La Sierra University Explained

La Sierra University
Motto:To Seek, To Know, To Serve
Endowment:$35 million[1]
President:Christon Arthur
Provost:April Summitt
Students:1,609[2]
Undergrad:1,259
Country:U.S.
Coor:33.9114°N -117.5017°W
Campus:Suburban, 150acres
Former Names:La Sierra Academy (1922–1923)
La Sierra Academy and Normal School (1923–1927)
Southern California Junior College (1927–1939)
La Sierra College (1939–1967)
Loma Linda University: La Sierra College of Arts and Sciences (1967–1990)
Colors:Blue & Gold
 
Sports Nickname:Golden Eagles
Academic Affiliations:NAICU[3]
APGA

La Sierra University (La Sierra or LSU) is a private, Seventh-day Adventist university in Riverside, California. Founded in 1922[4] as La Sierra Academy, it later became La Sierra College, a liberal arts college, and then was merged into Loma Linda University (LLU) in 1967 and became the Loma Linda University La Sierra College of Arts and Sciences (or better known as La Sierra Campus of LLU). In 1990, the La Sierra Campus separated from Loma Linda University to become La Sierra University, an independent institution. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA), and several discipline-based accrediting bodies.[5]

Since becoming independent in 1990, La Sierra University has won multiple national and world titles in the Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise) competition.[6] In the late 2000s and early 2010s, controversy arose involving the teaching of evolution in La Sierra's science curriculum.[7] La Sierra was founded in 1922 when the Southeastern California Conference, one of the regional governing bodies of the Adventist church, obtained 300acres of land[8] in an unincorporated area of Riverside County from Willits J. Hole.[9] The land was once a part of a large Mexican land grant named Rancho La Sierra, giving La Sierra its current name.

History

Since its founding in 1922 as La Sierra Academy, La Sierra has morphed through a number of stages. In 1923, the school became known as La Sierra Academy and Normal School when it expanded into offering courses for future teachers. In 1927, after course offerings were expanded, it became known as the Southern California Junior College.[10] In 1939, the school was renamed La Sierra College. In 1940, the high school section split to form La Sierra College Preparatory School.[11] The preparatory school is now named La Sierra Academy and is still located near the university. La Sierra College was first accredited as a four-year liberal arts college in 1946. In 1964 the city of Riverside annexed much of La Sierra lands and nearby Arlington, placing the college within Riverside's city limits.[12]

In 1967, the college merged with LLU, becoming its La Sierra Campus of LLU.[13] Between 1967 and 1990, La Sierra's College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Business and Management (now the Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business), School of Religion (now the H.M.S.Richards Divinity School), and Division of Continuing Studies were established.[14]

In 1990, the two campuses became two separate institutions, and the La Sierra campus became La Sierra University. La Sierra remains a major feeder school for LLU[1] particularly for its medical programs. After the separation, Fritz Guy became La Sierra University's first president.[15] He was followed by Lawrence T. Geraty in 1993, Randal Wisbey in 2007, and Joy Fehr in 2019.[16]

In 1999, over 20 percent of the student body signed a petition criticizing the university's core curriculum due to its alleged lack of focus on the Bible, politically liberal leanings, and "subversive attacks on Christianity and monotheism".[17]

La Sierra sold approximately 200 acres of its land to a developer in 2000, in what the university described as "the most significant physical change to La Sierra in the institution's 78-year history."[18] The land, which the school formerly used for agriculture and a dairy, became a planned development known as "Riverwalk".[19]

Biology curriculum controversy

In 2009, the university's science curriculum became a subject of controversy as the school was publicly accused, primarily by former pastor David Asscherick, La Sierra University student Carlos Cerna, and former La Sierra University student Louie Bishop,[20] of exclusively teaching evolution in its biology classes, which the accusers felt was contrary to the teachings of the Adventist church.[21] 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.[22]

The university's board of trustees unanimously affirmed the Seventh-day Adventist Church's 28 Fundamental Beliefs but some viewed that as inadequate.[22] In 2010, the regional accreditation agency responsible for La Sierra, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, gave the university an eight-year accreditation extension despite concerns over academic freedom and institutional autonomy.[23] La Sierra was accused of apostasy by the executive committee of the Michigan Conference, one of the church's regional governing bodies.[24] In 2011, the denominational accreditation agency, the Adventist Accrediting Association, gave La Sierra an accreditation extension ending in 2012, but required it to make changes to better promote Adventist teachings.[21]

