Community: Center has new president and new name

The government board of the Campbell Center (formerly GAR) has appointed Lt. Lola Abrahamian, a member of the Glendale Police Department, as president of the Campbell Center Foundation Board of Directors.

“I am very honored to be appointed as president of the Campbell Center Foundation Board and am proud to serve in that role in support of the Campbell Center mission,” Abrahamian said.

Members of the board of directors approved the rebranding of the organization and its new name — the Campbell Center — in March, according to Eric Hamilton, board president.

“The name change and rebranding are very important milestones in our organization’s life cycle,” Hamilton said. “I am thrilled with my board colleagues’ support, suggestions and commitment throughout the process.”

The center is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1954, originally as the Glendale Assn. for Retarded Children and subsequently renamed GAR. The organization derived its original name from the medical diagnosis — mental retardation — of the clients it served.

The rebranded name is in honor of Janice Elaine Campbell, the daughter of GAR founders Phyllis and Jerry Campbell.

--

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.