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Pat Lucas Honored with Creation of Center for Teacher Preparation

The Graduate School of Education at Pepperdine University has established the Pat Lucas Center for Teacher Preparation to honor the memory of the late Lucas, who served as director of student teaching at GSEP for more than 20 years. A dedication for the center will take place on Thursday, Oct. 22 at the West Los Angeles Graduate Campus. 

The center was created with the generous support of her husband, Dr. Bill Lucas, to honor her memory as a model leader, mentor, cheerleader, counselor, inspiration, and friend to the thousands of aspiring and hopeful teachers she shepherded through the credentialing and placement programs. "To meet Pat was to immediately like her," said Dr. Lucas. Her constant smile, friendliness, and firmness brought success to her students—always referred to as her kids."

The proposed center will receive annual funding to unify and enrich the resources for the development of future educators through a variety of programs that bear Pat’s unique signature

The center will be open to Pepperdine students and alumni, and support stipends for student teachers who are unable to work while pursuing their credential due to the full-time training schedule; stipends for field supervisors who oversee and evaluate the student teachers; professional development resources for students and their master teachers such as workshops on current topics in teaching and potential certificate and credit programs; teaching artifacts and classroom tools to enhance the student teacher experience; regular renewal of technology hardware and software, including resources for second language learners, arts and media supplies, and special education needs; periodicals, teaching guides, lesson plan materials, and multimedia for classroom use; and resources for the Teacher Portfolio required of each student as they prepare to file their materials for state credentialing.

The October 22 will include a speech by Bill Lucas, who will unveil a portrait painted of Pat specifically for the occasion. Other speakers will include Dr. Hasty Arnold (’61, EdD ’85), alumnus of both George Pepperdine College and GSEP, former principal of Santa Monica Elementary School, and founder of Arnold Educational Consulting, who will share his memories of working with Pat.

In the evening, GSEP will hold its annual Celebration of Excellence at the nearby Ayres Hotel in Manhattan Beach. Prior to the dinner, a reception will be held at which Dr. J.L. Fortson, director of student teaching, will introduce the center and speak about Pat's love of education and the students she served. The center will represent a distinctive initiative for teacher education and will be a fitting tribute to a dedicated leader and dear friend of GSEP.

For more information about the Pat Lucas Center for Teacher Preparation, visit gsep.pepperdine.edu