Saturday, the Twenty-ninth of May Two Thousand Twenty-One Honoring the Graduating Class of Spring Two Thousand Twenty-One President's Message Dear Graduates, On this momentous occasion, we gather in celebration to honor you and your accomplishments as graduates of the University of La Verne. Though faced with unprecedented challenges, your hard work and commitment to succeed have showcased the best of our institutional values that have been the core of our educational foundation for 130 years. As you reflect on your experiences as students, it is my hope you acknowledge the skills you have developed that are needed to become the future leaders of the world, dedicated to solving problems, living with purpose, supporting others, and advocating for social justice. Your collective voices, identities, and personal values distinguish you as esteemed alumni of the University of La Verne. You have the wonderful opportunity to enhance the communities in which you live, both personally and professionally. In these times of uncertainty, know that you have the power to make a positive impact in our world. Let me be among those to congratulate you for your significant achievement in graduating from the University of La Verne. You now join the ranks of more than 87,000 alumni worldwide who hold meaningful careers in nearly every field and sector, in each state of the union, and in 66 countries. We look forward to cheering your success as fellow Leos for life. Sincerely, Devorah Lieberman, PhD President 2 3 The University of La Verne was founded in 1891 as Lordsburg College the south side of campus. Two years ago, the university celebrated the Historyby members of the Church of the Brethren. Both the college and the opening of both the Randall Lewis Center for Well-Being and Research agricultural community were renamed La Verne in 1917, and the 1920s and the Ludwick Center for Spirituality, Cultural Understanding, and and 1930s found three-quarters of the student body in teacher education. Community Engagement. The centers offer unique spaces for students, faculty, staff, and the community to collaborate, engage in dialogue, and Over the next three decades, enrollment surged, campus facilities discover their well-being both mentally and physically. multiplied fourfold, and the Board of Trustees became independent of church control. In the 1960s, the college awarded its first master’s degree, Now, plans are underway to organize a College of Health and Community and it conferred its first doctorate in 1979. In 1969, the college began Well-Being as the fifth college of the University of La Verne. Additionally, offering degree programs off campus, and the following year it opened a new center is being developed for the Randall Lewis Center for its College of Law. Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Social Impact and will focus on increasing the economic power and impact of University of La Verne In 1977, the college was renamed the University of La Verne. The university students, alumni, regional businesses, not-for-profits, and community founded its first regional campus in Orange County in 1981, and its San organizations. It will be housed in Ontario, California. Fernando Valley campus opened in 1983. A decade later, campuses in Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties followed, and a separate The university is looking toward the future with a Master Plan for 2030. campus for the College of Law was established in Ontario in 2000. The Master Plan will focus on the future facility and technology needs Continuing the trend of improving services to students, the university of the university, both of which are integral components in continuing developed the Central Coast, Kern County, and High Desert campuses. to foster the highest-rated, holistic learning experience for our students. Their academic achievements, social responsibility, commitment to The University of La Verne has renovated or newly constructed more improving our local, regional, and global communities, and respect than half of its buildings in the past 10 years, creating a dramatic change for humanity and the planet help to sustain and promote the growing to the look of its central campus. Some of the larger projects included a academic reputation of the University of La Verne. remodeled Sports Science & Athletics Pavilion, the Johnson Family Plaza, the Sara and Michael Abraham Campus Center, Vista La Verne Residence With its 130th academic year under way, the university continues to Hall, a five-level parking structure, and the Campus West athletics grow regionally and nationally, while honoring its profound history with complex, home to our baseball and softball teams. each new class. More than 87,000 proud alumni share a deep-rooted connection to the University of La Verne and to its mission and values. In 2018, the main campus opened a new residence hall named Citrus Hall and a dining hall known as The Spot, which, together with Vista, The Oaks, and the Abraham Campus Center, form a burgeoning student village on 4 5 It is the mission of the University of La Verne to provide opportunities The University of La Verne shares four core values that promote a positive for students to achieve their educational goals and become contributing and rewarding life for its students through fostering a genuine appreciation Missioncitizens to the global community. Valuesand respect for: The university accomplishes these goals by offering high-quality degree ETHICAL REASONING programs to both traditional-aged and adult learners; by providing liberal The university affirms a value system that actively supports peace with arts and professional programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels; justice, respect of individuals and humanity, and the health of the planet and by delivering programs to students at the La Verne campus as well and its people. Students are reflective about personal, professional, and as regional campuses and satellite class locations throughout California. societal values that support professional and social responsibility. The university provides a student-centered, values-based, and diverse DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY learning environment. It takes pride in offering small class sizes in a highly The university supports a diverse and inclusive environment where personalized setting. The university encourages effective teaching, research, students recognize and benefit from the life experiences and viewpoints scholarly contributions, and service to the greater community by sharing its of other students, faculty, and staff. academic, professional, and individual resources. LIFELONG LEARNING The university promotes intellectual curiosity and the importance of lifelong learning. It teaches students how to learn, to think critically, to be capable of original research, and to access and integrate information to prepare them for continued personal and professional growth. CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The university asserts a commitment to improving and enhancing local, regional, and global communities. 6 7 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER College of Law CEREMONY ONE - NINE IN THE MORNING, MAY TWENTY-NINTH ORDER OF THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY President Devorah Lieberman, Presiding RichardASSOCIATE JUSTICE, CALIFORNIA T. COURT Fields OF APPEAL Invitation to Commencement Kevin Marshall The university welcomes Richard T. Fields as commencement speaker for the College Invocation Zandra Wagoner of Law. Trustee Introduction Kevin Marshall Justice Richard T. Fields served in the courts of Riverside County for 26 years until his appointment Trustee Welcome Frank Lizarraga to the Court of Appeal in 2017. He served as the Introduction of University President Kevin Marshall presiding judge of the entire Riverside County court system from 2007 to 2008. Prior to his President’s Address Devorah Lieberman appointment as a judge of the Superior Court, Fields served as a court commissioner for more Introduction of Provost Kevin Marshall than nine years. When selected as a court commissioner in 1991, Fields Provost's Remarks Kerop Janoyan became the first African-American jurist in the history of Riverside County. In April 2000, Fields became the first African-American judge in Introduction of Commencement Speaker Kevin Marshall Riverside County. Commencement Address Richard T. Fields During his time on the Superior Court bench, Fields heard traffic arraignments, traffic trials, misdemeanor arraignments, felony arraignments, Conferral of Degrees Devorah Lieberman preliminary hearings and misdemeanor and felony jury trials including and Kevin Marshall capital and non-capital murder cases, and a variety of civil matters including medical, legal and dental malpractice actions, personal injury lawsuits, and Introduction of Student Speaker Kevin Marshall wrongful death cases. Student Speaker Chanlon Kaufman In 2007, Fields received the Southwest Bar Association’s Judge of the Year award. He was named as Judge of the Year in 2008 by the Riverside-San Announcement of Dean's Award Kevin Marshall Bernardino Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates and in June Charge to Graduates Devorah Lieberman 2009, he received the Outstanding Jurist Award from the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court. He received the Alba Witkin Humanitarian Award in 2013 Closing Kevin Marshall from the California Judges Association. He also has been honored for judicial excellence by the California Association of Black Lawyers and in Alma Mater and Spirit Bell the publication 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire. 8 9 DEGREE CANDIDATES College