In Memoriam: Patricia M. Hopkins
Colleagues and friends from all levels of the university deeply mourn the loss of Patricia M. Hopkins, who died on Aug. 31. She affected the lives of countless students and was a friend and mentor to numerous colleagues and staff at Cal Poly Pomona.
Her tenure at Cal Poly Pomona began in 1974 when she was only the second woman hired full time in the Department of International Business and Marketing. Since then, she has been a part of helping the university progress. Her professionalism and uncompromising standards garnered her the Outstanding Professor Award in 1992/93. She tirelessly served in administrative capacities, bringing distinction to the university, the college and the department, among them: interim associate vice president for academic programs, interim administrator of the School of Hotel & Restaurant Management (currently the Collins School of Hospitality), department chair for nine years, an Academic Senator, and chair of the Educational Policies Committee, Community Outreach Programs.
As department chair, she worked to expand and diversify the department and prepare the college for the initial accreditation for AACSB. She represented the university in fulfilling partnership obligations with universities overseas in Russia, Swaziland, and China.
Friends remember Hopkins for her hospitality. She fostered a collegial environment through hosting Christmas parties in her home. She was always supportive of colleagues’ efforts at improving their professional careers. Her academic research resulted in published journal articles as well as paper presentations in the U.S. and abroad. She was open to new experiences and appreciated different cultures.
She has tirelessly served the community through her efforts in the executive board of the City of Hope Hacienda Heights Chapter, Pace Setters, and the Red Hat Society.
Upon her retirement in 2002, Hopkins was awarded Distinguished Faculty Emerita, for her long-standing service to the university.
Obituary of Pat Hopkins
Patricia Margaret Berg Hopkins was the daughter of Ted and Frida Berg. She was born in Illford, Essex, now part of Greater London in the U.K. and her family moved to the United States in 1959. She graduated with a PhD. from the Claremont College (1977) and also holds a bachelor’s (1971) and master’s degree (1972) from Cal State Fullerton.
In addition to a varied career in university administration, Pat taught graduate and undergraduate marketing and statistics courses at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton, among other colleges as well in Russia and China. She developed a business curriculum in Swaziland and led students to study abroad in China.
Hopkins loved to celebrate all significant holidays, fully decorating her home and hosting gatherings of colleagues, staff and students, as well as her extended family.
She fostered a sense of education among the neighborhood young people, often influencing their educational choices as they progressed to future careers.
She traveled the world extensively expanding her appreciation of different cultures and people.
Hopkins was the president of Pace Setters and was on the e-board of the City of Hope, Hacienda Heights Chapter, raising funds for the City of Hope Hospital. She was active in the Red Hat Group.
She is survived by her sons, Craig and Keith, as well as her extensive chosen family. She is sorely missed by every one of them.