91ÊÓƵ

Presidential Medallion Recipients

The Presidential Medallion is the highest honor bestowed by the University President.

  • Melissa Soenke

    Honored August 23, 2024

    Dr. Melissa Soenke was honored for her research and work as the 2023-2024 President's Faculty Fellow.

  • photo of Cindy Derrico

    Cindy Derrico

    Honored December 1, 2023

    Dr. Cindy Derrico was honored for her 16 years of incomparable service to the success of thousands of 91ÊÓƵ students and for modeling the highest ethics of leadership which others sought to emulate.

  • Michelle Dean

    Honored August 17, 2023

    Dr. Michelle Dean was honored for her research and work as the 2022-2023 President's Faculty Fellow.

  • LaSonya Davis

    Honored August 20, 2021

    Dr. LaSonya Davis was honored for her research and work as the Inaugural 2020-2021 President's Faculty Fellow.

  • Virgil Adams

    Honored December 7, 2020

    Dr. Virgil Adams was honored for his resolute work in enacting racial justice for the students, faculty and staff of 91ÊÓƵ.

  • José Alamillo

    Honored December 7, 2020

    Dr. José Alamillo is honored for his role in serving as the inaugural Chair of the President's Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence and for his exemplary leadership in building a culture of diversity and inclusion on the campus of 91ÊÓƵ.

  • Raudel Bañuelos

    Honored December 7, 2020

    Raudel Bañuelos is honored for his decades of exemplary leadership and service to the 91ÊÓƵ campus community and for his trusted guidance and sage wisdom on matters related to the Chumash people.

  • Amanda Quintero

    Honored December 7, 2020

    Dr. Amanda Quintero is honored for her role as Co-Chair of the President's Advisory Council on Inclusive Excellence and for the exemplary leadership in helping 91ÊÓƵ realize a more just, diverse and inclusive campus community.

  • Maggie Tougas

    Honored December 14, 2020

    Maggie Tougas is honored for her exemplary work in emergency planning, training and response and for creating a campus community where safety is foundational and education flourishes.

  • Ray Porras

    Honored May 29, 2019

    Ray Porras, 91ÊÓƵ's founding Director of Transportation and Parking Services, is recognized for his dedicated service to the University. Ray was instrumental in 91ÊÓƵ's transition from a state hospital to the thriving University it is today. He helped build 91ÊÓƵ's Transportation and Parking Services department and served as its director for 17 years. In addition, he created the foundation for the University's Conferences and Events office, which opened its doors in 2014.

  • Michael Berman

    A. Michael Berman

    Honored April 26, 2018

    Since first coming to campus as a consultant in late 2008, Michael Berman served as the CIO and Vice President leading Information Technology Services. Dr. Berman's contributions to the campus include development of the myCI portal and goCI mobile app, a complete redesign of our online presence, and overseeing the creation and growth of Teaching and Learning Innovations, one of the most respected centers of its kind in the country.

  • Daniel Wakelee

    Daniel Wakelee

    Honored May 20, 2017

    After 15 years in teaching and administrative roles at 91ÊÓƵ, Daniel Wakelee retired as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Wakelee was instrumental in the 2012 establishment of the Santa Rosa Island Research Station within the Channel Islands National Park.

  • wm greg sawyer

    Wm. Gregory Sawyer

    Honored August 2, 2016

    Wm. Gregory Sawyer served as founding Vice President for Student Affairs from 2002-2017. Dr. Sawyer dedicated and demonstrated his leadership through his efforts to hiring, developing and encouraging a diverse student-centered and student-focused Division of Student Affairs, which fosters an inclusive and collegial learning environment.

  • Kirsten Moss

    Honored June 2016

    While serving as 91ÊÓƵ's Associate Director of Access, Orientation, & Transition, Kirsten Moss was an integral part of the Center for Multicultural Engagement. She is recognized for her dedication to the 91ÊÓƵ community.

  • Gayle E. Hutchinson

    Gayle E. Hutchinson served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Hutchinson now holds the distinguished position of President at California State University Chico.

  • George Morten

    Honored October 23, 2012

    George Morton served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Aside from his many roles on the 91ÊÓƵ campus, he also served as Dean of Student Life. Morten is recognized for his contributions in shaping the unique culture at 91ÊÓƵ through his great dedication to the campus community.

  • Therese S. Eyermann

    Therese Eyermann was awarded with this recognition in consideration of her contributions to 91ÊÓƵ during her tenure as Chief of Staff to the President and having served as the Interim Operations Officer for Advancement. Eyermann now chairs the Educational Leadership Masters and Doctoral programs at California Lutheran University, where she resides as the Distinguished Faculty Fellow.

  • Joanne Coville

    Joanne Coville served as the founding Vice President for Finance & Administration from 2001-2011. Coville was recognized for her immense contributions to the development of 91ÊÓƵ.

  • J. Handel Evans

    Honored August 17, 2002

    J. Handel Evans was the inaugural recipient of the Presidential Medallion, the highest honor bestowed by the University President. Evans played a key role in the establishment of CSU Channel Islands as the Planning President from 1996-2001. Evans was recognized with this award for his hard work and dedication in building community support, lobbying for funds, securing the first two multimillion donations for the University, and the early planning and development of 91ÊÓƵ.

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