In 1962, almost a year after the death of Cerritos College student Donald J. Palicz, fellow students collected donations to dedicate a fountain to the 18-year-old.

More than 40 years later, the board of trustees and alumni came together again last Wednesday to rededicate a plaque in Palicz’s memory.

The original fountain was removed in 1999, when the quad was renovated.

The plaque, placed beneath a tree in front of the student center, reads, “In Memoriam/Donald J. Palicz/24 October 1942-1 April 1961.”

Holding back tears, Cerritos College President Dr. Noelia Vela said, “It touches me, that Donald said that his time at Cerritos College meant more to him than his previous 12 years of going to school.”

In addition, Dr. Vela said that the rededication to this former student, “characterizes the foundation of Cerritos College and the compassion for its students.”

After the unveiling of the memorial, Palicz’s family received pieces of the original fountain.

Alice Palicz, Palicz’s mother, said that receiving a piece of the fountain was “a treasure.”

“My son, Chuck Palicz, could not be here for the rededication, but he will be thrilled about it.”

She added that, if her son was alive today, he would be humbled by all the attention he has received by Cerritos College and its students.

“He was shy,” Palicz’s mother said, “and didn’t like to have the spotlight on him. He came to school to do what he needed to do.”

Iwalani Palicz, his sister-in-law, said that even though she didn’t know him, “I want people to know who he was; how he died.”

Palicz was killed by a drunk driver while bicycling home from work.

“In 1961,” she says, “Don’s parents went on television to find the person who ran him over.”

This was before Mothers Against Drunk Driving was founded, Palicz’s sister-in-law added.

Initially, she says that when she came to the college the one thing she wanted to see was the fountain.

“I was like, ‘Where’s the fountain?'”

When the family received a piece of the original fountain from board of trustee member Bob Arthur, Palicz’s sister-in-law was “really shocked” that a piece of the memorial was saved.

While Palicz was attending Cerritos College he was also saving money to bicycle through Europe with friends, including his neighbor, then Cerritos ASB Vice President Bill Axline.

At the rededication, Axline said, “I’m happy to know that his memory is not lost, or shuffled away in a closet.” He added that, even though he knew Palicz for a short time (1957-1961), “Donald was energized, ambitious and quiet.”

Axline’s wife, Donna, chimed in, “Having the Palicz family receive a piece of the fountain is wonderful, especially wonderful for Donald’s mother, Alice.”