Victory Lap - University of La Verne

Summer/Fall 2010
VOICE
Victory Lap
After 25 years, Ann and President Steve Morgan prepare to retire
and leave a legacy of caring, engaged leadership at their alma mater.

"Many great things have happened at the university since your
inauguration on November 1, 1985. It was a pleasure working
with you during my 14 years as chairman of the board of
trustees. Your hard work and dedication made us all look good.
I still think you are too young to retire. You will be missed."
Ben Harris
Former Chair of the Board of Trustees
Q
"Steve Morgan is beloved at the University of La Verne for
his leadership over 25 years. Steve Morgan saved the
university from potential demise in the mid 1980's
and guided it to become a respected and healthy
institution. At this point of presidential transition,
the University of La Verne is poised for the next
leap into prominence because Steve Morgan has
prepared the way and built the foundation. Steve
Morgan has devoted his life and his career to the
University of La Verne, and his legacy is one of
great success."
Phil Hawkey
Executive Vice President
Q
"Beginning on the day Steve Morgan stepped
on this campus as president, he has embodied
the mission and values of the University of La
Verne in everything he does. He is a statesman,
always representing us in the best way possible. It is
obvious that Steve loves La Verne. We see evidence in
every connection he makes and every action he takes."
Margaret “Peggy” Redman
Professor of Education
Q
"I recognized Steve's great ability and potential as my
student and President of our student body. I told
him, ‘Steve, one day you will be back at La Verne
as President of this university,’ and it did happen
in 1985. I have been through four Presidents at La
Verne. Steve took over the Presidency when La Verne was in
a very bad financial crisis. He brought about dynamic changes
and developments at La Verne. He got us out of our financial
crisis, raised academic standards & status of La Verne, increased
enrollment, expansion of buildings, classrooms, facilities and
increased endowments. In addition, Steve and Ann, our first lady,
have brought a touch of class to La Verne. La Verne will never be
the same without them. Thank you, Steve and Ann, and I wish
you all the best."
Ahmed Ispahani
Professor of Economics
Q
"Thank you for your never ending, positive spirit and energy for
our students. You are their advocate, supporter and champion.
Through your exemplary leadership, you have truly made a difference
and impacted the students in profound ways. Thank you for being
a leader who the students see and communicate with on a daily
basis…whether it’s having lunch in Davenport Dining Hall,
supporting the athletic teams, attending music and
theater performances, or being present at ALL the
numerous picnics, BBQs and student programs – you
are always there!"
Loretta Rahmani
Dean of Student Affairs
MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT
"When I came to La Verne, I found a poorly administered institution,
drifting and debt ridden. The faculty was so small and uninterested
in scholarship that it seemed like a community college. To make
matters worse, the immense non-traditional programs seemed to tip
the scales in every debate. Then you came and brought vision and
organization. Not only was the grass watered again and Founders
painted, but fund raising, sound finances, and effective management
became priorities. The 25-year journey has not always been
smooth, but La Verne is a larger, better run, and more highly
respected institution today because of your leadership.
Of all the many improvements that have come to La
Verne under your presidency, I am most pleased by
the increased research and publication. You turned
the community college into a university which
respects research as highly as it values teaching and
service.”
Al Clark
Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Q
"I started my career at the University of La
Verne at the same time as President Morgan, in
January 1985. From a Finance Office standpoint,
the biggest accomplishments of the Morgan
Administration, I will have to say is the growth of
our Endowment from nothing to about $31 million,
the quadrupling of our budget to $130 million and
the most important of all 25 straight years of positive
operating balances. I wish Steve the best in all of his
future endeavors."
Avo Kechichian
Associate Vice President & Treasurer
Q
"President Morgan has been the face of our
university for 25 years! I still remember the
days when the grass on campus was dead
and we constantly worried about not having
enough money to meet the payroll. Then
Steve took helm of this university! Now not only
do I work on a beautiful campus, our budget is
strong, student body has almost tripled, and I
am proud to be a member of La Verne family
where students always come first. Steve created
culture of community by just being who he is -
caring, humble, and approachable. Personally he
gave me the freedom to pursue my dreams and
supported me in many of my endeavors. I am
proud to call Steve my President, my mentor,
and a dear friend."
Rita Patel Thakur
Associate Dean, Professor of Business Management
College of Business & Public Management
Q
"You have accomplished much for this university
– achieving financial stability, raising standards
of excellence, and expanding and beautifying the
campus. Your character, integrity, and values have
helped define what the university stands for. It has
been a privilege to work with you. May you and Ann
enjoy many more productive and enjoyable years.
Jean Bjerke
Vice President, University Advancement
VOICE
VOICE
Experts Weigh In On Impact of Retiring President Steve Morgan Vice President, University Advancement
Jean Bjerke
jbjerke@laverne.edu
Director of Public Relations
Charles Bentley
cbentley@laverne.edu
Editor and Creative Director of the Voice
Rusty Evans
revans@laverne.edu
Writers
Charles Bentley, Randy Miller,
Lisa O’Neill Hill, Rusty Evans
Cover Image
Tom Zasadzinski
Photographers
Felicia Beardsley, Jean Bjerke,
Jeanine Hill, Nancy Newman,
Kasutoyo Wase, Walt Weis,
Tom Zasadzinski, Rusty Evans
Director of Alumni Relations
Beth Elmore
belmore@laverne.edu
Leo Lines
Malissa Hernandez
mhernandez@laverne.edu
The Voice is published by
the University of La Verne
Office of University Advancement
Please address all correspondence to:
Voice, University Advancement,
University of La Verne,
1950 Third St., La Verne, CA, 91750
e-mail voice@laverne.edu
www.laverne.edu
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Contents
University of La Verne
VOICE
Vol. 91 No. 1 Summer/Fall 2010
The Power of Sheer Will
Paralyzed at birth, alumnus Ashley Hughes amazes
and inspires others with an indomitable spirit, a
drive to succeed and a very special grandmother.
La Verne Law takes time out to celebrate 40 years
of providing quality, personalized education to its
students.
News & Notes
Victory Lap
Steve Morgan enters his final year as the school's
longest-serving president with a long list of
achievements in 25 years of leadership.
A Brief Recess
Hello, Old Friend
La Verne delegates share leadership-building process
with their counterparts at an education seminar in
Vietnam.
Like Yesterday
Two professors return to separate exotic locations half
a world away to continue cultural research started
years ago.
Leo Lines
Too much mail? If you would prefer to enjoy the Voice online at www.laverne.edu/voice
instead of receiving the printed version, please check the box on the back cover of this
magazine and send it in. Thanks!