In June 2011, three La Sierra University staff members resigned after a recording surfaced in which they were heard consuming alcohol and speaking critically of church officials. They alleged that they were compelled to resign in relation to the ongoing controversy but the university denied those allegations; the staff members sued the university but lost their case.[25] [26] [27] [28] Later that year, the board of trustees voted in favor of a proposal stating "that creation be taught in university classrooms as faith, rather than science, and that students be told that it could not be proven with scientific methods." Prior to the vote, three out of four trustees in favor were dismissed from the board.[29] One of the five faculty signers of the proposal was dismissed from the university[30] which the American Association of University Professors protested as a violation of academic freedom and tenure.[31] [32] [33] [34]

Campus

La Sierra's 150-acre campus[35] is located in the La Sierra neighborhood[36] of the city of Riverside. The school is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, which has designated the campus an arboretum.[37] [38]

The first buildings built on the campus were two-story separate male and female dormitories.

The university opened a $23 million science complex in the fall of 2006, which houses its biology, computer science, and mathematics departments.[39]

Observatory

The Frances E. Barnard Memorial Observatory is located behind the main La Sierra campus at the base of Mount Two-Bit.[40] The observatory was named for Frances Evelyn Barnard, mother of Marion Cecil Barnard, who donated the money necessary to build the observatory and purchase two telescopes (one of which is currently mounted to the concrete pier inside the building).[41]

Academics

La Sierra University is composed of the College of Arts and Sciences,[42] Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business,[43] H.M.S. Richards Divinity School,[44] and School of Education.[45] The university operates on the quarter system.[46]

Research

Lee Grismer, a biology professor at La Sierra, has been noted for discovering multiple species of geckos in Southeast Asia.[47] [48]

Student life

Enactus

La Sierra is a leading school in the Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise, or SIFE) program. Since the inauguration of the SIFE World Cup (now Enactus World Cup) in 2001,[49] the school has represented the United States twice, in 2002 and 2007, and won both times.[50] [51] [52] In the United States competition, La Sierra has won the national championship seven times, from 1994 to 1997 and again in 2002, 2007, and 2016,[53] [54] [55] has been first runner up three times, in 2000,[56] 2001,[57] and 2008,[58] and has been second runner up once, in 2009.[59]

Honors program

Founded in the 1990s, Honors at La Sierra involves a general education package with courses that are discussion and project-based and designed to lead into one another.  Cohorts of about 20 students take courses in the arts, sciences, religion, and other areas, taking part in research and community involvement projects and going on an international trip at the end of their sophomore year.  Honors is also a community of scholars, centered around the program's dorm (South Hall), where students study, socialize, and live.

Athletics

The La Sierra athletic teams are called the Golden Eagles. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) since the 2013–14 academic year. The Golden Eagles previously competed as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2010–11 (when the school joined the NAIA) to 2012–13;[60] [61] and in the NCAA Division III ranks as an NCAA D-III Independent.

La Sierra competes in nine intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country and soccer; women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball and volleyball.[62] [61]

