Amira Seyoum
Staff Writer

John Lentz, director of campus safety and transportation, resigned on Aug. 31 and Michael Nunez was appointed as the new director.

For Lentz this was the second time he has resigned, but says it will be the last. He is retiring so that he and his wife can pursue their dreams of traveling and spending time with family, Lentz said.

Since taking over as director, Nunez has not been able to relax.

“We are short-handed and so I have been running around taking calls and filling in for officers,” he said.

“It has been interesting for me and I can’t wait until I can catch up with all the tone of this position.”

Nunez, who has been with the University of La Verne since March as the assistant director of campus safety and transportation, said, “I’m glad to be here and I want to thank John Lentz for all his support.

“After talking to John he just decided it was a good time to retire.

“The first time he resigned I believe it was because he was ill at the time and to know John and the type of person he is, he didn’t want to leave the University without having something or someone in place to take over.”

Lentz, who was the office of housing and residential life’s go-to man throughout the summer, provided exceptional leadership.

“I miss working with Lentz and look forward to working with Nunez,” said Eugene Shang, associate director of housing.

Before coming to the University, Nunez was the chief of police for the Compton Unified School District for 15 years. Before that, he was in the Compton Police Department for 16 years as a sergeant.

Nunez has yet to find time to review the department’s structure to see if there is anything that needs changing.

“There are things I have to get done like the Emergency Preparedness Plan,” he said.

The plan consists of instructions and procedures to be followed in case an earthquake or fire occurs at the University.

Officer Louis Silva feels the department suffered a loss by losing Lentz, but at the same time has received a great addition with Nunez.

“Campus safety will make the adjustments we need to as a team, but Nunez is a great addition,” Silva said.

“He brings a fresh new perspective to the department and I’m sure we will work well as a team.”

Amira Seyoum can be reached at aseyoum@ulv.edu.