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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.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Honorees are celebrated and presented their awards at our annual dinner in April. 
Inquiries: alumnievents@ucr.edu
For sponsorship information, please contact Kristin Seiler at kristin.seiler@ucr.edu.
Proceeds benefit scholarship initiatives at UCR. Additional information will be available closer to the event.

2027 Alumni Award Honorees

David Betts

 Distinguished Alumni Award

David Betts '90

David Betts is an alumnus of UCR and has served on the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees since July 1, 2022. He served on the UCRF Board of Trustees Stewardship Committee until June 30, 2025. He is a committed supporter of UCR's Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production.

David formally retired as a principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP in January 2026. He took a leave of absence from the company in January 2025 after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) a month prior. During his leave, David worked with his wife, Anne Mundell, on an AI-enabled text-to-speech solution called Talk to Me, Goose! for people living with ALS and other speech disabilities. Talk to Me, Goose! recently won a Zero Project Award for 2026 and was honored at the Zero Project Conference in Vienna in February 2026.  As of mid-2025, the app was being used by hundreds of people across 64 countries and through a partnership with the Live Like Lou Foundation, the app is available free of charge to registered ALS families in the United States and Canada.

In 2024, he established the Warren R. Betts Memorial Fund in CHASS to provide support for CHASS students participating in the UCDC program who select and are placed in an internship with an arts or humanities connection.

 

Jeff Krynski

 Alumni Service Award

Jeff Krynski '81

Jeff Krynski is an alumnus of UCR. He has served on the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees since July 2020 and was an ex-officio member from 2018-2020. Jeff first joined the UCR Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2008, serving as its president from July 2018 through June 2020. On November 2, 2023, he participated in the 'Legacy of Leadership' panel discussion alongside past UCRAA presidents. During the 2023 Giving Tuesday campaign, he generously provided matching funds to the Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship, the Chicano Latino Endowed Scholarship, and the Black Alumni Endowed Scholarship. He also founded the Steve and JoAnn Krynski Memorial Endowed Scholarship in honor of his parents. In addition to supporting Alumni Association funds and the Krynski Scholarship, Jeff established the Highlander Student Success Endowed Support Fund for Graduate Student Basic Needs; the Highlander Student Success Endowed Support Fund for Undergraduate Student Basic Needs, and the Jeffrey S. Krynski Endowed Undergraduate Internship Support Fund.

In addition to his work for the UCRAA Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, Jeff has served as a keynote speaker at several Student Alumni Career Conferences, hosted Dinners with Alumni in his home for students, has served as a mentor, and has participated in numerous Advocacy Days in Sacramento. 

Jolene Saldivar

 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Jolene Saldivar '24

Dr. Saldivar is a community ecologist and a National Science Foundation (NSF) Postdoctoral Research Fellow at San Diego State University whose research advances the understanding of plant-insect interactions, pollinator ecology, and biodiversity conservation. Previously, she held a UC Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Davis. Through her innovative research, mentorship, and science communication, she has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, secured federal research fellowships, and collaborated with conservation organizations to translate ecological research into real-world environmental solutions. Dr. Saldivar has presented her research nationally
and internationally, and her work has been featured in The New York Times. She has also engaged with policymakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to communicate
the importance of scientific research and advocate for sustained federal research funding.


Before pursuing a career in ecology, she served in the U.S. Air Force, where she supported joint and multinational military operations, advised more than 4,500 active-duty Airmen and their families, and was selected as the first Force Management Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge for the Joint Special Operations Air Component Africa. In recognition of her service, she received the Air Force Commendation Medal and Joint Service Achievement Medal and was named the 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for her accomplishments in Afghanistan.

For inquiries and sponsorship information, please contact Kristin Seiler at kristin.seiler@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

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

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

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

  • 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

  • 2026 Susan DeWitt '83 [Watch the Video]

    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

  • 2026 Angel Rodriguez '08, M.Ed. '21  [Watch the Video]

    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 - History
     

  • 2026 Dr. Gerald Daniels '08. M.A. '10, Ph.D. '13 [Watch the Video]

    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
     

  • 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

  • 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
     

  • 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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