To the editor: As a UCLA alumna, I would like to publicly thank Meyer and Renee Luskin for his generous donations to UCLA, including the recent donation to the history departmentI graduated from UCLA with a BA in history and share Meyer's perspective on the importance of studying history to help us navigate the present and the future.
I am particularly interested in learning more about the Luskins, as my father and Meyer met as teenagers in Boyle Heights and became lifelong friends until my father's passing. The Luskins have made good use of their wealth, and I applaud them.
Olivia Goodkin, Los Angeles
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To the editor: As a history major and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, I am excited about the new gift to UCLA that will ensure the promotion of further scholarship in the discipline.
History teaches college students how to analyze and discern large amounts of information, develop critical arguments about historical events, and be resourceful in seeking the truth about a topic. In my history courses at Colgate University, we debate topics such as the use of atomic weapons in 1945, the unjust exploitation of slaves in the United States and the British Empire, and the development of democratic institutions—all of which are relevant to debates taking place today.
Those who choose to major in history gain a tremendous set of skills that they can use in business, law, higher education, government, and many other professional fields. So it's wonderful to see leaders like Mr. and Mrs. Luskin reinforcing the value of these opportunities for today's students as they think about their future.
Christian Teeter, Los Angeles
