La Sierra University to graduate 373, State Sen. Cervantes to give address

The university's graduation weekend begins Friday, June 12 with a consecration service at the La Sierra University Church, followed by baccalaureate on Saturday, June 13 with dedication services that afternoon for graduates of the School of Education and the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School at different locations.

Conferring of Degrees takes place on Sunday on the university's Founders' Green with several thousand expected in attendance. La Sierra University President Christon Arthur will preside over the conferring of degrees following Cervantes' address titled "Education: the Foundation of Opportunity."

Cervantes was elected to the California Legislature in 2016, making history as the youngest lawmaker elected at the time and ushering in a new generation of leadership for the Inland Empire. In 2024, she was elected to the California State Senate to represent the 31st District, serving communities across Riverside and San Bernardino counties including La Sierra University. Cervantes currently serves as chair of the California Senate Committee on Appropriations. She previously served as chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus becoming the first representative from the Inland Empire to lead the caucus in its more than 50-year history and now serves as vice-chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus.

Cervantes has authored 58 bills signed into law focused on expanding opportunity, protecting fundamental rights, and strengthening California communities. She has advanced voter protections, safeguarded privacy rights, improved access to maternal mental health care, reduced barriers to higher education and financial aid, supported survivors of sexual assault, and fostered a more inclusive economy.

Cervantes has secured more than $650 million in investments benefiting working families, students, veterans, small businesses, and regional infrastructure throughout the Inland Empire.

A lifelong Riverside County resident, Cervantes is a working mother of triplets and a proud graduate of the University of California, Riverside where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She also completed an Executive Education program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Sunday's commencement will also feature awards for excellence in teaching and for service to two faculty members and one staff member--Professor of Biology Lloyd Trueblood will receive the Verla Rae Kwiram Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award; Professor of Counseling Psychology Dora Clarke-Pine the Distinguished Teaching Award; and Biology Department Manager Ryan VanDeventer the Jay J. Nethery Award for Extraordinary Service to Students.

The President's Award for Outstanding University Undergraduate Student will be given to Yannik Gibson, Bachelor of Science in biology and biomedical science graduating summa cum laude, with the President's Award for Outstanding University Graduate Student going to Joseph Young, Master of Business Administration.

Other weekend guest speakers will include Jason Decena, strategic enrollment specialist and ministerial liaison for the consecration service and Sam Leonor, chief mission officer for Adventist Health as baccalaureate speaker.

La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, Calif.