Donors

In March 2000, LACC faculty and staff created a scholarship to benefit students of Asian heritage or students who support or advocate for those of Asian descent. 

Brian F. Byrnes established the Madeline Chirico Award on behalf of his goddaughter, Madeline Chirico, who died unexpectedly of kidney disease six weeks before her 18^th birthday, and three weeks before her high school graduation.

This scholarship was started by Roberta Holt and with donations from other retired faculty members from the COAT Department 

Charles J. Cramer taught management and finance at LACC from 1965 to 1987. He also served the college in a number of different capacities—college Registrar, Chair of the LACC Overseas Program, and facilitator of community college programs for U.S. military personnel serving in Korea and Thailand. Professor Cramer had a strong foundation in business, through his college education at USC where he earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in business, and through his family's businesses. He served as president of the Charles J. Cramer Company (sales and service of scientific instruments) and the Charles J. Cramer & Company (EXXON Petroleum by-products distributorship with his father). In addition, Professor Cramer was a Registered Representative (Series 7 broker's license) and a Registered Investment Advisor (Life and Disability Insurance license) and an investment consultant.

Furthering his dedication to the college, Professor Cramer served on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles City College Foundation for more than 20 years. His investment savvy helped the Foundation to grow its portfolio and increase its support for students, faculty and the college.

Charles J. Cramer left a lasting legacy for LACC students through a substantial estate gift.

The scholarship donor transferred to LACC from out of state in the fall of 1978. She found that the life sciences teachers were instrumental in helping her with her career. She credits Lester Schneider, in particular, in encouraging her to pursue her dream of becoming a dentist. The scholarship donor  found assistance at LACC in helping her prepare her application to U.C. San Diego where she transferred and received her four-year degree.

 This scholarship was created to represent her gratitude to LACC and the faculty members who helped and encouraged her. The scholarship donor said, "I want to acknowledge that I may not have become a dentist without Professor Schneider's support".

This scholarship was created in memory of Douglas Blasdell. Doug held a degree in business and was one of Hollywood’s most sought-after trainers and spin instructors. He carried his experience in personal fitness into the reality TV world with Bravo’s program “Workout.” He had a positive impact on many lives and will continue to be a positive influence through this scholarship.

Dr. Lynne Jacobs, Los Angeles psychologist and psychoanalyst, was inspired to create the Opportunity Award; her story is as follows:

When the Governor of California first raised tuition at community colleges, and I heard a radio interview with an African-American student who spoke about the financial hardship she was already suffering before the tuition hike. She was the first in her family to attend college. I felt inspired. That story propelled me to call LACC and find out if I could assist an African-American student with his or her college fees. Further discussion led to the establishment of this fund, open to anyone who is "first-generation college student." In addition, I have invited my friends and colleagues to contribute to the fund.

Dr. Philip Schlessinger, veteran professor of political science, dispensed his brand of political wisdom at LACC for more than 54 years. A dynamic lecturer, he motivated his students to become aware of the political, social and economic problems facing our society. More than 40,000 students attended his classes and many were inspired to go into the political field. Among them are Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, political consultant Harvey Englander, and Judge Henry Nelson of the Superior Court.

Dr. Schlessinger received his bachelor s degree in history and his master's degree in history and education both from the University of Minnesota in 1937. He went on to receive his Ph. D. in public administration and education from USC in 1943. He began to teach American government and history in 1947 at Fullerton College and in 1949 he began his teaching career at LA City College. At first, he taught history  classes and slowly segued to political science. During the '70s, he sponsored government internships for his LACC students and conducted field trips to Sacramento and local legislative offices to allow students to see their government   in action.

Dr. Schlessinger left a lasting legacy for LACC students through a substantial estate gift.

The Emeriti are retired full-time faculty who wish to continue to participate in the LACC community. Some still teach part time. Others no longer are in the classroom, but find after-retirement involvement with the college provides a healthy and entertaining past-time as well as helpful support to the continuing faculty and students.

The scholarship is designated for three departments at Los Angeles City College: Social Science, Engineering, and Music. Gregory MacGregor was an aerospace engineer, an avid music-lover (from jazz to bluegrass to blues), and had a fierce leftist political streak. He could talk about any of the aforementioned subjects for hours.         

The award is intended for students who are struggling financially. Academic achievement is not the most important criteria, but students must show reasonable promise and progress. (Older) adult learners and those with a stated commitment to economic and racial justice will be given preference.

