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 The Pasadena Star-News  

'Texas Wonderland’ barbecue raises $5,000 for scholarships

By Patt Diroll, Columnist

Posted: 08/28/16, 8:46 PM PDT | Updated: 5 hrs ago

Kicking off her third and final year as president of the Los Angeles Founder Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Inc., Cheryl Mae Craft staged a “rootin, tootin ragtime-cowboy” barbecue and mini-fundraiser in the backyard of her Pasadena home, on Aug. 20, which raised $5,000 for scholarships.

Longtime Pasadena residents Craft and her partner, David Lain, spent nearly a month transforming their garden into a “Texas Wonderland,” complete with illuminated trees, strobe lighting, a faux fire pit, hay-bale seating, yards of blue & white gingham, a country-western band, a lariat champion and cowboy hats for everyone.

A tenured professor in ophthalmology, cell and neurobiology and founding director and past chair of the University of Southern California Postdoctoral Scholar Program, Craft said she is partial to down-home cooking.

A Kentucky native — her kinfolk settled in Appalachia with Daniel Boone — she spent 20 years in research, with the University of Texas, where she also honed her chuck-wagon culinary skills. For this party, she whipped up gallons of Texas chili, 100 deviled eggs and dozens of brownies and strawberry-oatmeal bars. The delicious smoked ribs and chicken were imported from Compton, she admitted.

Since it was founded in 1958, at the behest of then Caltech President Lee DuBridge, ARCS has evolved into a countrywide organization, with 17 chapters each allocating funds to ARCS-approved colleges and universities in their geographic areas. This year, ARCS surpassed the $100 million mark nationally, and of that amount the L.A. Founder Chapter has provided over $23 million, which includes $7 million to USC.

Craft recruited her Keck/USC vision lab team for assistance with this bash — lending a hand were Andrew Vargas who tended the saloon, Gloria Arcienega and Drs. Eun-Jin Lee and Hwasun Kim.

In the crowd, along with ARCS National President Lynne Brickner and her husband, Jerry Gallard, of Brentwood, were local ARCS members, friends and neighbors: Jessica and Jay Niblo, Monica and Sebastian Zacharia, Judi and Richard Kiel, Jack Hall, Jeanne and Bob Jenkins, Diana Palmer, Nancy and Lani Lain, Carlotta Glackin, Leigh Torgerson and Sonia and Fulton Haight.

pattdiroll@charter.net

  • From left: Jerry Gallard, Lynne Brickner, Cheryl Craft and David Lain at a Texas barbecue to benefit ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) at the Pasadena home of Craft, president of ARCS. (Photo by James Carbone)

    From left: Jerry Gallard, Lynne Brickner, Cheryl Craft and David Lain at a Texas barbecue to benefit ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) at the Pasadena home of Craft, president of ARCS. (Photo by James Carbone)

  • Kimberly Lain, Lani Lain and Nancy Lain at the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)
  • Kimberly Lain, Lani Lain and Nancy Lain at the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)
  • From left: Jay and Jessica Niblo and Monica and Sebastian Zacharia, all from Pasadena, at the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)
  • From left: Jack Hall, Judi and Rick Kiel and Jeanne and Bob Jenkins at the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)
  • Fulton Haight “lassos” Olivia Liu, 3, during the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)
  • Guests wear cowboy hats at the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)
  • Amy and Tyler Cormney at the Texas barbecue. (Photo by James Carbone)

Thanks from Erick Moen, Graduate Student at University of Southern California

"Becoming an ARCS Scholar truly changed my graduate career.  It gave me the opportunity to connect with my current advisor, Dr. Andrea Armani, and the freedom to focus on expanding my research.  My work is very multi-dimensional, spanning topics ranging from nonlinear optics to biology to virtual reality.  These types of investigations require collaborations across disparate departments and are very difficult to complete without external support.  Recently, because of this research, I was named one of the top five PhD students in the Electrical Engineering department at USC, the only American this tear to receive the honor.  As a result of this award, I will have a leadership role within the department, encourage students and be a resource for expanding innovation.  It is a powerful illustration of the influence the ARCS Foundation has on its scholars."

Thanks from Janelle Liu, Graduate Student at University of California, Los Angeles

"Thank you for your generous financial support towards my higher education.  I am investigating the neural basis of language learning in the infant brain.  To do this, I use neuroimaging techniques to examine the functional and structural connectivity of the developing brain.  Ultimately, I plan to pursue a career in academia to become a leading professor in my field.  In the world of academic research, the quest to secure funding is a constant struggle.  The ARCS Foundation has alleviated that burden for me and made it possible for me to pursue my passions in scientific research.  Thanks to you, I am able to devote more time to my research and focus on what I love to do."

Thanks from Victoria Sun, Graduate Student at University of Southern California

"The guidance I've received from my advisor, professors, and mentors have helped shape my career path, but the support from the Foundation has helped make goals attainable, providing me with the confidence and financial freedom to pursue my dreams.  Being a part of the ARCS Foundation has allowed me the privilege of meeting extraordinary students, entrepreneurs, and professors through events such as the luncheon and annual spring gala.  It is a great privilege and honor to be recognized as an ARCS Scholar.  Your support and dedication to students like myself drive us towards excellence in research and inspire us to leave a lasting impression on our community.  Thank again for your generous support."