Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge—Our Hero!
Mayor Ron Loveridge changed countless students' lives at the University of California at Riverside. A Political Science Professorand now the Mayor of Riverside, he offered a "real-view" look at politics. He encouraged internships and we all had to work on a campaign for 10 hours a week in one class. He offered tips on working in politics that live with me to this day (don't get your picture taken holding alcohol, if you decide to run for office, ask your Christmas card list to donate first. If they don't, don't bother running. If your friends won't give you money, strangers certainlywon't). He always had us over for dinner every quarter. I was shocked when I went to graduate school in the city of our State Capitol in Sacramento that I had more real-world political exposure 300 miles away from the actual Capitol! His former students can befound in leadership positions in Sacramento and nationally. We all remember him fondly and thank him for not only exposing us topolitics, but encouraging us to go that direction. He talked me out of going to law school. He said, "we have plenty of lawyers. We need more good public servants." A wonderful man!
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