Glendale Activist to Be Honored

Charles “Tye” Veden’s memories of the south Glendale neighborhood of his youth--with its vast open spaces and orange groves--haven’t dimmed, even as he looks out the window of his modern office just a stone’s throw from the Glendale Galleria and downtown high rises.

Although he can no longer tune in to the Fruit Frost Service--the radio weather advisory that formerly broadcast daily updates to local fruit growers--or check out the strawberry crop at the farm that was two doors down from his house, Veden, also known as “Mr. Glendale,” has spent his adult life raising money for and actively participating in the civic causes close to his heart.

“When you grow up here, you just get involved,” the community activist said. “We’re like a family.”

Top among Veden’s priorities is the improvement of Glendale Community College, which he attended before enrolling at UCLA in 1951.

As one of three founding members of the Glendale Community College Foundation, he has helped raise thousands of dollars to buy school equipment and support programs--such as the Baja Oceanographic Project, which sends biology students to the Mexican coast--that he says do not receive adequate state funding.

“Tye was an original member of the foundation, and from the beginning he’s not only donated money to it, he has always been an integral part of it,” said foundation President Jack Quinn. “Tye is reserved, but a dedicated individual and we all admire him.”

The 1994 Glendale Man of the Year was also responsible for creating the community college’s Scholars Program, which provides funds to students who maintain a high academic standing and who go on to four-year universities. The program, which enrolled 10 students in 1990, this year assists 130 students.

“Business work becomes routine after a time,” Veden said. “The students’ accomplishments and my activities at the college keep me motivated.”

The Glendale native, who owned the Knight Insurance Agency for more than 30 years, said he jumped into community work when he was a student at UCLA, where he joined a national service fraternity that raised scholarship money for underprivileged children.

An avid fisherman, backpacker and the recipient of the prestigious Silver Beaver scouting award, Veden also has actively participated in the Glendale Chamber of Commerce since 1954. He served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, and was appointed to the Planning Commission in the late 1970s.

“Tye’s a mover and a shaker and a very loyal person,” said David Greenbaum, Veden’s friend of 35 years. “He’s a giver, but never wants to thump his own chest. He gets personal satisfaction out of improving his community.”

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Veden is in Washington this week, along with 10 other representatives from corporations and communities, to receive a Council for Resource Development 1998 Benefactor Award at a gala celebration Friday.

Selected from hundreds of nominees at more than 1,100 two-year colleges across the nation, the benefactors will be honored by the National Assn. of Community Colleges for their help in broadening opportunities for community college students.

“Glendale, with 200,000 [residents], is a small town,” Veden said. “I am just one of a core of people here who is focused on this community. There are many people who deserve this award more than I.”

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