Redman highlights 'Service with a Smile'
Campus Times
September 12, 1997
The University of La Verne presented its 107th annual Fall Convocation
last Friday, Sept. 5, in Founder's Auditorium, with featured speaker Dr.
Peggy Redman.
One of the University's traditions, Fall Convocation is utilized as
a manner of opening another academic year; it welcomes new and returning
students, faculty and staff, while serving as a representation of a new
beginning.
Dr. Redman, associate professor of education, introduced "Service
with a Smile" as this year's discussion. In her speech, she presented
an aspect of ULV which is very significant to her-service.
"I took this direction because service is such a component of ULV.
It is in the mission statement," Dr. Redman said. "It is the primary
goal of the educated person."
According to Dr. Redman, 'service' refers to service within communities,
and 'with a Smile' expresses "the positive qualities found at ULV and
in the people that embody the University-students, faculty and staff alike.
"La Verne cares about people. It is a way of approaching life that
you students will carry with you when you graduate from ULV," Dr. Redman
said.
A 1960 graduate of La Verne College, Dr. Redman began the Leopard tradition
at an early age. As a child, she remembers attending homecoming games, and
recalls being a part of ULV after her graduation as well.
"It's interesting to hear how many people within one family made
an impact around the University of La Verne," said freshman business
major Marcus Franco. "The speech inspired me to get involved and contribute
to ULV."
From her experience, Dr. Redman believes that a "diamond in the
rough" best portrays the University of La Verne.
Through its environment, values, heroes, rites and rituals, Dr. Redman
is convinced that ULV is an organization with a strong culture. In her speech,
she observed the culture of ULV, because "it is with that culture that
we have exemplified the heroes we have. By taking a look at heroes, we can
look at people who have been associated with La Verne over the years."
Such heroes include Roland "Ort" Ortmayer, whose contribution
as ULV's football coach is best exemplified by Ortmayer Stadium; Dr. Herb
Hogan, whose service to the ULV community takes up all of 50 years, and
whose knowledge and teaching influenced Dr. Redman to become a history major;
and University of La Verne President Stephen Morgan, who she described as
someone who, "as an undergraduate shared in the dream of becoming president
of [his] own alma mater."
In addition, Dr. Redman expressed her pride in such heroes, and in the
institution that gave them the heart for service. She explained that, in
comparison to many other colleges, ULV approaches areas of tradition and
service quite differently.
"I value La Verne's [ULV's] history, and the tradition evolving
around history," said Dr. Redman. "La Verne is special and unique;
it always comes back to the fact that people are key to what makes it unique."
Marilyn Oliver, professor of physical education and athletic training,
said, "As far as the context of Convocation, I enjoyed it because I
was familiar with the people and their contribution. I agreed with the assessments."
As Dr. Redman continued, she explained the uniqueness of La Verne's
people, and their commitment.
"People try to explain La Verne -- good school, good faculty, etc-but
it's more than that. People make it different, people have a commitment
to students," she said.
Such dedication and service is what Dr. Redman primarily exemplified
in her speech. By involving her own personal journey within the context
of her presentation, she involved the audience on what she felt ULV is truly
about.
