VICKI REYNOLDS TO RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY

Los Angeles, CA (May 5 , 2015) – 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.”

American Jewish University is a recognized leader in providing world class, Jewish educational and cultural opportunities. Everything we do is designed to inspire and engage people of all ages and backgrounds. AJU creates a unique and distinctive learning environment in which we nurture innovation, incubate new ideas and integrate Jewish values into community life. American Jewish University (founded in 1947) is a thriving center of Jewish resources and talent built upon the mission of Jewish learning, Culture, Ethics, Leadership and Peoplehood. In 2007, the University of Judaism merged with Brandeis-Bardin creating a landmark entity, American Jewish University, with two campuses, a single vision and a shared future. Today American Jewish University is one of the largest and most innovative Jewish institutions in the country. AJU offers a vast array of educational and cultural opportunities to the community through its undergraduate and graduate schools, the Whizin Center for Continuing Education, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, and many other community programs. AJU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). More information online at www.aju.edu

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Contact: Contact for AJU:

Katy Sweet Joanna Gerber

Katy Sweet & Associates (310)440-1529

(310)479-2333 jgerber@aju.edu

katy@katysweetpr.com