VVoooiiiccceeeSummer/Fall 2004
Larry Kennan takes on the NFL owners
Mike Laponis Q Commencement Q Alumni Updates Let’s Keep In Touch! Link up and revive that La Verne spirit!
We’re proud that you’re a member of the University of La Verne family. We want to acquaint you with the many benefits to staying connected with ULV.
Through tax-deductible contributions you can help perpetuate the educational standard of excellence established in 1891. There are frequent networking opportunities through the Alumni Board and special alumni events. Knowledgeable and friendly advisors can assist with your financial planning needs. And Leopards of all ages will find campus programs and projects throughout the year to entertain, enlighten and excite!
Your involvement will help the University of La Verne continue to provide an atmosphere of knowledge, service and vision for generations of students to come.
To discover how you can stay involved with ULV, contact University Relations at (909) 593-3511 extension 4680. University of La Verne 1950 Third Street La Verne, California (909) 593-3511 www.ulv.edu
K n o w l e d g e z S e r v i c e z V i s i o n P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E By Steve Morgan A new, year-round pursuit of excellence
t is my pleasure to address you from this newly revised version of the Voice. This publication has long sought to engage its readers with details of the excellent people, Ievents and accomplishments associated with the University of La Verne. I hope you find this issue’s enhanced style and visual appearance gratifying and the content as enlightening, educational and entertaining as ever. As the fall semester marks the start of our new academic year, the university’s main campus is alive with opening activities. There are new faces as well as the return of many familiar ones looking refreshed, all of them ready for the adventures the year ahead will surely bring. While some have enjoyed an extended summer break, nearly 60 percent of our students attend classes both in La Verne and at our regional locations on a schedule that includes terms running year-round. A few traditional undergraduates, but mostly our graduate and adult students, prefer to attend classes throughout the entire calendar year. This schedule enables them to complete their degrees on a tighter schedule and either move on to their next educational endeavor or put their degrees directly to work in their chosen professions. With this advent of year-round school plus the addition of an increasing number of web-based computer delivered courses, we are increasingly becoming a 12-month, 24/7 operation. This is a trend I predict will expand to accommodate the hectic schedules of our fast-paced society. Such changes place new demands on our faculty and staff. I continue to be impressed by the ability they have to create new delivery modes and regularly improve the services they provide for the changing needs of “It is still the human touch that ignites, fuels and our 7,600 students. No matter how they are challenged, our facilitates the teaching and learning process.” faculty and staff rise to the occasion with an eye toward constantly enhancing all that we do for our students, both in the classroom and through services that accompany the teaching and learning process. It is the work of the faculty that brings the teaching and learning process to life, pushing our students to new limits and piquing student curiosity while preparing them for a life of professional success and service to society. Our staff provides services that are absolutely essential to the environment for successful academic pursuits. The University of La Verne is fortunate to have such an extraordinary cadre of talented, dedicated professionals who bring our mission to life each and every day. They are the ones who make the University of La Verne such an impressive and effective learning community. We live in an exciting and challenging time of technological advances, with instant access to all corners of the world and information far beyond the normal grasp. But it is still the human touch that ignites, fuels and facilitates the teaching and learning process. Thank you for your continuing support of the people of the University of La Verne. They do indeed make a difference!
Voice Summer/Fall 2004 3 E D I T O R ’ S P A G E It’s the same Voice, but vvoiceoice Editor with a little different tone Rusty Evans Contributing Writers t is an honor to present the Voice to you in its new magazine format. Charles Bentley, Will Darity, Tim The Voice has long sought to showcase the excellence of the University Tevault, Amanda Stutevoss of La Verne, and we certainly had no shortage of subjects from which I Director of Alumni Relations to choose. What a pleasure it now is to tell you about them in such a Beth Elmore colorful and elegant medium. Leo Lines We focus on Larry Kennan, the gentleman on the cover who is a 1965 Julie Vazquez graduate of La Verne College and now serves as executive director of the Special Thanks NFL Coaches Association. To Dr. George Keeler, for use of a Two other alumni profiled are Ross Mathews and Laura Ambriz, recent story and photos from graduates who have realized quick success in the television industry. La Verne Magazine La Verne Magazine was kind enough to allow us to reprint a story Cover Photo about another TV success story, KABC sportscaster and ULV alumnus Rob James Tkatch Fukuzaki, the subject of a feature written by Amanda Stutevoss. Contributing Photographers Communications professor Mike Laponis had a strong influence on Nancy Newman, Jeanine Hill, Adrienne Helitzer, Will Lester, Mathews, Ambriz and Fukuzaki during their college years. Laponis is Liz Lucsko, James Tkatch profiled by Tim Tevault, another of his students. Technical Support And speaking of life in the fast lane, Lakia Sims has been a blur as the Michael Hecht, Eric Borer star of the ULV track and field team. The sprinter and jumper who earned Hoyland Chin, Alan Gorick the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Female Track Distribution Coordinator Athlete of the Year award last spring is featured by ULV Sports Jim Brooks Information Director Will Darity. Print Services Naturally, we hope that you find a comfortable place to sit, kick your Ran Graphics feet up and enjoy every page. This issue is a beginning, and we look for the The Voice is published twice a year, in September and magazine to grow and evolve into the publication that best serves you, the February, by the University of La Verne, Office of reader. So please write to us, telephone or send an e-mail and tell us how University Relations, 2035 Bonita Ave., you like the new Voice and what you’d like to see and read about in future La Verne, CA., 91750 issues of the Voice. Please address all correspondence to The Voice – Rusty Evans University Relations University of La Verne 1950 Third Street La Verne, CA 91750 Telephone (909) 392-2740 Fax (909) 392-2750 We’d Love to Hear From You! e-mail [email protected] web www.ulv.edu The Voice is here for you. Are story in the Voice, please tell us you a ULV graduate with a new job, why. We want to hear all about it. a new addition to the family, a new If you know of an alumnus or address? Send us the information friend of ULV who is not getting the and we will publish it in Leo Lines. Voice and would like to, let us know How do you like the new Voice and we’ll add their name to our magazine? Tell us what your mailing list. thoughts are, plus what you’d like to And remember, you can find see in future issues. If you know of just about anyone at ULV or the a person, event, or organization answer to just about any question that might be a good subject for a by logging on to www.ulv.edu.
4 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 University of La Verne Voice ContentsContents Vol. 85 No. 1 Summer/Fall 2004 6 ULV in the News It’s been a time of great achievement, award and adventure for the university so far in 2004.
18 Commencement The journey begins with an application and ends with a diploma, an education and a victory.
8 Goal To Go Larry Kennan’s latest opponent is the most formidable of his career – the NFL team owners.
11 Leo Lines Updates on alumni 20 A Show of Support such as Ross Mathews, who has a Local attorney and art collector Herb Hafif and his budding TV career, wife, Kay, open their home to help ULV students. and others. Find out where they are and 22 New Heights what they’re up to. Surpassing even her own high standards earned Lakia Sims the SCIAC 16 Wave Lengths Female Track Athlete of One year at a time, the Year award. Mike Laponis has helped ULV communications La Verne’s Own Eyewitness students spread their 24 wings and fly during the Rob Fukuzaki has come a long way from small- past two decades. town boy to top sports anchor at KABC-TV, in the nation’s No. 2 television market.
17 Alumni Weekend/Homecoming 26 President’s Dinner Gala
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 5 News NotesNotes & POSITIVE NUMBERS & University Receives $400,000 National Science Foundation Verizon External Affairs Director Gary Grant George, left, presents the Literacy The National Science Foundation Clinic a $25,000 check, accepted by has awarded a $400,000 grant to Development support a university initiative to Director Marsha enhance recruitment, retention and Soboh and Leonard graduation rates of undergraduate Pellicer, ULV Dean of math and computer science students. the College of Education & Effective Sept. 1, 2004, the four-year Organizational grant will provide approximately 30 Leadership. scholarships annually to qualifying Will Lester photo individuals enrolling in mathematics or computer science programs. According EXPANDING VOCABULARY to mathematics professor and principal investigator Xiaoyan Liu, the initiative’s Public, Foundation Support Building for ULV Literacy Clinic goal is to encourage enrollment and retention in these particular programs, Two foundation grants and a stores – part of a yearlong community community partnership have accounted partnership – led to more than 1,000 critical areas the NSF anticipates could for $40,000 in contributions to the donated books with an estmated value of see a national shortfall in well-trained University of La Verne Literacy Clinic. $5,000 from Starbucks customers and individuals over the next decade. Liu, The Verizon Foundation made a $25,000 employees. Under the direction of along with co-principal investigators grant and the Starbucks Foundation associate professor Janice Pilgreen, the Michael Frantz (mathematics/physics/ awarded $10,000 to the clinic, identified clinic provides no-cost tutoring for area computer science department chair) as the top program priority by the school district students struggling with and Seta Whitby (associate professor of College of Education & Organizational literacy issues and offers instructional computer science), will work with the Leadership. In addition, a special book support to the student’s parents so they registrar’s and financial aid offices to drive sponsored by 10 local Starbucks can better assist their children. identify qualified candidates.
