Berit von Pohle, vice president of education for the Pacific Union Conference was named Alumnus of the Year. La Sierra University President Joy Fehr noted in introductory remarks, “Berit is the living embodiment of La Sierra’s legacy of living God’s grace … Dr. Berit von Pohle has acted on a call to ministry and to a vision  of Christ-centered educational excellence that comes from her deep, deep La Sierra roots.”

Von Pohle began her formal education at La Sierra elementary school and went on to earn four La Sierra University degrees in education, most recently completing an Ed.D. in Educational Administration in 2013. She earned a commissioned minister license earlier in her career which encompassed principal and superintendent positions, and was ordained to the gospel ministry in summer 2021. She entered her current position with the union office in 2011.

“We are deeply pleased to recognize through this award both Dr. von Pohle’s acceptance of the torch that was passed to her and the remarkable ways she continues to pass the torch on to others,” said Fehr.