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SADDLEBACK & IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGES’ STUDENT NEWSPAPER
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In memory of: VOLUME 46, ISSUE 3
WEDNESDAY, October 2, 2013
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Lariat exclusive Podcast: Student dedicates fire performance to Merrifield; friends and students share their memories of the late instructor.
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Micael Merrifield Guest column
main childishly exuberant at heart they could find all manner of fun alongside their learning. He was not without principles. Quick to curse Student reflects on time spent Columbus’ cruelties and how the West was won with beloved and respected by American forefathers, Merrifield was well traveled, linguistic, intuitive and compassionate for the anthropology instructor oppressed and under-appreciated. Working extenwade kubat sively with the Juaneno tribe of San Juan CapistraContributing Writer no, he spent years compiling information about the tribe and their culture. He maintained a heartfelt Often times with a wild relatability rather than intensity that allowed his obsessive urge to fly him certainty you feel that someone you’ve met is im- out to Washington nearly every weekend to lobby portant in your life. Their presence is beyond itself for their Federal recognition. Though the U.S. once without being overbearing. These are people that more denied the tribe their true autonomy, Merriare truly, deeply missed when they are gone. field still kept close ties to them. Micael Merrifield was one of these people. Mr. Members of the Vietnamese community in Merrifield was, in the flesh, utterly Dionysian and Little Saigon who he helped immigrate during the as witty as Dickinson; a vivid inspiration pacing late 70’s also remained closely tied to Merrifield. the classroom in a denim jacket. A proud owner Stubborn, eccentric, and passionate for humanity of a sheep herding Border Collie. He spoke about as Professor Gilman is for poetry, there were few wine and mescaline with his biological anthro- who weren’t hit heavily by his sudden heart attack. pology class and wasn’t afraid of dialogue with There are dynamic personalities that light up a his students, taking room with enough teaching back to hiscircuitry in their torical storytelling souls to power citroots. ies a hundred times “I’m always up over the traditional for a chat,” he told hamster wheel or me when I asked nuclear generator. about the pomegranFrankly, there are ate farm he planned people who make to start after 2013, life worth living. his last year teachThey add to that ing. His untimely nameless joy and end cut those postmanufacture euphoretirement dreams ria in the spine and short. behind the neck. News of his tragThese are people ic death spread fast. who exude living, Students in his class exist in a contagious knew their test had positivity, and even Courtesy of Ken Woodward been canceled. The after death, these seemingly good news subsequently was ripped types go on reviving the dull-eyed morning classes asunder. Half of us still held onto our scantrons and through memories, inspirations, little moments perused Chapter 3 of the text, expecting humor- that’ll go cherished despite their absence. ous and youthful Merrifield to pop up in a cloud Merrifield’s memorial will undoubtedly be of smoke—some prankster leer on his face with a packed with people whose lives he touched, from handful of tests shredded into confetti. family and lifelong friends, to myself who had Instead, counselors came forth to comfort an known the man a scant month or so. Each weepy entire classroom. I flashed back to memories with with sorrow but giddy with memory. Clenching him. He laughed heartily when I told him Instagram fists in white knuckled loss and clasping hands in existed solely for people to post pictures of food. In respects paid to a great man and mentor. At that turn I laughed when he told the class his refusal of point, he’ll presumably spring to life and crack early life’s advice to, “Get yourself a good Catholic open a Guinness—or maybe that’s just hoping for girl.” Those in his Monday and Wednesday class too much. may recall the potential use of an elevator that he so generously revealed us. The list goes on and on. Micael Merrifield was real. In his early years at Saddleback as a library aid and tutor, he drove a Memorial service rigorous commute through Ortega Highway every • 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 8 at Mission morning. He’d been an outspoken Faculty Union Viejo Country Club. Head before his tenure. After news of his passing, a walk outside of • Watch a livestream of the memorial on class caught muscle bound men uncharacteristicallariatnews.com ly teary eyed whilst they recollected poignant little experiences: that he taught a Mexican student how Address: to roll their R’s, how he used to have a drink and a 26200 Country Club Dr., Mission Viejo, 92691 chat with them after night classes, how he smoked with them on break, talked course material as well as personal opinion, incensed or absent mindedly regaled them with tales that put cheer in their hearts, sincerity in their manner. Good friend of Merrifield and fellow faculty member, Mr. Winwood summarized that “learning doesn’t stop outside the classroom.” This being the sacred mantra to which Merrifield adhered. People picked his brilliant mind for humor and knowledge. His vitality and daringness giving a sense that Merrifield’s world was a playground. And if one could re-
Courtesy of ClaIRE Cesareo
MEMORIAL: Saddleback College instructor and Learning Assistance Program founder, Micael Merrifield, will
be honored at his memorial service Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Mission Viejo Country Club.
“Our members are mourning his passing and we really feel a loss of a friend and mentor. My heart is broken but I have peace knowing my mom welcomed him with open arms,” Yorba said. Chelsea Jarrell Traveling and taking students on study Life Editor abroad programs brought Merrifield great happiness. He told stories of when he was stationed Micael Merrifield, a Saddleback and Irvine in Algeria for the military. Valley College instructor and friend of many, Study trips to Ireland, Cuba, and Mexico passed away at Mission Hospital Sept. 24 after suffering from a sudde heart attack. He was 68 positively impacted many students, making Merrifield’s absence ever more evident for their years old when he passed. instructor and friend. Memories shared of MerriMerrifield has been field usually begin with his Micael will be a passionate and active gleaming smile. member at the college remembered for “Micael will be rememsince 1977 when he started bered for his insatiable cuhis insatiable the Learning Assistance riosity, boundless energy, curiosity, boundless Program. and ability to capture the energy, and ability to He was an instructor imagination of students,” in the Anthropology and capture the imagination said Saddleback College Behavioral Sciences DePresident Tod Burnett in a of students.” partment and served as a campus-wide email. member on the Academic With a profound love for - Tod Burnett Senate Committee and Factribal anthropology, Merriulty Association. field worked for many years “I took Merrifield’s with the Juaneño Band of magic, witchcraft and reMission Indians, Acjachemem Nation, helping ligion class. He was very outspoken for being them in their fight for federal recognition. faculty—that was very important for him,” said “He was so passionate about helping my tribe, learning the history and knowing the cul- former student Joey Coburn. “He was a great ture. He actually even became an adopted mem- conversationalist.”
The campus community mourns Merrifield, 68, who died after being taken to Mission Hospital
ber of our tribe,” said Sherri Yorba of the Acjachemem Nation who’s mother and best friend of Merrifield died nearly a year ago.
cjarrell.lariat@gmail.com
r.I.P: Students created this memorial outside of BGS the day of Merrifield’s passing.