By Darla Martin Tucker

Students, faculty and campus leaders gathered in a classroom recently to applaud religion school awardees, listen to research reports on the Gospel of John and eat pizza.

The School of Religion held its annual awards and research assembly on June 3 in La Sierra Hall. Carol Bradfield, associate vice president for university advancement and chair of the university awards committee presented an Alumni Award and $300 check to senior student Yi-Shen Johnson Ma. The recognition cited Ma “for distinction in academic achievement and for outstanding contribution to campus life,” according to award information.
Deans from the schools of education, religion and business and the College of Arts and Sciences nominate potential Alumni Award recipients each year. The 17-member Alumni Association board then votes whether to approve the nominations.

Ma, a music major and pre-seminary student, accepted his certificate with a smile and hurried away to collect the music department’s award for outstanding senior. Ma graduated Cum Laude on June 15 with a Bachelor of Arts in music. Ma focused on choral conducting and served as assistant conductor of the LSU Chorale among other activities. He was extensively involved in music and campus ministries.

School of Religion Dean John Webster presented religious studies senior Syahryl Norman Yazid with the Dean’s Award as an acknowledgement of a strong academic performance and high grade point average. Yazid graduated Magna Cum Laude on June 15 with a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies.

Seven seniors and graduate students, including Ma and Yazid, were also inducted into the Theta Alpha Kappa, an honor society in religious studies and theology that is part of the Association of College Honor Societies. The inductees received red ceremonial cords and medallions for donning during graduation.
Graduate students Kevin Kakazu and Jared Wright presented research reports for the course Contemporary Issues in New Testament studies: Gospel of John.

Kakazu’s participation in the course taught by Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies Kendra Haloviak provided a “life-changing experience,” he said. “I came away with a different picture of God and myself,” after thoroughly studying the Gospel of John.

Kakazu, who studied at Walla Walla University and served as a pastor for eight years, described how his faith was challenged during this period of his life. However by the end of Haloviak’s course, Kakazu came to a decision of faith. As did the lame man in the Gospel of John, Kakazu decided to take up his mat and walk despite his wounds, he told the assembly audience.
Wright’s research focused on ways Jewish leaders used fear as a political tool during an era in which Rome was a threat to the Jewish nation. The fourth gospel is “a reminder of where power structures end up,” he said.
Wright displayed a colorful painting he had created as a visual representation of his analysis. He challenged students to stand up against exploitive power structures.

PR Contact: Larry Becker
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La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)