LV Life

New complex hosts donor dinner

Dr. Jean Runzo, vice president of University Relations, leads donors through a tour of the new Wilson Library and Landis Academic Center last Saturday during the Sneak Preview Dinner. The event allowed donors to the construction see the progress of the building. / photo by Brian Murphy
Dr. Jean Runzo, vice president of University Relations, leads donors through a tour of the new Wilson Library and Landis Academic Center last Saturday during the Sneak Preview Dinner. The event allowed donors to the construction see the progress of the building. / photo by Brian Murphy

by Amber Neri
Staff Writer

University Relations held a “Sneak Preview Dinner” for the monetary donors of the new Wilson Library and Landis Academic Center last Saturday.

Tours of the unfinished building were given to guests by President Stephen Morgan, University Relations Vice President Jean Runzo, and Head Librarian Marlin Heckman.

Donors invited to the dinner had each contributed $1,000 or more to the library and academic center fund for construction. An estimated 87 were in attendance.

Dinner was served in the future periodical and reference section of the building on the first floor.

All donors were able to see the building in its bareness, but the thoughtful precision and architecture was apparent to all, as tour groups were led upstairs to see the view from the Barkley Board Room Terrace.

Named after radio personality Roger Barkley and his wife Nila, long-time supporters of the University, the terrace located next to the board room has a view of the La Verne foothills with the “L” prominently displayed atop the peaks.

Pleased about the naming of the terrace, Barkley admitted that he is not even an alumnus of the University.

“I am honored about having the terrace named after my wife and myself. It is a wonderful addition to the campus. My two children came here, and they went elsewhere. But I stayed involved as a trustee when called upon,” said Barkley.

The Public Services Center in the building has been dedicated in honor of the deceased Esther M. Vaniman, by her husband Glen Vaniman.

“The library is wonderful. In honor of my wife, it is the best thing that I did, to take this money and give it to La Verne. That released me from her, to make a major donation to this college,” said Vaniman.

Vaniman, a 1929 ULV graduate and a former president of Citrus College, finds pleasure in donating money to all students.

Dr. George and Donna Arnold were happy to join in the festivities.

“We are really interested in the library and we wanted to support the effort. It is important for the faculty to do that,” said Dr. Arnold, professor of physics.

The Arnolds will have a faculty research room dedicated in their name.

The original library was named after Elvin K. Wilson, who graduated in 1934, and his wife Betty. They met here at ULV in 1933, and were married the following year. Coming back to see the progress was exciting for them both.

“It takes your breath away, when we look back at what there was and what there is now. It is fascinating to see it all. We are really proud of what is happening to the progress of it all,” said Wilson.

Don Wilson, son of the library namesakes, was present at the dinner as well.

“It is really exciting to see it all come together. It is the largest building project yet for the institution,” he said.

Dennis Wheeler, a group study room honoree, was enthralled by the architecture.

“The interior rooms even have skylights. They’ve done a great job. It is well planned,” said Wheeler.

Many rooms and sections were dedicated, including the upper reading concourse in honor of Philip and Sharon Wright, and the librarian’s office, named after Evelyn Heckman.

Mark Bagley, University Relations development director who was in charge of the dinner, was very pleased with the event.

“I think that everyone enjoyed being able to see the progress that has been made. It made them [the donors], more excited to see the project to completion,” said Bagley.

Amber Neri
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