Riverside, Calif., March, 2002 -- Profuse thanks go to many individuals and departments who helped plan and execute La Sierra’s Homecoming, March 7-10. Special acknowledgements must be given to Advancement, Physical Plant, Security, and Public Relations who worked at the last minute to compensate for the ever-changing road situation. The Homecoming-edition maps and signs helped visitors negotiate their way around campus.

A high point of the weekend was the Thursday evening banquet, which featured honored alumni Jerry McIntosh ‘64, University Alumnus of the Year; College of Arts and Sciences: Milo Loye ‘49; School of Business and Management: Grant Sadler ‘70; School of Education: Myrna Costa ‘81 ‘84 ‘95; and School of Religion: David Pendleton ‘89 ‘90.

Making their debut this year were the Rising Star Awards, established to honor graduates of the past decade whose accomplishments exemplify La Sierra’s motto, “To Seek, To Know, To Serve.” The recipients were Sabine Robertson Phillips, SE, and Marlin Gimbel, SBM.

Another Homecoming “first” involved graduates of the last five years. Hosted by Advancement’s Ralph Martinez ‘01, this reunion was held at Coffee Depot downtown Riverside. Forty alumni came, bringing family and friends, and enthusiastically voted that this should be an annual event. The Coffee Depot is co-owned by alumna Evelyn Suarez Gaines ‘97.

Other weekend highlights included a men’s doubles tennis tournament and ribbon cutting ceremony on the new tennis courts, a 25th anniversary Loma Linda Men’s Chorus reunion concert under the direction of Don Thurber, and the Wind Ensemble concert with stand-in student conductor Juan Diaz. Adventist Colleges Abroad and Modern Languages were featured at the Homecoming Sabbath School, as well as the Gamma Tau induction lunch on Sunday, which honored Marguerite Hilts, Tom Smith, and posthumously, John T. Hamilton.

Plans are already underway for La Sierra’s 80th anniversary Homecoming Feb. 26-March 2, 2003, which will feature speaker Morris Venden ‘53, and Joan Coggin att. ‘47 at the banquet. Departments are invited to host activities that may be included in the Homecoming schedule.

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by Candace Jorgensen