A Petition to UC Irvine
Gregory Coleman passed away on September 16, 2005 after a valiant but ultimately tragic fight against stage IV melanoma. Those who knew Greg (I call him dad) know that he always set apparently unachievable goals for himself, and always with purpose, a plan. Dad was one quarter away from achieving one of the most important goals of his life - a master's degree - when a melanoma diagnosis forced him to focus on only one goal: survive.
Dad believed so strongly in education that he wished that UC Irvine would award his master's degree, even posthumously. The Orange County Register ran this article about his dying wish (free registration required). I have since delivered the petition letter to the Dean and Chair of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, and I await their reply. Please post comments on this page (click comments below) to express your support for this petition to the Claire Trevor School of the Arts and the University of California at Irvine.
Dad believed so strongly in education that he wished that UC Irvine would award his master's degree, even posthumously. The Orange County Register ran this article about his dying wish (free registration required). I have since delivered the petition letter to the Dean and Chair of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, and I await their reply. Please post comments on this page (click comments below) to express your support for this petition to the Claire Trevor School of the Arts and the University of California at Irvine.
posted by James C. at 5:29 PM
9 Comments:
Those of us who work in academia know that degrees can be awarded based on the fulfillment of experience credits as one sees from some of the prestigious MBA programs, such as at Harvard, the Wharton School at U Penn, and our own Anderson School at UCLA. Given that the performing arts are just what the adjective implies "performance works", it seems that music is a field that would lend enough to credits being issued for the performance of music. An MFA from UC Irvine would not only fulfill Greg's last wish, but would be a credit to the school's reputation. What university wouldn't want to claim a master guitarist such as Gregory as the product of their system? Talk about a halo effect...
Sincerely, C. Deborah Laughton
So few credits shy, yet countless lifetime credits beyond any possible requirement, so many lives touched, so much music shared, so much wisdom imparted, so many students enlightened by this one quiet professor. To miss this opportunity to posthumously grant Gregory Coleman the degree he more than earned and deserved would be an insult to the very spirit and purpose of every dedicated educator, living or past, and the institution of education itself. Greg personified the ideal teacher, and to not officially recognize his merit would be an act of blind stubbornness. We have created systems to benefit our way of life. These systems must never become more important than that which they were created to serve. We must not let right action be prevented on a technicality.
We shall now see if those in whom we have for so long entrusted the sacred task of preparing the minds of our future, indeed posses the wisdom to fulfill their duty.
I resolutely support Gregory Coleman's posthumous petition for the MFA degree. As a former student of his I knew the breadth and depth of his musical knowledge and the humanity of his soul. I knew him also as a consumate performer and as a friend. Gregory had a gift for teaching music, not just guitar. He helped his students go beyond the notes and frets to really feel something for the endeavor.
He is as deserving a candidate for such an honor as I have ever known.
I also have a history with UCI: BA/BS 1979, residency in diagnostic radiology at UCIMC completed in 1988, past member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and former faculty member of the UCI Department of Radiological Sciences. If this history counts for anything I hope it will count most with the faculty of the School of Fine Arts who hold the power to grant Gregory's dying wish.
Please consider my recommendation and grant this petition.
Sincerely,
Gary Geil, MD
I had the good fortune to receive private guitar lessons from Greg Coleman for a little over a year. He had such an overwhelming command of his instrument that there was never any hesitation in finding solutions to the problems I had with the eye/hand co-ordination required to play those six strings. I had long been in awe of Greg's playing; his fluidity, his warmth and emotion, and his showmanship. I gladly paid the small cost of those lessons for the sheer pleasure of hearing him play and discussing music in general with one of the most accomplished and erudite artists I have ever known.
I was unaware that Greg had been working on a Master's Degree at UCI, but having earned three college degrees myself, I wish that I could say that I am as proficient in any of my work as Greg was in his music. If ever there was a degree long- earned and well-deserved, it would be for this man. His command of music, and in particular of his instrument, and his warmth and compassion for the people who enjoyed it epitomizes the goal of higher education at its very best.
Greg has left a legacy that is worthy of distinguished praise. He was a man of highest character and ultimate accomplishment, and an impresario of rare quality. Greg's music and dedicated life should speak for themselves.
Any breach of rule or precedent regarding posthumous bestowing of a Master of Fine Arts Degree on Greg Coleman would be made only if he were not awarded that fully earned and highly deserved degree. I hope I shall be able to attend his graduation ceremony in order to add my praise to the recognition of a man whom I genuinely respected and a life that I highly admired.
Respectfully submitted to all who care to read,
Randall Ismay
Graduate UCSB
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