Barbara Kahn ’56

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Barbara Kahn’s dedication to UCLA probably began even before she entered the University as an undergraduate. Her father, Sam Balter, is a UCLA Hall of Game sportscaster, and she was imbued with Bruin spirit at an early age. From the minute she set foot on campus, however, Barbara made the University her own, becoming an active participant in such volunteer activities as the Rally Committee, Women’s Week and UniCamp.

Following her graduation, she kept her ties with the University alive by participating in the Alumni Scholarship programs, serving as district chair and office volunteer. By the early 1970s, she had become a part-time staff member for the Alumni Association. She was an integral part of the effort to launch the Advisor Program, which employed alumni volunteers to recruit the top high schools students throughout the state. Its success spawned a similar effort for community college student, and with Barbara’s help, both grew rapidly. At the end of the decade, she was named director of the Advisory and Scholarship Program, and in 1981, her leadership was recognized with a promotion, to the associate executive directorship of the Alumni Association, a position she retired from last year.

Barbara’s colleagues consistently praise her warmth, loyalty, humor, cheerfulness and ability to make people feel important. Students who met her through the Alumni Scholarship program invariably recall her friendliness and eagerness to help them – even to the point of opening her home. By combining the best elements of volunteer and employee, Barbara has transcended both, making contributions that are beyond duty and beyond measure.