The Muriel Pollia Sculpture Garden takes art at - University of La Verne
The Muriel Pollia Sculpture Garden takes art at - University of La Verne
The Muriel Pollia Sculpture Garden takes art at - University of La Verne
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voice<br />
Winter/Spring 2009<br />
<strong>The</strong> sky’s<br />
the limit<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong><br />
<strong>Garden</strong> <strong>takes</strong> <strong>art</strong> <strong>at</strong> the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
to a higher level
This past New Year’s Eve signified more than just the close <strong>of</strong> the 2008 calendar<br />
year. It also marked the <strong>of</strong>ficial conclusion to our $42 million Building on<br />
Excellence Campaign, a historic fundraising effort th<strong>at</strong> set new standards in<br />
giving <strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
In this issue <strong>of</strong> VOICE magazine you will read about visions realized, landmarks<br />
achieved, and the incredible generosity <strong>of</strong> so many who made this campaign such<br />
an unparalleled success. In this message, as well as<br />
during the 2009 President’s Dinner Gala Event on<br />
Feb. 28 <strong>at</strong> Fairplex, I want to express my gr<strong>at</strong>itude to<br />
every person, company and organiz<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> helped<br />
us <strong>at</strong>tain this monumental accomplishment.<br />
Still, we must recognize th<strong>at</strong> the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
campaign isn’t so much a successful ending as it is a<br />
promising beginning with more to be done. It is fine<br />
to enjoy the completion <strong>of</strong> such a tremendous effort,<br />
but congr<strong>at</strong>ul<strong>at</strong>ions should not be misconstrued as<br />
s<strong>at</strong>isfaction. This is just another step in the progress <strong>of</strong><br />
this university.<br />
While we have enhanced our image and our <strong>of</strong>ferings, for <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> to remain<br />
a viable, competitive educ<strong>at</strong>ional choice we must continue to improve wh<strong>at</strong> we<br />
have and wh<strong>at</strong> we provide. <strong>The</strong> l<strong>at</strong>est technology, revised curriculum, expanded<br />
facilities and upd<strong>at</strong>ed resources are all needed to <strong>at</strong>tract outstanding students. And<br />
with the economic situ<strong>at</strong>ion now facing not only our region but the entire country,<br />
furnishing financial assistance to help maintain accessibility to higher educ<strong>at</strong>ion is<br />
vital to our purpose as an institution.<br />
Winston Churchill once referred to progress as “an ever-lengthening, everascending,<br />
ever-improving p<strong>at</strong>h. You know you will never get to the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory <strong>of</strong> the<br />
climb.”<br />
I hope you will join us as we continue along the p<strong>at</strong>h to a bright future for the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> and its essential educ<strong>at</strong>ional mission.<br />
Steve Morgan ’68<br />
President, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
P R E S I D E N T ' S M E S S A G E<br />
Completion <strong>of</strong> $42 Million Campaign<br />
is Not <strong>The</strong> End, But a Beginning<br />
VOICE<br />
Vice President, <strong>University</strong> Advancement<br />
Jean Bjerke<br />
bjerkej@ulv.edu<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Public Rel<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
Charles Bentley<br />
cbentley@ulv.edu<br />
Editor and Cre<strong>at</strong>ive Director<br />
Rusty Evans<br />
revans3@ulv.edu<br />
Writers<br />
Charles Bentley, Lisa O’Neill Hill,<br />
Rusty Evans<br />
Cover Image<br />
Phillip K. Smith<br />
Photographers<br />
Jan Eichenauer, Jeanine Hill,<br />
Jay Jorgensen, Rhiannon Mim,<br />
Emmah Obradovich,<br />
Tom Zasadzinski, Rusty Evans<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Alumni Rel<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
Beth Elmore<br />
elmoreb@ulv.edu<br />
Leo Lines<br />
Malissa Hernandez<br />
mhernandez13@ulv.edu<br />
<strong>The</strong> Voice is published twice a year by<br />
the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> Advancement<br />
Please address all correspondence to:<br />
Voice, <strong>University</strong> Advancement,<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>,<br />
1950 Third St., <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, CA, 91750<br />
e-mail ulvoice@ulv.edu<br />
www.ulv.edu
E D I T O R ' S N O T E<br />
Taking Time To<br />
Reflect on a Gre<strong>at</strong><br />
Achievement<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> is th<strong>at</strong> cool-looking thing on the<br />
cover?<br />
It's called "Inhale/Exhale," a sculpture by<br />
Phillip K. Smith <strong>of</strong> Indio, and while it looks<br />
real, for now, the cover <strong>of</strong> the Voice is the<br />
only place you'll find it. Soon, however, it<br />
will be standing tall — 54-feet tall — on the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> campus.<br />
<strong>The</strong> piece is one component <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Muriel</strong><br />
<strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong>, which will complement<br />
the new Abraham Campus Center<br />
building <strong>at</strong> the he<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> campus.<br />
If you've been on campus during the past<br />
five years, you've seen your share <strong>of</strong> blueprints<br />
and backhoes, hard h<strong>at</strong>s and hammers — all<br />
signs <strong>of</strong> progress in the transform<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
university to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> the future.<br />
Come back in the fall and you'll see "Inhale/Exhale"<br />
for real, standing next to a newly<br />
opened Campus Center building, adjacent<br />
to the new Frank & Nadine Johnson Family<br />
Plaza, next to the renov<strong>at</strong>ed Sports Science &<br />
Athletics Pavilion.<br />
Not to be lost in the dust and din <strong>of</strong> construction<br />
is the all-important reason for the<br />
commotion — serving the needs <strong>of</strong> the students<br />
<strong>of</strong> the future.<br />
Th<strong>at</strong> happens on different levels, <strong>of</strong> course,<br />
and while the Campus Center Project was in<br />
the midst <strong>of</strong> fundraising and then construction,<br />
some pretty amazing things were going<br />
on elsewhere around the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
We've chronicled some <strong>of</strong> these milestones<br />
in this issue <strong>of</strong> the Voice, and woven them into<br />
the celebr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the Building on Excellence<br />
Campaign, Campus Center Project, and the<br />
new <strong>art</strong> on campus. <strong>The</strong>se will be a source <strong>of</strong><br />
pride for gener<strong>at</strong>ions to come.<br />
Read on and see how far we've come in the<br />
past five years. It's been an unprecedented outpouring<br />
<strong>of</strong> support by an unheard <strong>of</strong> number<br />
<strong>of</strong> supporters. Of th<strong>at</strong> we can all be proud.<br />
Rusty Evans<br />
Editor<br />
3<br />
9<br />
14<br />
18<br />
21<br />
Contents<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
VOICE<br />
Vol. 89 No. 2 Winter/Spring 2009<br />
Victims <strong>of</strong> 1960 racism reunited<br />
After last spring's issue <strong>of</strong> the Voice recounted the<br />
story <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> students' encounter with racism,<br />
five members <strong>of</strong> the group held a touching reunion.<br />
Paving <strong>The</strong> Way For Excellence<br />
<strong>The</strong> five-year, $42 million, Building on Excellence<br />
Campaign gave the university the resources to meet<br />
the needs <strong>of</strong> its faculty, students and facilities.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sky's <strong>The</strong> Limit<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong>, soon to be<br />
installed near the Campus Center, will take <strong>art</strong> to a<br />
higher level <strong>at</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
System <strong>of</strong> a Crown<br />
With just the right blend <strong>of</strong> calm and intensity, an unquenchable<br />
thirst for knowledge and n<strong>at</strong>ural rapport<br />
with <strong>at</strong>hletes, Don Flora builds a volleyball dynasty.<br />
2 Letters<br />
4 News & Notes<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> Shape <strong>of</strong> Things To Come<br />
Geometric sculptures <strong>of</strong> Indio-based <strong>art</strong>ist Phillip K.<br />
Smith will set the tone for a new <strong>art</strong> consciousness <strong>at</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Leo Lines<br />
Too much mail? Enjoy the online Voice <strong>at</strong> www.ulv.edu/ua/alumni/ulvoice.phtml.<br />
Be sure to check the box on the back cover <strong>of</strong> this magazine and send it in.<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 1
Singing the praises <strong>of</strong><br />
Ahmed Ispahani<br />
<strong>The</strong> current fe<strong>at</strong>ure <strong>of</strong> Dr. Ahmed Ispahani<br />
in the Voice is so ironic. Not only have I been<br />
thinking <strong>of</strong> him so strongly for the past several<br />
months, I told my wife th<strong>at</strong> I was going to<br />
write and relay wh<strong>at</strong> an impact he had on me<br />
and how he changed the direction <strong>of</strong> my life.<br />
I was a transfer student from Mt. SAC to <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> the first year he taught there. I had no<br />
direction, having completed my military service<br />
sandwiched in between <strong>at</strong>tending Mt. SAC, I<br />
transferred to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> looking for inspir<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
and an educ<strong>at</strong>ion where I did more than study<br />
to pass a test.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n Ahmed Ispahani happened to me. I<br />
can't put a name to it, you just inspired me<br />
and I can't describe in words wh<strong>at</strong> you specifically<br />
did th<strong>at</strong> lit the fire, I just know how it<br />
felt. All <strong>of</strong> a sudden, I was a sponge. I couldn't<br />
get enough <strong>of</strong> the various classes I took from<br />
you. Never before had I done any <strong>of</strong> the recommended<br />
reading th<strong>at</strong> other teachers had listed,<br />
but your list became additional items on the<br />
menu for me.<br />
You turned me from a 2.0, 16-unit student<br />
into my best semester <strong>at</strong> 24 units @ 3.95 gradepoint<br />
average. More importantly, I was learning,<br />
not just passing tests, and, most importantly,<br />
I was loving it. <strong>The</strong> only A+ I ever got<br />
was from you.<br />
I fondly remember our tiny classes, one being<br />
eight students. Your approach was so relaxed<br />
and informal, it felt more like friends getting<br />
together to discuss a mutual interest than a<br />
college class. Maybe I felt th<strong>at</strong> way because you<br />
were not so much older than myself but you always<br />
maintained the teacher-student rel<strong>at</strong>ionship<br />
th<strong>at</strong> served me so well in my l<strong>at</strong>er years as<br />
a manager. Close, friendly team member but<br />
always the boss.<br />
Not only did you give me a thirst for knowledge,<br />
somehow you gave me a focus on how<br />
to direct my life in my future pursuits in employment.<br />
Additionally, you provided me with<br />
a direction th<strong>at</strong> has given me untold pleasure<br />
in following economics locally, n<strong>at</strong>ionally and<br />
intern<strong>at</strong>ionally.<br />
I had always had a strong work ethic, but<br />
2 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
Letters<br />
Address your letters to:<br />
Voice, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, 1950 Third St., <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, CA 91750<br />
or ulvoice@ulv.edu<br />
you provided the fire th<strong>at</strong> allowed me to excel<br />
almost to the point <strong>of</strong> fan<strong>at</strong>icism. It was a good<br />
10 years after gradu<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> I found I needed<br />
to slow down and enjoy the many other blessings<br />
our Lord provided me other than the thirst<br />
for excellence in my work.<br />
Gradu<strong>at</strong>ion was on a S<strong>at</strong>urday, I went to<br />
work for Mobil Oil on Monday and was married<br />
the following S<strong>at</strong>urday (coming up on our<br />
43rd year). Th<strong>at</strong> pace just seemed to be normal<br />
after being so driven through you and your<br />
classes.<br />
While my career with Mobil only lasted nine<br />
years, with a meteoric rise through the management<br />
ranks (refusal <strong>of</strong> a promotion to New York<br />
caused my resign<strong>at</strong>ion) l<strong>at</strong>er years <strong>of</strong> self employment<br />
and finally 17 years <strong>of</strong> public service<br />
employment with a non-pr<strong>of</strong>it ended a couple<br />
<strong>of</strong> years ago in retirement, thoroughly enjoying<br />
nearly every working day <strong>of</strong> my career.<br />
Dr. Ispahani, wh<strong>at</strong> I am really trying to say<br />
here is thank you! You meant so much to me.<br />
I knew it <strong>at</strong> the time but my appreci<strong>at</strong>ion for<br />
wh<strong>at</strong> you did for me only grew through the<br />
years.<br />
I am today going to go out and look for a<br />
suitable frame in which to place your picture<br />
from the "Voice" and proudly display it in my<br />
home.<br />
Thank You Sir.<br />
Respectfully yours,<br />
Harry W<strong>at</strong>son '67<br />
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Voice <strong>art</strong>icle<br />
“Making Dollars Make Sense” and even<br />
after being out <strong>of</strong> Dr. Ispahani's classes for<br />
nearly 23 years, it brought back fond memories.<br />
I have applied much <strong>of</strong> wh<strong>at</strong> he taught in<br />
business economics over my many years in the<br />
business field. I gradu<strong>at</strong>ed in 1986 in Business<br />
and received the “Business Student <strong>of</strong> the Year<br />
Award” th<strong>at</strong> year.<br />
Before this <strong>art</strong>icle came out, I was telling<br />
several executives in our organiz<strong>at</strong>ion about my<br />
college experience — Dr. Ispahani, Dr. Rita<br />
Thakur and <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>. I shared how dedic<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
the <strong>University</strong> was about actually teaching the<br />
students real life lessons beyond book knowledge.<br />
I told them how I h<strong>at</strong>ed to miss Dr. Ispahani's<br />
classes for two reasons:<br />
1) I loved the classes, the active learning and<br />
the fun he made it, and<br />
2) <strong>The</strong> day after I would miss a class <strong>of</strong> his, I<br />
knew th<strong>at</strong> Dr. Ispahani would greet me during<br />
<strong>at</strong>tendance role call with “Troy – Where were<br />
you yesterday? We missed you!”<br />
<strong>The</strong> executives couldn’t believe a pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
took th<strong>at</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> interest in their college students.<br />
My family (wife and four kids) live in Colorado<br />
now (been here for 16 years). I actually<br />
visited the ULV campus last year with my wife<br />
and oldest son who is looking <strong>at</strong> universities to<br />
<strong>at</strong>tend in the Fall <strong>of</strong> 2009. My ULV advisor and<br />
good friend for all these years, Rita Thakur gave<br />
my son, wife and I a tour <strong>of</strong> the university and<br />
we met with Steve Morgan.<br />
I thought I would let Dr. Ispahani know th<strong>at</strong><br />
I too think <strong>of</strong> him as a beloved ULV pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
and apply wh<strong>at</strong> I was taught by him in my<br />
role as Vice President for a mid-sized publisher<br />
(now going on 16 years with this organiz<strong>at</strong>ion).<br />
My wife is an inventor <strong>of</strong> a p<strong>at</strong>ented product so<br />
I help run her intern<strong>at</strong>ional business with your<br />
teachings as well. Thanks for your dedic<strong>at</strong>ion,<br />
teaching style and lessons th<strong>at</strong> last a lifetime.<br />
Congr<strong>at</strong>s on your recognition!<br />
Troy Stromme '86<br />
Two excellent <strong>art</strong>icles in the most recent<br />
Voice: Ort and Dr. Ahmed Ispahani. Both<br />
men have made a gre<strong>at</strong> lifetime contribution to<br />
the university and I feel very fortun<strong>at</strong>e to have<br />
known them both. I especially enjoyed my
class with Dr. Ispahani — he made wh<strong>at</strong> could<br />
be a confusing subject very easy to understand<br />
— I always looked forward to <strong>at</strong>tending his<br />
next lecture. Keep up the good work!<br />
Kendall Hanshaw '69<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong>w Review<br />
I enjoyed reading this issue <strong>of</strong> the Voice, and<br />
p<strong>art</strong>icularly the focus on the clinics <strong>at</strong> the College<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w. I'm not sure how you decide wh<strong>at</strong><br />
topics to cover in each issue about each <strong>of</strong> the<br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>e schools, but if you are looking for the<br />
next College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w topic, I hope you might<br />
consider putting the spotlight on the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> <strong>La</strong>w Review.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>La</strong>w Review is the sole scholarly public<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, and it<br />
has undergone a gre<strong>at</strong> transform<strong>at</strong>ion in the<br />
past few years. Two or three years ago it was a<br />
small student activity (fewer than 25 students);<br />
it published almost exclusively the work <strong>of</strong> its<br />
own students, and it rarely did th<strong>at</strong> in a timely<br />
fashion. Since 2007 it has been transformed<br />
from the Journal <strong>of</strong> Juvenile <strong>La</strong>w into the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> <strong>La</strong>w Review, has begun publishing<br />
two issues a year, and now publishes the<br />
work <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> outside scholars in each<br />
issue, on cutting-edge subjects.<br />
It has also become a vibrant student organiz<strong>at</strong>ion,<br />
with 38 members chosen through a<br />
highly-selective process. I could tell you much<br />
more, but I'll wait to see if this is something in<br />
which you might have an interest.<br />
Thanks!<br />
Diane Klein<br />
Associ<strong>at</strong>e Pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w<br />
How Sneaky Park<br />
got its nickname<br />
Just in case you have not gotten an answer to<br />
"Question No. 1", about the naming <strong>of</strong> Sneaky<br />
Park.: In the 1960's, <strong>at</strong> least, "Sneaky Park" was<br />
