LV College Latino alumni honored

photo by Jason Cooper

Ruben and Dolores Gonzales were two of three Latinos attending the University of La Verne in 1952, then called La Verne College. Recently both were honored with an award of distinction by the Latino Alumni Association as pioneers in the field of teaching, paving the way for other Latino alumna to enter into roles as educators.

by Desiree Quintero
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne Latino Alumni Association honored two alumni recently, with a Tardeada at the Sheraton Fairplex.

Ruben and Dolores Gonzales were honored for dedicating their lives to being mentors, educators and outstanding citizens.

The Gonzaleses earned their bachelor's degrees in education from La Verne College in 1954; they were two of the first Latino graduates.

"They were among the first Latinos to attend the University," said Beth Elmore, alumni relations director. "But, more important is who they became as leaders, educators and mentors in the community. They have dedicated their life to educating others."

After graduating from La Verne College, Dolores Gonzales earned a master's from California State University, Los Angeles, and a doctorate from Claremont Graduate School.

Dolores Gonzales worked as an elementary school teacher for over 30 years and is currently a student-teacher supervisor at ULV.

Ruben Gonzales was program coordinator for migrant education in San Diego County and Imperial County.

He was an administrator in the Chino Unified School District, and a principal in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

Ruben Gonzales started his teaching career at a pay rate of $2,800 a year.

He was offered a job at a cleaners for $100 a month, but followed his passion and love for teaching, which he said helped guide him to where he is today.

ULV President Stephen Morgan and La Verne Mayor Jon Blickenstaff were among those present at the Latino Alumni Association's event honoring the Gonzaleses.

"It was appropriate that they were the first alumni to be honored by the Association, because ULV has a strong history with educating future teachers," Elmore said.

The Gonzaleses said they were honored, appreciative and proud of the honor given to them by the Latino Alumni Association.

"I cried; I couldn't believe it," said Dolores Gonzales, with tears in her eyes. "What an honor."

Thinking back to their days at what was then La Verne College, the Gonzaleses remember just how different things were for them in those days.

"We were a real oddity; we were Catholic; we were married; we were Mexican and I was pregnant," Dolores Gonzales said. "We were doing all these things and still going to college and working."

Despite all of the hardships they faced, the Gonzaleses pressed on overcoming obstacles to follow their dreams.

"My older brother quit school in the seventh grade so that he could contribute to the household," Ruben Gonzales said.

Being part of a traditional Mexican family, Ruben Gonzales said he felt that as a man, it was his job to provide for his family.

Although he continued his studies, he said he felt guilty that he stayed in school, while his older brother helped provide for his siblings.

Dolores Gonzales' father did not want her to continue her education, because he felt it was not a woman's place to be in school.

Despite her father's beliefs, she continued college, and now wants to write a book about those who inspired her.

"I want to write a book about my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother and myself," Dolores Gonzales said. "I never would have gotten my Ph.D without their trust."