Subscribe to our newsletter by emailDedication of the Forest J. and Dolores S. Grunigen Study Room
On Wednesday, September 27, 2017, the UCI Libraries hosted a special luncheon in the Grunigen Medical Library, at the UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA in honor of long-time library supporter and friend Mrs. Dolores S. Grunigen.
Fifty friends, family members and colleagues of Mrs. Grunigen's celebrated the gift to name Grunigen Medical Library's new group study room, The Forest J. and Dolores S. Grunigen Study Room. The gift and naming fittingly recognizes a remarkable campus friend and the invaluable contributions of a truly dynamic couple.
The luncheon featured a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony which included Mrs. Grunigen, Lorelei Tanji, University Librarian, Cynthia Johnson, Head, Reference and Grunigen Medical Library and Valerie Amador, Executive Director for Health Advancement. University Librarian Lorelei Tanji opened the program by highlighting the numerous contributions that Dr. and Mrs. Grunigen have made to UCI and in the community. The late Dr. Forest J. Grunigen was a pioneer in medical education and was instrumental in facilitating the merger of the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degrees in California. Mrs. Grunigen has also devoted herself to advancing medical education and serves on the Board of the Bill and Sue Gross School of Nursing, as member of the 41st Medical Trust Committee and is a dedicated supporter of the UCI Libraries. In 2002, she established the Forest J. and Dolores S. Grunigen Library Endowed Fund,-which provides an enduring source of support for library resources.
Cynthia Johnson spoke briefly about the importance of Mrs. Grunigen's support remarking that, "there is no other Orange County medical library open to the public that can provide the depth and breadth of information that we [at Grunigen Medical Library] make accessible to anyone who walks through our doors." Research conducted at the Grunigen Medical Library impacts and contributes to the excellence of UCI's scholarship and patient care.
Guests were encouraged to stop by the new study room for a sneak peek into the vision for the space, as renovations for the new study room were still in progress. The renovated room will include a large wall-mounted monitor and a smartboard, in addition to new carpeting and furniture.
In closing remarks to guests, Mrs. Grunigen stated that,"these dedications are done for a purpose, not just to recognize the donors, but to understand that this is what you should be part of in order to substantiate and increase the value of intelligence and reading and all the other good stuff that comes with it. So be aware and support your local library!"
Photos from the event can be found and downloaded here.
To learn more about UCI Libraries' giving opportunities please contact Wendi Morner at wmorner@uci.edu or call 949-824-8904.