QUALITY TALKS Iraq; two Pulitzer Prize winners – photojournalist Don Bartletti and reporter Mark Schoofs; Nobel 2003-04 Academic Year Features an laureate Rudolph Marcus, 1992 winner in Impressive List of Visiting Speakers Chemistry; Russian jurist Nina Antonevich; Frances Hesselbein, author, executive and 1998 Recognizing that the exchange of new ideas and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient; popular diverse viewpoints is an important component of historical novelist Judith Merkle Riley; John K. higher education, each year the university serves as a Roth, honored professor and author; nationally venue for visiting speakers. The 2003-04 academic recognized clinical psychologist and author Kumea year proved memorable as students, faculty and Shorter-Gooden; Erwin Chemerinsky,law community members alike were afforded professor, author and noted media legal expert; opportunities to listen to such notable guest lecturers journalist Linda Deutsch, premier court reporter as: Edward L. Peck, former U.S. Ambassador to for the Associated Press. Chemerinsky
6 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 N E W S
POWERFUL ART ASSISTING BUSINESS Faculty Member to Present Service Corp of Retired Heartfield Exhibition at Getty Executives Links with College of Research Institute Business & Public Management to Establish Counseling Center Associate Professor of Art History Andres Zervigon has received approval Recognizing a growing need among the from the Getty Research Institute for his region’s small businesses, the Service Corp of proposed exhibition, provisionally titled Retired Executives (SCORE), in cooperation “The Photograph as a Weapon: John with the College of Business & Public Heartfield.” Heartfield, one of the Berlin Management, has established an office adjacent DADA group’s most productive members to the ULV campus. Operating as a branch of during Germany’s Weimar period, produced SCORE Orange County Chapter 114, the strong anti-fascist photomontages that downtown La Verne office provides free seriously threatened Hitler’s international counseling and advice to interested business image. Banned during the Third Reich, his owners and entrepreneurs. SCORE is a work was rediscovered in the late 1950s and nonprofit association dedicated to has since influenced generations of artists entrepreneur education and the formation, and graphic designers. The exhibition will be growth and success of small businesses accompanied by a full catalogue and nationwide. SCORE volunteers are working symposium and is scheduled to open in the and retired business owners, executives and Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., is the oldest Research Institute’s gallery during winter professionals who donate their time and private marine lab in the country. 2007. Zervigon presented a series of expertise as counselors, mentors and workshop lectures in February/March 2004 at the Los presenters. Businesses interested in counseling Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, and individuals wishing to volunteer can call SEA SCIENCE California Plaza. (909) 593-3511 ext. 4564. Faculty Member, Students EDUCATIONAL Take Part in Program at E-TICKET HONOR: Massachusetts Marine Lab ENCOURAGEMENT ULV’s Donald Hays Receives Contributions to Biology Disney’s Prestigious “Mousecar” Christine Broussard, Department Increase Learning, Award associate professor of biology, and current students Bryson Miller Research Opportunities Long recognized by the campus and Kristina Peralta were involved community for his leadership and service, with a six-week intensive course The Biology Department received a during summer 2004 at the Donald Hays has been presented one of the flow cytometer and reagents for conducting internationally renowned Marine Disney Corporation’s top honors for years of flow cytometry (FCM) research in a Biological Laboratory (MBL) in volunteer dedication. While working in the donation from the Caltech Flow Cytometry Woods Hole, Mass. Broussard was Fullerton School District in 1964, Hays agreed Facility. FCM is a laser-based technology invited to coordinate the laboratory to be part of a committee overseeing the Walt used for quantitating components or component of the embryology Disney Corporation scholarship program. structural features of cells primarily by course and assist in teaching Open to children of Disney employees, optical means. ULV students and faculty can microscopy. Miller and Peralta were now conduct immunofluorescence research selected individuals receive full or half selected to accompany Broussard and a variety of other applications. In scholarships for tuition at their choice of and help run the laboratories. MBL addition, donations of equipment and universities. Hays came to ULV’s Education is the oldest private marine reagents by several companies have led to Department in 1988 to oversee the school laboratory in the country and a significant strides in updating department counselor credential program, later joining the center for research, education and curriculum and resources. Omega Scientific doctor of education (Ed.D.) program with training in biology. Taught by donated $500 of tissue culture serum for cell which he is still involved. In March 2004, Hays scientists at the forefront of their and molecular biology. Drummond was presented the prestigious “Mousecar” fields, the annual comparative Scientific donated $1,500 of equipment for Award for his 40 years with the Walt Disney developmental biology course is basic biology laboratories. And Miltenyi Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. Since its attended by up-and-coming Biotech donated $3,000 of antibodies and creation in 1947, more than 100 Mousecars graduate students, post-doctoral cell separation equipment for cell and have been awarded. Hays is one of a rare few fellows and junior scientists. molecular biology. outside Disney employees to receive the honor. Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 7 Goal Story by Rusty Evans Photography by James Tkatch
An NFL assistant coach for 19 years, Larry Kennan has fought for and won early retirement and better health care for assistant coaches as executive director of the NFL Coaches Association.
8 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 C O V E R S T O R Y
With quiet but firm resolve, Larry Kennan leads the NFL Coaches Association in its battle with the NFL team owners. To Go s a quarterback at tiny La Verne College in the early 1960s, Larry Kennan dug in with gritty determination when lining up against Athe likes of Whittier, Pomona and Occidental. Now, 40 years later, Kennan is taking on the owners of the National Football League teams in the fight of his life.
Kennan, a 1965 graduate of La Verne and a Now 60, Kennan looks back on an NFL career in member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, is which he served as an assistant coach for the executive director of the NFL Coaches Association, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis an organization formed to stick up for the assistant Colts, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and coaches, who sometimes get lost in the shuffle New England Patriots with boundless energy. Dan between the owners, the players, the head coaches Kennan says he doesn’t see his older brother slowing and the networks. The NFLCA has responded to a down one bit. youth movement among assistant coaches in the “The owners are in for a fight. We were both league. Coaches who have devoted their entire lives brought up to fight for the underdog. That’s the way to the game were being discarded with minimal our family was,” said Dan Kennan, who lives in the benefits when they reached the age of 55 or 60. Redlands area and teaches courses at ULV in Native That didn’t sit well with Kennan. American studies and juvenile delinquency. “The “The players union had fought with the owners coaches in the NFL have been getting shafted for a for better conditions and won. Well, we had always long time and he’s not going to back down. It’s been the good guys and not fought with the owners fourth-and-3 at the goal line in the fourth quarter for what we felt we needed and they took advantage and he’s digging in. He’ll at least be a thorn in of us,” Kennan said. “So, I decided to get involved someone’s side.” because I always liked a good fight. The owners are As leader of the NFLCA, Kennan’s charge to extremely powerful men who resort to almost the NFL owners is simple: If you’re going to discard anything to get their way.” coaches who have served faithfully in the league for NFL assistant coaches work longer than the years once they reach a certain age, at least offer players, harder than the head coaches, and get little them an early retirement package that includes a credit when things go right. Usually, they’re invisible decent health plan. unless there’s a breakdown by the players on the field “It’s typical of a labor-management situation,” and the TV cameras zoom in on the coach of that Kennan said. “We wanted to be treated with the unit fidgeting on the sidelines. respect and dignity we felt we deserved. In my For nearly 20 years, Kennan was one of them. opinion, the coaches are the best part of the game. Continued on 10
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 9 C O V E R S T O R Y
