Community Memories

I was a very difficult student in college and spent a lot of time going to different colleges around California. I earned a master’s degree in science from the University of Southern California and wanted to go on for a doctorate but wasn’t satisfied with a lot of institutions. I was doing some research for the California State Colleges and Universities, for the Chancellery in Long Beach and was getting some evaluators for projects that they were doing.

Then I called CGU and was talking to some people here, and they asked me to come out and have lunch. As a master’s degree student, I had lunch with some professors and administrators and what I found was a place that I had been searching for my entire college career. It was someplace that I was welcome as a person who was interested in knowledge and learning, a place where it was collaborative and not instructive, and a place where I could grow on my own terms and have people that supported me who were my professors. That’s priceless for someone like me. I did not thrive at other institutions, but I did thrive at Claremont Graduate University.

There were a lot of people that I worked with: Joe Weirs was the Chair of my dissertation committee, John Regan and I worked closely together for several years, Ethel Rogers, who I married, David Drew, Jack Schuster… Malcolm Douglas was very helpful to me in my college endeavors at the university… So, there wasn’t just one person. It was everyone. And they didn’t have a script. They keyed into what you needed and what you wanted to do and helped you do just that.

When you go to another institution, the focus is on them or on the school or what they want done, and you’ve got to fit yourself to that mold. But, at Claremont Graduate University, the focus is on you and how they could help me accomplish what I wanted to accomplish, what I needed to do to get where I wanted to go. That I didn’t find that anyplace else.

When I met my now wife Ethel Rogers at CGU, I had a lot of trouble talking to her. I went through my program and took my time and, finally, just near the end of my program in 1994, an opportunity came up where we were talking. We talked about relationships that we’d had and “wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to do things with?” So, I went home and got tickets for Phantom of the Opera and called her up. I said, “I have tickets for Phantom of the Opera, would you like to go?” She said, “Yes, I’d love to!” And that’s how it started. It took me nine years to ask her out, and I wasn’t going to leave until I asked her out.

We went to Phantom of the Opera. After the matinee, we walked to the Bonaventure, went up to the top and had dinner at the revolving restaurant and came back down. It was absolutely dark, so I asked the valet that was doing cars if he would give me a taxi. He said, “just a second,” and came back later and said, “take the limo over there.” I said, “I can’t afford a limo,” and he said, “We’re down. There’s no business. I don’t want you walking back to the Music Center in the dark. Take the limo. If you can afford to give the driver five bucks, fine. If you can’t, don’t worry about it.” So, we had our dinner, took a limo back to the Music Center, and the rest is history.

I got my master’s and PhD at CGU, getting my PhD in 1976, and an interfield degree in Education in Social Psychology. Then, I went on to be a faculty member and retired in 2012, in Higher Education. As a student, one of my earliest memories was this sense of you can do it. I was an older student coming back with no experience of doing field research. The prevailing sense all throughout my experience as a student was you could do it. It was a message that I took with me all throughout my graduate degree until I got my PhD to my time as a faculty member. So, my experience as a faculty member was conveying to students all throughout their time: You can do it.

One of my consistent memories and experiences to this day is the continuing contact with CGU students as alums. There are dozens and dozens and dozens of them. I watch as they advance their careers, not just as academics. Many of them are senior leaders in higher education and nonprofits. I watch them continue to maintain contact with CGU and succeed because CGU has a philosophy of you can do it. Getting a PhD was new to me. This was not something that had been expected in my family, nor to me. At every moment, where there was something new, there was always somebody, whether on the faculty—I think of my colleagues, David Drew, Jack Schuster, who were always there to help mark the path. As a faculty member, getting tenure was a big moment in my life. I always felt surrounded by people who would make sure that I knew what I was doing and made sure that I had all the T’s crossed, and I’s dotted throughout. So, there was always a sense of community that was going to be supportive.

