Welcome
To read or post UCLA Class Notes, please log in.
Welcome to Class Notes. What are your fellow Bruins up to these days? Find out and search the hundreds of notes from UCLA alumni. Remember to check back regularly for new notes. Share your news with fellow alumni.
Latest Notes from Classes of 2000-2009
J. Johnson CPH '99, PhD '08
Jana Johnson CPH ’99, Ph.D. ’08 has been nominated for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize. One of 29 nominees, the award honors leaders in animal conservation. Johnson is the founder of The Butterfly Project, which aims to help endangered butterflies such as the Palos Verdes blue butterfly. The winner of the Indianapolis Prize will be announced mid-2010.
Jana Johnson CPH ’99, Ph.D. ’08 has been nominated for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize. One of 29 nominees, the award honors leaders in animal conservation. Johnson is the founder of The Butterfly Project, which aims to help endangered butterflies such as the Palos Verdes blue butterfly. The winner of the Indianapolis Prize will be announced mid-2010.
Submitted October 2009
S. Schwartz JD '06
Press Release – Quateman llp of Century City Continues to Grow! “On the occasion of the Firm’s 20 year anniversary, Quateman LLP (Lisa Greer Quateman, UCLA ’74; UCLA School of Law, ’78) is glad to welcome Scott A. Schwartz (UC Berkeley ’02; UCLA School of Law ‘06) to our attorney roster. Mr. Schwartz practices in the areas of public finance and real estate law. He previously practiced with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Quateman LLP has been a pioneer for women-owned transactional law firms for 20 years. Quateman LLP has a broad-based transactional practice focusing on corporate, real estate and finance matters.”
Press Release – Quateman llp of Century City Continues to Grow! “On the occasion of the Firm’s 20 year anniversary, Quateman LLP (Lisa Greer Quateman, UCLA ’74; UCLA School of Law, ’78) is glad to welcome Scott A. Schwartz (UC Berkeley ’02; UCLA School of Law ‘06) to our attorney roster. Mr. Schwartz practices in the areas of public finance and real estate law. He previously practiced with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Quateman LLP has been a pioneer for women-owned transactional law firms for 20 years. Quateman LLP has a broad-based transactional practice focusing on corporate, real estate and finance matters.”
Submitted August 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1990-1999
G. Ochoa MA '92, PhD '97
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is pleased to announce the election of Gilda Ochoa M.A. '92, Ph.D. '97 to its senate. The decision was made October 3 at the Society’s 42nd Triennial Council in Austin, Tex. Ochoa will serve a three-year term on the senate. Ochoa is an associate professor of sociology and Chicana/o-Latina/o studies at Pomona College. Much of her work focuses on increasing awareness of systems of power and inequality and expanding educational opportunities for first generation, working class, and students of color. Her most recent research explores the educational experiences of Asian American/Pacific Islander and Latina/o high school students. Ochoa received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Irvine where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1990. She received her master’s and Ph.D. in 1992 and 1997, respectively, from UCLA. In response to her election, Ochoa remarked, “As a Phi Beta Kappa senator, I look forward to applying my experience working with a range of students and communities to the movement to increase access to higher education, the liberal arts and Phi Beta Kappa. Institutions of education must be accessible, affordable, and responsive to all communities — especially those who have been the most excluded,” she added. “Phi Beta Kappa is very fortunate to have secured the services of Gilda L. Ochoa as a senator,” observed John Churchill, secretary and chief executive officer of the Society. “Members of our senate serve as the directors who guide the Society in matters of policy and set the direction for Phi Beta Kappa’s future. This group of senators brings a deep understanding of education in the liberal arts and sciences and a variety of perspectives for assessing the best ways to advance the values of liberal education in American society. I look forward to working with them,” Churchill said. Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society. It has chapters at 280 institutions and more than half a million members throughout the country. Its mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, to recognize academic excellence, and to foster freedom of thought and expression. Among its programs are academic and literary awards, lectureships, a fellowship, a professorship, and publication of The American Scholar, an award-winning quarterly journal. For more information, visit www.pbk.org or contact Kelly Gerald, director of public relations, at kgerald@pbk.org.