University Covers Tardy
Cal Grant Payments
In September, with California still operating
without a final budget, the University of La
Verne announced a decision to advance 700
undergraduate students nearly $3.2 million
necessary to cover Cal Grant payments delayed
by the financial impasse in Sacramento.
“We have always been a university that puts
the students first,” President Steve Morgan
said. “We do not feel these deserving students
should have their education interrupted for
reasons beyond their control.”
College students throughout the state were
left waiting to receive the Cal Grant payments
awarded by the California Student Aid
Commission. Each institution – private and
public – was left to decide how to deal with the
tardy payments. At La Verne, the amount totals
$3,171,018 due 700 eligible students qualified
to receive Cal Grant A and B awards. The
university will be reimbursed when California
Student Aid Commission officials are allowed
to release this year’s Cal Grant payments.
Title V Grant Will Help
Fund Multiple Programs
A $2.8 million Title V Grant awarded by
the U.S. Department of Education, La Verne is
expanding post-baccalaureate opportunities for
Hispanic students and creating new academic
programs. Funded under the Promoting
Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic
Americans (PPOHA) program, the five-year
grant will fund a Graduate Success Center
that will provide tutorial support to graduate
students in writing and statistics. It will
also provide support for a career/placement
counselor for graduate students.
Three new degree and certificate programs
will also be funded by the grant: a Spanish
Bilingual Bicultural Counseling Certificate;
a Certificate in New Learning Technologies;
a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
with a cultural emphasis. The two certificate
programs are scheduled to launch in the current
academic year, with the cultural MBA program
scheduled for full implementation in fall 2011.
“This grant will provide significant resources
for our university to develop innovative
2 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
News & Notes
A flock of starlings illustrate patterns in nature, an example of what will be studied in the
Complex Dynamical Systems Laboratory at La Verne.
Andrew Kelly image
Fletcher Jones Grant Funds Physics, Math Lab
Students soon will be investigating how birds
flock, fireflies synchronize and bees swarm in a
new Complex Dynamical Systems Laboratory
made possible thanks to a $250,000 grant
from The Fletcher Jones Foundation. CDS
is an emerging disciplinary field, and the new
La Verne lab will house high-performance
computer workstations and experimental
equipment to facilitate student-faculty research
collaborations in fluid dynamics, solid state
physics, applied mathematics, biophysics, and
pattern formation.
“Receiving the Fletcher Jones grant will
be a tremendous boost to the physics and
and relevant programs for our students and
community,” Title V Director Mike Ramos
said.
La Verne rated among
nation's top colleges
Two of the country’s premier collegiate
rankings – U.S. News & World Report and
Forbes – rate La Verne among the nation’s
top schools. In U.S. News’ 2011 America’s
Best Colleges issue, La Verne tied with Seton
Hall and DePaul at 136 th in the National
mathematics programs,” said David Chappell,
associate professor of Physics and principal
investigator of the grant.
According to Chappell, employers from
small technical firms to national laboratories
look for individuals who excel in mathematics,
physics and other technical fields and
are proficient in using computational
programming environments to solve complex
data-driven problems.
Based in Pasadena, The Fletcher Jones
Foundation provides support for private
higher-educational institutions, especially
those located in California.
Universities category, a grouping rating 262
institutions (164 public, 98 private) that offer
a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as
master’s and doctoral degrees.
La Verne’s 2010 Forbes ranking (18 th in
California and 206 th overall) has been credited
with boosting the university’s regional and
national profile. Forbes, which annually rates
more than 600 institutions of higher education,
evaluates schools on the quality of education
provided, the positive experience reported by
students and alumni achievement.
“The Forbes ranking gave us the opportunity
to highlight the university’s excellent programs
and faculty in new and effective ways,” said
Homa Shabahang, vice provost and professor
of Economics. “Our new rankings in U.S.
News & World Report has certainly benefitted
from our Forbes ranking.”
STEM, REACH camps
open doors to learning
For many young people, the idea of attending
college is akin to that of landing a spot on
“American Idol” – an impossible dream. But
this past summer nearly 100 area high school
students discovered how the seemingly
impossible is actually attainable by taking part
in one of two camps held at La Verne.
Attendees at the second annual STEM
(Science-Technology-Engineering-
Mathematics) Camp, sponsored by the College
of Arts & Sciences, spent two weeks immersed
in fields like physics, mathematics, computer
science, chemistry and biology.
“I’ve really been impressed with the quality
of students in the STEM Camp,” camp codirector
Kathleen “Kat” Weaver said. “Their
passion and enthusiasm for science and math
is already strong.”
N E W S & N O T E S
Other students took part in the College of
Business & Public Management’s fifth annual
REACH Business Camp. Over a three-week
span they received instruction in business topics
including marketing, economics, management
& organization, finance and accounting.
“This program provides an opportunity to
expose young people to college, some of them
for the very first time,” said REACH Camp
Director Issam Ghazzawi, professor of business
management at La Verne.
Campus Center awarded
Silver LEED Certification
From a rooftop garden that helps reduce
energy demand for cooling to seating made
from recycled seatbelts, the university’s Campus
Center was designed to be energy efficient and
environmentally friendly. Last May the threestory,
40,000-square foot facility became the
first building within the City of La Verne to
attain Silver LEED Certification from the U.S.
Green Building Council.
“Concern for the environment and the health
of our planet is one of the tenets of La Verne’s
Mission Statement,” University President Steve
Morgan said. “In designing and building our
new Campus Center, sustainability was a strong
characteristic we stressed.”
Leadership in Environmental Energy and
Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized
green building certification system designed to
reduce the negative environmental impacts of
buildings while improving occupant health
and well-being. La Verne’s Campus Center was
designed by Pasadena-based architecture firm
Gonzalez Goodale Architects and constructed
by K.A.R. Construction Inc. of Ontario.
Features such as the insulating rooftop
garden adjacent to the Gayle & Tad Lowrey
Terrace helped earn LEED certification.
Tom Zasadzinski image
University of La Verne
Alumni, Family and Friends
Alaska Cruise
Summer 2011
Save the Date
For more information please contact the Alumni office at
alumni@laverne.edu or (909) 593-3511 ext. 4683 or 4665.
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 3

4 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
COVER STORY
Ann & Steve Morgan, who will be honored as the Alumni of the Year during Homecoming Weekend, have been the university's first couple for 25 years.
Tom Zasadzinski image
COVER STORY
Victory Lap
Steve Morgan enters his final year as the University of La Verne's longest-serving president after
leading his alma mater to unprecedented fiscal security and academic excellence for 25 years.
Story By Charles Bentley
A
series of announcements got fall semester off to a
memorable start at the University of La Verne this year.
The largest incoming class in school history expanded
undergraduate enrollment to an all-time high of more than
1,900 students. U.S. News & World Report magazine’s annual
America’s Best Colleges issue listed La Verne tied for 136th in
the National Universities category, its highest ranking ever in
that nationally recognized survey. And the previous fiscal year
ended with a budget surplus.
For alumnus Steve Morgan (’68), it was a fine way to begin
his 26th and final year as university president. In announcing
the previous February his decision to retire in summer 2011,
he put a number to his being the longest serving president in
La Verne’s 119-year history.
The positive news proved most welcome, considering the
impact the recent economic downturn has had on La Verne
and other institutions of higher education. Tight budgets
coupled with high competition for both prospective students
and donors had many nervous.
Such conditions are familiar territory for Steve and his wife,
Ann (’71, ’74, ’96), having experienced many ups and downs
through the years.
When named La Verne’s 17th president in February 1985,
Steve Morgan stepped into a difficult situation. Some believed
the university, founded in 1891, was more likely to close its
doors than survive to celebrate its centennial.
Working against the university were national issues such as
a shrinking pool of traditional-age students, escalating federal
regulations and limited financial aid resources. Internally, La
Verne faced a high debt load, drab facilities and an apprehensive
campus community.
Morgan, at age 39, was one of the nation’s youngest
university presidents. Ahead lay a herculean task, with
critical changes needed in methods, management and
morale. His biggest advantage lay in his personal history
with the school.
Preceded by his mother, Ruth (Miller) Morgan (’36), and
grandmother, Grace (Hileman) Miller (’14), Morgan is a thirdgeneration
alumnus. He and Ann are both proud to add that
their daughter, Kesley (Morgan) Johnston (’00), is a fourthgeneration
Leopard.
Continued on 6
The Morgan File
Title: President, University of La Verne, 26th year
Academic Leadership: Creation of Landis Academic Center; Creation of
College of Law campus in Ontario.
Fiscal Leadership: 25 consecutive years positive operating budget;
Creation of $31 million Endowment; Quadrupled budget, to $130 million.
Capital Projects: Renovations to Miller Hall, Founders Hall, Woody Hall
and Ortmayer Stadium; the expansion of Wilson Library and construction of
Landis Academic Center; construction of College of Law campus in Ontario;
construction of The Oaks Residence Hall; acquisition and creation of the
Barkley Building and the Arts & Communications Building; purchase of
more than 50 acres within a half-mile of the main campus, earmarked for
expansion; renovation of Sports Science & Athletics Pavilion; construction
of 40,000-square-foot Campus Center.
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 5

Morgan points to La Verne presidents
Harold Fasnacht and Leland Newcomer as
being role models and mentors. He credits
both with helping him sculpt his professional
vision and ethics.
“I used to watch Dr. Fasnacht and think
what an interesting and articulate guy. That’s
when I first started thinking of what it would
be like to be a college president,” Morgan
said. “Lee Newcomer really gave me a lot of
opportunities at a very young age to work with
him and to better understand what a college
president does and how they do it.”
La Verne also played a key role in Morgan’s
personal life. It is where he and Ann met, and,
despite a less-than-promising beginning, fell in
love.
They first met when he was a graduate student
at USC working in La Verne’s development
office. While in the dining hall, a friend dared
6 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
COVER STORY
Morgan's announcement of the "Building On Excellence" campaign at the President's Dinner Gala in 2006 gave the Campus Center Project wings.
Nancy Newman image
Continued from 5
Continued on 7
The Morgans were central figures at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Campus Center
during Homecoming Weekend 2007, as enthusiasm spread to students and the community alike.
Jeanine Hill image
COVER STORY
Morgan presided over the Campus Center Grand Opening celebration on September 10, 2009,
a monumental event in school history, and a defining moment in his 26-year administration.
Tom Zasadzinski image
Continued from 6
Morgan to introduce himself to student Ann
McMurray. Although the introduction went
well, both agree the resulting date did not.
“However awful could be defined, that was
our first date,” she said. “I believe we went
to a dance and … it was a disaster. We didn’t
connect at all.”
A chance meeting led to a second date.
Today, after nearly 41 years of marriage, they
have become acutely attuned to each other’s
likes, tastes and strengths.
“We have a lot in common. We enjoy
doing the same kinds of things and I think
that’s been helpful,” he said. “I have always
appreciated Ann’s independence, her drive, and
her compassion. I really appreciate her values.
Fortunately, they’ve been similar to mine. I’ve
grown a lot because of her and she pushes me in
different directions, new directions, and that’s
good.”
As its new president, Morgan knew it would
take tough measures and a deliberate approach
to get La Verne back on a solid footing. Faced
with a number of administrative vacancies, he
hired individuals with reputations for finding
money instead of spending it. The budget had
to be brought under control. Debt needed to
be reduced, fund raising increased and revenue
enhancements determined.
It wasn’t easy and many of the early
decisions, such as freezing salaries and reducing
expenditures, were not popular. Responsible
management was the order of the day, and
within two years the university had a balanced
budget. By 1988 there was a positive cash
flow, and by 1989 financial stability had been
achieved.
A major capital campaign was also launched.
In Morgan’s first year, donations increased 27
percent and cash contributions 20 percent from
the previous year. By fall 1989, the “Partnership
’91” Centennial Campaign was approaching
the initial $8.8 million goal, prompting the
Board of Trustees to increase the target amount
to $11 million.
Along with financial stability, the university
needed to enhance its visual image to buoy
spirits and help improve student recruitment.
Morgan’s first campus development priority
involved creating an infrastructure to oversee
improvements. The Facilities And Beautification
(FAB) Committee was established, and he called
on someone who shared his vision and passion
to lead it. Ann Morgan accepted the unpaid
position, found a desk and went to work.
Continued on 8
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 7

