Cal State LA News Service
California State University, Los Angeles was honored Thursday night with the prestigious Eddy Award for its leading role in promoting economic development across Southern California.
The award is presented annually by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The LAEDC is Southern California’s top economic development organization and collaborates with key public and private sector partners to enhance the economic vitality of the region.
Cal State LA President William A. Covino accepted the award during a Nov. 9 gala at the new Intercontinental Hotel at the Wilshire Grand Center in Downtown Los Angeles. He noted that Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students, which contributes to the prosperity of the region and its residents.
“As we push our students up the income ladder, we contribute to economic growth and development in Los Angeles,” Covino said. “We help make this a fertile region, where opportunity flourishes, and where innovation thrives.”
Covino was presented the award by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, whose First District includes Cal State LA, and was joined on stage by California Senator and Former Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg and LAEDC Chief Executive Officer Bill Allen. Hertzberg was recently awarded the California State University, Los Angeles Presidential Medallion for exemplary leadership and service to the community. He donned the medallion on stage and talked about its significance.
Dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, Cal State LA is the premier public comprehensive university in the heart of Los Angeles. A majority of the university’s 28,000 students and more than 245,000 alumni live in the Los Angeles area, enriching their communities and contributing to the economic growth of the region.
The university is engaged in a number of strategic partnerships and initiatives to fuel economic growth in Southern California. Cal State LA is one of the LAEDC’s lead partners in the rollout of Propel L.A., the 2016-2020 Countywide Strategic Plan for Economic Development. More than 500 community partners have been involved in developing the plan, which will define priorities to strengthen the regional economy and foster economic prosperity.
Earlier this month, Cal State LA and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles launched Achieve LA, an initiative to create pathways to higher education for local youth. The initiative was lauded by local officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who noted that Achieve LA will provide educational opportunities in historically underserved urban communities.
Working with Los Angeles County and private sector partners, Cal State LA is leading efforts to promote the regional bioscience industry. An inaugural class of emerging entrepreneurs recently graduated from the university’s LA BioStart program. The five-week program prepares participants to launch successful bioscience ventures.
LA BioStart was a collaborative initiative that included Cal State LA, the Biocom Institute and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. A new class is scheduled to begin in December. The initiative is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
“The Eddy Award is an affirmation of our commitment to serving our communities through initiatives that promote economic development and access to higher education,” said Cal State LA Executive Vice President Jose A. Gomez. “We look forward to continuing our work with the LAEDC and our community partners to ensure that our city, our region, and our state continue to prosper.”
Photo: Left to right: LAEDC CEO Bill Allen, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Cal State LA President William A. Covino and California Senator and Former Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg. (Credit: Gareth Mackay/Cal State LA)
# # #
California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 28,000 students and has more than 245,000 distinguished alumni.
Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.
11/10/17