Oral Histories Collection

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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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  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.

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  Armando Durón oral history - November 4, 2022

  Armando Durón [narrator]

  This oral history of Armando Durón, recorded on November 7, 2022, discusses his childhood during the Chicano Movement in East Los Angeles, studying political science at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), his spiritual journey, and the challenges he faced as a first-generation college student. At the time of this interview, Armando was 67 years old and identified as straight, Catholic, and Chicano, and resided in Montebello, California. He was an alumnus of Loyola Law School and attended from 1972 until 1976. Armando was originally from El Paso, Texas.

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  La'Tonya Rease Miles oral history - November 4, 2022

  La'Tonya Rease Miles [narrator]

  This oral history of La'Tonya Rease Miles (she/her), recorded on November 4, 2022, discusses her experience as a first-generation college student, the importance of mentorship, and her work starting the First To Go program to support marginalized and first-generation students at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). At the time of this interview, La'Tonya was 53 years old, identified as a first-generation college graduate, Black female, and resided in East Palo Alto, California. She was the Director of the Academic Resource Center at LMU and worked for LMU from March 2010 until May 2016. La'Tonya was originally from Alexandria, Virginia.

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  The Honorable Irma Brown Dillon oral history - October 21, 2022

  Irma Brown Dillon [narrator]

  This oral history of the Honorable Irma Brown Dillon (she/her), recorded on October 10, 2022, discusses her upbringing and what led her to attend Loyola Marymount University over a historically black college or university (HBCU), her experience running for student body president as an African American woman, being among the first women to attend LMU during merger between Loyola University and Marymount College, and her perspective on how the campus and university have grown since then. At the time of this interview, Irma was 74 years old, identified as African-American, Baptist, Protestant, Christian, and resided in Frisco, Texas. She attended both Loyola Marymount University (LMU) from 1966-1970 and Loyola Law School from 1970-1973. She was a trustee of LMU and a parent of an LMU alumnus. Irma was originally from Los Angeles, California.

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  Cheryl Grills oral history - August 23, 2022

  Cheryl Grillsl [narrator]

  This interview with Cheryl Grills (she/her), recorded on August 23, 2022, discusses her early work in social justice activism, connection to the value of education of the whole person, extensive involvement in campus organizations, student protests and building a sense of community for and with the Black campus community, teaching research experiences which place students in contact with real people and communities, and founding the Psychology Applied Research Center at Loyola Marymount University. At the time of this interview, Cheryl was 65 years old, identified as African American and a practitioner of the Ifa and Akan religions, and resided in Inglewood, California. She had spent 37 years as a faculty member at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), and at the time of this interview was a Professor of Psychology in the Psychology department and President's Professor in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. Cheryl was originally from Charleston, South Carolina.

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  Charles Mason Jr. oral history - July 14, 2022

  Charles Mason [narrator]

  This oral history of Charles Mason Jr., recorded on July 14, 2022, discusses his experiences working at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) during the LA riots in 1992, the mentorship he received from Dr. Cheryll Grills, Dr. John Davis, and others, and his ongoing recruitment and mentorship of Black students in activism, academic excellence, leadership, and service. At the time of this interview, Charles was 66 years old, identified as Black/African American and male, and resided in Inglewood, California. Mason was the Associate Director of Transfer Admission and had worked at LMU beginning in 1990. He was originally from the South Central neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

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  Tony Coehlo oral history - July 12, 2022

  Tony Coehlo [narrator]

  This oral history of Tony Coehlo, recorded on July 12, 2022, discusses his journey of struggling with undiagnosed epilepsy in his youth and overcoming the social stigma around his condition, involvement in student government, establishing the Coehlo Disability Center at Loyola University, and pursuing a career in politics to eventually coauthor the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. At the time of this interview, Tony was 80 years old. Tony is an alumnus of Loyola University and attended from 1960-1964, during which time he was Student Body President. Tony was originally from Doylestown, Pennsylvania and resided at 6 Trellis Path.