November 20, 2006

by Larry Becker

Five La Sierra University faculty and staff members have been honored as “Everyday Heroes” by the YWCA of Riverside County. Each was nominated for the honor by Lawrence T. Geraty, La Sierra University president, in recognition of how, through their daily efforts through words, deeds, actions, and example, each one creates an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance in which real and lasting change in the fight against racism and intolerance can occur.

The five La Sierra University honorees received their awards during a ceremony held at the Riverside YWCA’s headquarters building on November 16, 2006.

Jodi Cahill, a faculty fellow for La Sierra University’s Students In Free Enterprise team in the School of Business, was honored for her efforts to confront all students, but especially female students, at LSU with the necessity and opportunity of service to all how need assistance, regardless of their race, religion, or creed. She also volunteers her time to connect La Sierra students with community organizations such as the Riverside Film Festival, the International Relations Council of Riverside, and various initiatives from the office of the Mayor. Cahill serves a contact person within Riverside for the United States State Department’s efforts to acquaint visiting international dignitaries with “the American way of life.”

Wonil Kim, associate professor of Old Testament studies in La Sierra University’s School of Religion, was selected because his own life story, being an Amer-Asian orphan adopted by Korean parents, has given him a background to be a keen judge of racism and sexism. His background and further graduate training have positioned him as La Sierra’s conscience when it comes to eliminating racism and empowering women. Each of his children has taken up the same cause, which has involved them in helping to found a Women’s Resource center on campus and move campus activists into the Los Angeles community to improve the lot of workers in Koreatown.

Beatriz Mejia-Krumbein, associate professor of art, uses both her art and that of her students to cal attention to the issues of racism, sexism, and abuse. Her art has had impact not only on campus, but also throughout the Inland Empire through efforts with the Riverside Arts Council, the Riverside Art Museum, the Riverside County Philharmonic, and other community organizations.

Lourdes Morales-Gudmundsson, professor of Spanish, is a crusader among those who abuse and discriminate. She not only educates society on the problems, but points ways to their resolution through seminars on forgiveness. These have been offered locally, nationally, and internationally, focusing particularly on Hispanics for whom Morales-Gudmundsson has a special burden.

Charles W. Teel, Jr., professor of Religion and Society, motivates and empowers students to catch the vision of service. His 35-year career of service at La Sierra University has pointed students into the local community and into less fortunate societies internationally. He has taken many students to learn first-hand the needs of countries such as Peru. Teel’s classes, publications, conferences, tours, and the Fernando and Anna Stahl Center (which he established) are a key to helping students develop responses that will change the world.

Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director, University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
(951) 785-2460 voice
lbecker@lasierra.edu