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Dec, 2014
Honorary Degree bestowed on 103-year-old former Harding High Student!
[Posted December 14, 2014] What is now University High School was originally Warren G. Harding High School, which opened in 1924. The name of the school was changed to recognize the opening of the new UCLA campus in nearby Westwood in 1929.
Pictured above: The Honorary Diploma given to 103-year-old Hal Cunningham (Photo courtesy UHEF)
Harold “Hal” Cunningham was born in 1911 and attended Harding High School in what was then known as the “Sawtelle” section of Los Angeles, beginning in 1926. Unfortunately, he never quite finished. Now 103, Cunningham still lives in the same Stoner Avenue home he grew up in, and received a Honorary High School Diploma that was awarded to him in a special ceremony at Uni on Monday, December 8, 2014.
Hal Cunningham, 103, who attended Harding High School in the 1920s, receives an Honorary LAUSD Diploma from “Harding High School” from Uni principal Eric Davidson on December 8, 2014
The Los Angeles Unified School District authorized the special diploma using the original Harding High School logotype, but signed by current Uni principal Eric Davidson. Congratulations to Hal, who proved that you’re never too old to graduate!
Hal Cunningham with his Honorary Diploma
Maureen Sheltom
You rock Mr. Cunningham. A hardy congratulations.
Joel Miller
I knew Hal for a few years from 2003-2005 he was great guy always very kind to me,and extremely patient with me as well . I learned so much from him in the short time I spent with the man. Congrats Hal,
Pauline
Just read about Hal’s honoury degree at 103 years if age. The last time that my husband and met him in his magnificent home, when he ivited us to stay and sleep in that wonderful bed of his (which incidentally we turned down) was in the 1990’s when we travelled to !as Vegas with his and our dear friend, Eugene Maiden, and Hal was them approaching 91 and took the high ride stratasphere, the big shot which he loved so much .
Due to his lack of hearing it became a thing of the past for us to speak to him by phone and I should like so very much ti kearn of the date that he died and also if
You may be able to give me details os his son, Donnie, with whom we travelled on another occasion to Vegas. I did have Donnie’s details but in moving house some yearsagi I have mislaid them.
We live in the UK and last visit to Vegas was last year when we did the Grand Canyon river raft which was fantastic.
We would love to speak to Donnie if at all possible and would be so grateful if you could supply any info.
Thank you so much.
Pauline Mills
Pauline
My husband and I knew Hal in the late nineties and on a few occasions we drove from LA to Vegas where we had great fun. He was over ninetly when he rode with my husband on the stratasphere and I still have a pucture of him where he his laughing..
We were invited by Hal to stay over and stay the night slepping in his grand bedroom and fabulous bed. We declined as was staying with his and our ling standing friend, Gene Maiden.
Due to Hal’s poor hearing our phone conversations lapsed and we never knew when he died. We would so much like to obtain his son, Donnie’s phone number kr email address if it is known by anyone as his details were lost in us miving house.
If anyone can help we would be most grateful. We live in the UK English biorn but visiit the UsA when se and our wallet can afford it.