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is pleased to announce the election of Gilda Ochoa M.A. '92, Ph.D. '97 to its senate. The decision was made October 3 at the Society’s 42nd Triennial Council in Austin, Tex. Ochoa will serve a three-year term on the senate. Ochoa is an associate professor of sociology and Chicana/o-Latina/o studies at Pomona College. Much of her work focuses on increasing awareness of systems of power and inequality and expanding educational opportunities for first generation, working class, and students of color. Her most recent research explores the educational experiences of Asian American/Pacific Islander and Latina/o high school students. Ochoa received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Irvine where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1990. She received her master’s and Ph.D. in 1992 and 1997, respectively, from UCLA. In response to her election, Ochoa remarked, “As a Phi Beta Kappa senator, I look forward to applying my experience working with a range of students and communities to the movement to increase access to higher education, the liberal arts and Phi Beta Kappa. Institutions of education must be accessible, affordable, and responsive to all communities — especially those who have been the most excluded,” she added. “Phi Beta Kappa is very fortunate to have secured the services of Gilda L. Ochoa as a senator,” observed John Churchill, secretary and chief executive officer of the Society. “Members of our senate serve as the directors who guide the Society in matters of policy and set the direction for Phi Beta Kappa’s future. This group of senators brings a deep understanding of education in the liberal arts and sciences and a variety of perspectives for assessing the best ways to advance the values of liberal education in American society. I look forward to working with them,” Churchill said. Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest academic honor society. It has chapters at 280 institutions and more than half a million members throughout the country. Its mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, to recognize academic excellence, and to foster freedom of thought and expression. Among its programs are academic and literary awards, lectureships, a fellowship, a professorship, and publication of The American Scholar, an award-winning quarterly journal. For more information, visit www.pbk.org or contact Kelly Gerald, director of public relations, at kgerald@pbk.org.
Submitted October 2009
J. Johnson CPH '99, PhD '08
Jana Johnson CPH ’99, Ph.D. ’08 has been nominated for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize. One of 29 nominees, the award honors leaders in animal conservation. Johnson is the founder of The Butterfly Project, which aims to help endangered butterflies such as the Palos Verdes blue butterfly. The winner of the Indianapolis Prize will be announced mid-2010.
Jana Johnson CPH ’99, Ph.D. ’08 has been nominated for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize. One of 29 nominees, the award honors leaders in animal conservation. Johnson is the founder of The Butterfly Project, which aims to help endangered butterflies such as the Palos Verdes blue butterfly. The winner of the Indianapolis Prize will be announced mid-2010.
Submitted October 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1980-1989
R. Cantu PhD '82
A highly-regarded literary scholar and a recognized author in his field, Roberto Cantú Ph.D. '82 of San Gabriel is the recipient of this year’s Cal State L.A. President’s Distinguished Professor Award. He and four other faculty members were recently honored at the 2009 Fall Faculty Day on the Cal State L.A. campus. At Cal State L.A., the annual Outstanding Professor Awards primarily recognize excellence in teaching, along with citing significant achievements in scholarly inquiry or creativity, professional activities, and service to the campus and community. The President’s Distinguished Professor Award recognizes superlative teaching and exceptional commitment to students as well as professional accomplishments and services. Honored as this year’s President’s Distinguished Professor, Roberto Cantú is a highly-regarded literary scholar of Chicano, Latin American, Mesoamerican and Mexican literature. Serving on the editorial boards of several prestigious publications, Cantú is author of numerous publications, including scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, essays, encyclopedia entries, prologues, book and films reviews. He has also translated a novel by José Antonio Villarreal titled Pocho (Anchor Books, 1994), and, most recently, translated for the British Council the work of Mexican poets Coral Bracho, Araceli Mancilla, Rocío González, and Natalia Toledo. He received his Ph.D. in Hispanic literature and language from UCLA. Instrumental in developing the curriculum for his departments at Cal State L.A., Cantú launched a minor program in Mesoamerican Studies—the only such program in the CSU system. In 2009, he organized an international conference on Mesoamerican civilization with the assistance of faculty and students. This conference on Mesoamerica was held at Cal State L.A. with participating scholars from Australia, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. He is also extremely active in service to the University at all levels of governance and in many different committees. Additionally, Cantú produced a play in 1999 by Federico García Lorca, Bodas de sangre/Blood Wedding, with five sold-out performances at Cal State L.A. In 2008, he coordinated five stage readings of Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima as part of the Big Read initiative: two at Cal State L.A., two at the Bilingual Foundation for the Arts, and one in Dallas, Texas, where Cal State L.A.’s cast of 14 students and five professional actors closed the city’s Big Read activities. He received the 2008 Big Read Certificate of Achievement presented by the National Endowment for the Arts honoring his outstanding contributions to education. In 2009, Cantú became an elected member of the Octavio Paz Society. He was instrumental in coordinating Cal State L.A.’s involvement in this year’s L.A. Latino Book and Family Festival. A recipient of Cal State L.A.’s 1990-91 Outstanding Professor Award, Cantú has been characterized by his students as “‘a gentleman scholar’ with an amazing knowledge, an infectious passion for his subject, and a very refreshing enthusiasm for his classes.” Many of Cantú’s students who go onto Ph.D. programs credit his support and guidance. A student who was recently accepted to UCLA wrote: “I cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me in the last year, especially all the advice you gave during the admission process. This was a long, stressful endeavor, and I feel lucky to have a professor who cares enough to help me through it.”