Continued from 9 anybody says they had more It’s the coaches who turn fun, it’s a tie,” Kennan said players into men. There were with a laugh. “I played three a bunch of guys my age and sports – football, basketball with my experience who, and baseball – and I enjoyed about seven years ago decided every one of them. I grew coaches needed better health up in La Verne, went to care and benefits than they Bonita High School. It’s my had been receiving.” hometown, and I got to stay Kennan and the NFLCA there and have a fabulous broke through four years ago, college experience.” winning an improved health As starting quarterback plan. There is also a new on the football team early-retirement package in coached by Roland place, which makes Kennan Ortmayer – a fellow ULV smile. Hall of Fame inductee – “The work has been very “I decided to get involved because I always liked a Kennan tried to be a leader, rewarding, for a couple of good fight. The owners are extremely powerful men although he says he reasons,” Kennan said. “The sometimes went too far. first thing is I’m working for a who resort to almost anything to get their way.” “I fought with Ort great group of guys. We’ve Larry Kennan, executive director, NFL Coaches Association some because I didn’t been able to get some nice understand his methods,” benefits for them and I love Kennan said. “I wanted to that. Second, I’ve gotten to know more coaches than I did appear that I cared more than Ort and I was an idiot. He was when I was coaching for them or against them.” one of the two greatest men I have ever known, my father Kennan has an office at the NFLCA’s headquarters in being the other one.” Washington D.C., but says he does much of his work from his When he wasn’t playing football, Kennan played basketball home office about an hour’s drive south, in Virginia. That’s in the winter, and led the San Gabriel Valley Colleges in scoring. when he’s not traveling, and he does pile up the frequent-flyer He was also a four-year letterman on the baseball team as a miles. pitcher, infielder and outfielder. Though he’s reached football’s He met his wife, Pat, at Bonita High School way back most elite level, the NFL, Kennan remains passionate about the when, and has been married to her for 38 years. Along the way, role of the sport at the small college level. the Kennans added three sons – Steve, 33; Ryan, 31; and Kyle, “Division III football is where it ought to be,” Kennan 26 – to the home team. said. “It’s a sport and it should be fun. You learn some “There can’t be anybody who has had more fun than I wonderful lessons about working hard and being a part of a have,” Kennan said. “I love to coach, and it’s a tough business team, discipline and dedication, and for some people, that’s the sometimes because you get hired and fired and kicked around only time in their lives they ever learn that. all the time, and the kids have had to move all around the “In Division III, you play against similar people and similar country with us. But we wouldn’t have had it any other way.” schools, for coaches who have your best interests at heart. I’ve Kennan began his coaching career at La Verne, as offensive always said football is a game and that it’s important to enjoy and defensive backfield coach. He then coached at Garden the experience no matter who you are. When I was at La Verne, Grove High School for two years before moving up to the there were 201 male students and exactly one-third of them – college ranks, where he was an assistant at Colorado, UNLV, 67 – were out for football. It was a great experience.” SMU and then head coach at Lamar University. He was living Whether facing Pitzer or Pittsburgh, Kennan has achieved a his childhood dream. high level of success with the same traits he’s instilled into “When I was 12, he told me he wanted to be a pro football hundreds of players throughout the years: desire, discipline, coach one day, while we were playing ball out in a field,” Dan hard work and pride. He’s at an age when many start thinking Kennan said. “He’s real competitive and very goal-oriented. of retiring, but you get the feeling that the battle has just begun. Larry’s always been the little guy who would run through the Kennan still doesn’t like to lose. brick wall.” “Oh, yeah. I don’t think you ever lose your Kennan brought that energy to La Verne College, where he competitiveness,” Kennan said. “I’m not loud. Some people not only channeled it into athletics as a three-sport star, but think that if you’re loud you’re tough. But I don’t think that savored every aspect of college life. way. I’m tough minded, but I go about it in a quiet way and still “I had more fun at La Verne than anybody ever had and if get the job done.”
10 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 A L U M N I
Leo An update on where ULV alumni are and what LinesLines they’re up to 1930s 1960s and Sara Boyer, Jim Stillinger, Laing Stevens, Herb Barnes, Larry Kennan, Mike Churchill Mary Blocher Smeltzer ’37 – published her Patsie (Doan) Brown Sullivan ’60 – received her and Gary Gilbert. autobiography including a chapter on her experience MA fro Southeastern University (Durant, Okla.). teaching at the Manzanar Relocation Camp for She is a retired high Japanese Americans during WWII. Mary and her school English, speech 1970s late husband, Ralph Smeltzer (’38), volunteered at and drama teacher. She William E. Grady ’70 – recently retired and moved the camp. taught at Ontario to Palm Springs, Calif. (Calif.), Eagletown Edwin E. Bamber ’38 – when he attended ULV (Okla.) and Idabel David Nehen ’70 – David earned a M.A. from Edwin was the Sports Editor for Lambda in 1938. (Okla.) high schools. Redlands University in 1984 and a J.D. from He is a Lt. Col. AVS Retired. Edwin was head Soon to be great-great- Gonzaga University School of Law in 1991. Having counselor at Pomona High School for many years, grandmother, Patsie retired first as a police sergeant and later as a judge retiring from this position in June of 1974. He stays active with pro tem and attorney, David is staying active building served many years in the U.S. Army during World Business & Professional houses for Habitat for Humanity and studying War II and after, and remained active in the Army women and Oklahoma classical guitar. After a series of roles in local theater Reserves until age 60 on November 11, 1974. State and County productions, he recently made his professional Historical Society, and received the Educators State acting debut in a live Shakespearean theater 1950s Award for service to education cause. production of Much Ado About Nothing. Bob ’59 and Phyllis (Long) Bordona ’59 Eleanor Graham ’62 – received the Woman in Kenneth L. “Rip” Stephens ’72 – retired from celebrated 45 years of marriage on July 11, 2004, in History award from the Beta Mu Chapter of Delta Rim of the World High School after 30 years of the West Yellowstone, Mont., area with Boyd Cline Kappa Gamma on January 15, 2004. Diane Deal teaching in June of 2001. January 1, 2004, “Rip” ’59 and his wife, Linne; and Doug Teter ’59 and his ’62 presented Graham with her award. Eleanor was began work as the Executive Director of the wife, Carolyn. Their “Anniversary Trip” will be in Special Education Teacher of the Year for 2002-03. Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce. At the October on an upper Mississippi steamboat cruise She taught special education for 30 years and retired same time, he is continuing as a local mobile disc with other friends and grads of ULV. In May of last year from Gladstone School in the Bonita jockey for his business, Double Eagle DJ, that has 2004 Phyllis was recognized with three District. occupied his spare time and weekends for the past Honors/Awards: Oakdale High School Scholarship fifteen years. On March 2, 2004, “Rip” and his wife Program “Phyllis Bordona Honorary Service Jack (John) Davisson ’67 – the longtime coach of Kitty celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary. Award” to be awarded as service scholarship each the Barracudas Swim Team recently was awarded year to graduating Oakdale High School senior; the ConocoPhilips Outstanding Service Award by 1980s Oakdale Junior High School Gymnasium Honoree Inland Empire Swimming, the governing body for 2004” presented by the Board of Trustees of youth swimming in Eastern Washington and Idaho. Richard Dickson MS ’83 – has recently been Oakdale Joint Unified School District at the new John and his wife, Jeanne (Myer) Davisson ’70, promoted by the Air Force to GS-12 and transferred junior high gym, for Outstanding Service to the left Southern California for the Wenatchee Valley to to Offutt AFB in Omaha, Neb., from San Antonio, Oakdale Community; and the Soroptimist get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city Tex. Richard retired from the U.S. Army in 1996 International of Oakdale’s “Woman of Distinction and start a family. after 29 years of faithful service as a (CW4) Chief International Goodwill & Understanding 2003- Warrant Officer Four, Supervisory Logistics and 2004.” La Verne Baseball Team – Members of teams Acquisition Advisor. In his spare time, he works on from the early 1960s got together for a reunion at and cleaning his 1965 Corvette; which he bought David ’59 and Mary ’59 (Martin) Palmer – after the Mission Viejo, Calif., home of Jim and Sara many years ago as a present to himself upon twenty years of teaching special needs students, Ralls. Attending were Coach Ben and Wanda completion of 20 years in the military. Mary retired June 30, 2003 from the Union County Hines, Tom and Sharon Trager, Phil and Educational Services Commission. David continues Merrilee Winkler, Tom and Dee McFadden, Dr. Philip Scott Wright ’85 and TaliaAnne his work as Director of Finance and Administration Doyle and Shawna Lyman, Bob and Kathy (DeNicola) ’85 are pleased to announce their at the New York City Rescue Mission. They have Olivera, Robert and Connie Sanchez, Jay and marriage. By sheer fate after 18 years of separation eight grandchildren. Maryann Craven, Dave and Mary Walsiak, Mike Continued on 12 Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 11 A L U M N I
