Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards of Distinction

Breadcrumb

 

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.

Honorees are celebrated and presented their awards at UCR Honors: A Gala Celebration on April 6, 2024.

 

2024 Alumni Award Honorees

Christy Lopez ’90

 Distinguished Alumni Award

Christy Lopez ’90

B.A. History

Christy Lopez joined the faculty at Georgetown Law 2017 as a distinguished visitor from practice and made professor from practice in 2020. From 2010 to 2017, she served as a Deputy Chief in the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. Christy led the Division’s group conducting pattern-or-practice investigations of police departments and other law enforcement agencies, including litigating and negotiating settlement agreements to resolve investigative findings. She also helped coordinate the Department’s broader efforts to ensure constitutional policing.

At Georgetown, Christy teaches Georgetown’s required Criminal Justice course as well as seminars and experiential courses related to policing and the criminal legal system. She also is the faculty co-director of Georgetown Law’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety. She currently serves as an Advisor on the American Law Institute (ALI) Principles of Law, Policing. In 2020-21 she co-chaired the DC Police Reform Commission, whose recommendations are captured in its report, Decentering Police to Improve Public Safety. Ms. Lopez is the author of several reports, book chapters, and scholarly articles regarding policing and the criminal legal system. She also is a contributing columnist to the Washington Post. Christy is licensed to practice law in Washington DC and California.

In 2016, she was awarded the Flame Award by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) for her long-term commitment to police accountability and civilian oversight. In 2015, Christy was awarded the Department of Justice’s highest employee honor, the Attorney General’s Exceptional Service award, for her work leading the Ferguson Police Department pattern-or-practice investigation. In 2013, she was awarded the Attorney General’s John Marshall Award for her work leading the New Orleans Police Department investigation and consent decree negotiation.


Manav Sachdeva ’99

 Alumni Service Award

Manav Sachdeva ’99

B.A. Biology, Liberal Studies

Manav Sachdeva is a senior policy advisor and emergency expert personnel deployed at short notice for the United Nations Development Programme. He has worked for the UN and UNDP in several capacities since 2007 including as programme specialist for Asia Pacific and Arab States, Development consultant, lead advisor for capacity evaluation and gender violence training, senior advisor to Afghanistan UNWOMEN, and as a proposal writing consultant for UNDP Somalia. Manav’s cross-border cooperation and peace/stabilization missions have included, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Guyana, Liberia, and Kosovo.

He holds a graduate degree in Economic Development and State/Society structural relations from Columbia University and academic research experience with Harvard University.

Manav served as the Chief International officer for McCann Worldgroup in Kyiv, Ukraine from February 2019 to September 2020 and then was appointed honorary ambassador to the United Nations & Allied Organizations by the Ukrainian Ad Coalition from December 2020 to January 2022. Manav is a poet and writes under the pen name Maasoom Shah Aliyarr and is the author of The Sufi’s Garland. He speaks Russian, French, Hindi, Spanish, English, Urdu and Persian.


Jesse Melgar ’18

 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Jesse Melgar, MPP ’17

MPP Public Policy

Jesse Melgar is the Senior Advisor for Strategy & Public Affairs at the University of California Possibility Lab where he works with government and community partners on data-driven solutions for the public good. He was previously Senior Advisor for California 100, and from January 2019 through April 2021, Jesse was the communications director, press secretary and deputy director of public affairs for California Governor Gavin Newsom. He served as a spokesperson and strategist in these roles during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, historic wildfires, and the reckoning on racial justice, assisting the Governor and state's overall response. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Jesse led communications for then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Equality California, and the California Latino Legislative Caucus. 

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newson, Jesse is a California Volunteers Commissioner where he advocated for Inland Empire colleges and universities to receive millions in state funding for the new California Volunteers College Corps  program. Jesse is the youngest board member of the Inland Empire Community Foundation, where he is the founder and chair of the Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity, or CIELO, Fund, which has raised more than $1 million to support Latino-led and serving organizations in the region. In 2023, Jesse co-founded the Inland Empire LGBTQ Resource Center. He currently serves as an advisory board member for the UC Riverside School of Public Policy and Equality California

Inquiries: specialevents@ucr.edu. For 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

    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

    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

    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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