I’m Diane Tickton Schuster and I graduated in 1986 from the School of Education at CGU. My husband, Jack, and I met in Washington, D.C., in the late 1960s, moved to California in 1970, and eventually settled in Claremont in 1977. We’ve had close ties to CGU, or Claremont Graduate School as it was previously known, since then.

Recently, Jack and I had a wonderful visit with Phil Dreyer and Janet Dreyer. Phil was a very close colleague of Jack’s and also served as a chair of my dissertation. Janet, on the other hand, was the director of the Mary B. Eyre Children’s School, where our daughters attended. She even taught our daughters, which adds a special layer to our connection. Reflecting on these relationships, it’s remarkable to see how we’ve grown together in Claremont, sustaining friendships through many years of change and growth.

Phil also organized the Claremont Irregulars marching band for the annual 4th of July parade. Janet and I used to march in the parade, proudly carrying the banner for the Claremont Irregulars. It wasn’t just about being part of the university; it was about being embedded in the community in so many ways.

This was a brass band—Phil played the trombone, and Jack Mills, who just left, also played in the band along with others from the community. It was a beautiful example of the special town-and-gown relationship in Claremont, where academic life and community life were deeply intertwined.

With my dissertation committee after my defense in March 1986. From left to right: Jean Walton, Philip Dreyer, Diane Tickton Schuster, Lois Langland, and David Drew.

There are so many individual CGU memories that I can point to, but for me, one stands out above the rest. CGU provided me with the opportunity to share my educational experience with my twin sister. It brought us closer during a trying time in our lives, and for that I will forever be grateful.

I was at CGU from 1970 for 32 years. It was known as Claremont Graduate School then. I remember transcribing interviews for the oral history department. These included interviews with Chinese missionaries and Los Angeles booksellers. Then I went to work for Claremont Reading Conference on site. That was a program in the School of Education, which was not a school then, it was a program.

From there, I was hired as the Secretary of the Chair, and I began going to college. I got my AA at Mount SAC, then I went on to Pitzer. Five years after I started my AA, I got my master’s in education, working with Daryl Smith in CGU’s School of Education.

Ethel Rogers graduating with her master’s degree in 1992.

So, I got to go to school with professors who I worked with, which was wonderful. I was the Associate Director for the Community College Leadership Development Institute, which was a grant that the School of Education had gotten. We worked for two years putting on conferences in Tucson, Arizona, and I retired after that.

Education faculty birthday party for Joe Platt in 1995. He was the chair of the School of Education’s Board, and the faculty threw a birthday party for him!

I also met my husband, Bob Rogers, who was a PhD student in Education at CGU, and we’ve now been married 30 years.

Bob and Ethel got married in 1994.

All those who see my resume express admirable amazement at three little letters: CGU.

When I think back on my time at CGU, what stands out the most is the people I met—the professors who guided me, the classmates who studied alongside me, and the friendships that shaped my experience. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about being part of a community that challenged and inspired me.

I have great memories of my professors, especially Dean McHenry, who has since retired, and Lewis Snider, who has passed away. Jacek Kugler and Aldo Flores-Quiroga also played an important role in my education. Each of them left a lasting impression, teaching me lessons that went far beyond the classroom.

Studying comparative politics and world politics at CGU expanded my understanding of both the field and the world itself. The knowledge I gained wasn’t just something I applied at work—it shaped me as a person. These were lifelong lessons, ones that still influence how I think and engage with the world today.

Though time has passed, I remain in touch with at least one or two of my classmates. The connections we made during those years remain strong, a testament to the power of shared learning.

If there’s one thing I believe deeply, it’s the value of education. Higher education is one of the most important pursuits, but learning doesn’t stop with a degree. Life itself is a source of continuous education, and I encourage anyone studying at CGU to complement their academic journey with real-world experience. That balance—between theory and practice—creates a well-rounded person.

