Familiar faces on campus

by Enrique Gutiérrez
photography by Matt Wright

Being on a small campus such as that of the University of La Verne, it is likely that people see one another quite frequently.

They see one another on a daily basis, but do they know whose behind those familiar faces?

Here is a backstage look at a few of them.


Sister Mary Dennis Peters

For the last 15 years, the Wilson Library has counted on the service of Sister Mary Dennis Peters, public service librarian.

Her presence is felt in different ways, including the decoration of the library.

“All the roses that you see here in the library belong to me,” she said.

Besides gardening, she enjoys spending time playing with her dog, a puppy named Holly.

She describes her experience at ULV as a “very pleasant, very warm” time that has given her the opportunity to interact with “friendly people.”


Cres González

Crescencio “Cres” González, field maintenance supervisor, ensures the Leopards have a regulated home to host sporting events.

“I make sure that all the fields are lined according to regulations for NCAA games.”

González is also a part-time instructor for the Movement and Sport Sciences Department.

Throughout his five years at ULV, “Cres” has been active in athletics.

He was an assistant women’s soccer coach, assistant track coach and an assistant men’s soccer coach.

However, what he enjoys most at ULV is all the good friendships he has.


Ruth Garcia

Throughout the semester, students go to the Registrar’s Office for different reasons.

Some need a copy of their transcripts, or they need to register for the following semester or they just need customer service.

Administrative Assistant Ruth Garcia is there to help.

She’s been at ULV for five years and according to her it has been an enjoyable experience.

“I don’t ever regret coming here,” she said. “It’s really a great place to work.”

“The campus itself is beautiful,” Garcia said. “The people I work with are my best friends.”

Garcia looks forward to graduation every year.

“Graduations are always in my memories,” she said. “I’ve had five graduations here and it’s always exciting being part of that.”


Pam Maunakea

Having graduated from ULV, Pam Maunakea has a reason to call this campus her “second home.”

“I’ve been here forever,” Maunakea said.

Maunakea earned her degree in physical education back in 1977 and for more than a decade, she has worked at ULV.

She is currently the activities coordinator, which means she does “everything the Athletic Department wants me to do.”

During her college years, Maunakea played on the volleyball team at a time in which Jim Paschal, current athletics director, was the head coach, and then she became his first assistant coach.

Originally from Hawaii, Maunakea has to established herself in San Dimas, where she now lives with her family.

“I have two children to take care of,” she said.


Jill Coverdale

Spot Supervisor Jill Coverdale has been at ULV for a while.

She began working at ULV in 1988. She remembers the times when the Student Center housed the Art Department, the Photography Lab, the bookstore and the Health Center.

“It was like a big huge family,” she said. “Everybody knew everybody and it was nice.”

Coverdale manages almost everything that has to do with The Spot.

“I do ordering, inventory, scheduling,” she said.

In her spare time she likes to go camping and fishing. She also volunteers at Hillcrest Homes during special events.

She said she likes working at ULV because of its students.


Ernie Granillo

“I like my job a lot,” said Mail Clerk Ernie Granillo. “I like the staff and the students.”

Granillo, who has worked at ULV for eight years, said that being at a small campus where everybody knows each other is important to him.

“We all get along very good. We socialize together,” he said.

This is Granillo’s first year at the Student Mail Center, and he has also worked at the main office. He said all this time at the University is a “learning process” for him, and he would like to stay at ULV for many more years.

Enrique Gutiérrez, Staff Writer
Enrique Gutiérrez
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Matt Wright

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