Scholarship Gala Highlights Leopards’ Legacy
Alumna Adele Jones visits ULV, reflecting on her volleyball legacy and celebrating the 2025 national finalists. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)
Adele Jones ’05 reflects on championship grit and lifelong connections as ULV honors its latest finalists at the 2026 Scholarship Gala
For former University of La Verne volleyball standout Adele Jones ’05, watching the current women’s team compete for the NCAA national championship brought back a flood of memories. A key member of the Leopards’ 2001 national title team, Jones knows what it takes to reach that stage. “It’s not easy to get there,” she said. “The way they persevered all season is amazing.”
The 2025 team will be honored at the 2026 Scholarship Gala on May 2 at the Sheraton Fairplex Suites and Conference Center in Pomona, a tribute Jones says is well deserved. “It’s important for people to see the athletes who represent the university and how hard they’ve worked to get there,” she said.
Now a personal trainer and co-owner of Fitness by Design Training Studio, Jones watched many of the championship matches at home with her children, often pointing to the screen: “That’s where mom went to school.” The experience also reminded her of what defined her own time at La Verne. “The van rides, the meals, the inside jokes, that’s what sticks with you,” she said. “It was the connection with my teammates.”
As today’s players prepare for what comes next, Jones offers simple advice: stay connected. “Twenty years later, we’re still getting together, still telling the same stories,” she said.
About the 2026 Scholarship Gala
The gala highlights the impact of academic scholarships at La Verne while celebrating the achievements of students and the supporters who help make their education possible.
The evening begins with a 6 p.m. reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing at 8:30 p.m. Guests are invited to attend in black-tie optional attire.
For sponsorship opportunities, tickets, and additional details, visit laverne.edu/gala.