I attended CGU from 2000 to 2010, and if I had to name the thing I miss the most, it would be the atmosphere. There’s something special about Claremont—the clean air, the tree-lined streets, the peaceful, almost New England-like charm. It’s a place that fosters reflection and learning, a place that stays with you long after you’ve left.

What I love most about CGU is the small class sizes. They allow for more individual attention from professors, which makes a huge difference in shaping my academic journey. Beyond that, the flexibility to conduct my own research has been invaluable. 

As a PhD student in musicology, my studies span a wide range of topics—American wind band literature, international wind band literature, underrepresented composers of non-American music, and performance practices for 19th-century chamber wind literature.  

At CGU, I have the freedom to explore all of these areas without restrictions. 

As long as I can shape my research into a meaningful dissertation, I’m happy. The ability to follow my curiosity, without limitations, is what makes my experience at CGU so fulfilling.

I was fortunate to take two classes with Peter Drucker during my EMBA studies, and I learned so much that I continue to use every day. The story I want to share here is about leaving his class one night. The fellow who had been sitting next to me in Albrecht turned to me and said, “I wish he would stop telling all those stories and stick to the book.” It was all I could do to restrain myself. Peter’s stories alone were worth the price of tuition. Here was a man sharing his consulting experiences with some of America’s top companies, including General Motors, and this man didn’t see the value in it. But Peter truly changed my life. 

Early in my first year at the Drucker School, Peter Drucker invited me to his house. We had a wonderful chat in those big, wicker chairs, but not before he scolded me for timidly calling his wife’s phone, rather than having the courage to call his. Drucker’s spirit was shared by all my professors—kind, demanding, and generous.

When I was at Claremont Graduate School from 1977 until my retirement, I held teaching positions in education and public policy. What I felt most keenly about was the amount of autonomy that I had as a faculty member. You couldn’t find that anywhere else. It meant that I could develop courses in the way that I wanted and teach the way that I wanted.

My wife Diane Schuster and I met so many wonderful colleagues and friends through the institution. We still visit with them and keep in touch to this day.

School of Education faculty, approximately 1988. From left to right: David Drew, Doty Hale, Chuck Kerchner, Joe Weeres, Mary Poplin, Philip Dreyer, Daryl Smith, Malcolm Douglass, Jack Schuster, and John Regan.

I’ve served on the Board of Trustees for six years now, and I am currently the Board Chair. But my connection to CGU goes back much further—to my days as a student of Peter Drucker.

One of my favorite memories is from my time in his class. At the time, I was running a knowledge management program at NASA, focused on how we shared knowledge between generations, engineers, scientists, and the public. I was confident in my expertise, but Peter constantly challenged me, pushing me to rethink what knowledge really is — how something so intangible could be made tangible. Those conversations reshaped my approach, and, as a result, the program evolved into something even more impactful. The work I did with Peter’s guidance ultimately contributed to new advances in rocket science, lunar exploration, and deep space exploration by empowering scientists and engineers with better access to shared knowledge.

That way of thinking directly influenced my career path. Soon after, I was given the opportunity to work at the White House for President Obama, leading Data.gov, an open-data initiative that made hundreds of thousands of government datasets available to the public. The lessons I learned at CGU about knowledge-sharing and collaboration helped me drive a global movement around open data, empowering innovators and entrepreneurs to use information in new and transformative ways.

Beyond the classroom, CGU has been a place that truly fits my life. As a working professional, a mother, and the daughter of a disabled parent, I needed a graduate program that offered flexibility and support. CGU provided that. Professors like Lorne Olfman and Paul Gray helped me see that I didn’t want to just be a computer programmer — I wanted to be a system architect, someone who designs systems that empower people to make better decisions. That’s exactly what CGU fosters: a place where people can grow, rethink their paths, and have the support they need to succeed.

Even after all these years, I still love this community—the closeness, the small class sizes, the collaborative spirit. That’s why I give back. CGU shaped my journey, and now, as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I’m honored to help shape its future.

