Retiree Dr. Christine Lopez Recognized
Contributed by Gary Pritchard, dean of Fine Arts and Mass Communications
Since 1992, Dr. Christine Lopez has been an integral part of the Cerritos College
community, contributing to the growth and success of our music program in myriad ways.
Christine has been an inspiring teacher, mentor, and friend to countless students throughout her career. She has not only shared her expertise and knowledge of music, but also her passion and love for students. Her dedication and commitment to students are evident in the many hours she spent coaching them, encouraging them, and guiding them toward their goals throughout her tenure leading the Applied Music Program.
In addition to her work with students, Christine has been an active and engaged member of our faculty community. She served on numerous committees and contributed to the development of our music program through her innovative ideas and insights, one of which was her leadership in bringing the father of Chicano music, “Lalo” Guerrero, to perform at Cerritos College. This was during my first semester at Cerritos College in 1999. It was my introduction to her energy and interest in bringing our campus community together. More recently, I saw her join her colleagues on stage in creating an art discussion and live music performance to help students better understand the connection between image and sound. Her commitment to excellence has been unwavering, and her contributions to our college will be felt for many years to come.
As we bid farewell to Christine tonight, we do so with both sadness and gratitude. Sadness, because we will miss her presence in our community and gratitude for her many years of excellence at Cerritos College. We are honored to have had Christine as a member of our faculty, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.
Christine, as you embark on this new chapter in your life, know that you will be missed, but never forgotten. You have left an indelible mark on the college, and we are all the better for the privilege of working alongside you. We hope that your retirement will be filled with joy, relaxation, and the continued pursuit of your passions. Arthur Rubinstein said, “You cannot play the piano well unless you are singing within you.” Anyone who has heard Christine play piano knows that she most definitely sings!
Congratulations on your retirement, Christine. We will miss you, and we wish you all the best.
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