Santa Monica College will create a rose garden in memory of Dot Gelvin, an anthropology professor and administrator, who died a year ago at 57.
The dedication ceremony for garden, on Wednesday, June 15, will be held following the end of SMC’s annual Recognition Breakfast.
Gelvin worked at the college for 29 years, teaching for five years and holding several administrative posts, including her last position as dean of human resources. Among her passions were Africa, where she went frequently, and her rose garden.
“The idea [for the garden] originated with economics professor Harry Gill and some faculty members who felt a strong tie and affection for Dot,” said Academic Senate President Lesley Kawaguchi. “We saw the Recognition Breakfast as the best time and place for the dedication partly because it was almost exactly a year to the day of her memorial service, at which time those who attended were asked to take a rose and return it in a year’s time.”
Rose bushes and trees will be planted along the northwest wall of the Science Complex facing the quad at the Clock tower. The garden is being funded by a private donation drive spearheaded by the Academic Senate.
Kawaguchi said she has worked closely on the project with Academic Senate President-Elect Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, Grounds and Landscape Supervisor Tom Corpus, and Dot’s husband Bruce Gelvin.Sponsored by the SMC Academic and Classified senates, the Recognition Breakfast will be held at 9 a.m. in the Student Cafeteria, 1900 Pico Blvd. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door and include full breakfast catered by Teddy’s Café, as well as door prizes. Call (310) 434-3001.