Earning my Master of Science in Mathematics was an incredibly exciting moment—one I’ll never forget. I received my degree in 2012, and it was a milestone that shaped my academic journey.

I have so many fond memories from my time at CGU. I’ll never forget the support I received from the math faculty. They played a key role in my experience, especially in allowing me to design my own research project instead of taking a traditional course.

That opportunity was invaluable. It allowed me to focus on work that aligned with both my master’s studies and my PhD research in education. Having the freedom to tailor my learning in a way that fit my goals made all the difference in my academic and professional growth.

When I left the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008, I knew I was stepping into uncharted territory. The challenges of military life were behind me but navigating the realities of PTSD and finding my next purpose were mountains I wasn’t sure I wanted climb.

CGU became my compass. The university’s interdisciplinary approach and the guidance of exceptional professors like Dr. Linda Perkins and Dr. Janet Brodie gave me the tools to explore my passions and define my path. It wasn’t just about education—it was about mentorship and the community.

One of the most transformative aspects of my time at CGU was learning to understand my PTSD better. Guest lecturing, participating in panel discussions, and diving deep into my PhD coursework gave me space to reflect on my experiences and confront the challenges I had buried.

My research in Gender Studies provided me with a new vocabulary to understand the power dynamics I encountered during my service. This perspective not only helped me unpack the roots of my PTSD but also allowed me to see how those dynamics shaped my own journey and interactions with others; which ultimately contributed to my healing.

CGU’s mission, “to prepare individuals to be leaders for positive change in the world,” resonated deeply with me. It wasn’t just a statement, I left CGU inspired to make a difference, whether in the classroom, the corporate world, or beyond.

I’m a proud PhD graduate of CGU and the vice chair of the Board of Trustees. My journey with CGU began in 2003 when I started working on my master’s degree, drawn by the opportunity to learn from incredible faculty and engage in meaningful research. That experience fueled my desire to pursue a PhD, making my time here challenging yet deeply rewarding.

One of my biggest influences was Professor Olfman, who was doing groundbreaking work in knowledge management and machine learning at the time. His mentorship and research inspired me to push boundaries in my own field, particularly in cybersecurity. But my connection to CGU extends far beyond my own education — it has become a family legacy. My son, daughter, sister, her husband, and even my niece have all followed in my footsteps, each finding their own path within the CGU community.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, my biggest supporter was always my mother. She constantly reminded me that I was the smartest and the prettiest, instilling in me the confidence to excel. Her belief in me carried through my time at CGU, where I was surrounded by faculty and peers who challenged and uplifted me.

Now, as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2021, I am honored to give back to the institution that has given me and my family so much. CGU not only shaped my own journey in cybersecurity and research, but it also inspired my entire family to become part of this incredible academic community.

My most meaningful memory at CGU is when I attended the pinning ceremony, which was held on Zoom during the pandemic. As a first-generation returning student and parent scholar, I never envisioned myself pursuing a doctoral degree. CGU has given me the opportunity to thrive academically as a member of a globally conscious community, and it has been a truly wonderful experience. 

I am pursuing a PhD in Urban Leadership and an alumna of the CGU Teacher Education program. My father, Dr. Wendell H Jones, achieved his PhD from CGU almost 50 years ago. We got to celebrate the centennial together last week!

When I joined the CGU Alumni Association as a founding board member, I had no idea it would lead to one of my most meaningful friendships. At that time, there weren’t elections—we were recruited to help shape the foundation of something new.

I remember our very first meeting. As I listened to Steve Kim speak, I noticed how he asked thoughtful, relevant questions that really resonated with me. I immediately thought, I need to talk to this person more. What made it even more interesting was that we came from completely different academic backgrounds—I graduated from the School of Educational Studies, while Steve was from Drucker. It was almost like we were from different worlds.

In fact, I have to embarrass him a little—at one point, Steve didn’t even realize there were other schools at CGU! He thought it was just Drucker. Of course, Drucker is great, but CGU is so much more than that. Despite our different academic journeys, we connected right away.

That connection grew beyond meetings and board discussions. When I graduated, I invited Steve to my celebration at a club in downtown LA, where we danced salsa and celebrated with my family and friends. He wasn’t just a colleague; he became part of my inner circle.

For me, CGU has always been about community, and the Alumni Association allowed me to continue fostering that sense of belonging. Working with Steve and others, we built something meaningful—a space where people felt seen, supported, and welcomed. That’s what CGU gave me: a lifelong community that extends far beyond the classroom.

I applied to CGU during a time when everything was online, which made building a sense of community even more meaningful. One of my favorite memories is how we cultivated connections remotely. 

When I was considering applying to the master’s program, I reached out to Phung Pham, who was finishing her dissertation at CGU, for an informational interview. She was incredibly generous with her time and had such a positive experience at the university that it inspired me to see what CGU could offer—not just in terms of opportunities, but also in building a strong community.  

Community extends beyond the classroom, and I’ve seen that firsthand—even in my own neighborhood. I live just a few houses away from Steve Kim, a fellow CGU alum and fellow Drucker graduate. We joke about calling our street “CGU Row” because so many of us are alumni. In fact, with even more CGU-affiliated neighbors nearby, we’ve thought about naming our little area “CGU Square.” It’s a reminder that the connections we build here don’t end at graduation—they continue to shape our lives in unexpected and meaningful ways. 

Claremont Graduate University has given me so many incredible memories, but at the heart of them all is one theme—community. Whether on the basketball court or through giving back as an alumnus, my time at CGU has been about bringing people together, building connections, and making an impact.

One of my favorite memories is when Professor Jay Prag formed the CGU intramural basketball team. Unlike the undergraduate teams we faced, our team was made up of students from all different schools and programs at CGU. Most of us were in our early 30s, stepping onto the court against 20- and 21-year-olds from Pitzer, Pomona, Claremont McKenna, and Harvey Mudd. But through strategy, teamwork, and Professor Prag’s leadership, we defied expectations, defeating every undergraduate team and making it to the finals. That experience wasn’t just about basketball—it was about camaraderie, resilience, and the friendships we formed along the way.

That same sense of community has shaped my involvement with CGU beyond graduation. One of my most meaningful experiences as a donor was working with Graduate Student Council President Kunal Kapoor to bring Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Metta World Peace and Ron Artest, to campus for a mental health awareness event (pictured above). As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Metta spoke with faculty, staff, and students about his struggles with mental health and how he not only survived but thrived. Watching him share his story and open an important conversation for our CGU community reinforced why I continue to give back.

From left to right: Michael Spicer, Jason Siegel, and Metta Sandiford Artest.

From the basketball court to alumni leadership to philanthropy, CGU has always been about more than just academics—it’s about the relationships we build and the impact we make together. Even years after graduation, I still feel deeply connected to this community, and I’m proud to be a part of CGU’s ongoing legacy as an alumnus and the Assistant Vice President of Advancement.

Reflecting on my time at CGU, I realize that my two years in the MFA program were among the most transformative and fast-paced periods of my life. I spent thousands of hours creating, experimenting, and refining my artistic practice, supported by the encouragement and guidance of faculty and classmates. Their insights challenged me to grow, while my family’s unwavering support provided the foundation for me to pursue this journey wholeheartedly.

CGU is more than an institution to me—it is my second home.

I arrived at CGU in 1995 as an assistant professor. I knew nothing of a fledgling intellectual movement called “Transdisciplinarity,” but it would later come to be woven into the DNA of CGU and into my intellectual DNA as well.