A highly-regarded literary scholar and a recognized author in his field, Roberto Cantú Ph.D. '82 of San Gabriel is the recipient of this year’s Cal State L.A. President’s Distinguished Professor Award. He and four other faculty members were recently honored at the 2009 Fall Faculty Day on the Cal State L.A. campus. At Cal State L.A., the annual Outstanding Professor Awards primarily recognize excellence in teaching, along with citing significant achievements in scholarly inquiry or creativity, professional activities, and service to the campus and community. The President’s Distinguished Professor Award recognizes superlative teaching and exceptional commitment to students as well as professional accomplishments and services. Honored as this year’s President’s Distinguished Professor, Roberto Cantú is a highly-regarded literary scholar of Chicano, Latin American, Mesoamerican and Mexican literature. Serving on the editorial boards of several prestigious publications, Cantú is author of numerous publications, including scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, essays, encyclopedia entries, prologues, book and films reviews. He has also translated a novel by José Antonio Villarreal titled Pocho (Anchor Books, 1994), and, most recently, translated for the British Council the work of Mexican poets Coral Bracho, Araceli Mancilla, Rocío González, and Natalia Toledo. He received his Ph.D. in Hispanic literature and language from UCLA. Instrumental in developing the curriculum for his departments at Cal State L.A., Cantú launched a minor program in Mesoamerican Studies—the only such program in the CSU system. In 2009, he organized an international conference on Mesoamerican civilization with the assistance of faculty and students. This conference on Mesoamerica was held at Cal State L.A. with participating scholars from Australia, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. He is also extremely active in service to the University at all levels of governance and in many different committees. Additionally, Cantú produced a play in 1999 by Federico García Lorca, Bodas de sangre/Blood Wedding, with five sold-out performances at Cal State L.A. In 2008, he coordinated five stage readings of Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima as part of the Big Read initiative: two at Cal State L.A., two at the Bilingual Foundation for the Arts, and one in Dallas, Texas, where Cal State L.A.’s cast of 14 students and five professional actors closed the city’s Big Read activities. He received the 2008 Big Read Certificate of Achievement presented by the National Endowment for the Arts honoring his outstanding contributions to education. In 2009, Cantú became an elected member of the Octavio Paz Society. He was instrumental in coordinating Cal State L.A.’s involvement in this year’s L.A. Latino Book and Family Festival. A recipient of Cal State L.A.’s 1990-91 Outstanding Professor Award, Cantú has been characterized by his students as “‘a gentleman scholar’ with an amazing knowledge, an infectious passion for his subject, and a very refreshing enthusiasm for his classes.” Many of Cantú’s students who go onto Ph.D. programs credit his support and guidance. A student who was recently accepted to UCLA wrote: “I cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me in the last year, especially all the advice you gave during the admission process. This was a long, stressful endeavor, and I feel lucky to have a professor who cares enough to help me through it.”
Submitted October 2009
J. LaForge BA '83
Jane Rosenberg LaForge ’83 has released a poetry chapbook, titled “After Voices.” It has been published by Burning River, a new independent press located in Cleveland, Ohio. An introduction to the chapbook can be found on their website, located at burningriver.info. LaForge currently lives in New York City and writes poetry, fiction and literary scholarship.
Jane Rosenberg LaForge ’83 has released a poetry chapbook, titled “After Voices.” It has been published by Burning River, a new independent press located in Cleveland, Ohio. An introduction to the chapbook can be found on their website, located at burningriver.info. LaForge currently lives in New York City and writes poetry, fiction and literary scholarship.
