As birds sang and squirrels darted playfully across the university mall lawn, the sun had just barely risen on the morning of March 1, 2026. School of Behavioral Health Dean Dr. Bev Buckles, Dr. Winetta Oloo, Dr. Kimberly Freeman, Dr. Danielle Clair, Prof. Gabriela Navarro, Michela Sands, alumni, and students gathered around the Good Samaritan Statue, preparing for the annual SBH Alumni Walk for Student Food Security. The event aimed to galvanize community support and raise awareness for students facing food insecurity.
The weather was perfect for the occasion, with a crisp, refreshing coolness in the air and temperatures in the low 70s—ideal conditions for a brief walk that fostered both fellowship and meaningful engagement. This year's event saw an impressive turnout of seventeen participants. Among them was a group from the DSW cohort, class of 2027, many of whom were visiting Loma Linda University's campus for the very first time. Most participants traveled from outside Loma Linda to take part. One participant came from Ventura, and another joined us all the way from Mt. Shasta! The walk took participants around campus and along the track at Drayson Center.
At the conclusion of the walk, each participant received a gift bag filled with swag, and the event culminated in a warm pancake breakfast at Drayson Center. This provided not only a satisfying meal but also an opportunity for participants to engage, share memories of their time at LLU, and recharge for the remainder of Homecoming weekend.
The event was sponsored and hosted by the School of Behavioral Health as a part of Loma Linda University Health Homecoming 2026. View more event photos on Facebook.
Written by Deanna Tang, Master of Social Work (MSW) student