It began with a generous endowment gift by George and Ronya Kosmetsky and the establishment of the Kosmetsky Transdisciplinary Studies Program in 2005. George Kozmetsky was a technology innovator, author, educator, businessman and a Trustee at CGU who saw that the world was changing. He recognized that with accelerating globalization, specialization, and the complex nature of community and world problems there was an urgent need to provide students with an education that instilled the skills of collaboration and disciplinary border crossing, as well as the habits of life-long learning.

Wendy Martin would take the helm as the first Kosmetsky Chair and Director and lead the program in its formative years. Teresa Shaw, Associate Provost at the time, called me and fellow dean Yi Feng to her office. Her plea was for us to champion the program by teaching one of its inaugural courses. And so, the course “Social Justice” taught by Yi, John Regan, Jean Schroedel, and me was born. It was quite a roller-coaster ride for the semester.

But that wasn’t the end of the story. Eight years later, I would serve as the Director of the program, which I was proud to do. In 2016, I travelled to Suzhou, China, to give an address on Transdisciplinary Graduate Education, in which I discussed what we had learned over the past decade.

Serendipity meets destiny: CGU forged my transdisciplinary path. If I had not arrived at Claremont Graduate University in 1995, and if George and Ronya Kozmetsky had not given a generous gift to the university, and if I had not taught and then directed the program, I might not have encountered the idea of transdisciplinarity, and I certainly would not been invited to Suzhou, China to share the lessons of our work at CGU. Transdisciplinary approaches to problems that have a high degree of uncertainty, urgency, social relevance, and complexity are a signature part of what CGU does and has in no small part forged my intellectual path and how I see the world today.

May 2009 at the home of Jean Lipman-Blumen in Pasadena. From left to right: Jenny Darroch, Tina Christie, Kathy Pezdek, Wendy Martin, Karen Torjesen, Connie Zehr, Jean Lipman-Blumen, Patricia Easton.

In the early 2000s, the women faculty started meeting somewhat informally to discuss issues that were either particular to women faculty, or more generally to the campus, that we would like to see change. This group continued until around 2010. Jean Lipman Blumen was working on the idea of “Hot Groups,” groups that would organize around specific issues and then dissolve when the issue was addressed. It was a good idea and helped form a good community focus for us and for the campus.

At Walter’s Restaurant in Claremont. From left to right: Eve Oishi, Gondy LeRoy, Kathy Pezdek, Karen Torjesen, May Poplin, Lori Anne Ferrell, Janet Brodie, Wendy Martin, Jenny Darroch, Jennifer Merolla, Tammi Schneider, Daryl Smith, Jean Schroedel, Barbara DeHart, Jean Lipman-Blumen.

Some of the deans at Commencement in May 2004: the early days of our formation of schools. There were eight schools, and later nine when the School of Community & Global Health joined in 2007. From left to right: Lorne Olfman, Dean of the School of Information Systems & Technology, Cornelius de Kluyver, Dean of the Drucker School, Patricia Easton, Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities, John Angus, Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences, Karen Torjesen, Dean of the School of Religion, and Stewart Donaldson, Dean of the School of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences. We were missing the Deans of the School of Politics and Economics and School of Educational Studies in this picture.

Another Dean and Director photo taken more recently in May 2019: now five schools, one center, and one institute. From left to right: Lorne Olfman, Director Center for Information Systems & Technology, DeLacy Ganley, Dean of School of Educational Studies, Alan Stacy, Dean of School of Community & Global Health, Patricia Easton, Provost, Patrick Mason, Dean of School of Arts & Humanities, Allen Omoto, Associate Provost of Academic Affairs, Michelle Bligh, Dean of School of Social Sciences, Policy & Evaluation, and John Angus, Director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences. We were missing the Dean of the Drucker School in this picture.

From left to right: Dr. Sallama Shaker, Patricia Easton, and two colleagues from the Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in Washington DC, 2016.

