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Alumni

Bold Hearts. Brilliant Minds.

Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards of Distinction

 

Since 1986, the UCR Alumni Association has honored graduates who personify the university’s tradition of excellence and service. Through their personal and professional achievements, these individuals bring distinction to UCR, contribute to the betterment of society, and enhance their communities.

Nominate an alum to be considered for the 2027 Alumni Awards of Distinction.

 

2026 Alumni Award Honorees

Susan De Witt

 Distinguished Alumni Award

Susan De Witt '83

The Honorable Susan Jeanne De Witt serves on the Los Angeles County Superior
Court, Criminal Division, at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
Appointed in 2018, Judge De Witt brings more than three decades of distinguished legal
service spanning federal prosecution, national security, civil rights, and judicial
leadership. 

Before joining the bench, Judge De Witt served for two decades as an Assistant United
States Attorney in Los Angeles, where she held senior leadership roles including Acting
Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Chief of the National Security Section, and
National Security and Civil Rights Coordinator for the Department of Justice in
Washington, D.C. Her work encompassed some of the nation’s most complex and high-
profile cases, including terrorism, organized crime, and human trafficking prosecutions.
She also served as an intermittent legal advisor in Nigeria through the Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development and Training, helping strengthen anti-corruption and rule-of-law initiatives abroad.

Judge De Witt’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including
California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (2008, 2016), the Anti-Defamation League’s
Helene & Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate (2015), and multiple
commendations from the U.S. Attorney General, FBI, and Department of Justice.
On the bench, Judge De Witt is deeply involved in advancing access to justice and
judicial innovation. She has served on a wide range of Los Angeles Superior Court
committees—including Access & Fairness, Community Outreach, Mental Health,
Domestic Violence, and Technology—and is currently a member of the Bail and Court
Services/Sheriff Committees. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Los
Angeles Law Library, one of the largest public law libraries in the nation.
A committed advocate for diversity and inclusion in the judiciary, Judge De Witt is
Treasurer of the LGBTQ+ Judicial Officers of California and an active member of the
California Judges Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and the
International Association of LGBT Judges.

Judge De Witt earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her dual
B.S. degrees in Administrative Studies and Economics, with a minor in Women’s
Studies, from the University of California, Riverside.

Angel Rodriguez

 Alumni Service Award

Angel Rodriguez '08, M.Ed. '21

Angel Rodriguez understands how life-changing financial aid can be. While studying at the University of California, Riverside, his family, who immigrated from Mexico City, battled foreclosure and lost their small business during the Great Recession. Cal Grants, a part-time job, and his family’s sacrifices helped him become the first in his family to graduate. That experience continues to guide his work to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students across California.

Today, Angel serves as Associate Vice Chancellor of Government Relations, Strategic Communications & Grants at the San Bernardino Community College District, where he has helped secure more than $470 million to expand educational access and workforce opportunities for over 30,000 students at Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. He negotiated a partnership with San Bernardino County to streamline CalFresh food aid access for students, an initiative later spotlighted in the California Master Plan for Career Education as a statewide example of the Inland Empire’s leadership in removing barriers for adult learners. He also partnered with the Consulate of Mexico in San Bernardino to open a year-round bilingual SBCCD help desk inside the consulate, connecting families to college and financial aid resources.

In 2021, Angel was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Student Aid Commission, the state agency that administers more than $3.9 billion in financial aid and serves over 2.2 million students annually. As Chair of the Student Impact, Communications, and Outreach Committee, he mobilized Inland Empire education leaders, legislators, and news media to launch a “Cash For College” campaign that helped families across Southern California access financial aid for college and career training. He also helped create the Student Success Partner of the Year award at CSAC to spotlight and celebrate the often-overlooked local college professionals who put higher education within reach for thousands of students across California.

Earlier in his career, Angel built business-education partnerships at the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce and worked at UCR conducting legislative and budget advocacy to prevent tuition increases across the UC system. He also helped implement a $3 million college completion initiative by the Gates Foundation and National League of Cities while working in the City of Riverside Mayor’s Office. The initiative was piloted in New York City, San Francisco, Mesa, Arizona, and Riverside.

Angel holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Service/Political Science and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy, both from UCR, where he serves on the School of Education Dean’s Advisory Board. He is also a founding board member of the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California and a co-founder of the CIELO Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation. Angel lives in Riverside County with his husband, Jesse, and their maltipoo, Tulco.

