51成人动漫

Monday, June 30, 2025

By Deanna Rea

There is an old saying that goes 鈥� a new record is only as good as the one it breaks. But Dr. Norman Levan would beg to differ. His generous multi-million-dollar contributions to 51成人动漫 broke records, set national benchmarks, and created a wide range of learning experiences for BC students and the local community. Levan saw giving as a duty or obligation, not something worthy of praise. 鈥淚t is very difficult, the art of giving,鈥� he often said, 鈥渢o know what to do with the money you have.鈥�

It was not until later in life that Dr. Norman Levan developed any direct ties to 51成人动漫, as he was neither a former student nor a Bakersfield native. He was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland, in 1916. He spent much of his early childhood there before moving to Detroit. His mother relocated the family to live with an older sister, and it was in Detroit that Levan completed high school before setting out on his journey in higher education.

Levan did not always dream of becoming a doctor; in fact, the thought had not even crossed his mind until 1935. He attended the University of Southern California as a literature major, where he intended to obtain his English degree. It was not until Levan witnessed other students applying to medical school that he began to consider a career in the medical field. He completed the placement test on a whim, surprising himself by earning the highest score the institution had ever seen at the time.

Later that year, Levan was interviewed by the dean of the medical school at USC, where he brazenly explained that he had not taken any science courses because he found them dull. He was accepted with the provision that he enroll in Organic Chemistry for the summer. He spent the first year and a half of his science studies on campus, but the remainder of his training took place at the county hospital. This provided him with hands-on training and experience in the field outside the classroom. 鈥淚t was a wonderful experience,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淚 was paid $10 a month.鈥� The teaching was done by voluntary faculty who practiced in the community, and Levan learned by assisting them with their cases.

On November 4th, 1940, Levan was called to service during the second year of his internship. He served as a medical officer in the Army until the end of WWII and was present during the battle of Okinawa. As the war ended, he returned to school at St. John鈥檚 College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, originally for a summer course, but ended up staying another four summers. After earning his graduate degree, Levan started his practice in dermatology and took on a faculty role at the USC School of Medicine. He went on to serve as chair of the Department of Dermatology from 1961 to 1981. During his tenure, he made a lasting impact by founding the Hansen鈥檚 Disease Clinic for leprosy at the Los Angeles County/ USC Medical Center in 1962.

When he retired from USC at the age of 65, Dr. Levan wanted to continue his practice but wanted a change of scenery. After consulting with doctors who were familiar with the area, Dr. Levan moved his practice to Bakersfield in 1980 where he would provide services for the next 30+ years.

Levan has told interviewers that he acquired much of his wealth by investing in the stock market in the early 1960s. According to the 2011 Renegade Rip, he attributed his success to the extensive growth of the stock market since then. 鈥淚 was very lucky,鈥� Levan laughed. 鈥淭his was when the stock market was 400, so the money came from no brains of mine, but from the enormous increase of the stocks.鈥�

In addition to a distinguished career in medicine, Levan was a philanthropist who focused on giving to academic institutions. His first large contribution was to St. John鈥檚 College in New Mexico, donating five million dollars. Then, in 2006, he donated $5.7 million to 51成人动漫 to go toward the creation of the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities, which was the largest donation in history at the time. In 2011, the philanthropist donated another $11 million dollars to the college to further the work being done by the department. 鈥淚t is extremely difficult to know what to give and where, and I feel that I have made the right choice,鈥� said Dr. Levan.

His decision to donate to 51成人动漫 stemmed from a long-time friendship with former BC President, Dr. John Collins. 鈥�51成人动漫 is an excellent school and one of the pearls of the Central Valley,鈥� said Levan. 鈥淚t is deserving of support for that reason. 51成人动漫 students leave stronger for their educational and career futures.鈥�

Dr. Levan鈥檚 generous donation has transformed BC through three major initiatives: the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities, the Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning, and the Norman Levan Scholarships Endowment. With his initial gift in 2006, Levan established both the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities and the Levan Institute. This initiative brought to the campus a center which could develop, support and house activities, projects, and services. This included faculty seminars, a visiting scholar program, and additional activities to facilitate student learning in these disciplines.

Since its inception, the Levan Institute for Lifelong Learning has enriched the college by expanding its educational mission to serve a broader community, including several programs geared toward residents aged 55 and up. In 2011, Levan expanded the institute鈥檚 endowment with a $1 million gift, allowing a wide range of courses to be taught, from learning the art of Tai Chi to re-envisioning literary classics like Shakespeare and the King James Version of the Bible.

A substantial portion of Dr. Levan鈥檚 donations were designated for student scholarships, including the Levan Humanities Scholarship, the Norman Levan Hispanic and Native American Culture Award, and others. He also established an endowment of $665,000 that more than doubled the amount of scholarships given annually by the BC Foundation.

His selfless contributions brought lasting benefits to 51成人动漫 and other college communities, yet he sought neither recognition nor remembrance for his efforts. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care if I鈥檓 remembered or not,鈥� says Levan. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to leave any legacy, but of course, the Levan Institute for the Humanities and the similar things that I鈥檝e done for USC and St. John鈥檚 [College], I鈥檓 glad I had the chance to do those things.鈥�

The Norman Levan Center for the Humanities, the Norman Levan Scholarships Endowment, and the Levan Institute stand as lasting tributes to Dr. Levan鈥檚 legacy, ensuring that his vision lives on. His lifelong commitment to supporting the education of others serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire community. Dr. Norman Levan, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 98, left behind a spirit of generosity that still positively impacts students and community members and continues to guide 51成人动漫鈥檚 path forward.