Dr. Sallama Shaker, who passed away on May 10, 2024, was the former Ambassador of Egypt to Canada and a Clinical Professor of Middle East & International Studies at CGU. She was the first woman diplomat to be appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt for American and Latin American Affairs. She held a PhD in International Development from American University in Washington DC and obtained her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.

We held a special bond because I was born and raised in Canada, and I was especially fascinated by her work there. She had many incredible stories to tell. She persuaded me to make a trip to Washington DC in early March of 2016. Our purpose was to visit the various embassies of the Middle Eastern countries to share our programs and opportunities for students from the region. It was a whirlwind. At one of the embassies, they were off-putting and made us wait for a long time in a nondescript room. Once they entered and discovered who Dr. Shaker was, there was a complete shift in their attitudes and engagement. That visit meant many more students for CGU in the coming years. We also visited the Egyptian Ministry to sign an MOU to enable agreements with Egyptian universities for their students to have pathways of study at CGU.

On the final evening of our stay in DC, we were invited to the Egyptian Embassy. Dr. Shaker was treated like royalty, and we were treated to a formal dinner with many distinguished Egyptians. It was a night to remember.

For me, the heart of my CGU experience is the spirit of paying it forward. One of my earliest and most meaningful memories happened during my very first month in the PhD program in Evaluation. 

I was still trying to find my way when I met Dr. Tarek Azam, who was a faculty member at CGU at the time and is now at UC Santa Barbara. In our first meeting, he paused, looked at me thoughtfully, and smiled before saying, “I worked throughout grad school too. I know what it’s like to juggle being a student and working.” He shared how he used to take naps in his car or the library just to avoid traffic—because he knew I was commuting and balancing multiple responsibilities. In that moment, I felt truly seen. 

Later, I met my secondary advisor, Dr. Leslie Fierro. From day one, she understood me. She had also been a working student during her PhD, just like me, and she made it clear that it was okay to take a different path—to embrace curiosity and carve out my own way of thriving. 

That lesson has stayed with me. CGU taught me that success doesn’t always have to be loud or in the spotlight. It’s okay to grow and thrive in a quieter way, to work behind the scenes, and to still make an impact. I see that in others now, and I think it’s important to remind people that their way of thriving—no matter how different—matters. 

Additionally, at CGU, I was granted the freedom to think outside the box, which empowered me to combine my eclectic research interests and to engage in practical evaluation projects that piqued my curiosity. I’m proud of everything I learned and honed during my years at CGU, and I’m grateful for many lasting bonds and friendships. I keep in contact with my professors and various classmates. Whenever we see each other at conferences, it feels like a warm, nerdy family reunion.  

The milieu of the campus was excellent too. I always felt calm and safe wandering the campus and exploring different study and break spots. I especially enjoyed studying next to the warm fireplace inside Hagelbarger’s on rainy days and sitting beneath the pink magnolia tree by the Burkle building during early winter. I believe that tree got knocked down by a windstorm a few years ago, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it blooming again when I visited campus during the Spring Centennial Celebration event on March 1, 2025! 

When I joined the CGU Alumni Association’s founding board, I didn’t expect to gain a friend like Maria Morales. At first, it was all about business—building a strong alumni network, creating opportunities for engagement, and making sure that CGU graduates felt connected even after leaving campus. But what we built was something much deeper.

Maria and I met at our first board meeting, and I quickly realized she was a force to be reckoned with. The board was mostly male, and it was refreshing to have a strong woman confidently say, “No, I don’t think so” when something didn’t sit right. She spoke up when others were hesitant, saying things that needed to be said.

One of the things I admire most about Maria is how she sees community not just as a network, but as a family. That became clear when she invited me to her graduation celebration in downtown LA. It wasn’t just a professional connection anymore—I was welcomed by her friends, her family, her world. That moment solidified what the Alumni Association was all about: connection, support, and a sense of belonging.

For me, being part of CGU isn’t just about professional success—it’s about building bridges with others. Too often, we get stuck in our own little worlds. But through CGU, and through friendships like the one I have with Maria, I’ve learned that real community is built when we open ourselves up to those around us.

