Approximately 2,500 guests attended the Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center Centennial Gala honoring the 100th anniversary of the founding of the two institutions.

The Centennial Gala, held at Drayson Center, was the third of three events held the weekend of Feb. 11-13 celebrating Loma Linda’s beginnings.

Hosting the evening was B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president and CEO, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center; and Lowell Cooper, MPH, vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and chair of the Boards of Trustees for the Loma Linda institutions.

Serving as master of ceremonies for the gala was William Johnsson, editor of the Adventist Review.

Highlighting the evening was the presentation of Centennial Global Vision Awards to a number of individuals honoring their local and global service.

These awards included the co-founders of the Loma Linda University Overseas Heart Surgery Team for their contributions in establishing heart surgery programs in various countries around the world.

Individuals representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the People’s Republic of China, India, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received the Centennial Global Vision Awards for their contributions in fulfilling Loma Linda’s global vision.

Five individuals received the awards representing alumni in global service. Receiving the awards were James Appel, M.D., and Sarah Appel, RN, missionaries to Bere Hospital in Tchad; Ronald Forde, DDS, director of service learning, School of Dentistry, and former missionary to Zimbabwe; Gordon Hadley, M.D., dean emeritus, School of Medicine, and pioneer in Loma Linda’s Afghanistan project; and Quint Nicola, DDS, director of international dental affairs, School of Dentistry, and associate director of the department of health for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, who coordinates a number of dental clinics around the world.

A special Centennial Global Vision Award was presented to Helen King, Ph.D., dean, School of Nursing. King, who is retiring from her position as dean this year, accepted the award on behalf of the School of Nursing—the university’s first school.

Featured during the program were a number of videos highlighting each of the service areas honored by Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Employees with 25 years of service or more were invited to the celebration.

All LLU, LLUMC and affiliated employees—totalling approximately 13,000—will be invited to a special 100th anniversary celebration scheduled for October 2005.