so named because those students who smoked<br />
could sneak over there and have a quick smoke!<br />
Boyfriends/Girlfriends would hang out there <strong>at</strong><br />
night, also, "sneaking away" from their dorms.<br />
So only a "select few" frequented the park usually,<br />
not I!<br />
Carolyn (Cripe) Setterland '65<br />
L E T T E R S<br />
A story in the Voice reunited, from left, Margaret Stover Dewey '63, Richard<br />
Stern '63, Etheldra W<strong>at</strong>ts '63, David Hollinger '63 and Sandra Groves '63.<br />
Tom Zasadzinski photo<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> victims <strong>of</strong> 1960 racism reunited<br />
after their story is told in Voice magazine<br />
November is a time <strong>of</strong> thanksgiving,<br />
a time when friends and families reunite<br />
to renew acquaintances, refresh<br />
memories and restore spirits faded by time and<br />
distance.<br />
On S<strong>at</strong>urday, November 22, five former <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> College classm<strong>at</strong>es got together in Rancho<br />
Cucamonga to rekindle past friendships and, for<br />
a few hours, recount how incidents they encountered<br />
on a trip 48 years earlier affected their careers<br />
and convictions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>at</strong>tendees included Etheldra W<strong>at</strong>ts '63,<br />
David Hollinger '63, Sandra Groves '63, Margaret<br />
Dewey '63 and Richard Stern '63, five <strong>of</strong><br />
the seven students who experienced episodes <strong>of</strong><br />
racial prejudice during a trek across country in<br />
1960. Missing were Elaine Harmon '63, unable<br />
to <strong>at</strong>tend due to illness, and Richard Walker '64,<br />
who resides in South Asia. Dan Long, former <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> faculty member and an advisor on the trip,<br />
called from Salem, Ore., to say hello and <strong>of</strong>fer his<br />
best wishes to the group.<br />
Recounted in the Winter/Spring 2008 issue<br />
<strong>of</strong> VOICE, their confront<strong>at</strong>ion with intolerance<br />
and segreg<strong>at</strong>ion during separ<strong>at</strong>e incidents<br />
in Oklahoma and Texas was brought to public<br />
<strong>at</strong>tention nearly five decades after they occurred.<br />
While unforgotten by those who experienced it,<br />
the occurrences had rarely been discussed, even<br />
with family.<br />
“Margy and I were always close, but she never<br />
said anything to me about (the incident),” said<br />
Judy Stover, Margaret Dewey’s cousin and gracious<br />
host to the reunion. “I didn’t know about it<br />
until someone told me about the <strong>art</strong>icle.”<br />
“I’ve read about such things in books and<br />
heard <strong>of</strong> them in class, but it was a surprise to<br />
find out it happened to my grandma,” said Chelsea<br />
Nicole Morin, Etheldra’s granddaughter.<br />
“She never talked about it before now.”<br />
Se<strong>at</strong>ed in a front room, the five ch<strong>at</strong>ted,<br />
thumbed through copies <strong>of</strong> the <strong>La</strong>mbda yearbook<br />
and shared where-are-they-now tales <strong>of</strong><br />
former classm<strong>at</strong>es. <strong>The</strong>y also spoke <strong>of</strong> the longago<br />
incidents, <strong>of</strong>fering recollections <strong>of</strong> personal<br />
reactions, feelings <strong>of</strong> shock, pain, disappointment<br />
and anger, and reflected on how the events<br />
opened their eyes to larger issues <strong>of</strong> race and society.<br />
Along the way, friends, family and acquaintances<br />
joined in. As afternoon faded into evening,<br />
the five continued to recall and reflect while others<br />
quietly settled in around the edges, savoring<br />
the opportunity to eavesdrop on history.<br />
In the end came laughter and tears as smiles<br />
and hugs were exchanged along with current addresses.<br />
No breakthroughs were recorded or decisions<br />
made, other than to schedule another such<br />
g<strong>at</strong>hering the following year, pro<strong>of</strong> th<strong>at</strong> there is<br />
still plenty for which to be thankful.<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 3
City Agrees to Extend<br />
Sports Complex Deadline<br />
Acting in its capacity as the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Redevelopment<br />
Agency, the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> City Council<br />
agreed to a five-year extension <strong>of</strong> the university’s<br />
deadline to complete the initial facilities<br />
for a joint-use sports complex. By unanimous<br />
vote, the council approved an amendment to<br />
the Disposition and Development Agreement<br />
involving 28 acres <strong>of</strong> undeveloped land the<br />
redevelopment agency sold to the university.<br />
<strong>The</strong> initial agreement required the university<br />
to develop a baseball stadium, s<strong>of</strong>tball stadium,<br />
multipurpose field and tennis courts by 2013,<br />
with city recre<strong>at</strong>ional programs receiving joint<br />
usage as p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> a 199-year deal. But due to conditions<br />
resulting from the n<strong>at</strong>ion’s struggling<br />
economy, th<strong>at</strong> deadline has been extended to<br />
January 2018.<br />
According to Executive Vice President Phil<br />
Hawkey, <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s request for additional time<br />
is grounded in the troubles plaguing the financial<br />
markets. “It reflects the st<strong>at</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the economy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city has indic<strong>at</strong>ed and we have agreed,<br />
as p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the new agreement, to build the baseball,<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tball and soccer fields all <strong>at</strong> one time,”<br />
said Hawkey. He added th<strong>at</strong> the university will<br />
continue to seek financing and begin construction<br />
as soon as possible since future plans for<br />
key main campus projects are dependent on the<br />
reloc<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> existing <strong>at</strong>hletic facilities.<br />
Former Israeli Diplom<strong>at</strong><br />
To Lecture <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
Asher Naim, retired Israeli diplom<strong>at</strong>, intern<strong>at</strong>ionally<br />
recognized human rights activist and<br />
noted author will discuss the plight and rescue<br />
<strong>of</strong> Ethiopian Jews during a March 5 lecture in<br />
<strong>La</strong> Fetra Auditorium. P<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Intern<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
Studies Institute’s “Hot Spots” series, the talk<br />
will begin <strong>at</strong> 10:30 a.m. <strong>The</strong> lecture is open to<br />
the public and admission is free.<br />
As Israel’s ambassador to Ethiopia in<br />
1990-91, Naim played a leading role in<br />
Oper<strong>at</strong>ion Solomon, during which 14,200<br />
Ethiopian Jews were safely airlifted from<br />
Addis Ababa to Israel in just 25 hours. His<br />
lecture will include personal recollections <strong>of</strong><br />
the oper<strong>at</strong>ion, the integr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> those rescued<br />
into Israeli society, and an upd<strong>at</strong>e on<br />
4 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
News & Notes<br />
Guidance counselors from local high schools wait in line to enter Davenport Hall as the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> was host for "Share Learn Connect," a one-day conference.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
<strong>University</strong> Hosts Event For School Counselors<br />
More than 150 secondary school and talent<br />
search counselors visited the university on January<br />
30th to take p<strong>art</strong> in “Share Learn Connect,” a<br />
one-day conference sponsored by the Western Associ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
for College Admission Counseling. <strong>The</strong><br />
program, fe<strong>at</strong>uring 24 presenters, was designed to<br />
allow pr<strong>of</strong>essionals working with high school students<br />
to share their experiences, learn new ideas and<br />
connect with colleagues in an effort to help young<br />
people gain access to a college educ<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
“We are proud to have had so many accomplished<br />
and dedic<strong>at</strong>ed counselors visit <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>,"<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Director <strong>of</strong> Admissions Chris Krzak said.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y are the people who influence college-bound<br />
students, so opening our campus to them by hosting<br />
a WACAC conference provided a first-hand opportunity<br />
to see our facilities and learn more about<br />
the collegi<strong>at</strong>e experience we <strong>of</strong>fer here.”<br />
Israel’s Ethiopian popul<strong>at</strong>ion today. Naim’s<br />
visit is made possible by the Intern<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
Studies Institute in conjunction with the<br />
Rhoda Kachuck Jewish Studies Fund. Kachuck,<br />
a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> English <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
for 28 years, taught courses on Shakespeare,<br />
20 th Century Drama, the American Stage,<br />
Comedy/Tragedy, and Jewish Liter<strong>at</strong>ure before<br />
retiring in May 2000.<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Dean <strong>of</strong> Admissions<br />
Chris Krzak welcomes the group.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
Student Videos Earn<br />
Festival Screenings<br />
Two videos produced by <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> students<br />
have been selected for screening <strong>at</strong> the 11 th annual<br />
Smogdance Film Festival. Gina Sandoval
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Mayor Says<br />
Commencement Speech<br />
Might Be Public Finale<br />
In one <strong>of</strong> his last public addresses as mayor<br />
<strong>of</strong> the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, Jon Blickenstaff ’66<br />
gave the commencement speech during the<br />
final ceremony <strong>of</strong> the university’s 2009 Winter<br />
Commencement on S<strong>at</strong>urday, Jan. 31.<br />
During his talk, he encouraged the gradu<strong>at</strong>es<br />
to make time in their daily routine for<br />
“fun, worth, love and freedom,” and to balance<br />
each with the others. Blickenstaff, who<br />
earned his bachelor’s degree from <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>,<br />
was first elected mayor <strong>of</strong> his hometown in<br />
1982. He recently announced he will not<br />
seek re-election in 2009.<br />
“It was really my pleasure to be able to address<br />
the gradu<strong>at</strong>es," Blickenstaff said. "I’ve<br />
had a number <strong>of</strong> speaking engagements <strong>of</strong><br />
l<strong>at</strong>e, but I believe th<strong>at</strong> one will be my last as<br />
the mayor. I hope th<strong>at</strong> I gave them advice<br />
they can use in their lives.”<br />
Winter Commencement 2009 took place<br />
in the university’s Sports Science & Athletics<br />
Pavilion. With 833 students eligible to take<br />
p<strong>art</strong> in one <strong>of</strong> the day’s three ceremonies, each<br />
drew capacity crowds to celebr<strong>at</strong>e the gradu<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
festivities. Keynote speakers <strong>at</strong> the earlier<br />
ceremonies included <strong>La</strong>nney Mayer, assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion and regional director<br />
for the Teacher Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Program and<br />
Services Master's Program <strong>at</strong> the university's<br />
Valencia loc<strong>at</strong>ion, and Murli Tolaney, Chair<br />
Emeritus <strong>of</strong> Montgomery W<strong>at</strong>son Harza<br />
(MWH), a priv<strong>at</strong>ely owned global company<br />
specializing in w<strong>at</strong>er and energy consulting,<br />
environmental engineering, management,<br />
technology and construction.<br />
will show her documentary, “Timmy Wheels,”<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>iling Tim Music, a fellow student working<br />
toward his college degree and a career as a<br />
sports broadcaster despite being confined to a<br />
wheelchair. Chris Davis will present his pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mear One, a Los Angeles-based <strong>art</strong>ist best<br />
known for his <strong>of</strong>ten controversial street graffiti.<br />
Both Sandoval and Davis gradu<strong>at</strong>ed in May<br />
2008 and have received awards for video productions.<br />
Smogdance is a n<strong>at</strong>ionally recognized festival<br />
th<strong>at</strong> seeks to provide a venue for emerging<br />
local and intern<strong>at</strong>ional filmmakers. Sponsored<br />
by the nonpr<strong>of</strong>it dA Center for the Arts in<br />
Pomona, the 2009 festival will include more<br />
N E W S & N O T E S<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> mayor Jon Blickenstaff '66 addresses the audience during Winter<br />
Commencement ceremonies in January <strong>at</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Rhiannon Mim photo<br />
than 45 films and is scheduled to run April 24,<br />
25, and 26 <strong>at</strong> the newly restored historic Fox<br />
<strong>The</strong><strong>at</strong>re in the Pomona Arts Colony. For ticket<br />
inform<strong>at</strong>ion and a screening schedule, contact<br />
(909) 997-0761 or go to the Web site <strong>at</strong> www.<br />
smogdance.com.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Receives<br />
Rotary Club Award<br />
Issam Ghazzawi, associ<strong>at</strong>e pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> management,<br />
recently received the Paul Harris Fellow<br />
Award from Rotary Intern<strong>at</strong>ional. <strong>The</strong> pre-<br />
sent<strong>at</strong>ion, which took place during a meeting <strong>of</strong><br />
Pomona Rotary <strong>at</strong> the Sher<strong>at</strong>on Suites Fairplex,<br />
honored Ghazzawi for his community service<br />
initi<strong>at</strong>ives helping underserved/first gener<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
students. Ghazzawi, who first joined the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
faculty in 1999, is director <strong>of</strong> the university’s<br />
REACH Summer Business Camp and advisor to<br />
the award-winning SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)<br />
team.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Paul Harris Fellow is the highest award<br />
presented in Rotary. Cre<strong>at</strong>ed in 1957 in memory<br />
<strong>of</strong> Rotary founder Paul Harris, the honor is<br />
given to individuals for outstanding contributions<br />
to the organiz<strong>at</strong>ion and in recognition <strong>of</strong><br />
exceptional service to society.<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 5
1960s<br />
Joetta Shaw ’62 has traveled to all seven continents with<br />
her husband Don Shaw. <strong>The</strong>y have two children and three<br />
grandchildren. She taught Jr. High for three years and preschool<br />
for eighteen. She has since retired in 2000.<br />
Roger Holl ’66 is Associ<strong>at</strong>e Dean <strong>of</strong> General Studies <strong>at</strong><br />
Ch<strong>art</strong>er College in Anchorage. He teaches law rel<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
courses, Business and Applied Ethics. He is Chief <strong>of</strong> staff <strong>at</strong><br />
the 49 th Military Police Brigade as well as a St<strong>at</strong>e Commissioner<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Alaska Public Officer Commission.<br />
1970s<br />
Craig Enberg ’70 & Pam York Enberg have a new grandson<br />
named Niko Roy Riley and Craig and Pam st<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong><br />
retirement is just as much fun as being an undergradu<strong>at</strong>e<br />
<strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>!<br />
Michael O’Boyle ’72 has retired as Revenue Agent from<br />
the IRS after 26 years. He also taught accounting <strong>at</strong> various<br />
community colleges.<br />
Odessa Cleveland ’76 became a N<strong>at</strong>ional Board Certified<br />
Teacher in Early Adolescence English <strong>La</strong>nguage Arts in<br />
2000. In 2004 she retired from Los Angeles Unified School<br />
District after 30 years <strong>of</strong> service. After retiring, she took a<br />
trip around the world in 103 days on the Queen Elizabeth<br />
2. She served as a deleg<strong>at</strong>e from the United St<strong>at</strong>es with the<br />
People to People Programs’ English <strong>La</strong>nguage and Liter<strong>at</strong>ure<br />
deleg<strong>at</strong>ion to South Africa (2006) doing research.<br />
John Zaragoza ’78 <strong>of</strong> Oxnard will be se<strong>at</strong>ed on the Ventura<br />
County Board <strong>of</strong> Supervisors in January.<br />
Andrew M. Green ’79 was announced as the new finance<br />
director for Reno, Nevada. He has previously led the finance<br />
dep<strong>art</strong>ments <strong>of</strong> Rialto and San Bernardino and has<br />
28 years <strong>of</strong> experience in municipal management. He has a<br />
Master’s in Business Administr<strong>at</strong>ion with honors from <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> Phoenix, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting<br />
from <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
1980s<br />
Rev. Michael Titus ’80 will give his first sermon as pastor<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sunnyslope Church. He most recently served as<br />
a pastor <strong>at</strong> the Covington Community Church <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Brethren. He earned a Master’s <strong>of</strong> Divinity Degree <strong>at</strong><br />
Bethany <strong>The</strong>ological Seminary after earning a bachelor’s<br />
degree <strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
John Rome ’80 is the new head coach for Glendale Community<br />
College. After playing collegi<strong>at</strong>e football <strong>at</strong> the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, where he earned several defensive<br />
honors, Rome looked toward a career in coaching.<br />
Mario Capozzoli ’85 gradu<strong>at</strong>ed from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> with a bachelor’s in Political Science. He has recently<br />
6 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
A L U M N I<br />
Leo Lines<br />
purchased a farm in northern New England, sitting next<br />
to a lake and under a ski resort, where he grows seasonal<br />
organic vegetables, apples, and blueberries. In the <strong>of</strong>f seasons<br />
he consults and spends time on the cooking staff <strong>at</strong> a<br />
restaurant in France.<br />
Leo Sayles ’89 earned his 100 th victory as a collegi<strong>at</strong>e volleyball<br />
coach as he led the Bryan College Volleyball team to<br />
a 27-9 record and a second place finish in the Appalachian<br />
Athletic Conference. <strong>The</strong> team, which competes in the<br />
NAIA and the NCCAA, was ranked in the NCCAA top<br />
ten n<strong>at</strong>ionally for the third straight year. Sayles completed his<br />
fifth season with the Dayton, Tenn., program, and ranks as<br />