I’ve been a member of the Board of Trustees at Claremont Graduate University since 2021. Before joining, my knowledge of CGU was limited—I was familiar with it as one of the Claremont Colleges because my daughter graduated from Pomona. But my real connection to CGU began when a good friend in Washington, D.C., Tom O’Donnell, invited me to consider serving on the board as he was rotating off. At the time, I was retiring and moving to San Diego, and I saw this as a meaningful opportunity to give back.

Since joining the board, one of the most influential figures for me has been Tim Kirley, who was chairman of the board when I came on and later served as interim president. Tim’s leadership through challenging times was remarkable, and he played a major role in shaping my understanding of CGU and its mission.

Two experiences stand out as my most meaningful CGU memories. First, participating in several commencement ceremonies has been profoundly moving. Seeing graduates—many of whom are older students who have worked for years to earn their degrees—walk across the stage surrounded by the unwavering support of their families is a powerful reminder that education is often a collective achievement. The second memory that resonates deeply with me is witnessing the incredible talents of CGU students and faculty. I vividly remember an evening performance by a gifted cellist, which showcased the extraordinary breadth of educational experiences CGU offers. Moments like these reinforce the university’s commitment to both scholarship and creativity.

At this stage in my life, having retired from a long career, it means a great deal to be part of something that allows me to give back—to help others find the same joy and success that I was fortunate enough to experience. Being on the board since 2021, especially as CGU emerged from the challenges of COVID, has given me the chance to contribute to the university’s future while witnessing firsthand the impact of education on so many lives.

I remember the incredible positive relational energy in the large Burkle classroom as faculty, students, and alumni gathered for Distinguished Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s final in-person keynote at CGU for the Western Positive Psychology Association in January of 2020. He spoke on flow and happiness, reminding us that those who study positive psychology are destined for a meaningful, engaged, and fulfilling life.

CGU alumnus Dr. Matthew Dubin receiving the 2019 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Dissertation Award for Excellence in Positive Psychology.

In 2015, Distinguished Professor Michael Scriven beamed with joy and pride as he honored the inaugural cohort of CGU graduate student fellows at a celebratory dinner on campus. Supported by his newly established Faster Forward Fund, established through his own philanthropic generosity, these scholars embarked on a journey of impactful research on evaluation, inspired by his unwavering commitment to advancing the transdiscipline of evaluation science.

Distinguished Evaluation Professor Michael Scriven honoring his Faster Forward Fund Fellows at CGU in 2015.

Picture of Professor Donaldson giving the Presidential Address of the American Evaluation Association in 2015 in Chicago. Many CGU faculty (including Scriven), alums, and students were in the audience.

Professor Donaldson published books honoring both Distinguished Professors’ careers and legacies.

My husband, Adrian Pantoja, earned his PhD in Political Science from CGU nearly 24 years ago. With our eldest son and me by his side, it marked the beginning of his journey as an expert in Latino political behavior. Fast forward to 2025, and I am thrilled to have joined the CGU family myself as the Director of Philanthropy at the Drucker School of Management. Our family’s connection to CGU continues to grow, and we are grateful for the lasting memories and impact the university has had on our lives. 

When I nearly dropped out because my fellow students were much better prepared than I, Professor Douglass Adair encouraged me to stay one year and then make my decision. He was the reason I gave myself the chance to find out if I could handle CGU or Claremont Graduate School as it was known then. Upshot, both my MA thesis and dissertation were published by university presses and referenced by leading scholars. Professor Adair decisively influenced my career as a scholar and college educator. Claremont has set a gold standard for graduate education.

The formation of Union of International African Students (UIAS) in 2022 brought together students from various African countries at CGU, fostering new strengths in us and enhancing both our community and individual capacities. CGU has made us feel at home—while away from home—by providing the platform and resources we need to thrive.