Dr. Gerald Daniels

 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Dr. Gerald Daniels '08, MA '10, Ph.D '13

Gerald E. Daniels Jr., Ph.D., is a proud three-time UCR alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics and master’s and doctoral degrees in Economics. He is an Associate Professor of Economics at Howard University whose research and service advance economic opportunity through scholarship, mentorship, and community engagement. Gerald credits his UCR experience with inspiring his lifelong commitment to addressing economic inequality and expanding opportunity for underrepresented communities.

He serves on the Executive Boards of the National Economic Association and SBX Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit organization based in Riverside, CA, and is a member of J-PAL’s Racial Equity Advisory Committee. His previous leadership roles include serving as a Co-Director of the American Economic Association’s Summer Training Program, a prestigious program that prepares students from underrepresented backgrounds for doctoral studies in economics, and as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies in Howard University’s Department of Economics.

Gerald’s research primarily examines how student loan balances influence wealth accumulation, financial well-being, and racial wealth gaps. He also studies the economic behaviors of students and disparities in food insecurity across communities. His work has been supported by grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and J-PAL, and his research has been published in leading economics journals. Though Gerald no longer resides in Riverside, he maintains strong ties to the Inland Empire through one-on-one mentorship and support for initiatives that uplift economically vulnerable students and families.

For inquiries and sponsorship information, please contact Brock Cavett at brock.cavett@ucr.edu.
Proceeds benefit student support initiatives at UCR. Additional information will be available closer to the event.

Award Categories

  

Distinguished Alumni Award

The most prestigious honor bestowed by the UCR Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumni Award is based on national and international distinction in one’s field and significant contribution to humankind.

  

Alumni Service Award

This award honors superior service in the public sector or a sustained pattern of volunteer service in the community, arts, or for the benefit of UCR that has positively represented the university and fellow citizens.

  

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

This award recognizes alumni aged 40 or younger with a significant record of career and/or civic achievement and promise in their profession.
 
 

Do you know a fellow Highlander that has made an impact, demonstrated exemplary service, or exemplifies extraordinary academic achievement? You can get involved by making a nomination. Nominations are accepted year-round. All nominations are considered and reviewed in August.

Submit a Nomination

Nomination Process

  • Who is eligible for nomination?

    All UCR degreed alumni. Current members of the UCR Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible for nomination.

  • Who can submit a nomination?

    Alumni, friends, former award recipients, professional colleagues, and members of the UCR community are encouraged to submit nominations.

    Self-nominations and nominations from family members will not be considered.

  • What is required of nominees?

    The awardees must attend the UCR gala held in April. The awards may not be conferred in absentia; however, they may be granted posthumously.

  • Can an individual be nominated in multiple categories?

    Nominations are accepted in multiple categories; however, the Awards Committee reserves the right to consider nominees for the category it deems most appropriate.

  • When should nominations be submitted?

    Nominations for the Alumni Awards of Distinction are accepted year-round. Nominees not selected for the current year will remain on file for three years for future consideration. The same paperwork may be used for an additional two years before a new nomination is required. However, those who wish to submit new paperwork are welcome to do so.