Submitted October 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1970-1979
W. Chin BA '74
Wanda Chin ’74 has been named as a recipient of the 2009 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities. The awards are based out of Alaska and were chosen by current Alaskan governor, Sean Parnell, and are sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Humanities Forum and the Office of the Governor. Chin has served as the exhibition and design director at the University of Alaska Museum of the North for the past 25 years.
Wanda Chin ’74 has been named as a recipient of the 2009 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities. The awards are based out of Alaska and were chosen by current Alaskan governor, Sean Parnell, and are sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Humanities Forum and the Office of the Governor. Chin has served as the exhibition and design director at the University of Alaska Museum of the North for the past 25 years.
Submitted October 2009
K. Pasich BA '77
Dickstein Shapiro LLP is pleased to announce that Kirk Pasich, leader of the firm’s insurance coverage practice, has been named by The Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top 10 litigators in Los Angeles. “I am honored to be recognized for the successes we have been able to achieve in recovering insurance assets for clients in Los Angeles and across the country,” said Pasich. “Being included among such an impressive list of peers makes this recognition all the more meaningful.” “Kirk Pasich not only provides exceptional leadership for our firm’s premier insurance coverage practice, but as this recognition demonstrates, in addition to his many additional excellent attributes, he also is an outstanding litigator,” said Michael Nannes, Dickstein Shapiro’s Chairman. Pasich conducts an active trial and appellate practice. He has negotiated large insurance recoveries for his clients, including recoveries of more than several hundred million dollars, and has served as lead trial counsel in many jury trials. In his most recent trial in October 2008, Pasich served as lead trial counsel for Sempra Energy in a suit against an insurance broker, obtaining a $48.5 million jury verdict. He has helped clients obtain more than $2 billion in insurance recoveries since January 1, 2007. This year, Pasich also was recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of the nation’s 12 “Band 1” policyholder attorneys, which is the highest tier of rankings bestowed by Chambers. Dickstein Shapiro’s premier insurance coverage practice represents policyholders around the country in disputes with insurance carriers. More than 80 of the firm’s attorneys devote the majority of their time to insurance coverage matters. Dickstein Shapiro’s insurance coverage attorneys have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of their clients through settlements and litigation throughout the United States. Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is a multiservice law firm with more than 400 attorneys in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. The firm’s clients include more than 100 of the Fortune 500 companies, start-up ventures and entrepreneurs, multinational corporations, leading financial institutions, major motion picture studios, charitable organizations and government officials. Dickstein Shapiro’s core practice groups—antitrust and dispute resolution; business and securities law; corporate and finance; energy; government law and strategy; insurance coverage and intellectual property—involve the firm in virtually every major form of counseling, litigation, and advocacy. For additional information, please visit dicksteinshapiro.com.
Dickstein Shapiro LLP is pleased to announce that Kirk Pasich, leader of the firm’s insurance coverage practice, has been named by The Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top 10 litigators in Los Angeles. “I am honored to be recognized for the successes we have been able to achieve in recovering insurance assets for clients in Los Angeles and across the country,” said Pasich. “Being included among such an impressive list of peers makes this recognition all the more meaningful.” “Kirk Pasich not only provides exceptional leadership for our firm’s premier insurance coverage practice, but as this recognition demonstrates, in addition to his many additional excellent attributes, he also is an outstanding litigator,” said Michael Nannes, Dickstein Shapiro’s Chairman. Pasich conducts an active trial and appellate practice. He has negotiated large insurance recoveries for his clients, including recoveries of more than several hundred million dollars, and has served as lead trial counsel in many jury trials. In his most recent trial in October 2008, Pasich served as lead trial counsel for Sempra Energy in a suit against an insurance broker, obtaining a $48.5 million jury verdict. He has helped clients obtain more than $2 billion in insurance recoveries since January 1, 2007. This year, Pasich also was recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of the nation’s 12 “Band 1” policyholder attorneys, which is the highest tier of rankings bestowed by Chambers. Dickstein Shapiro’s premier insurance coverage practice represents policyholders around the country in disputes with insurance carriers. More than 80 of the firm’s attorneys devote the majority of their time to insurance coverage matters. Dickstein Shapiro’s insurance coverage attorneys have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of their clients through settlements and litigation throughout the United States. Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is a multiservice law firm with more than 400 attorneys in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. The firm’s clients include more than 100 of the Fortune 500 companies, start-up ventures and entrepreneurs, multinational corporations, leading financial institutions, major motion picture studios, charitable organizations and government officials. Dickstein Shapiro’s core practice groups—antitrust and dispute resolution; business and securities law; corporate and finance; energy; government law and strategy; insurance coverage and intellectual property—involve the firm in virtually every major form of counseling, litigation, and advocacy. For additional information, please visit dicksteinshapiro.com.
