J. Selicha
Jane Selicha is a 4th year biology major training to run for the Los Angeles Marathon on March 21st with AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA). She decided to take on this challenge because she wanted to do something about the growing problem of HIV/AIDS in the Los Angeles area. Her training program requires her to not only push her body to the limit every Saturday but also to fundraise $1,600.00, which the non-profit charity will utilize to provide food, home health care and other basic needs to thousands of people whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS. Many of these people are living in poverty and have few places to turn. With the growing costs of medical care and the recent reductions in government funding for HIV/AIDS programs, any amount helps. To read more about Jane and her mission to run the LA Marathon and fundraise for APLA, visit her web site at http://apla.convio.net/goto/jselicha.

M. Bailey BA '01
Melissa Wu Bailey (BA, 2001) will be attending the UCLA School of Dentistry in September 2006. She is currently working in a microbiology research laboratory at the California State University, Los Angeles.

M. Dvoren BA '00
Michael Dvoren joins the Commercial Litigation and Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights Client Service Groups. He received his J.D. from Arizona State University, cum laude, and his bachelor's degree in philosophy, summa cum laude, from UCLA.

J. Galvan MA '98, PhD '01
The nineteenth century saw not only the emergence of the telegraph, the telephone, and the typewriter but also a fascination with séances and occult practices like automatic writing as a means for contacting the dead. Like the new technologies, modern spiritualism promised to link people separated by space or circumstance; and like them as well, it depended on the presence of a human medium to convey these conversations. Whether electrical or otherworldly, these communications were remarkably often conducted—in offices, at telegraph stations and telephone switchboards, and in séance parlors—by women. In The Sympathetic Medium, Jill Galvan offers a richly nuanced and culturally grounded analysis of the rise of the female medium in Great Britain and the United States during the Victorian era and through the turn of the century. Examining a wide variety of fictional explorations of feminine channeling (in both the technological and supernatural realms) by such authors as Henry James, George Eliot, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, Marie Corelli, and George Du Maurier, Galvan argues that women were often chosen for that role, or assumed it themselves, because they made at-a-distance dialogues seem more intimate, less mediated. Two allegedly feminine traits, sympathy and a susceptibility to automatism, enabled women to disappear into their roles as message-carriers. Anchoring her literary analysis in discussions of social, economic, and scientific culture, Galvan finds that nineteenth- and early twentieth-century feminization of mediated communication reveals the challenges that the new networked culture presented to prevailing ideas of gender, dialogue, privacy, and the relationship between body and self.

H. Kim MA '91
Rev. Heerak Christian Kim (MA, History, 1991) was awarded the degree of Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) by Asia Evangelical College and Seminary in India for his doctoral thesis on the history and character of Hinduism and its significance for India's Christians on February 24, 2010.

K. Peschke BA '96
DR. KAREN PESCHKE RECOGNIZED AS YOUNG OD OF THE YEAR Sacramento, CA, February 12, 2010 – Karen Peschke, OD, a San Diego area optometrist, was recently named Young Optometrist of the Year for 2009 by the California Optometric Association (COA) during its annual House of Delegates meeting in Ontario, California, on January 29-30, 2010. Dr. Peschke was honored for her significant contributions to organized optometry and her local society, the San Diego County Optometric Society (SDCOS). Dr. Peschke is very appreciative and honored to receive the Young OD of the Year by the COA. She plans to continue her commitment to the profession of optometry and uphold the high standards set for her by past recipients. In the short time since she has been in practice, Dr. Peschke has demonstrated her leadership abilities through her local society and community service. Dr. Peschke was a Trustee for SDCOS’ Board in 2008, and currently serves on the Board as Webmaster. She also sits on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry — Part 1 Disease Committee, and is an examiner for the Part 3 Board Exam. In her community, Dr. Peschke is a volunteer for the Lions Vision Clinic, for which she conducts volunteer eye exams for low-income patients at their San Diego clinic, and is a volunteer examiner in North County San Diego at her private practice. She is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Shadowridge, Vista, which conducts community service activities throughout North County, San Diego. Dr. Peschke received her Doctorate of Optometry in 2002 from the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, CA. She is a partner in private practice with Dr. Stephen Chinn in San Marcos, CA, where they focus on primary eye care and contact lenses.

