Edward and Dolores King & Edward and Barbara McClean

Steve’s parents, Edward A. King and Dolores Virginia Lee, were second generation Californians. They met in Junior High and their relationship was rekindled when army veteran Eddie brought his paycheck to cash with teller, Dolores. The couple married in 1952 and raised their two children, Steve (CSULB class of 76) and Joni (Class of 78) in the city of Downey. Dolores left the bank for 12 years and became active in the PTA, Girl Scouts and Madonna Guild. Ed worked for Western Electric rising from warehouse, to Union rep to Safety Analyst. The Kings were active for many years in the Telephone Pioneers of America as leaders for both social and service activities. They became legendary for hosting the Mexican Luau, the International Buffet, and Retirees’ Christmas Luncheon. Two community projects they supported were Baby Clothes for Children’s Hospital and The Santa Project that went to the Far East. Ed and Dolores enjoyed travel and had memorable trips to Alaska, NYC, Mexico and China. Although neither Ed nor Dolores attended college, they were always supportive of their children’s educational pursuits. They attended gymnastics meets, school plays and concerts, and every graduation. They were very proud to see both of their children receive degrees and credentials from California State University at Long Beach.

Bob’s parents were Edward and Barbara McClean. Ed went to work out of high school, served in the Navy during WWII, and then returned to the work force. He ended up selling real estate, and later rose to a management position with a large real estate firm. He felt it was important to have a college degree, so he completed a Masters degree program at Cal State Dominguez Hills when he was 57 years old. Barbara enrolled in a nursing school after high school and earned her RN through an Army Cadet Nursing Program during WWII. She worked as a nurse in several different roles except for the two years she took off to be a Girl Scout leader for Bob’s sisters. In the 1970s, a good friend from nursing school days encouraged her to start teaching. She ended up teaching Licensed Vocational Nursing as the sole instructor and clinical supervisor for her classes. She also earned college degrees later in her career, first a Bachelor’s degree at Cal State Los Angeles, then a Master’s degree at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Both parents encouraged Bob to go to college for a degree and were very supportive when he returned to college 10 years later to earn his teaching credential. Together they shared a love of family, and enjoyed hosting parties with their friends. Travel was also a shared interest, and they encouraged their children to do the same.

Steve King and Bob McClean met in 1985. Steve had been teaching elementary school for six years and Bob was working in banking. Five years later, Bob made a career change becoming a Math teacher, first in Middle School and then the last four years of teaching were in the high school. Steve retired after 37 years in the Irvine Unified School District. He taught Grades 2-6, served as a Science Resource Specialist and as a Full Inclusion Facilitator. Bob retired with 25 years of service. Both men loved their careers as educators and looked often to the lessons of their first teachers, Ed and Dolores King and Ed and Barbara McClean.

The College of Education (CED) expresses gratitude to all scholarship donors who continue to enhance the quality of education students experience at CSULB.