English Professor Emeritus Samuel Bellman, a longtime faculty member, died July 23 at age 82.
A faculty member from 1957 to 1996, Bellman was one of the founding members of the English & Foreign Language Department and taught American literature.
Susana Hernandez Araico, professor emerita of Spanish, described Bellman as a pillar of the department and a personal mentor, especially when she joined the department in 1972. “He opened my eyes to my academic progress. He was the first one to encourage me to take off on my professional development.” Although he taught American literature, Bellman was interested in other languages and literature from other countries, according to Araico.
“Even before multiculturalism became popular, he was already including Latin American literature in his English classes,” she says. “He was always trying to introduce new materials to the classroom, new materials that added an international and multicultural dimension. He enriched his classes with his great knowledge of art and music. His deep appreciation of American culture branched out to embrace the world.”
Bellman received his master’s degree at Wayne State University and his doctorate at Ohio State University. Prior to Cal Poly Pomona, he taught at Fresno State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During his career, he served as editor for the essay anthologies “The College Experience” and “Survey and Forecast.” He published widely and read numerous research papers at national and international conferences. The TWAYNE series published his biographies on American authors Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Constance Rourke.
Bellman is survived by his wife, Jeanne Lisker Bellman, and sons Joel and Jonathan.
POMONA – Sitting on a mound of clothes in a van headed for Mexico was a frequent road trip Cal Poly Pomona graduate Jennifer Smith-Hollett took with her family. Her grandmother would take her grandchildren across the border two to three times a year to donate their secondhand clothes and toys to needy village families.
“I grew up with a strong sense of giving back,” Smith-Hollett, 24, said.
These acts of giving inspired her at a young age to continuously find ways to serve her community and speak up for those whose voices have been silenced.
Before graduating with a history degree and nonviolent studies minor last month, the La Verne resident designed a food distribution system that would feed hundreds of hungry people in Pomona.
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Originally Published by Honolulu Advertiser on 6/24/09 at 5:33 p.m. by Staff
Da Houl, Serenda Valdez named Rainbow Wahine basketball assistants
Former University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine assistants Da Houl and Serenda Valdez will return to the coaching staff of new coach Dana Takahara-Dias, the school announced today.
Also named to the staff is Sherice Ajifu, who will be the director of operations.
Houl, who spent 12 seasons under former Rainbow Wahine head coach Vince Coach, will be the associate head coach. Valdez, who also spent 12 years under Goo, will be an assistant coach.
“I am very pleased to announce the addition of two outstanding coaches to the Rainbow Wahine program,” Takahara-Dias said in a press statement. “Da and Serenda have a tremendous amount of experience and passion working at UH and we are all excited to revitalize the program.”
Both Houl and Valdez joined the UH coaching staff in 1992 and were instrumental parts in helping the Rainbow Wahine reach three NCAA Tournaments and four WNIT appearances.
Houl began her first stint at UH as a part-time assistant in 1992 and was promoted to full-time status in 1995. Houl played for the Rainbow Wahine from 1984-87, playing three years with Takahara-Dias.
For the past five years, Houl was an assistant at Mid-Pacific Institute, and has also coached at Brea Olinda High School and Katella High School in California.
Valdez came to UH as a graduate assistant in 1992 and has been at UH ever since. After coaching with Goo, Valdez has served as the Assistant Director of Student Affairs/Athletics for the past five years.
Valdez played at Cal-Poly Pomona from 1987-1991, where she was an all-conference performer. Valdez began her coaching career at Mount San Antonio Community College in Walnut, Calif., prior to coming to UH.
Ajifu, a recent graduate from the University of the Pacific, worked for the Mayor Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree and had been a summer girls basketball coach at Mid-Pacific Institute.
Former University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine assistants Da Houl and Serenda Valdez will return to the coaching staff of new coach Dana Takahara-Dias, the school announced today.
Also named to the staff is Sherice Ajifu, who will be the director of operations.
Houl, who spent 12 seasons under former Rainbow Wahine head coach Vince Coach, will be the associate head coach. Valdez, who also spent 12 years under Goo, will be an assistant coach.
“I am very pleased to announce the addition of two outstanding coaches to the Rainbow Wahine program,” Takahara-Dias said in a press statement. “Da and Serenda have a tremendous amount of experience and passion working at UH and we are all excited to revitalize the program.”
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Originally Published by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on 06/24/2009 05:56:29 PM by Wes Woods II
Warped Tour back for 15th year
POMONA – The 2009 Warped Tour, now in its 15th year, has given a lot of bands their start.
“It’s great some bands recognize that,” said founder Kevin Lyman. “They said, `Hey, that gave us the place to perform.’ It taught us to be a live band.”
Coming back this year for the Friday event at the Pomona Fairplex are punk bands Bad Religion, NOFX, Guttermouth and many others. Lyman mentioned post-hardcore A Day to Remember, powerpop group TV/TV, metalcore The Devil Wears Prada and pop group Lights as artists to watch.
Lyman, who grew up in Claremont and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1984 with a recreation administration degree, has taken a lot of criticism from artists that his tour has too many advertisements.
“I’ve been doing this for 15 years,” Lyman said. “Some tours are still going and some have ended. We’re not for everyone. There’s room for everyone.”
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April 03 2009
El Monte Union High School District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Nick Salerno, has been appointed superintendent by the El Monte Union High School District Board of Trustees. Salerno becomes the first graduate of the district to serve as its superintendent.
After attending Citrus College, Salerno transferred to Cal Poly Pomona where he received his bachelor of science degree and secondary teaching credential. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University as well as a pupil personnel services credential and administrative services credential.
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