Continued from 11 Sergeant in 1995. promised that they would live in a cottage by the sea one day. Jo-Ann retired from Caltech & Richard Talia walked into Scott’s Lawrence Engler ’90 – on November 1, 2003, retired from the Wall Street Journal and they moved life, and changed them Lawrence was promoted to Manager, In Plant- to their cottage by the sea in December ’03. forever. One month after Support (EAS-23) at the United States Postal Scott asked Talia to marry Service, Santa Clarita Processing & Distribution Kelly Varner ’93 - is currently attending Goddard him, he was called once Center (Santa Clarita PDC), in Santa Clarita, Calif., College’s low residency MFA in Creative Writing more to deploy overseas 91383. program and hopes to graduate in 2005 after with the US Army. Talia completing her first novel. and Scott were married Dr. Jewell (Winlock) Henderson DPA ’90 – was immediately upon his appointed Assistant Professor at Auburn University Tim Wessel ’93 – is a Battalion Chief for the San return last December, at a (Ala.) in the School of Education – Department of Bernardino County Fire Department, recently beach on Oahu, Hawaii. Educational Foundations, Leadership & assigned to the North Desert Division working in Technology. Working with doctorial students in K- the high desert. He is responsible for training, Gino Farrara ’87 – currently lives in the 12 and higher education. The skills learned in her emergency medical services and prevention and Washington, D.C., area with his wife, Cindy, and doctoral program have come in handy in this serves as an Operations Chief on a United States works for the Federal Government. environment. Forest Service fire management team. Tim has recently moved into his newly built, custom home in Peggy Chulack ’88 – has been promoted to Chief Dr. Venetria K. Patton ’90 – in August began her Phelan, Calif., with Sherry, his wife of 12 years, and Administrative Officer of Presbyterian new position as Director of African American their two sons, Tanner and Trevor. Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, Calif. She has Studies and Research Center and Associate been with the hospital for 23 years. Professor of English at Purdue University. Her Ron Bordona ’94 – is the new 2004-05 President of specialty is African American Literature and she is the Rotary Club of Oakdale. Ron and his wife Carlos Delgado ’88 – wanted to say hi and note the author of Women in Chains: The Legacy of Carrie traveled to Osaka, Japan in May 2004 for the that it has been almost 16 years since he was here at Slavery in Black Women’s Fiction and the Co-editor Rotary International Convention. Ronald is a past ULV. He is proud to announce that his son Jacob of Double-Take: A Revisionist Harlem Renaissance president of Oakdale Chamber of Commerce and will be attending ULV this fall. Anthology. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Stanislaus County – San Joaquin County. Special Recognition awards: “Big William C. Johnson ’88 – matriculated as a Nathaniel Brother of the Year 2003” and “2004 Service Award doctoral student in the Union Institute & University, McNutt ’91 – is of BBBS” have been presented to him recently for Cincinnati, Ohio, majoring in Health Sciences- an Elder in the “Outstanding Volunteerism.” Eldercare, with a minor in Epidemiology & Lord Jesus Christ Molecular Genetics. William serves as hospital of Nazareth in Nathan McConnell ’96 and Kim (Williams) director for Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio. Chicago, Ill. McConnell ’96 – Nathan is working as an entomologist for Multnomah County. Kim received Shawn (John) Zink ’88 – in July of 2003, John Kara (Lakkees) Udziela ’91 and Chris Udziela her Phd. Degree in Pharmacology from University started his own Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine were married on Janaury 26, 2002, on a snowy day in of Oregon, May 2003 ranking number one in her Clinic in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The Portland, Ore. The wedding for 200 guests featured graduate class. name is ORTHOSPORT Physical Therapy and live performances by a world-famous belly dancer, business is excellent. His wife, Cindy, is working on and a rock band. Kara is Heather Soon ’96 - married Jim McCaulley in her Doctorate at the University of Florida in PR account director at downtown Denver on October 24, 2003. Bioengineering. Weber Shandwick in Bridesmaids included Melissa Britton ’94 and Portland, working on Sheri (Alm) McDonald ’96. Jim and Heather Steven Dugan ’89 – as of February 2004 he Mentor Graphics and honeymooned in London and live in Denver. accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator for Microsoft. She relocated to the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Guillermo Escalante ’97, MBA ‘99 see Manuel Vancouver, Wash., in 1996 Museum in the City of Industry. Steven will be Escalante, Jr. ’01. responsible for recruiting, training and scheduling to start HP’s first consumer PR program. Chris is a the volunteers at the museum, plus editing the Kimbley Craig (’98) - has been elected as the 2004 newsletter and serving on many management teams massage therapist and an President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of for the betterment of the museum. Check out the embedded systems Monterey County. Kimbley is a Senior Media museum website at www.homesteadmuseum.org. programmer. They live with two shelties, two ancient Consultant with KSBW TV-8, the NBC affiliate for cats, and are expecting their first baby in August. Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara Richard O’Connor ’89 – went to Vilamorura, counties. She enjoys her community work and also Dr. Hector Ron Godinez MPA ’92 – earned his Algarve, Portugal last November. While there he holds positions on the Board of Directors for Big doctorate in Educational Leadership in August 2003 painted with Charles Gruppe for 13 days in Brothers/ Big Sisters, Junior League, Salinas Valley from Alliant International University. He received workshops that concentrated on oils. His daughter Chamber of Commerce, and Young Republicans. Bridget (Whittier College ‘03) started her first year at his teaching and administrative credentials from Chapman University. UC Davis in veterinary school. Paul Heitman J.D. ’98, MPA ’00 – has been working for the Transportation Security Dr. Jo-Ann Fantino Ruffolo ’93 Ed.D – Living the Administration (TSA) since November 2002 as a 1990s dream: 39 years ago on their honeymoon, Jo-Ann Lead Transportation Security Screener performing Rodolfo Apilado – friend of class of 1990 retired and her husband, Richard, fell in love with Carmel passenger and baggage screening in Aspen/Pitkin from the USAF with the rank of Senior Master and the Big Sur Coastline. At that time Richard County, Colorado. In September 2003 Paul was 12 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 A L U M N I P R O F I L E selected to the newly created National Screening Force (NSF). Ross Mathews 2000s Now that he’s got his own TV show, Ross Mathews can laugh about the panic attack that hit as the end of his days as a student at the University of La Verne Olga Gonzalez ’00 – a South Gate resident, approached. was appointed December 22, 2003, by the Central Basin Municipal Water District Board “I had a little freak-out moment when I was a senior,” said Mathews, who has since of Directors to fill the vacant Division IV earned fame as “Ross the Intern” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” “I started position on the local water board. Olga, thinking, ‘What am I going to do?’ ” former Assistant to the City Manager in South Fortunately, the people at NBC-TV had plenty for him to do: make copies, answer Gate and current Clerk of the Board at the the phones and a hundred other mundane Orange County Transportation Authority, was Ross Mathews, unanimously approved by Central Basin tasks, as an intern at NBC Studios. It’s better known to late Directors to fill the seat. called paying your dues, and night TV viewers as Mathews loved every minute of “Ross The Intern,” Manuel Escalante, Jr. ’01 and Guillermo has shot a pilot for it. But even he couldn’t have Escalante ’97 & MBA ’99 with Ricky Legaspi Bravo TV called imagined what awaited him around will be the new owners of World Gym in West “The Ross Show!” Covina. Additionally, they will be expanding the corner. Near the end of his their Fitness, Physical Therapy and Sports internship he was sent out to Medicine Services by opening the second (first interview stars at the opening of the one is out of Ironworks Gym in Claremont) movie “Ocean’s Eleven.” SportsPro inside of their new gym. He was a hit. Soon Mathews was Brady Wilkins ’01 – the US Air Force featured in interview segments on transferred him to Whiteman Air Force Base, “The Tonight Show” called “Ross MO in November 2002. The Intern.” That success earned Mathews the Jeremy Ashton Houska ’02 was recently opportunity to star in “The honored with the California State University, San Bernardino Psychology Department’s Ross Show!” for which the “Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching pilot has been shot and is Award.” As a lecturer, Houska taught an being rated by Bravo TV. Experimental Psychology laboratory featuring Mathews can attest Sprague Dawley rats and computer- to how quickly things administered cognitive experiments. Houska was also recently inducted into Psi Chi, the move in Hollywood, but National Honor Society for Psychology as a he also says he was Master of Arts (General-Experimental ready. Psychology) Student at CSUSB. “I think I’m the only one who’s not surprised,” Randy McGillivray ’02 – is currently working on his Master of Arts in International Affairs Mathews said. “I knew if I worked hard it could happen very quick. I think the most through Catholic University of America’s important thing has been keeping my focus and keep working hard, and in the course of (Washington, DC) Pentagon Program, which that I got on “The Tonight Show,” which has been a great experience.” focuses on national security issues. He has “The Ross Show” will feature Mathews doing what he does best: interviewing recently accepted a position with General celebrities with a youthful exuberance in one hand and a microphone in the other. Dynamics, a U.S. Government contractor, as a National Security Analyst, after serving a year “It will be a fun show. It’s a three-segment show where we keep everything moving, with the U. S. Treasury Department. really light and really fun.” He’s been away from ULV for only two years, and Mathews has made a smooth Tim Drefahl ’03 is currently serving as a Peace shift from intimate college atmosphere to life in the entertainment fast lane. Corps Volunteer in the South Pacific nation of For those who would follow, Mathews gladly offers two tips. Vanuatu. He lives on a rural island surrounded by coconut trees, sand beaches, great fishing, “I love Oprah and Oprah said, ‘There’s no such thing as luck. Luck is when and snorkeling. Tim’s primary duties are to preparation meets opportunity.’ And I believe that,” Mathews said. “For someone who assist in the management of a rural training wants to be successful in anything I would tell them to always know what you want to do center and to teach business development and be ready when that opportunity comes along.” techniques to villagers. On one of the projects And the other tip? that they completed is the production and recording of a local string band. If you would “Get an internship,” he said.
