R.I.P. Senator Claiborne Pell: A Thank You/Tribute From A Bruin

by Nestor on Jan 3, 2009 11:18 AM PST Comment 9 comments

This post doesn't have anything specifically to do with UCLA athletics. However, for yours truly it has everything to do with being a UCLA Bruin.

I am not sure how many here in Bruin Nation were paying attention: Senator Claiborne Pell passed away this week. How does that impact anyone here on BN? Well allow me to share the following two stories.

First, going back to September of 1991. I was lining up everything to get ready for my very first quarter at UCLA. I remember going down to the first floor of the Murphy Hall and picking up my financial aid packages of grants/scholarships/loans and work study that funded my education at UCLA and noticing "Pell" next to the huge grants. It was named after Senator Pell and as a freshman I remember saying to myself if I ever had a chance to thank the man himself for enabling me to attend UCLA I would.

Fast forward few years later it was the Fall quarter of 1995. I was starting my last year at UCLA with an internship in Washington DC. It was an internship on the Hill and somehow Senator Pell's name came up in discussions among my colleagues and my immediate intern supervisor. I made a bet that if I ever ran into Senator Pell ... no matter where ... I would go up to him no matter what he was doing and thank him personally for enabling me to attend UCLA. Few weeks later we were finding down our internship with a goodbye lunch for all Fall Interns in the Senate dining room. There we spotted Senator Pell and immediately everyone turned to me to see if I were going to honor the bet.

Senator Pell was having lunch with another Senator. I went up to the table and said, "Excuse me Senators. I am terribly sorry for interrupting your lunch but I just wanted to say to Senator Pell THANK YOU SO MUCH for enabling me to attend UCLA as I am getting ready to graduate this March (Winter Quarter '96). Thank you Senator Pell." Senator Pell gave an embarrassed smile but the other Senator started giving a mini ovation. In case you were wondering, the other Senator happened to be Senator Paul Wellstone.

Anyway, I just wanted to take this space to offer my prayers and thought to the Pell family and thank Senator Pell. I wouldn't be where I am today without his vision and services to the country.

I wouldn't be a Bruin without Senator Pell.

Thank you again Senator Pell. R.I.P.

GO BRUINS.

PS: I collected 2 free pints of Gunniness for winning that bet!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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I'm with you Nestor

Senator Pell opened the door to higher education to many people who would not have been able to go otherwise. There is no way I would have made it through UCLA without 4 years of Pell Grants to help me.

The good public policy thing about this is I pay way more in taxes now that I am successful, so it was a great public investment for both the government and me. It was a win/win.

There are a lot of folks who come from poor families, or families that never went to college, but who are talented enough to succeed with some additional help. I am glad that was available to me at UCLA.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jan 3, 2009 2:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nestor,

It’s stories like this that make this such a special place.

Thank you.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 3, 2009 3:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks guys

I imagine I am not the only one being able call myself a Bruin alum thanks to Sen. Pell. It’s always good to appreciate take a moment some of the truly good people in this world (given all the cynicism we sometimes get accustomed to in the world we live in). Cheers.

by Nestor on Jan 3, 2009 7:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Great story, N

“… everything to do with being a UCLA Bruin.”

Indeed

by Bruinut on Jan 3, 2009 7:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I never got a Pell grant...

…but whoever “Stafford” and “Perkins” are, without those loans, I’d be hard-pressed to think how I would have been able to pay my way through UCLA and UC Hastings (I’ll admit, it helped that it was 7 years of UC education, but still).

Win-win for everyone involved. I’m now one of those dedicated public servant lawyer types and I’m repaying the loans back with interest. I got an education, the government gets its money back, plus one more productive member of society.

by Bellerophon on Jan 3, 2009 7:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Touching story, N

As was the case with you (and with silverlake), Pell Grants were a key funding source for my college education, starting at my local JC, and later, after transferring onto UCLA. I cannot say with certainty whether the lack of a Pell Grant would have prevented my from attending UCLA – if somehow, I could have scrapped together those funds elsewhere – but I know that my experience would have been far different without it.

by bruinhoo on Jan 3, 2009 9:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Great story, N

“Everything about being a UCLA Bruin” also encompasses your awareness and appreciation of Senator Pell’s efforts and your insistence on thanking him personally. I’ll bet that moment was not lost on him or his colleague. Plenty of spoiled children would never recognize nor appreciate the impact of the Senator’s accomplishments.

greg in denver - UCLA guy for life

by gbruin on Jan 4, 2009 6:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Great Post

And to me just another sign/proof how this community is a cut above.

I also owe Senator Pell a debt of gratitude for making it possible for me to finance my education. I never made the connection you made to a specific individual to which so many are indebted. It really does go to show how it is people that make the difference in life.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jan 4, 2009 3:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thank You, N.

For sharing this wonderful memory with us. The fact that you honored your original committment to yourself to thank Senator Pell personally is yet another example of the kind of character that is recognized and appreciated here at BN.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Jan 6, 2009 8:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs