by Julieta Ramirez
Staff Writer
Webster’s Dictionary defines “legacy” as something received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. For some, the legacy given is the University of La Verne.
For a few La Verne students and alumni, the legacy inherited is much more than a nice campus. It is an experience that only ULV can offer; warmth, homeliness, life-long friends, and memories that, for one reason or another, help guide students to emulate the experiences of their predecessors, thus becoming “legacy students.”
One of the most renowned legacy students is President Stephen Morgan. He was a third generation ULV student, preceded by his grandmother, who graduated in the class of 1914, and his mother, a class of 1936 graduate.
Dr. Morgan explained that he did not feel pressured in any way to attend ULV.
“I made my own choice,” said Dr. Morgan. “I transferred from the University of California at Santa Barbara to La Verne the second semester of my freshman year.”
He also stated that, while La Verne was a great college, there were no special forms of financial aid available to legacy students when he attended ULV. Now, those students may receive an alumni scholarship.
“It’s fun to be part of a long tradition,” said Dr. Morgan. “It’s nice to know that my roots go back that far.”
Another legacy student is Donna Redman, director of alumni relations, who graduated in 1988 as an English major. She is also a third generation ULV student. Redman’s grandparents, parents and brothers all attended ULV, along with a long list of cousins and other family members.
“Whenever we have a family get together, it’s almost like a college reunion,” said Redman.
ULV is not just a school for the Redman family, it is a tradition.
“I always knew I would come here,” said Redman. “I didn’t even apply to other schools.”
Her mother, Peggy, was also the director of alumni relations after attending ULV and is currently the director of teacher education.
“I was very fortunate,” said Redman of her mother’s job.
She did not have to pay tuition because of the tuition remission scholarship, given to students with parents employed by the University. Redman also received the alumni scholarship of $200.
“If I ever have children, I would definitely want them to come to ULV. It’s a great school,” she said.
The feeling seems to be mutual for Amy Hartnett, a senior diversified major.
“I’ll probably send my kids here,” said Hartnett, whose parents also attended ULV and graduated in the class of 1974.
When speaking of her college search, Hartnett expressed that ULV was her only choice.
“Just listening to my parents talk about it made me want to come. I started to love it,” she said.
Senior Heidi Rudin said having alumni family members influenced her decision to attend ULV, but it was not the main reason she came here.
“Now I want my kids to come here,” she said. “That would be awesome.
Julieta Ramirez
