Convocation
2006: Speech
2005: Speech
2004: Speech | Award Winners | Graduates
2002: Speech | Award Winners | Graduates
2001: Speech | Award Winners | Graduates

• Sandra Hall, College of Natural Sciences
• Harlan Jeglin, College of Arts and Letters
• Donna Walker, College of Extended Learning

From Administration and Finance

• Vernon Dorsey, Building Maintenance
• Angel Alday, Public Safety
• Ruth Maddi, Facilities Services

From Information Resources Technology:

University Advancement:

Congratulations to each award winner as well as others who were nominated.

Now, the four University-wide staff award winners -- two named "the president's outstanding employee award" and the other two "the president's special achievement award." each of the four will receive a plaque, $1000, and complimentary theater and athletic tickets. The two outstanding employee winners will also have designated parking spaces. Please come to the podium for pictures right after convocation.

First, the outstanding employee award winners, who, according to the criteria, "demonstrate expertise in their jobs and exceptional willingness to assist others.” I'll call the winners names. As each walks to the platform, I’ll read some brief comments.

The first is Gratice Brown, Equipment Technician III, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Gratice is remarkably dedicated to his job. In the past year, he had perfect attendance. Faculty have observed that “Gratice is very solution-oriented,” and he “gets the job done no matter what.” Beyond his regular roles, he's involved in special projects such as the community counseling center A.V. Installation project.

Gratice has been described as “the essence of teamwork…, treating everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect.” His skills make him an excellent mentor for student techs. Gratice volunteers to provide computer and a/v support to the elderly and disadvantaged. In fact, he builds computer systems from spare parts on his own time, donating them to people who could not otherwise afford computers.

The second winner is Charlie Tabbut, analyst/programmer in administrative computing. Long before “24/7” became a buzzword, Charlie was known for that level of availability. System implementations requiring total commitment were successful due to his dedication -- he even monitors systems from home and while attending conferences.

His exceptional service extends to dozens of functional areas. Charlie quickly assesses project needs, and provides systematic solutions. Examples of his work can be found in student elections, development of Onecard requirements, and YRO changes. In spite of incredible demands on him, Charlie is always calm, good-natured, and cooperative. His skills are exemplary, and since he has successfully shepherded the campus from punch cards to Peoplesoft, everyone trusts his work.

Now for the special achievement awards, which, according to the criteria, “acknowledge a significant and specific contribution -- beyond the regular expectations of a position.”

The winners for this year are: First, Olga Cordero, Administrative Support Coordinator, College of Education. Three years ago, the teacher credential ceremony was instituted to recognize individuals receiving teaching credentials. As support coordinator for the Associate Dean for Teacher Education, Olga is the pivotal organizer of the event. She contacts candidates, issues tickets, tracks replies, and structures the program, including music, seating and speakers. This past year, roughly 600 students, families and guests attended.

Olga’s clear thinking and warm professional demeanor have contributed to both productivity and efficiency in planning and implementing this event. In turn, the ceremony has brought recognition to a large number of previously unrecognized students, and reflects well on the college and campus.

Second, Pegeen Davison, lead payroll technician, payroll department. While continuing to fulfill her regular duties in payroll, Pegeen assumed vital responsibilities for the CMS project. She served as the bridge between human resources, academic personnel, payroll, the Chancellor’s Office and the State Comptroller’s Office. Her expertise was invaluable, and the hard work and can-do attitude she demonstrated were a true inspiration.

Pegeen's involvement on this project was truly above and beyond the call of duty, and she played a pivotal role in ensuring that we will ultimately have a system that will serve the University's needs effectively and efficiently.

This year, in addition to individual employees, we wish to recognize two employee teams for their significant contributions. Each team member will receive a plaque and a monetary award of $100.

First we’d like to recognize the energy crisis response team. Thanks to the efforts of our employees from facilities services, the campus was able to respond quite well to the statewide energy crisis. Many other campuses spent far more money on generators and incurred far greater penalties, including having to shut down their campuses.

In particular, we want to recognize four electricians for exceptional work. To reduce consumption, these employees placed several buildings onto auxiliary power. They had to work with dangerously high voltages. They also had to disable non-essential equipment in a way that would facilitate savings while still safely operating the University. Their work saved the campus $400,000 in penalties. The team demonstrated initiative and creativity at a time when the campus needed it most, and worked long hours to ensure that the University remained in operation.

Please stand when I call your name:

• Homer Prudholm
• Keith Rodgers
• Larry Ramirez
• Paul Lange

Second is the student fee referendum team. This team of students and professionals developed, wrote, and marketed the new student fee referendum. In its approved form, the referendum secured funding to double the size of the student union, create a new recreation center, fund cross cultural programming and athletic scholarships, and augment funding for the children’s center, student organizations, student research and travel, speakers, and event marketing.

Working with V.P. Frank Rincon, the team was very successful in achieving goals that will allow CSUSB to keep meet the increasing demands on the campus.

Please stand as in call your name:

• John Hatton, Chair (Student Health Center)
• Helga Kray (Student Union)
• Rick Craig (Recreational Sports)
• Nancy Simpson (Intercollegiate Athletics)
• John Futch (Cross-Cultural Center)
• Mark Day (Student Union)
• Patrick Areffi (Associated Students)
• Luis Portillo (Associated Students, President)
• Steve Holguin (Associated Students, Vice President)
• Awad Awad (Student Union Board)
• Danny Macias (Student Union Board)

Thanks to each of you for your contributions -- from division and team winners to those who received outstanding employee and special achievement awards.