the third-winningest coach in Bryan volleyball history.<br />
1990s<br />
Jennette A. Carrick ’92 recently accepted a position as<br />
communic<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>of</strong>ficer for the Betty Irene Moore School<br />
<strong>of</strong> Nursing <strong>at</strong> UC Davis in Sacramento. As a communic<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficer, Jenny leads the effort to develop and grow<br />
visibility for the new school and its leaders as well as developing<br />
the str<strong>at</strong>egy for the school's communic<strong>at</strong>ions and<br />
marketing efforts.<br />
Nancy Hite ’92 has continued to grow in her career since<br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>ing from <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> with her master’s degree in business<br />
management. She is now the Director <strong>of</strong> Contracted<br />
Health Quality for the Health Care Authority, St<strong>at</strong>e <strong>of</strong><br />
Washington. She <strong>at</strong>tributes her success to the quality educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
she received from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Christopher Pierce ’94 was one <strong>of</strong> 10 new vice presidents<br />
with wide range <strong>of</strong> expertise in government markets elected<br />
by a global str<strong>at</strong>egy and technology-consulting firm. Pierce<br />
holds a master’s degree in Business Organiz<strong>at</strong>ion and Systems<br />
Management from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> and<br />
a bachelor’s degree in oceanography from the U.S. Naval<br />
Academy.<br />
John M. Pethel ’94 LCDR, USM is serving in Afghanistan<br />
as a mentor to the Afghan N<strong>at</strong>ional Army. He has been<br />
st<strong>at</strong>ioned outside Kandahar in southern Afghanistan since<br />
March 2008 and has been working with the Afghans. Additionally,<br />
he was selected for Command-<strong>at</strong>-Sea and expects<br />
to st<strong>art</strong> the Surface Warfare <strong>of</strong>ficer training pipeline<br />
in 2010.<br />
Marissa Espinoza ’94 is the new Wraparound Program<br />
Manager <strong>at</strong> Casa Pacifica in Camarillo. <strong>The</strong> Wraparound<br />
Program is a community based mental health program<br />
which strives to maintain the child or adolescent in their<br />
families and communities through intensive interventions<br />
and support. Marissa accepted this new challenge after<br />
14½ years <strong>of</strong> working in residential tre<strong>at</strong>ment facilities for<br />
severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents as<br />
well as their families in Los Angeles County.<br />
Mike Bridges ’96 has been awarded the U.S. St<strong>at</strong>e Dep<strong>art</strong>ment’s<br />
Superior Honor Award for his service on an Embedded<br />
Provincial Reconstruction Team in Iraq from spring 2007 to<br />
spring 2008. Col. Bridges is currently serving as the Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> Logistics/ G4 with the Alaska Army N<strong>at</strong>ional Guard.<br />
2000s<br />
Clyde Weems III ’03 was married a year ago. He is now living<br />
in New York where he works as a social worker. He also<br />
coaches and plays in the ABA pro basketball league.<br />
Dr. Christian R. Kueng ’03 recently joined the management<br />
team <strong>of</strong> the Anaheim City School District as the Assistant<br />
Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ional Services.<br />
Sal Marenco ’03 and Sarah Negrete ’03 & ’05 were married<br />
on S<strong>at</strong>urday August 16, 2008, in San Dimas. Sal and<br />
Sarah shared this special day with their family and some <strong>of</strong><br />
their closest friends from <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>: Ben Stevens ’04, Jesse<br />
Garcia ’04, Amanda Hubbard ’06, Rosie Hodges ’06 and<br />
Olivia Aguirre ’04.<br />
Anne Rhice ’04 has been promoted to banking <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>at</strong><br />
BB&T. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Administr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
<strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Adonis Phillips ’07 accepted on April 2, 2008, a new Regional<br />
Services position as the Southern California Metro<br />
Director for DeVry <strong>University</strong>.<br />
Cynthia Lopez ’08 was honored by <strong>The</strong> California Associ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
<strong>of</strong> School Counselors with the Donald G. Hays Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Recognition Award for Outstanding Counselor<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Year <strong>at</strong> the organiz<strong>at</strong>ion’s annual conference recently<br />
in Anaheim. She completed a master’s degree in educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
counseling and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential <strong>at</strong> the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s s<strong>at</strong>ellite campus in Oxnard.<br />
Rick Garcia ’08 gradu<strong>at</strong>ed from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
with a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion. He began work <strong>at</strong><br />
USC in October 2008 as Assistant Director, Gradu<strong>at</strong>e and<br />
Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Student Admissions.<br />
Little Leos<br />
Craig Scott Carstens ’94 is honored to announce the birth<br />
<strong>of</strong> his son Joshua Carstens on August 21, 2008.<br />
Peter Hopping ’96 and his wife He<strong>at</strong>her welcomed their<br />
third daughter Sage Elizabeth on October 30, 2008.<br />
In Memoriam<br />
Clayton Shehorn ’39 passed away on July 15. He gradu<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
with a B.A. in English and was a four-letter <strong>at</strong>hlete.<br />
He <strong>at</strong>tended his last football game <strong>at</strong> the age <strong>of</strong> 90 last year.<br />
Clayton spoke frequently <strong>of</strong> his college experience <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong>, always with fond remembrances. <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> was the<br />
Continued on 7
Continued from 6<br />
found<strong>at</strong>ion for 35 years <strong>of</strong> coaching, teaching and administr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
for the Los Angeles School District.<br />
James Brukar Bowman ’41 died on November 8, 2008 <strong>at</strong><br />
the age <strong>of</strong> 92. He was an ordained Church <strong>of</strong> the Brethren<br />
minister and life-long missionary to Nigeria. He was survived<br />
by four children, thirteen grandchildren, and many<br />
gre<strong>at</strong> grandchildren.<br />
Lois V. Northup ’42 passed away on August 20, 2008. Lois<br />
is survived by loving children, Stephen, John, N<strong>at</strong>han and<br />
Elizabeth. She gradu<strong>at</strong>ed from <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College with a B.A.<br />
where she was active in drama and choir, and performed in<br />
musicals. She was a career pastor’s wife with husband Truman,<br />
who preceded her in de<strong>at</strong>h in 1991.<br />
P<strong>at</strong>ricia Jordan Baum ’53 passed away on September 28,<br />
2008, in St. George, with her children and husband Pete by<br />
her side. She <strong>at</strong>tended <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College where she met her<br />
husband. <strong>The</strong>y married a month before they both gradu<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
with bachelor’s degrees.<br />
Rev. Howard Smith ’58 died in the early morning hours <strong>of</strong><br />
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, <strong>at</strong> Asta Care Center, Paxton. He<br />
served 35 years as a Presbyterian pastor in four churches and<br />
served in the Army as a medic during the Korean War.<br />
Barbara Saltzman King ’60 passed away, November 10,<br />
2008, from congestive he<strong>art</strong> failure. Barbara was active in<br />
leading church choirs and played the organ <strong>at</strong> church for<br />
over 30 years. She enjoyed her family, including her two<br />
grandchildren.<br />
Forney Otto Davison ’75 died May 11, 2008, <strong>at</strong> Northwest<br />
Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. He served in the<br />
U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era. He was president<br />
and CEO <strong>of</strong> the Davison Co.<br />
Mark Louis Riddering ’84 passed away November 27,<br />
2008 due to complic<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>of</strong> ALS. While working as a<br />
Longtime Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees member Kyhl Smeby<br />
passed away <strong>at</strong> his Pasadena home on January 14 following<br />
a period <strong>of</strong> declining health. He was 88.<br />
A gradu<strong>at</strong>e <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, Kyhl was elected to the<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees in 1976. He served as the Chair <strong>of</strong><br />
the Board from 1980 to 1989 and continued his service<br />
as a Board member <strong>at</strong>-large and a member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Executive Committee until his de<strong>at</strong>h. He was awarded<br />
the honorary degree Doctor <strong>of</strong> Humane Letters by his<br />
alma m<strong>at</strong>er in 1983. In 1986 he retired as Executive<br />
Vice President <strong>of</strong> the Bank <strong>of</strong> America after 46 years<br />
<strong>of</strong> service.<br />
Kyhl was a champion <strong>of</strong> higher educ<strong>at</strong>ion. In addition<br />
to his service to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, he served on the Board<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Art Center College <strong>of</strong> Design in Pasadena; as a<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the Executive Committee <strong>of</strong> the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
<strong>of</strong> Independent California Colleges and Universities; as<br />
A L U M N I<br />
After a lifetime <strong>of</strong> service to his city and country,<br />
<strong>Verne</strong> Orr, the former California Finance Dep<strong>art</strong>ment<br />
director and U.S. Air Force secretary,<br />
passed away November 27, 2008, <strong>at</strong> the age <strong>of</strong> 92.<br />
He served as the Dean <strong>of</strong> the College <strong>of</strong> Business<br />
and Public Management <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> from 1999<br />
to 2002. <strong>Verne</strong> went on to complete his Ph.D.<br />
<strong>at</strong> Claremont Gradu<strong>at</strong>e <strong>University</strong> in 2005 <strong>at</strong> the<br />
age <strong>of</strong> 88.<br />
Prior to his appointment to the Dean's position,<br />
<strong>Verne</strong> had distinguished careers in both business<br />
and public service. Following his Navy service in<br />
World War II, <strong>Verne</strong> joined his f<strong>at</strong>her's automobile<br />
dealership in Pasadena and l<strong>at</strong>er became president<br />
<strong>of</strong> Investors Savings and Loan. In 1967, <strong>Verne</strong> became<br />
the Director <strong>of</strong> the California Dep<strong>art</strong>ment<br />
<strong>of</strong> Motor Vehicles and in 1970 he was appointed<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Finance for the St<strong>at</strong>e <strong>of</strong> California.<br />
<strong>Verne</strong> served as a member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
California Board <strong>of</strong> Regents and, following the<br />
election <strong>of</strong> Ronald Reagan as President, <strong>Verne</strong> was<br />
named Secretary <strong>of</strong> the Air Force. He served in<br />
th<strong>at</strong> position until 1985.<br />
police <strong>of</strong>ficer, he completed his B. A. in Criminal Justice <strong>at</strong><br />
the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>. He was instrumental in st<strong>art</strong>ing<br />
up the DARE program in schools while working in Santa<br />
Monica.<br />
Susan Bon<strong>of</strong>f ’86 was a longtime college counselor <strong>at</strong><br />
North Hollywood High. Susan oversaw a college-awareness<br />
program credited with gre<strong>at</strong>ly increasing the school’s<br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>ion r<strong>at</strong>e. She died <strong>of</strong> acute leukemia on May 25<br />
<strong>at</strong> Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center. She<br />
received her master’s in school counseling from the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Kyhl Smeby '75<br />
<strong>Verne</strong> Orr<br />
a Director and Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Independent Colleges<br />
<strong>of</strong> Southern California; and as a public member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
California Post Secondary Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Commission.<br />
As an active community leader, Kyhl chaired the<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors <strong>of</strong> KCET Public Television; was a<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> the Golden St<strong>at</strong>e Minority Found<strong>at</strong>ion and<br />
a Director and Chair <strong>of</strong> the Music Center Opera Associ<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
He also served as President <strong>of</strong> the Gre<strong>at</strong>er Los<br />
Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau.<br />
Kyhl was an active advoc<strong>at</strong>e for <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> and was<br />
credited with opening the doors to many <strong>of</strong> the California<br />
found<strong>at</strong>ions th<strong>at</strong> have given generously to the<br />
<strong>University</strong> over the past two decades.<br />
A Pasadena resident for more than 50 years, Kyhl<br />
was an avid golfer and phil<strong>at</strong>elist. He enjoyed the<br />
symphony and opera, and traveled with family and<br />
friends.<br />
Vince Ordonez, Jr. ’92 &’94 passed away November<br />
1999. He gradu<strong>at</strong>ed from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
with a B.S. in business management and a master’s in<br />
business organiz<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
Rebecca Sue Britt ’98 & ’00 passed away on August 4,<br />
2007 due to lung cancer. She loved teaching and taught <strong>at</strong><br />
Chapman and UVC.<br />
Leonard Lund ’01 passed away on April 26, 2007. He received<br />
his bachelor’s degree in business administr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>at</strong><br />
the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 7
8 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
Providing <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>'s excellent teachers, such as Dr. Glenn Gamst, with wh<strong>at</strong> they need is wh<strong>at</strong> the campaign has been all about.<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> photo
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
Paving <strong>The</strong> Way<br />
For Excellence<br />
Success in the largest capital campaign in school history<br />
positions <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> to serve tomorrow's outstanding students<br />
With the successful completion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s $42 million<br />
“Building On Excellence” campaign,<br />
<strong>University</strong> President Steve Morgan insisted on a<br />
celebr<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
But only a brief one.<br />
“We’ve already st<strong>art</strong>ed talking about the next<br />
campaign for the university,” Morgan said. “If<br />
this one is successful <strong>at</strong> $42 million, we probably<br />
ought to have an $84 million campaign for the<br />
next one.”<br />
And so it goes for institutions <strong>of</strong> higher learning.<br />
No m<strong>at</strong>ter how old the school, no m<strong>at</strong>ter how<br />
steeped in tradition, there is a constant need to<br />
improve, to change with the times, to reinvent<br />
facilities and enhance curricula to meet the needs<br />
<strong>of</strong> an ever-changing society and its educ<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
pursuits.<br />
An $84 million campaign? <strong>The</strong> thought is<br />
no more daunting than th<strong>at</strong> <strong>of</strong> the $42 million<br />
campaign when it began five years ago. It was<br />
a mountain to climb, but a necessary one if <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> is to remain competitive in the marketplace<br />
<strong>of</strong> higher educ<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
“It really helps to have a campaign because it<br />
By Rusty Evans<br />
really motiv<strong>at</strong>es and gives us a rallying point,”<br />
Morgan said. “We <strong>art</strong>icul<strong>at</strong>e wh<strong>at</strong> our needs are,<br />
we st<strong>at</strong>e a goal, and we challenge our donors to<br />
help us meet th<strong>at</strong> goal or exceed th<strong>at</strong> goal. And so<br />
it’s important for institutions to cycle campaigns<br />
over their lifetime and we felt it was time for a<br />
campaign, there were certainly needs and it was<br />
time to move up a notch.”<br />
A long list <strong>of</strong> objectives was composed, chief<br />
among them:<br />
l Enhance the campus by upd<strong>at</strong>ing facilities<br />
and infrastructure<br />
l Furnish the tools needed to prepare <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>es for future challenges<br />
l Increase and encourage types <strong>of</strong> research th<strong>at</strong><br />
will affect lives and learning<br />
l Support the university’s belief in the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> diversity<br />
l Provide vital financial assistance to those<br />
seeking to further their educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
l Strengthen <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>'s intercollegi<strong>at</strong>e <strong>at</strong>hletic<br />
program<br />
l Expand the university’s leadership and legacy<br />
Continued on 10<br />
Milestones Of Achievement And<br />
Excellence Abound During Campaign<br />
<strong>The</strong> Building on Excellence Campaign proved to be a major milestone in the<br />
117-year history <strong>of</strong> the university, with an unprecedented outpouring <strong>of</strong> financial<br />
support for its growth. <strong>The</strong> past five years have been marked by milestones<br />
th<strong>at</strong> reflect the excellence and growth <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>. Those are<br />
highlighted in the pages ahead. Follow the campaign with these milestones <strong>of</strong><br />
achievement.<br />
<strong>University</strong> president Steve Morgan<br />
cuts the ribbon to open the High<br />
Desert campus in July 2004.<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> photo<br />
Physics pr<strong>of</strong>essor Iraj Parchamazad<br />
heads research and instruction with<br />
the NMR Spectrometer <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
Major science tool is<br />
purchased thanks to<br />
found<strong>at</strong>ion grants<br />
Milestone<br />
#1<br />
Sizable grants from the<br />
W.M. Keck Found<strong>at</strong>ion and<br />
the Fletcher Jones Found<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
in the second half <strong>of</strong><br />
