November 10, 2003

by Shawn Koh, LSU pre-med student

Riverside, CA –A new online community is now available for alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends of La Sierra University (LSU) at www.lasierracommunity.org.

The new service is a web-based community that offers alumni a way to “keep in touch with former classmates” and to “get up-to-date news about the University,” says Victoria Watts, LSU online community administrator.

The service offers several options for alumni to keep in touch. These include: a directory, class notes, an events calendar, and a photo gallery. The directory includes contact information such as email addresses, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers of fellow alumni. Class notes allow alumni to post what’s new in their lives and learn news about other alumni. The events calendar gives information about upcoming events such as homecoming, alumni gatherings and reunions. The photo gallery features key events, including the recent Portland, Oregon alumni gathering. The online community also gives alumni the opportunity to mentor students and fellow alumni.

Plans for the community were under development for about one year, said LSU Alumni Director, Candace Jorgensen. Those who helped in the preparation process are Duleep Rodrigo, LSU class of 1998 School of Business and Management graduate, Carol Bradfield, LSU Associate Vice President for Advancement and University Relations, and Jorgensen. Rodrigo was a member of the alumni board who supported the idea of the online community. Jorgensen and Bradfield did research for the development of the online community and shared their findings with the alumni board.

The online community service is administered by Watts, with assistance provided by Ralph Martinez, LSU Director of Annual Fund and Special Events.

Alumni can register by going to the web at www.lasierracommunity.org. A community identification number is required to register. This number can be obtained by (1) going to the online community, clicking on “New User,” and requesting a number via email, or (2) sending an email directly to alumni@lasierracommunity.org. For more details or answers to questions, please contact Victoria Watts at (951) 785-2307.