Trustees select new chair

Lowell C. Cooper, MDiv, MPH,elected to lead Loma Linda boards on October 23, 2001

[SCOPE, Spring 2002]

Pastor Cooper is general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and an alumnus of the School of Public Health.

Lowell C. Cooper, MDiv, MPH, general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Takoma Park, Maryland, was named chair of the Boards of Trustees for Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center, at meetings of the various boards held on Tuesday, October 23, 2001.

Pastor Cooper is no stranger to Loma Linda University. He received his master of public health degree from the School of Public Health in 1978. He has also been a member of the Loma Linda University Board of Trustees since 1999, and became a member of the LLUAHSC, LLUMC, and LLUBMC Boards of Trustees in 2001.

Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Pastor Cooper received his bachelor of theology degree from Canadian Union College, College Heights, Alberta, in 1967, and a master of divinity degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, in 1969.

Pastor Cooper began his pastoral responsibilities in 1969 as a district pastor for the Peace River District of the Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

In 1973, he assumed the directorship of the lay activities department of the Alberta Conference. In 1978, Pastor Cooper and his family moved to Pakistan where he assumed the position of director of the lay activities and Sabbath School departments. In 1980, he assumed a similar position in the Southern Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists in Pune, India. He held this position until 1985 when he moved to the church ministries department of the same division.

In 1990, he assumed the position of secretary of the Southern Asia Division until 1984, when he and his family returned to the United States where he became associate secretary of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In 1998, he was elected a general vice president of the General Conference.

Pastor Cooper is married to Rae Lee Figuhr Cooper, RN, an emergency room nurse at Washington Adventist Hospital, Silver Spring, Maryland. They have two children: Jondell D. Roy, a nurse at LLUMC; and Todd C. Cooper, DDS, an oral surgery resident at LLLUMC.

The following remarks were made by Pastor Cooper at the inauguration ceremony for Chancellor Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, on October 24, 2001:

At the inauguration of Dr. Hart, Pastor Cooper brings a congratulatory message from the Adventist world Church.

Dr. Behrens, Dr. Hart, members of the Board, members of the faculty,

friends, brothers, and sisters: It is good in the life of the institution that we take time for occasions such as this…

To review and to be reminded of the values that guide our institutional life;

To have occasion to reflect upon the reference points for our existence and our service;

To recognize that it is possible to confuse motion for direction, and speed for progress;

To recognize also that getting a life is our purpose, and that is different from getting a job.

It’s different from the life at the computer, the life in the office, or the life on the playground—to realize that this institution here is to deal with more than the life of the mind—to touch the life of the heart.

So it is good for us to have an occasion like this, to be reminded to sharpen our vision, and to recognize the role of leadership. Dr. Hart, today we honor you and uphold you as the chancellor of this University.

We recognize that what needs to be done in the days ahead is not something you can do alone. So we pledge our support and desire to work with you. Perhaps it is because we live in an age where individualism is so magnified, and the accomplishments of the individual are so often recognized, that we overlook—I’m afraid—the role of a family in the achievements of any individual.

So today I would like also to mention to you, Judy, that we honor and uphold you, and the members of your family. We recognize that in the actions which we take this day, you have been a part, and you will continue to be a part in the days to come. We thank you for that, and praise God for your role in Dick’s life.

We come to reaffirm the life of this institution and its purposes. One steps onto this campus and becomes aware of its past, and certainly is able to trace the footprints of God in our history.

Now let us follow the footsteps of God for our future, and, Dr. Hart, to that end we pray for you.

The following remarks were made on October 23, 2001, by Pastor Cooper at the dinner honoring Calvin B. Rock, DMin, PhD, for his years of service as Loma Linda Board chair:

At Dr. Rock’s appreciation dinner, Pastor Cooper (right), B. Lyn Behrens, president and CEO of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, and Dr. Rock pause for the photographer to capture the occasion on film.

My words of tribute this evening are words of appreciation for Calvin’s example.

It was almost 20 years ago when he came to India for a year-end meeting with the Asia Division, and spoke for a couple of meetings there. I don’t suppose, Calvin, you remembered what you said, and, frankly, I don’t remember what you said either. But I do know that on that occasion you restored my soul, and I have been deeply grateful ever since for the spiritual message that you brought, and my soul has been restored in years when I have heard you speak.

Our paths through the years have crossed in other ways. Those of us at the General Conference, who on occasion are assigned to chair meetings, have learned to talk among ourselves and say, “How would Calvin do this?” I thank you for the example you have given in that area of professional leadership.

To protect the innocent, I will not reveal the name of the General Conference colleague who one morning came to me and said, “Lowell, do you know what goes putt, putt, putt?” I didn’t have the knowledge nor intelligence to find the answer. Then this individual said to me, “Calvin Rock—on the golf course.” I have not played a game with Calvin on the golf course, but there have been many who have given testimony that even on the golf course, he’s a professional. So in all these ways, for your friendship, I thank you for an example that is a delight to follow and to observe.

[SCOPE, Spring 2002]