2005 paved the way for the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> to<br />
establish a Nuclear Magnetic<br />
Resonance (NMR)<br />
facility on campus.<br />
Such progress provides<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> students use <strong>of</strong><br />
research-grade instrument<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
as they work<br />
closely with university<br />
faculty members, and<br />
serves to better equip<br />
students as they prepare<br />
to enter the work<br />
force or <strong>at</strong>tend gradu<strong>at</strong>e<br />
school.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Keck Found<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
made a grant <strong>of</strong><br />
$500,000, which was<br />
followed by a $236,000 grant from <strong>The</strong><br />
Fletcher Jones Found<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
“We’re very gr<strong>at</strong>eful to both found<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
for p<strong>art</strong>nering with the university to<br />
bring our students this crucial technology,”<br />
said N<strong>at</strong>ural Science Division chair Robert<br />
Neher. “<strong>The</strong> NMR facility gives us a muchneeded<br />
analytical tool and provides a wide<br />
range <strong>of</strong> new research opportunities in<br />
chemistry, biology and physics.”<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 9
With a shared vision <strong>of</strong> the need for expanded<br />
space and resources, the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> and the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> formed<br />
a cooper<strong>at</strong>ive alliance th<strong>at</strong><br />
could prove to be a victory for<br />
local <strong>at</strong>hletes <strong>of</strong> all ages.<br />
On June 9, 2005, escrow<br />
closed on nearly 31 acres<br />
<strong>of</strong> undeveloped land in the<br />
southern p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> purchase <strong>of</strong> the property<br />
previously held by the<br />
Metropolitan W<strong>at</strong>er District<br />
(MWD) was made by the<br />
city’s redevelopment agency<br />
in cooper<strong>at</strong>ion with the <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> City Council <strong>at</strong> a cost<br />
<strong>of</strong> $4.34 million dollars.<br />
<strong>The</strong> city and the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> will jointly<br />
hold the largest segment <strong>of</strong><br />
the property – about 27 acres<br />
loc<strong>at</strong>ed south <strong>of</strong> Arrow High-<br />
way and east <strong>of</strong> Wheeler Avenue – splitting<br />
the $2.8 million price tag. Both sides envision<br />
developing the area into expanded recre<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
and <strong>at</strong>hletic facilities, a p<strong>art</strong>nership<br />
th<strong>at</strong> will enhance opportunities for commu-<br />
10 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
<strong>University</strong> President Steve Morgan and <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Mayor Jon Blickenstaff mark<br />
the joint land use venture between the university and the city.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
<strong>La</strong>nd Acquisition In P<strong>art</strong>nership With City<br />
Provides Space For Future Athletic Facilities<br />
Milestone<br />
#2<br />
nity youth teams as well as the university’s<br />
intercollegi<strong>at</strong>e and intramural programs.<br />
City and university <strong>of</strong>ficials have agreed<br />
to continue to work together on finalizing<br />
plans for the shared portion <strong>of</strong> the property.<br />
<strong>The</strong> newly acquired land, plus an adjacent 20<br />
acres owned by the university, were incorpor<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
into the university's Master Plan. No<br />
firm timetable for development or construction<br />
has been finalized.<br />
A separ<strong>at</strong>e 3.7-acre piece <strong>of</strong> land directly<br />
adjacent to Wheeler Avenue also was bought<br />
by the city’s redevelopment agency from<br />
MWD as p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the property acquisition<br />
package. <strong>The</strong> agency paid $1.54 million for<br />
the land, which includes two finished lots.<br />
In 2002, the university acquired a 20-acre<br />
parcel <strong>of</strong> unimproved land directly adjacent<br />
to the MWD property being purchased jointly<br />
with the city. This acreage is about one-half<br />
mile from the university’s main campus. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> student popul<strong>at</strong>ion has grown significantly<br />
in recent years, straining available<br />
classroom space and parking. Acquiring access<br />
to the MWD land, combined with its<br />
existing 20 acres, will allow for future development<br />
<strong>of</strong> the university within its traditional<br />
home city.<br />
Continued from 9<br />
in the field <strong>of</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
l Sustain the growth and development <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w<br />
But the centerpiece <strong>of</strong> this capital campaign<br />
is exactly th<strong>at</strong>: a new campus center building<br />
th<strong>at</strong> would serve as the new hub <strong>of</strong> activity on<br />
campus. Spurred by the generous don<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong><br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees member Michael Abraham and<br />
the “Abraham Challenge,” the university charged<br />
ahead with fundraising efforts th<strong>at</strong> secured more<br />
than $27 million during the campaign’s first twoand-a-half<br />
years, its “quiet phase.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>n, before a record-setting President’s<br />
Dinner Gala crowd <strong>at</strong> the Ontario Convention<br />
Center, on S<strong>at</strong>urday, Jan. 28, 2006, Morgan<br />
formally announced the $42 million “Building on<br />
Excellence” Campaign. A five-minute multimedia<br />
present<strong>at</strong>ion heralded st<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the public phase <strong>of</strong><br />
the five-year capital campaign, which was aimed<br />
<strong>at</strong> expanding and enriching the university’s<br />
educ<strong>at</strong>ional legacy.<br />
P<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the funds secured during the campaign’s<br />
initial two-and-a-half years included more than<br />
$17.8 million raised as p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Campus Center<br />
Project. Intended to establish a new crossroads<br />
for the university, the Campus Center Project<br />
fe<strong>at</strong>ured construction <strong>of</strong> the Abraham Campus<br />
Center, cre<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the Frank & Nadine Johnson<br />
Family Plaza, and renov<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the Sports<br />
Science & Athletics Pavilion (formerly known as<br />
the “Super Tents”).<br />
A whopping 302 faculty and staff members<br />
gave during the 5-year campaign period,<br />
contributing $1.9 million. <strong>The</strong>re were three gifts<br />
<strong>of</strong> more than $100,000 from current or former<br />
faculty and staff.<br />
While all the construction projects served as<br />
visible signs <strong>of</strong> progress and growth, it was the<br />
unseen, the programs and services and the addition<br />
<strong>of</strong> faculty and the strengthening <strong>of</strong> financial aid to<br />
students th<strong>at</strong> provided the true impetus for the<br />
campaign.<br />
“I think the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> is about<br />
continuous improvement in a sense, always<br />
pushing our target out a little beyond our grasp,<br />
and we should never be s<strong>at</strong>isfied with where we<br />
are,” Morgan said. “We celebr<strong>at</strong>e our successes<br />
but then we should look <strong>at</strong> how we get better<br />
in the future. How do we improve the teaching<br />
and learning experience? How do we improve<br />
the services for our students to ensure th<strong>at</strong> we are<br />
giving our students everything we possibly can in<br />
terms <strong>of</strong> their academic experience and for the<br />
younger students, p<strong>art</strong>icularly, their co-curricular<br />
experience? <strong>The</strong> whole university experience,<br />
Continued on 11
Continued from 10<br />
whether it’s an 18-year-old or a 55-year-old, how<br />
do we maximize their experience?<br />
Morgan said one <strong>of</strong> the most important<br />
duties <strong>of</strong> a university is to constantly evalu<strong>at</strong>e the<br />
changing academic clim<strong>at</strong>e, as it rel<strong>at</strong>es to the<br />
needs <strong>of</strong> society.<br />
“If you look back over decades, you see th<strong>at</strong> the<br />
needs <strong>of</strong> society have changed, and <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> has<br />
to change to meet those needs and the educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
it provides for its students," he said. “So basically,<br />
I’m never s<strong>at</strong>isfied. I never think we’re doing<br />
things as well as we could do them, but it’s a<br />
sequential journey. It’s one step <strong>at</strong> a time. You<br />
can’t leap from Point A to Point C without going<br />
through Point B. Each success, each opportunity<br />
we have to strengthen is to take another step in<br />
our journey."<br />
One step, during this campaign, has been an<br />
increase in financial aid so th<strong>at</strong> students <strong>of</strong> all<br />
economic backgrounds can <strong>at</strong>tend <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> university has also added faculty to bolster<br />
programs to serve growing numbers <strong>of</strong> students.<br />
And, it has added staff, to strengthen the teaching<br />
and learning process.<br />
So, as he w<strong>at</strong>ches the finishing touches being<br />
applied to the marvelous new Abraham Campus<br />
Center building, Morgan, a third-gener<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the university, can take a moment<br />
and be proud. During those times when he<br />
doesn’t have to be the face and the voice <strong>of</strong> the<br />
university, he can enjoy the moment and know<br />
th<strong>at</strong> the school he loves is headed in the right<br />
direction.<br />
His own priv<strong>at</strong>e celebr<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re is a lot <strong>of</strong> s<strong>at</strong>isfaction in seeing <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
get better,” Morgan said. “Th<strong>at</strong>’s wh<strong>at</strong> the building<br />
is about, th<strong>at</strong>’s wh<strong>at</strong> the campaign was about, th<strong>at</strong>’s<br />
wh<strong>at</strong> adding faculty is about. It’s making <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
better and better and I see a lot <strong>of</strong> s<strong>at</strong>isfaction in<br />
th<strong>at</strong>, and we as a community need to take time to<br />
celebr<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong>.”<br />
<strong>University</strong> Of <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College Of <strong>La</strong>w Granted ABA Accredit<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
Derek May was valedictorian <strong>of</strong> the<br />
College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w's first gradu<strong>at</strong>ing class<br />
with ABA accredit<strong>at</strong>ion, in June 2006.<br />
Tom Zasadzinski photo<br />
A winter dawn's early glow reflects <strong>of</strong>f copper facings <strong>of</strong> the Abraham Campus<br />
Center as the final months <strong>of</strong> construction on the building begin.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
When in 2006 the American Bar Associ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
granted provisional accredit<strong>at</strong>ion to the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w, it became the<br />
only ABA-accredited law school in Inland Southern<br />
California, the fastest growing metropolitan<br />
region in the United St<strong>at</strong>es.<br />
<strong>The</strong> announcement came <strong>at</strong> a time when San<br />
Bernardino and Riverside County courts reported<br />
a severe shortage <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers and Inland<br />
Southern California’s popul<strong>at</strong>ion was significantly<br />
underrepresented by legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionals when<br />
compared to neighboring metropolitan regions.<br />
Many Inland legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionals believe the<br />
growth <strong>of</strong> the College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w mirrors the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> the region.<br />
<strong>The</strong> College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w’s quest for accredit<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
began with its applic<strong>at</strong>ion to the ABA in Fall<br />
2005. After an extensive self-study and a positive<br />
site visit in September 2005, administr<strong>at</strong>ive represent<strong>at</strong>ives<br />
from the law school and <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>'s<br />
main campus appeared before the ABA’s 19member<br />
Accredit<strong>at</strong>ion Committee to present the<br />
law school’s credentials for accredit<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
Loc<strong>at</strong>ed in Ontario, the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w now serves more than 3.8 million<br />
people in the region and an additional 2.2 million<br />
people in San Gabriel Valley and<br />
Eastern Los Angeles County. It is now<br />
accredited by both the American Bar<br />
Associ<strong>at</strong>ion and the St<strong>at</strong>e Bar <strong>of</strong> California.<br />
Established in 1970, the College <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong>w adheres to the ideals and vision<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> and is<br />
recognized as a progressive school,<br />
integr<strong>at</strong>ing time-honored methods<br />
in teaching the law with the most<br />
advanced technology available.<br />
Known for its emphasis on advoca-<br />
cy, the law school <strong>of</strong>fers small classes<br />
th<strong>at</strong> fe<strong>at</strong>ure a traditional curriculum<br />
and practical skills taught by<br />
respected, practice-proven faculty.<br />
<strong>The</strong> faculty approach is grounded in<br />
a commitment to ethics and service<br />
Milestone<br />
#3<br />
to the individual students’ needs and the school<br />
works to cultiv<strong>at</strong>e a prominent and supportive<br />
alumni network.<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 11
12 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
Peggy Redman, Director <strong>of</strong><br />
Teacher Educ<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
was selected to be first to fill the<br />
<strong>La</strong> Fetra Family Endowed Chair for<br />
Excellence in Teaching and Service.<br />
Emmah Obradovich photo Construction <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Frank And Nadine Johnson Family Plaza cre<strong>at</strong>ed a new<br />
outdoor g<strong>at</strong>hering place for students, faculty and class meetings.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
<strong>La</strong> Fetra Endowed<br />
Chair for Excellence in<br />
Teaching is established<br />
Milestone<br />
#4<br />
To illustr<strong>at</strong>e the far-reaching impact <strong>of</strong><br />
the “Building on Excellence Campaign,”<br />
the university announced in<br />
l<strong>at</strong>e 2005 the establishment <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>La</strong> Fetra Family Endowed Chair for<br />
Excellence in Teaching and Service.<br />
Cre<strong>at</strong>ed by a recent $2 million contribution<br />
by Anthony <strong>La</strong> Fetra, the<br />
chair fully funds a faculty position<br />
in the university’s College <strong>of</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
& Organiz<strong>at</strong>ional Leadership.<br />
Margaret “Peggy" Redman<br />
'60, '87, '91, pr<strong>of</strong>essor and director<br />
<strong>of</strong> teacher educ<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong>, was the first to fill the <strong>La</strong><br />
Fetra Family Chair. <strong>The</strong> honor<br />
recognizes Redman’s role in helping<br />
the university establish its<br />
teacher educ<strong>at</strong>ion program as one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the best in the st<strong>at</strong>e.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>La</strong> Fetra family has a long<br />
history <strong>of</strong> generously supporting<br />
the university. Anthony <strong>La</strong><br />
Fetra’s mother, the l<strong>at</strong>e Mrs. Mary E. <strong>La</strong> Fetra,<br />
was a Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees member from 1966-89<br />
and chief donor. <strong>The</strong> university’s main lecture hall<br />
– <strong>La</strong> Fetra Auditorium – is named for her.<br />
Central Focus<br />
Inspires Unity<br />
<strong>The</strong> depth and scope <strong>of</strong><br />
giving to the Campus Center<br />
Project is unprecedented<br />
By Rusty Evans<br />
Years from now, those reclining in comfort<br />
in the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s newest<br />
building, the Abraham Campus Center, will<br />
be oblivious to the struggles, the deadlines,<br />
the pressure to raise the money to erect the<br />
gleaming three-story building, as well as the<br />
other two components <strong>of</strong> the Campus Center<br />
Project.<br />
Those behind the scenes, the driving forces<br />
<strong>of</strong> the project, will remember, maybe smile<br />
and shake their heads. Somehow, we did it.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re were several <strong>of</strong> us involved in<br />
leadership roles in this campaign who on<br />
many occasions said, ‘I have no idea where<br />
this amount <strong>of</strong> money will come from,’<br />
and we really didn’t have it clearly in sight,”<br />
<strong>University</strong> President Steve Morgan said. “So<br />
we decided th<strong>at</strong> we would put our heads<br />
down and move forward and we would ask<br />
everyone we could think <strong>of</strong> to p<strong>art</strong>icip<strong>at</strong>e in<br />
this campaign, and in a campaign, along the<br />
way you have a few disappointments, a few<br />
people you thought were really going to step<br />
up with major gifts and either chose not to or<br />
weren’t able to.<br />
“But you also have a lot <strong>of</strong> pleasant surprises,<br />
people you thought you had pegged for a<br />
smaller gift and they ended up saying, ‘No, no,<br />
we want to do more for this campaign.’ So, it<br />
was a combin<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> some disappointments<br />
and some very pleasant surprises.”<br />
None more pleasant than Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees<br />
member Michael Abraham’s $4 million<br />
Continued on 13
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
Conversion <strong>of</strong> the Super Tents into the Sports Science & Athletics Pavilion<br />
transformed the futuristic structure into a st<strong>at</strong>e-<strong>of</strong>-the-<strong>art</strong> sports complex.<br />
Tom Zasadzinski photo<br />
