Roma King, student affairs officer for the art and design |
media art departments will be retiring after 27 years of service,
with a majority of that time spent counseling students.
King first came to UCLA in 1976, working with admissions and the
recruitment of transfer students from community colleges.
Her interest in the arts led her to apply for a position as an
adviser for undergraduates in the design department.
“I went in to interview on Friday and started on
Monday,” King said.
She has worked with the design department since that day in
1986. Later, undergraduate and graduate students in the art
department were added under her guidance.
King advised students in their academic and personal endeavors,
and feels a close connection to those she has worked with.
“I feel that they are like my extended family. I got to
know so many of them and help them with any guidance they many have
needed,” King said.
Professors said they have witnessed this connection.
“She was very much concerned about students and very
approachable and always ready to help,” said Vasa Mihich, a
professor of design for 35 years.
He has known King since she started working with the design
department and said her presence will be missed.
Over 170 people, including alumni from New York, Chicago and
throughout California gathered on the roof of Public Policy
building on Saturday to celebrate her career. The event was
organized by the Alumni Organizing Committee and included
performances by singers and cellists.
Many expressed their gratitude toward King with flowers and
cards; the overall theme being they couldn’t have been where
they are now without her.
“Those are the most gratifying words that I could imagine
hearing,” King said.
“It justifies that my time here was very useful and worth
my 27 years here.”