P. Ploor BA '89
The national law firm of Quarles & Brady today announced that Pamela M. Ploor, a partner in the Firm's Milwaukee office, has been named a 2010 BTI Client Service All-Star MVP for delivering superior client service for the second straight year. Ploor is one of only 13 labor and employment attorneys nationwide to receive the All-Star honor from BTI Consulting, which surveys corporate counsels at Fortune 1000 companies and large organizations to identify attorneys who drive superior client relationships. No law firm or attorney can submit a name, suggest clients to be contacted, or pay to be included on this list. Recipients are recognized for their efforts to reduce costs, revisit staffing and billing strategies at their firms, analyze litigation portfolios with an eye towards risk and cost reduction, and more. Ploor was one of only 22 attorneys and the only woman to be an All-Star MVP, which distinguishes those recognized in both 2009 and 2010. "Pam has a strong commitment to put her clients' needs first and that is again demonstrated by this significant national honor," said John W. Daniels, Jr., chairman of Quarles & Brady. "Our firm places client service at the forefront, and Pam is an outstanding example of that commitment." Ploor focuses her practice on client representation concerning employment litigation, state and federal Family and Medical Leave Act laws, affirmative action programs, workplace electronic communication and electronic records management, and counseling clients on solutions to employment matters. She earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and her bachelor's degree magna cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles. Ploor is recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. BTI is the leading provider of strategic research to law firms and General Counsel. BTI conducted 240 in-depth interviews between July 1 and October 1, 2009 to select attorneys. Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 425 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Naples, Fla.; and Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. The Firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the Firm may be found at www.quarles.com.

W. Kucera BA '70
WILLIAM JOHN KUCERA III 1948-2010 Local media and public relations personality William John Kucera III (Bill), 61, passed away, Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 peacefully in is home following a heroic five year battle with cancer. Bill was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 8th, 1948 to William John and Betty Jones Kucera. Later, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California where Bill grew up along with his younger brother, Jeff. Bill attended the Midland School where he made a number of lifelong friends. Upon graduation Bill enrolled in the motion picture program at UCLA graduating in 1970 with a bachelor’s of fine arts Bill’s career was filled interesting experiences and wonderful stories. Early on Bill had the experience of being one of the world’s favorite characters working as Winnie the Pooh for Sears as well as a number of other positions that prepared him for his future in the public eye. In 1973 Bill took his first media position as a weekend and evening drive time announcer in Santa Barbara. From there Bill worked as news anchor and reporter in Twin Falls and Boise Idaho, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Oklahoma City. In 1979 Bill moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to accept a position with KUTV, making his permanent home at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. In 1983 joined the news team at KSL moving in 1989 to KUED in community relations where he produced and hosted CONTACT a nightly community service program. In 1993 Bill became the manager of public communications and information for the Utah Education Network where he remained the rest of his career. Bill had a great love of life, family, music, learning and laughter. He demonstrated great grace and humor in the face of all obstacles and was a friend and role model for many. Bill had the opportunity to have many close and enduring relationships. In 1986 Bill met the love of his life, Linda, whom he married in 1987. Bill’s son, Christopher Blake Kucera, from his first marriage with Charla Haley, was his joy. Bill’s other children, brought into his life by his loving wife, include Candace, Marnie, Amanda, Kaitlyn, Emily, Mallory, Andy, Whitney and Lizzie all of whom made him smile and filled his heart with love. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Bill shared a loving relationship with his parents, Bill and Betty, and his brother Jeff and his family, and his extended family, and in-laws. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Betty and his daughter, Candace. Bill is survived by his wife Linda, children and grandchildren: Christopher and Marnie (Mike Hutchings), Amanda, Kaitlyn, Emily, Mallory, Andy, Whitney, Lizzie and his faithful dog, Sugar. Memorial services will be held Sunday at 4:00 pm at the Broomhead Funeral Home 12600 S. 2200 W. where friends may call an hour prior. Family suggests that in lieu of flowers that a donation be sent to the Primary Children’s Hospital 1-801-662-5959 in Bill’s name.

