In Memoriam

DOLORES RATCLIFFE
The College of Engineering and Computer Science lost a longtime friend in April 2016, when Dolores Ratcliffe, wife of dean emeritus Rick Ratcliffe (who led the college from 1981-92), passed away. A native of Los Angeles, Dolores began her career as a teacher, then quickly moved into administration, holding positions in school districts around the L.A. basin, where she specialized in training teachers and helping them plan their curricula. After 25 years, she left education to start her own business, Corita Communications, which offered entrepreneurial training and market research services. She also assumed leadership positions in business organizations, women’s groups and the local chamber of commerce, and in 1984, she started the Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs, which became a national organization.

Dolores was a close friend of CECS for many years and a strong supporter of its students and programs. As recently as September 2015, she attended an AIMS2 External Advisory Committee meeting, where she made a passionate plea to increase the number of women and minorities in engineering and computer science. She also served as a part-time faculty member in the CSUN Michael D. Eisner College of Education and David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.

“Dolores was always by Rick’s side and will be deeply missed by all of us,” said Dean S.K. Ramesh.

RUTH HORGAN
Ruth Horgan passed away in her sleep on September 2, 2016, at the age of 93. Horgan initially taught mathematics at CSUN, but in 1975 joined the computer science department, where she was one of the first faculty members. As a colleague, she was both a community builder and teacher. She retired in 1991. Prior to joining CSUN, Horgan worked at UCLA, coding an early digital computer (SWAC) for the National Bureau of Standards. She also served in the Marine Corps. After retiring, she was an active member of the League of Women Voters and the CSUN Association of Retired Faculty.