Harley D. Rubenstein

The Harley D. Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship is in loving memory of Harley Rubenstein, who graduated from CSULB with a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies/Business in 1982 and who went on to become a fierce advocate in the Long Beach and Greater Los Angeles communities, focusing on issues that were specific to bringing awareness and support to people with disabilities.

Harley was born in Chicago, IL and moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was 10 years old. He was Editor-in-Chief of his Senior Class High School Yearbook, Senior Class Vice President, a Member of the National Honors Society and Key Club, and an Eagle Scout. In his senior year of high school, doctors found two golf ball-sized tumors in his brain, located near his spinal cord. The operation successfully removed the tumors but left him in a coma for five months. After awakening, he was paralyzed from the waist down. After many more months of rehabilitation and classes at Harbor College, he was eventually admitted to CSULB and graduated five years later with a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies/Business in 1982. Upon graduation, he began his business career as a Client Advocate at Disabled Resources Center. He then joined the Betty Clooney Disabled Resource Foundation where he helped people with disabilities with job placement, government services, and how to navigate in a country that had yet to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. He later served as a career counseling intern and WorkAbility IV Peer Counselor to students with disabilities at CSULB.

For the remainder of his life, Harley was a fierce advocate in his community, focusing on issues that were specific to people with disabilities. He served on Harbor Regional Center’s Board and Client Advisory Committee for many years, as well as the Access Services Community as Vice President. He was scheduled to become president when he was hospitalized due to health issues. He spent the next two years in and out of hospitals and nursing homes. Despite his passion, perseverance, and tenacity for the cause of furthering the rights of people with disabilities, his body could no longer keep pace with his mental strength and he passed away suddenly on June 20, 2011.

As a proud CSULB alum, Harley was often found wearing his Beach ball cap and, during volleyball season, rooting for the women’s collegiate team. He also sent his two children off to the 49er Camp at CSULB for many of their summer breaks.
This scholarship was established by Harley’s loving family and is intended to help provide support to a current undergraduate student with a physical disability who also shares Harley’s love for learning, compassion, advocacy, and the Long Beach community.