News

Vergara bids farewell to Admissions

In an atmosphere of laughter and tears, Michelle Vergara remembers the last nine years she has spent working in the Admissions Office. Accompanied by family, friends and co-workers on Tuesday in the West Dining Hall, Vergara shared her memories as a student at ULV and her new experience of motherhood. / photo by Alen Zilic
In an atmosphere of laughter and tears, Michelle Vergara remembers the last nine years she has spent working in the Admissions Office. Accompanied by family, friends and co-workers on Tuesday in the West Dining Hall, Vergara shared her memories as a student at ULV and her new experience of motherhood. / photo by Alen Zilic

by Laura Czingula
Editor in Chief

After nine years of service for the University of La Verne admissions office, Michelle Vergara has left the University and her position as associate admissions director.

“It is just time for me to move on,” said Vergara.

Tuesday afternoon, the ULV community had a “Saying goodbye reception” for Vergara, to let her co-workers and friends come together for the last time with her.

The reception was held in the West Dining Room of Davenport Dining Hall, where refreshments were served. A chocolate cake with white frosting and a pink trim, that could feed an army read, “Thank you Michelle.”

The informal reception was to let Vergara say goodbye one last time to her friends that she has made over the years at La Verne.

A banner that read, “Thanks for all you have done,” draped the entrance into the dining room, to remind Vergara that she will be remembered and missed.

As she walked in with her new 4-month-old baby boy, Jared, and husband of seven years, Derek (director of housing and residential life), a line formed to greet her and give her one last hug.

After visiting with her colleagues, Vergara cut her cake and passed it around to the crowd of about 35-40 people.

Doug Wible, former director of admissions for ULV, talked of how Vergara was so special to him, during his time at La Verne.

“I will never have a greater working situation than I did here at La Verne with Michelle. Michelle is a person who is always working to learn,” said Wible. “She is a person you could laugh with and a person you could cry with.”

Wible went on to mention how he appreciated what she has done for him professionally.

Adeline Cardenas-Clague, dean of Enrollment Services, read a short note from Debi Stanley, who was unable to attend the reception, and then said a few words herself about Vergara.

“I admired Michelle from afar,” said Cardenas-Clague. “She is admired and respected by her colleagues. She is a wonderful problem solver and will be missed.”

A plaque was given to her that stated her years of service and how much she was appreciated.

Other co-workers and friends talked about Vergara and there was laughter and tears throughout the afternoon.

“I’m not only touched but overwhelmed by what was said,” said Vergara. “To have such precious words said about me, really means a lot to me. I loved my time here at La Verne.”

Although Vergara is leaving, she is not going far. Her new office is across the street from the University, where she will work in an early innovation program, with advanced infant developments.

“I will be working in homes and helping parents raise their babies that are underdeveloped,” said Vergara. “We intervene at early levels to teach skills.”

With Jared, this new job gives Vergara more time with him at home, but still lets her go on with her career in helping others.

“I wanted to be more flexible and with this job I am able to spend more time with my son,” she said.

Laura Czingula, Sports Editor
Laura Czingula
Other Stories
Freshman Alen Zilic, who goes by the nickname "Zila," came from the community of Mostar, in the southern region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was encouraged to apply to the University of La Verne by Scot McElvany, a graduate of ULV. Zilic wishes to pursue his interest in the arts, especially photography. / photo by Jamie Bigornia
Alen Zilic
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