by University of La Verne
July 15, 2010

Recent Updates

Doris Hopwood Dunham BA ’60, M.Ed. 1992. Ordained as a minister in the Church of the Brethren on September 12, 2010. Working as a volunteer in the Bereavement Department of Optimal Hospice in Bakersfield, Calif. Currently enrolled in an online MA program in Christian Studies/Pastoral Ministry through Grand Canyon University.

La Verne College alumnus Todd DeMitchell recently received a Distinguished Faculty award from the University of New Hampshire.

< Todd DeMitchell BA ’69 MAT ’73 was recently selected as the Distinguished Professor for the University of New Hampshire. Of DeMitchell, the university’s website says: “It’s not surprising that Todd DeMitchell was named team captain and most valuable player for his football team at La Verne College in California.

To his colleagues in the UNH Department of Education, the one-time All-American still fulfills those roles as a leader, top scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend. As his colleague Associate Professor Tom Schram says, “The simple important truth about Todd is that he cares deeply, and he carries this ethic of care into every facet of his life and work. In his remarkable, self-effacing way, he excels at what he does while constantly reaching out to those around him with encouragement, support, humor, and gentle guidance.”

A leading authority in the field of educational law and policy, DeMitchell knew as a 20-year-old undergraduate student that he wanted to be a college professor. After earning a string of degrees in California, he came to UNH in 1990, where his contributions teaching graduate courses in administrative leadership and school law to prepare leaders in K-12 have helped make the University’s education programs among the best in the country. DeMitchell is one of the preeminent voices in the field of education law, having published more than 135 scholarly articles and five books.

Kimbley Craig '98, was successful in her campaign for a City Council seat in Salinas, Calif.

< Kimbley Craig 1998 (B.S. Criminology) Kimbley Craig beat out an incumbent and won a seat in her first run for City Council in Salinas, Ca (pop. 150,000) in the November 2, 2010 election. She is currently the youngest elected official in Salinas. Kimbley is a Past President of the Salinas Jaycees, and is owner of an advertising firm, K. Craig Media. She also enjoys her memberships with Junior League of Monterey County and Monterey County Young Professionals. In her free time, she plays roller derby with the Monterey Bay Derby Dames.

Matt Jackson ’02 Business Administration and Member of the ULV Baseball Team from 1998-2002. Currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn with the 1-140th Assault Helicopter Battalion (Task Force Longknife), California Army National Guard based out of Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Calif. Stationed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Working as a Battle Captain and UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter pilot conducting battlefield circulation missions in support of the troop drawdown in Iraq. Left in August, was at Fort Hood, Tex. for pre-deployment training until October and anticipate returning home in July of 2011. The support, thoughts and prayers of many of my ULV classmates, friends, and faculty continue to keep me strong. I look forward to returning home next summer to my loving wife, Amy, 3-1/2 year old son Jared (named after ULV alumnus, USMC 1st LT Jared Landaker CH-46 Pilot, KIA 7 February 2007 in Iraq) and 11-month-old daughter Charleigh.

Christine Boucher ’03, BS in Criminology, obtained a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University and is now a second-year law student at Concord Law School.

Newborn Little Leos

Misha (Kellogg) Drapalik ’95 Whitney Lee Drapalik, born September 15, 2010, 5 lbs, 15 oz, 19 inches. Big sister Vivian turns 3 in January.

Hector D. Casas ’06 Delina Nicole Casas was born on September 24th, at 11:06 am. 7 lbs., 12 oz., 20 in. She joins big brothers Dominic and Dylan.

Sandra Perez (Gonzalez) ’95 Little Sister, Amelia Marin, joined big Sister, Lucilla on September 9, 2010. Born at Arcadia Mehodist Amelia was 7 lbs., 1 oz., and 20 inches long. She was welcomed home by Sandra Perez, her husband Zachary Gonzalez, to their new home in Diamond Bar, Calif.

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