It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of the former president of La Salle College Preparatory, Dr. Richard Gray. In addition to serving at the prestigious Pasadena based high school for 20 years, Dr. Gray was an ardent supporter of the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation’s L.A.M.P. Mentor Program from its inception.
After learning about the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation from Archon Raymond Ealy, Dr. Gray immediately promised his support for the goals of the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program. He offered the use of La Salle’s beautiful and spacious Blakeslee Library as a venue for some of the Saturday morning L.A.M.P. sessions.
Dr. Gray was extremely impressed with the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program. He admired the caliber and demeanor of the students. He frequently noted how professional the young men looked in their business attire while attending the L.A.M.P. sessions.
Dr. Gray recognized that for students to be fully prepared for the future, they needed to be adequately equipped with effective oral communication skills. Dr. Gray was a noted lecturer, workshop presenter and public speaker. He approached the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program coordinators and volunteered to teach public speaking sessions for L.A.M.P. Mentor Program students. Although his practice sessions were high energy and very demanding, Dr. Gray was very supportive and nurturing to all the L.A.M.P. Mentees.
For many people, public speaking is one of the most dreaded forms of communications. However, Dr. Gray put the L.A.M.P. Mentees at ease with his infectious and hearty laugh as he coached them through their mistakes. His goal was to allow the students to make as many errors as needed during the practice session so that they would acquire the ability to communicate effectively. It was stressed to them that effective communications skills improved their critical thinking credentials, enhanced social interaction, and impacted career growth. The Mentees appreciated and enjoyed his unique style of mentoring.
Dr. Gray made it a point to attend all L.A.M.P. Mentor Program awards luncheon each year where graduating L.A.M.P. seniors were recognized for their scholastic achievements. He took extreme pleasure in pointing out to everyone at the luncheon any L.A.M.P. Mentee who was also a student enrolled at La Salle High School. Dr. Gray will be missed not only for his support of the L.A.M.P. Mentor Program