The purpose of this book grant is to provide support to any student who can demonstrate financial need. The award will be awarded based on spring semester full-time status and will be awarded as a credit at the LACC bookstore for the summer session or fall semester. The credit at the bookstore will be contingent on enrollment for a minimum of 6 units in the summer or 12 units in the fall.

James Sutherland is a graduate of Los Angeles City College with degrees in Real Estate, and Human Services/Drug and Alcohol, 2012 and 2014 respectively.

A former bank manager for numerous years in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills area, James took notice of the psychology department at LACC and with the help and guidance of the terrific faculty graduated with an AA degree in 2014. He will be graduating from Antioch University Los Angeles in March 2017 with a MA in Clinical Psychology. AULA is renowned for its clinical Psych program as well as the students it graduates. James finished his BA degree in liberal arts with a concentration in psychology at AULA as well. James is also a member of the Board of Directors for Temple Beth Chayim Chadashim. Currently a Realtor with Century21 Hollywood, It is his hope that everyone who is inclined has the ability to obtain higher education.

This scholarship is given with deep gratitude to those who supported James during his time at LACC in the psychology department, including but not limited to: Dr. Rochelle Sechooler, Professor Anne Bloom, Professor David Sedghi, Professors David and Blythe Daniel, Dr. April Pavlik, and Professor Pat Prince. The caring attitude from these professors literally changed James’ life and journey.

The LACC Foundation created this scholarship with proceeds from the fall 2007 Gala. Jerry Goldsmith, an LACC alumnus, was born in Los Angeles, California. He learned to play the piano at age six. At fourteen, he studied piano, composition, theory, and counterpoint with teachers Jakob Gimpel and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Goldsmith also attended the University of Southern California, where he took courses taught by veteran composer Miklós Rózsa. Goldsmith developed an interest in writing scores for movies after being inspired by Rózsa.

A list of his distinguished film scores, most of which were Oscar nominated, include Freud, A Patch of Blue, The Blue Max, The Sand Pebbles, Planet of the Apes, Patton, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Papillon, Chinatown, The Wind and the Lion, The Omen, Logan's Run, Islands in the Stream (acknowledged by Goldsmith as his own personal favorite), The Boys from Brazil, Alien, The First Great Train Robbery, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Lionheart, The Russia House, First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Hoosiers, and The Mummy. Goldsmith's Oscar-nominated score for Under Fire (1983) prominently featured solo guitar work by Pat Metheny.

Goldsmith received a total of 17 Academy Award nominations, making him one of the most nominated composers in the history of the Academy Awards. Despite this distinction, Goldsmith only won one Oscar, for his score to the 1976 film, The Omen. This makes Goldsmith the most nominated composer to have only won an Oscar on one occasion. He also received nine Golden Globe nominations but never won the award. Similarly, he received five Grammy nominations but never won the award.

This scholarship was created in honor of Johnny Grant’s commitment to the betterment of the Hollywood community. It is intended for students with at least a 2.0 GPA who can demonstrate financial need.

Community Service is an important aspect of our connection to society. By serving our communities, we learn first hand about the values of the people around us, as well as about ourselves. The ASG would like to encourage students to serve in their communities, learn its value and create a lifetime commitment to service.

Student leaders can dramatically improve the college experience for the student body. The Associated Student Government would like to encourage students to take leadership roles on our college campus.

The mission of the Los Angeles City College Foundation is to develop philanthropic support to assist the College in providing accessible educational programs that assure academic and vocational excellence for the students of Los Angeles City College, and that enrich the cultural, economic, and civic life of Los Angeles.

Louise Johnson Fitzgerald was the daughter of William Henry Snyder, the first president of Los Angeles City College. She was born to William H. Snyder and Emma Abbott Morrill on December 31, 1900, in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating from Hollywood High School, Louise continued her education, receiving a B.A. from the University of Arizona, an M.A. from Stanford, and a Ph.D. from New York University. Louise taught at Rutgers University, Los Angeles City College, and Harbor College.

Louise Snyder Johnson Fitzgerald wrote two books: Inside Your Mind and Personality and Adjustment.

Her wartime services included time spent at Douglas Aircraft and Bell Aircraft.

Louise passed away on August 21, 1993, in Long Beach, California. 

Marvin Hoffman, who serves as Chair of the LACC Foundation Board of Directors, established this scholarship to support students who excel in computer science and information technology. Mr. Hoffman serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of XXCAL Inc., a subsidiary of National Technical Systems Inc. and oversees its information technologies.