W. Kucera BA '70
WILLIAM JOHN KUCERA III 1948-2010 Local media and public relations personality William John Kucera III (Bill), 61, passed away, Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 peacefully in is home following a heroic five year battle with cancer. Bill was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 8th, 1948 to William John and Betty Jones Kucera. Later, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California where Bill grew up along with his younger brother, Jeff. Bill attended the Midland School where he made a number of lifelong friends. Upon graduation Bill enrolled in the motion picture program at UCLA graduating in 1970 with a bachelor’s of fine arts Bill’s career was filled interesting experiences and wonderful stories. Early on Bill had the experience of being one of the world’s favorite characters working as Winnie the Pooh for Sears as well as a number of other positions that prepared him for his future in the public eye. In 1973 Bill took his first media position as a weekend and evening drive time announcer in Santa Barbara. From there Bill worked as news anchor and reporter in Twin Falls and Boise Idaho, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Oklahoma City. In 1979 Bill moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to accept a position with KUTV, making his permanent home at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. In 1983 joined the news team at KSL moving in 1989 to KUED in community relations where he produced and hosted CONTACT a nightly community service program. In 1993 Bill became the manager of public communications and information for the Utah Education Network where he remained the rest of his career. Bill had a great love of life, family, music, learning and laughter. He demonstrated great grace and humor in the face of all obstacles and was a friend and role model for many. Bill had the opportunity to have many close and enduring relationships. In 1986 Bill met the love of his life, Linda, whom he married in 1987. Bill’s son, Christopher Blake Kucera, from his first marriage with Charla Haley, was his joy. Bill’s other children, brought into his life by his loving wife, include Candace, Marnie, Amanda, Kaitlyn, Emily, Mallory, Andy, Whitney and Lizzie all of whom made him smile and filled his heart with love. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Bill shared a loving relationship with his parents, Bill and Betty, and his brother Jeff and his family, and his extended family, and in-laws. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Betty and his daughter, Candace. Bill is survived by his wife Linda, children and grandchildren: Christopher and Marnie (Mike Hutchings), Amanda, Kaitlyn, Emily, Mallory, Andy, Whitney, Lizzie and his faithful dog, Sugar. Memorial services will be held Sunday at 4:00 pm at the Broomhead Funeral Home 12600 S. 2200 W. where friends may call an hour prior. Family suggests that in lieu of flowers that a donation be sent to the Primary Children’s Hospital 1-801-662-5959 in Bill’s name.

E. Oeser BA '69
Edwin Oeser ’69 retired after 36 years of active law practice in California and the Air National Guard in 2008. He still takes occasional cases for close friends. Oeser and his wife travel extensively in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. When not traveling, they love spoiling their grandchildren at every opportunity.

D. Morris EDD '68
NEWS RELEASE AND PHOTO CAPTION UCLA ALUMNUS RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UNDER SECRETARY AND PRESIDENT OF MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE At the recent meeting of the Community College League of California, held in San Francisco, The Under Secretary of the United States Department of Education Martha J. Kanter and the President of Mt. San Antonio College Dr. John Nixon presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to Shell Beach resident Dr. Don Morris. The award says "Distinguished Alumnus 2009 Donald M. Morris exemplifying in life the value of Community Colleges". Morris graduated from Mt. SAC in 1950 and went on to become a Professor/Administrator at Cal Poly. He also achieved the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy and served on several local boards. 79 year old Morris also recently won the Senior Olympic Navada State and Huntsman World Championship in free throw shooting and three point shooting. The Community College League of California is made up of the 115 California Community Colleges with an enrollment of over 2.9 million students and has an estimated alumni base of over 3.3 million alumni. PHOTO CAPTION (L TO R) Under Secretary of the United States Department of Education Martha J. Kanter, UCLA Alumni Class of 1968 Don Morris and Mt. San Antonio College President Dr. John Nixon.

T. Tugend MA '58
Thomas "Tom" Tugend M.A. ’58 was the recipient of two 2009 Southern California Journalism Awards given by the Los Angeles Press Club last summer. He received first place in the entertainment feature category for an interview he did with Carl and Rob Reiner and placed third in the news feature category for a profile written about Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Both articles appeared in the Jerusalem Post, Israel’s English language daily newspaper.

S. Sackett PhD '56
Sam Sackett, Ph.D. '56, has announced the publication of his novel Sweet Betsy from Pike by iUniverse. Sweet Betsy from Pike is a historical novel, based on the goldrush ballad of the same name. It traces Betsy's story from her home in Louisiana, MO, halfway across the United States to Hangtown (now Placerville), CA. Her experiences help her grow into a strong, independent woman. Sackett drew from many goldrush diaries to make the story authentic. Sackett calls the book a "comic epic poem in prose" because it's intended to be funny and because traveling across the plains and mountains in a wagon train makes an epic story. The phrase was originally used by Henry Fielding to describe his novels. Fielding was the subject of Sackett's doctoral dissertation at UCLA, and the novel is dedicated to the memory of H.T. Swedenberg, Jr., chairman of his dissertation committee, and Edward N. Hooker, another of Sackett's UCLA professors. While attending the university Sackett was a teaching assistant in the English department and received a University Fellowship. At UCLA Sackett was introduced to folklore by Wayland D. Hand, a member of his dissertation committee. He served as a Professor of English at Fort Hays (KS) State University for 23 years and while there founded the Kansas Folklore Society, served as its president, co-edited a collection of Kansas Folklore published by the University of Nebraska Press, and was book review editor of Western Folklore.

