March 9, 2008

By Darla Martin Tucker

View the photo album from this event.

With a fanfare of instruments, a chorus of voices and the excited cheers of students, La Sierra University installed Randal R. Wisbey as its third president on March 6.
The inauguration, celebrating Wisbey’s arrival as president on July 1, took place at La Sierra University Church at 10 a.m. Wisbey is the university’s third president in its 17-year history as an independent institution. He succeeds Larry Geraty, who led La Sierra for 14 years. Geraty strengthened the university’s faculty, broadened is physical presence and built its image within the region. Fritz Guy held the post from 1990 to 1993, following the institution’s separation from Loma Linda University.

University staff, faculty, students and community members filled the sanctuary. Delegates from regional colleges and universities donned their academic regalia and processed into the church along with similarly attired La Sierra faculty, board trustees, administrative staff and former presidents and provosts.
A parade of government, church, education and university leaders gave ceremonial greetings to La Sierra’s new leader.

Andrew Hibbert, La Sierra’s Student Association president, described working with Wisbey several times following the new president’s arrival. “I am very blessed to be at a school that enables close cooperation between the students and administration,” Hibbert said.

The university’s Director of Human Resources, Dell Jean Van Fossen, described Wisbey as a leader of action and one interested in the opinions and insights of others. She described entering his office to discuss a matter and emerging with a new project assignment. “Dr. Wisbey is not going to let the grass grow under anyone’s feet,” Van Fossen said.

“I take pride in the mission and good works of this university,” said Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge. He saluted “the extraordinary years of Larry Geraty” and looked forward to Wisbey’s leadership.

“Dr. Wisbey’s commitment, faith, good will and intelligence will make extraordinary things happen. The City of Riverside will be a good friend and supporter. God speed, La Sierra University. God speed, Randal Wisbey. Go for it,” Loveridge said.

La Sierra alumnus Bill Emerson, State Assemblyman for the 63rd District, praised Geraty’s efforts of 14 years. “You have a great deal to be proud of my friend, and we expect a lot from you,” he said. Emerson welcomed Wisbey and presented him with a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly.

Jose V. Rojas, director of the Office of Volunteer Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, described his friendship and conversations with Wisbey over the years. He told the new president, “I know God will go with you because I have seen it in the past and I have confidence in the future.”

John C. Brunt, senior pastor at Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Terrace delivered the inaugural address entitled “Everybody’s Slave?”
Brunt taught Wisbey and his wife, Deanna, when the two were young students in his religion class at Walla Walla University in College Place, Wa. Randal Wisbey was “bright, articulate, ..engaged,” and his second favorite student behind “that student on the front row, Deanna Wisbey,” Brunt said to laughter from the audience.

“Being everybody’s slave is not a matter of pleasing everyone,” Brunt said in his address, but of following Jesus’ example of service while courageously standing for the truth. “I’ve always appreciated the gentleness and humility of Dr. Wisbey. …The leadership that is most needed is the leadership that cares as Jesus did,” Brunt said.

Ricardo B. Graham, chair of the La Sierra University Board of Trustees cited the university’s motto, ‘to seek, to know, to serve’ and Psalm 118:23, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” He hung the gold presidential medallion about Wisbey’s neck. Guy and Geraty congratulated Wisbey. As the audience broke into applause, a row of students stood and cheered with fists in the air. They wore t-shirts spelling out their message – “w-e-(heart)-w-i-s-b-e-y.”

The La Sierra University Brass Ensemble and Wind Ensemble performed “Wisdom Fanfare,” an inaugural composition by La Sierra’s director of wind and percussion studies, Kenneth Narducci.

“This morning I stand before you, humbled and honored,” Wisbey said in beginning his response titled “Yes!”

“I am aware, deeply aware, that the work that has been given to me to do is indeed an amazing inheritance characterized by the desires, hopes and dreams of all who have left their mark on La Sierra University,” Wisbey said.
He thanked several groups including the cheering students. “Thank you students for putting my name on your t-shirts,” Wisbey said with a grin.

Wisbey described La Sierra’s dusty beginnings in 1920 on the Rancho La Sierra property owned by millionaire realtor and sportsman W. J. Hole. “Today, in the midst of our 85th school year, we stand on the shoulders of generations of people who said YES to seemingly impossible callings and remarkable opportunities,” Wisbey said.

La Sierra will continue to shout “Yes” by “proclaiming our commitment to be a progressive voice for our church, asking appropriate questions and working diligently to find the best, and most powerful, responses,” he said.
“Another way in which we will focus our ‘Yes’ is by doing a great job in telling the La Sierra University story. Over the coming year, we are committed to doing this better than we have ever done it before,” Wisbey said.
With an apology to poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Wisbey recited “How do I love thee, La Sierra University? Let Me Count the Ways.” The list included “Academic coaches. Honors Students studying in Berlin and Istanbul. Undergraduates doing world-class research. The shriek of the Eagle Cry. Pancakes at midnight. Provost Warren Trenchard. Discovering new species. Students opening boxes of archeological treasures. Palm trees. Warm breezes. LSU Big Band playing Stevie Wonder. Indian food in Dining Commons. Professors who create amazing fanfares for inaugurations…”
The inauguration kicked off a weekend of activities for the university’s 85th Homecoming. Inauguration day concluded with a gala in the Alumni Pavilion attended by approximately 650 alumni, students and community members. The evening’s guests included Loveridge, Riverside County 1st District Supervisor Bob Buster; Cindy Roth, chief executive officer and president of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, and many representatives from higher education institutions in the Inland Empire and throughout California.

The evening’s events included a community service award honoring Henry W. Coil Jr., a long-time La Sierra board trustee, foundation board member and current foundation board chair. Coil is past president of Tilden Coil Constructors Inc. in Riverside and well-known community leader. The evening concluded with a video compilation depicting the regional, national and world cup wins by La Sierra’s Students In Free Enterprise team.
“This has been quite a day. It’s just been a wonderful, wonderful experience,” Wisbey said during remarks to the audience. La Sierra’s alumni “are the backbone of this university. We couldn’t do this without you,” he said.

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)