Riverside, Calif., February, 2002 -- David Pendleton, Hawaii State Legislator, and La Sierra alumnus who was active in student life as president of the Student Senate and of the Student Association, spoke to the assembly of his alma mater La Sierra University on January 8 on the topic, "Ennobling the Head, the Heart, and the Hands."

Pendleton says La Sierra helped him develop analytical skills to serve not only in politics but also as a parent of three. Pendleton explains, "I acquired habits of the heart here. I learned to feel, and feel passionately."

Pendleton learned the joy of serving others. He found that hands aren't useful only for typing on keyboards but for serving soup, or hammering nails at a shelter. Ennobling means to elevate, raise up from a lower position. That's what "ennobling" the head, heart and hands is about.

Graduating with his BA from La Sierra was the beginning of Pendleton's education. He learned that relationships and dealing with people are just as important. And that must've shown back in his college days because in 1989 Pendleton was voted "most likely to succeed in politics" by the student body.

And succeed he did. He's now in the number two position in Hawaii's Republican caucus; holds a master's degree in religion; is able to practice law in California and Hawaii; was named Outstanding Legislator of the Year 2000; is a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders; and was elected in 2001 as one of the Top 15 Most Influential People in Hawaii, Pendleton emphasizes and believes, as Mayor Giuliani said recently, "Ideas matter."

Pendleton wasn't always so motivated. His freshman year at this University, when his dean asked, "What do you hope to get out of La Sierra?" He responded like any know-it-all freshman, "Me!"

But he stayed at the University and Pendleton remembers nights of staring at an old black & white Mac computer, struck by a case of midnight writer's block, and other times when he faced important questions like arguing with God for the first time. It's these and other ideas and situations he faced that helped shape his mind and life.

Urging students, "You can make a difference," Pendleton ran through several dates in history where one person's idea turned the table. In 1845 one vote brought Texas into the union. In 1923, one devastating vote gave Hitler control of the Nazi party.

The message of the Latin adage "Carpe diem," seize the day, while you're at La Sierra, and "whatever you do, make a difference," was Pendleton's wisdom for the student body as he looks back fondly at his time spent and lessons learned here.

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by Kandi White