COVER STORY
Most recently, Founders Auditorium began renovation and was renamed the Ann & Steve Morgan Auditorium to honor the university's first couple.
Rusty Evans image
“One of the things we tried to do was
improve the ambiance and the environment,”
she said. “Steve and I both believe that when
you walk onto campus, that look makes the first
impression. We felt it was really important that
the campus and the buildings reflect the quality
of the education the students will receive, and
when we first arrived back at La Verne that just
wasn’t the case.”
She saw to it that the campus’ green spaces
were actually green again. Landscaping,
maintenance, and attention to basic aesthetics
made a major difference.
Later, when Wilson Library was remodeled
and the Landis Academic Center designed, she
helped coordinate that effort and made sure the
new facilities would offer more than just newness.
“I remember going to Mills College, which
had just completed its new library,” Ann
Morgan said. “One of the things we learned was
that they never expected the library to become
such a desired place to be. The library was a
completely different space than what it had
previously been. We had a wonderful architect.
I love the openness, the different floors and just
8 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
the way it all looks and came together.”
During his presidency, Steve Morgan has
also been involved in many facility projects,
including renovations to Miller Hall, Founders
Hall, Woody Hall and Ortmayer Stadium; the
expansion of Wilson Library and creation of
the Landis Academic Center; creation of the
College of Law campus in Ontario; construction
of The Oaks Residence Hall; acquisition and
creation of the Barkley Building and the Arts &
Communications Building; purchase of more
than 50 acres within a half-mile of the main
campus, land earmarked for future expansion;
renovation of the Sports Science & Athletics
Pavilion; and last year’s completion of the
40,000-square-foot Campus Center.
La Verne’s reputation has also grown. The
College of Law, which earned provisional
approval from the American Bar Association in
2006, is one of several programs to receive national
accreditation. And many faculty members have
been recognized for their published works, their
research and their achievements.
The university now has seven regional
campuses, two military base centers, and
numerous off-campus and online programs.
It has upgraded its science and technology
infrastructure, enhanced the overall curriculum
and promoted academic research. The fiveyear,
$42 million “Building on Excellence”
campaign that successfully concluded in 2009
was the largest in school history.
“Relatively, La Verne is a much healthier
institution than it was 25 years ago. That’s not
just because of me; it’s because we all worked
together to create some goals and visions and
we’ve all moved together toward those,” Morgan
said. “It has raised La Verne to a higher level
of reputation, to a stronger financial base, to
being a stronger institution. I don’t take credit
for that except that I hope I played some role in
moving us together toward those goals. I never
wanted to change the course of La Verne.”
Morgan says the ultimate measure of any
university is the people it serves. He celebrates
the diversity on campus, diversity that mirrors
Southern California and the global community.
Continued on 9
Continued from 8
Such a learning environment prepares
students for the world they will contribute to,
professionally and personally, throughout their
lives.
He says he is pleased with where La Verne is
now and is optimistic about the future.
“It has been a high privilege for me to serve
as president, to work with many outstanding
individuals to strengthen La Verne, and to fulfill
its mission for the students we serve,” Morgan
said. “I know there are many new challenges
ahead for this university. I am confident that
the search process will identify the right person,
someone with the capabilities and vision needed
to meet those challenges while maintaining La
Verne’s educational mission and retaining its
core values.”
On Friday, Nov. 5, Ann and Steve Morgan
will be honored for their years of vision,
leadership and dedication when they are
recognized as 2010 Alumni of the Year during
the Homecoming Banquet at the Sheraton
Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in
Pomona. It is the beginning of a year-long
series of celebrations highlighting the Morgans’
contributions to La Verne.
For details on the banquet, contact the
When Steve Morgan was first told the idea of naming the
renovated Founders Auditorium after him, his response
was typically humble. No, he said, a donor should have the
opportunity to name the renovated performance theater.
Members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and alumni all persisted
with the idea and Morgan repeatedly refused. In the end, support for the
proposal was overwhelming, as a few key trustees led an effort to secure
more than $750,000 from donors who stipulated that their gift would be
made only if the name of the remodeled theater would become the Ann
and Steve Morgan Auditorium.
It was made official at the meeting of the Board of Trustees in February,
as the full board, with both Ann and Steve Morgan present, accepted the
request and unanimously voted to name the hall for the Morgans.
“The Morgans personify the best of this university,” said Benjamin
Harris, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We are proud to be
associated with them, and it is with the utmost joy and respect that we
name this campus landmark in their honor.”
Since that time, additional funds have been raised, and private gifts to
the project now total $1.2 million. The 84-year-old theater is in the midst
of a complete renovation, with new seating, new lighting and electrical
fixtures, upgraded climate control and modern sustainability measures.
Steve Morgan, who earned his bachelor’s degree in 1968 to become a
third generation La Verne graduate, was unanimously approved by the
Board to be the university’s 17th president in February 1985. Since then
he has guided the university through fiscal challenges and development
COVER STORY
Always visible in the community and eager to nourish young minds, Morgan spends a few hours
reading to young children during story time at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Montclair.
Rusty Evans image
Alumni Relations Office at (909) 593-3511 ext.
4665 or 4683 or register online at http://www.
laverne.edu/homecoming-registration. To learn
more about other events honoring the Morgans,
call the University Advancement Special Events
hotline at (909) 593-3511 ext. 4670 or visit the
Web page at http://laverne.edu/advancement/
special-events/morgan-retirement.
Donors Insist Founders Auditorium be renamed for Ann & Steve Morgan
An architect's rendering depicts the renovated Founders Auditorium,
which will be renamed the Ann & Steve Morgan Auditorium.
as well as a transformational period of growth and change, all while
diligently seeking to maintain the values upon which the institution was
founded in 1891.
Ann Morgan, who earned a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees
from La Verne, was the inaugural chair of the university’s Facilities &
Beautification Committee and served in that role for five years, helping
establish priorities and supervise projects to enhance campus appearance
and care.
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 9

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
With her grandmother, Linda Hughes, her constant classroom companion since sixth grade, Ashley Hughes, right, has excelled as a student,
including her senior year at the University of La Verne, when she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Jeanine Hill image
The Power of Sheer Will
Paralyzed at birth, recent La Verne graduate Ashley Hughes amazes and inspires
others with an indomitable spirit, a drive to succeed and a very special grandmother.
Ashley Hughes lay on her bed, holding a
pen with a rubber tip in her mouth, her
cell phone on a stand in front of her. The
University of La Verne senior guided the pen by
moving her head quickly in a pecking motion.
She was typing an essay into her phone.
Though she’d been gravely ill, Hughes wasn’t
about to let that stop her from completing
her college coursework. Considering all she’d
already overcome, that much was a given.
A doctor’s error during her birth robbed
Hughes of the use of her arms and her legs,
10 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
By Lisa O'Neill Hill
but she has always believed in the power of her
mind.
Harnessing that power, the 23-year-old
Claremont woman graduated summa cum
laude last May from La Verne, earning a
bachelor’s degree in accounting and leaving
the university with a near-perfect grade point
average. The College of Business & Public
Management honored Hughes as its “Senior of
the Year” and she was chosen to be the student
speaker at commencement.
During her commencement speech, a
grinning Ashley said, “Failure was not an
option.” The Ortmayer Stadium audience
erupted in applause and cheers.
Sitting nearby on stage, Ashley’s
grandmother, Linda Hughes, beamed. Since her
granddaughter was in the sixth grade, Linda has
attended classes with her, quietly taking notes
for her and also making sure the ventilator
that keeps Ashley alive is running properly.
Continued on 11
Together, the two have accomplished things
many people would believe to be impossible.
“A lot of people don’t understand her,” Linda
said. “She can do anything. She does all of her
homework. She types all of her own essays. She
does her own research. She’s far from helpless.
She’s very dedicated.”
A Cruel Beginning
Ashley was born at Pomona Valley
Community Hospital. As Linda explains it,
during delivery Ashley’s spine was stretched
by a doctor who was under the influence of
drugs and alcohol. The doctor almost broke
Ashley’s neck trying to pull her from the womb,
irreparably damaging her spinal cord and
leaving her without the use of her arms or legs.
Ashley’s mother was 16 and overwhelmed.
Recognizing the challenge ahead, Ashley’s
grandparents stepped into the role of primary
caregivers. The first 2½ years of Ashley’s life
were spent in hospitals and at a rehabilitation
center. Linda then quit her job and took her
granddaughter home.
For Linda, Ashley has been a blessing, a
source of happiness and unyielding pride, a
beacon of light who sings along to country
music, cherishes summers traveling across the
country in the family RV, and captivates others
with her steadfast optimism.
“My experiences with Ashley, I would never
trade those years for anything. Never,” Linda
said. “I’ve learned so much just being with
Ashley, and not just academically. I’ve learned
a lot about myself. I learned a lot of patience,
a lot of tolerance. Lots of love. I could name
thousands of things that I’ve learned from
just being around her. She’s been my biggest
inspiration. If she can do it, I can do it.”
From an early age, Ashley dreamed big. If
there was something she wanted to do, she
found a way. Linda and other relatives helped
Ashley develop self-reliance by treating her just
like any other child.
“She wanted to show me that I was capable of
doing things,” Ashley said of her grandmother.
“It’s definitely a lot of determination and love,
just loving me and wanting to help me. That’s
what she’s always wanted.”
A Love for Learning
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
Continued from 10
A happy child who absorbed information
quickly, Ashley never thought of learning as
hard or beyond her.
“I love learning,” Ashley said. “I have videos
of me (from when I was younger) and I’m lying
Ashley Hughes, named "Senior of the Year" by the College of Business and Public Management,
receives her diploma from university president Steve Morgan.
Jeanine Hill image
in bed and I’m saying ‘I want a book! I want a
book!’”
As a small child, she did big math problems in
her head. She kept a list of words, meticulously
adding new ones. She constantly asked for
books and got her first computer that she used
by tapping with a pointer when she was 2.
Linda said that from the beginning Ashley
was interested in everything.
“I really don’t think it has to do with her lack
of being able to do anything else,” Linda said.
“When she was little, she would listen. She had
a keen sense of hearing.”
Ashley learned to do many of the things
other children did. When she wanted to play
with little wooden figures and other toys,
Linda’s husband figured out a way for her to
pick them up with her pointer, using magnets
and string.
“Even when she was little, if she wanted to
do something, we’d find a way for her to do it,”
Linda said.
In high school, Ashley’s family decorated
their RV in pink and purple paint so Ashley
could go to the prom. J.J., Ashley’s 27-year-old
uncle, who she calls her brother, accompanied
her.
“She never really thought of herself as being
disabled,” Linda said. “She was brought up like
that and we never treated her any differently
than any other kid.”
Linda’s devotion to her granddaughter is the
embodiment of love. Today, Ashley often refers
to Linda as “Mom.” Linda, 67, doesn’t see it as
a job or a sacrifice, and says she has received as
much as she has given, has learned as much —
if not more — as she has taught.
That devotion manifested itself during fall
semester 2006, when Linda broke her ankle.
That didn’t stop them from coming to school.
For College of Business & Public
Management Dean Ibrahim “Abe” Helou, the
image of Ashley in her wheelchair followed
by Linda on crutches is indelibly etched in his
mind.
“There are no words to describe it,” Helou
said. “Every time I think of that picture, I get
goose bumps.”
Day By Day
Ashley doesn’t complain about her situation.
“I don’t know why,” she said. “I just never have.
I mean not every day is perfect.”
“She just doesn’t know how to do that,”
Linda added. “That’s the way she grew up. We
didn’t complain in front of her. If there was
something wrong, she didn’t know it.”
Then, as now, Ashley was never alone,
accompanied by a caregiver at all times. Linda
was up at 7 a.m. to get Ashley ready for school,
a process that takes 90 minutes. Getting her
ready for bed takes a little longer — two hours.
Ashley has to be turned over in the middle of
the night. Linda, Ashley’s mother and Ashley’s
uncle take turns staying awake with her at
night.
Continued on 12
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 11