He served as Chief Executive Officer of the IT Staffing and Managed Services Organization of NTS. He served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of National Technical Systems Inc. since 1999. He founded XXCAL, Inc., in 1976. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of XXCAL, Inc. from 1976 to 1998. He served at National Technical Systems Inc. since 1998. Mr. Hoffman served as Vice Chairman of National Technical Systems Inc. and served as its Director since 1999. He has been Director of IOS since 2002. He served as Director of Rainbow Technologies Inc., since 1990.

Marvin Hoffman has been Chair of the Los Angeles City College Foundation since 1988. He is a member of several strategic advisory boards of privately held corporations and committees at Los Angeles City College, where he taught IT classes part-time for 25 years. Mr. Hoffman received a BA in Mathematics from California State University Northridge, and holds a Life Credential to teach Information Technology.

The Mary Magdalene Scholarship was established in memory of Mary Magdalene Adamczyk Zielinski, by her daughter Frances Zielinski, a faculty member at Los Angeles City College. Mary Magdalene Adam Adamczyk and Peter Zielinski married and had eight children.

Due to the circumstances of their lives, Mary Magdalene’s formal education, as well that of her husband, ended at the third grade. Her lack of formal education did not prevent her from being a wonderful parent and motivator. All of the children attended high school and three went on to college. Mary Magdalene was born into a Catholic family, all of whom were named after saints or other important personages in the Bible.

Mary Magdalene was a magnificent namesake and Mary Magdalene Adamczyk wore the name well.

Donald Lipschutz created this award in memory of his brother, Milton Lipschutz, who passed away in 1993 at age 64. Milton was very skilled in computer technology. He used those skills during his retirement years as a volunteer at schools to help minority or immigrant students to understand computers. He believed that by gaining computer skills, students would have more opportunities to succeed in the workforce.

This scholarship was created by professors Henry Ealy and Mattie Moon, and in honor of Nina Collins. It is for students in the Social Sciences Department.

Myra B. Siegel began her employment in the LACCD as a classified employee, and after advancing in the classified ranks, was hired as an administrator in the certificated/academic ranks. She was an advocate for employees with similar aspirations and created the scholarship as an incentive for people to earn an AA degree and transfer to a four-year school.

One of Myra’s goals at LACC was to grow student life and encourage students to develop leadership skills. This scholarship will encourage students who have participated as leaders in their high schools to continue their activities as they make the transition to college.

The National Notary Foundation established an endowed National Notary Foundation Scholarship for high-achieving students at LACC. This scholarship provides funds for tuition, fees, and books.

Milt Valera, president of the National Notary Association, served as an editor on The Collegian staff. His wife, Debbie Thaw Valera, is a member of the LACC Foundation Board of Directors.

Bernard Osher, a patron of education and the arts, is well known as “the quiet philanthropist”. He created the Bernard Osher Foundation in 1977 that seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts.

A native of Biddeford, Maine and a graduate of Bowdoin College, Osher has pursued a successful career in business, beginning with the management of his family’s hardware and plumbing supplies store in Maine and continuing with work at Oppenheimer & Company in New York before moving to California. There he became a founding director of World Savings, the second largest savings institution in the United States, which merged with Wachovia Corporation.

Having served on a number of philanthropic and non-profit boards, Osher is an active community leader in the San Francisco Bay Area, the recipient of several honorary degrees, a serious student of opera, and an ardent fly fisherman.

Professor Norman Mennes, former Theatre Academy Department Chair and longtime faculty member, loved everything about the theater. He was a gifted director, set designer and mentor to hundreds of talented LACC Theatre Academy students. Professor Mennes spent more than 30 years teaching theater at the college and made important contributions to the program and to the lives of students during his tenure.

Today's Theatre Academy students are grateful for this dedicated educator who left a lasting legacy for LACC students through a substantial estate gift.

Ralph Bunche was born August 7, 1904, in Detroit, Michigan, and died December 9, 1971, in New York City. He was a U.S. diplomat, a key member of the United Nations for more than two decades, and recipient of the 1950 Nobel Prize for Peace for his successful negotiation of an Arab-Israeli truce in Palestine the previous year.

Bunche worked his way through the University of California at Los Angeles and graduated in 1927, during the time that the LACC campus was the site of UCLA before the university relocated to Westwood. He also earned graduate degrees in government and international relations at Harvard University (1928, 1934) and studied in England and South Africa.