Continued from 12<br />
conditional pledge, way back in 2003, which<br />
lit the fuse on the largest capital campaign in<br />
the school’s 117-year history. “<strong>The</strong> Abraham<br />
Challenge,” if successful, would bring in $8<br />
million, because Abraham’s pledge required<br />
a m<strong>at</strong>ching total <strong>of</strong> $4 million from the<br />
rest <strong>of</strong> the Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees. <strong>The</strong> Abraham<br />
Challenge was met and Abraham and his<br />
wife, Sara, chose to give an additional $2.5<br />
million to the project th<strong>at</strong> would cre<strong>at</strong>e a<br />
sparkling new meeting place on campus.<br />
“From the day I joined the board I sensed<br />
th<strong>at</strong> this university lacked a student union/<br />
campus center, something I thought was<br />
going to be essential,” said Abraham, who<br />
also said the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> campus reminded him<br />
<strong>of</strong> the UC Santa Barbara campus <strong>at</strong> which<br />
he spent so much time as a student in the<br />
1950s. “<strong>The</strong> whole purpose <strong>of</strong> the challenge<br />
was to get this done sooner r<strong>at</strong>her than l<strong>at</strong>er.<br />
I didn’t want this to go on for 10 or 15 years.<br />
I wanted to see it built while I’m alive.”<br />
With such a bold jump-st<strong>art</strong>, those in<br />
leadership decided to cre<strong>at</strong>e an outdoor<br />
g<strong>at</strong>hering place for students, faculty and visitors<br />
to complement the new building and to<br />
renov<strong>at</strong>e the Super Tents, which served as the<br />
campus center previously. Expanding the scope<br />
<strong>of</strong> the project meant expanding the budget,<br />
which was set <strong>at</strong> about $12 million originally<br />
for the Campus Center building. Rising costs<br />
in building m<strong>at</strong>erials and adding fe<strong>at</strong>ures to<br />
the project pushed the fundraising objective to<br />
more than twice the original figure.<br />
But <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> supporters kept stepping<br />
up. <strong>The</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees don<strong>at</strong>ed more<br />
than $13 million, including $2 million<br />
from Nadine Johnson and $1 million from<br />
Benjamin Harris. Faculty and staff gave <strong>at</strong> an<br />
unprecedented r<strong>at</strong>e.<br />
Current board member and former chair<br />
Jim Long and his wife, Marie, made the<br />
contribution th<strong>at</strong> pushed the total past the<br />
$16 million Abraham Challenge mark. <strong>The</strong><br />
couple, who reside in Upland, had already<br />
made a sizable don<strong>at</strong>ion earlier in the<br />
campaign. On October 25, 2005, the Longs<br />
were approached with the opportunity to<br />
provide the goal-breaking gift 11 days ahead<br />
<strong>of</strong> the target d<strong>at</strong>e. “It was both a pleasure and<br />
an honor,” Jim Long said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Longs’ gift escal<strong>at</strong>ed campaign<br />
momentum. In the days since it became<br />
known th<strong>at</strong> the challenge goal had been met,<br />
there was an upsurge in gifts and pledges<br />
from members <strong>of</strong> the campus community as<br />
well as supporters throughout the country.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> excitement this has gener<strong>at</strong>ed is<br />
fantastic,” said Jean Bjerke, Vice President<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> Advancement. “We saw a<br />
wonderful response from people who wanted<br />
to be p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> this historic and unprecedented<br />
effort.”<br />
<strong>University</strong> Master Plan<br />
gets approval from<br />
City <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
Years <strong>of</strong> study, discussion and review came<br />
to fruition in January 2007 when the City <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> approved the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s<br />
Campus Master Plan. By unanimous vote, the<br />
city council passed the extensive proposal, which<br />
serves as an overview <strong>of</strong> the university’s projected<br />
growth, anticip<strong>at</strong>ed development and necessary<br />
facility enhancement.<br />
“This is a good outcome for the city and the<br />
university,” <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Mayor Jon<br />
Blickenstaff said after the vote.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> community and the college<br />
are linked by a shared history.<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong>ever helps the university<br />
will also benefit <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> Campus Master Plan is<br />
designed to enrich and revitalize<br />
school facilities and strengthen<br />
its infrastructure, allowing<br />
the institution to evolve as it<br />
adapts to meet its educ<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
mission. <strong>The</strong> Campus Center<br />
Project, one <strong>of</strong> the plan’s key<br />
components, fe<strong>at</strong>ures con-<br />
struction <strong>of</strong> the $26.1 million<br />
Sara and Michael Abraham<br />
Campus Center building.<br />
Overall, the Campus Master<br />
Plan outlines a vision for<br />
the university th<strong>at</strong> will allow<br />
it to remain a viable, competitive<br />
institution th<strong>at</strong> can<br />
Milestone<br />
#5<br />
supply the academic and collegi<strong>at</strong>e experience<br />
sought by prospective students. It will also help<br />
the university continue to be an involved p<strong>art</strong>ner<br />
with the city, providing benefits and resources<br />
th<strong>at</strong> enhance the community’s exceptional quality<br />
<strong>of</strong> life.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Abraham Campus Center<br />
Gonzalez|Goodale Architects<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 13
14 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sky's <strong>The</strong> Limit<br />
<strong>The</strong> sculpture "Inhale/Exhale" by Phillip K. Smith, will be the first piece in<br />
the <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> and the first public <strong>art</strong> on campus.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Art Office image<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong><br />
<strong>Garden</strong> will take <strong>art</strong> to higher<br />
level <strong>at</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
By Lisa O'Neill Hill<br />
From poets to woodworkers to sculptors,<br />
<strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> supported <strong>art</strong>ists all<br />
<strong>of</strong> her life and felt th<strong>at</strong> communic<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
through the <strong>art</strong>s was the most powerful form <strong>of</strong><br />
communic<strong>at</strong>ion available.<br />
<strong>Pollia</strong>, a woman <strong>of</strong> unique vision with myriad<br />
talents, was p<strong>art</strong>icularly devoted to nurturing<br />
young <strong>art</strong>ists and was interested in cuttingedge<br />
cre<strong>at</strong>ive processes.<br />
It’s fitting then th<strong>at</strong> the found<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong><br />
bears her name is funding the first public <strong>art</strong><br />
project <strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, a significant<br />
milestone in the institution’s already<br />
strong commitment to <strong>art</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong>, near the<br />
Sara & Michael Abraham Campus Center, will<br />
make <strong>art</strong> more accessible and send a message<br />
to the community and to current and prospective<br />
students about <strong>art</strong>’s vitality. It will change<br />
the landscape <strong>of</strong> the campus, showcasing the<br />
work <strong>of</strong> Indio <strong>art</strong>ist Phillip K. Smith III, who<br />
has won acclaim for his public <strong>art</strong> projects th<strong>at</strong><br />
combine the precision <strong>of</strong> geometry with the organic<br />
forms in n<strong>at</strong>ure.<br />
Smith is cre<strong>at</strong>ing two pieces – a 54-foot fiberglass<br />
sculpture called "Inhale/Exhale" – and<br />
another th<strong>at</strong> he has yet to design. Painted a<br />
deep red-orange, "Inhale/Exhale" will be striking<br />
in size and form, an arresting work <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong><br />
impossible to overlook. Yet, despite its boldness,<br />
Smith cre<strong>at</strong>ed it to complement its surroundings.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sculpture garden, along with the introduction<br />
<strong>of</strong> a photography major <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, is<br />
pushing the campus to the next level in terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> its dedic<strong>at</strong>ion to <strong>art</strong> and will help the university<br />
showcase its mission in a unique and very<br />
public way.<br />
For years, the Harris Gallery, the Carlson<br />
Gallery and the Tall Wall Space in the Arts &<br />
Communic<strong>at</strong>ions Building have drawn community<br />
members onto campus and have showcased<br />
a wide range <strong>of</strong> work from <strong>art</strong>ists in a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> media. <strong>The</strong> galleries, long well-<strong>at</strong>-<br />
Continued on 15
Continued from 14<br />
tended, have a strong rel<strong>at</strong>ionship with the<br />
<strong>art</strong> world in Los Angeles and other dynamic<br />
areas, and the <strong>art</strong> dep<strong>art</strong>ment is considered<br />
sophistic<strong>at</strong>ed. But the lack <strong>of</strong> significant<br />
outdoor <strong>art</strong> has felt like a void; the <strong>Muriel</strong><br />
<strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> is expected to be a<br />
tremendous beginning to public <strong>art</strong> on campus.<br />
Artists and non-<strong>art</strong>ists alike are excited by<br />
the prospect <strong>of</strong> elev<strong>at</strong>ing the campus’ pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
through public <strong>art</strong>, something th<strong>at</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
President Steve Morgan has been interested<br />
in for a long time.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> institution’s willingness and eagerness<br />
to pursue this is like electing Barack<br />
Obama,” said Gary Colby, pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
photography <strong>at</strong> the university. “It’s like this<br />
amazing, hopeful thing.”<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> <strong>art</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ruth Trotter, who<br />
chaired a search committee for an <strong>art</strong>ist to<br />
cre<strong>at</strong>e the sculptures, said the committee<br />
wanted to find a work <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong> th<strong>at</strong> represents<br />
the future and sets the campus ap<strong>art</strong> in some<br />
distinctive way, looking forward. <strong>The</strong> project<br />
sends an important message, p<strong>art</strong>icularly to<br />
students, she said.<br />
“It says we value <strong>art</strong>. We value cre<strong>at</strong>ivity,”<br />
Trotter said. “We value the cre<strong>at</strong>ive spirit. As<br />
you know, in this clim<strong>at</strong>e, <strong>art</strong> is <strong>of</strong>ten the<br />
thing th<strong>at</strong> is set aside and marginalized and<br />
we are finally including it in a way th<strong>at</strong> gives<br />
it the <strong>at</strong>tention it deserves. I think it’s going<br />
to mean a lot to the students and to their<br />
sense <strong>of</strong> value for their chosen career.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> Found<strong>at</strong>ion has provided<br />
a major grant <strong>of</strong> $250,000 to establish<br />
the <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> <strong>at</strong> the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
<strong>University</strong> and found<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong>ficials were<br />
looking for a “radically inventive public <strong>art</strong>work<br />
th<strong>at</strong> should connect to the vitality <strong>of</strong><br />
student life <strong>at</strong> the new Campus Center.” <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>art</strong>work should foster dialogue around the<br />
ideas it represents and may serve as a c<strong>at</strong>alyst<br />
for public <strong>art</strong> opportunities around campus.<br />
In the course <strong>of</strong> the search, Trotter and<br />
other members <strong>of</strong> the committee discovered<br />
Smith and the innov<strong>at</strong>ive work he had been<br />
doing in the Coachella Valley.<br />
Smith said he was impressed by wh<strong>at</strong> he<br />
heard.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>ir concern was the future <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong> on<br />
campus and th<strong>at</strong> it begin around the campus<br />
center and th<strong>at</strong> this project be the spark for<br />
<strong>art</strong> on campus,” he said. “<strong>The</strong>y basically said,<br />
‘Let’s not worry so much about the garden,<br />
Continued on 16<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
From left, John Linarelli, Ken Marcus, Andrea <strong>La</strong>binger, Jeffrey Kahan, Tom Harvey,<br />
Iraj Parchamazad and Jon<strong>at</strong>han Reed constitute the original ULV Academy.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
ULV Academy established to honor<br />
faculty research and public<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
On April 28, 2006, the Faculty Research<br />
Committee introduced a who’s who <strong>of</strong> scholars,<br />
all “Dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to Collegial Leadership in Research<br />
& Scholarship”: Tom Harvey, Jeffrey Kahan,<br />
Andrea <strong>La</strong>binger, John Linarelli,<br />
Ken Marcus, Iraj Parchamazad and<br />
Jon<strong>at</strong>han Reed.<br />
Born <strong>of</strong> a mand<strong>at</strong>e to develop a<br />
Researcher <strong>of</strong> the Year award, the<br />
ULV Academy is the product <strong>of</strong><br />
years <strong>of</strong> discussion and careful consider<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two distinguishing<br />
characteristics <strong>of</strong> members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
ULV Academy are demonstr<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
quality research (or cre<strong>at</strong>ive<br />
work in <strong>art</strong>, music, photography,<br />
the<strong>at</strong>re, or other cre<strong>at</strong>ive<br />
<strong>art</strong>s) and commitment to the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
“When I came to this uni-<br />
Milestone<br />
#6<br />
versity about 20 years ago, research<br />
was not an important<br />
component <strong>of</strong> this university,”<br />
said Parchamazad, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
science <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> who is also<br />
co-chair <strong>of</strong> the Faculty Research<br />
Committee. “Now, we are very<br />
happy to tell you th<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong> this university, the majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> the faculty are involved heavily in their<br />
research. Through the Academy, we believe we<br />
can encourage people and we can show them<br />
how they can publish, and why research is really<br />
important, even for their life (away from the<br />
university)."<br />
<strong>The</strong> ULV Academy encompasses a wide spectrum<br />
<strong>of</strong> academic interest, from liter<strong>at</strong>ure and<br />
language to science and history to business and<br />
law. <strong>The</strong> Faculty Research Committee, which, in<br />
addition to Parchamazad, is composed <strong>of</strong> K<strong>at</strong>hy<br />
<strong>La</strong>mkin, Jay Jones, Kahan, Jack Meek, Jan Pilgreen,<br />
and Rita Thakur, spent months poring<br />
over research and published m<strong>at</strong>erials to determine<br />
the members <strong>of</strong> the original Academy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> goal <strong>of</strong> the Academy would be to add<br />
one or two members per year, with the members<br />
to vote on th<strong>at</strong>. Since the Academy's inception,<br />
five members have been added: Donald Dunn,<br />
Glenn Gamst and <strong>La</strong>mkin in 2007; and P<strong>at</strong>ricia<br />
Long and Ken Scambray in 2008. Its form<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
has proven to have had an impact not only on<br />
current faculty members but prospective ones as<br />
well.<br />
“Other universities have things th<strong>at</strong> they do<br />
to promote scholarship, like ‘Researcher <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Year’ award and things like th<strong>at</strong>, and funding<br />
and so on,” Linarelli said. “I think wh<strong>at</strong>’s unique<br />
about this is th<strong>at</strong> it’s an <strong>at</strong>tempt to cre<strong>at</strong>e an institution<br />
to deal with it.”<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 15
New provost and<br />
deans set fresh<br />
academic course<br />
As construction on the Campus Center Project<br />
proceeded, the university was rebuilding its academic<br />
leadership.<br />
After a n<strong>at</strong>ionwide search, the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> chose Dr. Alden Reimonenq to be its chief<br />
academic <strong>of</strong>ficer, succeeding Richard McDowell<br />
as provost.<br />
Reimonenq came to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> from California<br />
St<strong>at</strong>e <strong>University</strong>, East Bay, where he had most recently<br />
served as Dean <strong>of</strong> the College<br />
<strong>of</strong> Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences.<br />
A widely published scholar,<br />
Reimonenq is a noted educ<strong>at</strong>or,<br />
and distinguished himself as an<br />
academic leader.<br />
Reimonenq's first major move<br />
was to hire Mark Goor to succeed<br />
Leonard Pellicer as dean<br />
<strong>of</strong> the College <strong>of</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
and Organiz<strong>at</strong>ional Leadership.<br />
Pellicer retired in 2006<br />
following six years as CEOL<br />
dean.<br />
Bringing 35 years <strong>of</strong> experience<br />
as an educ<strong>at</strong>or, Goor<br />
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came to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> after 13<br />
years <strong>at</strong> George Mason <strong>University</strong><br />
in Fairfax, Va. During<br />
his tenure <strong>at</strong> George Mason,<br />
he served as a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> special<br />
educ<strong>at</strong>ion, coordin<strong>at</strong>or <strong>of</strong><br />
the university’s Special Educa-<br />
tion Program, and as assistant and associ<strong>at</strong>e dean<br />
for Academic & Student Affairs.<br />
On May 15, 2008, Allen K. Easley was introduced<br />
as dean <strong>of</strong> the College <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>w. With nearly<br />
30 years <strong>of</strong> successful experience in academia and<br />
