Thursday, January 14, 1999
Community briefs
UC Regents to meet in
San Francisco
Today the UC Board of Regents will meet at the University of
California at San Francisco, Laurel Heights. Despite Davis’
professed commitment to education, the governor will not be
attending what would be his first meeting as governor.
Items to be considered include a system-wide review of outreach
efforts, the activity and financial status report on all hospitals
and clinics and a report on the Governor’s 1999-2000 budget. The
meeting will be held from Jan. 14 to 15.
Department of Music receives $50,000 gift
The Department of Music in the UCLA School of the Arts and
Architecture has received a gift of $50,000 from Robert B. Wolcott
Jr. to establish the Ruth Denas Wolcott Endowed Scholarship in
Music Performance. This memorial gift was announced by Daniel
Neuman, dean of the school.
The late Ruth Denas Wolcott was an accomplished musician who
spent many years helping underprivileged children. She began her
career as a child performer, playing the piano and accordion, and
later performed in nightclubs as a musician and vocalist. During
World War II, she toured with Bob Hope to entertain the troops in
Europe, and toured Africa, India, China and Burma with movie star
Ann Sheridan. She also appeared on daytime shows on KABC and
KTLA.
After her marriage to Wolcott, she retired from show business to
raise her family. She became very active in the Assistance League
of California and devoted time to helping disadvantaged
children.
"Combining Ruth’s love of music with her love for kids in a
scholarship program seemed like a wonderful way to carry on her
name," said Wolcott, a Glendale businessman.
A 1942 graduate of UCLA, Robert Wolcott served on the executive
council of the UCLA Alumni Association and was one of the founders
of the Bruin Bench. He is a former chair of the UCLA Medical Center
and served on its board for 20 years.
Berkeley names
distinguished professor
The first distinguished professorship in the College of
Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, has been
established to honor Kenneth S. Pitzer, a UC Berkeley alumnus
(Ph.D. ’37) and longtime professor in the chemistry department who
died in December 1997.
Professor William H. Miller has been selected to hold the first
Pitzer Professorship. The new chair was formally approved by
University of California President Richard C. Atkinson in late
October.
Pitzer enjoyed a long career filled with exceptional distinction
as a scientist, educator, administrator, public servant and
philanthropist.
"The department is truly honored by the Pitzer Distinguished
Chair, and pleased to have this standing tribute to a colleague who
contributed so tremendously to what we – and the College – are
today," said Paul Bartlett, chemistry department chairman.
"We are all gratified that Bill Miller will be the first holder
of the Chair, carrying on the tradition of excellent research,
teaching and leadership in the university that Ken himself
exemplified. However, I must confess that the large number of
distinguished colleagues here made it a very difficult
selection."
Miller noted that there are a number of distinguished persons in
chemistry who deserve this type of recognition.
"I very much hope that the college will be able soon to obtain
additional endowed chairs to make this possible for other deserving
colleagues," he said.
Compiled from Daily Bruin staff reports.
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