UC alumni honor higher ed supporters

The Alumni Associations of the University of California have selected Sen. Jack Scott and Assemblymember John Laird as the 2008 Legislators of the Year.

The two will be honored at events in Sacramento during UC Day. About 300 alumni and friends are expected to attend the university's annual advocacy day, held this year on March 4. Both Scott, D-Pasadena, and Laird, D-Santa Cruz, have been longtime legislative and personal advocates for UC and higher education.

"Both Sen. Scott and Assemblymember Laird have demonstrated lifelong commitments to higher education and have been true friends of the University of California," said UC President Robert C. Dynes. "It certainly is fitting that the Alumni Associations recognize their ongoing efforts to make a UC education accessible and affordable for the people of California. Their support for the university will have an impact on many future generations of UC alumni."

Laird, who serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Budget and is vice-chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, is being recognized for his ongoing support for UC's mission of education, public service and innovation, particularly in alternative energy research.

Donna Blitzer, director of Government and Community Relations for UC Santa Cruz, praised Laird for always making education a top priority in Sacramento.

"He's smart, and he has a great sense of humor," Blitzer said. "He's very analytical and effective. He's honest and straightforward and will always give you the real story."

A 1972 graduate of UC Santa Cruz, Laird majored in politics and served nine years on the Santa Cruz City Council, including two one-year terms as mayor. He was one of the first openly gay mayors in the United States.

"I remember the first paper I turned in as a student," Laird said of his UCSC days. "The professor wrote on it, 'If there is a point here, I'm missing it.' I went from that to writing an honors thesis and to being elected to public office. That's what a UC education did for me."

First elected to the Assembly in 2002, Laird said he's proud that he captures a strong majority among both city and campus voters, a testimony to his efforts to strengthen the town-gown relationship.

"He's been really terrific on funding for the UC system and for enrollment growth," said Karen French, interim director of UC State Governmental Relations. "Laird has always been open and accessible to everyone. He strives very hard to improve the relationship between campus and community and to mitigate the impact of campus growth on the local community of Santa Cruz."

French also praised Scott for his efforts on UC's behalf as chair of the Senate Education Committee and Budget Subcommittee on Education and former chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education.

"Scott has been a bottom-line supporter of educational opportunity and academic preparation programs," French said. "As someone whose has run a community college, he's keenly aware that resources are limited, and you have to make efficient use of them."

Even when Scott has criticized UC, French said, he did it constructively and supportively, particularly in encouraging UC to strive for greater transparency and accountability in executive compensation.

"While in the Assembly and the Senate, Sen. Jack Scott has been a vital friend to the University of California," said Keith Parker, assistant vice chancellor of Government and Community Relations at UCLA. "He has consistently taken principled positions regarding what is best for the education of the people of our state. I have always been impressed with his knowledge and passion for maintaining the unparalleled excellence of higher education in California."

Scott said he is honored by the Alumni Associations' award and proud of his successful support for outreach programs, enrollment growth and the UCLA-based Institute for Research on Labor and Employment when budget cuts threatened those programs.

"If I have a quarrel with the University of California, it's a lover's quarrel," Scott said. "I'm very proud of UC and its contributions to the state. My own son graduated from UC Berkeley. I have a very personal connection to UC."

As the former president of both Cypress College and Pasadena City College, Scott developed close working relationships with UCLA and UC Irvine. Known as a passionate advocate for community colleges and all higher education institutions, Scott, who has a master of divinity degree from Yale and a doctorate in American history from Claremont Graduate University, said he appreciates the richness education brings to his own life.

"The University of California is a treasure," Scott said. "It's something we are so proud of as Californians. It makes a tremendous difference as an economic engine. The university can be a great friend of California."