On Saturday, August 29th, the Los Angeles Alumni had an End of Summer and Welcoming New Grads Event in Santa Monica. It was at the home of Dana White (PhD Myth/Adjunct faculty) and his wife, Michele Vercoutere. After several weeks of temps near the 100’s, their beautiful home with an open floor plan stretching out into the backyard, with the late afternoon cool ocean breezes, was a welcome for the over 60 alumni that attended.
Everyone contributed their best dished, but this was the “Year of the Desserts.” But as always, Dana had his famous B-B-Q salmon. Munching, and sharing their stories, alumni gathered and caught up with cohorts or formed new friendships in the community. Alumni were clustered together while the host’s dog Bodhi mingled among them.
Standing on a large rock in the backyard, which has become our convenient podium over the years, formal introductions were made by Rita Bazeley, Coordinator of the Los Angeles Region. Rita welcomed the alumni and guests and introduced Dianna Travis-Teague, Director of Alumni Relations. Dianne brought us up to date with Alumni news and introduced Pacifica Graduate Institue Board Member Thyonne Gordon and Faculty Member, Nuria Ciafalo (Co-Chair, CLE Specialization). Tom Lyon (MA Counseling Psych), Vice President of the Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA), spoke about the many project the Association hopes to undertake. A signed copy of the Red Book was given to Dana and Michelle as a thank you. They have hosted us several times over the years.
New volunteers also stepped up to help with future events. Five lovely wrapped door-prizes that Dianne had brought were raffled off by “birthdays-closest-to”. It seemed we had a cluster of Gemini, Leo and Virgos, appropriate for and End of Summer Event.
As the last summer Full Moon was rising, alumni slowly left. They shared words of thanks, saying how wonderful it was and to be with others in Soul and Psyche.
Submitted by: Rita Bazeley, Counseling Psych 2006