See also

References

Bibliography

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: California Baptist University & La Sierra University . 951 Magazine . 2008-01-30 . July 23, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071009235413/http://www.951mag.com/article/articles/8/1/California-Baptist-University-%26-La-Sierra-University . October 9, 2007 .
  2. La Sierra University Enrollment Report - 2022-23, Fall 2022, IR Office.
  3. Web site: NAICU - Membership. https://web.archive.org/web/20151109231238/http://www.naicu.edu/member_center/members.asp. dead. Nov 9, 2015. May 11, 2021.
  4. Web site: La Sierra University | Best College | US News . Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com . 2016-06-21 . 2016-04-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160421044249/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/la-sierra-university-1215 . dead .
  5. Web site: La Sierra University . Accreditations | Academics | La Sierra University . Lasierra.edu . 2016-06-21.
  6. Web site: La Sierra University Enactus Team Wins National Championship . Spectrummagazine.org . 2016-05-19 . 2016-06-21.
  7. Web site: Olson . David . RIVERSIDE: La Sierra professor, board members dismissed - Press Enterprise . Pe.com . 2012-05-10 . 2016-06-21.
  8. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/PUR/PUR19220629-V21-45__B.pdf#view=fit Robison, James I.Southeastern California Academy Pacific Union Recorder. June 29, 1922, p. 3
  9. Klotz, pages 228-230.
  10. Web site: La Sierra University: Our History . lasierra.edu.
  11. Katherine A. Koh, "A New School at Rancho La Sierra (1922-1946)" in Howe (2022), pp. 1-36.
  12. Jonathan Butler, "La Sierra Comes of Age (1946-1967) in Howe (2022), pp. 37-76.
  13. http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH19670511-V144-19__B.pdf#view=fit Beach, W. R. Loma Linda University and La Sierra College to Merge. Review and Herald, May 11, 1967, p. 32
  14. Warren C. Trenchard, "The Loma Linda Years (1967- 1990)" in Howe (2022), pp. 77-117.
  15. Web site: Riverside: La Sierra's first president is graduation speaker . The Press-Enterprise . 2012-06-13 . 2012-06-13.
  16. Warren C. Trenchard, "Becoming La Sierra University (1990-2022)," in Howe (2022), pp. 119-160.
  17. Web site: La Sierra students criticize core classes | Riverside News | PE.com - Press-Enterprise . www.pe.com . 22 May 2022 . https://archive.today/20130131092201/http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/riverside/riverside-headlines-index/20110502-la-sierra-students-criticize-core-classes.ece . 31 January 2013 . dead.
  18. Web site: La Sierra University: News & Events: Riverwalk Plan Goes Forward . newweb.lasierra.edu . 2 February 2022 . https://archive.today/20121212235514/https://newweb.lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/prmarketing/news_archives/2000/may2000/riverwalk.html . 12 December 2012 . dead.
  19. Web site: La Sierra University: News & Events: RiverWalk Parkway development to rise from farmland . newweb.lasierra.edu . 2 February 2022 . https://archive.today/20121210122710/https://newweb.lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/prmarketing/news_archives/2000/dec2000/riverwalk.html . 10 December 2012 . dead.
  20. http://www.sdadefend.com/Defend-foundation/LaSierraUniv.pdf Ferrell, Vance La Sierra Evolution Crisis Intensifies La Sierra Evolution Crisis Intensifies. July, 2010
  21. http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=4284, Kellnor, Mark A. La Sierra University Granted Window to Show its Faithfulness to Church’s Creation Belief. Adventist Review, March 24, 2011. Online Edition.
  22. Web site: David Olson. La Sierra University debate over creationism continues | Inland News | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California . The Press Enterprise, PE.com . 2009-11-17 . 2011-04-25.
  23. News: La Sierra University Receives Eight Year Accreditation Renewal . Targeted News Service . Washington, D.C. . August 20, 2010.
  24. Web site: Citing Apostasy, Michigan Conference Removes La Sierra University From Employee Subsidy . Spectrum Magazine . 2010-05-26. 2011-04-25.
  25. Web site: 2011-07-02. La Sierra University Resignation Saga: Stranger-than-Fiction. March 31, 2020. Adventist Today. en-US.
  26. Web site: Green Spot Whiskey: drinking with the LSU-four. March 31, 2020 . Read . David . December 20, 2013 . ADvindicate. en-US.
  27. http://www.mccunewright.com/documents/kaatz_pressrelease.pdf, Press release by McCuneWright, LLP
  28. https://news.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2015-02-16/appeal-dismissed-ending-lawsuit-against-la-sierra-university-and-church/, Appeal Dismissed, Ending Lawsuit Against La Sierra University and Church. February 16, 2015
  29. Web site: ERV on May 16, 2012 . La Sierra University: We want our scientists to make us look good, not teach our students science – erv . Scienceblogs.com . 2012-05-16 . 2016-06-21.
  30. Web site: Olson . David . RIVERSIDE: La Sierra professor, board members dismissed - Press Enterprise . Pe.com . 2012-05-10 . 2016-06-21.
  31. Web site: . AAUP Demand Letter Regarding Academic Freedom Greer . Scribd.com . 2016-06-21.
  32. Web site: Olson . David . EDUCATION: La Sierra University academic freedom questioned - Press Enterprise . Pe.com . 2012-06-13 . 2016-06-21.
  33. Web site: Adventist Today : American Association of University Professors Questions La Sierra University's Termination of Biology Professor. https://archive.today/20130414152407/http://www.atoday.org/article/1239/news/2012/june-headlines/american-association-of-university-professors-questions-la-sierra-university-s-termination-of-biology-professor. dead. May 11, 2021. April 14, 2013.
