Charles Elachi, director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, has announced three personnel appointments effective on Aug. 15. Firouz M. Naderi has been named the director for Solar System Exploration. Naderi has been serving as JPL’s associate director for Project Formulation and Strategy, a position that will now be filled by Jakob van Zyl. In addition, Dave Gallagher will become the director for Astronomy, Physics and Space Technology.

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La Crescenta residents Jane Park and Lindsey Soderstrom and La Cañada resident Rachel Bushman were among over 170 students from Whittier College who made the spring 2011 dean’s list.

Undergraduate students are awarded dean’s list honors if he or she earns at least a 3.70 grade point average (GPA) while completing a full-time course load (12 units) in the fall and/or spring terms.

Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College in California is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community and curricular innovation, the college’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service. Whittier College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

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Rebecka Sanders, a graduate of La Cañada High School, completed her junior year at California State University of Monterey Bay, earning a place on the dean’s list. She is the daughter of Sandra Sanders and granddaughter of Michael and Barbara Wolnick, all of La Crescenta.

Rebecka will be undertaking an internship in the field of kenetics and sport medicine. She will enter this field on a full time basis after graduation.

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Rogelio Quizon of La Crescenta recently passed his P.E. (Professional Engineer) licensure examinations in Civil Engineering.

As a Registered Civil Engineer, he plans to perform more civic works while pursuing a challenging but satisfying career with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. “Roly,” as he is fondly known to many, celebrated his success by going on vacation in Cancun, Mexico with his wife Gigi, daughter Anica, and son Allister.