During World War II, Bunche served in the U.S. War Department, the Office of Strategic Services and the State Department. He was active in the preliminary planning for the United Nations at the San Francisco Conference of 1945 and in 1947 joined the permanent UN Secretariat in New York as director of the new Trusteeship Department. He remained with the UN for many years and served in a number of important positions. Bunche also became active in the civil rights movement in the 1960s and participated in the 1965 civil rights marches in both Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. He also served as a board member for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 22 years.

Robert Schwartz and Jerry Ward created the Lucille Schwartz and Sydelle Ward scholarship to honor the memory of Lucille Schwartz and Sydelle. Lucille was a devoted teacher who taught in the public school system for 25 years. Her dedication inspired hundreds of students to learn and succeed. This scholarship benefits full-time students in the Honors Program and/or students who plan on a teaching career, and is based on scholastic achievement, financial need, demonstrated leadership ability, participation in extracurricular activities, and promise of success.

Donald Lipschutz created this award in memory of his cousin Rose Snyder who passed away in 1966 at age 73. During her professional life, Rose was a bookkeeper to various companies in the entertainment and retail trades. On the job she always took time to develop young people in the areas of accounting and bookkeeping.

The Simmie Lewis Sanders Scholarship was established to honor a Los Angeles City College alumnus and beloved brother of Lauretta and Lenora Sanders.

Simmie Sanders came to Los Angeles and enrolled at Los Angeles City College after he completed his Army service and returned to the U.S. He served during the Korean War. Simmie took classes from 1955 to 1958 and was awarded his Associate of Arts degree in June 1958 from LACC. He never stopped learning—he studied French, Spanish, and classical guitar. Simmie was awarded a real estate broker's license and he earned a pilot's license in 1975.

After Simmie retired in 1996, he volunteered at his local library where he performed varied duties and even delivered books to shut-ins. In addition, he volunteered at the Los Angeles Airport as a greeter and assistant to the handicapped. Simmie Lewis Sanders, alumnus of Los Angeles City College, kept learning from and serving others throughout his life.

Los Angeles City College holds a very special place in our hearts. This institution shaped both our professional and personal lives for better. It is here that two immigrant teenagers started their educational journey with the dream of becoming professional engineers. It is also here where Monica and I formed our lifelong friendship. And it is here where we met our role models who inspired us to become who we are today.

Monica and I started at LACC in 1995. During our time at LACC, we valued not only the good education we gained, but also the scholastic awards that provided financial and moral support. In 1997, we both transferred to University of California where we received BS degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Since graduation, we have both been working as software engineers in the IT industry. We always felt fortunate to have achieved professional success, which was made possible by the strong educational foundation we built at LACC.

As a token of our appreciation for LACC's priceless contribution to our lives, we are establishing this award for current LACC students. Our hope and wish is that it will inspire, encourage, and assist students who aspire to become pioneers and professionals in the field of math and science.

This award was created to honor Sophia J. Kim's legacy and her inspiring dedication to teaching Korean language and civilization courses to LACC students.

Spanish American Institute (SAI) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational assistance to Hispanic students in Southern California. Since 1909, when it was established as a boarding school teaching vocational skills, SAI has adapted both its structure and its programs to meet the changing needs of the Hispanic community in Southern California. 

SAI currently offers college and vocational scholarships.

SAI has a long record of providing realistic, effective solutions to these problems. SAI offers scholarships and resources to help students succeed in college or vocational school. SAI’s philosophy is to establish personal relationships with the students it sponsors; this attention helps students believe in themselves and their abilities. That is the start of dreams becoming realities.

SAI's unique combination of stability and flexibility has proven successful through the years and has helped thousands of Hispanic students to REACH FOR THE STARS!

Dr. Ruth Stein served as a professor in the Life Sciences Department and as a counselor at LACC from 1946 to 1978. During her tenure, Dr. Stein taught every course offered in the Life Sciences Department. As a counselor, she worked to upgrade the College catalog—in addition to performing her regular duties.

The funds for the scholarship were donated by Dr. Stein’s many friends and colleagues in her memory.

Shirley Josephs was also a counselor at LACC. She was on staff from 1976 to 1979. Ms. Josephs handled many public relations tasks for the Counseling Department, including editing the first newsletter produced by the department. Because of her own experiences, Shirley Josephs had a particular interest in the problems of older women returning to college.

