Community College District dedicates building in memory of Lois Carson

Last week the San Bernardino Community College District unveiled a new name for the Campus Center at San Bernardino Valley College. The Lois Carson Campus Center honors the legacy of the first person of color elected to the SBCCD Board of Trustees, where she served for 24 years. Carson was the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Riverside County for 30 years and passed away in 2021, a few days after her 90th birthday.

“Mrs. Carson was a community giant. She was an angel among us for all the good she did for people,” said SBCCD Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez. “We recognized the debt we owed her for her lifetime of selfless service to our students and community. This building dedication could not have happened without the leadership and unanimous support of our Board of Trustees.”

Dr. Scott Thayer, Interim President of San Bernardino Valley College, described Carson as a “Distinguished alumna, trailblazer, mentor, and advocate for so many of us.”

Thayer presented a video tribute featuring some of Carson’s mentees, including former Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter, SBCCD Trustee Joseph R. Williams, former SBCCD Trustee Beverly Powell, San Bernardino City Unified School District Board Member Danny Tillman, and CSUSB Ombuds Officer Twillea Evans-Carthen. Carson’s son and granddaughter, John Carson and Taylor Williams, respectively, were also on hand.