William E. Simon Foundation Sunsets After 56 Years

The Board of Directors of the William E. Simon Foundation announced the sunsetting of its grant program, in accordance with the expressed wishes of its benefactor, the late William E. Simon, former Secretary of the Treasury and Founding Chairman of the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace. In 56 years, the Foundation contributed a remarkable $300 million to charitable causes supporting faith, family and freedom, benefitting an estimated 10 million people.

The Nixon Foundation is grateful to the Simon Foundation for its extraordinary support over many decades, particularly to build the Nixon Library in 1990 and completely renovate the presidential museum in 2016. Nixon Foundation President and CEO Jim Byron represented the Nixon Foundation at the Simon Foundation’s Sunset Celebration in New York City on June 15, 2023.

Charlie Zhang Receives Honorary Doctorate from Cal State Fullerton

n May 24, Nixon Foundation Board Treasurer Charlie Zhang received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his contributions to the university as well as his commitment to education and the arts in Orange County and beyond.

Cal State Fullerton President Fram Virjee thanked Charlie for his involvement at CSUF, stating “Though he was never able to complete his educational journey, Charlie was able to become a remarkably successful entrepreneur and make sure others have the opportunity to gain higher education and have all the tools needed for success.”

H. Barr

John Barr, Director Emeritus of the Richard Nixon Foundation, passed away in February at the age of 93.

A native of Southern California and graduate of Whittier College, Barr was a successful businessman in commercial real estate and horse breeding and racing who believed in giving back to the community. He joined the Board of Directors of the Richard Nixon Foundation in 1990 and served as Treasurer until 2021.

Jerry Harrington, a pillar in the philanthropic community of Orange County, passed away early this year at the age of 90. Jerry was a longtime friend and supporter of the Nixon Foundation and a regular attendee of Nixon Library events. His legacy of community involvement will long be remembered.

Judith Johnson, member of the Nixon Alumni Association, passed away in May at the age of 79. Judy worked in the White House during the Nixon administration as a secretary to Dr. Kissinger (1970-71) then worked as an assistant in the Nixon press office (1971-74). From 1975-76, she conducted research for President Nixon’s memoirs. She continued to work in public service in Orange County, until she returned to her hometown of Elmwood, Wisconsin in 2018.

Ann McLaughlin Korologos

Ann McLaughlin Korologos, former Secretary of Labor during the Reagan administration, passed away in January at the age of 81. She is survived by her husband, Tom Korologos, a former U.S. ambassador to Belgium who served in congressional relations for the Nixon administration.

Korologos directed the press office for President Nixon’s 1972 reelection campaign and served in the Nixon administration as director of public affairs at the Environmental Protection Agency. She was formerly married to political commentator and Nixon supporter, John McLaughlin.

A trailblazer for women in both the private and public sectors, Korologos was the second woman to hold the position of Secretary of Labor. She also was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to head the President’s Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism in 1989.

Frank Shakespeare

Ambassador Frank Shakespeare, a key member of Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign team and communications adviser in the White House, passed away on December 14 at the age of 97.

In 1968, while on leave as a CBS executive, Mr. Shakespeare worked on Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign, developing a media strategy at the dawn of the television age, and advising the candidate on how to handle media appearances at hundreds of campaign stops.

Mr. Shakespeare went on to serve as Director in the United States Information Agency in the Nixon administration until 1973 and was later appointed by President Ronald Reagan as chairman of the Board for International Broadcasting, overseeing Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. He later served with distinction as the United States Ambassador to Portugal and, later, to the Vatican.