Continued on 14 Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 13 A L U M N I
Continued from 13 ½), keep his stay-at-home wife, Olga, busy at their Judy (Messin) Swineford ’97 and husband, Shawn, happy home. Robert continues to work as a welcomed their second child, Kara Jade, on like to read more about what Tim is doing in Contract Administrator for the County of Orange. February 25, 2004. She joins her big brother, Josh, Vanuatu please log on to his website at who is 2. www.gizmogoesglobal.com William (Bill) Perkins ’91 and Carisa (Cole) Perkins ’91 – are proud to announce the birth of In Memoriam Becky Martinez DPA ’03 – has recently completed their son Liam Anthony Lois Martha Miller Thomas ’27 passed away her dissertation on estimating the costs of informal Perkins on November 11, on July 6, 2004. Born in 1905 in what was then caregiver in the work place and presented her work 2003. Liam joins big Lordsburg (now La Verne), she attended at a poster session at the Gerontological Society of brother Blake (7 years Lordsburg Academy and earned a bachelor’s America’s (GSA) conference in San Diego this fall. old). They will all be degree from La Verne College. She served in In addition, Becky will also be presenting her moving back to Southern music education for many years and taught piano research throughout the county of San Bernardino. California after 12 years to young people. Preceded in death by first The county wishes the employees to know about in the Midwest. Bill has husband, Harry Yochem, second husband, this study and increase awareness in the workplace. accepted a position at Raytheon Systems in El Kercheval Thomas, and son Dr. Stanley Yochem, Segundo, Calif. she is survived by her son, Dr. Donald Yochem, Joby Bednar ’04 is a Software Engineer (Level 3) for ATK Missile Systems, and is part of their sister Ruth Morgan ’36, brother David Miller, Megan (McGuire) Ellena MHA ’94 and her 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Simulation Software department. Joby will be husband, Mark, announce the birth of their son, responsible for the development and Matthew Russell, who was born on October 21, implementation of missile stimulations and works Leona Stanley Turner ’29 passed away on 2003. Mark is a current student and this is the first January 28, 2004. with programmers and engineers to simulate all grandson for Dr. Tom McGuire, a ULV professor aspects of the missile technology. in the education department. Dr. Phil Capen ’43 passed away on the Big Island, Hawaii on December 9, 2003. His job Rita Turner ’04 – is currently working as a paralegal Katherine (Seidman) took him to the Mojave Desert, Pakistan in the Office of General Counsel, Special Education Larson ’95 and her Columbia, and Alta Loma, Calif. After Division, Los Angeles Unified School District. For husband, Erik, are happy retirement Phil and Marie moved to the beach at the last year of her undergraduate degree, Rita to announce the arrival of Encinitas and Oceanside, Calif. attended the San Fernando Valley Campus and their third child, Kyra Lee, finished her studies with a 4.0 grade point average in who was born on May 29, ULV courses. Rita graduated with departmental Dr. Merlin L. Clark ’43 passed away on 2003. Kyra joins her big November 18, 2003. honors, and was nominated to the National Dean’s brother, Devon, 5, and big List. She has applied for the MBA program with a sister, Mallory, 2. concentration in Leadership and Management. Virgil Beck ’53 passed away on January 30, 2004. Don ’95 and Jennifer ’95 (Elliott) Reyes – are Little Leos proud to announce the birth of their second Charles Wayne Lotton ’58 and Joellen Gail John ’90 and Lynn ’94 (Gilbert) Kusleika married daughter, Isabella Leonard Lotton ’59 died in a traffic accident in August of 2000 at the La Verne Church of the Kennedy, born July 1, 2004, while vacationing in Canada. The Brethren. The Kusleika’s are announcing the birth August 18, 2003. two met while attending La Verne, both of their daughter, Analise Noel Kuseika, who was Isabella joins her graduating with teaching degrees. Married in born on December 17, 2002. Lynn has taught at very happy and 1960, they resided in Chino for 37 years. Charles Ruth Musser Middle School for the past 9 years. proud big sister, was a teacher, counselor, and coach (football, John coaches football at Alta Loma High School. Makayla. The family basketball, baseball, golf) who retired after 35 is living in Temecula where Don is working for his The Kusleikas live in Upland. years with the Chino Unified School District. family’s company as Vice President of Production, Joellen taught physical education and and Jennifer is a full-time mom and loving it. Ron ’90 and Esther ’92 (Gibson) Pfeifer – are kindergarten, and gave children piano lessons for proud to announce the birth of their third child, Zoe 40 years. She was organist at the Pomona Christopher Buti ’96 – and Elizabeth, born December 29, 2003. Fellowship Church of the Brethren for 50 years. his wife, Beth, announce the The Lottons are survived by three daughters birth of their first daughter, Julie (Toerner) (Sheri Gordon ’83, Karen Howell ’87 and Judy Kathleen Rose Buti, born on Sims ’90 – and Lotton) and four grandchildren. her husband, September 21, 2003, in Grass Valley, Calif. The baby Michael, Elsie Matus ’58 has passed away. announce the already has her little Leo birth of their son, outfit. In 2001, the Buti Barbara (Calvert) Barr ’64 passed away on Kevin Thomas family moved to Grass February 14, 2004. Sims, born May Valley, where both are 13, 2003. teachers. Betty Kurtzer ’76 passed away on May 22, 2004, from a two-month battle with cancer. Robert Cardenas BS ’93, MPA ’95, and DPA ’03 Janene (Sausedo) Frank ’97, Med ’99, MS ’01 – – would love to announce the birth of his daughter, and her husband, Ernie, are proud to announce the Mariano E. “Rod” Rodriguez, Med ’76 – Hailey Esperanza Cardenas, on May 22, 2004, in birth of their baby girl, Anjalene Marie, on July 10, passed away November 25, 2003. He served Newport Beach. Hailey and her big brother, RJ (2 2003. with the U.S. Navy during WWII, received his
14 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 A L U M N I P R O F I L E master’s degree from ULV and taught in the Ontario/Montclair School District for 33 years. Laura Ambriz Though she works for one of the hottest production companies in television, Laura Millie (Kutlik) Sowl Med ’77 – passed away on February 3, 2004. She taught Ambriz still falls back on some old-fashioned values she developed while a student at the school for many years. University of La Verne. “In the Communications Department, there was this whole sense of family, that you Amy Sutherland-Calkins ’82 – passed can’t do it by yourself. You know you need all these other people to do the job,” said away on February 21, 2000, from cancer. Ambriz, 27, a 1999 ULV graduate who is post coordinator for Mark Burnett Productions, Correction: In the Winter 2004 ULVoice, which has produced such shows as “Survivor” and “The Apprentice.” the date of the death of Margaret It’s Ambriz’s sizable job to make sure television footage is received from location shots Lininger (’46) was incorrect. The correct and delivered to the appropriate editor. She also date is April 25, 2003. works with vendors to get the proper editing Laura Ambriz has equipment and all the video tape stock traveled the world Faculty needed, and coordinates the work of working as post It is with deep sorrow that we announce coordinator for such transcribers and loggers who all need to Mark Burnett the death of Dr. Mary Prieto-Bayard on view footage of a show. Organizing, June 17, 2004. As an outstanding clinical Productions shows community psychologist, she helped form scheduling, and coordinating, Ambriz is part as “Survivor” and the guiding principles for our Psy.D. of a team that makes it all happen. “The Apprentice.” program, in the Department of “I’m totally surprised at where I am, and Psychology. I’m really lucky to be here,” Ambriz said. “It’s exciting, but I think you really need a positive Bob Rivera – former ULV faculty member has died. Bob joined the ULV attitude and a good work ethic. It’s faculty during the early years of President definitely not a 9 to 5 job. I do come Armen Sarafian’s administration and in sometimes at 9, but I'm usually spearheaded a number of important here until 8:30 or 9 at night. Our job initiatives. doesn’t start once shooting ends; it Dr. Theodore Rubin – passed away after starts way before shooting begins.” a brief illness at Ventura County Medical Ambriz paid her dues, starting Center on Sunday, January 4, 2004. Ted as a production assistant who was a distinguished teacher who taught sometimes drove 800 miles in a week classes at the University of La Verne making pick-ups and deliveries. She Ventura campus. said she also fetched coffee, emptied Friends wastebaskets, cleaned the office, did Former Board of Trustee member Rutter paperwork. And she kept her eyes and Armey passed away on January 7, 2004. ears open. Born in 1911 in Raven, Alberta, Canada, “I really got to know everybody in he and his family moved to Fresno in the office, and a six-week job turned 1925. In 1941, he started a machine shop, into four years,” Ambriz said. which he built into a successful and In that time, she’s worked on location in Africa and Australia, enjoying travel prominent business. Active in the community, he spent four years on the adventures most never know. Fresno County Board of Supervisors, was “It was camping, which is not something that I necessarily like,” Ambriz said. a Rotary Club member since 1952 and “Roughing it in Africa and Australia was something very new to me, and location work is spent many years on the State of definitely harder than office work. We’re shooting for 39, 42 days straight, so a day off is California Apprenticeship Council. not something that we really get out there.” Armey’s tenure on the La Verne Board of So much for the glamour of working in show biz. Trustees lasted from 1960-69. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mildred, Ambriz finds her rewards in her work, in the friendships she has made through her job two sons (Robert & Douglas), sister and in the satisfaction of knowing she’s earned her place doing something she loves. She Alvena McMurray and two grandchildren. remembers the day she knew she’d found her niche. “By keeping in touch with all the great people that I met at La Verne, I was able to do Paula B. Baldwin – passed away at home what someone did for me,” she said. “I could call Mike Laponis, who was my advisor and suddenly from the flu on January 13, 2004. Paula attended La Verne College from say, ‘Hey, I’m actually in a position where I can hire someone. Can you send somebody 1960-62. my way?’ That was a great day for me, to be able to call him, and say, ‘I made it.’ ”
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 15 F A C U L T Y Wave Lengths One year at a time, Mike Laponis has built a distinguished teaching career at ULV.
