Pasadena Academic Institutions Unite to Honor Veterans’ Legacy of Scientific Contributions

The tactical rockets that helped win World War II and the veterans who now fill Pasadena’s college classrooms might seem worlds apart, but for the city’s leading academic institutions, they represent two ends of a continuing story about the intersection of military service and scientific advancement — a narrative they’re now preparing to tell.

In a remarkable collaboration, Caltech and Pasadena City College are joining forces with local organizations to celebrate veterans’ contributions to the region’s technological development.

The free event, “Duty. Honor. Pasadena: Honoring Our Veterans’ Legacy of Leadership,” scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., will showcase the profound impact of military service members on Pasadena’s scientific and civic evolution. The celebration will take place at Chen 100 Lecture Hall, housed within Caltech’s Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building.

“Pasadenans have an incredible history of stepping up to serve in the military during trying times,” said Nancy Carol Inguanzo, Executive Director of Leadership Pasadena, the nonprofit organization spearheading the initiative. “LP realizes that this is a history that is not often known and so we wanted to share it more widely as it is a key defining characteristic of this area that we love.”

The event brings together an influential coalition of local institutions, including Leadership Pasadena, Caltech, Pasadena City College, and the Pasadena Museum of History. It underscores deep-rooted connections between military service and academic excellence in the community.

Pasadena City College has emerged as a leader in veteran education through its Veterans’ Learning Collaborative program.

“Military Times named PCC as the #1 ‘Best for Vets’ school in California and #2 in the Nation for Community Colleges for 5 years in a row,” according to Inguanzo.

Harold Martin, a Vietnam veteran and Professor at Pasadena City College who will deliver the keynote address, emphasized the historical military ties of both institutions.

“PCC and Caltech provided essential technical training for the armed forces during World War II, especially Caltech’s development of tactical rockets,” Martin said.

The collaboration reflects ongoing local commitments to veteran support.

“We have a longstanding commitment to and involvement in Leadership Pasadena, and also feel that as one of Pasadena’s civic and community organizations, it is important to support the event and honor veterans in our community,” observed Shayna Chabner McKinney, Caltech’s Chief Communications Officer and Assistant Vice President for Strategy Implementation.

APPAPPShe highlighted Caltech’s dedication to veterans through programs such as DIVE (Diversification Initiative through Veteran Education).

Leadership Pasadena has evolved its approach to veteran support, now incorporating former service members into regular programs through scholarships while developing new veterans’ outreach courses at local college campuses.

The Thursday event will feature keynote addresses, veteran speakers, and historical exhibits from the Pasadena History Museum, concluding with a networking reception.

Those interested in attending this free event can register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSed_MoD9tTYOQ57yYN6xwJg9S7IhvmfSAkKVT8qQvxl2Wq-Sg/viewform or by emailing events@leadershippasadena.org.

Additional information is available at: https://www.caltech.edu/campus-life-events/calendar/duty-honor-pasadena-1.