Dr. Verna B. Dauterive holds an M. Ed and Ed. D from the University of Southern California (USC) and a BS from Wiley College.  Originally from Louisiana, her career began in 1943 as an elementary school teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and became an administrator in 1954.  Early in her career, she served as LAUSD’s Superintendent Coordinator of Integration Programs, Administrative Consultant for Teacher Selection and Recruitment and Administrative Coordinator of University Relations in the Personnel Division.  She represented the District on the Great Cities Research Council for five years and served as Trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) for nine years.

From 1982 until her retirement in 2005, Dr. Dauterive was principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary School in Los Feliz, not too far from the Griffith Observatory.  Her school, renowned for its “child first” approach, emphasized arts education, instrumental and vocal music, and actively engaged parents in the education of their children.

Throughout her professional life, Dr. Dauterive’s expertise frequently was employed by both public and private community service organizations.  She was appointed to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) by Governor Pete Wilson and served two terms as elected chair.  Prior to her work on the (CTC), she was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to the California Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW), holding two terms as elected chair and was the second black woman to serve as chair of both the CTC and the CCSW.

In her long association with USC, she continues to serve as an Ambassador.  She has served as adjunct professor in the Rossier School of Education, a member of the USC Alumni Association Board, the Associates Board of Directors, the Board of Governors and the Continuing Studies Research and Program Development Committee appointed by former USC President, Dr. James H. Zumberge.  She chaired the fundraising committee for the late Dean Irving R Melbo, at which time the USC Rossier School of Education made history at USC.  It was recognized by former USC President, Dr. John R. Hubbard as the first USC school where support organizations funded an endowed chair.  A special study in Europe of the feasibility of expanding USC’s overseas program in Administration, Teacher Training and Counseling was administered by her while also providing leadership in the expansion of the five USC School of Education Support Organizations overseas.  She holds the distinction of having served as president of all of the support organizations for the School of Education and was the first woman president of EDUCARE, the first ethnic minority president of the Society of Delta Epsilon, the School of Education’s doctoral organization and a Delta Epsilon lecturer.  Current memberships include the USC Chairman level of Associates, the USC Rossier School of Education Board of Councilors, and a life member of Town and Gown and the Alumni and Support Association (ASA).

Verna Dauterive’s connection to the USC Black Alumni Association relates, in part, to her strong zealous commitment to reach back, make a difference and help those who follow.  She was one of a small group of alumni who gathered with Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. at the USC Faculty Center on March 31, 1975 and formed the nucleus of the Ebonics Support Group which became the founding Board of Directors and established a scholarship program and human resources, both of which are critical to this day for the admission and retention of students of color at USC.  She and her late husband, Peter W. Dauterive, USC alumnus and founding president and CEO of Founders Savings & Loan Association, whom she met in USC’s Doheny Library, were the first major donors to the Ebonics Support Group, now renamed, the USC Black Alumni Association.  The Ebonics first annual dinner was held on June 4, 1977 and Dr. Dauterive was honored with the Ebonics Support Group Achievement Award in Education.  Evidence of her commitment was further demonstrated when the Dr. Verna B. and Peter W. Dauterive Scholarship was created as the first major endowed scholarship in the Rossier School of Education to attract meritorious black students to USC to pursue doctoral studies in education.  She also played a major role in organizing the Black Support Group at California State University, Los Angeles, where she served as Supervisor of Teacher Training and Student Teaching.

Among her many awards for outstanding accomplishments, Dr. Dauterive received the USC Distinguished Alumni Association Service Award, the USC Rossier School of Education Recognition of Outstanding Support for Education (ROSE) Award, the USC EBONICS Achievement Award and the Phi Lambda Theta Ella Victoria Dobbs Award for outstanding scholarly doctoral research.  The Principal’s Recognition Award by the City of Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce for Exemplary Administrative Leadership, the Mayor’s City of Angels Parent/Community Involvement Award, and the Los Angeles City Commendation Scroll for successful planning with visiting dignitaries from Third World African and Asian Pacific Rim countries during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Presently, Dr. Dauterive continues her membership and is active in the Los Feliz Improvement Association (LFIA), the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) Board, the Music Center’s Education Guild Board, the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts Board, Sheriff Baca’s Community Advisory Board, the Holman Community Development Corporation, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter.  She is a dedicated member of the Holman United Methodist Church and enjoys fun times with friends, football games and trips to Las Vegas.

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