Karen Romney
By Diane Tran 鈥�23 B.A. English
Communications & Public Relations Intern
Karen Romney worked as an educator for many years, teaching biology and running public and private schools in the greater Los Angeles area.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a better way to spend a life than teaching. You know, 40 years devoted to schools and kids,鈥� Romney said.
Because of her love for her career, Romney knew how valuable higher education is and she and her late husband became among the first to donate money to 海角社区CI.
In tandem with her financial donations, Romney has arranged for her collection of Peruvian and Incan art to be donated to the University upon her death.
鈥淭his is with the agreement that the art will be displayed and shown, not stored away in the basement, and that they will give credit to whom it belongs because it is not originally mine,鈥� said Romney.
She is still very involved and connected with 海角社区CI, even having bought and now residing in a condo in the Mission Hills housing behind the campus. Romney also works with Stephen Clark, Spanish program Chair and Professor, every year to give mock interviews to his graduate students and provide feedback on how to improve on important areas, such as formalities and how to dress.
These experiences drive home the need for her contributions.
鈥淚 know from the mock interviews I do that a lot of students have overcome a great deal to come to school, and many come from backgrounds that do not have a lot of financial support to afford school,鈥� Romney said. 鈥淚 think that at 海角社区CI at least 80% of the student body gets financial help, so I would hope that, in some small way, I can be contributing to help a student continue school here.鈥�
Because of her contributions to 海角社区CI, Romney knows many of the faculty on campus and is given the opportunity to attend events, such as graduations or the welcoming of new presidents, that she otherwise would not be able to attend.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of any better place to put your money than in a school that will allow young people, particularly a school that is so diverse and has a large population of first-generation students, to get an education,鈥� said Romney.