Mary Toepelt Nicolai

Mary Toepelt Nicolai is a loyal and long-time supporter of Claremont Graduate University.  She recently established the Mary Toepelt Nicolai and George S. Blair Associate Professorship in American Politics in the School of Politics and Economics, a fund that will impact the lives of future scholars at CGU.  She is also an active member of the James A. Blaisdell Society, a network of benefactors that advances the mission of the University.  The west wing of CGU’s Academic Computing Building is named in her honor.

Ms. Nicolai earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and in economics at the University of Washington, and a masters degree in public administration at Syracuse University.  She also completed elementary and secondary education programs at California State University, Fullerton, University of Southern California, and CGU, and doctoral coursework in the School of Politics and Economics at CGU.

In 1945, Ms. Nicolai was appointed to a position with the Veteran’s Administration where she was responsible for developing the Insurance Program for U.S. Veterans.  She later served as a civilian in the Army of Occupation and was placed as an administrator within the Frankfurt Military Post.
 In the 1950s, Ms. Nicolai began a 25-year career as a teacher in the Anaheim School District.  During those years, she received numerous awards in honor of her volunteer work in the community.  Ms. Nicolai’s proudest accomplishment is leading the effort to establish a charter committee in Anaheim.  Her efforts resulted in Anaheim becoming a city. 

An influential political strategist, Ms. Nicolai also served as Republican Campaign Chair for the city of Anaheim.  She was instrumental in the political campaigns of local mayors, city council members, legislators, and members of Congress.  Her political accolades include three invitations to U.S. presidential inaugurations, two from President Reagan, and one from President Bush, Senior. 
As a tribute to Ms. Nicolai’s service and generosity, the Anaheim City Council recently voted to name the first floor of the Anaheim Central Library the Mary E. Toepelt Nicolai Children’s Library.  Her papers are housed in the library.