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
Continued from 11
During the day, Linda is always nearby,
making sure the ventilator is working. Every
30 minutes, Ashley’s wheelchair tilts back to
prevent pressure sores from forming on her
body.
Despite outward appearances, Ashley
is anything but fragile; she has often been
misjudged because she is in a wheelchair. People
sometimes think she has a mental disability.
“We have confronted that a lot,” Linda said.
“When people see Ashley, the first thing they
assume is that she has some kind of problem up
there. But the minute they start talking to her,
they realize that she doesn’t. People sometimes
will walk up and direct a question to me, like
she can’t speak for herself.”
An Indelible Impression
For Ashley, studying accounting was a
natural choice, given her love of math. She
will soon take the Certified Public Accountant
exam — her professors say there is no doubt she
will sail through it — and ultimately wants to
work for the Internal Revenue Service.
Whether she intended to or not, Linda also
became adept in accounting. When Ashley
graduated, administrators surprised Linda with
an honorary bachelor’s degree — the first in the
university’s history. Faculty members and the
dean assert she absolutely earned it.
Ashley said her experiences at La Verne have
been amazing. “They’ve been very welcoming
and very accepting of who I am and my
condition,” she said. “They haven’t tried to
make any exceptions, nothing as far as making
it easier and I love that.”
Ashley quickly became close with Cynthia
Denne, director of Student Health Services and
Services for Students with Disabilities.
Denne helped make sure that Ashley had
priority registration and that her classrooms
were accessible.
For class tests, Ashley went to Denne’s office
at the health center. If the tests were multiple
choice or short answer, Denne would write
them out. If the tests were essays, Ashley typed
them herself using a pointer that attaches to a
device she wears around her head and is directed
by her head movement and facial muscles.
“She has got one of the most positive
outlooks and a cheerfulness about her,” Denne
said. “She’s an incredible young woman. She’s
a sweetheart. There isn’t one person on this
campus who would disagree with that.”
Denne also said the quality of Ashley’s work
is outstanding.
Business administration professor Janis C.
Dietz can attest to that. Dietz describes Ashley
12 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
Though actually Ashley's grandmother, Linda Hughes raised Ashley as her daughter.
Jeanine Hill image
as an excellent and social student. Dietz recalls
Ashley attending banquets and working the
room, stopping to speak to professors and
students.
“She is somebody that you will remember
the rest of your life,” Dietz said. “And she is
somebody who makes you realize how many
gifts you have been given and makes you
want to be a better person. I have benefited
tremendously from knowing her.”
Political science professor Richard Gelm said
Ashley always participated in class discussion in
his modern political theory class.
“Ashley is one of the best students I have
encountered,” said Gelm, who has been
teaching for 19 years. “She’s an extraordinary
student and an extraordinary person.”
Ashley also formed a special relationship
with accounting professor Claudio Munoz,
who has had Ashley and Linda in four classes.
“As a student, I’d have to put her in the top
10 I’ve ever had in my 16 years of teaching at
La Verne,” Munoz said. “She’s in the top 0.1
Continued on 13
percent as a student (and) a top 10 person for
sure.”
Ashley and Linda simply do not settle for
anything less than excellence, he said. If Linda
were enrolled and could take the CPA exam,
she, too, would pass, he said.
A Source of Inspiration
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
The University of La Verne surprised Linda Hughes by conferring upon her the first honorary
bachelor's degree in the school's history.
Jeanine Hill image
Continued from 12
Munoz says he admires Ashley’s “can do”
approach to life.
“She’s just not a disabled person in her
head, in her mind. She’s challenged, there’s
no question about it,” he said. “But she’s an
overcomer. Both of them are overcomers of
their challenges.”
Looking to get his students inspired, Munoz
turned to Ashley for advice. What could he tell
his students?
“Just ‘Git-R-Done,’” was Ashley’s response,
quoting comedian Larry the Cable Guy. Munoz
has used that expression often.
“Everybody who took accounting with
Claudio knows what ‘Git-R-Done’ means,”
Linda said with a laugh.
Munoz and others say their admiration
for the pair is even greater, considering the
medical challenges Ashley has had to overcome.
During her years at La Verne, Ashley has had
temporary kidney failure and pancreatitis and
has undergone surgery.
“You’re looking at a wonderful story of
human sacrifice on Linda’s part, but I don’t
know who got the better end of the deal,”
Munoz said. “They both got something that
I feel is extremely rewarding, both from each
other and this experience, and I don’t think it’s
only at La Verne. I think it’s also in life. They’re
so symbiotic. They literally, in a positive way,
feed off each other and nourish each other. It’s
incredible what they have going for each other.”
When Ashley had temporary kidney failure,
she suffered from a pressure sore after lying on
a hospital bed in the emergency room for 10
hours. It was the first week of school of her
senior year. The doctor told Ashley and Linda
that the sore would never heal if she got back
into her wheelchair. Ashley and Linda went
to the first meeting of every class but worried
about whether Ashley would have to drop out.
Ashley spent three weeks in bed and never
stopped working. “She did everything she was
supposed to do,” Linda said.
Even before gall bladder surgery, Ashley
didn’t abandon her studies.
“She has all these tubes attached to her and
she is white as a sheet,” Linda said. “She’s got
her biology book propped up in front of her.
She’s studying while she is waiting for surgery.
That’s just the way she is.”
Linda said she is so proud of Ashley that
words often fail her.
“When we look back on all those years, at
the time we’re doing it, it doesn’t seem like it’s
hard sometimes,” she said. “We don’t stop to
think about how we’re going to do it. We just
do it. If it’s raining, we put the cover on her
vent and put the umbrella over her. If it’s cold,
we protect her. If it’s hot, we do this and that.
We never really stop and think about things
like that. Now, when I look back on it, I don’t
know how we did it.”
Graduation Day
For Ashley and Linda, all the hard work
culminated on a sunny May morning as they
both donned caps and gowns for the school’s
commencement ceremony.
When the keynote speaker, L.A. County
Sheriff Lee Baca, took the stage, he spoke about
the crucial role that family had played in the
success of the graduates gathered before him.
He might as well have been talking about Linda
and Ashley.
Baca then singled Ashley out, marveling at
her achievements.
“The point is she has shown that all of us can
learn from her,” he said. Turning to Ashley, he
continued: “You are a great, great example of
mind management.”
The crowd fell silent as Ashley began her
commencement speech. She described her
excitement and apprehension when she first
came to La Verne.
“All I wanted was to be treated like all the
rest of the students,” she said. “I didn’t want
the professors to make exceptions or lighten
the homework load for me. I am thankful
they didn’t because the continuous challenge
has given me a chance to be what I wanted to
be, and I would not trade my experiences for
anything.”
Despite difficult and challenging moments,
Ashley said she never doubted herself. She
ended her speech with a Buddhist saying that
she said has often inspired her.
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can
help you,” Ashley said. “If you are determined
to learn, no one can stop you.”
Then, it was Linda’s turn. She was shocked
when she was presented with her honorary
bachelor’s degree.
But on stage, Ashley soon pointed out that
she hadn’t received her own diploma.
“Somebody’s not ‘Gitting-R-Done’,” she
joked.
Afterward, Linda was stunned. Ashley was
exuberant.
“That was amazing,” Ashley said.
Ashley said she is sad to leave La Verne, but
is excited about her future. For Linda, leaving
is also bittersweet.
“I don’t know how I’m going to feel,” she
said. “It’s like home here.”
Ashley takes satisfaction in knowing she did
what she set out to do — and more.
“One of the biggest mottos that I’ve lived by
is ‘dream big,’” Ashley said. “Don’t just dream.
Go for the stars. That’s what I’ve always done.”
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 13

