Rewarding the best, brightest

B.W. COOK

They are “committed to strengthening Orange County’s science and

technology communities.”

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists [ARCS] will hold its

scholarship awards dinner Jan. 28 at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman

Center at University of California, Irvine. It will be the fifth

annual awards event orchestrated by a most dedicated and serious

women’s fundraising arm in the community under the banner of the ARCS

Foundation.

Founded in 1958, the national project has raised and donated more

than $49 million to colleges and universities all over America. In

Orange County, one of 14 national chapters, nearly $500,000 has gone

to assist science students at UC Irvine since the chapter was founded

in 1999. Most importantly, 100% of every dollar raised goes directly

to scholarships.

This year, Henry Samueli, chairman of the board and co-founder of

Broadcom will be the keynote speaker, joining UC Irvine Chancellor

Ralph Cicerone in hosting the evening. Samueli will speak on “The

Importance of Science and Engineering Education to our Global

Competitiveness.”

The president of the foundation’s Orange County chapter is Sue

Alexopoulos. Chapter officers include Ann Rowe, Linda Elftmann,

Christine Thomas, Eve Thompson, Diane Casey, Frances Campbell,

Dorothy Terman, Barbara Keller, Martha Unickel and Mary Lou Furnas.

Tickets to the dinner celebration are $100 per person and may be

reserved by calling Geraldine Schultz at (949) 631-2540 or Joan

Torres at (949) 644-0472.

The foundation’s work is in concert with a quote attributed to

Albert Einstein on the importance of scientific education. Einstein

said, “I want to learn to think like God.”

Indeed, the understanding of science in our universe, coupled with

a moral compass anchored in human values, will propel mankind toward

Einstein’s lofty goal. The foundation makes a real difference in the

pursuit.

Time Magazine reported in an April 2003 cover story that the

number one killer of women in America is heart disease. While many

people assume that breast cancer is the major cause of female

illness, heart disease is in fact more deadly than all cancers

combined.

On Feb. 2, the American Heart Assn. will launch its first annual

“Go Red For Women” luncheon to raise awareness about cardiovascular

disease in women. The inaugural event will unfold at the Balboa Bay

Club & Resort, Newport Beach, put on by event chairwomen Debbie

Johnson and Rina Santora. Also on hand will be distinguished

physician Dipti Itachhaporia, and local chapter president David C.

Wooten. A heart-healthy lunch will be prepared by Chef Josef Lagader,

followed by a fashion presentation from St. John Knits and an

important address about cardiovascular health and the threat to

female survival from heart disease. The keynote speaker will be Dr.

Warren Johnston.

Tickets are $100 a person, and sponsorships are available. Call

Ericka Holland at the American Heart Assn. at (949) 856-3555 to make

a reservation.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.