By Tim Tevault Special to the Voice
hen one thinks of University of La Verne faculty who have taught in the Communications Department for Wmore than 20 years, department chair George Keeler or photography professor Gary Colby may come to mind. What some may not know is that Mike Laponis, professor of communications, has also held down the fort at ULV for more than two decades. Laponis’ path to ULV began during his childhood, when his family moved from Long Beach to Ontario. He later enrolled at Chaffey College, where he developed a passion for radio, and began working at stations throughout the Los Angeles area. While he was operations manager at one station in the early 1980s, Laponis’ boss, Roy Lunel, served on the advisory board and taught at ULV. Lunel became Laponis’ connection to the school, later offering him a job as radio/television specialist in the Communications Department. “Roy knew I was looking to leave that station,” Laponis said. Mike Laponis has inspired several ULV communications Laponis started as a part-time instructor at ULV, teaching one students to discover successful careers in broadcasting in class, and helped develop KULV and the now defunct KBOB the past two decades. with operations and management. He had his associate’s degree from Chaffey, so Laponis figured he’d take the job at ULV so he Laponis said he has stayed in the department because of the could further his education. He says his intention at the time was relationships. not to stay at the university for a long time. “You make friends with the students and the faculty,” he said. After a few years of working in the department, Laponis Laponis said he especially likes the communications obtained his bachelor’s degree in Communications, opting not to department at ULV because it is growth-oriented. New courses take radio courses because he already had more than 10 years of are constantly being developed, new facilities are being built and experience in the field. Instead, he took more academic new equipment is received every year. communications courses, such as ethics in the mass media, to “Each year it’s like a challenge and I can grow more,” he said. round out his knowledge in the field. It was at this point he felt Laponis says nothing brightens his day quite like getting a himself becoming attached to the department. Despite his earlier visit from a former student. intentions of working at the university just to get his degree, it “One of the greatest rewards is talking to people who come was becoming clear his mind was changing. back,” he said. “I have built some great relationships with “You think, ‘What’s my rush?’ and you’re doing some good, students. If they drop by, send an e-mail or even call, I am why not stick around?” Laponis said. “You kind of go, ‘Well, I’ll honored.” stay another year’.” Students come and students go, and Laponis knows some Lunel soon left the department, leaving Laponis to fill his may not end up in the communications field. But as long as shoes. That’s when Laponis began teaching full-time. Since he was they’re happy, he says, that’s what counts. now moving up in the ranks, Laponis took classes in pursuit of “It’s an added bonus if they do end up in the field,” he said his master’s degree in communications. with a chuckle.
16 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 A L U M N I W E E K E N D ComeCome OnOn Home!Home!
To catch the University of La Verne school spirit at its zenith, come out for alumni weekend's centerpiece event, the Saturday homecoming football game and traditional Homecoming Picnic.
Distinguished Alumni Awards top off a memorable weekend
While the Alumni Dinner Dance, golf tournament, reunion celebrations and Homecoming football game and picnic generate plenty of excitement during Alumni Weekend, the Distinguished Alumni Awards give it a lasting sparkle. This year’s recipients will be shining examples of success, just as these seven 2003 honorees were: Richard George (Class of 1970 and ’79 M.Ed), a staunch ULV supporter, was honored for Service to Alma Mater. Orville G. (Tommy) Thomason (Class of ’31), longtime Alumni Board member and president, and a Alumni Weekend is member of the ULV Hall of Fame, received the Service to November 4-7! Community Award. A For information on Alumni Weekend, contact dedicated music teacher, Beth Elmore at (909) 593-3511, ext. 4683 or 4860, Carol (Shoemaker) Reich or log on to www.ulv.edu. (Class of ’54) received the Alumni Weekend will reunite the Service to Profession Award classes of 1934, ’44, ’54, ’64, ’74, ’84, after a 43-year career. Already a success in sales and in teaching, Steven ’94, and 2004. Attendees might even Samaniego (Class of ’02) earned the Early Achievement Award. The EdD learn a few new dance moves from Alumni Association bestowed a Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. longtime faculty member Dwight Elizabeth Nash (Class of ’86), superintendent of the Southern California Hanawalt, above. Regional Occupational Center since 1986. Candelario J. Mendoza (Class of ’42), former teacher, superintendent and co-founder of La Voz newspaper, was honored by the Latino Alumni Association, and the Black Alumni Association recognized David Jones (Class of ’02) as an example of determination in the face of adversity.
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 17 C O M M E N C E M E N T
“I’vehe journey startedDone with an It!”ClassClass application. It ended with a Tdiploma, an education, a victory. Along the way there were study groups and mid-terms, labs and finals, and, of course, lots of new friends. For many among the Class of 2004, campus life culminated in commencement exercises one day in late May, beneath a sunny sky in Ortmayer Stadium. For the participants – 809 undergraduate, 664 graduate, 62 doctoral, and 21 law – graduation represented a celebration of achievement as well as an official ceremony. “It’s an opportunity for us to create this moment for them, and we’re happy to be able to do it,” Associate Dean of Student Affairs Ruby Montano-Cordova said. “There’s just nothing like that moment when each graduate hears their name called, they walk up on stage and receive a diploma case, thrust their arms in the air and say, ‘I’ve done it!’ We want to provide them with the best going-out party we can.” This year, the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies were scheduled on the same gleaming Saturday. This was done to allow students to have the following Sunday to Nancy Newman photo celebrate. The undergraduate ceremony was then moved up from its early-evening start to a mid-afternoon time so it didn’t run too late into the night. Another factor in the decision was that graduation shared the weekend with the Memorial Day holiday. Nancy Newman photo
Nancy Newman photo 18 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 C O M M E N C E M E N T of 2004 “It was very successful,” Montano- Cordova said. “The students liked the schedule and a lot of
Nancy Newman photo the faculty liked the
Nancy Newman photo schedule as well.” The ceremonies provided a balance between pomp and celebration. In addition to an exhortation from University President Steve Morgan, undergraduate candidates received inspiration from guest speaker Patt Morrison, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, who received an honorary degree. Graduate students heard a message from U.S. representative David Dreier, who received the President’s Award from Morgan.
Nancy Newman photo There was also a decided element of fun to the ceremonies. In a slight change of script, President Morgan encouraged the graduates to stand up, turn around and applaud friends and family members for their support. That was the signal for faculty members on stage to reach into the boxes at their feet for blue beach balls with ‘Class of 2004’ printed on them, and toss them into the four sections of graduates. Once again, commencement showcased a student body at the university represented by every segment of society. “If you look at all the graduates, there continues to be a great diversity of audiences,” Montano-Cordova said. “You have many of the traditional age of 21 or 22, and you look across the
Adrienne Helitzer photo aisle and there’s someone 60 years old who has come back to finish their education or to start it because of a job change or something. It’s an exciting thing. Every student has got a particular story. This is a great institution and it’s made up of great people.” Adrienne Helitzer photo
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 19 A D V A N C E M E N T
ULV President Steve Morgan, far left, and Jack and Joy McElwee chat with Herb Hafif.
Artist Francisco Velasco sits near a mosaic mural he created that is art collection of Herb Hafif at his Claremont home.
20 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 A D V A N C E M E N T
Artist Sam Maloof and his wife, Beverly, chat over a wooden sculpture with host Herb Hafif, right, Hafif Foundation A Show Of President Jay Rodriguez, second from right, and Marolyn Rodriguez, far left. Support Local attorney and art collector Herb Hafif and his wife, Kay, open the doors to their Claremont home to help raise ULV scholarship funds.