intim<strong>at</strong>e knowledge <strong>of</strong> the ABA approval process,<br />
Easley stepped in to replace Dean Donald J.<br />
Dunn, who had passed away four months earlier,<br />
and Interim Dean H. Randall Rubin, who<br />
served in the law school’s chief post since August<br />
2007 when Dean Dunn began medical leave.<br />
On July 1, 2008, Ibrahim "Abe" Helou succeeded<br />
Gordon Badovick as dean <strong>of</strong> the College<br />
<strong>of</strong> Business and Public Management. Badovick<br />
retired <strong>at</strong> the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the 2007-08 academic<br />
year following six years as CBPM dean. Helou<br />
first joined the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> faculty in 1993 and<br />
served as CBPM associ<strong>at</strong>e dean for five years prior<br />
to his appointment as dean.<br />
16 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>art</strong>ist's rendering shows a potential second sculpture near the west end<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Abraham Campus Center on the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> campus.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Art Office image<br />
Continued from 15<br />
let’s worry about <strong>art</strong>.’ ”<br />
<strong>The</strong> nexus between the found<strong>at</strong>ion — which<br />
supports activities th<strong>at</strong> celebr<strong>at</strong>e historical or<br />
innov<strong>at</strong>ive cre<strong>at</strong>ive process — and the university<br />
is Jay Rodriguez, chairman <strong>of</strong> the board<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pollia</strong> Found<strong>at</strong>ion and a <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> trustee emeritus. Rodriguez knew <strong>of</strong><br />
Morgan’s interest in public <strong>art</strong> on campus, and<br />
Jerry Luedders, president <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong><br />
Found<strong>at</strong>ion, said <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> seemed like fertile<br />
ground to achieve <strong>Pollia</strong>’s interests.<br />
“<strong>Muriel</strong> always supported <strong>art</strong>ists, and th<strong>at</strong><br />
included writers, sculptors, poets, woodworkers<br />
and Zen Buddhists, so it was appropri<strong>at</strong>e<br />
to have her found<strong>at</strong>ion fund the sculpture<br />
garden <strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>,” Rodriguez<br />
said. “It is her first public <strong>art</strong> project<br />
and fits in nicely with the dream <strong>of</strong> President<br />
Steve Morgan who has always wanted <strong>art</strong> on<br />
the campus, and with the City <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>,<br />
which encourages public <strong>art</strong>.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> public <strong>art</strong> project is taking place not<br />
long after the Harris Gallery, the Carlson<br />
Gallery, and the Tall Wall Space were brought<br />
together as a consortium under the leadership<br />
<strong>of</strong> cur<strong>at</strong>or Dion Johnson, whose <strong>of</strong>fice is now<br />
in the Harris Gallery.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> <strong>art</strong> dep<strong>art</strong>ment, along with the music<br />
and the<strong>at</strong>er dep<strong>art</strong>ments, sees itself as a strong<br />
cultural center for the community, one th<strong>at</strong><br />
will only be heightened with the addition <strong>of</strong><br />
the public <strong>art</strong> project,” said Johnson, who<br />
is director <strong>of</strong> the university galleries. “<strong>The</strong><br />
sculpture garden will bring a sense <strong>of</strong> individuality<br />
to the campus and engage the idea<br />
th<strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> is a progressive, cutting-edge<br />
institution.<br />
“It will literally change the landscape <strong>of</strong> the<br />
campus and in a way th<strong>at</strong> puts the focus on<br />
the fact th<strong>at</strong> the university is embarking upon<br />
really sort <strong>of</strong> showing th<strong>at</strong> we’re an institution<br />
not only <strong>of</strong> higher learning but <strong>of</strong> higher culture<br />
and th<strong>at</strong>’s a really wonderful way to put<br />
things forward.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> public <strong>art</strong> project will make the university<br />
even more accessible to area residents<br />
and others.<br />
“I feel th<strong>at</strong> public <strong>art</strong> and a sculpture garden<br />
is something th<strong>at</strong> welcomes and opens up<br />
the university to the community and in th<strong>at</strong><br />
way cre<strong>at</strong>es a wonderful dialogue,” Johnson<br />
said. “Art is meant to be viewed and experienced<br />
and to have spent time with. It requires<br />
an audience and th<strong>at</strong>’s wh<strong>at</strong> we want to engage<br />
the community with.<br />
“I think this will have such a tremendous<br />
impact in th<strong>at</strong> it will provide an experience<br />
th<strong>at</strong> is both intellectual as well as a purely<br />
wonderful sens<strong>at</strong>ion, and undertaking something<br />
in such a scale is really a commitment.”<br />
Brandon Spiegel, a 21-year-old <strong>art</strong> major,<br />
said he is excited about the university’s commitment<br />
and the potential to bring more recognition<br />
to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s progressive <strong>art</strong> school.<br />
“Hopefully, it draws our community into<br />
our school a little bit more,” Spiegel said.<br />
“I think putting something in the public<br />
display makes the people th<strong>at</strong> don’t normally<br />
walk into a gallery see something and wonder<br />
about it. It’s just all about getting it in their<br />
Continued on 17
Continued from 16<br />
From poets to woodworkers to sculptors,<br />
<strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> supported <strong>art</strong>ists all <strong>of</strong> her<br />
life and felt th<strong>at</strong> communic<strong>at</strong>ion through<br />
the <strong>art</strong>s was the most powerful form <strong>of</strong> communic<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
available.<br />
<strong>Pollia</strong>, a woman <strong>of</strong> unique vision with myriad<br />
talents, was p<strong>art</strong>icularly devoted to nurturing<br />
young <strong>art</strong>ists and was interested in cutting-edge<br />
cre<strong>at</strong>ive processes.<br />
It’s fitting then th<strong>at</strong> the found<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> bears<br />
her name is funding the first public <strong>art</strong> project<br />
<strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, a significant<br />
milestone in the institution’s already strong<br />
commitment to <strong>art</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong>, near the<br />
Sara & Michael Abraham Campus Center, will<br />
make <strong>art</strong> more accessible and send a message<br />
to the community and to current and prospective<br />
students about <strong>art</strong>’s vitality. It will change<br />
the landscape <strong>of</strong> the campus, showcasing the<br />
work <strong>of</strong> Indio <strong>art</strong>ist Phillip K. Smith III, who<br />
has won acclaim for his public <strong>art</strong> projects th<strong>at</strong><br />
combine the precision <strong>of</strong> geometry with the organic<br />
forms in n<strong>at</strong>ure.<br />
Smith is cre<strong>at</strong>ing two pieces – a 54-foot fiberglass<br />
sculpture called "Inhale/Exhale" – and<br />
another th<strong>at</strong> he has yet to design. Painted a deep<br />
red-orange, "Inhale/Exhale" will be striking in<br />
size and form, an arresting work <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong> impossible<br />
to overlook. Yet, despite its boldness, Smith<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
<strong>The</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> will provide distinctive and<br />
interesting additions to the new Campus Center landscape.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Art Office image<br />
cre<strong>at</strong>ed it to complement its surroundings.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sculpture garden, along with the introduction<br />
<strong>of</strong> a photography major <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, is<br />
pushing the campus to the next level in terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> its dedic<strong>at</strong>ion to <strong>art</strong> and will help the university<br />
showcase its mission in a unique and very<br />
public way.<br />
For years, the Harris Gallery, the Carlson<br />
Gallery and the Tall Wall Space in the Arts &<br />
Communic<strong>at</strong>ions Building have drawn community<br />
members onto campus and have showcased<br />
a wide range <strong>of</strong> work from <strong>art</strong>ists in a variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> media. <strong>The</strong> galleries, long well-<strong>at</strong>tended,<br />
have a strong rel<strong>at</strong>ionship with the <strong>art</strong> world in<br />
Los Angeles and other dynamic areas, and the<br />
<strong>art</strong> dep<strong>art</strong>ment is considered sophistic<strong>at</strong>ed. But<br />
the lack <strong>of</strong> significant outdoor <strong>art</strong> has felt like a<br />
void; the <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> is ex-<br />
$250,000 Grant for <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> Fits <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong>'s Vision<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> Found<strong>at</strong>ion has provided a<br />
major grant <strong>of</strong> $250,000 to establish the <strong>Muriel</strong><br />
<strong>Pollia</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> <strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
Indio-based <strong>art</strong>ist Phillip K. Smith will install<br />
two sculptures, loc<strong>at</strong>ed in close proximity to the<br />
Abraham Campus Center, prior to the grand<br />
opening <strong>of</strong> the new building in September. <strong>The</strong><br />
project will initi<strong>at</strong>e the development <strong>of</strong> a program<br />
<strong>of</strong> public <strong>art</strong> on the university’s campus.<br />
Based in Los Angeles, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong><br />
Found<strong>at</strong>ion was founded in 2006 to honor<br />
the life and work <strong>of</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong>. Dr. <strong>Pollia</strong><br />
was a humanitarian and an avid supporter <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>art</strong>s with a passion for life, cre<strong>at</strong>ivity and<br />
spirituality.<br />
“Dr. <strong>Pollia</strong> developed a remarkable philosophy<br />
and approach to life,” said Jerry D. Luedders,<br />
president <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> Found<strong>at</strong>ion. “She<br />
believed th<strong>at</strong> by following the expression <strong>of</strong><br />
beauty, order and harmony through <strong>art</strong>, dance,<br />
music, m<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ics,<br />
architecture, design<br />
and the like, an<br />
<strong>art</strong>ist cre<strong>at</strong>es a silent<br />
expression <strong>of</strong> th<strong>at</strong><br />
power which is<br />
responsible for its<br />
inception through<br />
inspir<strong>at</strong>ion. <strong>The</strong><br />
constant awareness<br />
<strong>of</strong> peace, harmony,<br />
and beauty is<br />
the highest order<br />
<strong>of</strong> consciousness.<br />
Like quality and<br />
<strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong><br />
Found<strong>at</strong>ion image<br />
consciousness <strong>at</strong>tract. Communic<strong>at</strong>ion through<br />
the <strong>art</strong>s and beauty is the most powerful form <strong>of</strong><br />
communic<strong>at</strong>ion extant. Dr. <strong>Pollia</strong> was convinced<br />
th<strong>at</strong> as the consciousness <strong>of</strong> a single individual is<br />
raised through these means, the consciousness <strong>of</strong><br />
humanity is also raised.”<br />
Luedders said the found<strong>at</strong>ion lends its support<br />
and encouragement to organiz<strong>at</strong>ions and<br />
institutions th<strong>at</strong> practice and hold such qualities<br />
to be honorable and <strong>of</strong> the highest value and<br />
spiritual significance.<br />
“We are hopeful th<strong>at</strong> the public <strong>art</strong>work<br />
will be a highly visible fe<strong>at</strong>ure <strong>of</strong> the campus<br />
and may serve as a c<strong>at</strong>alyst for future public <strong>art</strong><br />
opportunities around the campus,” Luedders<br />
said.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Sculpture</strong> <strong>Garden</strong> will also support the<br />
university's commitment to quality educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
through exceptional contemporary <strong>art</strong> and<br />
complement its new Campus Center building.<br />
“Th<strong>at</strong> new building is probably the most<br />
beautiful building in the entire city <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>,”<br />
said Jay Rodriguez, chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Muriel</strong><br />
<strong>Pollia</strong> Found<strong>at</strong>ion. “I just felt th<strong>at</strong> the sculpture<br />
garden would really be a nice complement to the<br />
building and th<strong>at</strong>'s why we wanted to appropri<strong>at</strong>e<br />
the money."<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 17
Many <strong>of</strong> Phillip K. Smith's works, such<br />
as "Inhale/Exhale," blend geometry<br />
with growth p<strong>at</strong>terns <strong>of</strong> n<strong>at</strong>ure.<br />
Jay Jorgensen/Palm Springs Life photo<br />
Milestone<br />
#8<br />
18 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
A four-year effort by the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> to fund<br />
its Campus Center Project reached a climactic finish on<br />
December 30, 2007, as the university <strong>of</strong>ficially announced<br />
it had achieved its fund-raising goal <strong>of</strong> $26.1 million for<br />
the three-p<strong>art</strong> capital project.<br />
Thanks to a final flurry <strong>of</strong> contributions in the closing<br />
days <strong>of</strong> 2007, the university was able to realize its objective<br />
before the end <strong>of</strong> the calendar year, thereby meeting<br />
conditions to qualify for a $600,000 challenge grant from<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kresge Found<strong>at</strong>ion.<br />
<strong>The</strong> three-p<strong>art</strong> Campus Center Project encompasses<br />
renov<strong>at</strong>ions to the Sports Science & Athletics Pavilion<br />
(formerly known as the Super Tents), cre<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the Frank<br />
& Nadine Johnson Family Plaza and construction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Sara & Michael Abraham Campus Center Building.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Abraham Campus Center is named in honor <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Shape <strong>of</strong><br />
Things to Come<br />
Geometric sculptures <strong>of</strong> Indio-based <strong>art</strong>ist Phillip K. Smith<br />
will set the tone for a new <strong>art</strong> consciousness <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
Phillip K. Smith III, who sees beauty in the<br />
meshing <strong>of</strong> pure geometry with the amoebic<br />
forms <strong>of</strong> n<strong>at</strong>ure, believes th<strong>at</strong> public <strong>art</strong><br />
should inspire people and be open to multiple interpret<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
“I think th<strong>at</strong> successful public <strong>art</strong> should be<br />
like looking <strong>at</strong> the clouds,” Smith said. “<strong>The</strong>re is<br />
no question th<strong>at</strong> it is powerful, th<strong>at</strong> it is beautiful<br />
and th<strong>at</strong> you understand it in its most basic sense.<br />
But <strong>at</strong> the same time, you don’t understand it and<br />
everyone has their own interpret<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> wh<strong>at</strong> the<br />
clouds look like and how they are the way they are.<br />
I think th<strong>at</strong>’s very powerful.”<br />
Undoubtedly, everyone will have an interpret<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the sculptures Smith is cre<strong>at</strong>ing for the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, the campus’ first public <strong>art</strong><br />
project. Funded by the <strong>Muriel</strong> <strong>Pollia</strong> Found<strong>at</strong>ion,<br />
Smith will design two pieces th<strong>at</strong> will be installed<br />
near the new Campus Center by Sept. 1.<br />
Standing 54 feet tall, made <strong>of</strong> fiberglass and<br />
By Lisa O'Neill Hill<br />
painted a deep red-orange, “Inhale/Exhale” will<br />
mark the center <strong>of</strong> campus, serving as a focal point.<br />
So many students walk in the area th<strong>at</strong> the sculpture<br />
will have a 360-degree exposure, Smith said.<br />
After visiting the site, the 36-year-old <strong>art</strong>ist knew<br />
th<strong>at</strong> wh<strong>at</strong>ever he cre<strong>at</strong>ed had to be substantial to<br />
hold up against its context. Otherwise, he said, it<br />
would get overwhelmed by the nearby buildings.<br />
“My intent with th<strong>at</strong> was th<strong>at</strong> it would come<br />
forward as a very powerful st<strong>at</strong>ement th<strong>at</strong> the<br />
university has about their <strong>art</strong> program and about<br />
the future <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong> on campus,” Smith said. “Wh<strong>at</strong><br />
I also wanted to do was bond the student body<br />
together. I wanted it to be an inspir<strong>at</strong>ional piece<br />
for the city.”<br />
“Inhale/Exhale” is Smith’s biggest piece and<br />
his first public <strong>art</strong> project in California outside <strong>of</strong><br />
the Coachella Valley, where he has cre<strong>at</strong>ed several<br />
Continued on 19<br />
Campus Center Project Reaches $26.1 Million Goal<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Trustees member Michael Abraham and his wife,<br />
Sara, who have pledged $6.5 million toward completion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the three-story, 42,000-square foot facility. <strong>The</strong> campus<br />
center will provide space for educ<strong>at</strong>ional, recre<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
and communal endeavors where students, faculty, staff,<br />
alumni, family, friends and campus visitors can come together.<br />
When <strong>The</strong> Kresge Found<strong>at</strong>ion awarded the grant to the<br />
university in December 2006, the university was nearly<br />
$4.4 million shy <strong>of</strong> its $26.1 million goal. <strong>The</strong> time conditions<br />
put forth by the challenge grant intensified fundraising<br />
endeavors, which in turn led to a remarkable response<br />
<strong>of</strong> support.<br />
With the goal achieved, construction on the Abraham<br />
Campus Center building proceeds, and soon the university<br />
will have a sparkling new hub <strong>of</strong> campus activity.