1930s
Francis May Chronister Daley
’30 will celebrate her 102 nd
birthday this month. She presently
resides with her granddaughter and
family in Porterville, California.
She still home schools her greatgranddaughter,
an active thirteen
year old. She loves to play cards
with friends once or twice a week.
She enjoys going to church and
making craft items for their yearly
craft fair.
1940s
Ruth C. Beard ’48 published her
first book, “Go to it Old Boy!” She
recently spoke about her book at a
family reunion in Lancaster, Penn.
1950s
Barbara (Root) Stremikis ’59
published a young adult novel called, “March
Misfit.” The setting of the book is in the 1950’s
when a mudslide destroys the home and kills the
parents of 15-year old, Cara Talbot. Cara is then
sent to live with distant family on a dairy farm
in Indiana. For more information, visit www.
barbarastremikis.com.
1960s
A L U M N I
Leo Lines
Sue (Brown) Daniel ’67, Pam (Williams) Henry ’69, Lynn (Tegtmeier)
Valdez ’69, Barbara (Morris) Reynoso ’69, Teri (Luce) Kennan ’69,
Barbara (Ferrell) Gross ’67, and Marji (Gill) Bothwell ’69 celebrated
their 18 th annual get-together weekend in Boise, Idaho, at Sue’s house.
They first met in Granite Bay at Pam’s house in 1993. Wherever they are,
they never forget the dear favored spot where they first became friends,
and they prove that “Leo girls just want to have fun.”
Bob Watanabe
’70 retired as
Bassett Unified
School District
Superintendent
on October 2 nd ,
2009. Prior to his
retirement party, a
new $8.5 million
multi-purpose
facility at Torch
Middle School in
the City of Industry
was named the Robert I. Watanabe Center in his
honor. The dedication was attended by several
hundred members of the community, educators,
civic leaders and district employees.
Jerry Miller ’75 recently published
a book called, “Ersatz Eden.” A
credit to La Verne was included on
the back cover.
Oscar Pagan ’76 recently moved
from Idaho to Las Vegas and opened
a country western night club.
Greg H. Sancier ’78 recently
retired after 30 years in law
enforcement with the San Jose
Police Department. Greg has
been in the Crisis Management
Unit for the last eight years
and has worked in a collateral
assignment as the Senior Hostage
Negotiator on the S.W.A.T. team.
He was recently appointed to the
board of directors at the Chicago
School of Professional Psychology
Los Angeles for Forensics. He is
also a member of the California
Mental Health Commission
Advisory Committee on Stigma
and Discrimination. He has also
started his own consulting business
in the areas of Safety, Security,
Health and Wellness.
Erika (Gonzalez) Nonemaker ’79 is the curator
of the monthly Open Call Art Show at Hotel Casa
425 in Claremont, Calif. Erika proposed the art
show idea to Casa 425 owners to attract patrons
to the beautiful property in the Village West area.
Erika is also the lead cook.
1980s
Continued from 14
Joseph E. Thornell ’86 became the Command
Chief Master Sergeant for 1 st Air Force at Tyndall
Air Force Base in Florida.
Delia (Hill) Hanawalt ’89 married Michael
Hanawalt on August 29, 2009. Michael is
the grandson of Dwight Hanawalt.
Salvatore “Sam” Bozzo ’89 retired from the
Monterey County Office of Education as Assistant
Superintendent of Human Resources in 2006.
Sam also co-authored a cookbook, “Any Bozzo
Can Cook” and is an Adjunct Faculty member at
Chapman University.
1990s
Gayle Nauska ’93 graduated with M. Div. in
Native Ministry from the Vancouver School of
Theology in May of 2009.
Bill Battin ’95 was promoted to Vice President,
On-Air Promotions at FOX Sports. His
department is consistently one of the industry’s
most decorated groups. He graduated from La
Verne with a bachelor of arts in Broadcasting.
ALUMNI
Navy in September of 2008. He currently works
as Security and Fire Life Safety Director for the
Los Angeles Fire Department.
Kathleen Bears ’06 recently accepted the position
of Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs at
Garces Memorial High School, a catholic college
preparatory high school in Bakersfield, Calif.
James E. Ellis ’07, former Assistant Principal at
Ramona Middle School in La Verne, CA, is taking
the helm at Gladstone Elementary School in San
Dimas, Calif.
Jill Ledbetter ’07 and Gustavo Ferreira ’07 were
married on February 28, 2009.
Dr. Sybil Acevedo
’07 was recently
named the California
Association for
Bilingual Education
(C.A.B.E) Teacher of
the Year, representing
San Bernardino and
Riverside Counties.
Sybil would like to
publicly thank the
University of La
Verne, especially the Foothill Cluster and Dr.
Barbara Poling, her chair.
Stephanie (Needles) Nyberg ’09 and James
Nyberg were married on November 7, 2009
and purchased their first home in January of
2010.
Shun Newbern ’10
Masters of Science
in Leadership
& Management
graduate student at
the Irvine Campus
and Quality Control
Supervisor for Rose
Hills, Whittier Calif.,
has been installed as
the President of the
Los Angeles Funeral Directors Association for the
2010-2011 administrative term.
Little Leos
Todd DeMitchell ’69 recently published his
fifth book, “Labor Relations in Education:
Politics & Practices.” In addition, he gave
an invited symposium address at the Boston
University School of Law and recently
published several articles in the Boston
University Public Interest Law Journal,
Teachers College Record, the Education Law Dr. Joseph M.
Reporter and the Brigham Young University Farley ’73 is proud
Education and Law Journal.
to announce his
recent appointment
as superintendent
of the Capistrano
Unified School
Michael O'Boyel '72 Received Special District, following
Congressional Recognition for Outstanding five years in the top
Invaluable Service To our Country. Michael has spot at the Anaheim
Adela Alba ’83 is responsible for accounting and
compliance for a transmission service center that
she co-owns with her husband, Joe Alba. Adela
also tutors algebra at a center in town. In their
spare time, Adela and Joe enjoy spending time
with their three grandchildren.
Judi (Spann) Frigon ’83 married Dr. Gary
Frigon, M.D. on June 19
Corey Cofer ’95, a first-generation college
graduate, is a Los Angeles high school teacher, and
spoken word poet. Corey uses his hip-hop poetry
to inspire young people by depicting his past
experiences since graduating from La Verne in
1995. He has been featured in Russell Simmons’
“Def Poetry Jam,” an HBO series.
Reza Sabahi ’03 was recently promoted to
Assistant Manager at Wells Fargo Capital Finance.
Reza graduated from the Merage School of
Business in 2009.
Molly Morin ’08 graduated from La Verne with
a double major in Liberal Studies and Sociology.
She recently graduated with her Masters degree
in Counseling and Personnel Services with an
emphasis in College Student Personnel from
the University of Maryland College Park. Molly
given 26 Years of Service. The honor was awarded Union High School
is now an Academic Advisor for the Academic
to him by Congresswoman Mary Bond.
District.
Vincent O’Bannon ’05 retired from the U.S. Advising Center at Chapman University.
th 1970s
, 2009, in a small
private ceremony in Bentonville, Ark.
Bruce Smith ’84 recently published a collection of
his humor columns. The book, like the columns,
is titled, “Fun with Stuff” and is available at
Amazon.
2000s
Amanda (Stapleton) Hanson ’08 and
Merrill “Andy” Hanson ’08 were married
on August 8, 2008. The two began their
courtship in the “Legal Environment of
Business” class and sang together in the
University Chorale and Chamber Singers.
Amanda is happily employed in University
Advancement. Andy is in his first year at
University of La Verne College of Law.
Gustavo ’07 and Jill Ferreira ’07 welcomed
the birth of their daughter and future La
Verne student, Madeline Lucille-Marie
Ferreira. She was born on Dec. 9, 2009. She
was 8lbs. 2 oz and 21 inches long.
Continued on 15
Continued on 16
14 Voice Summer/Fall 2010 Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 15

