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For the past 14 years La Sierra University has thrived under the leadership of president Lawrence T. Geraty, Ph.D. He has been a leader for the university in both the Riverside and Seventh-day Adventist communities, bringing positive change and growth.
In the past 14 years Dr. Geraty’s accomplishments at La Sierra University include:
- 2006 $23 million Thaine B. Price Science Complex on campus open fall 2006, 48,000 square foot facility housing Mathematics and Computer Science and Biology.
- 2006 $5 million Dining Commons renovation, began 2006, includes three phases, just completed servery, working on restrooms, conference rooms, Eagle’s Nest, and student center
- 2006 Chair of the Board for the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
- 2005 New $4 million campus entrance off Riverwalk Parkway completed 2005, includes track, soccer field, softball diamond and signage for university, Glory of God’s Grace sculpture plaza and waterfall
- 2005 State of California Senate and Assembly Certificates of Recognition in honor of “The Chairman’s Award for the La Sierra Passages Mural”
- 2004-2007 La Sierra University awarded Campus Diversity: Universities–Master's (West) by US News & World Report: America's Best Colleges
- 2004 La Sierra University School of Education awarded second place at the 2004 Beautification Award for New Construction at the 27th Annual Mayor’s State of the City Address in Riverside, CA.
- 2004 Biblical Archaeological Society, advisor 1979-2004
- 2003 Lawrence T. Geraty awarded the "Outstanding Education Administrator" award June 2003 from the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), Inland Empire Chapter.
- 2003 Initiated La Sierra University Foundation with its own Board of Directors
- 2002 School of Education, second floor addition, Yin Fong Chan Hall, cost of project $600,000
- 2002 Land deal with the sale of 189 acres to Griffin Development for the Riverwalk community, built 1,000 homes; several acres to Turner Development; and land leases to Fairfield and Griffin
- 2002 Geraty family honored as “Outstanding Family of the Year,” Family Services Association of Riverside County
- 2002-2006 President of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), with headquarters at Boston University and centers in Jerusalem, Amman and Nicosia
- 2003-2004 Board Chair United Way of the Inland Valleys, 2000 campaign chair
- 2001-2002 LSU Students in Free Enterprise World Cup Champions
- 2001-2002 Raincross Club, president
- 2002 Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Corona) cut the ribbon to officially open a biotechnology laboratory at La Sierra University on February 19, 2002.
- 2001 Charles Elliott Weniger Award for Excellence awarded at Pacific Union College
- 2000-2002 World Affairs Council of Inland Southern California, chair
- 2000-2001 president for Association of Adventist College and University Presidents
- 2000 P.E. MacAllister Award for Excellence in Field Archeology from the American Schools of Oriental Research
- Increased university enrollment, 1100 fall 1993 to almost 2000 fall 2006
- 1994-97 LSU SIFE: International SIFE Champions each year
- 1994, 1998 Project Director/ACOR/Joint Madaba Plains Project/Excavation of Tell el-Umeiri, Jordan
ALSO:
- Presided over the adoption of new general studies program (University Studies) and new honors curriculum
- Formulated a “Spiritual Master Plan” for campus and worked with
Student Life to initiate new models
- Increased level of investments and marketable securities
1993 $8.5 million as of Sept. 30, 2996 $51 million
Quote from Dr. Geraty:
"There's never a good time to retire but after 45 years of service to my church, including 22 years as a college/university president, the last 14 at La Sierra University, that time has come. I've worked hard to consolidate the many strengths I found here and to lay a strong foundation for La Sierra's future as a strong academic institution that takes seriously its Christian heritage, and doing so in a way that inculcates the values as well as the knowledge and skills that our society is crying for. I have loved my work and could not have come close to doing what I have done without supportive administrative colleagues and constituents, including a superb faculty, student body, alumni, board of trustees, foundation directors, donors, and friends--not forgetting wonderful people to work with among our elected officials, community leaders, and my colleagues in the field of education in the Inland Empire. I owe much to a loyal administrative assistant and an understanding family. I truly believe that LSU is poised to prosper in remarkable ways. I plan to continue to live in Riverside and continue to help La Sierra in any way I can, but without the buck always stopping at my desk!"
He has lectured all over the world, contributed to numerous publications; edited 8 books, contributed to 30, authored around 50 articles in scholarly journals and hundreds in popular publications. Dr. Geraty has led one of the fastest growing Seventh-day Adventist universities that combines the religious values of a faith community, the educational ideals of a liberal arts college and the research opportunities of a comprehensive university.
Dr. Geraty earned his bachelors degree from Pacific Union College, his masters from Andrews University, and his doctorate from Harvard University. He and wife Gillian have two children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include; grandchildren, walking, reading, writing, attending concerts and plays and community involvement.
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