ACCENT

In Support of KOCE

By Donna Bunce

May 13, 2003

KOCE-TV President Mel Rogers never wants to live anywhere other than Orange County and remembers, shortly after moving here in 1997, seeing a bumper sticker that read, "Not a native, but I got here as soon as I could." "My sentiments exactly," Rogers said Friday night at the KOCE Foundation's fourth annual Aristeia Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach. Addressing 312 formally attired guests about KOCE's future, he said, "Economic success will flow to the locales with the best educational opportunities and the most technically skilled workforce,and I believe KOCE can play a vital role in this country's economic future. We have the digital spectrum. We have the educational programs, thanks to our coast district roots, and we have the will. We just need the support." Rogers closed by vowing to articulate that need more succinctly in the future.

The Greek-themed evening, creatively enhanced by artist Russ Butler with an artifully drawn portico over the stage and models posing as Greek statues, honored three county residents who have exemplified the meaning of aristeia, which, translated from Greek, means "the essence of valor, persistence and heart." The Aristeia Award for Education was presented to Valerie Imhof, a former teacher best known for her development of the Pacific Symphony's nationally known Class Act Program, which was selected as one of the nation's top nine music education programs.

The award for community service went to philanthropist and community leader Henry Segerstrom, managing partner of C. J. Segerstrom & Sons, for his unwavering support of the arts, in particular of the Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast repertory.

This year's recipient of the Jo Caines Expanding Minds Award was University of California, Irvine, Chancellor Ralph Cicerone, who has distinguished himself as an academic, educational administrator and public policy adviser. In a humorous aside, Cicerone said to Rogers in his acceptance speech, "We came here in 1989, so I think that bumper sticker was already 8 years old and was probably a little tattered."

KOCE's Ed Arnold and Ann Pulice served as masters of ceremonies, while movie legend Rhonda Fleming introduced the honorees. The gala affair, chaired by Gloria Gellman with Vice Chairwoman Jan Landstrom, netted $100,000 for Orange County's PBS station.