With Edward Soja on Graduation Day at UCLA 17 Years Ago Today

_{Edward W. Soja and me on graduation day June 17, 2005 at UCLA Urban Planning. Photo by Jonathan Pacheco Bell}

Edward Soja and me on graduation day 17 years ago today. Grad school was tough. I felt the weight of the neighborhood on my shoulders. I nearly dropped out 5 times, but Ed inspired me to stay and keep at it. My work with Soja would help me create Embedded Planning years later. The moral of the story: Find mentors who inspire you.

Keep the Flame Lit

_{The office of Edward W. Soja at UCLA Urban Planning after the 2015 In Memoriam celebration of Ed’s life. Before going home, I posted my “Epitaph for Edward W. Soja” to say goodbye, and to promise Ed that I would keep the flame lit. Photo: Jonathan Pacheco Bell}

Congratulations to my fellow UCLA Bruin planners graduating today 👏🏽 You’re the next generation of planning. We’re in good hands.

Draw on our past to inform (y)our future. See the work of Edward W. Soja, Jackie Leavitt, Leo Estrada, VC Powe, Marty Wachs, John Friedmann and many others who rest in power.

Keep the flame lit.

In solidarity,
JPB @c1typlann3r

Mike the PoeT on the life and legacy of Edward Soja

Obituary for Edward Soja (1940-2015), by Mike the PoeT Sonksen

http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=8459#.VqxKWTMq3CR

In Memoriam: Edward Soja (1940-2015), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning

Dr. Edward W. Soja. Photo courtesy of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

I declined a scholarship at another university to study urban planning under Edward W. Soja at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Ed will be greatly missed.

His legacy lives on in us.

In Memoriam: Edward Soja (1940-2015), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning

A celebration of Ed’s life and work will be held Monday, January 25, 2016, from 4:00PM-6:00PM at the UCLA Faculty Center, Sequoia Room.