Continued from 15
Janene Sausedo-Frank ’98, ’01 and her
husband, Ernie, welcomed their second
daughter, Janessa, on Nov. 27, 2009. She joins
Anjalene, 6, and big brother Jonathan, 4.
Anna (Werner) Mulvihill ’00 and Mike
Mulvihill, welcomed their son, Max Martin
on March 19, 2009. Both Anna and Mike are
teachers in the Fairfield area.
Arturo Barrales ’06 is proud to announce
the birth of his son, Noah Aiden Barrales born
September 26, 2009.
Jaime Navares ’06 and his wife, Jennifer,
welcomed a third daughter into their family.
Victoria Jamie Navares was born healthy on
September 9, 2009. She joins her sisters, Isabella
4, and Amelia, 2.
In Memoriam
Kenneth C. Brownsberger ’35 passed away
two weeks before his 98 th birthday. He was
born on August 17, 1911, in San Bernardino
and was married to Elizabeth (Libby) Lehman
Brownsberger ’34 for 67 years. Kenneth
graduated from Bonita High School and La
Verne College, attaining his teaching credential.
His career included teaching school for 30 years,
delivering ice, and orange grove ranching. He
earned his masters degree from Pepperdine
University. Together Kenneth and Libby were the
second of four generations of proud University
of La Verne graduates. Libby’s father Lorenzo
Jacob Lehman graduated from La Verne College
in 1916.
Altonetta Waas-Crites Rasmussen ’39 passed
away on June 6, 2009, of complications of
congestive heart failure. Her son, Carson Crites,
shared that Altonetta went peacefully to her next
destination. While at La Verne College, Altonetta
majored in English.
Dorothy Deal ’40 passed from this earth in
January of this year. Her husband Robert Deal
’40 and ’60 preceded her in death.
16 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
A L U M N I
Lois Elizabeth Myer Groff ’38 of Gridley,
Calif., passed away at the age of 94 on June
28, 2010 following a stroke. Lois was born
in Somerset, Ind., on April 7, 1916, the
daughter of Charles and Tressa Myer. She
was preceded in death by her husband Paul
(’38) in July 1990. Lois is survived by her
sister, Ruth Myer Liskey (’52) of La Verne;
daughters Sandra Groff Boeger (’64) and
husband Michael of Gridley, and Linda
Groff Haines (’68) and husband Simon of
Sacramento; three grandchildren and two
great grandsons; as well as numerous nieces
and nephews, many of whom attended La
Verne College.
Paul Edwin Kauffman ’42 passed away on July
23, 2010.
Alma Johnson Waits McMurray ’44 passed away
in January of this year. Alma was a well-respected
2 nd grade teacher at South Bay Union Elementary.
She and all six of her siblings attended La Verne
College and six of the siblings became teachers.
Alma had three children, Cynthia, Tom, Terri
with first husband, Frank Waits. Jim McMurray,
her second husband, preceded her in death. Alma
brought her family's love for music with her when
she attended La Verne College.
J. Edwin Jones ’47 passed away on June 16, 2009
at the Woods Center at Hillcrest Homes in La
Verne, at the age of 87. He was preceded in death
by his wife, Nellie Mae (Jamison) Jones ’43 in
August 2007. Ed and Nellie Mae met as freshmen
at La Verne College and were married for 65
years. After four years serving the country as a
Civilian Public Servant, Ed finished his education
and completed his career as an outstanding
pitcher for La Verne’s baseball team. He was a
teacher, counselor, vice-principal and principal
in the Ontario-Montclair School District for 44
years. Nellie Mae taught elementary school for
the Charter Oak School District for more than
20 years after raising four children. Nellie Mae’s
father, Benjamin Franklin Jamison, graduated
from La Verne. They are survived by daughter
Carolyn Ortmayer & husband Lou; son James E.
Jones ’71 and wife Melinda (Southworth) ’71.
Eugene Bowers ’41 passed away in January
at the age of 90. Gene’s career included
working with the Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California for 40 years.
He also taught chemistry part time at La
Verne College. As a resident of La Verne,
Gene volunteered in many community
projects: Chairman of the La Verne
Community Chest, member of Pomona
Valley United Fund Board, Member of the
La Verne School District board and later
Bonita Unified School District board for
a total of 19 years. Gene was an ardent
supporter of the La Verne Church of the
Brethren.
Lorraine “Lollie” Lavering Landis ’53
passed away in July of 2009. Her husband,
Bill Landis ’52 survives her. While at La
Verne College Lollie was active in the pep
squad and enjoyed participating in the
choir.
Lenore (Wilkinson) Carter ’58 passed away on
November 26, 2009 after a 7½-month fight with
cancer. Lenore was a professional teacher and
gave of herself as a mentor to so many within her
community and her church. She resided in Kern
County. While at La Verne she participated in the
pep squad and later as an alumna participated
with the Alumni Friends and Floaters. Her
husband, Warren ’58, survives her.
Richard (Dick) Bray, Class of ’59 passed in
February of this year. While at La Verne College,
Dick participated in the choir and was a member
of the baseball and football teams.
Staying in Touch
Has Added Benefits
for La Verne Alumni
Advances in technology have helped the Office
of Alumni Relations create more benefits to
La Verne’s 45,000 alumni than ever before.
That means there are more ways than ever to
stay connected to the university on a daily basis,
including internet and e-mail access, library use
and other opportunities. Details are listed below.
For more information contact the Office of
Alumni Relations or visit www.laverne.edu.
Staying Connected
LaVerne.edu The home page of the university
website is the place to get breaking campus news.
Upcoming Events Find events on La Verne home
web page, a campus calendar of all student,
alumni, faculty, staff and community events or
go directly to the Alumni web pages at http://
sites.laverne.edu/alumni/ to register for alumni
specific educational events, social activities and
travel opportunities.
University of La Verne Alumni Facebook Fan
Page Become a fan and receive daily/weekly updates
of events and news from La Verne.
LaVerne.edu Email Account Recent graduates
may keep their LaVerne.edu address. If you are
not a recent graduate and would like to have a
LaVerne.edu account, please complete the online
request form on the Alumni pages on the university
website.
Voice Online The university magazine is now
online. The Voice includes in-depth feature stories
about alumni, students and faculty. Please
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Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 17

18 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
COLLEGE OF LAW
University of La Verne president Steve Morgan, right, visits with Ontario City Manager Chris Hughes, far left, and Ontario mayor Paul Leon.
Nancy Newman image
A Brief Recess
La Verne Law takes time out to celebrate 40 years of providing quality, personalized education
By Charles Bentley
Its beginning can be traced back to a
discussion between a highly respected jurist
and an innovative college president. Today, the
University of La Verne College of Law is an
established and respected institution and stands
as Inland Southern California’s first American
Bar Association-approved school of law.
This year, to commemorate the 40 th
anniversary of its founding, the College of Law
will honor many of those who helped establish
it as a place where students can receive quality,
personalized legal education.
“We are in the midst of a great journey that
started 40 years ago,” College of Law Dean
Allen K. Easley said. “It is a moment of pride
“Our students are the true legacy of La Verne Law. Their achievements,
commitments and values will reflect the true nature and success of
this institution and guarantee a bright future for years to come.”
Allen Easley
Dean, La Verne College of Law
for all who have been involved in building this
great law school. But our students are the true
legacy of La Verne Law. Their achievements,
commitments and values will reflect the true
nature and success of this institution and
guarantee a bright future for years to come.”
When the 2010 fall term began in August,
enrollment reached more than 425 students. It
was quite a contrast from the 84 law students
who made their way into Miller Hall when
classes began in 1970.
Continued on 19
Continued from 18
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Egly
first approached La Verne College President
Leland Newcomer in 1969 about establishing
a law school at La Verne. Egly, a longtime area
resident and respected member of the bench,
was serving as dean of a proprietary law school
in West Covina. He believed, with the backing
of an established four-year institution, a firstclass
law school could flourish.
Newcomer recognized the need for a local
law school and believed one would fit into La
Verne’s educational master plan. After a series
of discussions, negotiations started, leading to a
proposal set before La Verne’s Board of Trustees
that November.
September 21, 1970 marked the opening
of what was then the La Verne College Law
Center. Distinguished judges and attorneys
taught the 13 classes offered that first semester,
all during evening hours.
Following decades of growth, improvement
and several relocations on the main campus,
the college moved to its present seven-acre
campus in Ontario in 2001. The 65,000-square
foot state-of-the-art facility provides an ideal
learning environment.
The College of Law achieved a landmark
accomplishment on February 13, 2006, when
it received provisional approval from the ABA.
At that time it was one of only 193 ABAapproved
schools in the country, enhancing
the national status of both La Verne Law and
the university.
“This is a celebration of accomplishment and
vision. Law school founder Paul Egly and the
university’s Board of Trustees deserve special
recognition for their vision, investment and
belief in this endeavor,” University President
Steve Morgan said. “All of the school’s deans
– Egly, Tom Reese, Chuck Doskow, Ken Held,
Randall Rubin, Don Dunn and Allen Easley –
made significant contributions, as did the City
of Ontario by providing the site for the law
school’s present campus.”
The first official 40 th anniversary event
took place September 22 on the Ontario
campus. That kickoff celebration gathered
current students, alumni, law school and
university officials, several of the college’s
original administrators and faculty members,
and representatives from the City of Ontario.
Following a short formal program, attendees
visited 13 different booths set up by College of
Law student groups while being entertained by
area band N*Joy.
For details on upcoming 40 th anniversary
events, call Special Events Coordinator Cindy
Gaytan at (909) 460-2018 or visit the College
of Law's web site at http://law.laverne.edu/.
COLLEGE OF LAW
Allen Easley, Dean of the College of Law, stops for a photo with University of La Verne mascot
"Lea" during the 40th Anniversary celebration of the founding of the College of Law.
Jean Bjerke image
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 19

