Remembering Larry Pierce, a UCLA devotee

Remembering Larry Pierce, a UCLA devotee

By Christine Wilson

Larry Pierce devoted his life to UCLA and gave no small part of
that devotion to the Student Fee Advisory Committee. His recent
death has left a void in our committee that members are only now
beginning to comprehend.

Larry worked with the committee for many years, as an adviser
and most recently, as an administrative representative. He was the
continuity, the heart, the integrity and the soul of the committee.
We have lost a great believer in our university and a great
friend.

Over the past few days, all of the committee members have shared
with me some of their thoughts and memories of Larry. If this whole
issue of the Daily Bruin were devoted to Larry, it could not convey
all of the sentiments and tributes to him that they imparted to me.
I would like to share a small portion of them with the people in
the campus community who may not have known Larry, but who have all
certainly benefited from his commitment to the university:

"Larry was truly an individual who cared for others. Larry
believed in his own abilities and those of the people around him.
Many times, I saw Larry’s confidence enable others, including
myself, to continue toward a goal despite discouragement and
set-backs.

"Larry also had an amazing amount of patience. When others got
frustrated or anxious, Larry was always calm and collected. His
patience would spread and keep people working together.

"Larry’s dedication to UCLA and to the growth and empowerment of
UCLA’s students has made an immeasurable contribution to our campus
and our lives. I am confident his qualities and spirit will live on
and he will continue to be a role model and guide for everyone who
knew him."

­ Lee Bizik, graduate student

representative

"I always felt his deep commitment and loyalty to the students
and the university regardless of the issue. The continuity that he
provided to the Student Fee Advisory Committee was invaluable and
cannot be replaced. I feel that he exemplified the ideal of UCLA in
this year of the 75th anniversary of challenging the future ­
because Larry was a great promoter of change when the result would
be a better future for the university and students."

­ Melissa DeVita,

undergraduate representative

"Larry Pierce clearly exhibited the type of demeanor in his role
as administrative advisor to the Student Fee Advisory Committee
that helps students integrate themselves in a partnership manner
into the campus administrative decision-making process. He was an
excellent role model whose honesty, integrity and sincerity were
beyond reproach."

­ Mike Foraker, administrative

representative

"Larry always made a person feel welcome when coming into a new
group, committee or project. He never made me feel stupid when I
asked him questions and I could always trust that his answers were
honest and helpful.

"Larry showed his love for us through his constant dedication
and support. It is impossible to convey that love through just a
description of his work, because so much of it was in the kindness,
patience and sensitivity that settled over the room when he spoke.
There was always silence and respect because we not only knew that
what he said was true, but that it came from a man who wanted us to
succeed. He wanted us, being the students and university, to win.
When we did win, it was in no small part because of him."

­ Matt Weathers,

undergraduate representative

"I’ll miss the comfort and confidence he gave me as a new member
of the Student Fee Advisory Committee."

­ Shirley Yamahata, graduate

student representative

"In the 20 or so years I have known Larry, I never heard him
complain about anything. He had more reason that most to do so, but
he never did. I think he just saw life as a gift and took things as
they came. I can only remember seeing Larry really angry twice in
all that time. Both times he was angry about something he believed
was unfair that happened to friends of his. Larry cared
passionately about people. He was and is the biggest UCLA fan and
supporter that this campus could ever wish for. He will be
missed."

­ Tina Oakland, administrative

representative

"Larry Pierce was a person we can all look up to and learn from.
Larry has taught me to look beyond various limitations that we all
may have, because with perseverance and determination, you are
never limited in what you can achieve. My strongest memory of Larry
will be that he was a person who was driven foremost by the desire
to give of himself and to help others. Larry will be sorely
missed."

­ Navid Soleymani

undergraduate representative

"Larry was the first administrator with whom I had contact when
I began to be involved with university issues. I trusted him and
appreciated his unequalled knowledge of the university
administration. Most of all though, I appreciated his incredibly
positive presence in my life. He helped me when I had difficulty
and told me when I was doing a good job.

"These seem to be such simple things, yet so often they are
forgotten when we are concerned with our own problems. Larry never
forgot to lend a helping hand or to offer praise for a job well
done. The confidence that he had in me helped me to build my own
self-confidence and I will forever be grateful to him for this.

It is the committee’s greatest wish that we continue Larry’s
work, remembering not only his concrete goals, but also the way he
went about accomplishing them ­ with kindness, praise,
understanding and honesty.

Wilson, a graduate student, is chair of the Student Fee Advisory
Committee.