Riverside, Calif., March, 2002 -- Soft jazz and blues filled the evening air of the cozy, dimly lit room, people smiling and chatting while sipping the smooth mocha-java pick-me-up of their choice. Coffee shop? Yes. Alumni reunion? YES! A new reunion event added to La Sierra University's Homecoming Weekend, the "Last 5'ers" (alumni from 1997-2001), was held at the Coffee Depot in downtown Riverside on Saturday, March 9.

The revolutionary idea implemented by Ralph Martinez '01, Special Events Director, and planned by Candace Jorgensen '76, Alumni Relations Director, was the brainstorm of still young alumna (though not a "Last 5'er") Julia Clarke '96. The event was created in hopes of designing an alumni reunion especially for young alumni to enjoy. Hosts from each class year of 1997-2001 were picked from class officers of their respective years to help welcome back their class members.

The event came together with special thanks to Evelyn Gaines '97, and husband Geoff Gaines, owners of the Coffee Depot, for the use of their coffee shop, and was a success as reflected by several of the alumni.

April Aitken, who flew down from San Francisco where she's a second-year law student, to be a host for the class of 1999 commented, "The marketing was fabulous! I loved the teasers."

The "teasers" were three stages of invitation-style postcards designed by young alum Rodney Saenz '01, sent out to help remind alumni to save the date. The invitations were all designed with some form of a dark blue coffee mug (the thematic symbol of all the invitations.) The last invitation promised a free coffee drink and free parking at the Coffee Depot. Alums attending the event each received a blue La Sierra University coffee mug.

Jennifer Johns, host from the class of 2000, loved having an event specifically targeted for young alumni, "Everything else is very formal. This isn't a 'planned' program, it's more a free-for-all thing."

Next year's young alumni and future alumni (La Sierra seniors) have something to look forward to during Homecoming Weekend and as Rob Holland '98, put it, "Free food's always a good attraction." So there's certain to be snacks and drinks at next year's event too.

Evan Sihotang, third-year medical student at Loma Linda University, commented, "It's cool, I wish even more people were here though." Maybe Sihotang's wish will come true next year after this event changed attendance from an average of zero to two young alums attending the class reunions to a record breaking 40 alumni and 24 other guests.

Hugo Peña, a sophomore at La Sierra who stopped by with an alumna, said he'd definitely plan on attending his future class reunion adding,"It's a good tradition to get started, especially in a cozy, friendly place like this (the Coffee Depot) because that's what SDA schools are about."

Predictions and numbers aside, it looks like next year's young alumni reunion holds a promising future as word spreads about the mod, Generation X attracting reunion event.

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Story & photos by Kandi White