La Sierra University
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| La Sierra University | |
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| Motto | To Seek, To Know, To Serve |
| Established | 1922 |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| Endowment | $35 million[1] |
| President | Randal Wisbey |
| Provost | Steve Pawluk |
| Undergraduates | 1,897 (2199 total)[2] |
| Location | Riverside, California, United States 33°54′41″N 117°30′06″W / 33.91139°N 117.50167°WCoordinates: 33°54′41″N 117°30′06″W / 33.91139°N 117.50167°W |
| Campus | Suburban, 150 acres (61 ha) |
| Former names | La Sierra Academy La Sierra Academy and Normal School Southern California Junior College La Sierra College Loma Linda University La Sierra Campus |
| Colors | Gold and Blue |
| Mascot | Golden Eagle |
| Affiliations | Canadian University College |
| Website | http://www.lasierra.edu/ |
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La Sierra University (La Sierra or LSU) is a Seventh-day Adventist co-educational university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Adventist Accrediting Association. Other schools and departments within La Sierra are also accredited, such as: the Department of Health and Exercise Science by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; the Department of Music by the National Association of Schools of Music; the Social Work program by the Council on Social Work Education; and the School of Religion by The Association of Theological Schools. La Sierra University is located in Riverside, California, United States. Founded in 1922 as Southeastern California Academy,[3] it later became La Sierra College, and then was merged into Loma Linda University in 1967.[4] Modern-day La Sierra University began in 1990, when it once again became an independent institution. La Sierra is a leading school in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), having won multiple national and world championships.[5]
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[edit] History
La Sierra was founded in 1922 when the Seventh-day Adventist Church obtained 300 acres (120 ha) of land[3] in an unincorporated area of Riverside County from Willits J. Hole.[6] The land was once a part of a large Mexican land grant named Rancho La Sierra, giving La Sierra its current name.[6] Since its founding in 1922 as La Sierra Academy, La Sierra has morphed through a number of stages. In 1927, the school became known as La Sierra Academy and Normal School, then in 1927, after course offerings were expanded, it became known as the Southern California Junior College.[7] In 1939, the school became La Sierra College, it received accreditation as a four-year liberal arts college seven years later.[7] In 1964 the city of Riverside annexed much of La Sierra lands and nearby Arlington, placing the college within Riverside's city limits.[6] In 1967, the college merged with Loma Linda University becoming the University's College of Arts and Sciences[disambiguation needed 
] of that school.[7] Finally, in 1990, La Sierra in its current form was born when the campuses were reorganized as separate institutions.[7]
In 1967, La Sierra College became part of Loma Linda University. LSU in its current form began in 1990, when it separated from Loma Linda. However, La Sierra is still known to be a major feeder school for Loma Linda University.[1] After the separation, Fritz Guy became president of LSU; he was followed by Lawrence T. Geraty. In 2007, Randal Wisbey, previously president of Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), became president of La Sierra University.
[edit] La Sierra in the 21st century
La Sierra University has four schools, the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Religion, and School of Education. It is known as a leading school in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), having won six national championships and two world titles.[8][9] The school recently opened its $23 million science complex.[10] It is currently constructing a new home for its School of Business.[10] The new building will include a 500-seat conference center.[10] The school offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level degrees. A biology professor at the school, Lee Grismer, is known for discovering multiple species of geckos in Southeast Asia.[11]
[edit] Teaching of origins controversy
The university's curriculum became controversial in the late 2000s. Students and others said in 2009 that evolution was being taught in Biology classes, contrary to the teachings of the Adventist church.[12] Concerned about the allegation, a campaign collected over 6,300 signatures to an online petition which called for Adventist universities to teach the Genesis creation narrative.[13] The Board of Trustees unanimously affirmed those beliefs but some viewed that as inadequate.[13] In 2010 the regional accreditation society, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, gave LSU an eight-year extension despite concerns over academic freedom and institutional autonomy.[14] La Sierra was accused of apostasy by the executive committee of the Michigan Conference, one of the church's regional governing bodies.[15] In 2011 the denominational accreditation society, Adventist Accrediting Association, gave La Sierra an extension ending 2012 but required it to make changes to better promote Adventist teachings.[12]
[edit] Presidents
Since 1990:
- Fritz Guy (1990–1993)
- Lawrence T. Geraty (1993–2007)
- Randal R. Wisbey (2007–present)
[edit] Academics
La Sierra University is composed of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Religion, and School of Education. The university offers undergraduate and graduate curricula in applied and liberal arts and sciences, business and management, religion, and programs for professional education in fulfillment of requirements for teaching credentials. The university opened its $23 million Thaine B. Price Science Complex in the fall of 2006; which houses mathematics, computer science and biology programs. The university also has plans to construct a new state-of-the-art home for its School of Business. The new building is expected to be ready by the fall of 2012, which will include a 500-seat conference center that will be the largest facility of its kind in western Riverside. The building will be named Pam and Mark Rubin Hall which will be the site for the new Thomas and Vi Zapara School of Business.[10] The highest degree offered is the Ed.D.
