Oral Histories Collection

Follow

• 

  Olegario D. Cantos VII oral history - April 19, 2024

  Olegario D. Cantos VII [narrator]

  This oral history of Olegario "Ollie" D. Cantos VII (he/him/his), recorded on April 19, 2024, discusses the value of education of the whole person (Cura Personalis) instilled in him at Loyola Marymount University, mentorship he received in the Political Science department, his experiences with diversity on campus, navigating college with a disability, and receiving the Stanley Chan award. At the time of this interview, Olegario was 53 years old and resided in West Covina, California. He attended Loyola Marymount University beginning in Fall 1988 and was a member of the Loyola Marymount University graduating Class of 1992. At the time of this interview, Olegario worked in the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights and was an elected official on the West Covina City Council. In 1992, he received the Stanley Chan Award from Loyola Marymount University's Political Science department for demonstrating superior academic achievement, outstanding service to the University, and commitment to Judeo-Christian values. Olegario was originally from Los Angeles, California and West Covina, California.

• 

  Nancy Pineda-Madrid oral history - April 8, 2024

  Nancy Pineda-Madrid [narrator]

  This oral history of Nancy Pineda-Madrid (she/her/hers), recorded on April 8, 2024, discusses changing majors from Business to Theology and a transformative year abroad volunteering in Chihuahua, Mexico while a student at Loyola Marymount University, later becoming the T. Marie Chilton Chair of Catholic Theology, and her work to build bridges between Latinx women and the LGBTQ communities through coursework in theology and her research on violence against women. At the time of this interview, Nancy was 64 years old, identified as Roman Catholic, Chicano, Mexican-American, and Latinx theologian, and resided in Los Angeles, California. She attended Loyola Marymount University from 1977-1981 and became a faculty member in 2019. At the time of this interview, Nancy was a professor in the Theological Studies department at Loyola Marymount University and the T. Marie Chilton Chair of Catholic Theology. Nancy was originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

• 

  Leticia Rhi Buckley oral history - November 28, 2023

  Leticia Rhi Buckley [narrator]

  This interview with Leticia Rhi Buckley (she/her), recorded on November 28, 2023, discusses the college application process as a child of Mexican immigrants, the development of her spirituality as a student at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), her deep personal connection to the mission of the university, and her involvement in the Chicano Latino Student Services. At the time of this interview, Leticia was 52 years old, identified as a straight, Latina person and resided in Los Angeles, California. She is an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and attended from 1989 until 1993 during which she majored in Political Science. Leticia was originally from Los Angeles, California.

• 

  Curtiss Takada Rooks oral history - November 16, 2023

  Curtiss Takada Rooks [narrator]

  This oral history of Curtiss Takada Rooks (he/him/his), recorded on November 16, 2023, discusses coming to understand his mixed-race identity while growing up in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, finding an academic home in the Department of Asian Pacific American Studies at Loyola Marymount University, and the transformative impact of Japanese programs on faculty and students to perform critical research. At the time of this interview, Curtiss was 66 years old, identified as Black Japanese, and resided in Culver City, California. He was a faculty member at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) for two years in the 1990s and was Associate Dean of the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts (BCLA) from 2006 until 2023. Curtiss was originally from Yokohama, Japan and Manhattan, Kansas.

• 

  Amir Hussain oral history - November 3, 2023

  Amir Hussain [narrator]

  This oral history of Amir Hussain, recorded on November 3, 2022, discusses navigating a complex identity at a predominantly white Catholic university, the importance of a liberal arts education and vocational training in academia, the principles of a Jesuit education, and opportunities to mentor and be mentored at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). At the time of this interview, Amir identified as a straight, brown, Canadian, American, Muslim, South Asian, male, teacher, uncle, neighbor, ex-athlete, music aficionado, and Habs and Lakers fan and he resided in Los Angeles, California. Amir was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and raised in Toronto, Canada. Amir was hired at Loyola Marymount University in 2005 and is a professor of Theological Studies.

