Alexandria Orozco
Staff Writer
Morgan Auditorium was filled with the smiling faces of faculty members from the University’s various disciplines Tuesday for Faculty Book Day.
This year’s book day honored faculty who have published during the 26-year presidency of Steve Morgan, who will retire June 30.
Each dean spoke along with faculty members who were selected to speak about their current research projects, publications and experiences working with the faculty and president over the years.
“I have worked at the University of La Verne for the past six years and this university supports faculty and their research,” Associate Professor of Psychology Chris Liang said. “President Morgan had a lot to do with building these supports for faculty.”
“The University is a constellation of collective ideas and, like a star, no publication is too small,” Provost Greg Dewey said.
This further exemplified the togetherness, dedication and support present amongst our faculty members and throughout the entire university.
Although the event emphasized books, the larger message that was expressed was thankfulness and appreciation for Morgan and his many contributions to the university that have helped this campus to grow.
Morgan and his wife, Ann, were seated onstage to the left of the speakers and their appreciation radiated upon their faces, as each person shared a bit about their own personal journey leading up to La Verne.
“The one word to best describe President Morgan during his presidency at La Verne is transformation,” Dean of the College of Business and Public Management Abe Helou said. “He had turned a financially struggling school into somewhere prosperous and expanding.”
“This is too special of a place not to have a secure financial future,” Dewey added. “It is also too special a place to not prosper.”
After all the professors spoke, the Morgans were given a book on behalf of the University, which contained a listing of research and creative work done by faculty during the past three decades at La Verne.
Steve Morgan and Ann Morgan then spoke, giving their last few words of encouragement and optimism for the University.
Alexandria Orozco can be reached at alexandria.orozco@laverne.edu.
