Meyer and Renee Luskin: A Legacy of Philanthropy and Public Service at UCLA

Meyer and Renee Luskin are prominent figures whose dedication to education, innovation, and community betterment has left an indelible mark on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Their story is one of humble beginnings, academic pursuit, business success, and a profound commitment to giving back. The impact of Meyer and Renee Luskin’s leadership and giving at UCLA cannot be overstated, with their generosity touching nearly every area of campus.

Early Lives and Education

Meyer Luskin's journey began in the Lower East Side of New York City, where he spent his early years in a crowded tenement. He described his childhood environment as a "ghetto with hardly any outlook on what the world was like." His family later moved to Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, a more expansive but still economically challenged area. Meyer's father, a working-class plumber, instilled in him the importance of education. Plagued by childhood illnesses, Meyer found solace and stimulation in reading history books, which sparked a lifelong passion.

Despite facing financial hardship and an hour-and-a-half commute via trolley, streetcar, bus and foot, Meyer enrolled at UCLA in 1942 at the age of 16. He excelled in his studies, particularly history, and was even offered a position as a reader by his European history professor. However, the prospect of becoming a professor seemed unattainable to him at the time.

Renee Luskin, on the other hand, earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1953 at UCLA.

Interruption for Military Service

Meyer's academic pursuits were interrupted by World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps, participating in the invasion of Okinawa. Upon returning home in 1946, he took advantage of the G.I. Bill to resume his studies at UCLA.

Career Path

After being discharged from the army in 1946, Meyer reconsidered his career path, questioning how he would make a living. He initially switched his major to economics but found himself disagreeing with its fundamental principles. He then pursued an MBA at Stanford, exhausting his G.I. Bill benefits.

Meyer Luskin has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Scope Industries since 1961. The company makes high-calorie animal feed from bakery waste. He is responsible primarily for the formation of overall corporate policy and operations of Scope Industries’ main business groups. Mr. Luskin is founder of several companies and has been on the board of directors of various entities, including companies on the New York Stock exchange, American Stock Exchange, and NASDAQ.

A Turning Point: Learning from History

Luskin's appreciation for history proved invaluable during his business career. He recounted an experience in Libya, where his company had significant assets tied up in oil rigs. Through conversations with a Libyan employee, he gained insights into the country's history, politics, and potential for instability. This knowledge led him to sell the business in Libya, a decision that saved the company from financial ruin when Muammar Gaddafi later nationalized the oil industry.

Philanthropic Endeavors

Meyer and Renee Luskin’s generosity of spirit and resources have transformed their success to help UCLA impact countless lives. For Luskin, giving back is not an option; it is a sacred obligation, for individuals as well as universities.

The Luskins have made remarkable and ample investments in UCLA. The impact of Meyer and Renee Luskin’s leadership and giving at UCLA cannot be overstated, with their generosity touching nearly every area of campus.

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UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

In 2011, the Luskins made combined gifts of $100 million to support both the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, which was named in their honor. The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs (officially the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin School of Public Affairs) is the public affairs graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles. The school consists of three graduate departments-Public Policy, Social Welfare, and Urban Planning-and an undergraduate program in Public Affairs that began accepting students in 2018. It is also ranked among the top public affairs schools in California, at #7 in urban policy, #6 in social policy, and #14 in public policy analysis. The School of Public Affairs provides the resources to further its research efforts and expand educational opportunities for students in the fields of public affairs, public policy, social welfare and urban planning.

