With affection, humor and a geography motif, the SCC staff welcomed Jim and Ellen Clizbe and their family to a dinner honoring the long-time educator. Clizbe accepted a call to serve as administrative pastor of the La Sierra University church, concluding 17 years of service as SCC education superintendent.

The education staff presented Clizbe with a crystal globe, symbolizing their appreciation of his “world-class leadership.” “Jim Clizbe makes principals and staff members feel like respected members of his team and that everyone’s opinion is important to him,” a staff member noted.

One associate affirmed Clizbe as “the consummate coach and mentor, and a positive spiritual leader whose goal is the salvation of our young people.”

Referring to Clizbe as a gifted problem solver, a fellow worker expressed appreciation for the fact that, “He is always accessible when problems need to be solved. His cell phone is always on.”

Citing a study of SCC schools, a co-worker reported that “99.9 percent of SCC academy graduates go on to college and 80 percent complete college degrees, compared to the national average of 27.1 percent of general-population students graduating from college.”

Larry L. Caviness, president, said, “Jim may hold the NAD record for continuous service as a superintendent of education. He served 28 consecutive years as superintendent in three conferences.”

Clizbe expressed his appreciation for the collegiality of the conference family. “One thing I will not miss, though,” he said, “is the 60-mile commute. My new office is seven miles from my home.”

Richard Carey is the new superintendent of education. Watch for a report in the October Recorder and on scc.adventist.org.