Past Awardees

  • Distinguished Alumni Award

    2025 V. John White '73 [Watch the Video]

    2024 Christy Lopez ’90 - History [Watch the Video]

    2022 Jose Medina ’74, M.A. ’84 - Latin American Studies and History [Watch the Video]

    2020 Anthea Hartig, M.A. ’89, Ph.D. ’01 - History [Watch the Video]

    2019 Helen Newman ’79 - Biochemistry [Watch the Video]

    2018 Martin Pasqualetti, Ph.D. ’77 - Geography [Watch the Video]

    2017 John Leonard, Ph.D. ’78 - Biochemistry [Watch the Video]

    2016 Shola Lynch, M.A. ’95 - History [Watch the Video]

    2015 Byron Pollitt ’73 - Economics [Watch the Video]

    2014 Michael Devirian ’66 - Physics [Watch the Video]

    2013 Virginia Phillips ’79 - History

    2012 Marigold Linton ’58 - Psychology

    2011 Susan Elizabeth George ’70 - English, ’73 T.C.

    2010 Robert Del Grande, Ph.D. ’81 - Biochemistry

    2009 Gary McCord ’71 -  Economics

    2008 David H. Song ’92 - Biomedical Sciences

    2007 Ed Blakely ’60 - History

    2006 Richard R. Schrock ’67 - Chemistry

    2005 Derick W. Brinkerhoff ’69 - Anthropology, M.Admin ’75

    2004 Tina S. Nova, Ph.D. ’82 - Biochemistry

    2003 Oliver A. Ryder ’68 - Biology

    2002 Robert B. Horsch ’74, Ph.D. ’79 - Biology, Genetics

    2001 Neil Campbell, Ph.D. ’75 - Biology

    2000 Tim D. White ’72 - Biology, Anthropology

    1999 Michael Martin Nieto ’61 - Physics

    1998 Ronald E. Neumann ’66 - History, M.A. ’67 - Political Science

    1996 Yolanda T. Moses, M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ’76 - Anthropology

    1995 Frank L. Bidart ’62 - English

    1994 Donald R. Huffman, Ph.D. ’66 - Physics

    1993 Thomas C. Patterson ’60 - Anthropology

    1992 Kenneth W. Goddard ’68 - Biochemistry

    1991 Guenter Ahlers ’59 - Physical Sciences

    1990 Charles F. Gay ’68, Ph.D. ’79 - Chemistry

    1989 Judith Walker, M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’71 - Psychology

    1988 Arthur D. Riggs ’60 - Chemistry

    1987 Henry Ramsey, Jr. ’60 - Philosophy

    1986 Charles E. Young ’55 - Political Science

  • Alumni Service Award

    2025 Keona Henderson '08  [Watch the Video]

    2024 Manav Sachdeva ’99 - Biology and Liberal Studies  [Watch the Video]

    2022 Paulette Brown-Hinds, M.​A.​ ’92, Ph.​D.​ ’98 - English [Watch the Video]

    2020 Dr. Pedram Salimpour ’90 - Biology [Watch the Video]

    2019 Jerry Swain ’89 - Business Administration [Watch the Video]

    2018 Giles Waines, Ph.D ’69 [Watch the Video]

    2017 Tom Tolbert ’71 - Political Science [Watch the Video]

    2016 Ofelia Valdez-Yeager ’69, T.C. ’71 - Spanish [Watch the Video]

    2015 Mary Figueroa ’79 - Chicano Studies & Political Science [Watch the Video]

    2014 William Kroonen ’60 - Spanish [Watch the Video]

    2013 Ronald Stovitz ’64 - Political Science

    2012 Christine Sato-Yamazaki ’92 - Business Administration

    2011 Vernon Crowder ’73 - Psychology, M.Admin ’75

    2010 Rickerby Hinds ’94 - Humanities & Social Sciences

    2008 James E. Baldwin ’60 - History

    2007 Jean Easum ’75 - Mathematics

    2006 Charles “Chuck” Cole ’70 - Political Science

    2005 David C. Willmon ’85 - History

    2004 Markell W. Kohn ’59 - Zoology

    2003 Lee C. McDougal ’74 - Psychology and Black Studies

    2002 Sylvia Martin-James ’73 - Education

    2001 William R. DeWolfe ’58 - Political Science

    2000 Rod Pacheco ’80 - Sociology, Political Science

    1999 Madonna J. Hoffman ’82 - Liberal Studies

    1998 Craig G. Blunden, M.Admin. ’72

    1996 John. W. “Fred” Bryant ’61 - Zoology

    1995 Judy A. Field-Baker ’58 - Art History

    1994 Albert L. Page ’56 - Chemistry

    1993 Frank M. Usher ’67 - Political Science

    1992 George B. Beattie (posthumously) ’58 - Political Science

    1991 Joel Y. Bryan ’64 - Psychology

    1990 Leon Braddock (posthumously), ’73 - Sociology

    1989 Bart R. Singletary ’86 - Political Science

    1988 Charles D. Field ’58 - Economics

    1987 Donald P. Brithinee ’68, M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’71 - Mathematics

    1986 S. Sue Johnson ’62 - History
     

  • Outstanding Young Alumni Award

    2025 Gabriel Maldonado '11 [Watch the Video]

    2024 Jesse Melgar, MPP '17 - Public Policy [Watch the Video]

    2022 Larry Chung ’11 - Political Science [Watch the Video]

    2020 Fatima Farheen Mirza ’13 - Creative Writing [Watch the Video]

    2019 Sabrina Cervantes ’09 - Political Science [Watch the Video]

    2018 Brenda Martinez ’10 [Watch the Video]

    2017 Charles Cai, Ph.D. ’15 - Chemical and Environmental Engineering [Watch the Video]

    2016 David Gutierrez ’04 - Business Administration [Watch the Video]

    2015 Michael Nduati ’01 - Biomedical Sciences [Watch the Video]

    2014 Shah Selbe ’04 - Chemical Engineering [Watch the Video]

    2013 Ernesto (Ernie) Rios, MBA ’07

    2012 Steve (Shaohui) Chen, M.S. ’05 - Computer Science, MBA ’07

    2011 Nakul Dev Mahajan ’02 - Sociology

    2010 Andre Quintero ’96 - Political Science

    2009 Cindy Le ’99 - Biomedical Sciences

    2008 David R. Cocker, III ’96 - Environmental Engineering

    2007 Daniel Goldmark ’94 - Music

    2006 Ravish V. Patwardhan ’93 - Biomedical Sciences

    2005 Lloyd E. Levine ’92 - Studio Art

    2004 Stephen Warren ’91 - Biomedical Sciences

    2003 Rigoberto González ’92 - Humanities and Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (English/Creative Writing)

