Cerritos College News Releases -- September 2005

 

 

Media Contact: Kristen Habbestad, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287 

Norwalk, CA – September 19, 2005 – Members of the Cerritos College Board of Trustees, Associated Students, administration, faculty and staff joined family and friends of former Cerritos College student Donald Palicz on Thursday evening, September 15 for a plaque dedication to honor the life of Palicz, who, at age 20, met an untimely death while attending Cerritos College. 

 

Donald James Palicz was born October 24, 1942 in Oak Park, Illinois to Emil and Alice Palicz.

 

A few months after Don’s birth, the family moved to Iowa where they resided until leaving for Bellflower, California in 1952. Not too long after their arrival to the golden state, the Palicz family built their home and settled in La Mirada in 1953.

 

Don was a student at Moffett Elementary, Centennial Junior High and Excelsior High School where he earned his high school diploma in June 1960. Upon graduation he enrolled at Cerritos College and started classes in the fall of 1960.

Early on, Emil and Alice noticed that their son Don was gifted. At age 15 his artistic ability was displayed through cake decorating. He took such an interest in the art, that at age 16 he competed with professional adult bakers in a contest, placing 2nd and 3rd.

 

In addition to cake decorating, during Don’s high school years he took drafting classes. His drafting skills along with what he learned from his father, allowed Don to draw the plans for the family’s guest house. The plans passed Los Angeles County’s requirements, and Don and his brothers actually helped build the 616-square-foot building in 1958-59. Those same skills came in handy when he took on a job at the Biltmore Trailer Company after high school graduation.

 

Don was a busy young man, attending Cerritos College, working at the trailer company by day and the La Mirada Drive-In Theater by night. But he was content. He told his mom many times that his six months at Cerritos College meant more to him than the previous 12 years of school. He said he finally felt that he had found his place and began enjoying each day as it came along.

 

With earnings from his job, he purchased a 10-speed racing bike so he would have transportation to Cerritos College. He, Bill Axline (who was the ASCC vice president at the time) and other friends were making plans for the summer of 1961 to bicycle throughout Europe staying in youth hostels. He was going to finance the trip with his savings, hoping to meet some pastry chefs in Europe.

 

Don never had the opportunity to see Europe. Death came suddenly on April 1, 1961, as he peddled home from work at the drive-in theater. Don was struck by an intoxicated motorist in a hit-and-run collision.

 

As a result of Don’s tragic death, Cathy Ireland, a Cerritos College student, started a collection to build a memorial in Don’s honor.

 

 

Less than a year after Don’s death, the Associated Students of Cerritos College decided to build a fountain in his honor. Students pulled together to raise money and develop designs for the fountain, and even the college president got involved. Dr. Ralph Burnight, the first president of Cerritos College, joined the Palicz family in their home to look over and select the fountain that would honor the memory of their son. A formal ceremony was held on January 16, 1962, as Dr. Burnight accepted the memorial on behalf of the college.

 

The fountain read: In Memoriam, Donald J. Palicz, April 1, 1961.

In the late 1970s the fountain mysteriously disappeared and a reporter for Talon Marks, the college’s student newspaper, went in search of the fountain. According to the February 28, 1979, issue of Talon Marks, student reporter Nancy Haase discovered that the fountain was removed to have some repair work done and would soon be relocated 50 feet from its original location. The reconstructed fountain stood in its new location until 1999 when it was removed during the renovation of what is now Falcon Square. 

 

 

The memorial fountain may no longer stand in the “quad” as it was known; however the memory of Donald Palicz still lives on.

 

"In thinking about today’s event, I was reminded that the backbone of Cerritos College is the students," said Cerritos College President Dr. Noelia Vela. 

 

"We exist to serve the community by building students’ futures through learning, and Cerritos College is pleased to honor Donald and his family with this memorial plaque."

 

Cerritos College Board President Dr. Ted Edmiston and ASCC President Paulo Amaral assisted in unveiling the new plaque and the re-dedication of the Donald J. Palicz Memorial. As the plaque was unveiled, members of Don's immediate family, his mother Alice and his siblings, Richard, Charles, and Linda, were at the podium and were the first to see the memorial plaque.

 

The new memorial plaque in Falcon Square reads: In Memoriam, Donald J. Palicz, 24 October 1942 - 1 April 1961. In addition to being the first to view the plaque, each member of Donald's family was presented a piece of the original marble fountain.

 

 

"In his time at Cerritos College Don left a lasting impression," said Board Trustee and Emcee Bob Arthur, "and it is our honor to have a plaque placed here in his memory."

 

Cerritos College celebrates the 2005-06 school year as its 50th anniversary in serving as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Mirada and Norwalk. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 22,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu, and view a celebratory site honoring the college’s 50 years of tradition, honor and values at www.cerritos.edu/50.

 

 

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KH