Alumni Awards of Distinction
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. This year's event will be held virtually.
Saturday, October 17, 2020 | 3:00 p.m.
RSVP by October 2, 2020, to receive your gift package in time for the online celebration.
Inquiries: specialevents@ucr.edu or (951) 827-3144
There are several sponsorship opportunities. See which one is right for you.
Proceeds benefit scholarship and fellowship initiatives at UCR
Learn about the 2020 award recipients below.
Distinguished Awardees
Distinguished Alumnus 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.
Anthea Hartig, M.A. ’89, Ph.D. ’01
Anthea Hartig is the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the first woman to hold the position since the museum opened in 1964. Hartig oversees 257 employees, a budget of more than $40 million, and a collection that includes 1.8 million objects and more than 3 shelf-miles of archives. She officially began her tenure on February 18, 2019.
An award-winning public historian and cultural heritage expert, Hartig is dedicated to making the nation’s richly diverse history accessible and relevant. A third-generation native of Southern California, she grew up in the greater Pomona Valley. Before joining the Smithsonian, Hartig served as the executive director and CEO of the California Historical Society (CHS) in San Francisco. During her tenure, Hartig reinvigorated the organization by raising over $20 million to quadruple the CHS’ annual budget. Under her leadership, CHS doubled its staff, created over 30 exhibitions, created its digital library, and created the Teaching California initiative, a free online history portal for K–12 students that brings the archive into the classroom. Hartig also served as the director of the Western Region for the National Trust for Historic Preservation from 2005 to 2011 and has been involved in historic preservation and public history projects since the 1990s.
Hartig earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in history at the University of California, Riverside, her bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Los Angeles and studied as an undergraduate and graduate student at the College of William and Mary.
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.
Dr. Pedram Salimpour ’90
Dr. Pedram Salimpour serves as Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Pierce Health Solutions, a California-based company focused on the creation of novel health delivery systems for large employers throughout the United States. Dr. Salimpour also serves as a three-time appointed commissioner of the Los Angeles Fire & Police Pensions Board, managing over $25 billion in assets.
Prior to Pierce Health Solutions, Dr. Salimpour co-founded multiple companies including CareNex Health Services, a healthcare technology organization specializing in neonatal disease management, Plymouth Health, and Boss Surgical Group, an ambulatory surgery center organization with locations throughout the U.S. Dr. Salimpour has co-authored major grant awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as well as dozens of peer-reviewed scientific publications. He serves on multiple boards of directors and has been published in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, GQ, Newsweek, der Spiegel, the London Daily Telegraph, and more.
Dr. Salimpour earned his bachelor's degree in biology at the University of California, Riverside, attended the Boston University School of Medicine, and completed his residency training at USC Medical Center.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
This award recognizes alumni aged 40 or younger with a significant record of career and/or civic achievement and promise in their profession.
Fatima Farheen Mirza ’13
Fatima Farheen Mirza grew up in the Bay Area and started writing her first book in novelist Charmaine Craig's creative writing class at UC Riverside. Following her passion to pursue writing full time, she changed majors from pre-med to creative writing and went on to become a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her debut novel “A Place for Us” was the first book to be released by Sarah Jessica Parker’s new publishing imprint, SJP for Hogarth. It became an instant New York Times Bestseller and was named one of the best books of 2018 by The Washington Post, NPR, and People magazine.
At the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Fatima was a Teaching-Writing Fellow. She taught creative writing and fiction courses at the University of Iowa and at the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio. Fatima was awarded the Michener-Copernicus Fellowship in 2016 and The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research/Creative Achievement from The University of California, Riverside, she has also received residencies from The Marble House Project and The MacDowell Colony.
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.
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.
Nominations from colleagues and associates will be given greater consideration than self-nominations.
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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 Alumnus Award
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
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 Alumnus Award
2019 Sabrina Cervantes ’09 [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