Betty Price dies at 85

Betty Price died on Jan. 15, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and a lasting impact on alumni and faculty alike.

Though to many current students Betty Price would best be known for the Price Room, a space named after her and her husband Art, for many years the couple were beacons of love and hospitality on campus.

Both Betty and Art Price began working at the university through her brother, Vanguard’s fifth president O. Cope Budge. With Betty Price positioned as Student Accounts Supervisor and her husband as Maintenance Service Manager, the couple spent most of their time on campus.

Director of Library Services Pam Crenshaw conducted an interview with the Price couple in April 2009, where they discussed their experience at Vanguard.

“We moved on campus on June 16, 1966 in what was known as the old green house. It was moved from what is now the police station location to by the gymnasium,” Betty Price said.

The couple’s house quickly became a home away from home for many students as they would invite them over all the time. The invitation was extended to staff members, faculty, and families.

“It started out with just half a dozen the first year and by the time we finished we would usually have about 50 or 60 a week that cleared through,” Price said.

Alumnus Greg Mark was one of these students who visited their home.

“I will never forget [Betty], she had the most giving spirit. I remember hanging at their house on campus… I learned a lot from Art as well. She will forever be missed,” Mark said.

Crenshaw remembers the care of Price in her early days at what was then Southern California College.

“They were the parental figures on campus for a lot of students,” said Crenshaw. “I remember going to their house and eating taco salad that she always fixed for students.”

After retirement, the couple retreated to a cabin in Big Bear where they would have students over as company often, even letting newlyweds spend a weekend there for their honeymoon and hosting youth groups.

They also established an academic scholarship in their name to support outstanding Vanguard students, called the Art and Betty Price Endowed Scholarship.

With an open door to their home and hearts, the Price couple set the foundation for the family-orientated feel that is still experienced on the campus today.

“Her passing is very sad, but I think she and her husband left their mark on our campus,” said senior Noah Rogers.

Even though the old green house is gone and the landscape of campus has changed, students can still see the impact that Betty and Art Price had on the campus.

“I think it’s nice that the school named the Price Room after them. I think that shows how much they meant to the school,” junior Ana Flores said.

The Price room, located next to the cafeteria exit, was built in honor of the Price couple. Mrs. Price will be missed by many; however, her legacy still lives on.