La Verne sweeps Thurman off feet
Campus Times
September 13, 1996
This year, the Oaks residence hall has a new area coordinator, Julie
Thurman. Originally from the Pasadena area, Thurman came to ULV from James
Madison College in Virginia, where she was an area coordinator for the past
year. Thurman attended the University of San Diego as an undergraduate.
Energetic, positive and curious are words Oaks Area Coordinator Julie Thurman
uses to describe herself, while in and outside of work.
Attending college at the University of San Diego, a private Catholic institution,
and being a Residence Assistant, Thurman found love with working in her
chosen profession. Graduating with bachelor's degrees in English and business,
she worked at USD for three years. During this time, she also completed
a masters of arts and teaching degree. For the past year, she has worked
as an Area Coordinator at James Madison College in Virginia.
Thurman is also the conference coordinator, and she describes with a smile,
how the University of La Verne swept her off her feet. She feels the University
has a good reputation for its student affairs program.
Born and raised in Pasadena, she was familiar with La Verne's small community
commitment. Wanting to get back to a small private college was what brought
her to La Verne.
Her responsibilities on campus keep her busy. As an AC, she oversees the
nine R.A.s of the Oaks. She insures that they are keeping in touch and interacting
with the residents. She acts as an adviser and a counselor to those residents
who may need it, as well as filling several administrative positions. She
intervenes when there are maintenance complaints, and also behavioral problems
in the residence halls. As Conference Coordinator, she oversees the conference
accommodations during the summer and throughout the year.
Thurman, who had originally planned on teaching, decided to take a career
path toward student affairs and residence life. She felt that, by the time
students reached the college level, there were other educational components
that her experience would serve better.
Going through the growing pains and teaching students how to relate in the
real world outside of class, is what she feels is the most rewarding aspect
of her job. She feels that her most challenging obstacle is getting through
the apathy felt toward education. She finds a concern in making students
realize that there are always educational avenues to further explore.
Thurman plans to create a community in the upcoming year. A new recreation
room is under construction, which will be a place where residents can interact
with their neighbors. Dynamic programming to implement speakers into the
residential curriculum is being planned for the Oaks to better assess the
needs of students. A survey was also taken by the Oaks residents, to better
understand their needs.
As a new member of the La Verne community, Thurman likes the safe atmosphere
in which she lives and works. She appreciates the warm welcome she received.
It's a community where "everybody knows your name," said Thurman.
While living in the AC apartments, at the Oaks, Thurman is " 50 steps
from work," she says. Although her personal life and her professional
life are nearby, she enjoys her free time outside of work by traveling,
horseback riding, running and being outdoors.
Seeing through the negative, and being a listener are what Thurman feels
are her best qualities. She attributes this to her parents and her "
passionate love for the lord."
In Julie's future, she would like to further her education by earning her
doctorate, and teach English or psychology at the college level.