Three-time Beverly Hills Mayor, philanthropist and civic leader, Vicki Reynolds will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) from The American Jewish University at their 65th Annual Commencement ceremony, Sunday, May 17th, 2015 at the Sunny and Isadore Familian Campus in Los Angeles. Dr. Robert Wexler, AJU President, will make the presentation to Reynolds. Meyer Luskin, Chairman & CEO, Scope Industries and Alan Rothenberg, Chairman, Premier Partnerships, have sponsored Reynolds and will participate in the ceremony.
“The work that Vicki Reynolds has done on behalf of our community,” said Wexler, “is nothing short of remarkable.
She is a wonderful role model, particularly for young women. By honoring her, we will provide our students with an example of what we hope they might achieve in their own lives.”
In selecting Reynolds as a recipient, Wexler cited her outstanding work as an advocate of quality education, having served as President of the Beverly Hills Board of Education and as a member of the California State Board of Education. Reynolds is also a Trustee of the California State Summer School for the Arts, serves on the Luskin Board for Public Affairs at UCLA, the regional Board of the American Jewish Committee, the Board of Directors of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and is a staunch supporter of Women’s and Civil Rights.
“Having served an unprecedented three terms as Mayor of Beverly Hills and 13 years on the Beverly Hills City Council,” added Wexler, “she successfully negotiated the purchase of the Beverly Hills Post Office from the U.S. Government and spearheaded the fundraising effort that led to the creation of The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, a valuable resource not only for Beverly Hills, but also for the entire Los Angeles community.”
Adding to her list of accomplishments, Reynolds has been recognized by a host of civic and philanthropic organizations including Temple Emanuel, The Maple Counseling Center, the Chamber of Commerce and the UCLA Longevity Center. She has been awarded the French Legion d ’Honneur and was named UCLA Alumni Association’s Alumnus of the Year in 2002. A graduate of UCLA in Political Science, she also holds a Degree Superieur from the Sorbonne. Married to Murray Pepper, they share four children and six grandchildren.
“I am proud and humbled by the recognition for doing those things I love and for which I have the most passion,” said Reynolds, “I share this honor with my family, friends and colleagues whose help and support have been immeasurable.”