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Hello,
Old Friend
La Verne delegates share leadership-building process with
their counterparts at an education seminar in Vietnam.
By Randy Miller
In the interest of building a bridge, the
University of La Verne has strengthened its
bond with an old friend — Vietnam.
In one form or another, La Verne has
connected with that Southeast Asia country off
and on for decades. Several La Verne College
graduates performed volunteer service or
taught there in the ‘60s and ‘70s. A small group
of students and faculty traveled the length of
the country — from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
City — on a 1998 January interterm trip, and
another interterm group visited in January of
this year. More recently, faculty with ties to
the Education Department have assisted with
English language programs in Hue.
But a seminar led by a small La Verne
delegation visiting Hanoi in late July represents a
step forward in the university’s relationship with
Vietnam — and that’s really just the beginning
of something even bigger in the works.
The last week of July, a delegation from La
Verne’s College of Education and Organizational
Leadership (CEOL) traveled to Hanoi to join
leaders from the non-profit organization CHEER
for Vietnam in conducting a seminar for some 30
educational leaders from Vietnam at the country’s
prestigious Vietnam National University.
On July 24, Mark Goor, dean of La Verne’s
CEOL, delivered the opening address of the
five-day seminar to high-ranking education
administrators in attendance. In the days
to follow, La Verne Professors of Education
Peggy Redman and Larry Machi, along
with representatives from CHEER, guided
participants through sessions designed to hone
their leadership skills.
“This seminar is really the starting point of
the relationship we’re building with La Verne
and the University of Education in Hanoi,”
CHEER Director and Founder Nam Hau
Doan said in June. “We’re really glad that Mark
Goor is able to come and give our keynote
address at the opening of our seminar.”
Educational leadership has long been a
20 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
passion of Nam Hau, originally from Vietnam,
who came to the United States to study at
UCLA, where she received her doctorate in
education. She began the California-based
CHEER (Culture, Health, Education and
Environmental Resources) for Vietnam in
1993 with the hope of, according to its web
site, “improving the quality of the lives of
disadvantaged children and people in Viet
Nam; enhancing cross-cultural understanding,
educational exchange and collaboration
between Viet Nam and the United States; and
contributing to the building of trust, tolerance,
and peace among peoples.”
For several years, CHEER has conducted
seminars and workshops in Hue for Vietnamese
English teachers. It was there — first in 2007,
then again in 2008, with Machi — that
Redman helped Nam Hau with portions of
her workshops, and saw what CHEER was
accomplishing for students eager to improve
their teaching methods.
“CHEER has worked out of Hue for several
years,” Redman said. “Nam Hau has taken a
cadre of public school teachers — many from
L.A. Unified — who work with Vietnamese
teachers of English in high schools and colleges,
helping them develop ESL (English as a second
language) skills. Two years ago, Larry and I did
a leadership component for people who were
hoping to build their capacity as leaders.”
That helped set the ball rolling for the
seminar in Hanoi this past summer, and for
what CHEER and the aforementioned movers
and shakers in the CEOL hope will evolve
into a longer-term, more formal relationship
between La Verne and the Hanoi National
University of Education.
“It has been a dream of mine to provide
leaders in Vietnam opportunities to interact
with colleagues in educational leadership in
the United States,” Nam Hau said. “As we saw
the need for leadership education among those
coming to our workshops in Hue, we decided
to conduct a study to explore in greater depth
the educational needs of the country.”
La Verne Director of Teacher Education Peggy Redman, left, meets with Nam Hau Doan at Nam Hau's Los Angeles home prior to Redman's trip to Vietnam in July representing the University of La Verne.
Walt Weis image
After interviewing teachers, administrators
and students in five universities throughout
Vietnam, Nam Hau and her colleague Dr.
Lillian Utsumi published their findings in a
study titled: “Trends in Teaching and Learning
in Vietnam: Implications for the Future.” In it,
they suggested that, “To integrate Vietnam with
the world, [the Vietnam Ministry of Education
should] entertain initiatives to educate leaders,
identify issues of leadership, and actively enter
partnerships with universities worldwide to
prepare practitioners to lead in the educational
community of Vietnam.”
Of course, there are hundreds, even
thousands, of universities throughout the
world, let alone the United States, that might
qualify to enter into such partnerships with
educational institutions in Vietnam.
“We started looking at accredited universities
Continued on 21
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Continued from 20
in the United States that might be best suited
to the needs of the Vietnamese students,” Nam
Hau said. “We determined that the University
of La Verne would probably be best for that.”
Describing La Verne’s doctoral program in
the CEOL, Dean Goor pointed to an evolving,
hands-on approach that seems to be a good match
for what Nam Hau and her colleagues were after.
“The development process builds,” Goor said.
“It’s a carefully structured leadership-building
process. When Nam Hau saw that structure,
she said, ‘That makes sense for the needs of
the people we’re hoping to involve in the
program.’ In other programs — larger ones at,
for instance, big-name universities — students
are just dropped into these vast programs and
expected to survive. Our approach is different.”
In La Verne’s program, cohort groups of
approximately 10-12 students will revolve
through a three-year program that provides
instruction in personal, team and organizational
leadership. Each year for about five years,
these groups of students will study mostly in
California and partly in Vietnam.
“From what I know about La Verne, what I’ve
heard, and what I’ve experienced directly — I
think it’s ideally suited,” Nam Hau said. ”I like the
idea of a cohort of 10-12 students going through
the doctoral program together, where they can
work together and learn from each other, and also
interact with other students. La Verne is small
enough to nurture that kind of community. I
think the size of the institution is not as important
as the quality of the education available.”
The benefits of having these cohort groups of
students — who, if all goes as hoped, will begin
arriving in the fall of 2011 — on campus goes
both ways, Goor said.
“The diversity of students in our doctoral
program is strong,” Goor said. “Bringing a
cohort from Vietnam is going to add to the
whole program. The faculty like that kind
of challenge, where they have to adjust for
students’ different backgrounds and needs. I
think we’ll learn as much from them as they
will from us. I’ll do everything in my power to
support it and make it grow.”
As CHEER’s web site indicates, enhancing
cross-cultural understanding — as well as
boosting education — is part of its mission.
“We can learn from each other,” Nam Hau
said. “Vietnam can learn about diversity and
culture in the United States and U.S. students,
by having Vietnamese students on campus, can
appreciate the differences of another culture.
“Once upon a time, we were in conflict,”
she said. “Now, we’ve become friends. It’s an
opportunity for us to rediscover each other.
This should be a model. Before we point guns
at each other, we can learn from each other.
And who better than teachers to prepare the
groundwork for cultural, social and educational
understanding?”
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 21

