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.
Honorees are celebrated and presented their awards at our annual awards ceremony; attendees will enjoy full dinner service at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.
Inquiries: specialevents@ucr.edu.
For sponsorship information, please contact Brock Cavett at brock.cavett@ucr.edu.
Additional information will be available closer to the event.
Proceeds benefit scholarship initiatives at UCR
Learn about our past award recipients below.
Award Categories
Distinguished Alumni Award
The most prestigious honor bestowed by the UCR Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumnus 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 March.
Nomination Process
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Who is eligible for nomination?
Current members of the UCR Alumni Association Board of Directors are not eligible for nomination.
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Who can make nominations?
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.
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What is required of nominees?
The awardees must attend the awards ceremony. The awards may not be conferred in absentia; however, they may be granted posthumously.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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