Submitted October 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1960-1969
R. Faulkner BA '63, MA '65, PhD '68
Robert R. Faulkner ’63, M.A. ’65, Ph.D. ’68 has published the book “Did You Know…?”: The Jazz Repertoire in Action. He is currently a professor in the sociology department at the University of Massachusetts.
Robert R. Faulkner ’63, M.A. ’65, Ph.D. ’68 has published the book “Did You Know…?”: The Jazz Repertoire in Action. He is currently a professor in the sociology department at the University of Massachusetts.
Submitted October 2009
G. Simons BA '54, MSW '68
Gilbert Simons ’54, M.S.W. ’68 is offering a new web that can be accessed at endpropertytaxesforever.net, which cites its proposition as not Jarvis Prop 13 Redux, as it does not strip local government of needed resources. According to Simons, it puts thousands of dollars in every American household's pockets without raising taxes and 30 million unemployed into well-paying jobs, regenerating inner cities and rehabilitating the housing industry. Simons can be reached for questions at 562-596-4394 or at 13170 Southport Lane, 168-l, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
Gilbert Simons ’54, M.S.W. ’68 is offering a new web that can be accessed at endpropertytaxesforever.net, which cites its proposition as not Jarvis Prop 13 Redux, as it does not strip local government of needed resources. According to Simons, it puts thousands of dollars in every American household's pockets without raising taxes and 30 million unemployed into well-paying jobs, regenerating inner cities and rehabilitating the housing industry. Simons can be reached for questions at 562-596-4394 or at 13170 Southport Lane, 168-l, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
Submitted October 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1950-1959
G. Simons BA '54, MSW '68
Gilbert Simons ’54, M.S.W. ’68 is offering a new web that can be accessed at endpropertytaxesforever.net, which cites its proposition as not Jarvis Prop 13 Redux, as it does not strip local government of needed resources. According to Simons, it puts thousands of dollars in every American household's pockets without raising taxes and 30 million unemployed into well-paying jobs, regenerating inner cities and rehabilitating the housing industry. Simons can be reached for questions at 562-596-4394 or at 13170 Southport Lane, 168-l, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
Gilbert Simons ’54, M.S.W. ’68 is offering a new web that can be accessed at endpropertytaxesforever.net, which cites its proposition as not Jarvis Prop 13 Redux, as it does not strip local government of needed resources. According to Simons, it puts thousands of dollars in every American household's pockets without raising taxes and 30 million unemployed into well-paying jobs, regenerating inner cities and rehabilitating the housing industry. Simons can be reached for questions at 562-596-4394 or at 13170 Southport Lane, 168-l, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
Submitted October 2009
J. Stevenson BS '53
James Stevenson died peacefully in Palm Springs, Calif. on September 8, 2009. He was born August 1, 1928 in Bonham, Texas and was a 20-year resident of Palm Springs. Jim graduated from UCLA with a BS degree in Business and from USC with an MBA. Jim had a lifelong career as a financial manager in the Aerospace industry culminating in his retirement from Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo, Calif. He was a proud member of the United States Army and retired as a Major. Jim loved living in the desert and enjoyed playing tennis at the Rancho Las Palmas Tennis Club several times a week. He was preceded in death by his son, Rex Allen Stevenson and is survived by his daughter, Tracey Windes and granddaughters, Lisa Windes, Ann Windes, and Crystal Reid all of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Jim was a parishioner at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Palm Springs for 20 years. Published in The Desert Sun from September 12 to September 17,
