During the Founders Wall dedication Jan. 20, Claire Cavallaro, dean of the College of Education, far right, presented a plaque of appreciation to Rudy Hanley, center, president or the Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union, which donated $25,000 to subsidize the creation and mounting of the wall. Joining in the festivities were, from left, Ashley Bishop, chair and professor of reading who served as acting dean when the college was first created in 2004; Ephraim Smith, vice president of academic affairs; and Pamela Hillman, vice president of university advancement.

Founders Wall Dedication Raises $50,000 for College of Education Scholarships

With an enrollment of more than 2,500 students, CSUF's College of Education is the fourth largest teacher preparation institution in the 23-campus California State University system

January 22, 2007

By Debra Cano Ramos

Sixth-grade teacher and CSUF alumna Kimberly Hennessy, and Deborah Osen Hancock, emeritus professor of secondary education, have different reasons for donating to the College of Education’s new Founders Wall.

Hennessy is indebted to the College of Education and its faculty for the “superior preparation” she received for her career in teaching; Hancock wanted to memorialize her late husband, Lewis, who earned two degrees at Cal State Fullerton and taught at middle schools for 25 years.

The two are among the 531 people who contributed to erecting the wall, which commemorates the 2004 creation of the College of Education and honors alumni and faculty members.

Looking for their names are campus and community members whose support of the College of Education was memorialized on a Founders Wall dedicated Jan. 20. The wall, located inside the Education-Classroom Building in the dean’s complex, commemorates the creation of the College in 2004 and honors alumni and faculty members. The college’s wall campaign raised $50,000 for an endowment for student scholarships and $3,000 toward the cost of a college alumni newsletter to be launched this spring.

Located inside the dean’s complex in the Education Classroom Building, the wall was unveiled during a Jan. 20 dedication ceremony. The college’s wall campaign raised $50,000 for an endowment for student scholarships and $3,000 toward the cost of a college alumni newsletter to be launched this spring.

Donors contributed $100 to have their name, or the name of an alumnus or faculty member, etched on a plaque for permanent display on the wall. Alumni who graduated in 2004 or before, as well as faculty members, were asked to contribute to the tribute. In addition, the Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union donated $25,000 to subsidize the creation and mounting of the wall.

“The generous contributions of our alumni, our faculty and the credit union to the Founders Wall resulted in not only a permanent symbol of their support to the College of Education, but also produced an endowment fund that will benefit future generations of students and prepare them for a career in education,” said Claire Cavallaro, dean of the College of Education.

Claire Cavallaro, dean of the College of Education expressed her appreciation for the support of the Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union during the Jan. 20 dedication of the college’s Founders Wall. The local credit union donated $25,000 to subsidize the creation and mounting of the wall. Pictured, from left, are Rudy Hanley, president, Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union; Cavallaro; Kristin Crellin, executive director of school and community relations, OCTFCU; and Jose Lara, senior vice president of organizational planning and development, OCTFCU.

A CSUF graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in child development (1987), a multiple subject credential (1989) and a master’s degree in elementary education (1992), Hennessy donated to the wall for several reasons.

“First, I want to support the College of Education. I learned so much at CSUF; I want to give back,” said Hennessy, who teaches at Glenknoll Elementary School in Yorba Linda.

“Second, I hope to support future teachers by contributing to the college. Third, my own daughter has an interest in teaching. I would love for her to attend CSUF for quality preparation for her career.”

Hennessy, an Edwin Carr Fellow — a designation from the college that honors educational leaders — added that she is proud to have received her teacher training at the university.

“The reputation of the College of Education is exceptional. The faculty is outstanding. I believe I received the very best education possible.”

Hennessy also recalled the encouragement and support she received from education faculty, especially Ruth Yopp-Edwards, professor of elementary and bilingual education, whom she credits for building her confidence and for serving as a role model during her first semester of student teaching.

“I think of what she taught me about dealing with students, developing curriculum and continually seeking more information about our profession. She prepared me well for my career.”

Hancock retired in 1992 after more than 30 years in education. She served as a dean of education at Cal State Bakersfield, as director of an academic partnership program for the California State University Office of the Chancellor and professor of secondary education and reading at CSUF. Her late husband, whom she met in an linguistic class she taught, earned master’s degrees in reading and counseling at Cal State Fullerton, as well as a secondary teaching credential. Once a Baptist minister, he changed his career to education and taught for many years at a middle school in Watts and later in the San Fernando Valley.

“The wall is a nice way to recognize him for his contributions in education,” said Hancock, who has been a longtime campus supporter, including giving to the President’s Scholars program. “He was a phenomenal teacher.”

Cal State Fullerton is the only teacher preparation university in Orange County accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). With an enrollment of more than 2,500 students, it is the fourth largest teacher preparation institution in the 23-campus California State University system. Formerly housed in another college, the College of Education was established on July 1, 2004 as the university’s eighth college.