Oral Histories Collection

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  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.

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  Fernando Guerra oral history - March 16, 2023

  Fernando J. Guerra [narrator]

  This oral history of Fernando Guerra, recorded on March 16, 2023, discusses his experience as a Chicano professor, the founding of the Center for the Study of Los Angeles, representation of Latino staff and faculty in leadership positions, and the treatment of facilities management staff at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). At the time of this interview, Fernando was 64 years old, identified as Chicano, Mexican American, and Catholic, and resided in Los Angeles, California. He has been affiliated with LMU for 39 years and is the Director for the Study of Los Angeles, and a Professor of Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies and Political Science. Fernando was originally from the Highland Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  Dr. John P. Crocker, Jr oral history - December 20, 2022

  John P. Crocker [narrator]

  This oral history of Dr. John P. Crocker, recorded on December 19, 2022, discusses finding a sense of community among the small black student population at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in the Office of Black Student Services and Minority Student Services during the 1980s; describes his role as an advisor for the Black Student Union, shares his experiences as a professional singer and vocal music teacher, including singing at the ceremony commemorating the life of NBA player and LMU alumnus Hank Gathers; and reflects on mentors who influenced his life and career including Barbara Avery and Dr. Paul Solomon. At the time of this interview, John was 52 years old, identified as an ordained Baptist Minister and Elder, and resided in Lancaster, California. John is an alumnus of LMU, attended from 1988 until 1992 where he majored in Communications and Fine Arts, and was a guest artist at LMU in 1998 and 1999. John was originally from Compton, California.

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  Mary Salinas Durón oral history - December 20, 2022

  Mary Salinas Durón [narrator]

  This oral history of Mary Salinas Durón, recorded on December 20, 2022, discusses their personal and professional journey in the banking industry, participating in M.E.Ch.A and opening up a dialogue with university administration to fund scholarships for Chicano students, recalls mentors such as Dr. Julio and Celia Torres, and reflects on challenges faced by Latinx and commuter students at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). At the time of this interview, Mary was 70 years old, identified as Catholic and Chicana, and resided in Montebello, California. She is an alumnus of LMU and attended from 1971-1975, during which she went by Mary Velia Salinas. She worked on the Loyolan newspaper staff from 1974 until 1975 and M.E.Ch.A. State Folklorico in 1973. At the time of this interview, she was a Senior Community Affairs Specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mary was originally from Los Angeles, California.

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  Stephanie Gibson Kelly oral history - December 2, 2022

  Stephanie Gibson Kelly [narrator]

  This oral history of Stephanie Gibson Kelly (she/her), recorded on December 2, 2022, discusses her experiences navigating conversations about race with faculty, finding community and inspiration through participation in the Black Student Union and Black Students Admissions Assistance Program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in the late 1980s, developing leadership through service with the Belles Service organization and LMU Special Games, and special moments like riding in a limousine with Coretta Scott King. At the time of this interview, Stephanie was 55 years old, identified as African American/Black, Christian, female, wife, and mother, and resided in Inglewood, California. Stephanie was an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University (LMU) which she attended from 1985 until 1989 and majored in Accounting with an emphasis in Finance. She was originally from Lawrence, Kansas and Gardena, California.

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  Alyssa Perez oral history - November 17, 2022

  Alyssa Perez [narrator]

  This oral history of Alyssa Perez (she/her/ella), recorded on November 17, 2022, discusses her experience as the first Latina elected to student body president at Loyola Marymount University, navigating cultural groups and campus organizations while identifying as half-Latina and half-white, participating in the Casa de la Vida service project in El Salvador, advocating for Sodexo and Facilities Management staff, and the importance of transparency and accountability on campus. At the time of this interview, Alyssa identified as Latina, resided in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles, California, and was a Civic Engagement Community Organizer with LA Voice and an instructor for the Ignatian Leadership Institute and LMU CARES program. She is an alumnus and staff member of Loyola Marymount University, majored in Theological Studies and Political Science, and graduated with the Class of 2015. Alyssa was originally from Fremont, California, and was raised in Milpitas, California.

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  Wayne Knoll Tanaka oral history - November 12, 2022

  Wayne Knoll Tanaka [narrator]

  This oral history of Wayne Knoll Tanaka, recorded on November 12, 2022, discusses growing up on the Loyola University campus and helping his father who worked as Head Gardener and his mother who worked in the Registrar's office; he recalls enrolling working as a student, participating in the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity, and a special campus event with Angela Davis; and reflects on the diversity of thought, mentors, and friendships he cultivated while attending Loyola University. At the time of this interview, Wayne was 75 years old, identified as Japanese-American, and resided in Orem, Utah. Wayne was the child of Dorothy Tanaka and George Tanaka, both of whom worked at Loyola University, and was an alumnus of Loyola University. He spent time on campus with his parents while growing up, and attended from 1965-1969 during which he majored in Business Management. Wayne was originally from Stockton, California.