    2002 Darin P. Anderson ’89 - Business Administration, MBA ’91

    2001 John M. Gibson ’91, M.S. ’93 - Computer Science

    2000 Paul U. Niwa ’92 - Economics

    1999 Stephen Breen ’92 - Political Science

    1998 Ruben Barrales ’84 - Political Science and Administrative Studies

    1996 Darren L. Johnson ’84 - Biomedical Sciences

    1995 Dowain A. Wright ’82 - Biochemistry

    1994 Daniel Jacobo ’86 - Chicano Studies and Art

    1993 Craig V. Smith ’83 - Biomedical Sciences

    1992 Jeffrey G. Scott, Ph.D. ’85 - Entomology

    1991 Sally V. Fox, M.S. ’82 - Pest Management

    1990 Anne B. Myers ’80 - Chemistry

    1989 Hollister Hartman, Ph.D. ’82 - Population Biology

    1989 Ronald D. Hays ’79, M.A. ’81, Ph.D. ’84 - Psychology

    1988 Cynthia Quinn ’75 - Dance

    1987 Roger Luebs ’74 - Economics

    1986 Michael P. Huerta ’78 - Political Science
     

  • Community Service Award

    2008 Katherine A. Wright, M.Admin ’81

    2005 Tracy L. Kahn, Ph.D. ’87 - Botany

    2004 Wylie W. Hoffman (posthumously) ’83 - Political Science

    2003 Benita B. Roberts ’86 - Social Sciences

    2002 Pamela S. Clute ’71 - Mathematics, M.A. ’78, Ph.D. ’82 - Education

    2001 Kathleen Gonzales ’74 - Mexican-American Studies and History

    2000 Frank Heyming ’73 - Political Science, Urban Studies, and Economics

    1999 Inge Pelzer ’75 - Human Development and Liberal Studies, Ph.D. ’78 - Education

    1998 William H. Plummer ’67 - Political Science

    1996 Gabriel A. Mendoza ’88 - Spanish

    1995 Edward B. Cowan, Jr. ’58 - Biology

    1994 Pauline Mazetti McGuigan ’64 - History

    1993 William H. Bonnett III ’69 - Political Science

    1992 Lois J. Carson, M.A. ’75 - Education

    1991 Nicholas H. Goldware ’70 - Economics

    1990 Art Pick ’59 - Social Sciences

    1989 Manuela G. Sosa ’66 - Biology

  • Public Service Award

    2008 Tod Burnett ’85 - Political Science/Administrative Studies

    2005 Stanley L. Sniff, Jr. ’80 - Philosophy

    2004 Barbara E. Kerr ’68 - English

    2003 Christopher E. Angelo ’72 - Social Services

    2002 Christopher Fichtner ’77 - Psychobiology

    2001 Herbert  R. Fischer, M.Admin ’76, Ph.D. ’83 - Education

    2000 Amy S. Harrison ’72 - Psychology

    1999 Rev. William A. Greenlaw ’65 - Social Sciences

    1998 Gale M. Morrison ’74 - Psychology, Ph.D. ’79 - Education

    1996 Carol W. Williams ’64 - Zoology

    1995 Lawrence A. Lacey, M.S. ’75, Ph.D. ’78  - Entomology

    1994 Gerilee Gustason ’60 - English

    1993 Carole Nagengast ’75, M.A. ’78 - Anthropology

    1992 E. Dollie Totaro Wolverton ’57 - History

    1991 Gary J. Clarke ’69 - Political Science and Economics

    1990 Kay Ceniceros ’77 - Urban Studies, M.Admin ’79

    1989 Steven W. Clute ’71- Social Sciences
     

  • Honored Alumni Award
    BCOE

    2007 Brian Hawley ’89, M.S.  ’91 - Computer Science

    2006 Brian K. Bender ’89 - Computer Science

     

    CNAS

    2007 William Fenical, Ph.D. ’68 - Chemistry

    2006 James C. Carrington ’82 - Plant Science

     

    CHASS

    2007 Joel Reynolds ’75 - Political Science

    2006 Ann E. Maxwell ’66 - English & Evan L. Maxwell ’65 - Political Science
     

 

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