Continued from 18<br />
public <strong>art</strong> pieces. In Kansas City, Mo., Smith won<br />
praise for a 15-foot glowing sculpture, “Transformed<br />
Flower,” for the Richard & Annette Bloch<br />
Cancer Survivors Park, which he designed to be a<br />
positive image <strong>of</strong> transform<strong>at</strong>ion. He recently was<br />
short-listed to cre<strong>at</strong>e a proposal for a piece outside<br />
Oklahoma City Hall.<br />
<strong>The</strong> son <strong>of</strong> a housing developer and an interior/<br />
graphic designer, Smith was born in Los Angeles<br />
but moved to the Coachella Valley when he was a<br />
child. After gradu<strong>at</strong>ing from high school, he went<br />
to the Rhode Island School <strong>of</strong> Design, where he<br />
earned degrees in architecture and fine <strong>art</strong>s. He<br />
moved back to the Coachella Valley in 2000 and<br />
established <strong>The</strong> Art Office, a multidisciplinary design<br />
studio in Indio.<br />
As a teenager, Smith said he couldn’t wait to<br />
leave the desert. It wasn’t until Smith was away<br />
from the Coachella Valley th<strong>at</strong> he realized wh<strong>at</strong> he<br />
had taken for granted.<br />
“I think th<strong>at</strong> once the desert gets in your blood,<br />
you can’t ever deny it,” he said. “I learned to appreci<strong>at</strong>e<br />
it once I was away from it.” After living on<br />
the East Coast, Smith said he realized how important<br />
it was for him to see the horizon line, to have<br />
a sense <strong>of</strong> space and distance.<br />
“It’s very powerful, I think… long, extensive<br />
plains and then one tree or one big boulder or<br />
some marker th<strong>at</strong> defines the landscape in a way.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other thing you just cannot deny is the light<br />
and the color and warmth <strong>of</strong> the light. I’m always<br />
trying to build in light and shadow in the pieces.<br />
I think the desert is very powerful for my understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> putting objects out into the public<br />
realm. I think I have a tendency toward more<br />
boldness.”<br />
Yet, Smith is not bold just for the sake <strong>of</strong> being<br />
bold. He says he is acutely aware <strong>of</strong> cre<strong>at</strong>ing something<br />
th<strong>at</strong> makes sense where it is placed.<br />
Th<strong>at</strong> was appealing to <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Art<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ruth Trotter. She said Smith understands<br />
the rel<strong>at</strong>ionship between <strong>art</strong> and the environment<br />
and between <strong>art</strong> and the existing architecture.<br />
“We felt th<strong>at</strong> was p<strong>art</strong>icularly important with<br />
this first significant public <strong>art</strong> piece th<strong>at</strong> the work<br />
consider the existing physical properties <strong>of</strong> the<br />
campus,” Trotter said. “It was just very clear th<strong>at</strong><br />
Phillip would be ideal for th<strong>at</strong>.”<br />
“Inhale/Exhale” meshes geometry with growth<br />
p<strong>at</strong>terns <strong>of</strong> n<strong>at</strong>ure, a favored theme <strong>of</strong> Smith’s work.<br />
“You have this very controlled, precise, able-tobe-measured<br />
thing on one side and then you have<br />
this very organic, amoebic growth sort <strong>of</strong> thing on<br />
the other side and I love the idea <strong>of</strong> meshing those<br />
two things together,” he said.<br />
<strong>University</strong> Gets Three Title V Grants in Four Years<br />
In recognition <strong>of</strong> its continued efforts to actively<br />
support and educ<strong>at</strong>e students among the community’s<br />
underserved popul<strong>at</strong>ions, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
was awarded three highly competitive United St<strong>at</strong>es<br />
Dep<strong>art</strong>ment <strong>of</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion grants in the span <strong>of</strong> four<br />
years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> l<strong>at</strong>est, a $3.58 million Title V STEM Grant<br />
is a two-year, renewable cooper<strong>at</strong>ive federal grant th<strong>at</strong><br />
allows the university to p<strong>art</strong>ner with Citrus College, a<br />
community college in nearby Glendora. <strong>The</strong> funds<br />
are designed to help students better prepare for their<br />
university educ<strong>at</strong>ion in the fields <strong>of</strong> science, technology,<br />
engineering and m<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ics, or “STEM.”<br />
In 2007, the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> received<br />
news <strong>of</strong> a $2.47 million Title V Developing Hispanic<br />
Serving Institution grant from the U.S. Dep<strong>art</strong>ment<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
“Public <strong>art</strong> on campus in the last<br />
decade has become a very cuttingedge<br />
thought. I think to know<br />
th<strong>at</strong> a school <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s size is<br />
embarking upon th<strong>at</strong> really sends<br />
a message to the community and<br />
to prospective students.”<br />
— Phillip K. Smith<br />
<strong>of</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion. <strong>The</strong> five-year grant serves to enhance<br />
programs within the university’s College <strong>of</strong> Business &<br />
Public Management.<br />
In 2005, the university College <strong>of</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion &<br />
Organiz<strong>at</strong>ional Leadership was awarded a Title V grant.<br />
With the largest segment <strong>of</strong> Hispanic students <strong>of</strong><br />
any priv<strong>at</strong>e college in California, <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> is strongly<br />
committed to maintaining a rich cultural diversity<br />
in its student popul<strong>at</strong>ion and among its faculty<br />
members. Approxim<strong>at</strong>ely 39 percent <strong>of</strong> the university’s<br />
traditional-aged undergradu<strong>at</strong>e students are <strong>of</strong> Hispanic<br />
backgrounds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> l<strong>at</strong>est grant funds programs <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> for<br />
outreach to high school students to foster an interest in<br />
science, technology, engineering and m<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ics, or<br />
STEM.<br />
Smith, who will work with a composite <strong>art</strong> fabric<strong>at</strong>or<br />
on “Inhale/Exhale,” said the piece is too big to<br />
fabric<strong>at</strong>e in his studio. He will cre<strong>at</strong>e 10 modules,<br />
each 6 feet high th<strong>at</strong> will be stacked on top <strong>of</strong> each<br />
other. <strong>The</strong> sculpture uses the triangle as its modular<br />
form. He has described the piece as “a transform<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
from a triangle into a triangle into a triangle.”<br />
“It has this ability to be very thin and then also<br />
very wide and so as you move around it, the piece<br />
is always changing,” Smith said. “It looks like it’s<br />
bre<strong>at</strong>hing. It looks like it’s filling with air and releasing.<br />
Giving n<strong>at</strong>ure this kind <strong>of</strong> precision and<br />
giving geometry this kind <strong>of</strong> life, I think is a really<br />
exciting intersection.”<br />
Smith has yet to design the second piece but<br />
said he thinks he will cre<strong>at</strong>e something between<br />
10 and 16 feet high, using rusted steel as a finish.<br />
“It’s huge for me, it’s a real honor,” Smith said<br />
<strong>of</strong> being chosen to do the pieces. “Wh<strong>at</strong> I really<br />
enjoy doing in my work is working with cities and<br />
clients th<strong>at</strong> have never done this before. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />
this kind <strong>of</strong> camaraderie th<strong>at</strong> develops; we’re going<br />
through this together. We’re both invested. I sort<br />
<strong>of</strong> feel like I’ve become p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> the ULV family.”<br />
Smith said everyone he has spoken to <strong>at</strong> the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> is excited about the sculptures<br />
and eager to see them installed. <strong>The</strong> university<br />
is conveying an important message about the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>art</strong>, he said.<br />
“I think it sends a very powerful st<strong>at</strong>ement about<br />
the university’s commitment to the <strong>art</strong> program<br />
and a very strong st<strong>at</strong>ement about the beauty <strong>of</strong> the<br />
campus,” he said. “Public <strong>art</strong> on campus in the last<br />
decade has become a very cutting-edge thought.<br />
I think to know th<strong>at</strong> a school <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s size is<br />
embarking upon th<strong>at</strong> really sends a message to the<br />
community and to prospective students.”<br />
Milestone<br />
#9<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 19
A<br />
lot can happen in 40 years. People change<br />
and develop. Careers commence and succeed.<br />
Rel<strong>at</strong>ionships blossom and m<strong>at</strong>ure.<br />
Families begin and renew.<br />
In 1968, a collection <strong>of</strong> talented and motiv<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
students gradu<strong>at</strong>ed from wh<strong>at</strong> was then <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong> College. Inspired by the likes <strong>of</strong> Bob Neher,<br />
Ahmed Ispahani, K<strong>at</strong>e Hoskins, John Jang and<br />
a host <strong>of</strong> other influential faculty members, they<br />
were prepared to enter a changing world during<br />
turbulent times and make their mark.<br />
Fast forward four decades and th<strong>at</strong> spirited<br />
group is now a collection <strong>of</strong> highly respected<br />
and accomplished achievers. This past October,<br />
some <strong>of</strong> them returned to the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> campus<br />
to celebr<strong>at</strong>e their 40th reunion, reconnecting with<br />
classm<strong>at</strong>es and the institution during an eventful<br />
homecoming weekend. And although they have<br />
experienced many changes in their lives and lifestyles,<br />
each still carries an appreci<strong>at</strong>ion for their<br />
alma m<strong>at</strong>er and how it helped them become the<br />
men and women they are today.<br />
In recognition <strong>of</strong> the role <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> played in<br />
their lives, the Class <strong>of</strong> ’68 decided to mark their<br />
ruby anniversary year by establishing the university’s<br />
first-ever Class Endowed Scholarship Fund.<br />
With gifts and pledges totaling nearly $30,000,<br />
20 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
B U I L D I N G O N E X C E L L E N C E<br />
<strong>The</strong> Class <strong>of</strong> '68 g<strong>at</strong>hered <strong>at</strong> Ann and Steve Morgan's home for their 40th reunion and established a class endowment.<br />
Nancy Newman photo<br />
Class <strong>of</strong> '68 Establishes $50,000 Endowment Goal<br />
the group set a goal <strong>of</strong> $50,000 to be reached by<br />
the time <strong>of</strong> their 50 th reunion in 2018.<br />
Each year the fund will award a scholarship to a<br />
deserving undergradu<strong>at</strong>e student who needs financial<br />
assistance to complete his/her degree. <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
annually provides more than $14 million in grants<br />
and scholarships th<strong>at</strong> in p<strong>art</strong> are made possible by<br />
generous gifts from alumni, parents and friends <strong>of</strong><br />
the university.<br />
Mike Welch, a ’68 gradu<strong>at</strong>e who recently returned<br />
to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> to serve as executive director <strong>of</strong><br />
annual giving and advancement oper<strong>at</strong>ions, was a<br />
driving force behind both the 40 th reunion celebr<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
and the cre<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the endowed scholarship<br />
fund. He personally connected with classm<strong>at</strong>es<br />
and encouraged both their <strong>at</strong>tendance <strong>at</strong> the reunion<br />
festivities and p<strong>art</strong>icip<strong>at</strong>ion in the historic<br />
fund-raising project.<br />
In a personal letter to his fellow classm<strong>at</strong>es,<br />
Welch wrote: “<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> is still <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>. It has<br />
not changed its core values. It continues to provide<br />
students <strong>of</strong> all ages the opportunity to better<br />
themselves through a values-oriented approach to<br />
higher educ<strong>at</strong>ion. All <strong>of</strong> this is done by a caring<br />
faculty and personalized teaching and learning environment.<br />
“<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> makes a wonderfully positive impact<br />
on the lives <strong>of</strong> current students. It changes lives. It<br />
changed mine and I hope it had a positive impact<br />
on yours as well.”<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the most recognizable names on the class<br />
roster is th<strong>at</strong> <strong>of</strong> Steve Morgan, who has spent the<br />
past 23 years as <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s president. He echoed<br />
Welch’s sentiments and praised all <strong>of</strong> the Class <strong>of</strong><br />
’68 for their eagerness to give back to the university.<br />
“In all modesty, I have to say th<strong>at</strong> we (the Class<br />
<strong>of</strong> ’68) are a gre<strong>at</strong> group <strong>of</strong> people. We had a wonderful<br />
experience <strong>at</strong> wh<strong>at</strong> was then <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> College,”<br />
said Morgan. “All <strong>of</strong> us would say th<strong>at</strong>, looking<br />
back on 40 years since gradu<strong>at</strong>ion, <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
played a major role in our successes and wh<strong>at</strong> we<br />
did, pr<strong>of</strong>essionally and personally. We want to<br />
make sure th<strong>at</strong> students in future gener<strong>at</strong>ions have<br />
the same opportunities th<strong>at</strong> we had to be a p<strong>art</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> this community. So we decided it was time to<br />
try to step up ourselves and do something to make<br />
sure students in future gener<strong>at</strong>ions could be here.”<br />
For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion on the Class <strong>of</strong> ’68 Endowed<br />
Scholarship Fund or to learn how you can<br />
establish a similar fund for your gradu<strong>at</strong>ion class,<br />
contact the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> Annual Fund <strong>at</strong> (909) 593-<br />
3511 ext. 4685 or e-mail giving@ulv.edu.<br />
— Charles Bentley
A T H L E T I C S<br />
System <strong>of</strong> a Crown<br />
Through desire, determin<strong>at</strong>ion and intensive study, Don Flora has compiled a 269-59 mark and<br />
elev<strong>at</strong>ed the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> women's volleyball team to the level <strong>of</strong> a dynasty in NCAA Division III.<br />
By Rusty Evans<br />
<strong>The</strong> gre<strong>at</strong> ones have a way <strong>of</strong> making<br />
it look easy. DiMaggio with a b<strong>at</strong>.<br />
Gretzky with the puck. Montana with<br />
the football and the game on the line.<br />
And Flora, with a clipboard.<br />
After 11 seasons under Don Flora, the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> women’s volleyball<br />
program stands among the elite in NCAA<br />
Division III. During th<strong>at</strong> span, Flora’s coaching<br />
record is 269-59, a mark th<strong>at</strong> measures up to<br />
any coach in any sport <strong>at</strong> any time. He has led<br />
the Leopards to a n<strong>at</strong>ional championship in<br />
2001, West Region titles in 2003, 2004, 2005<br />
