L.A. Port Director Receives USC Alumni Award

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., has been honored by the University of Southern California Alumni Association with the prestigious Alumni Merit Award. Knatz earned a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering and a doctorate in biological science from USC.

“The Alumni Merit Awards are given to individuals whose remarkable accomplishments speak well for the range and quality of a USC education,” said Patrick E. Auerbach, the interim associate vice president for alumni relations. “Dr. Knatz’s leadership and success as the head of the nation’s largest container port exemplifies the level of achievement that the Merit Award recognizes.”

Also receiving an Alumni Merit Award at the weekend ceremony was Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Frank Fertitta, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas-based Fertitta Entertainment, received the Asa V. Call Alumni Achievement Award. Rebecca Soni, a six-time Olympic medalist and the world-record holder in the 100-meter and 200-meter women’s breaststroke, received the Young Alumni Merit Award. Barbara Cotler, Linda Givvin and Jerry Neely earned Alumni Service Awards for outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of USC.

The USC Alumni Association has paid tribute to distinguished alumni since 1932. Past recipients of the Alumni Merit Award include World War II prisoner of war survivor and Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini, famed architect Frank O. Gehry, Hollywood icon John Wayne and John Ferraro, the longest-serving Los Angeles City Council member in its history until his death in 2001.

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