BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

Social science professor to get top UCI honor

R. Duncan Luce, a distinguished professor emeritus of cognitive science and economics and National Science Medal winner, has been selected as the top honoree at UC Irvine’s Lauds and Laurels ceremony in May.

The Lauds and Laurels ceremony, started by the UCI Alumni Assn. in 1971, honors alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members who have made significant contributions to UCI. Luce, who will receive the Extraordinarius award, is set to join 16 other winners at the May 10 ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine.

A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society, Luce is considered a pioneer of using mathematical theories to explain human behaviors. He joined the UCI faculty in 1972.

“Duncan, of course, is a scholar of rare distinction,” said social science Dean William Schonfeld in a release. “He has provided exceptional sustained service to the campus, to the School of Social Sciences and the University of California system, while also being a model professor and mentor.”

New owner at Lido Diner in Newport Beach

The Lido Diner had a new owner Thursday after a month-long deal was made to sell the restaurant to Erik Johnson of Woody’s Diner, Woody’s manager Stephanie Denning said.

A new sign will soon replace the Lido Diner sign, but restaurant workers are now working on replacing the old logo on aprons and window signage with the new Woody’s logo.

Johnson owns three other Woody’s in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Sunset Beach.

Denning said the menus will be expanded and the restaurant will eventually serve breakfast all day. She said they plan to keep customer favorites on the menu.

A surf theme will be incorporated into the diner’s 1930s and ‘40s motif.

In the next few weeks, Denning and the new owner will be evaluating how the restaurant is run to see if they need to make any changes.

Six lawyers join Costa Mesa-based firm

The Costa Mesa-based law firm Rutan & Tucker LLP announced Tuesday that it hired six attorneys to its practice.

Michelle C. Hribar and Hengamen S. Safaei joined the trial section of the firm. Rushika Kumararatne was added to the corporate and securities practice. Joseph David Larsen and Glen Worthington will work in public law division and Stephanie Villaseñor will work in employment and labor law.