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Don Pollock remembered as larger than life

Professor of Communications Emeritus Don Pollock delivers his last faculty lecture in 2019. Pollock, who died March 24, was instrumental in the growth of the University of La Verne’s television broadcasting and film programs, and established the University’s partnership with the city of La Verne to operate their public access television station, LVTV. / file photo by Danielle De Luna
Professor of Communications Emeritus Don Pollock delivers his last faculty lecture in 2019. Pollock, who died March 24, was instrumental in the growth of the University of La Verne’s television broadcasting and film programs, and established the University’s partnership with the city of La Verne to operate their public access television station, LVTV. / file photo by Danielle De Luna

Zachary Grech
Assistant Editor 

Emeritus professor of communications Don Pollock, who headed the broadcasting program in the department of communications for almost 30 years, died on March 24 at the age of 71. 

Professor Pollock’s colleagues and former students remember him as a storyteller, an inspiring mentor and an excellent filmmaker who cared for his students, many of whom work in the film and television industries in Hollywood and beyond. 

Professor Pollock, who taught at the University from 1991 to 2019, also created partnerships with the cities of La Verne and San Dimas, running and staffing LVTV, which provides content for the cities’ public access stations. 

“It takes a talented person to build a curriculum for our department, to what we have today,” said Shane Rodrigues, broadcast operations manager for the communications department, who worked with Professor Pollock for most of his tenure at the University. “And I think the legacy that he leaves since I first got here in 1992, shows how his vision came to life.”

Professor Pollock’s colleagues say one of his greatest gifts was how he connected with people.

“He was a great storyteller, who could sit with anybody and just really connect with them on the human level, and make them feel like they mattered,” said Jonathan Reed, professor of philosophy and religion.

Claudia Gonzalez, one of Professor Pollock’s students, who currently works for LVTV remembers how he would sit with her until she got it. 

“I remember a time when he gave me feedback on one of my videos, and instead of just giving me the feedback, he worked on editing the piece together, which ended up taking many hours to finish,” Gonzalez said.

Professor Pollock would advise people to always aim to reach their fullest potential and live their best lives, his colleagues said.

One way Professor Pollock modeled this in his own life was through travel about which he was passionate. He headed January term study trips to the Amazon Rainforest, Costa Rica, Cuba and Hawaii. 

George Keeler, professor of journalism and communications program chair, accompanied Professor Pollock on some of these adventures. 

“Don was always first to grab a banana breakfast and board a small excursion boat called the Tucano, where he would have a fishing pole in hand to catch and release piranhas,” Keeler said.

Professor Pollock traveled to more than 38 countries. And he shared new ideas and perspectives to the classroom, inspiring his students to chase adventure, his colleagues said. 

Zachary Grech can be reached at zachary.grech@laverne.edu.

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Zachary Grech is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations, and is a staff writer for the Campus Times. He is also the sports broadcaster for La Verne Athletics, ULV Choral Organization president and LeoFM promotions director.

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