ULV alumna returns as coordinator

photo by Bailey Porter

Julia Wheeler, a former University of La Verne student, has returned as coordinator of church relations between the University and the Church of the Brethren. The University was established by members of the Church of the Brethren in 1891 and was originally named Lordsburg College. Wheeler is a member of the congregation of the La Verne Church of the Brethren, located on E Street and Bonita Avenue.

by Alejandra Molina
Assistant Editor

Growing up on Second Street, Julia Wheeler graduated from Bonita High and attended the University of La Verne. Now she is back and is serving the community as coordinator of church relations for ULV.

Wheeler will represent the University at church functions, annual and district conferences and national and regional youth conferences.

"I'd like to see more of a Brethren influence to the University," Wheeler said.

She believes the Brethren influence was stronger when she attended ULV. She said that the Brethren are really simple people with community service values.

"It's hard in a university setting, where the emphasis is to get a good job," Wheeler said. "There should be more of an emphasis of how you can contribute to the world and community; the greater good."

Wheeler already looked into a database of all the high school students who were connected with the Brethren throughout the country, said Robert Earheart, associate vice president of university relations, who appointed Wheeler to the position.

"We advertised the position and sent out the notice to a lot of churches and church related organizations," Earheart said.

"She's a graduate from ULV and she's a long life member of the Church of Brethren," Earheart said. "She's a perfect match to work at the University."

"I love it, it's two things that I love, the University and the church," Wheeler said.

It is important to have someone specifically coordinating these activities, Earheart said.

In 1950, the University of La Verne had about 50 or 60 Brethren students out of 300. Currently, there are only about a dozen Brethren students out of a population of over 1,300.

The connection of the Brethren influence is still very strong in the University, Earheart said. However, he also said there are not many Brethren young people attending the University.

There are a total of six Brethren colleges in the United States, and according to Wheeler, the Brethren colleges in California are more open and tolerating.

"At our church we have two female pastors," Wheeler said. Other churches like those in Pennsylvania are more conservative, she added.

"We accept gay and lesbian leadership, and some think it's a sin," Wheeler said.

Growing up in the Pomona Fellowship Church of Brethren, Wheeler characterizes herself as a strong Christian.

"Definitely, I'm a much stronger Christian than I was as a younger person," Wheeler said.

The loss of her husband at a young age is one of the reasons she became stronger in faith, she said.

One of Wheeler's greatest experiences was living in France for a year.

"It was the best year of my life," she said. "You become totally independent; you really grow up. It really expanded my vision of the world."

Wheeler has visited various parts of Europe and the United States. She has also visited Mexico and North Africa.

Wheeler earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a master's in education in school administration from ULV.

Wheeler has also had experience as an elementary and middle school teacher.