Story by Rusty Evans Photography by Jeanine Hill
Artists, some say, are born to struggle. But a few University of La Verne students will soon have things a little easier. More than $20,000 was raised in one early June evening when Herb and Kay Hafif served as hosts at an art show in their Claremont home that featured the works of Sam Maloof and Francisco Velasco. The Hafifs, who have the largest collection of Sam Maloof furniture in the world, displayed many of the artist’s pieces. They also welcomed Velasco, whose talents they have mined to enhance their treasure trove of fine works. Some promising ULV students, such as Lavenna Ware and Gerson San Juan, were on hand, with San Juan traveling all the way from Ecuador to attend. Approximately 50 special guests attended the event, including Ben Harris, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ULV art students Gerson San Juan, left, and Lavenna Ware University of La Verne, and examine an piece with ULV Art Department Chair Ruth Trotter. university president Steve Morgan. Parents of students and friends of the Hafifs also attended, and there was a strong turnout of Hafif ’s colleagues from the law community. Maloof, who was the guest of honor at the ULV President’s Dinner Gala earlier this year, is regarded as the father of the studio furniture movement. Born in Chino 88 years ago, Maloof has designed pieces for three former United States presidents and numerous celebrities. One of his specialties is hand-crafted rocking chairs. The state legislature designated Maloof a “Living Treasure of California.” Velasco, who lives in Escondido and works out of his home, is a painter who also t is now part of the crafts works in stone, one of them displayed on an exterior wall near the Hafifs’ pool. Velasco grew up surrounded by art, starting with that of his mother, Chilean muralist and stained glass artist, Maria Martner.
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 21 A T H L E T I C S NewNew HeightsHeights
Surpassing even her own high standards made Lakia Sims the SCIAC’s top female track and field athlete.
By Will Darity ULV Sports Information Director
star in the making, Lakia Sims thrust herself into the spotlight this season, earning SCIAC Female Athlete of the Year after a sparkling junior season for the Leopards inA 2004. Sims became the fourth University of La Verne female in school history to earn recognition as SCIAC Athlete of the Year in track and field, joining Katrina Hall (1997), Patrina Hall (1998) and Liz Lucsko (2003). Sims arrived to La Verne out of Mayfair High School in Lakewood. Beginning her track career as a high school junior, Sims still was somewhat of a novice. “I was a little nervous when I first came to La Verne because of the great athletes they already had, so that gave me motivation to improve,” Sims said. She had a respectable campaign as a freshman, scoring in Jeanine Hill photo three individual events. Sprinter and jumper Lakia Sims was a champion in track and “I gained some confidence after my first year, and I started field and was crowned Miss La Verne at the 2003 pageant. to feel I belonged as a sophomore,” she said. “I also felt I had something to prove.” outstanding performances. During a four-week span she put It was indeed her sophomore campaign when she began to together NCAA qualifying marks in the long jump, triple jump earn notice. Sims emerged that season by winning the and 4x100 meter relay and reclaimed the conference’s top spot in conference titles in both the triple jump and the 400-meter the 100 meter hurdles. Prior to the SCIAC Championships, she hurdles, as well as grabbing top honors as a member of the set a season-best and NCAA qualifying mark of 38 feet, 4-3/4 4x100 relay. She also qualified for the NCAA Championships in inches in the triple jump at the Cal/Nevada State the triple jump and the 4x100 relay events. Championships on April 4. “I was elated to qualify for the NCAAs, but when I got “Once my health improved, my goal was to win four there I was humbled and quickly realized it is truly a different individual events at the conference championships and to be the level of competition.” MVP of the conference,” Sims said. With the success of the 2003 season, Sims set her goals Despite the team’s second-place finish at the SCIAC even higher for the 2004 campaign. But back and hamstring Championships in April, Sims gave a memorable performance. injuries sidelined her for many early-season meets, and when she She earned four victories at the SCIAC Track and Field returned she was not in top form. After losing three events at Championships (April 17-19), winning three individual events the SCIAC Multi-Dual Meet in March, she felt a few pangs of and adding a fourth victory in the 4x100 relay. Among those doubt. were three NCAA-qualifying performances. “That was definitely the low point of the year,” Sims said. Sims won the long jump with a personal best and NCAA “It was physical problems that started to become mental. But I qualifying mark of 18-6, and won the SCIAC title in the triple kept faith that I would eventually get back to the level I knew I jump for the second year in a row with a distance of 37-4 1/2, could compete at.” also an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Sims also captured She quickly regained form and put together a string of the 100-meter hurdles with a season and personal best of 15.11
22 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 A T H L E T I C S
– just one-hundredth of a second away from the NCAA provisional qualifying mark and the second-fastest time in ULV school history. She also anchored La ULV baseball is back on Verne’s 4x100 meter relay to a conference-best and NCAA qualifying top, winning SCIAC title time of 48.90. In addition she placed third in the 400-meter hurdles. By Will Darity up in this area and I always recognized the Sims was the high scorer in the ULV Sports Information Director passion and excitement created by good women’s meet with 36 individual points to teams at La Verne.” become the top overall point scorer (male Winterburn said the coaching staff A new era of baseball excellence may or female) at the SCIAC Championships. and players took tremendous pride in be on the horizon at tradition-rich La She is the only female athlete in the capturing La Verne’s first SCIAC title in Verne, as head coach Scott Winterburn has SCIAC this season to own four NCAA nine seasons. The Leos now have a total of built a solid foundation for success that qualifying marks. 17 championships. “I am happy to get three of the four harkens back to the glory days of ULV baseball. “What’s great about it is that everyone individual wins in addition to the 4 x 1 contributed to this championship,” relay title,” she said. “It was also a great La Verne finished the 2004 campaign with a 29-14 overall record, capturing the Winterburn said. “It’s a tribute to the focus, feeling to get the Athlete of the Year character and dedication of our players to award because there are so many Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title with a 15-3 record in make this goal a reality. To win a deserving athletes who could have won.” championship, it takes more than one One goal that went unfulfilled was league play. It was the squad’s best mark since the perfect 21-0 season in 1995, when person, and this season it seems that it was earning the title of All-American. Sims a different player stepping up in each game. suffered a viral infection just days before it won both the conference and NCAA Division III championship. The Leopards That’s the mark of a true team effort.” the NCAA Championships in Decatur, Instead of simply having a collection Illinois, and struggled through also finished the season ranked 14th in the nation in the final American Baseball of individuals, Winterburn emphasizes that competition in both the long jump and Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III ULV baseball is now a program, where triple jump events. Poll. everyone associated with Leopard baseball “It’s not how I wanted the season to Winterburn has been the architect in shares in the responsibility of maintaining end but I hope to be back and a little reshaping the La Verne baseball program, expectations. more prepared next season,” she said. returning the Leopards to prominence in “It’s important to teach the players to Sims ranks second all-time in ULV his fourth season. A former player and do things the right way,” he said. “The one history in both the triple jump and 100- assistant coach at Azusa Pacific University, thing I remembered early on, when we meter hurdles, and has the fourth-best Winterburn understood and respected the were striving to be successful, was (former mark all-time in the long jump. rich history and tradition of ULV baseball athletic director) Jimmy Paschal coming to But track and field isn’t the only area prior to accepting the head coaching me and saying, ‘I know what you’re trying where she has racked up titles and earned position in 2000. to do here,’ and I appreciated that. He crowns. It has been a little more than a “University of La Verne baseball has knew the importance of building a solid year since Sims won the prestigious Miss had a long history of success as long as I program as opposed to having a good year La Verne pageant in 2003. In doing so, can remember,” Winterburn said. “I grew every now and then.” she became the first African-American to be crowned Miss La Verne. The ULV baseball “I was very excited to win it and program returned everyone seemed to be proud of the to prominence, accomplishment,” Sims said. “Everyone’s capturing its first SCIAC title in nine love and support through the entire event seasons and 17th gave me a great sense of pride, which overall. The made it that much more special.” Leopards were 29- For now, Sims will set her sights on 14 overall and her upcoming senior campaign and look finished the to improve on her already stellar career in season ranked 2005. A psychology major, she has 14th nationally. maintained a 3.41 grade point average at ULV, and aspires to be a marriage and family counselor. “Coming to La Verne was the best decision I ever made,” she said.
Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 23 L A V E R N E M A G A Z I N E
t is 4 p.m., and Rob Fukuzaki has just pulled past the security gates into the IKABC Channel 7 lot in Glendale. La Verne’s own Fukuzaki steps out of his black Lexus SC430 sports car wearing a modest polo shirt, jeans and new blue Nike Shox shoes. His hands are full: a chicken Caesar salad Eyewitness from Koo Koo Roo in one hand and briefcase in the other. Fukuzaki waves his ULV alumnus Rob Fukuzaki rose from smalltown Hawaiian island boy security key over the sensor at the front to a top sportscaster in the nation’s second-biggest TV market. door. He breezes through the hectic newsroom and quickly finds his way to his desk. It is decorated with old copies of Story by Amanda Stutevoss Photography by Liz Lucsko Sports Illustrated, and Tommy Lasorda, La Verne Magazine La Verne Magazine Bobby Grich and Elgin Baylor bobble heads. Without hesitation, he turns on his computer and begins his night as the weeknight sports anchor for the Eyewitness News. Not bad for a modest kid from Hawaii. “I am extremely fortunate to be in the position I’m in and to have been able to experience things that I have,” he says humbly. And that’s putting it lightly. Not many University of La Verne graduates can say that they have stood beside Shaquille O’Neal, interviewed Michael Jordan or exchanged golf tips with Tiger Woods. But for Fukuzaki, it is just another day on the job — a job that uprooted him from his Hawaiian comfort zone and thrust him into the spotlight of the No. 2 news market in the nation. It is an adjustment that Fukuzaki admits took a toll on his sanity. “At the beginning, the stress was almost physically painful, but after you get your footing, and you are balanced, you know that you can actually do it,” he said. Fukuzaki, the only child of parents Ann and Wil Fukuzaki, was born on the Fourth of July in Torrance, Calif., but was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his family relocated when he was 3 years old. Fukuzaki, who claims he was a shy child, had a spark of interest in sports early in life. He admits, however, that his interest in sports was different from other children his age. Rob Fukuzaki “I was a weird kid,” Fukuzaki said. “I has worked wasn’t the type of kid who would always go hard and paid out and play sports with other kids. If there his dues to was a game on, I would be listening to it on earn the lead the radio or watching it on television, or I sportscaster would follow the stats of my favorite job at KABC-TV players in the newspaper. I was really in Los Angeles. influenced by sports early.” Fukuzaki attended the small private
24 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 L A V E R N E M A G A Z I N E
Mid-Pacific Institute High School in Honolulu, and after several college recruiting meetings held at his school, he decided to stick with the small learning atmosphere. The University of La Verne fit the mold exactly. “I didn’t want to go to a big university,” he said. “You tend to get lost in the crowd.” Many factors went into his decision. He wanted a smaller school with a good broadcasting program, and he wanted a place where he could hone his talents as a baseball player. After carefully reviewing his options, Fukuzaki decided to leave Honolulu to attend ULV. Pursuing a radio and television double major kept him busy. As a freshman, he was a member of the Leopard baseball team, playing shortstop. However, a shoulder Rob Fukuzaki scans a sports page for bloopers for his popular “Fuk’s Follies” injury from his senior year at Mid-Pacific feature after learning his sports segment was pre-empted by breaking news. kept him on the bench most of the season. In his sophomore year, he decided that his the career world had in store for him. send in tapes because of the fierce injury was preventing him from playing However, his experiences at ULV and the competition, he did, and it paid off. Nearly baseball to his full potential. He hung up Communications Department gave him a 300 applicants applied for the sportscasting his glove and took to the sidelines one-up on the competition. Fukuzaki’s position. After a nearly four month process permanently. However, he never wanted to involvement in KULV, where he served as of sending demo reels and specified leave the field completely and decided to program director, provided training that newscast tapes, the 300 candidates were explore other venues in baseball. One venue would fair well in the world outside of narrowed to five, which included Fukuzaki. he had in mind: the press box. ULV. In August of 1994, KABC decided it “My injury was a blessing in disguise,” “When I look back to my roots and my wanted to fly him to Los Angeles for an he said. The injury allowed him to take a days at KULV,” he said, pausing, “those interview. A nervous Fukuzaki accepted the seat in La Verne’s Ben Hines Field as an days were fun.” invitation. He met with news director announcer for KULV. Soon after arriving in Hawaii, Fukuzaki Cheryl Fair, an interview that he remembers Being the competitive person that he began looking for a job in the only as a blur. communications field. After sending demo is, Fukuzaki made a point to make people at “I don’t even know what I was saying,” ULV notice his announcing talents. And tapes to various television and radio he admitted with a laugh. “For all I knew, I like every other endeavor in his career, he stations, he finally received one positive was stumbling through the interview. I was successful. His talents were awarded reply and started a job at the Top 40 radio came away thinking that I blew it.” with the ULV Communications station 92 KXPW as an on-air personality. He did nothing of the sort. After one Department Broadcaster of the Year award Working odd-hour shifts (midnight to 4 more trip to Los Angeles, he was offered in 1986, 1987 and 1988, a consecutive a.m. on Saturdays), he learned the ropes of three-year record that he still holds today. radio quickly. It was his experiences at the job. “Rob just seemed from the very KULV and KXPW that gave him a strong “Right when they offered the job to beginning to have a very natural talent,” love and appreciation for radio, he says. me, I remember the weight of the world said Mike Laponis, ULV professor of “In radio you are a one-man band,” he was lifted off my shoulders, and I just said, communications. said. “It’s like you’re working, but it’s ‘Wow,’ ” he said. Fukuzaki says hard work went a long therapeutic at the same time.” Despite the relief of finally receiving way as well. Still, Fukuzaki knew that his true career the job, he still felt the pressure build. “In my senior year, Mike Laponis once love was television. He soon received word Fukuzaki remembers the transition as jokingly said to me, ‘You know, a lot of from KITV in Hawaii that there was an difficult and overwhelming moving from a people will be happy that you are leaving.’ I opening as a sports reporter and fill-in No. 70 market to the No. 2 market in the have just always been driven; I guess that is anchor. He took the job at KITV, an ABC nation. what has helped me get to where I am affiliate, and also worked full time at 92X. “I wouldn’t recommend moving so now,” Fukuzaki said with a laugh. It was the spring of 1994 when he first fast. I went through two of the most Like many students, Fukuzaki left La heard about an opening at KABC. An stressful years of my life,” he said. “But Verne and Southern California to return acquaintance from Hawaii called and told obviously you can’t turn it down if it is home after graduation, not knowing what him about it. Although he was reluctant to offered to you.” Summer/Fall 2004 Voice 25 P R E S I D E N T ’ S D I N N E R G A L A
Artist Sam Maloof, left, was ULV president Steve Morgan’s guest of honor at the 2004 President’s Dinner Gala in January. Nancy Newman photo The Premier Social Event of the Year President’s Dinner Gala brings together a who’s who of the Inland Empire and is ULV’s prime fundraiser. The University of La Verne President’s Dinner Gala has become the foremost black tie affair in the Inland Empire, and the 2005 event scheduled for January 29 will be no different. The event was designed and organized by University Relations to familiarize new friends of ULV with the mission and purpose of the university, while showcasing the achievements of outstanding students and featuring a special honoree from the community. “The President's Dinner Gala is an elegant occasion featuring a who’s who of the Inland Empire. There’s nothing else like it in the area,” Steve Morgan said. “Every year we present the President’s Award to a significant community member, and that honoree is a major focus of the evening, not just a sidelight. In addition, this Nancy Newman photo event celebrates the University of La Verne’s excellence while Ben Harris, left, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, chats with Travis Berry, president of the Associated Student raising money to benefit the Student Scholarship Fund.” Forum, at the President’s Dinner Gala in January. The Ontario Convention Center will once again serve as the venue for the event, and the 2005 Gala will mark its tenth year. The President’s Dinner Gala has also honored Michael and Last year, the ULV President’s Dinner Gala honored Sam Jeanette Bidart of Chino (2003); Mr. Benjamin C. Harris of Maloof, an artist and woodworker who has been called the “Zen Anaheim Hills (2002); The City of Ontario (2001); Beth and Master of Woodworking. Maloof, who received the President’s Richard Landis of Penn Valley, Calif. (2000); Mr. Neil O’Dwyer, Award from Morgan, has works displayed in the Smithsonian’s Vice President, Racing, Fairplex (1999); Mr. Richard D. Romero, Renwick Gallery, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Chairman, Oremor Management and Investment Company (1998); Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Los Angeles Museum of and Mr. Larry Rinehart, President and CEO, PFF Bank and Trust, Art, plus many other public and private collections. Pomona (1996). Herb Hafif, the guest of honor at the 1997 President’s Dinner The event’s elegant setting in the Ontario Convention Center Gala and head of the Hafif Family Foundation, has the world’s Ballroom is the perfect venue to cultivate relationships among the largest Maloof collection at his Claremont home. 700 guests. 26 Voice Summer/Fall 2004 Your Table Awaits
Please join us for the 22000055 PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss DDiinnnneerr GGaallaa In Support of Student Scholarships January 29, 2005 Ontario Convention Center 2000 Convention Center Way, Ontario, California Reception at Six O’clock Dinner at Seven O’clock
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