J. Kulli
Jean Kulli (Edna Jean Traughber Kulli), heart of her family, friend to many, and pursuer of social justice for all died in her home on January 4, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. Jean was born on July 2, 1920 in Nashville, Tennessee, daughter of the late Vernon William and Edna Hayes Traughber. The Traughbers moved to Los Angeles in 1927, and Jean graduated from Franklin High School, Class of 1937, where she met her future husband, John Emil Kulli. Jean was a member of the UCLA Class of 1941 and was married on June 27, 1941 in Glendale. Though her college education was interrupted, Jean went back to school and graduated in 1970 with a degree in English from Cal State LA. She is survived by her husband, her brother James, three children — John “Jay,” Jolinda and Sandra as well as five grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew, Victoria, Martin, and Anne and nine great-grandchildren. A grandchild, Alexander, predeceased her. In addition to immediate family, Jean leaves beloved nieces and nephews and dear neighbors. To the greater Pasadena community, Jean was an enthusiastic volunteer in many political campaigns, historical celebrations, and local charities. Among her favorite organizations were ACT, the Polytechnic School, All Saints Church, AFS and Pasadena Heritage. Late in life, Jean enjoyed a career in real estate with William Wilson/Sotheby’s. Always active in housing and home life, Jean developed many friendships with her clients and colleagues. In 2006, Jean gave a speech at UCLA as the oldest living recipient of a scholarship awarded on merit by the alumni association. To generations of her family and friends, Jean was many things for many years: wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, colleague and friend. To this extended family, she was a dedicated cook, a supplier of endless chocolate-chip cookies, a formidable tennis player, a manager of legendary parties and celebrations, and the keeper of the toy drawer in the kitchen to which three generations of children — her own and her neighbors’ — would scamper whenever they came in the door. A memorial service celebrating Jean’s life is planned for Saturday, March 20th at 2 PM at All Saints Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations be made to Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena or Las Familias del Pueblo in Los Angeles.

J. Shipkey BA '49
In Memoriam: Jerry Shipkey Former UCLA football and track letterman Jerry Shipkey died November 28 in Dana Point, Calif. following a long illness. He was 84. Shipkey played halfback on the first UCLA team to register an undefeated regular season in 1946. In a 13-6 victory at Cal that season, Shipkey rushed for more than 100 yards, scoring the Bruins’ winning touchdown on a two-yard run after he had rumbled 79 yards to set up the final TD. He played three seasons for both the UCLA football and track teams. In track, he competed in three throwing events — shot put, javelin and discus — setting numerous personal bests in the shot put during his career. He graduated from UCLA in 1948. In 1995, he was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. Prior to his UCLA athletic career, Shipkey graduated from high school in Anaheim and entered USC hoping to play football. He was a member of the Trojans’ 1940 Rose Bowl championship team that defeated Tennessee, 14-0. World War II interrupted his USC tenure and he entered the Navy, serving as an ensign from 1942-44. Drafted in the sixth round by Pittsburgh in the 1947 NFL Draft, Shipkey played six seasons for the Steelers and Bears. As a linebacker he made 13 interceptions in 66 career games and he also scored 17 touchdowns as a running back and receiver. He earned All Pro honors with the Steelers in 1950, ’51 and ’52 and was chosen to the Steelers’ pre-1970s “Dream Team.” Following his NFL career, Shipkey settled in Orange County where he built a successful business and real estate career. Shipkey was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Jane Homan, also a UCLA graduate, and is survived by his current wife Carolyn. He is also survived by sons Carl and Mark, daughters, Julie, Louise and Lisa, plus many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Fri., Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. at South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley Pkwy in Dana Point, Calif., 92629-3599, Ph: 949-496-9331.

C. Stern BA '32
Catherine “Kate” Stern ’32 recently celebrated her 100th birthday. A Pioneer Bruin, she has worked in social justice for her entire life. She received the Award for Excellence in Community Service from the Alumni Association in 1985 for her work with the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations.