by Janelle Krug
Staff Writer
After more than 30 years in the teaching profession, professor of education Yvonne Davis is retiring.
Davis began working at the University of La Verne in 1969, after graduating from La Verne College in 1957.
She has also taught elementary school and been a marriage and family counselor.
Davis said that in the mid 1970s she was the first woman staff or professor to wear pants to work. It was a new concept back then, and no one had done it before.
Besides teaching education classes she has also worked as an academic counselor, credentials analyst and director of teachers education at ULV. She also worked as the registrar at the Athens campus. Davis spent two and a half years teaching at the ULV Athens campus.
“It was one of the highlights of my career,” she said.
Recently Davis has taught classes in counseling theory, family therapy, counseling skills and group therapy. One of her most influential classes is her group counseling class. “People tell me it changed their lives,” she said.
Many students have been encouraged and helped by Davis. One former student that graduated in 1982 sent her an e-mail to simply say thank you, Davis said.
“The important part is relationships with students,” Davis said. In her counseling classes Davis becomes close to her students because of the subject matter. Besides teaching at La Verne, Davis also has a small part-time counseling practice.
After retiring Davis plans to travel and spend time with her grandchildren.
“I really feel lucky that I chose the profession that I chose. It’s never been boring. I love my job, it’s always been rewarding and challenging. I am really lucky that I chose La Verne,” Davis said.
Janelle Krug
