‘True Friends’ of UCI to Receive Top Honors

A philosopher, business executive and philanthropic couple will be presented with UC Irvine’s highest honor, the UCI Medal, in ceremonies tonight during the college’s 23rd annual Honors Convocation at the Bren Events Center.

Medal honorees are Dr. Abraham Melden, who joined UCI in 1964 as professor and founding chairman of the philosophy deparment; Walter Gerken, former chairman of Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co. and a UCI Regents Professor, and Meryl and Robert Bonney, who have made significant gifts to the college while showing special interest in the College of Medicine and School of Biological Sciences.

“The medal recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the spirit and vision of the campus through their work, participation, leadership and generosity,” said Chancellor Jack W. Peltason. “They are friends of the university in the truest sense.”

Anaheim resident Ramon E. Torres has been appointed to a one-year term to the Small Business Administration Region IX Advisory Council, a panel that promotes better understanding of the nation’s small-business community.

Laguna Niguel resident Burton L. Carey, a former Marine sergeant, was presented a Navy Achievement Medal of Certificate for his work during a 13-month period as a correspondent and photojournalist with the 2nd Marine Division. Carey, who served 6 1/2 years as a Marine, is currently managing editor of Fishing and Boating Illustrated in Capistrano Beach.

James E. Georges II of Mission Viejo was presented the Academic Excellence Award from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for the highest grade average in the class of 1988 and shared the Outstanding Major Award in his mathematics and physics double major. His grade average was 3.94.

Thomas C. Brown of Mission Viejo, who had worked for the Veterans Administration since his discharge from the Army in 1945, was elected president of the California State Federation of Chapters of the National Assn. of Retired Federal Employees.

The California group has 50,000 members and 115 chapters and was formed 67 years ago to protect the civil service retirement system, which administers the annuity and health benefits for retired federal employees.

Brown, 69, selected “Proud to Have Served Our Nation” as the theme for his term.

Professional tax and financial adviser Dorothea Haines of Lake Forest was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the 60-member Costa Mesa-based Women Business Owners of Orange County.

Evan Brendan Anderson, son of Rebecca and Michael Anderson of Laguna Niguel, has the distinction of being the first baby born at the Women’s Hospital at Saddleback Hospital & Health Center in Laguna Hills. The baby checked in 15 minutes before the new hospital was to officially open.

Mathew Ayers, Jason Brown, Darren Eady, Pai Yen and Gary Cecil, all members of Boy Scout Explorer Post 1038 sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Laguna Beach/Laguna Niguel, received their Eagle rank, the highest honor in Boy Scouting.

Gerry Lynne Baker of Huntington Beach has been named winner of the Orange County Public Relations Society of America’s prestigious Award of Excellence in the product release category.

Baker is an account manger for Les Goldberg agency in Tustin, where she is responsible for product publicity, media relations, trade show activities and general public relations.

The public relations group has 200 members.

Baker has a degree in communications from Cal State Fullerton.

Special recognition awards from the Braille Institute of Orange County were presented to Alpha Martin of Long Beach, with 692 hours of donated time this year, and Millie McIntire of Fullerton, with more than 6,000 hours of service since starting her volunteer work in 1979.

They were among 350 volunteers who were honored at a recognition luncheon at the Newport Beach Yacht Club.

Submit items to Three Cheers, Los Angeles Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626.