and 2008, and is on a streak <strong>of</strong> nine Southern<br />
California Intercollegi<strong>at</strong>e Athletic Conference<br />
titles since 2000.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2008 season was yet another <strong>of</strong> Flora’s<br />
team flirting with perfection. <strong>The</strong> Leopards<br />
finished 27-3, with one <strong>of</strong> those losses, to<br />
Emory <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Atlanta, coming in a l<strong>at</strong>e<br />
November m<strong>at</strong>ch for the Division III n<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
championship. For the fourth time, Flora<br />
was named the American Volleyball Coaches<br />
Associ<strong>at</strong>ion’s West Region Coach <strong>of</strong> the Year.<br />
While these credentials would seem to reflect<br />
a knack for winning, Flora says most <strong>of</strong> wh<strong>at</strong> he<br />
knows as a coach had to be learned.<br />
“I had a fantastic mentor in Jim McGlaughlin,<br />
who’s now <strong>at</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Washington,” Flora<br />
said. “He’s one <strong>of</strong> the best coaches in the country.<br />
He was the head men’s coach <strong>at</strong> USC when I was<br />
the head men’s coach here <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> in 1992. I<br />
called him, out <strong>of</strong> the blue, and I said, ‘Hey, I’m<br />
this young, dumb buck. I know I don’t know<br />
anything, but I love coaching and I’m coaching<br />
against USC, Stanford, Hawaii — can I come to<br />
your practices and w<strong>at</strong>ch?’ ”<br />
Flora also befriended another volleyball legend<br />
early on, Pepperdine coach Marv Dunphy.<br />
“He opened his doors and I went down to his<br />
practices,” Flora said. “And we’re even playing<br />
th<strong>at</strong> guy the same year. And he knows he’s going<br />
to be<strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> <strong>at</strong> th<strong>at</strong> point, with or without<br />
me being in the gym.<br />
“Both Jim and Marv are friends. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
Continued on 23<br />
In 11 seasons as women's volleyball coach <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, Don Flora has compiled a<br />
record <strong>of</strong> 269-59 and built a dynasty with just the right blend <strong>of</strong> calm and intensity.<br />
Jan Eichenauer photo<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 21
22 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
A T H L E T I C S<br />
Don Flora is easygoing <strong>of</strong>f the court, but always finds a way to make his point when his team is on the floor.<br />
Jan Eichenauer photo
Continued from 21<br />
people I call. I s<strong>at</strong> down with Marv <strong>at</strong> the<br />
Final Four two days ago, we’re w<strong>at</strong>ching a m<strong>at</strong>ch<br />
and he asks me a question, ‘Wh<strong>at</strong> would you<br />
have done different?’ I answer him, and he gives<br />
me th<strong>at</strong> look, like, we respect each other. I had<br />
to learn th<strong>at</strong>. I knew I didn’t know stuff. So I<br />
had to go find it.”<br />
With such diligence, Flora has made himself<br />
into an accomplished leader and installed a<br />
system th<strong>at</strong> produces championships.<br />
“He has everything th<strong>at</strong> a winning program<br />
needs,” said Brianna Gonzales, a two-time<br />
All-American who as a senior led <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> to<br />
November’s championship m<strong>at</strong>ch. “He has<br />
the experience. He has the systems down. He<br />
understands the game and has the pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
aspect down. And, he handles things well with<br />
the players in situ<strong>at</strong>ions. He has a good system<br />
— th<strong>at</strong>’s why it has been so successful.”<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> the system is Flora, who has a<br />
likability th<strong>at</strong> stems from a positive <strong>at</strong>titude,<br />
honesty, and a genuine caring about others.<br />
Th<strong>at</strong> has transl<strong>at</strong>ed into success in recruiting,<br />
which is the lifeblood <strong>of</strong> a collegi<strong>at</strong>e program.<br />
With st<strong>at</strong>e-<strong>of</strong>-the-<strong>art</strong> facilities in a newly<br />
renov<strong>at</strong>ed Sports Science & Athletics Pavilion<br />
and lots <strong>of</strong> championship banners to adorn its<br />
new walls, Flora has an easier sell these days.<br />
But with no <strong>at</strong>hletic scholarships to <strong>of</strong>fer and<br />
with <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>’s compar<strong>at</strong>ively high admission<br />
standards, Flora has to work hard to find<br />
<strong>at</strong>hletes who fit a certain pr<strong>of</strong>ile.<br />
“When you look <strong>at</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> kids we<br />
recruit, we’re not going to get (Penn St<strong>at</strong>e All-<br />
American) Megan Hodge, who is 6-foot-3 and<br />
incredibly developed when it comes to the skills<br />
<strong>of</strong> the game,” Flora said. “<strong>The</strong> development <strong>of</strong><br />
our <strong>at</strong>hletes is something we pride ourselves<br />
in, in this program. I could tell you a hundred<br />
stories about players we’ve seen develop in our<br />
program.”<br />
One <strong>of</strong> them is Gonzales.<br />
Gonzales finished <strong>of</strong>f her career <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
last fall with a season th<strong>at</strong> rivals th<strong>at</strong> <strong>of</strong> any<br />
player in school history. <strong>The</strong> 5-foot-10 outside<br />
hitter earned just about every award possible:<br />
SCIAC Player <strong>of</strong> the Year, First Team All-<br />
American, West Region MVP, NCAA Division<br />
III Championships All-Tournament Team.<br />
But during her freshman season she didn’t<br />
even have a set position, let alone a st<strong>art</strong>ing<br />
spot.<br />
“Her freshman year, she works her way<br />
into st<strong>art</strong>ing, just in the front row,” Flora said.<br />
“Her sophomore year she makes all-conference<br />
second team, plays a little front row. <strong>The</strong>n,<br />
from her sophomore year, she goes out and<br />
figures some things out, gets better and keeps<br />
A T H L E T I C S<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> volleyball team has become a perennial powerhouse<br />
in NCAA Division III largely because <strong>of</strong> Flora's system <strong>of</strong> teamwork and intensity.<br />
Jan Eichenauer photo<br />
training. Development. So, there’s <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>.<br />
We’re developing this <strong>at</strong>hlete, this person who<br />
understands the demands <strong>of</strong> the job and is<br />
willing to do it. So, somewhere in there, we’re<br />
doing something to get them to buy into th<strong>at</strong>.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> selling st<strong>art</strong>s with recruiting, which<br />
begins in earnest after the season’s final m<strong>at</strong>ch.<br />
From September through November Flora<br />
teaches, preaches, demands a 100 percent team<br />
pursuit <strong>of</strong> the goal. But once the last ball has<br />
hit the floor, a decidedly individual competition<br />
begins — Flora against every other coach trying<br />
to land the best young volleyball players in the<br />
country.<br />
“We compete hard every day for players,”<br />
Flora said. “I come in the <strong>of</strong>fice every day and<br />
I understand th<strong>at</strong> I have to get better today. I<br />
have today only. So my job is to get myself or<br />
this program better today. So I make sure I do<br />
my due diligence within the recruiting realm —<br />
because th<strong>at</strong>’s the thing I can control the most.<br />
So we compete for <strong>at</strong>hletes by trying to have<br />
them understand why this program is unique<br />
and wh<strong>at</strong> are the traits th<strong>at</strong> will help them<br />
become wh<strong>at</strong> they want to become.”<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong>tracts volleyball players to <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong><br />
is the same thing th<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong>tracts non-volleyball<br />
players: a small-town <strong>at</strong>mosphere, small class<br />
sizes and big-time academic achievement. <strong>The</strong><br />
term student-<strong>at</strong>hlete stands for just th<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong>. Flora and his assistants, Erika Chidester<br />
and Allison <strong>La</strong>wrence, sell recruits on a college<br />
experience in which they will make a real<br />
connection – with their coaches, pr<strong>of</strong>essors,<br />
teamm<strong>at</strong>es and fellow students.<br />
“When you talk about recruiting, they come<br />
in and we say, ‘This is who we are. <strong>The</strong>se are<br />
our facilities, these are our players,’ ” Chidester<br />
said. “<strong>The</strong> girls are open and honest with them,<br />
you know, they’re p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> a family and a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
people buy into it. I like to have the recruits just<br />
go with the girls by themselves because I think<br />
it’s important th<strong>at</strong> they not feel the pressure <strong>of</strong><br />
the coaches being around, and they’ll ask some<br />
<strong>of</strong> the questions they think are stupid questions<br />
but they’re not.”<br />
Continued on 24<br />
Winter/Spring 2009 Voice 23
All-American Brianna Gonzales, left, has a light moment with coaches Allison <strong>La</strong>wrence, Erika Chidester and Don Flora.<br />
Rusty Evans photo<br />
Continued from 23<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> recruits find is a tight network<br />
among the players on the team, and family<br />
isn’t too strong a word to describe the team’s<br />
cohesiveness.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>y live together, they e<strong>at</strong>, sleep and play<br />
volleyball together, go to classes and go out on<br />
the weekends,” Chidester said. “I think th<strong>at</strong>’s<br />
normal, but wh<strong>at</strong> I’m noticing is th<strong>at</strong> it’s not<br />
like th<strong>at</strong> <strong>at</strong> a lot <strong>of</strong> schools. I think th<strong>at</strong> sets<br />
up family and chemistry on the court and it’s<br />
reflected <strong>of</strong>f the court and th<strong>at</strong>’s wh<strong>at</strong> makes us<br />
champions. It’s easy to go to the gym every day<br />
for your two-hour practice, compete and then<br />
go home. But it’s gre<strong>at</strong> to have th<strong>at</strong> sense <strong>of</strong> the<br />
bond and the actual caring and being able to go<br />
to your teamm<strong>at</strong>e when your parents live out<br />
<strong>of</strong> st<strong>at</strong>e and say, ‘I need to have a family this<br />
weekend.’ I think th<strong>at</strong> is wh<strong>at</strong> a lot <strong>of</strong> teams<br />
miss out on.”<br />
While the bond between <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> teamm<strong>at</strong>es<br />
is strong, it doesn’t diminish the desire for<br />
individual playing time, and there is fierce<br />
competition within “phases” in which Flora and<br />
his staff evalu<strong>at</strong>e. Flora calls it a system — one,<br />
he says, th<strong>at</strong> he could employ elsewhere and be<br />
successful, should he ever move on. He stops<br />
short <strong>of</strong> calling it a formula for success, but to<br />
24 Voice Winter/Spring 2009<br />
A T H L E T I C S<br />
listen to Flora talk about the gre<strong>at</strong>est secret to<br />
his success is to hear someone who has it down<br />
to a science.<br />
“If we do our due diligence, like we did this<br />
year, we keep studying the numbers in seven- to<br />
10-day phases,” Flora said. “When one <strong>of</strong> those<br />
phases is done, then we’ll st<strong>art</strong> over and say, ‘Let’s<br />
not get caught up in these being our st<strong>art</strong>ing six.’<br />
So, we finish on a S<strong>at</strong>urday night and we don’t<br />
play again until next Friday, let’s study this next<br />
phase: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.<br />
Who’s the best during th<strong>at</strong> phase? <strong>The</strong>n, we<br />
come back and tell them. And now, the No. 2<br />
player is just champing <strong>at</strong> the bit to be No. 1.<br />
So No. 1 is thinking, ‘I better practice hard too,<br />
because my No. 1 is not very solidified.’ All <strong>of</strong> a<br />
sudden, No. 2 gets a little time in the game and<br />
she plays well. Well, now No. 1’s really feeling<br />
like she better train harder and the harder we<br />
train, the more we compete. So, our system is<br />
th<strong>at</strong> we try to make every day m<strong>at</strong>ter. And we<br />
try to understand the demands <strong>of</strong> the job, th<strong>at</strong>,<br />
every day you can get a little better.”<br />
But the reason the system will never make the<br />
textbooks is the presence <strong>of</strong> the “X” factor —<br />
Flora. Volleyball is an explosive, intense game,<br />
but with the <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> team, Flora sets the tone.<br />
“He talks a lot about intensity and calm,”<br />
<strong>La</strong>wrence said. “Th<strong>at</strong>’s one <strong>of</strong> the cues he gives<br />
the girls during m<strong>at</strong>ches and during stressful<br />
times on and <strong>of</strong>f the court. I think he embodies<br />
th<strong>at</strong> well and he helps the players relax while <strong>at</strong><br />
the same time holding them to a standard most<br />
people wouldn’t be able to relax about. It’s th<strong>at</strong><br />
yin and yang sort <strong>of</strong> thing where it cre<strong>at</strong>es a<br />
good balance th<strong>at</strong> the girls can feel comfortable<br />
in but it also pushes them out <strong>of</strong> their comfort<br />
zone.”<br />
While opportunities to coach <strong>at</strong> “higher”<br />
levels and make more money abound for coaches<br />
as successful as Flora has been, he says he’s<br />
comfortable right where he is, for now. He grew<br />
up in <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, and, like many family members<br />
before him, got his degree <strong>at</strong> the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>. He lives in <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong> with his wife,<br />
Jeanne, who is a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>at</strong> the university, and<br />
his two daughters, Annika and Alexis.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> right convers<strong>at</strong>ions have happened, to<br />
look <strong>at</strong> other opportunities, but there’s something<br />
very special in wh<strong>at</strong> I have,” Flora said. “<strong>The</strong><br />
balance <strong>of</strong> life is really important. Here, I have<br />
the opportunity to coach <strong>at</strong> the highest level<br />
<strong>of</strong> Division III, and wh<strong>at</strong> we’re doing is very<br />
transferable. I could coach anywhere.<br />
“Yet, there’s something to wh<strong>at</strong> is good in life<br />
and wh<strong>at</strong> I have here. I have a program in its<br />
own little world, so I feel good about the ability<br />
to be in my history. I think th<strong>at</strong>’s the best way<br />
to put it. I have a history. Homecoming here<br />
is meaningful and alumni games are like a<br />
reunion, so th<strong>at</strong> makes it very special, just to be<br />
a p<strong>art</strong> <strong>of</strong> this history.”
Touching Lives One Gift At a Time<br />
Thank You for Your Support <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Building on Excellence Campaign.<br />
LA VERNE<br />
ANNUAL FUND<br />
Every Gift Makes a Difference.<br />
http://giving.ulv.edu
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fellow alumni. Send your inform<strong>at</strong>ion (and a photo if you wish) to: Voice, <strong>University</strong> Advancement, <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong><br />
<strong>Verne</strong>, 1950 Third Street, <strong>La</strong> <strong>Verne</strong>, CA 91750. <strong>The</strong>n, look for it in the Summer/Fall ’09 issue <strong>of</strong> the Voice. Thanks!<br />
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