Fall — 2004

Eddie Guerboain

SMC Student 1970,
Advisory Board Member

“One of my counselors was Dr. Art Verge, and when I joined the Santa Monica Kiwanis, there he was. Now my son is in SMC. Small world, huh?”

Eddie Guerboian, of Armenian descent and born in Cairo, Egypt, arrived in America when he was 16. And by the time he was 17, he was studying at SMC in the company of some very large immigrant buddies. “I was there in 1970 with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his friend, Franco Colombo. We were in the same class, and I still have a picture of me with both those guys.” Two hulking Mr. Universes—one of them the future Governor of California—and the immigrant jeweler who’s owned Readers Jewelers on Wilshire since 1976. Quite a snapshot of SMC history! But Eddie also paints other ‘pictures’ of the College.

“SMC taught me the American life. I mean, the teachers were great, and I was learning the language, studying business, the laws, US history, and political science. And everyone was so very helpful,” recalls Eddie. “I was growing up as Santa Monica was growing up, and being at the College, I made a lot of friends quickly and really became part of the community.

Eddie loved playing basketball while at SMC—“Pumping iron just wasn’t my thing!” he says with laugh—and went to night classes while working full time. And after he became a full-fledged jeweler and started a family, he found that the College that had given him so much was always in his thoughts. “So I joined the Advisory Board to help the College help others. We’re really like ambassadors for the College, and I do whatever I can to help out. And, of course, I met Piedad (SMC president, Dr. Robertson) there, who I get along with really well. She’s a great leader.” Eddie’s son was just about to graduate from SMC as well, reported his proud father. “And you know what?” says Eddie. “He’s almost as crazy about the College as I am.”

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