James Stevenson died peacefully in Palm Springs, Calif. on September 8, 2009. He was born August 1, 1928 in Bonham, Texas and was a 20-year resident of Palm Springs. Jim graduated from UCLA with a BS degree in Business and from USC with an MBA. Jim had a lifelong career as a financial manager in the Aerospace industry culminating in his retirement from Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo, Calif. He was a proud member of the United States Army and retired as a Major. Jim loved living in the desert and enjoyed playing tennis at the Rancho Las Palmas Tennis Club several times a week. He was preceded in death by his son, Rex Allen Stevenson and is survived by his daughter, Tracey Windes and granddaughters, Lisa Windes, Ann Windes, and Crystal Reid all of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Jim was a parishioner at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Palm Springs for 20 years. Published in The Desert Sun from September 12 to September 17,
Submitted September 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1940-1949
J. Merendino BA '46
For the Los Angeles Times: Janet Merendino of Pasadena, CA passed away on August 11, 2009. Janet was born July 3, 1924 in South Pasadena to Kenneth Mitchell McNeill and Gertrude Lee Greenfield McNeill. Janet, a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Theta, graduated from UCLA in 1946 with a BA degree in Political Science and later from USC with a Masters in School Counseling. Janet began her career with the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaching English at Luther Burbank Junior High School. She was the head counselor at Irving Middle School and at Eagle Rock High School before her retirement in 1984. She was a lover of the arts, especially music, theater and contemporary fine art. She is survived by her daughter, Drusilla Khan of Los Angeles; sister, Dru (Tom) Horton of Ventura; brother Ken (Susan) McNeill of Las Cruces, NM; stepchildren Dawn (Frank) Bates of Sandy, UT; Gari (Ellen) Merendino of Menlo Park; Marc Merendino of Pasadena; as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Janet was preceded in death by her husband Salvatore Merendino. A memorial service will be held at the Neighborhood Church, Pasadena, on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10 am. The family has requested that donations be made in Janet’s name to the Central Asia Institute (Three Cups of Tea) at www. ikat.org. For the Pasadena Star News: Janet Merendino of Pasadena, CA passed away on August 11, 2009. Janet was born July 3, 1924 in South Pasadena to Kenneth Mitchell McNeill and Gertrude Lee Greenfield McNeill. Janet, a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Theta, graduated from UCLA in 1946 with a BA degree in Political Science and later from USC with a Masters in School Counseling. Janet began her career with the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaching English at Luther Burbank Junior High School. She was the head counselor at Irving Middle School and at Eagle Rock High School before her retirement in 1984. She was a lover of the arts, especially music, theater and contemporary fine art. She is survived by her daughter, Drusilla Khan of Los Angeles; sister, Dru (Tom) Horton of Ventura; brother Ken (Susan) McNeill of Las Cruces, NM; stepchildren Dawn (Frank) Bates of Sandy, UT; Gari (Ellen) Merendino of Menlo Park; Marc Merendino of Pasadena; grandchildren Mehboob Ali Abdullah, Sabir Ali Abdullah, Lauren (Bradley) Dance, Matthew (Andrea) Bates, Sara (George) Prescott, Evan Bates, Ian Bates, Ted Merendino, Lindsey Merendino; and great-grandchildren Braelin Dance, Devrie Dance, Garrett Bates, Gavin Bates, Parker Bates, Mali’a Prescott, Ellesi Prescott, Olivia Prescott, and Zealin Prescott. Janet was preceded in death by her husband Salvatore Merendino. A memorial service will be held at the Neighborhood Church, Pasadena, on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10 am. The family has requested that donations be made in Janet’s name to the Central Asia Institute (Three Cups of Tea) at www. ikat.org.
