’s original art form.”

The Zapara School of Business is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, Calif. For further information, call 951-785-2464. Admission to the 10th anniversary celebration and Pierce Street Jazz concert is free.

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