La Sierra Alumni of the Year honorees for 2003 include: (from left) Alina Sanchez ’90, School of Business and Management Rising Star; John C. Brunt ’64, School of Religion; Florence Lorenz ’53, College of Arts and Sciences; La Sierra President Larry Geraty; Joseph J. Verska '50, La Sierra Alumnus of the Year; Beverly Russell ’81, School of Education; Myeasha Pruitt ’98 ’01, School of Education Rising Star; and Ernie W. Hwang ’85, School of Business and Management.

2003 Alumnus of the Year
Joseph J. Verska
Industriousness and determination early on marked the life of Joseph J. Verska. After graduating from Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia, Joe sold books during summers to pay tuition at La Sierra College. He graduated in the class of 1950 with a B.A. in Chemistry, also serving as Student Body President his senior year.

His next achievement was earning an M.D. in 1955 from Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM). From 1957-59 he was a Captain in the US Air Force and Chief of Surgery at Nellis AFB Hospital in Nevada. In 1962 Joe completed a general surgery residency in New York City at NYU affiliated hospitals, then in 1965 he completed a thoracic and cardiovascular surgery residency in Los Angeles at USC affiliated hospitals.

Joe began his professional career at White Memorial Medical Center as chief and director of residency training in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. During his 10 years at “the White,” he published 22 scientific articles related to cardiac surgery. Many were presented at professional meetings in the US and abroad. In 1973 Joe served as the thoracic surgeon on the Ship Hope in Brazil, a training ship for medial specialists.

Joe moved his practice to Glendale Adventist Medical Center in 1975 where he initiated the open-heart surgery program. He served as chief of cardiac surgery at GAMC until 1990 when he retired. Joe was certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. His membership in professional organizations included the AMA, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Western Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Los Angeles Academy of Medicine.

Leading by word and deed, Joe’s fundraising efforts strengthened various organizations, including Glendale City Church, where he chaired the Endowment Board for six years. While president of LLUSM Alumni Association, he was instrumental in establishing the Holding Fund, a highly successful endowment for the Association. At La Sierra, his leadership helped establish the university’s largest class scholarship.

Looking to needs in the world community, Joe served as a visiting professor at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, in 1990. He has volunteered for short-stay assignments at Native American reservation clinics in Arizona, Idaho and Montana.

For professional distinction, for a commitment to church and alma mater, for leadership in numerous philanthropic endeavors, La Sierra University honors Joseph J. Verska as Alumnus of the Year.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Florence Lorenz ’53
With multiple interests and talents, Florence’s presence has been felt widely in community, church and school. Stints as social worker, swimming/life saving instructor, research bibliographer, and room mother for her children’s classes, have marked her life.

While married to physician Ken Lorenz, Florence held numerous leadership positions in the Loma Linda University School of Medicine (LLUSM) Auxiliary, Riverside Chapter, then did the same for Riverside County Medical Auxiliary. Later, she served two years as Hospitality Chair, and two years as publicity chair for the LLUSM National Auxiliary. Through the Auxiliary, Florence did fundraising, helped with health fairs, and served on a community drug prevention council.

Florence studied three years in a graduate architectural program at Cal Poly/Pomona, later serving on the City of Riverside’s Design Review Board from 1985-1990.

She has also designed a variety of residential and commercial projects.

With admiration and gratitude, the College of Arts and Sciences selects Florence as Honored Alumna 2003, for service to and support of her alma mater and the world around her.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Beverly Russell ’81
Through a variety of positions—teacher, school administrator, educational superintendent--Beverly Russell has shaped the futures of young people. Beyond the classroom, she touched lives by pioneering an outdoor school program in Oregon, and as a Pathfinder director for 30 years.

During her 12 years as associate superintendent of education for the Chesapeake Conference in Maryland, Beverly discovered that she loved preaching, part of her job description. She also has written articles for educational journals, given workshops and seminars on child development, and has served on textbook adoption committees.

After “officially” retiring in 1992, Beverly taught elementary school for two years in the Hawaiian Islands, then became small schools supervisor for Southeastern California Conference. Currently she is adjunct professor in La Sierra’s School of Education. In addition, she has been alumni president and College of Arts and Sciences representative on the university’s alumni board.

The School of Education honors Beverly for her life-long selfless dedication to excellence in Christian education while serving as a teacher, administrator and mentor.

SCHOOL OF RELIGION
John C. Brunt ’64
John has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church with distinction in several roles. As a pastor, currently at Azure Hills, John consistently witnesses to divine grace. His mastery of sound, engaging preaching from scripture without notes has brought the Bible alive.

As a teacher and theologian, John has been one of Adventism’s leading interpreters of Paul and other New Testament writers. His scholarly presentations and publications have helped mark Adventism as a home of serious theologians.

During his seven years as dean of the School of Theology at Walla Walla College and twelve years as the college’s vice president for academic administration, his skill and maturity strengthened the institution through crucial times.

For his pastoral spirit, his theological leadership and his administrative integrity, the faculty of the School of Religion honors Dr. John Brunt as Alumnus of the Year.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Ernie W. Hwang ’85
Ernie Hwang serves as senior vice president of City National Bank, the second largest independent bank in California. Since its establishment in 1998, he has managed City National’s Ontario Commercial Banking Center, responsible for all of CNB’s commercial lending and private wealth management activities in San Bernardino County.

Ernie has over 17 years of corporate banking experience. Before joining City National in 1992, he served as a vice president at Bank of California/Mitsubishi Bank and at Security Pacific National Bank’s Inland Division, exercising responsibility for a portfolio of over $90 million in credit commitments.

In addition to his La Sierra degree in business administration, Ernie earned executive management certificates from the A. Gary Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Riverside. He serves on boards for Community Health Corp., Loma Linda Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Girl Scout Council of San Gorgonio.

For outstanding performance as a leader in the financial services industry, the School of Business and Management is proud to honor Ernie W. Hwang as Alumnus of the Year 2003.

RISING STAR

Rising Stars are graduates of the last decade, selected by the faculty as someone who exemplifies the university motto, “To seek, to know, to serve” This year two Rising Stars were selected:

School of Business and Management:
Alina Sanchez ’90

Alina is a senior engagement manager in the strategy group at Digital Impact, an online direct marketing company. Prior to joining Digital in January 2001, Alina spent over 10 years in a variety of marketing and sales positions with AT&T and Verizon.

At Verizon (formerly GTE), Alina led the acquisition marketing team and had national profit and loss responsibility for Small Business Long Distance, a $150 million division. During her seven years at AT&T, Alina managed competitive pricing, product training and product development, and also held acquisition, retention and international sales positions with the company.

School of Education:
Myeasha Pruitt ’98 ’01

A product of Adventist elementary and secondary schools, Myeasha received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from La Sierra in 1998, a teaching credential in 1999, and a M.A. in administration and leadership in 2001. She is pursuing a Specialist/Doctorate in Education in Administration and Leadership here at present.

For the last five years Myeasha has been at Orangewood Adventist Academy where she teaches language arts and is vice principal at the junior high level.

. . . . . . . . . . .