Woodbury University

While volunteering with first-graders 20 years ago, Jack O’Neill stood tall in the R.L. Stevenson Elementary School classroom with his long arms by his side. Before he knew it, three or four tiny, affection-seeking hands belonging to children he helped teach once a week were entwined with his. Small gestures like these made O’Neill reexamine and change the course of his life. “I discovered my affinity for children,” said O’Neill, who does not have children of his own. “And I discovered they had an affinity for me.” He is known all over Burbank for the 39 years he dedicated to NBC and for the myriad titles he’s had, most notably vice president in finance.

University to honor OC philanthropist Woodbury University will host a reception in honor of Orange County philanthropist and businessman Henry Segerstrom on Sunday. Segerstrom will receive the annual Julius Shulman Award. The award honors those who understand the essentials of objective and qualitative communication. Segerstrom is the founding chairman of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. He has contributed to his community through gifts of land and funds, as well as commissions of architecture and environmental sculpture.

Artists from Burbank showed their talent Saturday at Woodbury University’s inaugural arts festival, “Can You Dig It!” Burbank resident Sarkis Alvandi displayed and raffled off his abstract ink drawings. University student Armen Tutundzhyan sold some of his artwork, and textile professor Meredith Jackson sold her brightly colored handmade scarves. The festival was one of the university’s welcome week events and was organized to unite Los Angeles artists for a day of diversity, creativity and education.

Fashion design students at Woodbury University have chosen materials ranging from gritty metal to shimmering organza to interpret their concepts for their senior collection. Glendale resident Rania Salibi’s signature is her jacket and skirt suit that incorporates the rugged look of iron with smooth lambskin and chiffon, creating a balance between soft and hard elements. The combination of the two strives to make the suit look and feel smooth to the touch, Salibi said.

BURBANK — School and city officials broke ground Monday on the future site of a garden and tortoise habitat at the Community Day School, which they said will be a boon for students’ self-confidence and the city. Kobe, an African tortoise that officials said is between 3 and 5 years old, will be the sole resident in the $20,000 project to bring a garden and habitat to the school. “Kids here might not have anything to hold on to,” said James Dobkowski, a science teacher at the school for at-risk seventh- through 12th-graders.

Club 44, a comedy club featuring four touring professional comedians, is presented from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Romancing the Bean, 150 S. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank. Tonight Keith Barany, Jerry Wolski, Tommy Savitt, Jack Simmons and Andy Salas are in the spotlight. The $5 donation goes to animal rescue organization, The CATherine Fund. For more information, call (818) 524-2326. ? A Noise Within presents preview performances of Moliere?

PHILANTHROPIC GROUP CELEBRATES FOUNDER’S DAY Members of Burbank Philanthropic Educational Organization Reciprocity celebrated their Founder’s Day at a tea on Feb. 17 at Woodbury University. P.E.O. California State Chapter President Linda Moreland of Ferndale, addressed the 80 attendees with her tribute to the founders, “P.E.O., Our Star-Spangled Gift.” Bea Wainwright , Burbank Reciprocity president, welcomed other California State Chapter officers including Second Vice-President Peggy Bottorf of Carlsbad; Corresponding Secretary Joann Weber of Villa Park, and Treasurer Juanita McKee of Clovis.

College administrator Mauro Diaz led a troop of 35 eager Roosevelt Elementary School kindergartners around the Woodbury University campus Thursday, learning fast that keeping them in line was about as easy as straightening a silk ribbon in heavy winds. But when their teacher, Linda Walmsley, initiated a melodic call and response, suddenly all hands were folded, all eyes pointed forward, and they responded in unison to her sung interrogative — “Who likes college?” — with a rousing “I like college!