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They started at Long Beach City College (LBCC), and they want on to become pillars of the community.

Today, LBCC announced its 2016 Hall of Fame honorees, who they’ve determined have done exactly that, honoring the likes of Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin II, J&L Jewelry Owner Janis Krantz, former Long Beach City College District (LBCCD) Board of Trustees President Patricia Lofland and Principal Planning Inc. CEO and President Phillip Q. Shrotman.

“The Alumni Hall of Fame is Long Beach City College’s most prestigious alumni honor,” said LBCC President Eloy Ortiz Oakley in a statement. “This year’s honorees have all contributed extensively to the betterment of our community. We are proud that they are LBCC alumni and look forward to publicly recognizing their accomplishments.”

According to a press release, this year’s LBCC Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on October 14, Friday at noon at the LBCC Liberal Arts Campus.

The first honoree, Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin II began his career working in aerospace for McDonnell Douglas, which is now Boeing, in Long Beach. Later, Councilmember Austin worked as a district field representative for State Senator Kevin Murray in Los Angeles. Additionally, he served on the Long Beach Citizen Complaint Commission for four years, before winning his seat as Long Beach City Councilmember of District 8 in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016 and received the Long Beach NAACP Advocacy Award in 2010, as well as the LBCC Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014.


 

Meanwhile, Janis Krantz is the owner of J&L Jewery in Long Beach, and contributes generous gift certificates and jewelry to LBCC events as well to other organizations’ fundraising events, according to the release. Krantz is also a member of the Steel Magnolia’s non-profit organization that contributes funds to the Geraldine Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. Janis is a LBCC Distinguished Alumna and she received the Steel Magnolia’s Founders’ Award in 2015.

Former LBCCD Board of Trustees President Patricia Lofland was the first African American member to join the board, the release stated. She was a member of the Personnel Commission of Southern California, member of the Grand Jury and served as Secretary, member of the LBUSD Personnel Commission and member of the National Council of Negro Women. Lofland was part of the Breaking Through Lighting the Way project and exhibition as an African American female leader. She is also a retired educator and travel agent.

The last honoree, President and CEO of Principal Planning Inc. Phillip Shrotman, was a former business professor at LBCC for 30 years and served on the Foundation Finance Committee, according to the release. As a LBCC student, Shrotman received the Viking award and was editor of the Viking newspaper. His articles and commentary regarding investments and financial matters are featured regularly in national media publications including USA Today, Morningstar, CNN, and CNBC.

The LBCC Hall of Fame, founded in 1972, recognizes former LBCC students who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields and communities. The 2016 honorees will join 163 other alumni in LBCC’s Hall of Fame.

For more information, contact Nancy Yoho at (562) 938-4203 or [email protected].