Last month, UCLA held a ceremony to officialize the renaming of The School of Public Affairs to The Meyer and Renee Luskin School of Public Affairs. As mentioned in a previous post, the Luskin family donated a generous $100 million to the University, $50 million of which is for The Public Affairs program.
In attendance was Dean Frank D. Gilliam Jr., Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa, Chancellor Gene Block, Director of the Luskin Center for Innovation JR. DeShazo, Vice Chancellor of UCLA Scott Waugh, Meyer and Renee Luskin, their family and friends, UCLA faculty, and students.
After opening remarks and acknowledgements, Meyer Luskin delivered a speech that was both humorous and heartfelt. I especially enjoyed his explanation as to why he chose to donate his family's fortune to The School of Public Affairs, rather than other equally deserving academic departments.
"Gutenberg invented the printing press, but that magnificent achievement did not prevent a Hitler. Mendeleev developed the periodic table, but that great breakthrough did not prevent a Stalin. And the inventive genius of an Edison, did not prevent a Joe McCarthy. It is imperative that we develop the plans, techniques, and laws for a peaceful and productive society. Not only for this world, but for the one we leave for our children and our grandchildren. And thus, we are led to the School of Public Affairs."
It feels great to be part of a graduate program recognized for its contributions to society at large. Meyer's entire speech can be watched in the following video:
A few more photos from the event:
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| Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa |
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| Meyer and Renee Luskin; Chancellor Gene Block |
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| Chancellor Gene Block |
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| Luskin Director JR. DeShazo |
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| Naming Reveal |
1 comment:
I love the quote! That's kind of how I feel about the field of education :)
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