• 

  Diana Fuentes Michel oral history - March 27, 2023

  Diana Fuentes [narrator]

  This oral history of Diana Fuentes Michel, recorded on March 27, 2023, discusses her coursework in the Chicano Studies department, receiving the Chicano Leadership Grant and being among the first women history majors in Chicano Studies after the merger of Loyola University and Marymount College, broadcasting ALMA del Barrio for KXLU radio, and how her educational experience at LMU informed her work implementing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and more on the California Postsecondary Education Commission. At the time of this interview, Diana was 65 years old, identified as Roman Catholic and Chicana, and as a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and LMU alumnus, and resided in Sacramento, California. Diana attended LMU from 1975 until 1979 majoring in History and Chicano Studies. She was the former Director of the California Student Aid Commission and Undersecretary for Education under Governor Gray Davis. Diana was from Boyle Heights and El Sereno in Los Angeles, California.

• 

  Mary R. Blanding oral history - March 22, 2023

  Mary R. Blanding [narrator]

  This oral history of Mary R. Blanding, recorded on March 22, 2023, discusses her decision to attend Loyola Marymount University (LMU), how Jesuit philosophy shaped their educational experience, and their involvement and advocacy work with the Black Student Union. At the time of this interview, Mary was 72 years old, identified as Black, and resided in Altadena, California. Mary is an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and attended from 1969 until 1973. Mary was a staff member at LMU from 1975 until 1978. Mary was originally from Los Angeles, California.

• 

  Renata Simril oral history - March 7, 2023

  Renata Simril [narrator]

  This oral history of Renata Simril, recorded on March 11, 2024, discusses her experience as a woman of color and former military officer at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), the mentorship she received from Dr. Cheryl Grills in the Kente Scholars program, and participating in the creation of the African American Alumni Association; shares her perspective on racial and social injustice at LMU and how she found community with the help of Barbara Avery's all-women hiking group, nicknamed the Black Centipede; and reflects on the importance of finding common ground and forming meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds. At the time of this interview, Renata identified as Black, a woman of color, leader, and humanitarian. She resided in Studio City, California and was the President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation. Renata is an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University and attended from 1990-1993 during which time she majored in Political Science. Renata was originally from Hollywood, Californi and grew up in Carson, California.

• 

  Alfred Tipon, Jr. oral history - February 16, 2023

  Alfred Tipon [narrator]

  This interview with Alfred "Al" Tipon, Jr. (he/him), recorded on February 16, 2023, discusses changes he has noticed in student life, finding community with the Hawaii Club while a student and ongoing mentorship of students through the club, recalls working as a student in the Student Health Center and his experience on campus during the Rodney King Riots in 1992, and reflects on his work in Facilities Management to support a thriving university campus community. At the time of this interview, Alfred was 62 years old, identified as Hawaiian, Chinese, and Phillipino, and resided in Lawndale, CA. He attended Loyola Marymount University from 1977 to 1981 majoring in Business Administration. He worked for the university from 1980 to 2016, lastly as the Senior Director of Facilities Management. In retirement, he continued to advise for Nā Kōlea, LMU's Hawaiian student organization, and managed the LMU Ice Hockey team, which he also founded. Alfred was originally from Lanai City, Hawaii and grew up in San Dimas, California.

• 

  Alberta Brinson Moore oral history - February 8, 2023

  Alberta Brinson Moore [narrator]

  This oral history of Alberta Brinson Moore (she/her), recorded on February 8, 2023, discusses the college admissions process in the 1980s, recounts resurrecting The Tower, the university's yearbook, and shares the importance of giving back through her work on the African American Alumni Association board and the Upward Bound program providing resources to inner city children. At the time of this interview, Alberta was 61 years old, identified as African American, Baptist, a wife, and a parent, and resided in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, California. She is an Alumnus of Loyola Marymount University which she attended from 1980 until 1984 majoring in Urban Studies and minoring in Business Management. Alberta was originally from Mount Vernon County, Georgia, and raised in Los Angeles, California. She formerly worked as a Claims Specialist for State Farm Insurance.