GCC alumnus bestowed statewide honor for community service
A businessman and Glendale Community College graduate was recognized this month by the Community College League of California for his numerous contributions to the community and his college alma mater.
David Greenbaum earned the Distinguished Alumni Award, a statewide honor given by league members annually for the past 50 years to those they deem accomplished professionals and citizens in their respective communities.
“I’ve been very blessed to receive so many honors in my life, but this is probably the most prestigious honor that I’ve ever had,” said Greenbaum, who is owner and president of David C. Greenbaum Co., a San Bernardino-based distributor of installation supplies for flooring, with about 30 employees.
It’s the same industry in which his father worked.
Greenbaum began attending Glendale Community College in 1958, spending 2½ years at the institution. He said the time was a “wonderful and memorable experience,” having been involved in the school newspaper and earning the Intramural Man of the Year Award.
However, it was the past 30 years that he spent on the Glendale College Foundation — also serving as its president — that launched decades of leadership with at least a dozen local organizations.
“One of the real pluses of getting involved with different organizations over the years [is] the people you meet through that kind of connection,” Greenbaum said. “After working together, many of those [people] are my lifetime friends. It’s a wonderful way to interact with the community.”
Some of the local organizations he’s helped lead include the Glendale Kiwanis Club, Glendale Salvation Army as well as the city of Glendale’s Parks and Recreation and Youth Employment commissions.
“His community involvement transcends the norm,” said David Viar, the college’s president/superintendent, in a statement. “His public service focuses on helping make the community better. He does not seek name recognition; he seeks to help others.”
Past recipients of the award include actor Robin Williams, filmmaker George Lucas and baseball hall-of-famer Jackie Robinson.
Twitter: @JeffLanda
