For the first time since the pandemic coronavirus, La Sierra University graduates received their diplomas on stage.
Nearly 440 students graduated Sunday, June 19, from the private, Seventh-day Adventist university in Riverside, a news release states. The class of 2022 voted to return to an in-person graduation ceremony on campus as pandemic conditions improved, according to the release.
The last time La Sierra staged an in-person graduation was June 2019.
During the two-year hiatus from traditional commencements, the university offered drive-thru celebrations in 2020 and 2021.
Victoria Henry reacts during La Sierra University Commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
School of Education Dean Chang-ho Ji shakes hands with Chris Cisneros as he waves to supporters during La Sierra University Commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Dominick Nicole Rayson reacts during La Sierra University Commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Leslie Martin leads the procession at the start of La Sierra University commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
La Sierra University President Joy Fehr addresses the audience during the college’s commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Raysa J. Flores Casado waves her Dominican flag during La Sierra University commencement on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Osmara J. Ortega waves to family members during La Sierra University commencement on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Robinson Massey waves to supporters during La Sierra University commencement on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Tanya Denise Sweney-Black waves to supporters during La Sierra University commencement on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
John Ogletree dances on stage during La Sierra University commencement on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Jazmine Aguilera shows her father’s photo on stage during La Sierra University commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
La Sierra University President Joy Fehr shakes hands with 2022 President’s Award For Outstanding Undergraduate Student winner, Natasha Thomas, a graduating summa cum laude in pre-medicine and with a degree in management for healthcare professionals from the Zapara School of Business, during La Sierra University commencement ceremony on Sunday June 19, 2022. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)