Larry Miles ’75

In 1971, I graduated from high school in Wheatland, Calif., a rural community about an hour north of Sacramento. I applied to only one university, UCLA, but I never dreamed I would be accepted. I thought I would be going to the local community college, if I attended college at all, while working nights at Burger Chef. I was stunned when I was accepted.

The next issue was how I was going to afford to go. Then I was awarded an Alumni scholarship and my life changed forever. It meant I could attend UCLA.

Among my many experiences, I was undergraduate student body president and was named Outstanding Graduating Senior. Through my UCLA experience, I became a CORO Fellow in public affairs, worked as an assistant to UC president David Saxon and ultimately attended law school at UC Davis, where I met my wife.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a 26-year legal career and have tried to honor the privileges that were bestowed upon me. As the president of the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education in suburban Sacramento, I try to repay that debt by helping other kids achieve their dreams. If I had not been admitted or received my Alumni Scholarship, my life would have been very different. I am forever grateful to the UCLA alumni that helped me.