The muses of the California Science Center honor Tonian Hohberg

THE MUSES of the California Science Center honored Tonian Hohberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), with their "Woman of the Year" award.

Lee Hogan Cass, on the board of Muse, said "When Tonian's name came up at the board meeting, that was it. Her career combined with her contributions in business, academia and the creative world made her the only candidate."* The event at the Inter-Continental Hotel had 325 people in attendence - the highest ever.

Ms. Hohberg founded FIDM in 1969. FIDM is well-known as a specialized, professional college accredited by WASC (Western Association of School & Colleges), offering Associate of Arts and Associate of Arts Professional Designation Degrees. FIDM has graduated nearly 35,000 students from around the world with over 7,500 full-time students currently enrolled.

The college houses one of the nation's finest costume collections dating from the 18th century, as well as ethnic costumes and special selections from international designers from the past and present. Annually, FIDM presents a Gala scholarship benefit featuring the best of FIDM student design. Some of these designs were represented at the Woman of the Year event. Ms. Hohberg's achievements in business, the community and educational services have been widely recognized. She is a four-term Commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission.

A few of the many recognitions she has received include: the Alliance Leadership Award for Professional Achievement from the National Women's Economic Alliance Foundation; The Southern California Women Entrepreneurs Award from Robinson's-May Department Stores; and the Humanitarian Award from the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine.

THE MUSES of the California Science Center, a volunteer support group, was founded in 1962 by Mrs. Charles Luckman and the wives of twenty-two members of the Foundation Board of Trustees. The founders selected the name THE MUSES as they wished the organization to emulate the nine mythological MUSES whose purpose was to advance the communication of knowledge through the study of the arts and sciences. Today THE MUSES initiates and raises funds in support of special youth educational programs at the California Science Center.

*"Millennium Muse", The Los Angeles Downtown News, April 10th, 2000.