RIVERSIDE, CA - At La Sierra University's 2001 graduation, Ron Johnson, a social work major, was a living demonstration of Dale Carnegie's quote: "We can all endure disaster and tragedy, and triumph over them – if we have to. We may not think we can, but we have surprisingly strong inner resources that will see us through if we only make use of them." Johnson was the student who stood taller than all the rest because despite all odds, he received his degree with honors while sitting in a wheel chair.

Johnson, a social work major was a few months away from graduating when he was seriously injured in a head on collision with a drunk driver. Despite the fact that no one expected him to come through, he survived and fought back to complete the requirements for his degree in time for graduation. In recognizing the exceptional performance of students, University President Lawrence T. Geraty cited Johnson's triumph over the seemingly insurmountable obstacles placed in front of him.

Before the accident, Johnson was fulfilling his need to help others by serving the homeless through the Salvation Army and the Lutheran Social Services.

With the help of the La Sierra Social Work department and the Learning Support Center, Johnson was able to complete his degree on time. His teachers went the extra mile in helping him to reach his goal by teaching him on an individual basis. The Learning Support Center solicited student volunteers to record his textbooks.

Monte Holloway was a social work classmate of Johnson's, who died on April 8, 2001, just two weeks after completing his degree requirements.

"Monte was such a great friend," says classmate Ralph Martinez, "His huge smile and unforgettable laughter were topped only by his zest for life. You knew that if Monte was in your class, you were going to have a great quarter. Those of us who had the honor of being his friends have had our lives touched in a special way just by knowing him. I miss him tremendously."

To honor the perseverance and triumph of Ron Johnson and the memory of Monte Holloway, Nancy Dittemore, director of the Evening Adult Degree Program, has set up a scholarship fund (The Ronmont Hollowson Scholarship fund) in Johnson's and Holloway's names. The scholarship will be awarded to social work majors who are enrolled in the Evening Adult Degree Program, based on academic or personal need.