Riverside, Calif., May, 2000--Commencement weekend for the La Sierra University Class of 2000 is packed with powerful speakers, special music and memory-making events. The weekend begins on Friday night, June 16 and concludes with graduation on Sunday, June 18. More than 260 students will receive diplomas ranging from a professional certificate in music to a doctoral degree in education.

The opening event of the weekend is Friday night's Consecration service, planned and presented by the Senior Class of 2000. The program features senior reflections and School of Religion Senior of the Year Christi Oberg giving a homily on "Gonna Borrow Faith No More." Graduation candidates of the music department will provide the special music for the evening. Pieces will include organ and trumpet, violin and tenor, a soprano solo and Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Cellos. The service begins at 8 p.m. in the La Sierra University Church.

Graduates, their families and friends are invited to a reception hosted by the Alumni Association immediately following the Consecration service. The reception will take place in the courtyard behind the church. This event provides opportunities for refreshments, farewells and photos.

The La Sierra University Church worship service for Saturday, June 17, will honor the graduating class. Special guest speaker Kendra Haloviak, professor of religion at Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, Md., will speak on "The Presence of the Future." The music selection will be provided by Grace Oh, a graduating violin major, member of the Long Beach Philharmonic and recipient of the 2000 La Sierra President's Award. The service begins at 10:50 a.m. in the La Sierra University Church.

Saturday afternoon, the School of Education will present a Teacher Dedication service to honor graduating seniors who plan to become teachers. All family and friends are invited to Matheson Chapel at 4 p.m.

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the La Sierra Vocal Studies Department will present a Commencement Concert in Hole Memorial Auditorium. Solos, duets and ensembles of classical, traditional and gospel songs will be performed. The graduating performers have arranged several of the selections.

La Sierra graduation will be Sunday, June 18. Conferring of Degrees begins at 8 a.m. on the Founder's Green on the campus mall. Richard Duerksen, the director of spiritual development for Florida Hospital in Orlando and a parent of La Sierra Class of 2000 graduate Julene Duerksen, will be speaking on "www.hope.god." The Senior Class gift will be presented, a brass ensemble will perform and the candidates will receive their diplomas.

Directly following the conferring of degrees, the Brandstater Gallery will be open. The current exhibit features the work of six graduating art majors, Joe Supasit Assavacharttchongchai, Carl Jonard, Mary Kim, Rick Marson, Elbert Soh and Randy Valencia. The gallery will remain open after graduation until 3 p.m.

Family and friends attending the events on Sunday have the opportunity to purchase flowers, Mylar balloons, leis and rose bouquets in the Bookstore Courtyard. This service, available beginning at 7 a.m., is provided by Shaffer's Florist.

Additional information on speakers, program details and directions to locations is available by calling the La Sierra University office of Public Relations at (909)785-2001.

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Story by Bonnie Carter, Public Relations newswriter, Class of 2000. Editor's note: This is her last news story for our office. She will be missed. To congratulate her, bonncart@lasierra.edu