Key People at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

Several individuals contribute to the success and influence of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs:

Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris: Is the Interim Dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, a former Associate Dean, a Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning, and a core faculty member of the UCLA Urban Humanities Initiative. Professor Loukaitou-Sideris’ research focuses on the public environment of the city, its physical representation, aesthetics, social meaning and impact on the urban resident. Her work seeks to integrate social and physical issues in urban planning and architecture.
Alisa Belinkoff Katz: Served for nearly 30 years as Chief Deputy to Los Angeles City Councilmember and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Since retiring from county service in 2014, Alisa has served as Associate Director of the “Los Angeles Initiative” at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
The Honorable Zev Yaroslavsky: Is the director of the Los Angeles Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and a professor in the Department of History.
Gary M. Segura: Is the former Dean of the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA. His work focuses on issues of political representation and social cleavages, the domestic politics of wartime public opinion, and the politics of America’s growing Latino minority.
Evelyn Blumenberg: Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Director of the Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies; works on transportation equity and access to opportunities.

Alumni of Note:

Isaac Bryan: (MPP ’18), California State Assemblymember; recognized for his work on environmental justice, housing equity, and criminal-legal reform.
Regina Wallace‑Jones: (MPP ’99), CEO & President of ActBlue.
Max Gomberg: (MPP ’07), Water policy expert; former member of the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Nelson Esparza: (MPP ‘15), Fresno City Council Member.
Lourdes Castro Ramírez: (MURP ’96), Civic leader recognized for work in housing and equity.
Nurit Katz: 2015 MPP Alumna of the Year; Chief Sustainability Officer at UCLA.

Centers and Initiatives at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation: advances effective and equitable solutions to pressing environmental challenges through actionable research that engages scholars, policymakers, and communities. Focusing on issues from climate change to clean water and air, the Center produces high-quality, unbiased research with national and global relevance while mentoring approximately 50 students annually through research, fellowships, and civic engagement opportunities. In 2008, Meyer and Renee established the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, which develops ongoing programs for improving urban life like smart water systems, parklets, electric vehicle plans and solar power options, among many others.
The Ralph & Goldy Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies: conducts research on housing affordability and transportation equity in Los Angeles, with a focus on how these issues affect marginalized and underserved communities. Their work aims to inform policies and interventions that promote more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable urban development.
The UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies: conducts research, education, and civic engagement on pressing transportation challenges, including access, environment, mobility, public transit, and transportation finance. As part of a UC-wide consortium and through collaborations across UCLA, ITS aims to advance innovative, data-driven solutions that improve transportation systems and communities.
The Center for Policy Research on Aging: studies the major policy issues affecting our aging society including Social Security, Medicare, long-term care and the societal implications that accompany the aging of the baby boom generation and its parents. In recognition of the growing diversity of the elderly population, CPRA focuses special attention on policy issues as they affect Latino, African-American, Asian and other ethnic populations. As a national, state and local resource center on aging policy, CPRA conducts research, fosters multidisciplinary collaboration among UCLA faculty, and works closely with policymakers, service providers and community groups in meeting the challenges of an aging society.
The UCLA Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy: advances research and scholarship on displacement, dispossession, and systemic inequality, working in partnership with communities and social movements to challenge entrenched structures of power. Drawing inspiration from Black radical and postcolonial thought, the Institute examines both local and global inequalities to inform democratic frameworks, equitable redistribution, and civic engagement that strengthen inclusive and just societies.
The UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI): advances research, advocacy, and leadership development to address critical policy challenges facing Latinos and other communities of color, ensuring their voices are represented in policymaking. Through data-driven analysis, community partnerships, and policy interventions, LPPI promotes equitable opportunities, accountability, and meaningful participation in American democracy.
The UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge: conducts research on the socioeconomic dynamics of neighborhoods and their regional context, with a focus on diversity, disparities, and marginalized communities.
The UCLA Luskin Latin American Cities Initiative: fosters knowledge networks among students, educators, and professionals in urban planning and policy across South, Central, and North America. Through teaching, public events, research opportunities, internships, and international collaborations, the initiative connects UCLA students with Latin American scholars and institutions to advance research, learning, and professional exchange.

UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center

The other half of the Luskins’ $100 million gift supported the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center. The UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center opened in 2016 in the heart of campus. The UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center, which opened in 2016, bring people together to explore new ideas for generations to come. It has 33,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, at least 282 guest rooms and a new faculty club.

UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy

The Luskins’ latest gift builds on their $5 million donation in 2017 that led to the creation of the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy, headed by David N. Myers, the Sady and Ludwig Kahn Professor of Jewish History.

Other Contributions

Beyond the School of Public Affairs and the Conference Center, the Luskins have generously supported various other initiatives at UCLA, including:

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Endowments for undergraduate student scholarships and graduate student fellowships
A children’s clinic at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital
The alumni association
The Legal Ethics program at UCLA Law
The Luskin Lecture for Thought Leadership
The Institute on Inequality and Democracy at UCLA Luskin

Recognition and Awards

The Luskins' contributions have been widely recognized. They received the UCLA Medal in 2019, the university’s highest honor, and were named UCLA’s distinguished Edward A. Dickson Alumni of the Year in 2020.

Luskin's Philosophy on Giving

Meyer Luskin believes that great ideas for humanity come from both the "hard" and "soft" sciences and that UCLA, in its entirety, must be supported. In 2014, he emphasized that history helps avoid big missteps, providing perspective and understanding of past mistakes. He advocates for public universities as essential for a true democracy, providing access to higher learning and fostering progress.

Other Notable Figures Associated with UCLA

The Luskin's are not the only significant figures associated with UCLA. Others who have made their mark include:

Stephen Aron: is the retired President and CEO of the Autry Museum of the American West. A specialist in the history of frontiers, borderlands, and the American West, he was on the faculty at UCLA since 1996. For many years, he held a concurrent appointment at the Autry Museum, first as the founding executive director and then chair of the Institute for the Study of the American West.
Janet Clayton: was the senior vice president of corporate communications for Southern California Edison and its parent company Edison International, where she was a member of the managing committee. Janet Clayton is now the senior strategist at VectisDC, a public relations and public affairs agency headquartered in El Segundo.
Anthea M. Hartig: is the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the first woman to hold the position since the museum opened in 1964. Hartig oversees 231 employees, a budget of over $54.5 million and a collection that includes 1.8 million objects and more than three shelf-miles of archives. She officially began her tenure Feb. 18, 2019.
Justin Jampol: is the founder and current executive director of The Wende Museum of the Cold War. Justin graduated from UCLA in 2000 with a B.A. in history. He earned his PhD at Oxford University. His work focuses on the connection between contemporary art and Cold War iconography.
David N. Myers: is a Professor and the Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History at UCLA. He has written extensively in the fields of modern Jewish intellectual and cultural history, with a particular interest in the history of Jewish historiography. He has previously served as Robert N.
Janina Montero: is the UCLA Emerita Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. During her 13 year tenure, she has overseen more than 20 departments and programs that aim to improve students’ quality of life on and off campus.
Rosalind Remer: holds a PhD in History from UCLA, and is a Senior Vice Provost, University Collections and Exhibitions & Executive Director, Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships at Drexel University. She is also an affiliated faculty member in Drexel’s Department of History. She was formerly a professor of history at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and directed the planning efforts for the National Constitution Center.
Lonnie G. Bunch III: is the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. He assumed his position June 16, 2019. Previously, Bunch was the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Carole Goldberg: is Distinguished Research Professor and the Jonathan D. Varat Distinguished Professor of Law Emerita at UCLA School of Law.
Jane Harman: is the first woman director of the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. She represented California’s 36th district for several terms in the United States Congress.
Angela R. Riley: is law professor at the UCLA School of Law and is the Director of UCLA’s Native Nations Law and Policy Center.
Brenda Elaine Stevenson: is the inaugural Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair in Women’s History at St. John’s College, Oxford University, as well as the Nickoll Family Endowed Chair in the Department of History and a Professor of African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Raphe Sonenshein: is the Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles. Previously, he was Chair of the Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice at CSU Fullerton where he taught political science for 29 years.

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