Her scholarship was established as a living memorial to honor and continue the work she did at LACC, particularly in the area of older women returning to school after raising their families.

In April, 2023, Sterling gave $4,000 for the LACC Math Club Coach’s pay for spring semester, 2023.  He gave $7,000 to pay half the expenses for the bus trip by LACC Upward Bound students and staff to tour seven universities in northern California:  University of California, Merced; UC Davis (including the Veterinary School); Chico State University, Sacramento State University; UC Berkeley; Stanford University; and UC Santa Cruz.  This trip was to show the students what a university is like.  He gave $50,000 to establish the “Dr. Anatoliy Nikolaychuk Endowment Fund to Provide Awards for Students in the Los Angeles City College Math Department” each fall and spring semesters to honor the memory of Dr. Nikolaychuk, who died on June 6, 2019, at age 77.  Dr. Nikolaychuk, an immigrant from Ukraine who held a Ph.D. in Mathematics, came from teaching math classes at Santa Monica City College, Los Angeles Valley College, and Pasadena City College (all part-time) to be a full-time Professor of Mathematics at LACC in 2000.  He quickly created of the LACC Math Club and the LACC Math Team, and he inspired and nurtured many LACC math students until his death at age 77 on June 6, 2019.  LACC’s Math Team (the top five students from the LACC Math Club) won first place six times in the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) National Math competition involving over 120 colleges and over 12,000 student contestants, including first place in 2019.  Sterling also gave $4,000 cash spendable so the initial eight Nikolaychuk Awards of $500 each can be given in fall, 2023, and in spring, 2024.  Sterling will work with LACC to solicit Dr. Nikolaychuk’s former math students to try to raise a matching $50,000 in endowment funds.

Born on March 21, 1937, Evelyn Lazar-Hoffman, daughter of Louis and Helen Lazar, passed away in Los Angeles, California, of lymphoma on May 15, 1995. Her husband of 40 years, Marvin Hoffman, created the Evie Hoffman scholarship in her memory. He wanted her to be remembered for the positive impact she had on so many people and the joy she brought to their lives. Evie loved physical fitness, skiing, dance, opera, flowers, family, and friends. In addition to raising her two sons, Loren and Darryl, she co-founded XXCAL, Inc., with her husband. She served on the Board of Directors of both XXCAL, Inc., and the Lymphoma Research Foundation of America.

This scholarship is intended for a female student who is preparing to re-enter the workplace and is in need of financial assistance to continue her education.

The Union Bank Foundation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation, serves as an agent for charitable contributions made by Union Bank. Established in 1953, the foundation has, throughout its history, supported the bank's commitment to help meet the needs of the communities it serves.

The Foundation strives to build a charitable contributions program that positions the Union Bank Foundation as an innovator of partnerships and a grant-maker intent on helping to create and sustain healthy communities. It invests proactively in the communities in which the bank and its businesses operate, targeting resources to benefit low- to moderate-income populations.

The Union Bank Foundation leadership believes they can achieve the greatest impact on the health of communities by targeting the following strategic funding categories:

• Affordable Housing
• Community Economic Development
• Education
• Environment  

This is the first year the Union Bank Foundation has invested in the students at Los Angeles City College.

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media.

At Disney we recognize the hard work, dedication and loyalty it takes to serve your country honorably, no matter what point and time in your life it may be. Our veterans and their families have given so much to us, and we want to continue to give back.

Wells Fargo is proud to support organizations that work to strengthen communities. The Foundation looks for projects that keep local communities strong, diverse, and vibrant. In addition to programs offering financial support, Wells Fargo has built an internal culture of giving back to its communities through the promotion of volunteerism among its team members. Through the volunteer efforts of these enthusiastic team members and the Foundation's contributions, Wells Fargo shares its success with the communities in which its people live and work.

While the Foundation makes grants in three primary areas: Community Development, Education, and Human Services, it is also supportive of those nonprofit organizations for which Wells Fargo team members have made a commitment to volunteer via direct service or through committee or Board membership.

The William Henry Snyder Scholarship Fund was established to honor the founding President of Los Angeles City College, who served from 1929 through 1934. This scholarship comes from contributions made over a number of years by Dr. Snyder’s daughter, Dr. Louise Snyder-Fitzgerald.

The purpose of the Snyder Scholarship is to provide deserving Los Angeles City College students with financial assistance for continuing their educations.