La Sierra University graduate Alyssa Lee celebrates Sunday, June 15, 2025, during commencement on the Riverside campus. She earned a degree in business management for health care professionals. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
John D. Aitken receives his master of divinity degree from La Sierra University President Christon Arthur during the Riverside school’s Sunday, June 15, 2025, graduation. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
Surangel Whipps, Jr., president of the Republic of Palau, gives the commencement address Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the La Sierra University graduation in Riverside. He also received an honorary doctor of laws for his contributions to public service. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
La Sierra University graduates celebrate their commencement Sunday, June 15, 2025, on the Riverside campus. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
La Sierra University graduates are seen Sunday, June 15, 2025, during commencement on the Riverside campus. The ceremony, held on Founders’ Green, graduated 378 students from 26 countries. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
La Sierra University President Christon Arthur speaks Sunday, June 15, 2025, during graduation at the Riverside campus. It was his first commencement since arriving in July 2024. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
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La Sierra University graduate Alyssa Lee celebrates Sunday, June 15, 2025, during commencement on the Riverside campus. She earned a degree in business management for health care professionals. (Courtesy of Jon Hwang)
La Sierra University bid farewell Sunday, June 15, to 378 graduates in a Father’s Day ceremony on the Riverside campus.
The commencement speaker was Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., president of the Republic of Palau, a nation of Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean. His speech was titled “Navigating the Future, Knowing God is in Control,” a university news release states.
The ceremony took place as usual on Founders’ Green on the Seventh-day Adventist campus.
Whipps, a Seventh-day Adventist, also received an honorary doctor of laws from the university, which was presented by President Christon Arthur, who oversaw his first commencement since arriving in July.
Whipps’ daughter, Moded Samantha Surangel, graduated Sunday from the Zapara School of Business.
