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Monday, Jan 11, 2010Reva Mikles Graziadio passes away
Posted by dgore
–Pepperdine University community mourns passing of long-time benefactor
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Reva Mikles Graziadio (1922-2010), long-time friend and benefactor of Pepperdine University, passed away at her home in Rolling Hills, California on January 8 after a brief illness. Mrs. Graziadio was wife of George Graziadio, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Imperial Bancorp. Mr. Graziadio, who passed away in 2002, was chief benefactor and namesake of Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management.
Reva, born in Magazine, Arkansas on May 17, 1922, moved to Los Angeles during World War II where she met George. Reva created and funded a scholarship for female students at Pepperdine’s graduate business school and was a generous supporter of Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) and other Pepperdine University programs and initiatives.
At California State University Long Beach, the Graziadio’s established the George L. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies. Reva and George were also substantial contributors to numerous other regional and national organizations including Torrance Memorial Medical Center Health Foundation where they underwrote the George and Reva Graziadio Radiology Center, Mountain Communities Hospital in Lake Arrowhead, the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation, Chapman University, UCLA, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation and the YMCA to name just a few. In 2002, just prior to his passing Reva and George celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary receiving the “Humanitarians of the Year Award” from the House Ear Institute.
She loved her spectacular rose garden that overlooked much of the Southern California that she so eagerly supported. Reva will be remembered by all that knew her for her gracious hospitality, genuine friendship, magnificent smile and a remarkable sense of humor.
“In life we occasionally experience people who radiate such joy, such humility, and such grace that they have a profound impact on us,” said Andrew K. Benton, Pepperdine President. “Reva was such a person. Her memory will remain strong as we commit ourselves to living up to her high standards and expectations.”
Reva is survived by daughter Mary Lou Area and her husband Jack Area of Houston, Texas; daughter Alida Calvillo and her husband Stevan Calvillo of Rolling Hills Estates, California; and son G. Louis Graziadio III and his wife Beth Graziadio of Palos Verdes Estates, California; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Currently there are no services planned. The Graziadio Family asks that gifts in memory of Reva Graziadio be made to:
Pepperdine University
Graziadio School of Business and Management
“Reva Graziadio Scholarship Fund”
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Or
Torrance Memorial Home Health and Hospice
3330 Lomita Boulevard, Torrance, CA. 90505
For more information concerning the fund, please contact Vice Chancellor, Lou Drobnick at (310) 506-6432 or lou.drobnick@pepperdine.edu.
About the Graziadio School of Business and Management
Founded on the core values of integrity, stewardship, courage, and compassion, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management has been developing values-centered leaders and advancing responsible business practice since 1969, offering fully accredited MBA, Masters of Science, and bachelor’s completion business programs. More information at http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/.
Media Contact:
Douglass Gore, Director of Public Relations, Graziadio School of Business and Management, Phone: (310) 568-5580, graziadioPR@pepperdine.edu
Edean Takumi, George & Reva Graziadio Foundation, 310-265-0455
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