La Sierra University's Extended Campus Program, located on the campus of Canadian University College, offers a Master of Arts degree from the La Sierra University School of Education.
[edit] Student life
[edit] Athletics
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La Sierra University's Golden Eagles play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.[16] They formerly played in NCAA Division III. Its sports include Men's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's Baseball, and Women's Softball.
[edit] Students in Free Enterprise
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This section requires expansion. |
La Sierra is a six-time SIFE American national champion,[17] and a two-time SIFE World Cup winner.[9][18]
[edit] Campus
Nearby are the affiliated Seventh-day Adventist K-12 school, La Sierra Academy, and the unrelated public high school, La Sierra High School.
La Sierra University has recently been promoting "going green." In addition to its already present Service-Learning program (involved in local elementary schools and rest homes) many students participated in a community service project on September 15, 2008. The Service-Learning Office coordinated with "Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful" (KRCB), which is a volunteer program supported by the city of Riverside and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.[19]
La Sierra University has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a "Community Engaged Campus" and "Curriculum Engaged." One of less than a hundred schools to receive this designation.
[edit] See also
- Seventh-day Adventist education
- List of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities
- Katherine Siva Saubel – Cahuilla people leader, received an honorary Ph.D. from La Sierra University
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
- Klotz, Esther H. and Joan H. Hall. Adobes, Bungalows, and Mansions of Riverside, California, Revisted, Joan H. Hall, 2005. ISBN 0-9631618-6-5.
[edit] Citations and Notes
- ^ a b "California Baptist University & La Sierra University". 951 Magazine. July 23, 2005. http://www.951mag.com/article/articles/8/1/California-Baptist-University-%26-La-Sierra-University. Retrieved 2008-01-30
- ^ Hashimoto, Giovanni (22 November 2011). "Adventist College and University Enrollment Generally Up". Spectrum. http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2011/11/22/adventist-college-and-university-enrollment-generally. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ^ a b Robison, James I. Southeastern California Academy Pacific Union Recorder. June 29, 1922, p. 3 Accessed April 7, 2011
- ^ Beach, W. R. Loma Linda University and La Sierra College to Merge. Review and Herald, May 11, 1967, p. 32 Accessed April 7, 2011
- ^ La Sierra University Wins SIFE World Cup 2007 Accessed April 7, 2011
- ^ a b c Klotz, pages 228-230.
- ^ a b c d "La Sierra University: Our History". www.lasierra.edu. http://www.lasierra.edu/index.php?id=678.
- ^ The Drury Mirror
- ^ a b "2005 SIFE World Cup Results Toronto, Ontario, Canada" (PDF). http://www.sife.org/worldcup/pdf/2002SIFEWorldCup.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ a b c d Marisa, Agha (June 13, 2007). "Retiring president helped La Sierra University forge identity". Press Enterprise. http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_D_geraty14.3ed5891.html. Retrieved 2008-01-30
- ^ Elizabeh, Lechleitner (27 April 2011). "La Sierra field biologist takes home new species of gecko". Adventist News Network. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:fwlDQ9JQdBQJ:news.adventist.org/2011/04/la-sierra-field-biol.html+Lee+Grismer&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ a b Kellnor, Mark A. La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief. Adventist Review, March 24, 2011. Online Edition. Accessed April 7, 2011.
- ^ a b By DAVID OLSON (2009-11-17). "La Sierra University debate over creationism continues | Inland News | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California". The Press Enterprise, PE.com. http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_lasierra18.2f5fedb.html. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ "La Sierra University Receives Eight Year Accreditation Renewal". Targeted News Service. Washington, D.C.. August 20, 2010..
- ^ "Citing Apostasy, Michigan Conference Removes La Sierra University From Employee Subsidy". Spectrum Magazine. 2010-05-26. http://www.spectrummagazine.org/blog/2010/05/26/citing_apostasy_michigan_conference_removes_la_sierra_university_employee_subsidy. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ 2010 NAIA Convention Recap - Day Four
- ^ The Drury Mirror
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Go Green in Riverside
[edit] External links
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- Universities and colleges in Riverside County, California
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Education in Riverside, California
- Educational institutions established in 1922
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities members
- Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Private universities and colleges in California
- Link+ libraries
- Visitor attractions in Riverside, California
