Well cared-for archives at the Pattee Library mention the existence of organized Penn State Alumni Clubs as far back as 1900.

The best records available about the origin of the Penn State Alumni Club of Greater Los Angeles, now known as the Los Angeles Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, indicate that the “Club” was probably officially chartered in 1948- commemorating the year of my birth. A prior organization known as the “Southern California” Club will not count for the purpose of this story.

The group’s first president was probably S.E. Eades, ‘24 with C.A. Lord, ’15 serving as secretary. How’s that for History! 

More recent recollections indicate a resurgence of an active group of PSU Alumni in the early 1970s led by Irv Segal (first president) and other Alumni.  Leaders that followed included Rich Coleman, Dick Jantzer, Andrea Colbaugh, Donna Miller, Bob Mear and Paul Nolan. Dave Kissinger joined in 1980 and served as president.

Dennis Campbell recalls joining the Club in 1976 and was coerced into becoming president (his words) in 1982. Things become a little sketchy until Dennis’ second term as president in 1992. Kirsten Vensel who took office in 1993 and led the chapter during the Lion’s second trip to the non-BCS Rose Bowl in January 1995 succeeded Dennis. The first Rose Bowl for the Lions was in 1923 when they lost to USC 14 - 3. (A little football history- sorry, I couldn’t help it!) Bill Gombar, Jody Klipple and yours truly have served as president since then.

Along with following and supporting Nittany Lion Sports teams, the Chapter’s objectives have remained the same since Ridge Riley began regular visits to Los Angeles (many times to see his close friend Julius Epstein) in the early 1960’s and coined the phrase “Make Friends first, then raise funds".

The Alumni Association under Riley was under great pressure from the University Administration to help raise funds for Penn State’s pursuit of academic excellence. The Association soon discovered the vast, and previously untapped resource represented by ever increasing numbers of Penn State Alumni on the West Coast as well as Texas, Florida and many mid-western states. The Association’s aggressive outreach from the Tri-State area in succeeding years not only spread Penn State Pride to alumni across the nation but also launched campaigns that would result in the Association becoming the largest of its kind in the world and paving the way for one of the most successful fund-raising efforts in the history of American Public Universities.

Bringing Penn State to Los Angeles continues to be the top priority for the Los Angeles Chapter along with attracting outstanding area high school students to Penn State and supporting them with scholarships and post-graduate career assistance.