. . .-----On Saturday April 14th, 2012 saw the dedication of the Elizabeth Humbarger Tolerance Garden and Counseling Center which is located behind the new De Ricco Student Services Building at San Joaquin Delta College Campus. The garden commemorates the live and achievements of Elizabeth Humbarger who was a teacher.
. To understand her life it should be remembered that she was teaching school in Stockton where her classes included many Japanese-American students. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the United States Government ordered all persons of Japanes descent to be interned at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds where temporary barracks had been set up. Mrs. Humbarger was only partially finished teaching her students in subjects such as English language. After her students were taken from her and sent to the fairgrounds, she gathered a large amount of teaching materials, books, etc. and placed them into a trailer. She and a helper took the trailer to the fairgrounds and succeeded in gaining teaching access to her students. From then on, she continued them in their lessons and helped them complete their studies for that year.
. To some, Elizabeth Humbarger was considered traitorous for the work she peformed. Regardless, she remained steadfast in her dedication to Japanese American students. Her efforts continued during the post war years, assisting students during their relocation back to California and eventual return to school. Ms. Humbarger went on to work at San Joaquin Delta College as a guidance counselor, inspiring students with her commitment to their academic success.
. The speakers at the Delta College event included persons with strong Haggin Museum attachments, including Mel Corren and Sandi Cruz. Mel and Sandi were on the naming committee at the time when the De Ricco building was looking for a name. Both Mr. Corren and Mrs. Cruz lobbied hard for having the building named for Elizabeth Humbarger but in the end, the committee chose the De Ricco name. Mel and Sandi then pushed for a compromise that would give the garden space the Humbarger name. They succeeded and then further pushed for naming the adjacent counceling center after Elizabeth as well. The college accepted this and the garden now features a bronze plaque with her likeness and biographical facts.
. She individually imposed her will on scores of students and advised them to improve their English and to plan for college. She personally encouraged Stockton's first Asian-American elementary school teacher and is called a hero by everyone in the Japanese-American community in Stockton.
. To some, Elizabeth Humbarger was considered traitorous for the work she peformed. Regardless, she remained steadfast in her dedication to Japanese American students. Her efforts continued during the post war years, assisting students during their relocation back to California and eventual return to school. Ms. Humbarger went on to work at San Joaquin Delta College as a guidance counselor, inspiring students with her commitment to their academic success.
. The speakers at the Delta College event included persons with strong Haggin Museum attachments, including Mel Corren and Sandi Cruz. Mel and Sandi were on the naming committee at the time when the De Ricco building was looking for a name. Both Mr. Corren and Mrs. Cruz lobbied hard for having the building named for Elizabeth Humbarger but in the end, the committee chose the De Ricco name. Mel and Sandi then pushed for a compromise that would give the garden space the Humbarger name. They succeeded and then further pushed for naming the adjacent counceling center after Elizabeth as well. The college accepted this and the garden now features a bronze plaque with her likeness and biographical facts.
. She individually imposed her will on scores of students and advised them to improve their English and to plan for college. She personally encouraged Stockton's first Asian-American elementary school teacher and is called a hero by everyone in the Japanese-American community in Stockton.
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