[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS TO LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY ON THEIR 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 1998

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
institution in California's 43rd Congressional District that is 
celebrating a milestone this week. La Sierra University is celebrating 
75 years of service to students in the Riverside area, as well as 
students worldwide. La Sierra University has shown a strong commitment 
to the education of our community and I would like to especially 
recognize Lawrence T. Geraty, the university's current president. Mr. 
Geraty's leadership and dedication will prepare La Sierra University 
for the transition into the next millennium.
  La Sierra first opened in 1922 as La Sierra Academy with 84 students. 
In 1927, the school became Southern California Junior College, and, in 
1939, the school was renamed La Sierra College with the addition of a 
variety of four-year programs. After merging with Loma Linda University 
in 1967, La Sierra College became the La Sierra campus of Loma Linda 
University. La Sierra once again became an independent institution in 
February 1990, assuming its current title as La Sierra University. In 
the meantime, the professional Schools of Education, Business and 
Management, and Religion were added.
  The campus is currently expanding by developing an additional 350 
acres of land. La Sierra University has also added a variety of new 
programs, including offering a Masters degree in Business 
Administration and a minor in gender studies, with their curriculum 
continuing to grow. They were recently chosen by the John Templeton 
Foundation for its 1997-1998 Honor Roll of Character-Building Colleges. 
They also recently received an accreditation from the National 
Association of Schools of Music for their music department, as well as 
certification from the Western Association of Colleges and Schools. La 
Sierra University is also home to the four-time international 
championship team of students competing in the Students in Free 
Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE is a national organization which is supported 
by the Walton family, founders of Wal-Mart, that encourages 
entrepreneurship and community service by students interested in 
business. SIFE is an instrumental organization on campus, organizing 
tutoring, recycling and other service programs. In addition to these 
activities, SIFE has also been involved in several business ventures. 
As a result, La Sierra University gives students the atmosphere, 
guidance, and moral foundation needed to succeed in today's competitive 
job market.
  I would like to commend La Sierra University for their commitment to 
the worldwide scholastic community. Over 1,500 students are currently 
enrolled, representing more than 60 countries. I encourage and support 
La Sierra University in continuing to set and meet its outstanding 
goals in the area of education for decades to come. On behalf of the 
residents of the 43rd Congressional District, I would like to thank La 
Sierra University for its contributions and dedicated service to the 
community, and wish them great success with their 75th anniversary 
celebration.

                          ____________________