For the Los Angeles Times: Janet Merendino of Pasadena, CA passed away on August 11, 2009. Janet was born July 3, 1924 in South Pasadena to Kenneth Mitchell McNeill and Gertrude Lee Greenfield McNeill. Janet, a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Theta, graduated from UCLA in 1946 with a BA degree in Political Science and later from USC with a Masters in School Counseling. Janet began her career with the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaching English at Luther Burbank Junior High School. She was the head counselor at Irving Middle School and at Eagle Rock High School before her retirement in 1984. She was a lover of the arts, especially music, theater and contemporary fine art. She is survived by her daughter, Drusilla Khan of Los Angeles; sister, Dru (Tom) Horton of Ventura; brother Ken (Susan) McNeill of Las Cruces, NM; stepchildren Dawn (Frank) Bates of Sandy, UT; Gari (Ellen) Merendino of Menlo Park; Marc Merendino of Pasadena; as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Janet was preceded in death by her husband Salvatore Merendino. A memorial service will be held at the Neighborhood Church, Pasadena, on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10 am. The family has requested that donations be made in Janet’s name to the Central Asia Institute (Three Cups of Tea) at www. ikat.org. For the Pasadena Star News: Janet Merendino of Pasadena, CA passed away on August 11, 2009. Janet was born July 3, 1924 in South Pasadena to Kenneth Mitchell McNeill and Gertrude Lee Greenfield McNeill. Janet, a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Theta, graduated from UCLA in 1946 with a BA degree in Political Science and later from USC with a Masters in School Counseling. Janet began her career with the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaching English at Luther Burbank Junior High School. She was the head counselor at Irving Middle School and at Eagle Rock High School before her retirement in 1984. She was a lover of the arts, especially music, theater and contemporary fine art. She is survived by her daughter, Drusilla Khan of Los Angeles; sister, Dru (Tom) Horton of Ventura; brother Ken (Susan) McNeill of Las Cruces, NM; stepchildren Dawn (Frank) Bates of Sandy, UT; Gari (Ellen) Merendino of Menlo Park; Marc Merendino of Pasadena; grandchildren Mehboob Ali Abdullah, Sabir Ali Abdullah, Lauren (Bradley) Dance, Matthew (Andrea) Bates, Sara (George) Prescott, Evan Bates, Ian Bates, Ted Merendino, Lindsey Merendino; and great-grandchildren Braelin Dance, Devrie Dance, Garrett Bates, Gavin Bates, Parker Bates, Mali’a Prescott, Ellesi Prescott, Olivia Prescott, and Zealin Prescott. Janet was preceded in death by her husband Salvatore Merendino. A memorial service will be held at the Neighborhood Church, Pasadena, on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10 am. The family has requested that donations be made in Janet’s name to the Central Asia Institute (Three Cups of Tea) at www. ikat.org.
Submitted August 2009
J. Hanrahan BA '49
Jane Hanrahan BA ’49 has published A Widow’s World. Neither a guidebook nor a journal nor a how-to for widows, this paperback is a collection of vignettes (Islands, Bars, Wildlife, Blunders, etc) from fourteen homeless years of lone travel in Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa that began at age sixty-four. The first paragraph of each experience identifies the location. With the title input, Google leads directly to a site with more details. Jane now lives in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Jane Hanrahan BA ’49 has published A Widow’s World. Neither a guidebook nor a journal nor a how-to for widows, this paperback is a collection of vignettes (Islands, Bars, Wildlife, Blunders, etc) from fourteen homeless years of lone travel in Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa that began at age sixty-four. The first paragraph of each experience identifies the location. With the title input, Google leads directly to a site with more details. Jane now lives in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Submitted June 2009
Latest Notes from Classes of 1930-1939
C. Luger BS '39
Charles Luger graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in horticulture in 1939. After earning a master’s degree in education at USC, he returned to UCLA in 1961 to earn a master’s degree in botany. Before leaving for the army in 1940, he met and married Harriett Mandelay '36. Two of their three children graduated from UCLA; Carolyn '60 and Eleanor '75, as well as granddaughter Rachel '03. Their son Allen graduated from UC Santa Cruz. Charles taught at El Camino Community College for 28 years before retiring to travel with Harriett to nature parks up and down the West coast and in the South West. Charles passed away on Sept. 7, 2009. For questions or more information, contact Eleanor R. Luger at 212-689-3308 or email erlted@nyc.rr.com
Charles Luger graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in horticulture in 1939. After earning a master’s degree in education at USC, he returned to UCLA in 1961 to earn a master’s degree in botany. Before leaving for the army in 1940, he met and married Harriett Mandelay '36. Two of their three children graduated from UCLA; Carolyn '60 and Eleanor '75, as well as granddaughter Rachel '03. Their son Allen graduated from UC Santa Cruz. Charles taught at El Camino Community College for 28 years before retiring to travel with Harriett to nature parks up and down the West coast and in the South West. Charles passed away on Sept. 7, 2009. For questions or more information, contact Eleanor R. Luger at 212-689-3308 or email erlted@nyc.rr.com
