by Laura Gallardo ’03
When Vivian Lauer-Segur joined Whitehead Center in 1987, she knew she was in for something special. One of her fondest memories during her 10 years working at Redlands was the introduction of the graduation dinner tradition. “Seeing students with their cohort, families and faculty was overwhelming. For many of them, it was the first time they had been on the Redlands campus, but still they felt like it was where they belonged.” In recognition of her contributions as director of Academic Support Services, Vivian was named the second-ever recipient of the President’s Award in 1992.
While Vivian and her staff provided support to all Whitehead faculty and students, as Director she developed a close working relationship with W. Hubbard Segur, who served as chair of the Management and Business department. “Hub and I often did not agree, but I learned so much from him,” says Vivian. The idea for the Cambridge Study Abroad Program emerged in 1993 while sitting with Hub in the kitchen of Jim Waddell, who was the dean of Whitehead at the time. Initially, the team was unsure how much interest students would have in the program, given the financial and time commitments, but the response was overwhelming. “They were excited from the very beginning,” recalls Hub. This “wild idea” now has evolved into the oldest and most popular of the School of Business’ study abroad opportunities, with the current itinerary including Cambridge, Oxford, London and Paris.
Vivian and Hub were married in 2010, with Jim Waddell performing the ceremony. “When we look back at the important relationships in our lives, so many of them were formed at Redlands.” Earlier this year, they made a gift to provide a student scholarship for the same program they helped establish decades earlier. “We began thinking about what is important to us, and the University is right there in the inner circle, especially the Cambridge program. We hope others who have experienced Cambridge through the U of R will choose to honor their experience and pass it on to others as well.”
Rolland Anasco ’16, MBA, was the inaugural beneficiary of the Segurs’ generosity. “This opportunity was the perfect way to incorporate all that I have learned, apply it to today’s globalized business landscape and propel me into the business world,” says Rolland. Interim Dean Keith Roberts, who was present when the Segurs met Rolland after his trip, says, “It was exciting to hear about his experiences, the impact it had on him and how he now sees the global economy.” As one of the program’s strongest advocates, Roberts has seen firsthand the program’s benefits. “That first course has blossomed over the years and is a great testimony to the foresight of Hub and several others who established the program. Hub and Vivian’s generosity is greatly appreciated.”
For more information on how you can support the Cambridge Study Abroad program like Vivian and Hub, please contact Ericka Smith, senior philanthropic advisor, at 909-748-8357 or ericka_smith@redlands.edu.
