THE SENATE / CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE
A MEMORIAL RESOLUTION
By the Honorable Scott T. Wilk, 21st Senatorial District
Relative to Memorializing
Roger Van Hook
WHEREAS, The passing on September 24, 2022, of Roger Van Hook, a beloved Long Beach City College (LBCC) speech communications educator in the State of California who possessed the seemingly magical ability to bring out the best in all of his students and whose unconditional giving of himself earned him the respect and admiration of his family, friends, and colleagues–and the countless individuals whose lives he touched–has brought immense sorrow and loss to people throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 7, 1943, in Long Beach, where he grew up with his sisters, Vicki, Cindi, and Bonnie, and earned renown at a young age as an accomplished water skier who amassed numerous racing trophies, Roger Van Hook early on recognized the impact that community colleges can make on students through his own experience as an academically struggling student for whom LBCC was his only option, and after a rocky start there as well, he ultimately graduated from LBCC and continued on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from California State University (CSU), Long Beach, in 1966 before completing a Master’s degree in Communication two years later and eventually getting hired at LBCC as a speech instructor; and
WHEREAS, While teaching at LBCC, Roger met his future wife, Dianne, and the two married in 1971, with Dianne embarking on her own trailblazing career in the California Community Colleges system as Superintendent and President of College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita in 1988; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at LBCC, Roger authored multiple textbooks that he sold at a steep discount, coached a national championship forensics team, founded the Sisters of Soul sorority and Sons of Soul fraternity upon seeing a need for more inclusivity on campus, launched the College’s sailing club, and established LBCC’s free speech area, and over the course of his storied career at LBCC, he received a number of well-deserved teaching awards; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Roger taught upper-division courses at CSU Long Beach and graduate-level classes at the University of La Verne, coached students on how to write résumés and prepare for interviews, and served as an outstanding department advisor who listened from the heart, finally retiring in 2008 after a 43-year career in the classroom that inspired scores of his former students to follow in his footsteps; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Roger’s commitment to learning, connecting, growing, and investing in others, the Roger Van Hook Raising the BAR (Believe-Achieve-Receive) Fund was established in his honor at College of the Canyons, which was designed to help students remove the barriers that stand in the way of their achievements by providing them with direct assistance when they need it, unlike a traditional scholarship that is awarded annually and for a fixed amount; and
WHEREAS, The memory of Roger Van Hook remains alive in the hearts, minds, and spirit of the innumerable students and colleagues who turned to him for wisdom and perspective and credited his inspiration, encouragement, and support for expanding their vision of what they could accomplish in life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY SENATOR SCOTT T. WILK, That he joins the family and friends of Roger Van Hook in celebrating and revering the accomplishments and legacy of a distinguished and caring individual who lived life to the fullest, whose generosity was extended to everyone without hesitation or expectation of reward, and whose spirit will live forever in the hearts and memories of all his loved ones.