  34. Web site: American Association of University Professors Issues Letter of Concern Regarding La Sierra . Spectrummagazine.org . 2012-06-11 . 2016-06-21.
  35. Web site: La Sierra University . About La Sierra University | La Sierra University . Lasierra.edu . 2016-06-21.
  36. Web site: Riverside, California | City of Arts & Innovation | At Home in Riverside . Riversideca.gov . 2016-06-21.
  37. http://services.publicgardens.org/iweb/Membership/CompanyInformation.aspx?sqs=EBUAvpZXCGzd8IFBOB4TAZXYxdVmfnYkC9kIPnuK0w7D5w4TA2HYXWj4KRyyCm5ceee1CviODRv2qqQXHTW8Klgtsl/T4CGotFxXMjsRnIXq5NJXEGTFdFAFPXJd22Hryy8SvOCShglYPkOhdqZ2ROY=&addressnum={{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  38. Web site: La Sierra University - Change Your World. https://archive.today/20121215023030/https://www.lasierra.edu/index.php?id=3708. dead. lasierra.edu. May 11, 2021. December 15, 2012.
  39. News: Retiring president helped La Sierra University forge identity. Press Enterprise. 2008-01-30. June 13, 2007. Marisa. Agha. https://web.archive.org/web/20110520021713/http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_D_geraty14.3ed5891.html. May 20, 2011.
  40. Web site: La Sierra University Student Handbook 2016-2017. 2017-02-05.
  41. Web site: La Sierra University: History of the Observatory. https://web.archive.org/web/20130813165639/http://lasierra.edu/campus-services/offices/observatory/history-of-the-observatory/. dead. Aug 13, 2013. May 11, 2021.
  42. Web site: La Sierra University . College of Arts & Sciences | College of Arts & Sciences | La Sierra University . Lasierra.edu . 2016-06-21.
  43. Web site: La Sierra University . School of Business | School of Business | La Sierra University . Lasierra.edu . 2016-06-21.
  44. Web site: La Sierra University . Divinity School | Divinity School | La Sierra University . Lasierra.edu . 2016-06-21.
  45. Web site: La Sierra University . School of Education | School of Education | La Sierra University . Lasierra.edu . 2016-06-21.
  46. Web site: La Sierra University Best College US News. colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. 2016-05-29. 2016-04-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20160421044249/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/la-sierra-university-1215. dead.
  47. News: Elizabeh . Lechleitner . La Sierra field biologist takes home new species of gecko . 6 May 2011 . . 27 April 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110503073044/http://news.adventist.org/2011/04/la-sierra-field-biol.html . May 3, 2011 .
  48. Web site: Lucas . Laurie . The Press-Enterprise . RIVERSIDE: La Sierra University professor discovers new Gecko species. Pe.com . 2016-06-21.
  49. Web site: Account Suspended . 2012-09-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120825124243/http://sifeaustralia.org.au/business_involvement/history_of_sife . 2012-08-25 .
  50. Web site: La Sierra University Wins SIFE World Cup 2007 . April 7, 2011. www.sife.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20090528234246/http://www.sife.org/aboutsife/News/Pages/LaSierraUniversityWinsSIFEWorldCup2007.aspx . 2009-05-28 . dead.
  51. Web site: 2007 SIFE World Cup Results. 2023-01-07. www.sife.org .
  52. Web site: 2002 SIFE World Cup Results. 2011-04-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20110106100050/http://sife.org/worldcup/pdf/2002SIFEWorldCup.pdf. 2011-01-06. dead.
  53. Web site: https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/usa_national_exposition_champions_1978_-_2010.pdf . https://web.archive.org/web/20191025195620/https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/usa_national_exposition_champions_1978_-_2010.pdf . 2021-05-11. 2019-10-25 .
  54. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118111709/http://media.www.drurymirror.com/media/storage/paper740/news/2007/05/07/News/Drury.Sife.Finishes.Third.In.Nation-2897550.shtml The Drury Mirror
  55. Web site: Enactus United States - Enactus United States National Exposition 2016. www.enactusunitedstates.org. 2016-05-29.
  56. Web site: https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2000_sife_exposition.pdf . https://web.archive.org/web/20191025200550/https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2000_sife_exposition.pdf . 2021-05-11. 2019-10-25 .
  57. Web site: https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2001_sife_exposition.pdf . https://web.archive.org/web/20191025200553/https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2001_sife_exposition.pdf . 2021-05-11. 2019-10-25 .
  58. Web site: https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2008_sife_exposition.pdf . https://web.archive.org/web/20191025202902/https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2008_sife_exposition.pdf . 2021-05-11. 2019-10-25 .
  59. Web site: https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2009_sife_exposition.pdf . https://web.archive.org/web/20191025202903/https://sifeusa.org/app/webroot/files/2009_sife_exposition.pdf . 2021-05-11. 2019-10-25 .
  60. Web site: 2010 NAIA Convention Recap -Day Four . Archive.constantcontact.com . 2010-07-01 . 2021-05-11.
  61. Web site: La Sierra University Becomes tenth Cal Pac Member . Calpacathletics.com . 2012-11-19 . 2021-05-11.
  62. Web site: La Sierra University . Lsugoldeneagles.com . 2016-06-21.

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