22 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Two professors return to separate exotic locations half a world away to continue cultural research started years ago. These are
excerpts of their Summer 2010 travels. To get more of their stories, visit the online version of the Voice at www.laverne.edu/voice.
In Search of
a Missing
Goddess
Professor of Anthropology
succeeds where others fail in
search of ancient artifacts
By Felicia Beardsley
Professor, University of La Verne
The island talks to her, say the Kosraeans
who work with Dr. Felicia Beardsley.
She has repeatedly found things,
important things, that others could not. Five
years ago she found within a week the site
where, according to legend, an ancient king
and his attendants had been murdered. This
summer Dr. Beardsley proved once again that
she had the magic touch by finding the village
site deep in the heart of the island where their
ancestors once gathered to pay tribute to and
commune with the goddess Sinlaku. She is
called the Breadfruit Goddess or, sometimes,
the Goddess of Nature.
The Sinlaku story is at the heart of
Micronesian identity, and once long ago her
story formed the core of their belief system.
Across the Western Pacific, from the Marshall
Islands in the east to the Palaus in the west, she
is the stuff of legend and mystery. Importantly,
her spirit has persisted in the minds of these
Pacific Islanders despite centuries of colonial
incursions, missionary invasions, two world
wars, and a wash of western commerce and
popular culture.
The stories that are told still today say that
Sinlaku had once resided on Kosrae, a large
high island on the eastern edge of Micronesia.
When the missionaries arrived in late 1800s
and early 1900s it is believed she fled the island
to take up residence on the island of Yap on
the western edge of Micronesia, an island where
to this day traditional values and ways of living
have managed to endure. Such is the power
of her story, however, that many still feel her
Continued on 24
Don Pollock, second from left, and Yesel "Yak" Manrique, third from left, stop for a photo
during their trip to Fiji to retrace Pollock's journey to the region 30 years earlier.
Image courtesy of Don Pollock
Like Yesterday
Professor of Communications experiences an emotional
reunion with friends made in South Pacific 30 years earlier
By Don Pollock
Professor, University of La Verne
After finishing graduate school in
Hawaii, now La Verne professor
Don Pollock sold all of his worldly
belongings and headed for the South Pacific.
After teaching high school in American
Samoa, Pollock traveled to Western Samoa,
Tonga and Fiji. While in Fiji Pollock had
some memorable adventures—floating down
the Navua River early one Sunday morning
and catching fish with nearly every cast.
While traveling to the more remote island of
Vanua Levu Pollock met a young man, who,
impressed with Pollock’s fishing prowess,
invited Pollock to his remote village.
“It was like going back in time,” Pollock
recalls. “About 25 thatched huts on the top of
a mountain. People were growing root crops
and hunting wild boar with small dogs and
spears. We hunted prawns in the stream at
night with machetes and lanterns. I shared my
tent with my hosts. It was the first time they
had slept in a tent and, they later admitted,
the first time they had seen a spinning rod.”
Pollock spent a week in the village. He
took a bunch of pictures and promised
to send them back to the villagers.
By the time Pollock got back to Hawaii he
had lost the address. “I always felt bad about
that. Visiting in that village was one of the
great experiences of my life,” Pollock recalled.
Flash forward. Pollock moved to Los Angeles
and became a filmmaker and eventually a
Continued on 23
Continued from 22
professor at the University of La Verne. In 2009
Pollock realized that it was the 30th anniversary
of his visit to the remote Fijian village.
Wouldn't it be fun, he wondered, to go back
to Fiji and try and find the villages and people
and deliver the pictures to them in person.
The University of La Verne agreed and gave
Pollock research funds to make a documentary
film about his return to Fiji.
In January of 2010 Pollock and his
cameraman, Yesel “Yak” Manrique
(BA 2007) got on a plane for Fiji.
Within a few hours of landing we were at the
mouth of the Navua River. One of the villages
I visited 30 years ago was an hour boat ride up
the river. Yak and I went to where the water
taxi drivers hung out. We showed them a small
photo album of pictures from 30 years earlier.
The men started pointing and laughing at the
pictures. Pollock smiled too. “I think we're on
to something,” he told Manrique.
The men acknowledged that they knew the
people in the pictures. In fact, one of the men
said, “The man you stayed with is married to
my sister. And I am the mayor of the village.”
With this Andre hustled Pollock and
Manrique into his long boat for the bumpy,
hour-long trip up the river to Namuamua.
When the group arrived in Namuamua
Pollock's old hosts, Josefa and Maria were not
home, but two of their younger sons were.
Pollock pulled out the photo album. The
young men silently flipped through the album.
The young men were in their 20s. They noted,
“When you came here before we weren't born
yet. You have pictures of our grandfather. We
have never seen him before."
It was a powerful moment.
After a couple of days visiting with
Josefa and his family Pollock and Manrique
headed for the city of Suva, where they met
up with the faculty in the media program
at the University of the South Pacific.
After a few days in the city it was time to try and
find Pollock's old friends on Vanua Levu. After
a 3½ hour bus ride and a five-hour boat ride,
Pollock and Manrique landed on Vanua Levu.
They got on a bus headed east. On the bus they
passed around a different photo album. A man
on the bus did a double, then a triple take.
“Toni!” which was what they called Pollock
in Fiji. The man said “Don’t you remember
me? You stayed at my house 30 years ago. You
caught a big fish.”
To read the rest of the story, and to view more
photos, visit www.laverne.edu/voice/pollock.
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Faculty Research, Summer 2010
Prof. Paul Alvarez Planning Committee, Far West
Athletic Trainers’ Association (FWATA) Annual
Meeting and Clinical Symposium in Honolulu,
HI, June 29-July 3.
Prof. Gabriella Capraroiu Edited book for
publication, titled Maria Teresa Leon, “Reportaje
literario sobre Rumania;” Recipient of a grant from
Spain’s Ministry of Culture, Program for Cultural
Cooperation, to work on manuscript titled
Traducción y la arquitectura de la universal.
Prof. Chris Liang Co-authored with PsyD students
“Dealing with Gendered Racism and Racial Identity
among Asian American Men,” and “Coping and lifesatisfaction
of South Asian American women."
Prof. Megan Granquist Co-authored article
“Development of a Rehabilitation Adherence
Measure for Athletic Training” in Journal of Sports
Rehabilitation.
Prof. Jason Neidleman Published article “‘Par
le bon usage de ma liberté’: freedom and Rousseau’s
reconstituted Christianity,” in Rousseau and
Freedom, Cambridge University Press.
Prof. Patricia Long Co-authored article “Sexual
revictimization and adjustment in college men” in the
Psychology of Men & Masculinity.
Prof. Jolivette Mecenas Writing Placement
Assessment: Foundations for College Writing at a
Hispanic Serving Institution.
Prof. Ruth Trotter (Sabbatical) Artist in Residence,
DRAWinternational, Calus, France.
Prof. Bill Cook Released book with Macmillan
accompanied by radio interviews with KPFK in Los
Angeles as well as stations in Chicago and New York.
Prof. Christine Broussard Presented with Caitlin
Kams (’11) “Recruiting, Preparing, and Retaining
Diverse Science and Mathematics Teachers” at NSF
Noyce Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.;
Selected to participate in the AAC&U and NSF’s
Project Kaleidoscope 2010 Summer Leadership
Institute for STEM faculty at Colorado College.
Prof. David Chappell $250,000 grant recipient
and P.I. for a Complex Dynamical Systems
Laboratory, with assistance from professors Michael
Frantz and Yousef Daneshbod.
Prof. Alden Reimonenq CAS Summer Research
Grant: Researching Brazilian Contemporary Urban
Fiction.
Prof. Joan Twohey-Jacobs CAS Summer Research
Grant: Ethnic Identity, Acculturation and Young
Adults’ Attitudes toward Work-Family Balance.
Prof. Jeffrey Kahan Published "Bettymania and the
Birth of Celebrity Culture" with Lehigh University
Press; New edition of "Caped Crusaders 101" with
lecture at Comic-Con in San Diego.
Prof. Michael Frantz Published article on “The
Effects of Wind and Altitude in the 400m Sprint with
Various IAAF Track Geometries;” co-authored with
Student/Alumna Vanessa Alday; Participant in
Princeton Institute for Advanced Study’s Park City
(Utah) Mathematics Institute on Image Processing.
Prof. Reed Gratz Converted compositions into
Sibelius 6 Software.
Profs. Glenn Gamst, Aghop Der-Karabetian and
Chris Liang Completed manuscript for publication
Handbook of Multicultural Measures, forthcoming
December 2010 with SAGE Publications.
Prof. Michael Laponis Participated in VOICE
2010, an international voice acting/voice-over
conference.
Prof. Kenneth Scambray Completed manuscript:
Italian Immigration in the West: 1890-1940.
Prof. Jozef Goetz Invited to participate in the
workshop Data Mining for Educators by SAS, at
California State University, Long Beach, Calif.,
June 21 - 25, 2010.
Prof. Kenneth Marcus CAS Summer Research
Grant — Troubles in Paradise: Arnold Schoenberg,
the Cultural Exiles, and Modernism in Postwar L.A.
Prof. Sean Dillon Won awards at the International
Public Television Conference in Budapest, Hungary,
and the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Prof. Kathleen Weaver Presentation at Evolution
2010 conference in Portland, Oregon, with Aubry
McSweeny (’10), Vanessa Morales (’09), and
Monica Rios (’09) “Diversification and conservation
of the land snail Oreohelix in the Okanogan and
Wenatchee National Forests, Washington.”
Prof. David Flaten CAS Summer Research Grant:
Vectorworks Classroom Training Workshop (Design
& Architecture Software).
Prof. Cathy Irwin Paper presented on the
American poet Frank Bidart at the Poetry and Voice
conference at the University of Chichester, England
(mss currently under peer review for a journal).
Prof. Kimberly Detwiler Article published in the
National Athletic Trainer Association News.
Prof. Gitty Amini Sabbatical Project: Globalization
and National Security.
— Jonathan Reed, Dean
Summer/Fall 2010 Voice 23

presence and attach importance to the place
where she is said to have once resided.
So, on commission of the Kosraean
government, Dr. Beardsley went into the
jungle in search of Sinlaku. It wasn’t that the
goddess was truly lost. People on the island of
Kosrae knew more or less where her abode was
supposed to be. Hunters who frequently go
into the jungle for wild pig and pigeons had for
decades reported encounters with the spirit of
this goddess or brought back stories of having
seen the remnants of the village where their
ancestors had gathered to pay tribute to her.
But it was Dr. Beardsley who, with her crew of
seven Kosraean men and ten others from island
states and nations across the western Pacific,
went into the heart of the jungle on Kosrae
to find it and map it out. They were not to be
disappointed. Within a week they found what
they had gone looking for, and more.
They set up camp in the heart of the site,
among the old stone foundations of the
compounds. They erected makeshift shelters
with tarps and ropes, set up a kitchen, and
some of Dr. Beardsley’s regulars went out to
set traps for wild pig and get river eel for their
evening meals. “The boys were excited,” said Dr.
Beardsley. “They had found a dead wild pig on
the trek in, and were certain that Sinlaku was
providing it just for us, a good sign according
to the boys. I suggested they might trap fresh
pig, as this one had been dead a little too long.”
The most difficult part was cutting the dense
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Dr. Felicia Beardsley uses a machete to clear the way for a campsite on the Micronesian island of Kosrae.
Kazutoyo Wase image
Continued from 22
24 Voice Summer/Fall 2010
Left, Drawings (in white) on a cave ceiling are believed to show the flowing hair of the
goddess Sinlaku. Right, a makeshift oven used to cook daily meals on the expedition.
Felicia Beardsley images
jungle, clearing enough of it away to reveal
what was on the ground. This work was made
all the more difficult by the daily downpours
common to this region. Equally problematic
was the general nervousness among some of
the crew who were concerned about encounters
with ghosts and spirits, and in particular the
spirit of Sinlaku herself. One member of the
party, a man from another island, informed
Dr. Beardsley one morning that he had been
visited in the night by such a spirit, a woman
who stood over him and talked to him. He said
he did not open his eyes, fearing what might
happen to him. He was sure it was a spirit
because, he said, there are no women in camp,
and this was a woman. Dr. Beardsley reminded
him that she was in fact a woman, but he merely
shook his head and said, “No, you’re the doc.”
And, as expected, when Dr. Beardsley and her
crew returned at week’s end to the main town
on the coast to re-provision, the first thing they
were asked, “Did you see any ghosts? Did you
see Sinlaku?”
The work at the site in the jungle, despite
the rains, was yielding vital new clues and
some fairly solid evidence that this was indeed
the village of Sinlaku, complete with stone
platforms to accommodate houses of those who
came there to pay tribute to the goddess, stone
carvings of fish and other animals identifying
the clan membership of those who attended,
stone carvings depicting human faces, the
remnants of stone chairs and what may even
have been an altar for offerings.
To read more about Dr. Beardsley's research, and
to view more photos, visit
www.laverne.edu/voice/beardsley

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