Submitted October 2009
C. Spitzer BA '39
Charlotte B. Spitzer of Kirkland, Washington died peacefully June 26, 2009. She was born February 7, 1918 in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of recent immigrants Manya and Boris Braunstein. She was the middle child of five. The family moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Los Angeles High. She studied piano at U.S.C., and obtained her B.A. from U.C.L.A. After graduation, she moved with her future husband Jack J. Spitzer to New Orleans in 1939, where she worked for the Red Cross in some of the first interracial counseling programs. She and Jack returned to LA shortly after Pearl Harbor to get married before Jack was shipped overseas with the U.S. Army. While Jack was overseas, Charlotte obtained her Masters in Social Work at Columbia University, and worked for years thereafter as a psychiatric social worker. She also loved to travel, visiting 80 countries in her life, a passion which led her to found a travel agency in the 60’s. She and Jack moved to Seattle from Los Angeles in 1972 Charlotte’s passion for social work led her and Jack to rescue and champion what became known as the Spitzer School of Social Work of Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. She also became an active alumna of the Columbia School of Social Work, where she and Jack endowed a library, and was an active supporter of the Department of Social Work at U.W. She and Jack were also passionate about politics, working hard to elect Democrats to public office. Charlotte was also a lifelong supporter of rights for women. Charlotte served as Trustee of the King County Library System from 1998 to 2007. She was a strong advocate of literacy and challenged the System to boldly advance its mission. Her central focus was her family. She was the matriarch, the organizer of family reunions, the correspondent with distant relatives, the counselor and the glue which held the extended family together. Charlotte was pre-deceased by her husband Jack and daughter, Jil Spitzer-Fox. She leaves behind her two younger brothers, Milton Braunstein and David Braunstein, both of Los Angeles, her son Robert B. Spitzer and his wife, Kathleen of Mercer Island and son-in-law Davis B. Fox of Seattle, as well as grandchildren Manya S. Fox, Anikke S. Fox, Hanni S. Fox, Devra S. Fox, Samara I. Spitzer, Philip N. Spitzer and Harry A. Spitzer, all of whom she treasured. The family suggests that contributions be made in her memory to: The Spitzer School of Social Work, BGU c/o AABGU, 1430 Broadway 8th Floor, New York, New York 10018 or the King County Library System Foundation 960 Newport Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027.
Charlotte B. Spitzer of Kirkland, Washington died peacefully June 26, 2009. She was born February 7, 1918 in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of recent immigrants Manya and Boris Braunstein. She was the middle child of five. The family moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Los Angeles High. She studied piano at U.S.C., and obtained her B.A. from U.C.L.A. After graduation, she moved with her future husband Jack J. Spitzer to New Orleans in 1939, where she worked for the Red Cross in some of the first interracial counseling programs. She and Jack returned to LA shortly after Pearl Harbor to get married before Jack was shipped overseas with the U.S. Army. While Jack was overseas, Charlotte obtained her Masters in Social Work at Columbia University, and worked for years thereafter as a psychiatric social worker. She also loved to travel, visiting 80 countries in her life, a passion which led her to found a travel agency in the 60’s. She and Jack moved to Seattle from Los Angeles in 1972 Charlotte’s passion for social work led her and Jack to rescue and champion what became known as the Spitzer School of Social Work of Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. She also became an active alumna of the Columbia School of Social Work, where she and Jack endowed a library, and was an active supporter of the Department of Social Work at U.W. She and Jack were also passionate about politics, working hard to elect Democrats to public office. Charlotte was also a lifelong supporter of rights for women. Charlotte served as Trustee of the King County Library System from 1998 to 2007. She was a strong advocate of literacy and challenged the System to boldly advance its mission. Her central focus was her family. She was the matriarch, the organizer of family reunions, the correspondent with distant relatives, the counselor and the glue which held the extended family together. Charlotte was pre-deceased by her husband Jack and daughter, Jil Spitzer-Fox. She leaves behind her two younger brothers, Milton Braunstein and David Braunstein, both of Los Angeles, her son Robert B. Spitzer and his wife, Kathleen of Mercer Island and son-in-law Davis B. Fox of Seattle, as well as grandchildren Manya S. Fox, Anikke S. Fox, Hanni S. Fox, Devra S. Fox, Samara I. Spitzer, Philip N. Spitzer and Harry A. Spitzer, all of whom she treasured. The family suggests that contributions be made in her memory to: The Spitzer School of Social Work, BGU c/o AABGU, 1430 Broadway 8th Floor, New York, New York 10018 or the King County Library System Foundation 960 Newport Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027.
Submitted July 2009
